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ADVANCING
INTO THE
PAST
Text: Phil 3:14 I press toward the
mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Intro: A call to renew the concepts of moral and
religious principles of past days. The need for a vigorous
advance to grasp again and firmly hold to the truths that have
been slipping away.
As schools across the nation observe commencement
ceremonies this month, and students are ending one phase of
their lives and ‘commencing’ a new path, they are being
admonished to ‘look to the future’.
In many ways, the most beneficial ‘advance’ would be toward the past!
Most of our higher educational system, which was founded
as Christian Institutions are now rejecting all things
pertaining to God and promoting Godless humanism altogether.
II Cor 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the
number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves:
but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing
themselves among themselves, are not wise.
This has come into full bloom in just the past couple of
generations.
It is time for this generation of graduates to take
their place in society and reject humanism and advance to the
past in ethics, morals and spirituality.
This does not mean you have not gained from your hard
work and sacrifice to receive an education. It is necessary in
today’s world in order to make a decent living; Keep the good,
get rid of the garbage.
I Proposition: There is no progress, in any field, which
is contrary to truth. Hence, all true progress must bring man to
a greater awareness of, and a closer relationship to, God, who
is the ultimate Truth or the First Truth. Anything that does not do this, is, by any rules of
logic, regression away from the truth and could not rightfully
be called progress.
II Some ways in which man has regressed, yet foolishly
insists on calling it ‘progress’.
A. In national morals.
Many say character, especially moral character, doesn’t matter in politics. How does this affect our children? If it is okay in politics, it is okay at home, in school, in business and all endeavors in life.
B. In personal morals
1. We bring into our homes, scenes of nudity and passion that, not too many years ago, caused Police to raid and close theaters.
2. Our schools require our children to read books with
words and ideas which our forefathers would never have allowed.
3. In matters of dress and action; Civilization is
approaching the loin cloth and breech clout stage of the
uncivilized savages.
4. Christian missionaries spent years teaching
aboriginals that some things were sacred to marriage and now a ’christian’
society has largely abandoned marriage itself, to the point that
two of our states have sanctioned ’gay’ marriages.
C. On the religious scene, what was first a gradual and
scattered movement, became a race to the bottom and many have
reached it.
1. They no longer even acknowledge sin, much less preach
against it.
Rom 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Pro 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin
is a reproach to any people.
2. No sin?; no need to preach repentance, which is
considered outdated.
Mark 6:10 And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place. 11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. 12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God
winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
3. Don’t teach on the bride of Christ, which is
divisive, and exclusionary.
II Cor 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
Mat 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed
their lamps.
8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
4. Compromise on the Lord’s Supper from the elements to
the qualifications.
I Cor 11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
5. Lay down restrictions on baptism and church
membership.
Acts 8:36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Mat 16
19 And I will give unto thee the keys
of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on
earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt
loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
6. Lean over backward not to offend
heretics, else how can we build big numbers
Tit 3:10 A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject;
7. Don’t offend by preaching a blood bought salvation; it is
offensive.
Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
8. Get rid of God!
Rom 3:18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.
We MUST press forward with haste to
the former things.
Both in our nation and in our churches. Jer 6:16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.
Heb. 2:2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed
to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we
should let them slip.
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