One of the hard things for preachers to do at times is to address issues of the current culture – but it is one of the necessary things – one of most important things
Not to say that the 5 O’clock news headline should be the sermon title but applying the bible to everyday living as it relates to current events to see God is still relevant
I’m going to try to do that this morning with what’s been happening lately with all of the sexual assault/misconduct that has come to the surface
There have been over 30 high profile men in the public eye who have been accused of sexual assault on women – latest Matt Lauer of Today Show
And I am sure this is just the tip of the iceberg…so there are a few things I want us to look at as the church and what we should understand
The title of my message is Lost at Sea – A Ship Adrift - which our culture is the ship and it is lost at sea and drifting because it has lost its rudder
The rudder is the influence of the church – the church is the moral compass
The rudder is a very small device but it is vital to steering the ship – not only is the rudder broken but it has been completely removed.
In order to steer the ship, we must have a strong rudder again
Read Rom 1:19 -24 / Pray
1. Are We Surprised By What’s Happening?
We shouldn’t be – our nation is in a state of spiritual emergency – and this is just another symptom of the deeper problem
Vs 21 “For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became and their foolish hearts became darkened”
The deeper problem is that there is no presence of the church in American culture anymore
There is no voice of morality; decency; no voice of right; no one to umpire the game; to play by the rule book
You know why there is no voice – because believers are caught up in the same bondage as unbelievers
What hope can we give if we can’t be free of the very things that plagues our nation?
Barna research recently showed about 70% of men that they surveyed were caught up in pornography – 30% of women - 50% of both of those professed being believers
The rule book is this book – but it’s not relevant anymore because it’s not followed anymore
There is an outcry about women’s suffrage and women’s equality in the world…I agree
But then these same people idolize and eulogize someone like Hugh Hefner – Mr. Playboy – whose whole success was on the exploitation of selling women and sex
These same people hail him as some hero and great American and they weep over his passing away – that’s really oxymoronic isn’t it?
Are we really surprised by all this? I know I’m not
2. What are the results of removing God and morality?
Vs. 24 “Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another”
Sexual impurity is a result of our removing God – removing the influence of God and His word from our culture
Listen saints, if there are no restraints on a cultures morality then everything is permissible
Vs 25 “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator…”
Question: Who is God talking about here when He says THEY? (Expound)
You have to know the truth of God in order to exchange it for a lie
Have we created our own version of a God that we feel comfortable to worship in the American church? One we have created rather than the Creator?
3. Three Major Decisions that Broke the Rudder Off the Ship
There are 3 major decisions that have been handed down by our court system that is the downfall of America
a. Removal of Prayer from School – 1962
a. Led to removal of Ten Commandments
b. Any reference to God
c. Led to unpatriotic moves towards our country and flag
b. Legalized Murder Through Convenience – Abortion – 1973
a. A woman has rights – but a female unborn baby has no rights
b. Killed 60 million people in name of sexual convenience
c. Legalized Gay Marriage – Jun 26, 2015
Listen, What God calls sin – we call acceptable – even celebrate it – even in the church
Numbers 32:23 “But if you fail to keep your word, then you will have sinned against the Lord, and you may be sure that your sin will find you out”
4. Can We Right the Ship?
Realize that even if you have blown it, there is a God in heaven who is very merciful and offers tremendous grace
Come to Him with repentance and He promises to cleanse and forgive (1 John 1:9)
I don’t know if we can right the ship at this point – it may be like the Titanic and sinking
But here’s what I do know – there are some who will perish with the ship
But there are those that God is still offering a life boat to so they can be saved
We, as the church, must stand upon the word of God and not be afraid to speak the truth in love and with grace
And then, reach into the water and help them into the lifeboat of God’s great salvation
God loves us beyond our comprehension and He chooses to show that love through His children to those who need to experience Him
For our own sake in this church – here are some things that we need to think about
1. Some people are not comfortable having you in their private space – we need to allow them to tell us that – respect that
a. I’ve heard comments (they don’t give hugs – that’s not Christ-like) – I promise that giving hugs is not one of the criteria for being Christ-like
2. Men need to be conscious and cautious about the way you hug our ladies
3. If you don’t like hugs – please feel free to voice that – it’s OK
4. If you ever feel uncomfortable about a situation – you can talk to me even if it’s me you are uncomfortable with
CONCLUSION
I hope everyone is ok this morning with this – it is a tough subject
We must not be afraid to stand and proclaim the truth of God’s word – even when it is not popular
Realize that if we, as the church, aren’t the voice/moral compass, then who will be?
And even in our own church, I want you to be empowered to speak up if you are ever uncomfortable about any physical contact from male or female
Some people aren’t huggers or touchy, feely, and it’s OK.
Pray
