The Times They Are a-Changin'

 In the dead of winter, if we get the unusual over 55 degree day - some think it's warm. My kids will be running outside without shoes - because they're weird. But in the middle of August, if it gets down to 55 - we complain it's too cold. Same temperature - different feelings. What we call 'hot' or 'cold' changes depending on circumstances - it's a very relative thing.

Unfortunately, in the same way - what many people call 'good' or 'bad', 'right' or 'wrong', changes depending on circumstances. What many people call moral or immoral, changes over time. My kids are exposed to very different worldviews than I ever was as a kid - and at much earlier ages. And every generation deals with changing values and morality. And every generation seems to think of themselves as smarter than the one before.

The term 'old fashioned' is frequently used in a negative connotation. Something that's 'old fashioned' can be seen as 'outdated' or 'irrelevant' or 'obsolete'. But 'old fashioned' can also mean 'well established' or 'time tested'. We live in a culture who has thrown out 'well established' ideas and understandings at the expense of truth.

And there is a reality with which we have to live...

I. Beliefs of men change

It's a good thing when people change their minds and reject bad things - but again, people's opinions, of what good and bad are, change over time. People exchange the truth of God for a lie - and those who speak the truth are then condemned.

The Apostle Paul wrote letters to Timothy, a young preacher who was ministering to the Church in Ephesus and dealing with people teaching various false ideas or the latest beliefs. - Not all that different from today. And I want to look at a section from 1 Timothy 3:14-16 (NIV)...

Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, (15) if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. (16) Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.

In this section, Paul established some Biblical truths, and then he continued on in his thoughts in 1 Timothy 4:1-2 (NIV)...

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. (2) Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.

First, those phrases, 'things taught by demons' and 'hypocritical liars' - that's pretty strong. We frequently don't take stands like that today because we don't want to offend anyone. Very few would accept those truths. But there are things, opinions, values, beliefs that are taught by demons. And few would intentionally believe or follow things taught by demons. But most people would outright reject even the very idea of demons as fantasy. But Paul says that they are very real and that they are leading people down a very deadly path.

We also see how people can very sincerely believe something with all of their heart - but still be wrong, even if their own conscience tells them it's okay. It's because man's ideas change based on circumstances and experiences - not based on truth. Most people in the world live and believe whatever they want based on their own personal ideas, feelings and experience. However...

A. We must live differently

Others are completely free to make up their minds based on their own ideas - but if you accept Jesus as your Lord - you cannot. Those in the Church can't decide standards for ourselves apart from scripture. We are called to live differently than the world. We can't do the same things they do. Not because we're better - but because we choose to do things differently based on our relationship with Jesus.

Because we follow Jesus - we can't live the same way, we can't raise our kids in the exact same way, we can't hold the same values and morals - our relationship with money and things can't be the same - our views on politics and our purpose in this life - our words - everything we do and believe has to be different than the world!

I want to look at Paul's letter to the Church in Ephesus written perhaps 4 years before he wrote his letter to Timothy. Paul taught at Ephesus before Timothy took over the task - so Timothy would have been very familiar with this letter. In it, Paul explained...

Ephesians 4:17-20 (NIV)

So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. (18) They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. (19) Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. (20) You, however, did not come to know Christ that way.

Paul pointed out the differences of how those in the world view things because they reject God's authority and simply do what feels right to them. And we're still dealing with many of the exact same sorts of issues. Our current culture rejects the 'old fashioned' Biblical truth - God created them male and female. For thousands of years, people have understood the binary concept of men and women. Now, 'enlightened' 'open minded', 'progressive thinkers' claim that truth is a lie.

And those in the world can live however they want - but we're not called to live however we see fit. Anyone who makes their own rules will run into serious heartache. But we are called to...

B. A higher standard

That's what God's Word says - not me. And let's go back again to our letter from Paul in 1 Timothy 3:14-15 (NIV)...

Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, (15) if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

This is written for those who choose to be in the Church - the body of Christ, under the Lordship of Jesus. And this is not about me judging those outside the Church or feeling superior to anyone - because, according to God's Word - I'm a sinner, too. And I shouldn't even follow my own feelings - but I have to raise my standards and rely on God's grace to live.

But any man or woman who follows their own ways is not following God's ways. We've really lowered the bar on what it means in our society to be a 'good person'. That used to mean your values were close to generally accepted Biblical values. Now it just means that you're 'tolerant' of everything and mostly do more good than harm. If you have good intentions - you can be a 'good person'. Jesus said no one is good, by God's standards...

We have to live differently with a higher standard. The beliefs of men will change - that is why...

II. Our foundation must be scripture

Our authority must be the Bible. We can't trust our changing feelings, but have to have something deeper, something solid, something unmoving to determine our beliefs and values. And that unmoving anchor is God's Word. And it's there that we have to take a stand - not out of judgment but out of love - love for God's Truth and love for those who don't even know they are lost.

I want to jump forward to Paul's next letter to Timothy to see some of these thoughts developed, from 2 Timothy 3:12-17 (NIV)...

In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, (13) while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. (14) But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, (15) and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

(16) All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, (17) so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

We need a solid foundation on which to base our lives. The world -whether they understand it or not - they need us to have a solid foundation. Because, if our beliefs and values change with the wind - we won't be able to lead anyone to God's truth and the hope of real life after this one.

There are thousands of examples and issues and opinions that will vary greatly based upon whether or not they are anchored in God's truth. There are all sorts of social or modern morality issues where this can be seen. And I could chase down any one of them at this point - but every single one can be answered in the same way. But in order for us to answer in truth and in love - as Jesus would have us answer - that...

A. Requires training

Being able to live differently to a higher standard in this ever changing world - that doesn't just happen. If we are going to live in this world the way that Jesus calls us - we have to be very intentional about training ourselves to become who we're called to be. Left on my own - my natural desires and instincts and responses to people are not always very 'Christ like'. That's why I need 'ongoing training'.

Let's go back to the section from Paul's letter in 1 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV)...

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. (8) For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

I've shared before that I have rheumatoid arthritis. I'm guessing that some of you may be dealing with the same thing. I've had to wear various braces on my hands and arms and I'm prone to joint stiffness and tendonitis. So in order to be able to continue to play guitar, or something like being able to walk - every day I have to do multiple stretches and exercises and physical therapy. It's time consuming, and disciplined and not fun - but neither is not being able to move.

'Physical training is of some value' - and for me it's very valuable. But 'training in righteousness', 'training yourself to be Godly' - spending time in prayer, and in God's Word, and in worship, and in fellowship with God's people - that's invaluable! And when you intentionally, regularly do that - your mind will be transformed and you'll then be able to continue to build your foundation on God's Word rather than on your own personal preferences.

But it's a choice we need to make daily. That's why Jesus said, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." It takes work to follow - but it's well worth it, as Paul says, for 'the life to come'.

But even as we train to build our foundation on God's Word, as we intentionally live differently from the world - as we reject the values of the world - we can't reject the people of the world. Paul was against the false teachings and lies, he was against the impurity and the sin and the evil being taught and lived out - but Paul was...

B. Not against people

We are called to train, to anchor ourselves in God's Word for the purpose of building us up to be equipped to reach out to others. And I want to look at our last passage from Paul, continuing in 1 Timothy 4:9-11 (NIV)...

This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (10) (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe. (11) Command and teach these things.

Jesus came to die for the sins of all men and women. Jesus desires to have a saving relationship with everyone - but many will reject Him.

I'm sure you've heard people complain that Christians are mean and judgmental because we don't embrace their chosen lifestyle choices. They claim that my saying something is a sin, that makes me hateful or bigoted. I don't say that some things are sin, the Bible does. If a person rejects the Church, the Bride of Christ, because someone in the Church tells them what the Bible says - that is their choice...

But I don't preach politics, I don't preach hate - I preach the Word and God's Word doesn't change! Every person, no matter your background, ethnicity, gender, opinions, beliefs, or orientation - if you want to find out the truth about God and His Son Jesus - you are more than welcome here! It doesn't matter what your past is - it doesn't even matter what your present circumstances are - if you want to find Jesus, you are welcome here!

The Church isn't where I come to justify my personal beliefs - but the Church is where I come to be shaped and molded by God's unchanging Word!

So What?

Some people just try to squeeze God's Word into their lives wherever it fits, as long as it doesn't require too much change. That's the exact opposite of what Paul was teaching Timothy. Our goal must be to completely base our lives and beliefs and faith on God's Word.

You are called to live very intentional lives - lives that completely reflect God's love and values and desires and purposes. If you're not daily trying to make that your focus - you will end up doing just what everybody else is doing, simply because everybody else is doing it. And not to put too fine a point on it here - but you also then run the very real risk of ending up exactly where everyone else who doesn't follow Jesus will end up.

Live differently than the world! Their goal is simply to make money and enjoy everything in this life without much thought to the next. Our goal is to get to Heaven and to take as many people as possible with us! That will not happen unless we give ourselves completely to Jesus! To quote Ray from this morning, "You have to give it all away to get anything back."