Rev. David Holwick ZL
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
November 6, 1994
Romans 2:17-24
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I. Values are Popular.
A. Politicians are focusing on it.
1) Dan Quayle has made it the central theme of speeches.
2) President Clinton has even Quayle was correct in his
emphasis on values, and is emphasizing it himself.
B. Has America lost its values?
1) There have been obvious changes in society.
a) Increase in murders by juveniles in last 5 years - 85%.
b) Percentage increase of single mothers in decade - 60%.
c) Shocking incidents: Two mothers kill kids, blame it
on abductors.
2) More than 3 out of 4 Americans think we are going in the
wrong direction.
II. Problem: Our Values Vary.
A. Cultural War?
Panelist on McNeil Lehrer Report:
"It is not from a lack of values that we suffer,
but from many deeply held values that are in conflict."
1) Example from Newsweek magazine: Abstinence issue.
a) Many letter-writers applauded it.
b) One wrote to say it was a negative message, because kids
need to be taught that sex is natural and acceptable.
2) What are the conflicting values?
a) Donahue and Oprah mindset.
1> Violence is wrong. (Though we glorify it)
2> Health should be promoted. (Yet we get fatter)
3> Sex is neutral, as long as it's responsible.
4> Any values you believe in is OK, as long as you
are sincere. Morality is purely personal.
b) The Bible.
1> God has set some eternal standards on how we should
live.
2> The use of power, money and sex have definite limits.
3> Sincerity is not enough - you can be sincerely wrong.
4> Abuse of God's standards leads to consequences, and
the greatest consequence is eternal death.
B. In the Conflict of Values, Christians are losing.
We absorb society's values, instead of critiquing them.
Back in 1919, the Chicago Blacksocks Baseball scandal was
unfolding in the newspapers before the public eye of the
American people.
One afternoon as Shoeless Joe Jackson was leaving the field,
it is said that a young fan cried out to him,
"Joe, say it ain't so, say it ain't so."
In 1990 the Methodists had the Gallop Corporation take polls
and draw conclusions about their denomination.
They didn't like what they heard.
The headline in their denominational newspaper said,
"Study Says United Methodists Don't Live Out Their Faith."
The article continued:
"United Methodists are being influenced more by the values of
American society than by the values of the Christian faith.
Study results show that 'people are bringing cultural values
into the church for affirmation, not challenge...'
We want to shout, 'Say it ain't so,' but we know it is true.
It is a disturbing indictment.
And not just of Methodists.
Baptists, who used to be known for their strict morality,
have become just as lax about sin.
If Moses came down Mount Sinai again and saw us there,
he would smash the tablets anyway.
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III. Is the Bible all that clear on its values?
A. The Bible is a hard book.
1) Frankly, there are many violent and sickening passages.
2) Key: look at context and consequences.
a) Sodom & Gomorrah, Lot offers his daughter to the crowd.
b) Not condemned outright, but look what happens to him
and family.
3) Some laws apply to specific periods only.
a) Look for consistency between OT and NT.
1> NT often enhances or moderates OT.
b) Look at the importance given to various standards.
1> Murder, oppression of poor, and sexual sin receive
emphasis.
2> Foul language is condemned, but not in same league.
B. Key values in the Bible.
1) Healthy living.
a) OT laws on food purity.
b) Body as temple of God.
c) Covers cigarettes, drugs, booze, and gluttony.
2) Sexual standards.
a) Sex is beautiful within marriage, forbidden outside.
b) Relationships like marriage are important and should not
be dissolved except in extreme circumstances.
3) Society must be protected.
a) Violence tears it apart. (OT prophets)
b) Justice must be blind.
1> Don't show partiality.
2> Abide by set rules, not mob action.
c) Show special concern for the poor, weak and outcasts.
d) Love goes the extra mile and is even for enemies, not
just our friends.
IV. Values alone are not enough. Romans 2:17-24
A. "Do as I say, not as I do."
1) Moralist radio call-in person in Ohio. Made moves on women.
2) Temptation for Christians, with our emphasis on knowing the
truth.
3) Many give up faith because of hypocrites. They are US!
B. Lived values carry the most weight.
A Western reporter interviewed Boris Yeltsin last year.
He asked what gave him the courage to stand firm and help
insure the fall of Communism in the former Soviet Union.
Yeltsin credited the story he had read of Lech Walesa, the
electrician who helped bring democracy to Poland.
Similarly, Walesa has stated that he was inspired by reading
accounts of the civil rights movement in this country, led by
the late Dr. Martin Luther King.
Dr. King had indicated that he was spurred to action when he
learned of the courage of one woman, Rosa Parks, who simply
refused to sit in the back of the bus.
We seldom know the potential of the seed we sow, but is it
possible that the fall of Communism was brought about by one
black woman who refused a seat in the back of the bus?
It is not enough to say we believe something.
We have to stand up and live it.
When we do, there's no telling what might happen.
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C. Analyze your personal values.
1) Are you living for Jesus?
2) Is there known sin in your life?
3) Has your belief challenged you to do something you wouldn't
ordinarily do?
Copyright © 2024 by Rev. David Holwick
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