WELCOME & INTRODUCTION
NEWS OF GOD’S DEATH
I. 1960’s
a. Counter-cultural Revolution
b. Some saw it as a nostalgic time of good and needed changes while others saw it as the beginning of the decay of a moral society. Social norms about clothing, music, drugs, dress, sexuality, formalities, and schooling changed and many pejoratively denounce the decade as one of irresponsible excess, flamboyance, and decay of social order.
c. Events of 1966:
i. Vietnam War – declarative battle for democracy in a socialist country – the U.S. involvement was increased to heights we hadn’t seen in a long time in world wars. Though it wouldn’t be the end.
ii. 1st episode of Star Trek
iii. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
iv. Walt Disney died
d. In the 1960s, a theological movement began in America that was characterized by the phrase “God is dead.” The movement resulted from the book The Death of God, written by Gabriel Vahanian.
e. The Beatles released their 7th studio album Revolver in 1966, the same year John Lennon announced they were “bigger than Jesus.”
f. In 1966, Anton LaVey forms the church of satan.
II. TIME MAGAZINE (50 YEAR ANNIV)
a. Easter 1966
b. April 8, 1966 - “Is God Dead?”
III. IS GOD DEAD?
a. In a time of crisis, many will lash out. Where was God when ____? Pain causes us to ask difficult questions.
b. A world that doesn’t want God is a world hostile to any mention of His name.
c. JOHN 3:19-21 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” – people love the darkness
d. Does a negative life circumstance mean God is absent?
IV. Times Haven’t Changed
a. School shootings seem to be on the rise…at least they are mentioned more widely through the news and social media. Where is God in this?
b. In 2012, the Democratic National Convention voted God out of their platform and when they got backlash for it, they tried to vote Him back in. When their delegation was split, they forced Him back in to the echo of boos in the convention crowd.
c. Any time a natural disaster sweeps across a part of our world, people ask where God is.
d. When loved ones are lost, where is God?
e. When friends are choosing sexual relationships outside of marriage…when family are making disappointing decisions…surely God is dead…
f. ROMANS 1:29-30 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents…The sinful things that Paul calls out from the beginning of time; all manner of evils including things we may not think of as all that evil. But they are sins nonetheless.
V. GOD IS NOT DEAD
a. We again ask this question that Time magazine has dared to ask: Reflecting on the state of affairs in our world, Is God Dead? The answer is a definitive No! As we live as the called-out ones on earth, we proclaim most confidently Our God is Alive!
b. If we believe this book (the Bible) as God’s written word, then the writing contained within has to mean something to us.
c. From the first words in Genesis: IN THE BEGINNING GOD!!! If we believe from the beginning of this book to the very last words when Jesus calls “He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”
d. If we believe that the Good News of the Gospel is for all people, then we must stand to proclaim it to everyone. Why do these bad things happen? Where is God? He is there! He is watching over you! Call on Him and see how greatly and powerfully He will always show up!
VI. WHAT IS OUR RESPONSE?
a. I have 3 ways that we respond when people are angry with God and maybe angry with us as the church. Wondering where God is.
VII. Be an example.
i. 1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
ii. 1 Cor. 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
iii. It might be the simple way to complain or to lash out ourselves. But if we set an example of the way to respond to a dark world, others are going to see it.
VIII. Speak the Good News.
a. Mt. 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
b. 1 Cor. 1:18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
i. Following Christ may look foolish to the world around us and that is okay. Our role and responsibility is to be people of good news. The world may hate to hear it, but we must be ready to share the good news Gospel of Jesus.
ii. Give people the hope we have in him.
iii. 1 John 3:13 Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.
iv. John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
IX. Love your neighbor. People need to know you care about them. If you come to them from an agenda, then they will know. Be a friend to those around you first. Don’t stand for untruth but treat people with love.
a. Matthew 22:36-39 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
X. AARON WESLEY DICUS
a. Nuclear Physicist
b. Inventor – Automobile turn signal, an electric pencil sharpener, skill saw
c. Gospel preacher
d. Our God, He Is Alive
i. In response to the Time magazine article, in 1966, AW Dicus wrote this song
1. Verse 1 – the Creator of the Universe
2. Verse 2 – Bible is inspired
3. Verse 3 – As a physicist, he writes in response about things in science we cannot understand and the search for answers.
4. Verse 4 – The Gospel of Jesus
ii. 728b – History behind this song
1. Written and shared
2. Pasted into the back of song books
3. Became a regular inclusion in future printings
4. Now it’s it’s own number in song books #23 SOFAP; #523 PFTL; #85 PHSS
iii. Sing song in the invitation
INVITATION
