To download a copy of today’s lesson go to TheGoodTeacher.com and click on “Gospel Meetings”

Moral Issues Facing God’s People Today Prepared by Chris Reeves * Ramstein church of Christ Gospel Meeting * April 29, 2010

Homosexuality Homosexuality is a sin (Gen. 19; Lev. 18:22; 20:13; Rom. 1:24-27; 1 Tim. 1:10) Homosexual Episcopal bishop ordained recently; gay marriages legal in Vermont and Massachusetts; gay celebrity “parents;” gay tolerance education curriculum in schools Homosexuality even condoned among some of God’s people Homosexuality is not inherited Homosexuals can change (1 Cor. 6:9-11)

Fornication Fornication (any unlawful sexual intercourse) and adultery (sexual intercourse involving a spouse) are sins (1 Cor. 6:9,11,18; Gal. 5:19) 11 million “live-in partners” preferred not to marry in the year 2000; out of wedlock births increased 511% between 1960 and 1997; 400% increase for out of wedlock teen births Pre-marital and extra-marital sexual activity is common Bestiality is promoted on the Internet Marriage is the only honorable way (1 Cor. 7:2; Heb. 13:4)

Pornography Pornography is a sin (2 Pet. 2:14) Lust of the eye is a sin (Mt. 5:28; 1 Thess. 4:3-5; 1 Jn. 2:15) There were 260 million pages of pornography online in July, 2003; 800 million pornographic videos-DVDs are rented each year; 25% of adults in 2002 rented an X-rated movie (Time Magazine, 1/19/04) Pornography is addictive leading to more and more sin (Rom. 6:19)

Divorce Divorce & remarriage for some cause other than fornication is a sin (Mt. 5:32; 19:3-9; Mk. 10:1-12; Lk. 16:18; Rom. 7:2-3; 1 Cor. 7:10-11) Divorce teaching in the New Testament is changed to justify divorce practices Divorce is quick, easy and popular. Divorce is over 50% in our country; marriage is down 33% between 1960 and 1997 Single-parent families tripled between 1960 and 1998 Divorce costs are high (sin, hurt children and spouses, alcoholism, suicide, economic, social and physical hardships, etc.)

Lasciviousness Lasciviousness (excess or the absence of restraint) is a sin (2 Cor. 12:21; Gal. 5:19; Eph. 4:19; 1 Pet. 4:3; 2 Pet. 2:7,18) Shameless, excessive conduct abounds: Sexual excess Lascivious dress Wanton looks or gestures Gluttony and banqueting (Mardi Gras) Lewd speech Lasciviousness leads to a tarnished reputation, sin, addictions, unwanted wages

Immodesty Immodesty is a sin. God desires “modesty” (decent, orderly, discreet, controlled) Immodest thoughts (Phil. 4:8) Immodest speech (Eph. 4:29) Immodest actions (1 Tim. 3:2,8,11) Immodest clothing (1 Tim. 2:8-11; 1 Pet. 3:1-6) Not being able to blush is a sign of spiritual weakness and corruption (Jer. 6:15)

Intoxication Drunkenness is a sin (Rom. 13:13; 1 Cor. 5:11; 6:9-11; Gal. 5:19; Eph. 5:18) Drunkenness brings shame (Gen. 9,19; 2 Sam. 13; Dan. 5; Prov. 20:1) “Dignity is one thing that cannot be preserved in alcohol” Lesser amounts of alcohol, called “social drinking,” is also a sin (1 Pet. 4:1-3) We are to be sober (Tit. 2:6; 1 Pet. 5:8)

Drug abuse Drug abuse is still a sin (1 Pet. 2:15; Tit. 2:6) Drugs, like nicotine, can be smoked At least 7,000,000 children between the ages of 5 and 17 have abused inhalants Between 1992 and 1997 there was a 10% increase in illegal drug use; 13% increase among high school seniors We must glorify God in our bodies (1 Cor. 6:19-20)

Profanity & Vularity Profanity & vulgarity is sin (Ex. 20:7; Mt. 6:9; Rom. 3:14; Jas. 3:10) Idle words will be judged (Mt. 12:36) No corrupt or shameful speech is to come out of our mouth (Eph. 4:29; Col. 3:8)

Gambling Gambling (a bet, a wager) is a sin (1 Cor. 4:2; 13:5; Eph. 4:28; 5:3,5) Gambling begins in Tennessee later this week

Violence Violence is a sin (Gen. 6:11,13; Rom. 1:30; Gal. 5:20) Violence portrayed in music, TV, movies, video games and the Internet continues to increase Violence in schools continues to increase America has the third highest amount of violent crimes in all industrialized nations We must treat others the way we want to be treated (Mt. 7:12)

Abortion, Euthanasia and Suicide Abortion, euthanasia and suicide are sin (Prov. 6:17; Rom. 1:31; 13:9; Rev. 21:8) Abortion estimates are around 1.2 to 1.4 million a year; it has increased 35% since 1973; it is legal, but not lawful Suicide is the third leading cause of death for those between ages 15 to 24 Between 1962 and 1996, the teenage suicide rate increased 155%; more people die from suicide than homicide in America; 216,631 suicides from 1990 to 1996 We must promote life, not kill it (Gen. 1:27)

Dishonesty Lying is a sin (Eph. 4:25; Col. 3:9; Rev. 21:8) Dishonesty at work Dishonesty at home Dishonesty with self (Jas. 1:22) God sees all (Heb. 4:13) Honesty is what God wants (Rom. 12:17; 13:13; Phil. 4:8; Heb. 13:18)

Unbelief Unbelief is a sin (Jn. 8:24; Heb. 3:12) Unbelief manifest in leaving God all-together “Atheism,” “Materialism” and “Humanism” continue to increase Church membership has decreased since 1960 Unbelief manifest in leaving the truth for religious error Religious “Christian” denominations continue to increase (Matt. 7:21) World religions are commonly accepted

God’s People and Moral Issues Today Remember where our morality comes from: God’s word (Acts 5:29) Remember our relationship to the world: be not conformed (Rom. 12:2; 1 Jn. 2:15) Remember who fuels the fires of all this immorality: the media, educational system, etc. (1 Cor. 15:33) Remember our action against these things: have no fellowship & reproof (Eph. 5:11)

God’s People and Moral Issues Today How do we know if these things are among Christians today? Some engage in it (Eph. 5:3-14) Some don’t “blush” anymore (Jer. 6:15) Some are no longer “provoked” (Acts 17:16) Some go along and “consent” (Rom. 1:32)