CHAOS AND THE GOSPEL

SERMON STARTER

 

          Without sounding simplistic, has anybody looked at the chaos of the political scene lately? Down is up and up is down. right is left and left is right. . .pure chaos. All we want is a little peace and harmony and the political arena is anything but peaceful. The mud-slinging and the cacophony of voices warn us of doom.

          The chaos has made its way into our economic world. There are less and less job opportunities and more and more people who are dependant on the government for support. There are more expenses than our incomes can cover. Economic chaos is close as many are finding themselves without hope.           What about safety and order on the international level? Is the world becoming safer, or more deadly? Has our world become safer from terrorist attack? Name a day, week, month or year where we have NOT experienced national or international acts of terror. There is chaos. . .pure chaos and few sane voices.

            In Greek mythology, the Sirens (Greek singular: Σιρήν Seirēn; Greek plural: Σειρῆνες Seirēnes) were beautiful yet dangerous creatures, who lured nearby sailors with their enchanting music and voices to shipwreck on the rocky coast of their island. Ship Captains tied themselves to their masts lest they be seduced by the lovely voices of Sirens.

          Today's Siren voices are attempting to seduce us and create chaos for the purpose of control. Insisting on allowing men into women's bathrooms is simply to distract us from the rocky coastlines we are approaching. We must keep our focus on Jesus and his Gospel of Peace. Its the only thing that will get us through the chaos around us.

            "The world is seeking equilibrium and balance, unfortunately, entropy rules and chaos often results. The world is waiting for anything that can move it toward harmony and equilibrium. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is that powerful ability."                

Pastor Phil Roland    <><<

May 15, 2016

Pastor Phil Roland - Sheepfold Ministries

 

CHAOS AND THE GOSPEL

"The world is fickle and Cannot be Predicted "

2 Timothy 2:15-19 - 1 Corinthians 15:3-11

"The world is seeking equilibrium and balance, usually entropy rules and chaos results. The world is waiting for anything that can move it toward harmony and equilibrium. The Gospel of Jesus Christ has that powerful ability."                                                                                            Pastor Phil  <><<

 

Hosea 8:7
⁷ "They sow the wind, And reap the whirlwind. The stalk has no bud; It shall never produce meal. If it should produce, Aliens would swallow it up.

 

Hebrews 13:8
⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

 

DEFINE, Chaos           (Pronounce, "KAY-ahs")

Synonyms:  disorder, disarray, disorganization, confusion, mayhem, bedlam, pandemonium, havoc; More, muddle, mess, shambles, free-for-all;

anarchy, lawlessness, entropy. . .

 

I. CHAOS OFTEN RESULTS FROM THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT

⁶ Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?   1 Cor. 5:6b  

            A. The Butterfly Effect - The scientific theory that a single occurrence, no                  matter how small, can change the course of the universe forever.

                        1. A man travels back in time to prehistoric ages, steps on a                         butterfly, and the universe is entirely different when he gets back
                        2. Potentially then, a butterfly flapping its wings in South                                       America can affect the weather in NW Pennsylvania

                           https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y97rBdSYbkg

                        3. Eg. Global Warming - China's Environmental Irresponsibility B. The Spiritual Butterfly Effect - Hosea 8:7

                ⁷ "They sow the wind, And reap the whirlwind. The stalk has no bud; It shall

               never produce meal. If it should produce, Aliens would swallow it up.

                        1. Mentors and Teachers may be Godly and produce good fruit

                        2. Teachers may produce chaos leading others to their doom

            C. Paul warns young Timothy of False Teachers - 2 Timothy 3:13

                ¹³ But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and

              being deceived.

                        1. Know the Word of God

                        2. False teaching will ring in your heart

 

II. CHAOS = INCORRECTLY HANDLING THE WORD OF TRUTH

¹⁶ But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.
¹⁷ And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, ¹⁸ who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.

CHAOS AND THE GOSPEL, cont., p.2

 

          A. Four Tests of a False Teacher / Prophet

                        1. Does the conduct of the teacher reflect godly character?

                        2. Do the predictions of the prophet come true?

                        3. Are the words of the prophet consistent with Scripture?

                        4. Do people benefit spiritually from the prophet’s ministry?

           B. Hynebaeus and Philetus are labeled as False Teachers

                        1. The Greek word, "Gan-gren-ah" KJV, "Canker" "Ulcer"

                        2. Confusion results from their false teaching

                        3. Eg. Jim Jones, Guyana

            C. Sin always results in death - Straying from God's Truth -Rom. 6:23

                ²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ

              Jesus our Lord.

 

III. CHAOS IS AVOIDED BY STUDYING AND KNOWING  WOG

¹⁵ Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  (NKJV)

¹⁵ Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.        2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)

 

          A. Five Reasons for Studying and Knowing the WOG

                        1. The Word of God is Infallible - Proverbs 30:5,6

                                ⁵ Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their

                          trust in Him. ⁶ Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and

                          you be found a liar.

                        2. The Word of God is Complete - Rev. 22:18

                                ¹⁸ For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of

                          this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the

                          plagues that are written in this book;

                        3. The Word of God is Totally Authoritative - Psalm 119:89

                                ⁸⁹ Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.

                        4. Word of God is Sufficient for all our Needs - 2 Tim. 3:16, 17

                                ¹⁶ All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for

                          doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in

                          righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly

                          equipped for every good work.

                        5. Word of God will Accomplish what it Promises - Isa. 55:11
                        ¹¹ So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not

                          return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall

                          prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

            B. Knowing the WOG creates structure and order in your life

                ¹⁸ "Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your

              soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets

              between your eyes. ¹⁹ You shall teach them to your children, speaking of

              them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie

              down, and when you rise up. Deut.. 11:18-20

                        1. Jewish Males literally wear Philactories, Foreheads/Arms

                        2. Write WOG on Doorposts of House and on Gates

CHAOS AND THE GOSPEL, cont., p.3

 

IV. CHAOS IS AVOIDED BY THE PURE GOSPEL OF JESUS

³ For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴ and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, ⁵ and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. ⁶ After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 1 Corinthians 15:3-11

 

          A. The Gospel of Jesus creates Order out of Chaos

 

            B. The Gospel of Jesus produces Creative Change

 

            C. The Gospel of Jesus creates Changed Lives

 

 

SPECIAL THOUGHTS:

Longfellow could take a worthless sheet of paper, write a poem on it, and make it worth $6,000 - that is genius.

Rockefeller could sign his name to a piece of paper and make it worth millions - that is capital.

Uncle Sam can take silver, stamp it, and make it worth $1 - that is money.

A mechanic can take material worth $5 and make an article worth $50 - that is skill.

An artist can take a five-dollar piece of canvas, paint a picture on it, and make it worth $1,000 - that is art.

God can take a worthless, sinful life, wash it in the blood of Christ, put His Spirit in it, and make it a blessing to humanity - that is salvation.

From The Preacher's Magazine

Source: Signs of the Times, Copyright (c) November 3, 1953, Pacific Press, 

 

 

 

 

I Met The Master Face To Face

 

I had walked life's way with an easy tread,

Had followed where comforts and pleasures led,

Until one day in a quiet place

I met the Master face to face.

With station and rank and wealth as my goal,

Much thought for my body, but none for my soul,

I had entered to win in life's mad race,

When I met the Master face to face.

I met Him and knew Him and blushed to see,

That His Eyes full of sorrow, were fixed on me,

And I faltered and fell at His Feet that day

While my castles melted and vanished away;

Melted and vanished, and in their place

Naught else did I see, but the Master's Face;

And I cried aloud, "Oh, make me meet

To follow the steps of Thy Wounded Feet!"

My thought is now for the souls of men;

I lost my life to find it again,

E'er since that day in a quiet place

I met the Master face to face.

Author Unknown