Standing Firm in Truth Amidst Moral Decline
Summary
God is good, and today we gather to explore a challenging yet vital topic: the decline of truth, morality, and sexuality in our culture. This message is not about condemnation but about love and truth. We are living in times reminiscent of the days of Noah and Lot, where immorality and violence were rampant. Yet, even in such times, there was a righteous remnant, and today, the Church of Jesus Christ stands as that remnant, awaiting His return.
In Luke 17, Jesus speaks of the end times, drawing parallels between Noah's and Lot's days and our current era. The world then was marked by immorality and violence, much like today, with increasing intolerance and moral decline. Yet, amidst this, there remains a call for righteousness. The sudden removal of righteousness, as seen in the rapture, is a reminder of the urgency to live godly lives. The coming judgment is not just a warning but a call to ensure our hearts are right with God.
We must be vigilant in three areas: truth, morality, and sexuality. The decline in these areas is evident, but we are called to stand firm on the truth of God's Word. The Bible is not to be altered to fit our ideologies; it is the divine standard by which we live. Sexuality, as designed by God, is sacred and should be honored within the bounds of marriage. The world may present various sexual identities and practices, but God's standard remains unchanged.
In these end times, our response should be one of exaltation of Christ over self, submission to God's authority, acceptance of biblical moral standards, and loving others sacrificially. We are to walk by the Spirit, keeping in step with His guidance, and live by the truth of God's Word. As we navigate these challenging times, let us hold onto the joy that comes from knowing Jesus is on His throne and is coming for a church that is ready.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Decline of Truth and Morality: In the last days, truth and morality will decline as people seek teachings that suit their passions rather than sound doctrine. We must stand firm on the full Word of God, which is divine and unchanging, and resist the temptation to conform it to our ideologies. [42:04]
2. The Sacredness of Sexuality: God's design for sexuality is sacred and intended for the confines of marriage between a man and a woman. The world may present various sexual identities, but God's standard remains unchanged. We are called to live in holiness and honor, abstaining from sexual immorality. [45:02]
3. Living Righteously in Immoral Times: Despite the moral decline around us, there remains a righteous remnant, the Church, which stands firm in anticipation of Christ's return. We are called to live godly lives, ensuring our hearts are right with God, as we await the sudden removal of righteousness through the rapture. [38:59]
4. Responding to Authority and Leadership: As believers, our response to authority, including political leadership, should be one of prayer and submission. Regardless of who is in office, we are called to pray for them, seeking God's anointing and guidance in their decisions. [01:03:01]
5. Walking by the Spirit: In these challenging times, our response should be to walk by the Spirit, keeping in step with His guidance. This means living by the truth of God's Word, exalting Christ over self, and loving others sacrificially. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's will and purpose. [01:08:26]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[32:06] - Introduction to End Times
[38:59] - Parallels with Noah and Lot
[40:48] - Cataclysmic Judgment
[42:04] - Decline of Truth
[45:02] - Sacredness of Sexuality
[46:37] - God's Standard for Living
[49:36] - Love and Truth in Sexuality
[50:49] - Prayer for Transformation
[51:57] - Understanding Morality
[53:20] - Grace and Law
[54:24] - Moral Standards in End Times
[01:00:09] - Believers' Response
[01:03:01] - Submission to Authority
[01:04:40] - Loving Others Sacrificially
[01:08:26] - Walking by the Spirit
[01:09:45] - Conclusion and Call to Salvation
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 17:26-30 - Jesus speaks about the days of Noah and Lot as a parallel to the end times.
2. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 - A warning about people seeking teachings that suit their passions.
3. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 - God's will for sanctification and holiness, particularly regarding sexual morality.
#### Observation Questions
1. What parallels does Jesus draw between the days of Noah and Lot and the end times in Luke 17? [32:06]
2. According to 2 Timothy 4:3-4, what will people do in the last days regarding teachings and doctrine? [42:04]
3. How does 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 describe God's will for our lives, especially in terms of sexuality? [45:02]
4. What examples of moral decline in today's world were mentioned in the sermon? [38:59]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How might the moral and cultural conditions of Noah's and Lot's times be reflected in today's society? [32:06]
2. What does it mean to stand firm on the truth of God's Word in a world that seeks teachings to suit personal passions? [42:04]
3. How can believers maintain holiness and honor in their lives according to 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7? [45:02]
4. What role does the Church play as a righteous remnant in today's world, and how should it prepare for Christ's return? [38:59]
#### Application Questions
1. In what ways can you personally stand firm on the truth of God's Word in your daily life, especially when faced with societal pressures? [42:04]
2. Reflect on your understanding of God's design for sexuality. How can you honor this design in your relationships? [45:02]
3. How can you actively participate in being part of the righteous remnant, living a godly life in anticipation of Christ's return? [38:59]
4. What practical steps can you take to submit to God's authority and the authority of leaders, even when you disagree with them? [01:03:01]
5. How can you walk by the Spirit in your daily life, ensuring that your actions align with God's will and purpose? [01:08:26]
6. Identify one area in your life where you feel challenged to live by biblical moral standards. What changes can you make to align more closely with these standards? [54:24]
7. Think of a person in your life who may be struggling with issues of truth, morality, or sexuality. How can you lovingly support and guide them according to biblical principles? [49:36]
Devotional
Day 1: Standing Firm in Truth
In a world where truth and morality are increasingly subjective, believers are called to stand firm on the unchanging Word of God. The decline of truth is evident as people seek teachings that align with their desires rather than sound doctrine. This calls for a steadfast commitment to the divine standard of Scripture, resisting the temptation to conform it to personal ideologies. As followers of Christ, we must be vigilant in upholding the truth, ensuring that our lives reflect the teachings of the Bible. This commitment to truth is not just about personal conviction but also about being a light in a world that often prefers darkness. [42:04]
2 Timothy 4:3-4 (ESV): "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths."
Reflection: In what ways have you been tempted to alter or ignore parts of Scripture to fit your personal beliefs or lifestyle? How can you recommit to standing firm in the truth of God's Word today?
Day 2: Honoring God's Design for Sexuality
God's design for sexuality is sacred and intended to be honored within the confines of marriage between a man and a woman. In today's culture, various sexual identities and practices are presented, but God's standard remains unchanged. As believers, we are called to live in holiness and honor, abstaining from sexual immorality. This means recognizing the sacredness of sexuality as God intended and aligning our lives with His design. By doing so, we not only honor God but also experience the fullness of His blessings in our relationships. [45:02]
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 (ESV): "For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you have compromised God's design for sexuality? What steps can you take today to align your life with His sacred standard?
Day 3: Living Righteously in Anticipation
Despite the moral decline around us, there remains a righteous remnant, the Church, which stands firm in anticipation of Christ's return. We are called to live godly lives, ensuring our hearts are right with God as we await the sudden removal of righteousness through the rapture. This call to righteousness is not just about personal holiness but also about being a witness to the world. As we live in anticipation of Christ's return, our lives should reflect His love and truth, drawing others to Him. [38:59]
2 Peter 3:11-12 (ESV): "Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God."
Reflection: How does the anticipation of Christ's return influence your daily decisions and actions? What changes can you make to ensure your life is a reflection of His righteousness?
Day 4: Responding to Authority with Prayer
As believers, our response to authority, including political leadership, should be one of prayer and submission. Regardless of who is in office, we are called to pray for them, seeking God's anointing and guidance in their decisions. This response is not about blind obedience but about recognizing God's sovereignty over all authority. By praying for our leaders, we align ourselves with God's will and become instruments of His peace and justice in the world. [01:03:01]
1 Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV): "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way."
Reflection: How often do you pray for those in authority over you? What specific prayers can you offer today for your leaders, asking for God's guidance and wisdom in their decisions?
Day 5: Walking by the Spirit
In these challenging times, our response should be to walk by the Spirit, keeping in step with His guidance. This means living by the truth of God's Word, exalting Christ over self, and loving others sacrificially. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's will and purpose, becoming vessels of His love and grace in the world. Walking by the Spirit is not just about personal growth but also about impacting the world around us with the love and truth of Christ. [01:08:26]
Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV): "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to walk by the Spirit? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts, actions, and decisions today?
Quotes
1. "I want you to be mindful. I don't want you to think you've missed the rapture or I don't want you to think you've missed Jesus. I don't want you to think any of that. I want you to know what will happen in the culture and in the world today. And I want you to be aware of it so you know how to live in the times when it seems like the world has fallen apart. I want you to know how to live godly in those times. And so that is the perspective that we're going from today." [32:06] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The second thing about comparison between Lot and Noah's time and our time is that there was a righteous remnant. Hebrews 11 says that Noah was righteous. 2 Peter 2 and 7 says that Lot was found righteous. And can I tell you something? There is still a remnant in the world today, and it is called the church of Jesus Christ. And we are alive, and we are well, and we are waiting for the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus. Amen? I don't care what the world says. I will stand upon the truth of the Word of God. That is who I'm going to be. I am a child of God. Period." [38:59] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Judgment is coming upon this world. But listen to me, if you have Jesus and he is your Lord and Savior, you're not going to be here for tribulation. You're going to be walking on streets of gold with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Pastor, we'll talk about more in week number four. I'm just Jesus. I don't know what I'm doing. That's what they say to me all the time. You really don't know what you're doing, do you, John?" [42:04] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God has a standard by which He has called us to live. He has a standard by which He wants us to live. And so I want to share some things and some areas. And I'm not here to fight. I'm not here to argue with you. I'm here just to give you the truth of the Word of God and what God says concerning these things. I want to give you some areas that are in our world today that as parents, as Christians, you need to know this is out there." [46:37] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God loves everyone and we are all made in the image of God. But the devil has come and he has blinded people to the truth of the word of God. Now please hear my heart. If you are battling in these areas, or if you have family members that are battling in these areas, I want to give you a verse, that you can begin to pray. I'm not going to sit here and shame you and say, shame on you, shame on you. My job is to give you the truth of the word of God. And then I'm going to allow the Holy Spirit just to speak to your heart and speak to your life. And I'm going to let him come in and put his arms around you and let him make the changes because he's the one that changes everything. Amen." [49:36] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "We need to have an understanding that not everything that is good is God. There's a lot of good in God. There's a lot of good things in the world, but not everything that is good is God. In Genesis 2, verses 16 and 17, I love this teaching. I love this thought. God said, look, all the trees of the garden, you can eat from any one of the trees that you want. That tree's good, and that tree's good, and that tree's good, and that tree's good. There was all kinds of what I call grace trees. There was all kinds of grace trees where God said you can eat from any one of them." [53:20] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "You were never meant to live by your own ideology of what is right and wrong. You were made to live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God, which is why God came down into the garden of the cool of the day, and He would talk with Adam, He would talk with Eve, He would walk with them, He would instruct them, He would lead them. You were not made to live by right and wrong. You were made to live by the truth of the word of God, everything that is spoke from His mouth. That is the moral standard by which God wanted us to live." [54:24] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Jesus is on his throne and he is coming for a church that is ready. So don't be afraid of the end times. Be aware. The world's gonna fall apart but I have Jesus. I have Jesus. I have Jesus. Jesus, come on, give him a praise. Standing feet with me, all right? Prayer team, come. If you don't know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, I'm not trying to embarrass you, but maybe you've never accepted him as your Lord and Savior. Today's your day. Today's the day of salvation to step into that role, to step into that place, asking God to make a change in your heart and your life." [01:09:45] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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