“How Christians Should Respond to a Non-Christian World”
I Timothy 2:1-5 & Titus 3:1-2
1TI 2:1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time.
TIT 3:1 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.
INTRODUCTION
• This is a type of sermon I rarely ever preach…one that is in response to current events. Take a look at the issues that have risen to prominence in our nation in recent years:
The 10 Commandments being removed
Gay marriages
The Election of a Gay Bishop in another major denomination
Allegations of impropriety in the White House
• Some have suggested that if only we could get a Christian in the White House and in other places of government then things would change
Well, we have a born-again President, A/G Attorney General, a number of Christians in Congress and in the courts and; still, NOTHING HAS CHANGED in our country
• Some have suggested that if we would just return to the “good old days” then things would be great again and America would finally return to the innocence our country once enjoyed
Did you know this?
In every decade, you will find evidence of widespread secularism and disregard for Christian morals. Listen to these stats:
On the eve of the Civil War, there were roughly 160,000 abortions in a non-slave population of 27 million---almost the proportional equivalent to our current figure in our country
By 1900, 20% of our American children lived in orphanages
In the middle of the 19th Century, New York City had one prostitute for every 64 men and the age of sexual consent on some states was nine or ten
During the Depression in the 1930’s, divorce rates fell but desertion and domestic violence rose sharply
Murder rates in the 1930’s were as high as they were in the 1980’s
• I find it hard to believe that the devil was desperate for recruits before prayer was removed from school or MTV came around
• We have tried to combat some of these issues with boycotts, petitions, letters to the editor and maybe even threats…but, I will say it again, nothing much has changed!
• Some may wonder if I am trying to be “politically correct” this morning…actually, I am trying to be BIBLICALLY CORRECT
• What does the Bible have to say about how we should respond to our “Non-Christian” world?
I. PRAY {I Timothy 2:1, 2}
1TI 2:1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
• My friend, I am going to suggest to you that the greatest way we can take a stand against what we see as unbiblical is PRAYER!
• You cannot fight a spiritual battle with earthly means
2CO 10:3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
EPH 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
• Our prayers for all of those in authority is not dependant upon whether we agree with their politics or not.
1 PET 2:17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
• You might be saying, “Pastor, we need to stand up & fight for our rights.” I would suggest that the best way to fight is on our knees in prayer!
EPH 5:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
II. CONVEY {I Timothy 2:3-6}
3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time
• God wants all men to be saved…Democrats, Republicans, Liberals, Conservatives, Americans, Foreigners, Citizens, Terrorists, etc.
• There are a large number of people in our government and media whom I may disagree with. What has helped me is to see them the same way Jesus does/did…HE THINKS THEY WE WERE WORTH DYING FOR!
• If we would truly see people who are unsaved in the same way Jesus does, our lives would be revolutionized
• Friend, where we see a problem person, Jesus sees a potential…the only difference between “Us and them” is the fact they haven’t gotten saved yet!
• Do we see them as Non-Christians or Pre-Christians?
III. OBEY {Titus 3:1}
TIT 3:1 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,
• Please be reminded of whom Paul had in mind as he wrote this. He was under the murderous, Nero who viciously persecuted Christians and, before him, Caligula…a brutal tyrant whose depravity knew no bounds.
1PE 2:13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.
• Pastor, what do we do when man’s laws conflict with God’s laws? There is a difference between laws that conflict with the PRECEPTS of God’s Word and the PRACTICE of God’s Word.
• At the risk of offending anyone here, you will be hard pressed to find a Scripture that will prove to me it is justifiable to break laws because we disagree (rightfully so) with other laws.
• Friend the key to spiritual revival in our country is not found in the Court House or the White House…it’s found in the CHURCH HOUSE and OUR OWN HOUSE! That leads me to our final point this morning:
IV. DISPLAY {Titus 3:2}
2 …to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.
• Paul seemed very concerned about the kind of Christianity we display to the rest of the world.
• Friend, please don’t be up in arms about the 10 Commandments being removed from a court building if they have already been removed from your life!
• If we are going to make a dent in this nation’s spiritual climate, then we need to be a people who display what Jesus is all about!
MT 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
RESPONSE
• How do we respond?
2CHR 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
• I would like to give you an opportunity to pray for our nation and our society, not only this morning, but every day
