The year was 1958.
It happened in a small town in northeast Pennsylvania
The community leaders had built a small red brick building that would serve as their City Hall. The same building was designed to be used as the local firehouse and police department.
For that tiny community, this building was a symbol of careful planning, sacrifice, and commitment on behalf of the town's people.
Hundreds of people were in attendance for the ribbon cutting ceremony the day that building was dedicated. It was a momentous occasion for that small community.
But just two months after the dedication of the building, it became painfully obvious that the city had a significant problem with their new symbol of pride.
Giant cracks began to appear on the outside walls of the building.
Then they began to notice that the windows wouldn't shut completely.
Doors would no longer close properly.
The floor shifted leaving ugly gaps around the floor covering. And then, as if to add insult to injury, the roof began to leak!
Within just a few months the building had to be evacuated, much to the embarrassment of the builder and the disgust of the taxpayers.
It was later discovered that blasts from a nearby mining area were slowly, but effectively destroying the building.
Imperceptibly, down beneath the earth’s surface, beneath the foundation, small shifts were taking place that caused the entire foundation to crack.
You couldn't see it, or even feel it on the surface. But quietly, way down deep, the structure was being weakened at its very foundation.
In time, the building had to be condemned and it was later demolished.
When you have trouble with the foundation you have real trouble.
A disintegrating foundation cannot give adequate support to its structure.
Although it has been very gradual, almost imperceptible through the years, I think we've been hearing some cracking in the foundation of this great nation.
What might have begun as hairline cracks in the beginning are quickly becoming serious fault lines in the foundation of our nation as we move away from a biblical worldview.
Shocking statistics...
65% of “Builders” possess a Christian worldview.
34% of “Boomers” possess a Christian worldview.
17% of “Busters” possess a Christian worldview…while only…
4% of the “Millennial” generation make their decisions or have convictions based on a Christian worldview.
There has been a continual and dramatic decrease in the percentage of the population living out their lives and making their decisions based on godly values and biblical principles.
How could this happen?
I believe this should be of interest not only to every parent or grandparent, but to every sincere disciple of Jesus Christ.
Why is it that a Christian worldview is losing so much support, while secular views about things like the sanctity of life, same sex marriage, and humanism are gaining so much support?
I believe it is due in large part to the fact that there have been some who would like to silence the church and Christians who would support a biblical worldview. We are beginning to see the clear results of our silence.
Christians have been intimidated and are often afraid to state their biblical beliefs for fear of being labeled intolerant, narrow-minded or hateful.
My prayer is that God will enable current and future generations to once again embrace a biblical worldview. That cannot happen in silence.
Christian people must be willing to stand up and lovingly speak the biblical truth on controversial cultural topics.
My concern is that our silence is contributing to the loss of our children.
Present and future generations are in danger of being lost to Christ and the church because the messages they are hearing are not from the Word but from the world.
Christians have been convinced to remain silent so we don’t “alienate” the world. While we stand by quietly, our own children and grandchildren are being swept away by the constant propaganda that they are being bombarded with each and every day from a very secular and hedonistic culture.
Every single day our children are being inundated with the very worldly, very secular agendas that contemporary culture works to successfully promote.
The statistics that I shared earlier clearly prove that we cannot assume that future generations will continue to hold a biblical or Christian worldview. Not only may they not believe the same way you do, they could believe the exact opposite.
I understand that is up to them to choose their own worldview, but how can they choose wisely if they hear little or nothing from God’s Word on the subject? They are bombarded by, what the Bible clearly defines as sinful philosophies and worldviews while Christian voices are often silenced by fear and intimidation.
It is easy to see how people can get swept away by the spirit of this age if we don’t speak up.
That was Paul’s warning to young Timothy in…
1 Timothy 4:1-2 (NLT)
1 Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.
2 These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.
A biblical or Christian worldview is based on the Word of God.
Anytime you hear teaching, philosophies or worldviews that are not in alignment with the Word of God, you will have to make a choice. Will you embrace or reject that teaching?
Before accepting any kind of life altering teaching, we must be careful to determine if the words that are spoken are in alignment with the Word of God or if they contradict the Word of God.
As a Bible believing Christian, I believe there is much more at stake than how we live life on this earth. There are eternal implications!
That is why I would say…Our responsibility to present and future generations is not something to be taken lightly.
We are accountable to God to preach and teach biblical truth and the values contained therein. We cannot afford to be silent.
Nowhere in scripture are we told to put our theological finger in the air to see which way the cultural winds are blowing so that we can adjust.
We are called to uphold the truth that is found in God’s Holy Word. I see no mention of political correctness or popularity as the biblical foundation for truth.
Part of my responsibility as a Pastor is outlined in…
2 Timothy 4:2 (NLT)
2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
Then Paul speaks some very prophetic words that are coming true right before our eyes.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NLT)
3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.
4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
Then he offers this very clear command.
2 Timothy 4:5 (NLT)
5 But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.
Christians today are afraid to speak up so they remain silent.
The prophet Ezekiel was warned by God about the failure to speak the truth.
Ezekiel 33:8 (NLT)
8 If I announce that some wicked people are sure to die and you fail to tell them to change their ways, then they will die in their sins, and I will hold you responsible for their deaths.
John Calvin said “A dog barks when his master is attacked. I would be a coward if I saw the truth of God attacked and yet would remain silent.”
In the end, we will be judged not by the favorable impression we have left in the world but by our faithfulness in proclaiming God’s truth.
That takes a holy boldness. It is time for Christian men and women to stand up and be counted for Christ and the values that are based firmly on the Word of God.
I understand that there is a right way to say the right thing. But to say nothing is not an option.
“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil. God will not hold us guiltless.
Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Do you see why this is so important?
It is wise for us to carefully view life through the lens of God’s Word. Otherwise, there is a tendency to drift to places we never thought we would go. And that is undeniably where we are as a nation today.
The Bible helps us maintain perspective and it gives us direction, even in the most turbulent of times.
It speaks truth into the chaos that surrounds us.
2 Timothy 3:1 (NIV)
1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.
Paul's reference to the "last days" reveals his sense of urgency.
The last days began after Jesus' resurrection when the Holy Spirit came upon the believers at Pentecost.
The "last days" will continue until the second coming of Christ.
This means that we are living in the last days.
2 Timothy 3:2 (NIV)
2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,
4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God--
5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.
Paul's descriptive list of behavior in the last days describes our culture—and unfortunately, even the behavior of many Christians.
Don't give in to society's pressures.
Understand that how you view the world shapes your belief about the important matters of faith, family, morality and so much more.
Our responsibility is to tell others about the hope and truth that we have found in Jesus Christ.
This is not about trying to shove anything down anyone’s throat, but to let them know what Christ has done in our lives and what He can do in theirs if given an opportunity.
Not long ago a young Christian blogger in North Carolina wrote an article entitled “How to Win a Culture War and Lose a Generation.”
She was upset that the controversial initiative to ban gay marriage in North Carolina had alienated so many. She said she was tired of the cultural war and that it made her feel “awkward” in her circle of friends.
Try telling that to John the Baptist who lost his life speaking out against the sexual sins of the king.
Try telling that to Stephen, or James, or Peter, or Dietrich Bonhoeffer, or Jim Elliot, or Nate Saint or scores of other martyrs who have lost their lives standing for Christ and His Word.
As Americans, we know precious little about what it means to be persecuted for our faith. And yet, we remain silent because of fear.
We are commanded to be faithful unto death. Jesus said…
Mark 8:38 (NIV)
38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."
The foundation of our nation is not only cracking, it is crumbling and falling apart.
So while the world wages war against on such critical matters as the Sanctity of Human life, the definition of marriage, many Christians are hunkered down in foxholes of silence hoping the fighting will subside without them ever having to take a stand or say a word.
Whether we like it or not, we are involved in an intense spiritual battle.
Sincere Christ followers need to speak up consistently and courageously:
Our silence is saving no one.
Sin separates us from God and leads to death.
The church is required to call people to acknowledge their sin and repent. And, yes, churches want to be known for what they’re for, not for what they’re against.
We want a reputation for loving people, not condemning them.
But failing to tell people the truth about what God’s Word has to say is neither loving nor caring.
CLOSING:
Imagine that the bridge on Highway 11 north of Seymour has collapsed and fallen into the White River during the night.
It is so dark that oncoming traffic is unable to tell the bridge is out until it is too late and one by one cars are plummeting into the river.
In an effort to try to prevent others from going over the edge, we know we have to do something. To do nothing is unthinkable. Some may say it is none of our business, they may not want to hear what we have to say, but lives are at stake! We have to do something.
We decide our first step will be to post a sign along the road to warn people.
One obvious sign would be (SIGN #1) "BRIDGE OUT!" That seems like a reasonable thing to do.
Another option would be to ask people to “Slow Down.”
We might want to go back a mile or two in either direction and post signs saying (SIGN #2) “DETOUR.”
But some might ask, who are we to be telling people they should take a detour? Is it any of our business? Would people even listen to us anyway?
Maybe we should stay out of it.
Just because we think a certain road is the right road for someone to take, someone else may think they have a better solution.
And besides, the road we chose is not the only road. Some would say there are other options.
Maybe instead of DETOUR our sign should say (SIGN #3) “PREFERRED ROAD.”
That sounds pretty good.
Still, some might not agree that this is preferred.
So as not to offend anyone, we could make a new sign that says (SIGN #4) “SUGGESTED ROAD.”
That might offend people if they think we’re suggesting we know something they don't.
(SIGN #5) "DETOUR - One of Many Equally Valid Alternatives."
You can continue straight ahead or you can take the detour. We won’t even tell them the bridge is out. Maybe it is not our place.
And just as you might expect, one car after another would continue to plunge into the river.
That’s a sad commentary on what is happening in our world today.
The foundation is crumbling. The Bridge is Out!
And every day thousands of people are plunging over the edge by entering into a Christ-less eternity.
And Jesus gave us, the church, the responsibility of sounding a warning to our world.
That message cannot be communicated in silence.
We are called to love God and love people, but can you truly love people without telling them the truth?
We must not forget that the way we speak the truth, is as important as the truth we speak.
The good news is that there is hope in Jesus Christ.
John 8:12 (NIV)
12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
If it were not for the grace of God, every single one of us would be driving off the cliff.
So, let’s be thankful that light of Christ has shined into our lives and let’s be faithful to share that light with others.
Let’s ask God to give us the wisdom to know what that looks like in your world.
For some, that will mean having some conversations in your home and with members of your family. Deuteronomy 6.
For others, God may be speaking to you and some ways you can help shine the light at work, at school, or in your neighborhood.
Perhaps it will mean speaking truth, when you would have been inclined to be silent. Silence is often assumed agreement.
As Christ followers, we are not only called to know truth, but to live truth and to speak truth. But our doing and speaking are to be done in love.
If we remain silent, there are many voices who will gladly continue shaping the worldview of our children, grandchildren, etc.
Make sure your life is built on the solid foundation of truth as it is found in Jesus Christ and the Word of God.
