Good Morning, Greetings… We are starting a new series of lessons entitled “A Study On Morals & Ethics.” We are going to begin this day looking at some introductory material and then in the following weeks move into specific moral and ethical situations and the biblical response to such. (SLIDE)

The battle for “morality & ethics” has been at the forefront of many a discussion between religion and the lack thereof. The argument used to be pretty cut and dry. Those that profess religion would argue for a universal morality while those against religion would argue for an individual morality. This great debate has now shifted and evolved. Those that profess religion are less and less likely to appeal to an sort of morality while those that are anti-religion are professing more and more for a universal morality. With this in mind let us look at our first point today…(SLIDE)

The Shift Like with many things in life there are ebbs and flows. Mans inability, it seems, to stay the course is the obvious reason for such. The book of Judges is a great example of this!!! When it comes to the “worlds” basic view of morality we have, as mentioned, seen a shift take place. We have all witnessed “religion” back away from moral standards, in the realm of abortion and/or homosexuality. We have heard relatively new terms coined such as “situation ethics.” Some, if not many, are unaware of the shift in morality amongst those that claim no religious affiliation i.e. agnostics and athiests. Notice a couple of great examples of this…(SLIDE)

Katharine “I don’t want to! Why should I?” In Katharine Tait’s book (SLIDE) “My Father Bertrand Russell” we see this dynamic bear itself out between a father and his child.1 In this book Katharine remembers back to when her father tried to teach her the difference between right and wrong. When he would try she would reply…(SLIDE) Bertrand’s response was…(SLIDE) 1 Jackson, Wayne. "Religion and Morality: The Connection." ChristianCourier.com. Access date: April 10, 2016. https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/312-religion-and-morality-the-connection

“Because more people will be happy if you do than if you don’t.” Bertrand “Because more people will be happy if you do than if you don’t.” Now as you can imagine a child that is told to “think for themselves and listen to no one else” might react to such information. (SLIDE)

“So what? I don’t care about other people.” Katharine “So what? I don’t care about other people.” Now here is where an admitted agnostic or atheist might conclude “she is right.” However notice Bertrand’s response back.

Bertrand “But you should”

Katharine “But why?” Katharine would write in her book that her father, now very frustrated, would end the conversation with this statement…(SLIDE)

“Because more people will be happy if you do than if you don’t” Bertrand “Because more people will be happy if you do than if you don’t” Katharine Tait would write after this encounter…(SLIDE)

Katharine “We felt the heavy pressure of his rectitude and obeyed, but the reason was not convincing—neither to us nor to him.”

The Shift Another shining example of this flip flop on the importance of morality is visible in the debate between Alan Keyes (past presidential candidate & self proclaimed Christian) and Alan Dershowitz (law prophesier at Harvard and self proclaimed atheist). This debate took place on September 27, 2000. Of importance here is the argument for morality by Dershowitz…(SLIDE)

“Men ought to do right because it is the right thing to do.” Dershowitz “Men ought to do right because it is the right thing to do.” This was the logical substance of Alan Dershowitz’s argument for morality to be separate from religion. As we can see this shirt is one that is important to grasp so that we may combat such nonsensical and illogical arguments that, to be frank, are “working” on more and more people. So, let’s now look at our second point for this morning…(SLIDE)

The Truth “There are exceptions to most every rule. And exceptions are precisely that; they are exceptions.”1 As we have just seen some, like Russell and Dershowitz, denounce religion but try and live more lives. We have also seen those who proclaim to be very religious but are anything but such. Example: Ku Klux Klan These are historically the exception to the rule. The vast majority or the general rule is that those that believe in God and have a sense of the moral principles in the Bible are better people “morally & ethically speaking.” There is a reason why religion i.e. God’s Word cannot be separated from morality. Why, because it is the source of morality. John Locke said it correctly…(SLIDE) 1 Jackson, Wayne. "The Connection between Religion and Morality." ChristianCourier.com. Access date: April 10, 2016. https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/411-connection-between-religion-and-morality-the

“To give a man full knowledge of true morality, I would send him to no other book than the New Testament.” George Washington once wrote…(SLIDE)

“And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.” So what does the Bible say concerning morality? Let me be as clear as I possibly can be the Bible covers every single moral and ethical issue if one is willing to look for it (2 Peter 1:3). (SLIDE)

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence” This is why we, children of God, can confidently state “there is no moral or ethical issue that is not discussed in the Holy Writ.” (SLIDE) 2 Peter 1:3

Sexual Immorality Murder Lust Lying Covetousness Social Drinking Idolatry 1 Corinthians 6:9 Romans 1:29 1 John 2:16 Revelation 21:8 Romans 7:7-8 1 Peter 4:7 Galatians 5:19-21

Brothers and sister we are most blessed to have a God that loves us so much that He has providentially taken care of His Word so that we can confidently “know” what God expects of us to live good moral and ethical lives. That doesn’t mean it will always be easy to do such…no, Satan is good and powerful but with God and His Word we can humble ourselves to obedience and prepare ourselves for an eternity with our Father in heaven.

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Confess Jesus As Lord Obey The Gospel Live A Faithful Life Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Acts 17:30 Matthew 10:32 Romans 6:3-5 1 John 1:7

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Romans 10:17

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Acts 17:30

“The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent” Acts 17:30

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Confess Jesus As Lord Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Acts 17:30 Matthew 10:32

“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 10:32

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Confess Jesus As Lord Obey The Gospel Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Acts 17:30 Matthew 10:32 Romans 6:3-5

“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” Romans 6:3-5

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Confess Jesus As Lord Obey The Gospel Live A Faithful Life Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Acts 17:30 Matthew 10:32 Romans 6:3-5 1 John 1:7

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7