Wrong is still Wrong

David Did it! Why Can’t I?

Wrong is Still Wrong

S.R. Genesis 3:8-13

In an age of loose morals, Satan provides many rationalizations to excuse any kind of behavior. You can justify (even in Scripture) almost anything you want to do. Most criminals in jails believe they are not guilty. No one wants to admit they are sinners. If they do, they try to appease their guilt by saying “Everyone is doing it”.

The Problem – is sIn! The solution is repentance and following Jesus!

Man’s attitude used to be don’t sin. Now it is don’t get caught!

Reader’s Digest – Preachers against sin, Don’t know what sin is.

There is a MORAL ABSOLUTE
Who makes the rules?
God Says:
     Obey your parents (unless they are disobeying God)
     Don’t kill (unless it is in absolute self-defense)
     Don’t have sex with someone you are not married to.
     Don’t steal
     Don’t tell lies
     Don’t desire your neighbor’s stuff

World seeks pleasure as an end and never finds it.
A Christian finds pleasure in Christ and never loses it.
A Christian strongly desires to do the right thing. Romans 7:15-20

How do we fight the battle to do right and win?
As Christians, we must remember that wrong is wrong despite our efforts to excuse our actions.

1. Wrong is wrong even if we don’t get caught. Proverbs 15:3
WHY?
You may fool man, but you can’t fool God. He is an eyewitness of all you do. Hebrews 4:13
We have a conscience.
What is done in secrete will be exposed in the judgment day.
Adultery, stealing candy from a store, cheating on taxes or an exam

2. Wrong is wrong even if we do it for a good cause. II John 9
WHY?
Honorable purpose does not justify dishonorable action.
Robin Hood vs. Panch Villa, telling a “white lie” - All did wrong things.
The end does not always justify the means. I John 5:17
Sin is still (always) a transgression of God’s Law. I John 3:4
Stealing food for your hungry kids, defrauding one to help another.

3. Wrong is wrong even if others are doing worse things. Proverbs 24:8-9
WHY?
It will be little comfort on the Day of Judgment to know others committed a worse sin. Your punishment will be the same as theirs. Romans 6:23
Even the thought of sin is sin. Matthew 5:27-28
Shoplifting, looking at pornography or reading immoral novels, running red lights

4. Wrong is wrong even if it doesn’t bother our conscience. Ephesians 4:17-20
WHY?
The conscience can be trained to block out or to generate guilt.
Even if it is evil done sincerely, it is still sin to God. I Timothy 4:1-3 -
Conscience or not, we will all pay for our sins (unless we believe in Jesus’ atonement for our sins). Galatians 6:7
Cussing, getting mad, getting even with someone.
Hebrews 13:18

5. Wrong is wrong even if it is commonly considered acceptable. Exodus 23:2
WHY?
Just because someone else or some government say’s it’s okay doesn’t mean that God says it’s okay. The Christian should not follow the crowd when the crowd is into a sin. Proverbs 4:14-19
Choose your friends carefully lest they lead you astray. I Corinthians 15:33
Don’t become an enabler by allowing others to continue in their sin.
Getting drunk at a party, engaging in an act of vandalism.

Determine to do right and avoid evil. I Thessalonians 5:21-22
There is never a right way to do wrong.
Live your life before men is such a way that they have no cause to accuse you of sinning. I Peter 3:15-16; 2:11-12
Romans 1:28-32
Romans 2:14-15
Romans 6:1-7, 18

Wonderful Grace of Jesus – Amazing Grace
Repent means to turn around. Stop doing the wrong thing, turn around.
“Go and do the right thing (based on God’s moral absolutes)”

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Christians and Government

Christians & Government

Why and How Christians Must Vote
1. Heritage
What are the principles on which our nation and freedom is based?

The Pilgrims and Puritans first came to America seeking freedom to worship as they believe without the government telling them what they could and could not do.

Founding documents acknowledge God

Declaration of Independence –
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. Four times, God is referenced in the Declaration of Independence.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

United States Constitution
“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” –
Charles E. Rice, The Supreme Court and Public Prayer (New York: Fordham University Press 1964), p. 47.

Bill of Rights - Amendment I
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Early American art and religious influence in our Capital

2. Law
“Separation of Church and State”
A private letter declaring that the government should stay out of the church, but not that the church must stay out of government. (The atheists have taken it out of its context and twisted the meaning to push their ungodly agenda.)

Other remarks
“In order effectually to accomplish these great ends, it is. . . the duty of those who bear rule to promote and encourage piety [respect for God]. Henry Laurens, President of Congress, Selected as Delegate to the Constitutional Convention

Jefferson voted that the Capitol building would also serve as a church building. Indeed, church services were often held in the capital building for many years (and no one complained).

3. Politics in the Bible
Joseph, Daniel and others served in government positions.
Saul, David, Solomon, others served as Kings
Old Testament Prophets spoke out against corruption in government.
John the Baptist, Peter, Paul & others spoke against government trying to silence Christianity.
Jesus debated with Pilate that God’s power was greater.

4. Scripture
Genesis 1:1 – God created the heavens and the earth.
John 1:1-3 – Jesus was with God in the creation.
Romans 13:1-7 – Government is instituted by God (not vice versa).

Obey the government –
Constitution gives us the responsibility to vote for our government.
Billy Graham – “Bad politicians are elected by good people who don’t vote.” We need Christians in government. WHY?

5. Lawlessness is Destroying our Nation
Crime in schools
Drugs in our society
Teenage sex, pregnancy and abortion
Liberal media bias
Influence of Hollywood
Anti-God, anti-Christ

6. Religious War
Without Christ in our government, our freedom will be taken away from us by ungodly leaders.
Put Jesus Christ FIRST
Know what Jesus teaches about right and wrong.
Know what the candidates stand for.
It helps a lot if you know Jesus as your personal LORD and Savior.

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Four Planks of New Testament Christianity

John 17:20-26

In the early 1800’s various men and groups in the eastern US realized that there were doctrinal errors and denominational problems in their churches.  These groups – unknown to each other at first, absolved from their denomination ties to form churches whose greatest goal was to be true to the Scriptures.

There are several names that are worthy of recognition in the history of the Restoration Movement as we know it in America, but four of the early leaders stand out more than the others.  Each man focused more strongly on a different, but important plank on which the Restoration Movement is founded.

Their message should be our message today.

1.       Barton W. Stone from Kentucky was a Presbyterian minister at Concord and Cane Ridge.

In 1804 he wrote the “Last Will and Testament of the Springfield Presbytery” to establish a church that chose the name “Christian” to the exclusion of all sectarian titles.

His greatest efforts were toward unity – I Corinthians 1:10-13, John 17:17-21; Ephesians 4:4-6.

NOT THE ONLY CHRISTIANS, BUT CHRISTIANS ONLY – A name that all can wear, non-denominational and Biblical.

2.       Thomas Campbell, from Scotland, came to America for his health in 1803.

A Presbyterian, he settled in Pennsylvania at Washington, PA in 1809. He wrote the “Declaration and Address” – one of the greatest documents of the Restoration Movement.

His greatest efforts were in trying to restore “The BIBLE ONLY as the only authority in all matters of Faith and Practice. II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:16-21.

WHERE THE SCRIPTURES SPEAK, WE SPEAK. WHERE THE SCRIPTURES ARE SILENT, WE ARE SILENT.

IN MATTERS OF FAITH – UNITY, IN MATTERS OF OPINION – LIBERTY, IN ALL THINGS – LOVE.

3.       Alexander Campbell, son of Thomas, came to America in 1809.

Before coming to America, he began to question several doctrines of the Presbyterian Church.  After a discussion with his father and reading the Declaration and Address, he began to prepare for the ministry.  In 1816, he preached his “Sermon on the Law” – which set the pattern for interpretation of the Scriptures in the Restoration Movement.

His main thrust was to restore the ancient order of New Testament Christianity.  Revelation 2:1-7; Romans 8:3; Hebrews 8:6-7, 13; Colossians 2:13-14.

NOTHING BUT SIMPLE NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIANS.

4.       Walter Scott, also born in Scotland,

He became involved in a church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that took the Bible alone as its rule of faith and practice.  In 1821, he became fully convinced that Christianity should be fully centered on the Messiahship of Jesus as the Christ.  All other teachings of Scripture revolve around the Lordship of Christ.

He restored the ancient Gospel to the Restoration Movement.  Galatians 1:6-10; Matthew 28:19-20; I Corinthians 2:2, 9:16.

KNOW JESUS AS LORD, (Savior and role model)

Scot met Alexander Campbell in 1821-1822 and Stone met Campbell in 1824.  By 1832 these men had fully united in the determination to restore the Church back like it was in the New Testament in unity and doctrine.

Today we have slipped and become careless in the cause for which we owe our heritage.  We should:

a.       Restore ourselves to Christ.

b.      Restore the Church back to the New Testament

c.       Restore the Restoration Movement as a movement of our Lord.

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Getting To Know Jesus 001

The following is additional material from Getting To Know Jesus - Volume 01, Lesson 001 on pages 27-36. Read the lesson first, then read the lesson below.

001 – In The Fullness of Time There are some things that we only want to happen until it is the right time! Having a baby too soon or past due, being too young or too old to safely carry a baby to full term. – There is a time and a season. Being ready for a particular career or job assignment and being in the right place to accept it when it is time!

There is some discussion over whether God causes things to happen or simply knows when they will happen. The point of our focus is that Jesus did not come until it was time for him to appear! Almost every book, movie or story has an introduction. This is the introduction to the Getting To Know Jesus Bible study series. In the fullness of time – It is interesting to observe how God works in the background preparing an individual, a culture, a local or the world for an event and then, when it is time, He watches it unfold according to His divine foreknowledge and plan.

1. IN THE FULLNESS OF TIME POLITICALLY Inter-testament period from around 400 B.C. to the ministry of John the Baptist, the Jews had no prophet, no communication from God! But God was working (watching) in the background as the world prepared for the arrival of His Son.

Persian Rule from 539-331 BC was best known for the rebuilding of the Temple under Nehemiah, one of the last of the prophets. This temple was later expanded by Herod. It was a time when the Jews were scattered all over the known world. Many longed to be a nation again in their homeland.

TODAY is the fullness of time POLITICALLY. A one world government is shaping up that is against the Christ and His Church. Mankind has tried for centuries to exist without allegiance to God and the crime and problems of the world reflect that disregard. Many people are searching for that absolute truth and divine power in which we can all find security and safety.

2. IN THE FULLNESS OF ECONOMICALLY In the Jewish world, there is constant talk about pending Depression. They are finding out that they can’t rely on financial prosperity for their security. Heavy taxes are taking more of their freedoms away from them.

Greek Rule – 331-167 BC – Alexander the Great conquers the known world before he dies of sexually transmitted disease at age 33. Egypt rules Judea from 331-198 BC. (Cleopatra lived during this era.) Alexander is successful in conquering the world by teaching Greek language and culture to those who are conquered. He also helped to scatter the Jews even more.

TODAY is the fullness of time ECONOMICALLY We are constantly reminded that our money cannot buy safety, freedom, hope and real life! The world today is looking for something more stable and secure than their wealth for their peace of mind. Jesus is the only solution to that need.

3. IN THE FULLNESS OF MORALLY The Jews are feeling that God doesn’t love them anymore. They have strayed away so far, for so long that they don’t have any hope or peace. They engage in sin like it doesn’t matter. They are full of moral decay and corruption!

Maccabean Rule – 167-63 BC – Maccabeans, in an attempt to find some freedom, rebel from Greek/Egyptian rule and experience some degree of independence. The Qumran caves and Dead Sea Scrolls belong to this era.

TODAY is the fullness of time MORALLY The sexual immorality and moral decay that we are seeing today is setting us up for something far worse than Sodom and Gomorrah. More and more, people are choosing the pleasures of the moment, ignoring and then complaining about the consequences of their sin and wondering why they feel so guilty and hopeless.

4. IN THE FULLNESS OF RELIGIOUSLY Many Jews see the signs coming that God foretold in the Old Testament. They know that the time for the Messiah to appear is eminent. Already, many have claimed to be the Messiah only to be proven false. When is the true Messiah going to come and restore them to their former greatness?

Roman Rule – 63 BC-70 AD – Romans conquer a larger area than the Greeks held. Augustus and Tiberius Caesar reign during this era. They build roads, encourage travel and commerce. They also scatter the Jews. Romans have provided Ease of Travel. They built roads and encouraged commerce and travel. This helped establish trade between nations and contributed to the easy spread of the Gospel after the Church was established.

TODAY is the fullness of time RELIGIOUSLY After neglecting God, more people are finding that Jesus is the only one who has the real answers to life, its purpose and significance. When they put their faith in Him, they find what the world has been looking for from the days of Adam and Eve. They find God’s forgiving love and a hope of eternal life with Him.

The Persians, Greeks and Romans had Scattered the Jews all over the world. The Greeks gave the known world a Common Language. Everyone spoke and understood Greek. Romans gave the world a Common Government. Roman rule during the time Christ was on earth was the only time this earth was free of war. However, during this time, the Jews are fear ridden, insecure, looking for something to hold on to. Into this world, God sends His Son bringing hope, salvation and a better way of living for all. All that matters is Getting To Know Jesus!

Next Week: We are here to begin a journey through His life and teachings. We are going to look at the four authors. Who are the men God chose to write the four Gospels? What is their perspective on the life of Christ?

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Did you like the debate outcome? Are you going to be happy with the election outcome?

Regardless of who wins, the President, Congress and courts cannot solve our nation's greatest problem.

The United States was founded on Christian principles and designed to protect our freedom of religion. That is why there is no "national church". That is why other religions can come and exist here peacefully without fear of attack. (Try going to any Muslim country and getting that kind of freedom!)

Our founding fathers recognized and declared that without a faith in God, our government will not work. It is Jesus Christ and our relationship with Him that makes our nation the great nation that it is.

Most, if not all of you, have noticed how our nation has declined since we allowed the atheists and ACLU to intimidate us, take God, the Bible, prayer and the Ten Commandments out of our schools. Since those days we have had the sexual revolution which has brought more divorce, abortion, rape, pornography, homosexual immorality, pedophelia and a host of sexually transmitted diseases - especially AIDS. You have alson noticed an increase in lying, cheating and corruption in our businesses and government. Do I really need to go on?

No matter who we elect in federal, state or local government, they are imperfect, sometimes motivated by their imagined power and selfish for their own jobs and agendas. They cannot solve our problems.

Most of you recognize and agree that our nation's greatest problem is that we have gotten away from following the teachings of Jesus Christ. We have gotten away from the Gospel.

I will declare to you, and stake my life, my reputation and future on this fact - the solution to the United States greatest problem is for CHRISTIANS to return to studying and applying the life and teacings of Jesus in their lives. That will strengthen our churches, homes, communities and government and nation. That will restore marriages, reduce all kinds of sexual immorality because Christians will stand up like Christ, live like followers of Christ and declare sin as sin.

Could you use some help in teaching those around you about how to be more like Jesus? Getting To Know Jesus is a turnkey, non-denominational Bible study of every event in Jesus life so we can become more like Him.

Let's work together to build Christians who will stand up to the ACLU and atheists. Let's work together to build Christians who will be role models of Christ. Let's work together to build Christians who will run for office, get involved in government and return this nation to it's founding principles.

Are you in? You can get started right NOW by going to www.gettingtoknowjesus.org ordering your Getting To Know Jesus Bible study materials.

Do if for your familiy. Do it for your community. Do it for your church. Do it for your nation. DO IT FOR JESUS!

God Bless

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If Christians would stand up and be Christians - in word, work and deed, the atheists would be outnumbered and relegated to believe their beliefs in relative silence.

 If Christians would stand up and be Christians - in word, work and deed, the activist judges would not be able to enforce policies that violate the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. Christians would be free to believ...e and speak about their belief.
 

If Christians would stand up and be Christians - in word, work and deed, the ACLU would not be able to press one case in court.
 

If Christians would stand up and be Christians - in word, work and deed, the homosexual activists would be keeping their sinful behavior private and not trying to force it into our culture, get the government to "legalize" it and silence Christian's freedom to speak out against homosexual behavior.
 

If Christians would stand up and be Christians - in word, work and deed, there would still be God, prayer and the Ten Commandments in our classrooms.
 

If Christians would stand up and be Christians - in word, work and deed, the Muslims would not be successful in trying to impose Sharia Law in the United States.
 

If Christians would stand up and be Christians - in word, work and deed, the Church would be a much more effective in evangelism.
 

If Christians would stand up and be Christians - in word, work and deed, then we would know the difference between a Christian and a non-christian by their words, work and deeds.
 

If Christians would stand up and be Christians - in word, work and deed...

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I'm entitled!
I'm entitled to work for my money and decide how I want to spend it.
I'm entitled to choose which causes I want to contribute to and which ones I don't want to support.
I'm entitled to NOT have the government taking my money and wasting it on charities or causes that violate my strongly held religious beliefs.
I'm entitled to pay less taxes and have more money to spend or invest in m...y own family and future.
I'm entitled to be free from government mismanagement and corruption.

When Jesus talked about giving to those who are less fortunate, He meant it as an individual responsibility and choice. He never meant for government to do it for us.

It is time to reject big government and return my money and freedom to the people who earn it. Allow them to choose how much and to whom they want to give it.

Government has proven over and over again that they don't know how to manage money. Look at the welfare system. Look at the Post Office. Look at Social Security. Look at Amtrak. Look at every government bureaucracy running today. They are extrememly overpaid and extremely wasteful with MY money.

I'm entitled to speak out against government waste and mismanagement and speak for freedom of finances, freedom of religion and freedom of speech.

God Bless America.

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