1. How to Kill Morality

2. Our Society is in Decline How to Kill Morality Given over to pagan ungodliness Rejecting objective standards Clamoring for corrupting influences Dissolving the home Rejecting contentment

3. Our Society is in Decline How to Kill Morality Weaken and Remove Leadership Ignore the experience of the older generation Give in to self serving thinking Refuse an honest appraisal of the Root causes

4. Weaken and Remove Leadership How to Kill Morality In the book of Judges we see Israel reject the concept of leadership The failure to develop strong leaders in the coming generations is the first step to destroying morality in that generation

5. Weaken and Remove Leadership How to Kill Morality There was a failure of leadership even during the conquest of Canaan The result of this failure was the presence of constant temptations which should have been removed The effects of this type of leadership vacuum can be seen in society, churches, and homes

6. The Leadership Vacuum’s effect on Society “political correctness” - coined in the 1970’s, prohibits speaking critically about any occupation, gender, orientation, race, culture, belief, or ideology In reality this concept demonizes anyone who openly points out fault with another’s choices or behavior Leadership is destroyed when the greatest offense is to give offense

7. The Leadership Vacuum’s effect on Society This concept has real practical effects The President is calling for a repeal of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act “We have never gone wrong when we expanded rights and responsibilities to everybody” (Barak Obama)

8. The Leadership Vacuum’s effect on Society 1961 - Sodomy was illegal in every state 1962 - Illinois repealed their sodomy laws 2002 - A total of 36 states had repealed their sodomy laws 2003 - Supreme Court struck down all such laws (including its own 1986 ruling)

9. The Leadership Vacuum’s effect on Churches Language which was common place in the pulpit thirty years ago is unacceptable today Language which was common place in the pulpit thirty years ago is unacceptable today Subjects are off limits, concepts are not presented, passages are not dealt with Subjects are off limits, concepts are not presented, passages are not dealt with

10. The Leadership Vacuum’s effect on Churches “There is no fire and brimstone here. No Bible -thumping. Just practical witty messages” “Ashamed of the Gospel” MacArthur pg. 47

11. The Leadership Vacuum’s effect on Churches “The sermons are relevant, upbeat, and best of all, short. You won’t hear a lot of preaching about sin and damnation and hell fire. Preaching here doesn’t sound like preaching. it is sophisticated, urbane, and friendly talk. It breaks all the stereotypes.” “Ashamed of the Gospel” MacArthur pg. 47

12. The Leadership Vacuum’s effect on Churches As with all clergymen, (this pastor’s) answer is God - but he slips Him in at the end, and even then doesn’t get heavy. No ranting, no raving. No fire, no brimstone. He doesn’t even use the H-word. Call it Light Gospel. It has the same salvation as the Old Time Religion, but with a third less guilt.” “Ashamed of the Gospel” MacArthur pg. 47

13. The Leadership Vacuum’s effect on Churches "12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." Acts 4:12–13 (KJV 1900) Speaking to unbelieving Jews “boldness” - a use of speech that conceals nothing and passes over nothing, outspokenness, frankness, plainness

14. The Leadership Vacuum’s effect on Churches " 15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. 17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name." Acts 4:15–17 (KJV 1900) The preaching of the Apostles was not politically correct They commanded the Apostles not to speak in His name again

15. The Leadership Vacuum’s effect on Churches " 18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." Acts 4:18–20 (KJV 1900) The response of the Apostles was a continued stand for the truth even in the face of persecution They did so with “great power” vs. 31 They presented the same uncompromising front within as they did without (Acts 5:1-11)

16. The Leadership Vacuum’s effect on Churches " 1 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths." 2 Timothy 4:1–4 (NASB95) We must have “bold” preaching We must have united elders who despise sin and refuse compromise We must have devoted saints seeking the Lord rather than the world

17. 17 The Leadership Vacuum’s effect on Homes A new survey from Parenting Magazine and Today Moms found that... 56 percent think their children are more spoiled than they were at that age. At the same time, 76 percent of parents said they feel guilty about saying “no.” (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/on- parenting/post/survey-76-percent-of-parents-feel-guilty- about-saying-no-to- kids/2011/12/12/gIQA3ttiqO_blog.html)Parenting Magazinehat... 56m/blogs/on- parenting/post/survey-76-percent-of-parents-feel-guilty- about-saying-no-to- kids/2011/12/12/gIQA3ttiqO_blog.html)

18. 18 The Leadership Vacuum’s effect on Homes “Popular culture wants to take your children's decisions out of their hands-and yours-and make your children's decisions for them. Popular culture short-circuits your children's decision making by pushing their "hot buttons" related to peer acceptance, physical attractiveness, and stimulation. When these hot buttons are pushed, children who are poor decision makers are ready prey to the inevitable bad decisions when they listen to popular culture.” (http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-power- prime/200910/parenting-decision-making.)http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-power- prime/200910/parenting-decision-making

19. 19 The Leadership Vacuum’s effect on Homes " 15 If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15 (NASB95)