Famine In America

FAMINE IN AMERICA

INTRO: Famine…

1. The very word strikes fear…

a. Images…horrific…babies…swollen bellies…starvation

b. The images play upon our deepest inner fears…

c. Not so common today…but it will be.

d. I Kings tells us Israel experienced a famine so horrid that the people even ate their own children…Revelation tells us there will be a famine so bad that millions will die.

2. But there is another famine that is already here in America today

a. A famine that is every bit as destructive as any in history.

b. It is slowly eating away at the very fabric of our country today.

c. It is a famine of the Word of God.

Amos 8:11 - 12 (NKJV) 11 “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord GOD, “That I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine of bread, Nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the LORD. 12 They shall wander from sea to sea, And from north to east; They shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the LORD, But shall not find it.

3. This prophecy is coming true in this, the greatest country in the free world, there is a famine concerning the Word of God.

4. The Word of God has been relegated to virtual obscurity…

a. You have to search out God’s Word in America today…you can no longer be exposed to it by accident like you used to!

 TV…Gotta Search > Radio…Gotta Search

 Newspaper…Gotta Search > Books…Gotta Search

 Government..Gotta Search > Church…Gotta Search

2 Timothy 4:3 - 4 (NKJV) 3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

5. This scripture defines most of the religions in the United States today.

6. Why is this Famine so dangerous…how does it harm America???

7. Answer…the Word of God gives us 3 things that we cannot find anywhere else.

8. Three things that are vital to our well being.

 IS TRUTH

 HAS POWER

 BRINGS SALVATION

BODY

A. The Word of God IS TRUTH…

2 Timothy 3:16 (NKJV) 16All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

1. This Word is Absolute truth.

2. Black and White

3. No shades of Gray.

4. The world says..there is no absolute truth…that everything is excusable.

5. Why do they say that…follow the logic…

a. No absolute truth = no absolute right or wrong…

b. No right or wrong = no sin…

c. No sin = everything is OK

Jeremiah 6:15 - 16 (NKJV) 15 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed; Nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; At the time I punish them, They shall be cast down,” says the LORD. 16Thus says the LORD: “Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

6. I want you to know that the message that needs to be preached to America today is this…

 This is the inerrant, infallible Word of the Living God.

 It not only DEFINES ABSOLUTE TRUTH it IS ABSOLUTE TRUTH!!!

 It and it alone decries that sin is sin.

 There are consequences to living contrary to God’s Word.

7. This is THE TRUTH.

a. Speaking of truth…do you know why The Ten Commandments can’t be displayed in our Government buildings and our courtrooms? Putting Thou shalt not lie and Thou shalt not steal on the wall creates a hostile work environment for the politicians and the attorneys who work there!!!

II. The Word of God HAS POWER!

1. First of all it has Healing Power…

a. It has the power to heal physically!

James 5:13 - 15 (NKJV) 13Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 14Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

 I am AMAZED at how many of God’s people have physical ailments and never let anyone know about it…

 I Ask You…IS THAT BIBLICAL???

 We have all the power in the universe right at our fingertips and so many times it’s used as a last resort!