Matthew 5:17, 19 CSB – “Don’t think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.
Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever does and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Galatians 3:24-26 CSB – The law, then, was our guardian until Christ, so that we could be justified by faith. 25 But since that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for through faith you are all sons of God in Christ Jesus.
Romans 3:20 CSB – For no one will be justified in his sight by the works of the law, because the knowledge of sin comes through the law.
What is the Greatest Commandment
Matthew 22:37-40 CSB – Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and most important command. 39 The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. 40 All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.”
John 14:15 CSB – Jesus says, “If you love me, you will keep my commands”
Matthew 24, Jesus predicted what would happen as time passed.
You will be hated by all nations because of my name.
10 Then many will fall away, betray one another, and hate one another.
11 Many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.
12 Because lawlessness will multiply, the love of many will grow cold.
1 John 5:3 CSB – For this is what love for God is: to keep his commands. And his commands are not a burden
False gods That Challenge Our Devotion to God Today
1. The god of Pleasure
1 Timothy 6:17 says, “God has generously given us everything for our enjoyment.”
2. The god of Safety
Matthew 25:26 CSB – ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have no scattered seed.
Matthew 25:28-30 CSB – So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Sir John Grubb, “THE FATE OF EMPIRES and SEARCH FOR SURVIVAL”
The stages of the rise and fall of great nations seem to be:
-
- The Age of Pioneers (outburst)
- The Age of Conquests
- The Age of Commerce
- The Age of Affluence
- The Age of Intellect
- The Age of Decadence.
Decadence is marked by:
- Defensiveness
- Pessimism
- Materialism
- Frivolity
- An influx of foreigners
- The Welfare State
- A weakening of religion.
Decadence is due to:
- Too long a period of wealth and power
- Selfishness
- Love of money
- The loss of a sense of duty.
3. The god of Materialism
Matthew 6:24 CSB – “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
1 Timothy 6:17 says, “God has generously given us everything for our enjoyment.”
1 Timothy 6:6-8 CSB – Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.
Acts 3:19 CSB – Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
4. The Cult of Social Justice
Action: Seek First the Kingdom of God
Why?
Colossians 1:17-18 CSB –
He is before all things,
and by him all things hold together.
18 He is also the head of the body, the church;
he is the beginning,
the firstborn from the dead,
so that he might come to have
first place in everything.
Matthew 6:33 CSB – Jesus repeats the first commandment: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
What ACTIONS can you take to make Jesus First?
Your God is whatever you value, prioritize and sacrifice for.
- Give God The First Minutes of Every day
Psalm 59:16 CSB – But I will sing of your strength and will joyfully proclaim your faithful love in the morning.
- Give God the first day of the week
- Put God first in your finances—Give God the first part of your income
Deuteronomy 14:23 says that the purpose of tithing is so that you will always learn to fear the Lord your God.
- Give God First Voice in your Thinking/Decisions
Romans 8:11 CSB – But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
