Galatians 6:7-9

INTRODUCTION: This week our president admitted to an "improper relationship" with Monica Lewinsky. The "improper relationship" was simply a code phrase for a sinful sexual relationship. This is not a Democratic or Republican scandal. It is a national tragedy. It is not limited to one political party. What is happening to a Democrat today will likely happen to a Republican tomorrow (Have we forgotten about Sen. Bob Packwood, Republican Senator from Washington state).

This episode most assuredly signals a national erosion in spiritual values. Let's look at some Biblical principles concerning our departure from God as a nation since the Second World War.

BODY

I. SIN IS STILL SIN REGARDLESS OF MAN'S CHANGE OF DEFINITION.

A. Look at how sinful men have change definitions.

1. Killing unborn babies is now called "pro-choice."

2. Murder of the old, infirm, and retarded, is called euthanasia (good death).

3. Adultery is now called "a relationship."

4. Homosexuality is called a "gay lifestyle."

5. These things are call "defining down" or "dumbing down" our society's morality.

B. But the Bible condemns those who try to turn Morality upside down.

1. Isaiah 5:20 - "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"

2. Sin is still the transgression of God's law. - 1 John 3:4 (KJV)

3. God's Judgement is still against those who would pervert His moral laws.

a. Galatians 5:19 - Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 - idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 - envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

4. Romans 1:28 - And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 - being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 - backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 - undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 - who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

5. Proverbs 14:34 - Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.

A. Sin cannot be covered up.

1. Proverbs 28:13 - He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

2. David and Bathsheba teach us this principle.

a. 2 Samuel 11ff

b. David tried everything to cover up his sin. He had Bathsheba's husband Uriah come home from battle to make it appear that he was the father of Bathsheba's child. When that failed he had Uriah killed in battle.

c. It is likely that David's governmental ministers knew that David had sinned, but would never speak up. But
Nathan, the prophet of God, was commanded by God to bring David's sin out in the open.

d. 2 Samuel 12:7-12

e. David's reaction, "I have sinned against the Lord" (verse 13).

B. There will come a time when all sin will be brought to light.

1. 1 Corinthians 4:5 - Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God.

2. Romans 2:16 - in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

3. Hebrews 4:12,13 - For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 - And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. 

A. The principle of sowing and reaping.

1. Galatians 6:7-9

2. Hosea 8:7 - "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.

B. David again is an excellent example.

1. 2 Samuel 12:10-12 'Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.' 11- "Thus says the LORD: 'Behold, I will raise up adversity against you from your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and
he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. 12 - 'For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, before the sun.'"

a. He would lose his son, have another son rape one of his daughters, have a son try to overthrow him and commit sexual relations with his concubines and had conflict in his family for as long as he lived.

2. All of these things took place against David. His sin was repaid him many times over.

A. Look at the deviancy of our nation.

1. In New York there is a play being put on (with the help of a government agency, National Endowment for the Arts) called Corpus Christi. It relates Jesus as a homosexual who engages in sodomy with his disciples.

2. The Spice Girls are held up as role models for young girls. Parents, have you bothered to look at their act?

3. We are told by our public officials that since they didn't lie under oath, or because it was about their personal life, that they should not be held accountable. It seems that lies have become common among our public officials. Most seem to lie without any remorse.

4. Alcoholism, drug abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, sexual promiscuity, and divorce are all rampant.

5. We have openly self avowed homosexuals in our congress.

B. People who believe in a Biblical standard for morality and righteousness have been largely muted.

1. We have bought the lie that Christians should not "mix religion with politics." The Lord's church should never get into political campaigning, etc. But we have an obligation to speak out against wickedness wherever it rears its head.

2. Those who have the courage to speak up against sin are held up to ridicule. Presidential spokesman Mark McCury said that Senator Trent Lot was "out of the mainstream" and was radical for having the audacity to say that homosexuality was wrong.

3. The Southern Baptist Convention was condemned by almost all of the media and feminists across the country as being sexist, living in the dark ages, and espousing outmoded moral standards, for upholding the Biblical laws on the relationship between husband and wives.

C. God still rules in the affairs of men.

1. Daniel 5:21 - "Then he was driven from the sons of men, his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. They fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses.

2. Psalms 22:28 - For the kingdom is the Lord's, And He rules over the nations.

A. Because God calls on us to rebuke sin and bring it to light.

1. Ephesians 5:11

2. 2 Timothy 4:1-4

B. Because we are concerned for the morals climate in which our children will live.

C. Because we know that Christians are to be the salt and light. We should influence for good.

1. Matthew 5:13-16

D. Because we desire a quiet and peaceable life. An immoral climate is a hindrance.

E. Because we desire to call sinners out of sin and toward the light of the Gospel.