Introduction

Good morning, dear church family. It's a joy to be together in this sacred space, united in our love for God and our desire to grow in His wisdom. We are here, not by chance, but by divine appointment. We gather in the name of the One who loves us, who gave His life for us, and who continues to guide us on our way. We come with open hearts and open hands, ready to receive what the Lord has prepared for us today.

As we gather, let's remember the words of the great preacher Charles Spurgeon who once said, "Visit many good books, but live in the Bible." This is a reminder to us all that while there are many sources of wisdom and insight in the world, the Bible is our home. It's where we find ultimate truth, where we find the words of life. It's the book that shapes us, molds us, and guides us in the way of righteousness.

Our focus today is on two passages of Scripture that call us to a higher standard of living, a Christ-like way of being in the world. The prophet Jeremiah, speaking the word of the Lord, says in Jeremiah 7:5-7, "If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, if you do not oppress the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your ancestors for ever and ever." And in the New Testament, the apostle Paul gives us similar guidance in Ephesians 5:15, "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."

These passages call us to a life of morality, mercy, and mindfulness. They remind us that our faith is not just about what we believe, but how we live. They challenge us to be people of integrity, compassion, and wisdom in a world that often values the opposite.

Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we thank You for this day, for the opportunity to gather in Your name, to hear Your word, to be shaped by Your Spirit. As we reflect on these passages from Jeremiah and Ephesians, we ask for open hearts and open minds. Help us to see clearly where we fall short, and inspire us to live more fully in the way of Jesus. May Your word be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. In Jesus' name, we pray, amen.

Maintaining Morality in Modernity

In the world we live in today, it's easy to see how the lines of morality can become blurred. We're bombarded with messages from all sides, telling us what's right and what's wrong, what's good and what's bad. But as followers of Christ, we're called to a different standard. We're called to live out the teachings of the Bible, to uphold the values and principles that God has laid out for us.

Jeremiah calls the people of Israel to change their ways, to act justly, to not oppress the vulnerable, and to not follow other gods. This is a call to morality, a call to live in a way that reflects the heart of God. In our modern world, it can be challenging to maintain this kind of morality. We're often faced with situations that test our integrity, that push us to compromise our values. But as followers of Christ, we're called to stand firm, to hold fast to what we know is right.

One way we can do this is by treating others with justice. This means being fair in our dealings with others, not taking advantage of those who are weaker or less fortunate than us. It means standing up for what's right, even when it's unpopular or inconvenient.

Another way we can maintain our morality in modernity is by not oppressing the vulnerable. This means looking out for those who are often overlooked or marginalized by society. We should be caring for the foreigner, fatherless, and widow.

We're also called to not shed innocent blood. We must respect the sanctity of life, in all its forms. It means not engaging in violence or harm against others, whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually. It means valuing every person as a unique creation of God, made in His image.

Finally, we're called to not follow other gods. In our modern world, these "gods" can take many forms. They can be money, power, success, pleasure, or any other thing that we put before God in our lives. But as followers of Christ, we're called to put God first, to seek His kingdom above all else.

Transition. In all of these ways, we're called to maintain our morality in modernity. It's not always easy, and it's not always popular. But it's what we're called to do as followers of Christ. And as we strive to live out these principles, we can trust that God will guide us, strengthen us, and help us to stand firm.

Manifesting Mercy amidst Mistakes

Amid our efforts to live morally, we are invariably confronted with our own mistakes and the mistakes of others ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO