The World Has Gone Crazy
1 Peter 4:12-16 (NLT)
( for an audio and visual of this sermon go to www.thecreekmonroe.com)
Intro: Back in 1995, there was a movie that starred Mel Gibson titled “Brave Heart”. It was about the beginning of the Scottish revolution in their quest for separation from England. Sound familiar? Gibson played the Scottish hero William Wallace. There is a scene in that movie where Wallace (Gibson) is riding a horse back and forth in front of a small army encouraging them to fight for their freedom. There is one line there that I want to share with you. Wallace tells the army this; “They may take our lives but they will never take our freedom”. This of course rallies the men and they fight. Eventually Wallace is captured and executed by the King of England but his battle cry, his rallying cry was never forgotten.
. Freedom, that was the cry
. Yesterday, we celebrated our freedom as a nation. We celebrated our independence from England. Just what Wallace was fighting for.
. Freedom is something all people strive for. The freedom to live their lives as they see fit without the rest of the world telling them how to live and what they can and cannot do.
. The freedom to make of ourselves all that we can with the talents and abilities God bestowed upon us at birth.
. The freedom to worship and bow before our God.
. Sounds simple doesn’t it. Hard to achieve.
. This country that we live in was founded on two principles I believe.
. The first is that if you are going to be taxed, you should have some say in how your tax money is spent.
. We did not have that as a colony of England.
. You probably know this as “no taxation without representation”
. The second thing we were founded on is freedom of religion.
. The principle that we are free to exercise our rights in the free worship of our God.
. Our founders had come out of a society that had one religion and everyone was required to be part of that. They were required by the state to live and believe a certain way or they were branded as heretics and punished.
. Long before the American Revolution, many tried to do the same thing in the colony.
. Puritans in Connecticut set up the congregational church and deemed it to be the state church. They would deem people as heretics that did not conform themselves into what they believed was the proper religion.
. When our country fought and gained it’s independence from England, the founders created a document called the constitution with attachments that we call amendments.
. Religious freedom was so important and essential to the founders that they dealt with it in the very first attachment to the constitution.
. We know it as the first amendment and the opening sentence of the very first item that they sought to make crystal clear to all is this:
. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…”
. Translation: They government cannot establish a state religion. They cannot use the power of the state to force you to be part of any religion. You are free from state authorized religion, period.
. The second part of this sentence then tells us that the state cannot interfere with anyone in the practice of their faith, period.
. The citizens of this new country would have the right to believe what they wanted to and the state would have no authority to tell them differently.
. What a profound concept. Freedom to worship and believe the way we feel God intends.
. That has worked very well for a little over 200 years.
. Not so any more.
. Folks, the world has gone crazy. Especially the United States.
. Pam and I went on a cruise last week. Everybody asked me how much weight I gained and I had to be honest and tell them that I actually lost 2 pounds. See me later and I will tell you my secret.
. While you are on a cruise, you kind of lose touch with the world for ever how many days you are gone. We were gone 4 days and during that time, you would have thought that the world had turned upside down.
. We got off the boat and started listening to the radio to get caught up and heard about all these decisions that had been handed down by the Supreme Court. Everyone had an opinion and they were all warning that this religious freedom that we enjoy is now in Jeopardy because of the freedom of marriage decision allowing homosexuals to marry in every state and forcing all states to recognize that marriage.
. I looked at Pam and said babe, the world has gone crazy.
. What God says is unnatural is now considered natural and normal.
. While I do not agree with same sex marriage, it seems the small majority that screams the loudest has won.
. In light of all of this, we as a church and me as your pastor will do everything in my power to insure that we stay true to God’s word.
. The problem with this societal issue is that many are afraid that the state will now have the power to force those that don’t agree with this policy to do things that are against their religious beliefs.
. Businesses and churches and individuals are in danger of the state interfering with their free exercise of their religion.
. I believe that God’s word has the answer to all the problems and issues that can and will come up in our lives.
. This issue, problems like this are addressed in scripture.
. I know I took a long time to get there this morning but lets look at what God’s word has to say about issues like this.
1 Peter 4:12-16
12Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.
13Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.
14So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you.
15If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs.
16But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name
. The Apostle Peter has just spent the first 11 verses encouraging the readers of this letter to live for God and use the talents and gifts that God had given them for His glory.
. Then he writes this:
. 12Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.
. He is saying why does it surprise you that these things are happening.
. You live in a sinful world. A world that is by nature ungodly.
. These people lived in a time where the world served many gods. They culture was one of self gratification and selfishness.
. Those that believed in Jesus were mocked and many were killed. Peter is saying that this should not surprise you people.
. Wait, wait, I thought that Peter was talking about the people then. This sounds like us doesn’t it?
. We live in a world where many gods are worshipped and we are engrossed in self gratification and selfishness and surely we are living in a sinful world.
.Peter tells us to not be surprised this is happening.
. Jesus himself told us in John 16:33 that many trials and tribulations and troubles would come to us if we believe in Him.
. This is no more than a continuation of what has been going on for thousands of years.
. Don’t be surprised by this, it will happen Peter tells us and must happen.
. Then Peter writes:
. 13Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.
. These things that are going on bring you closer to God. Your faith and steadfastness through all of this will bring you joy in the end.
. Don’t cave, Peter says. Stand up for what is right. Stand up for what God says is right. This will strengthen your faith.
. Sadly, Christians are caving. We are allowing society to change what God’s word says we are to believe.
. I did some research and found a survey by the Barna Group, one of the most respected faith based organizations in the country. This survey was done July 1, just four days ago. The results will astound you I hope.
. When people who portray themselves as “Mainline Protestants” were asked if extending marriage rights to same-sex couples was morally right, this is the percentage who totally agreed with this.
. 49%
(https://www.barna.org/barna-update/culture/723-christians-react-to-the-legalization-of-same-sex-marriage-9-key-findings#.VZfg1U1FCM8)
. Basically half of all Christians say that this is morally right.
. Folks this is not necessarily about same sex marriage, it’s about do we believe what God’s word tells us or do we not.
. Peter writes stand up and be proud in what we as Christians believe. Don’t cave.
. Then Peter tells us this:
. 14So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you.
. Be happy and secure in your beliefs. Don’t be intimidated by people.
. Yes you will be called a bigot, a homophobe, intolerant.
. You are going to be insulted and yes maybe even spat upon.
. There was a catholic priest walking down the street last week in NY and came upon a gay pride rally. As he was walking by, two men spat on him, just because he was a priest and represented what God stands for.
. Folks, when we stand for God, things like this are going to happen. Peter writes that this is proof that the Spirit of God resides in us.
. When we don’t capitulate and stand on God’s word and what the Bible teaches us.
. I have said it before and I stand by it, if we don’t believe all of God’s word as truth then we should not believe any of it and throw this Bible in the trash and eat drink and be happy for tomorrow we die.
. It’s not about gay rights, it’s about God’s word.
. Peter sums this up for us in verse 16. He writes this:
. 16But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name
. Be proud of who you are in Christ Jesus.
. As the world is going crazy, be proud of your faith.
. We cower to no one. We stand firm in our faith.
. As the world seems to go crazy, remember that God knows this. He had Peter write this letter to his readers and to us.
. It is not just about gay rights; it’s about God’s word and what we believe.
. Don’t get discouraged or upset, this is a chance to reaffirm what we believe. What you believe.
. Hold fast to God’s unchanging word and stand on the principles that His word teaches us.
. Peter writes that we can count it a privilege to be called by His name.
. Consider it a privilege to be called a Christian and never capitulate or back down from what God’s word teaches.
. My prayer is that each and every one of you here this morning can consider yourself a privileged person by your acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord of your life.
. If not, you can do that right here right now.
. Invitation
*** To my Christian brothers and sisters, thank you for taking the time to read this sermon. I ask that you take another second and score this for me. I am always open to feedback so that I can continue to grow in the proclamation of God’s word.
May God bless you as you continue to strive to walk worthy of His calling.
Sources: The Holy Bible, NLT
Statistics: (https://www.barna.org/barna-update/culture/723-christians-react-to-the-legalization-of-same-sex-marriage-9-key-findings#.VZfg1U1FCM8)
