INTRODUCTION:
FATHERS I WANT TO ASK YOU A QUESTION. ARE THE SPIRITUAL AND MORAL
FOUNDATIONS OF OUR NATION BEING DESTROYED?
I SAY YES AND IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE PAST 34 YEARS. IN MY OPINION THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF OUR FOUNDATION BEING DESTROYED IS A CHURCH AND PULPIT THAT HAS BEEN TOO SILENT.
WE CAN NOT LAY THE BLAME AT THE FEET OF ELECTED OFFICIALS. WE ELECTED THEM. THE WORD OF GOD CHALLENGES GOD'S PEOPLE TO SHORE UP THE FOUNDATIONS.
1. FATHERS IF FOUNDATIONS ARE DESTROYED
SEEK THE PRINCIPALS OF GOD.
2. FATHERS IF FOUNDATIONS ARE DESTROYED:
SEEK THE PRESENCE OF GOD.
3. FATHERS IF FOUNDATIONS ARE DESTROYED
SEEK THE PURITY OF GOD.
A. REST IN THE . . CONSPICUOUS PRINCIPALS GOD. v 1
v 1 In the LORD I take
refuge; How can you say to my soul, "Flee as a bird
to your mountain;
1. DAVID'S REFUGE WAS NOT IN KING SAUL OR THEM MOUNTAINS
B. REST IN THE . . COMPARATIVE PRINCIPALS OF GOD. v 2
v 2 For, behold, the
wicked bend the bow, They make ready their arrow
upon the string, To shoot
in darkness at the upright in heart.
1. DAVID KNEW HIS HEART WAS RIGHT.
1 Samuel 19:1-2 (1) Now Saul told Jonathan his son and all his servants
to put David to death. But Jonathan, Saul's son, greatly delighted in David.
{2} So Jonathan told David saying, "Saul my father is seeking to put you
to death. Now
therefore, please be on guard in the morning, and stay in a secret
place and hide yourself.
1 Samuel 19:10 (10) And Saul tried to pin David to the wall with the
spear, but he slipped away out of Saul's presence, so that he stuck the
spear into the wall. And David fled and escaped that night.
Psalms 119:148-152 (NASB) My eyes anticipate the night watches, That
I may meditate on Thy word. {149} Hear my voice according to Thy lovingkindness;
Revive me, O LORD, according to Thine ordinances. {150} Those who follow
after wickedness draw near; They are far from Thy law. {151} Thou art near,
O LORD, And all Thy commandments are truth. {152} Of old I have known from
Thy testimonies, That Thou hast founded them forever.
ILLUSTRATION:
In 1874 the Scriptures were under severe attack by critics, and John
W. Haley published a defense entitled Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible.
In the preface he wrote, "Finally, let it be remembered that the Bible
is neither dependent upon nor affected by the success or failure of my
book. Whatever may become of the latter, whatever may be the verdict passed
upon it by an intelligent public, the Bible will stand. In the ages yet
to be, when its present assailants and defenders are moldering in the dust,
and when our very names are forgotten, (God's Word) will be, as it has
been during the centuries past, the guide and solace of millions." How
true!
APPLICATION:
The News Paper in Phoenix said: Pastor TOMMY BARNETT DECLARES WAR ON PORNOGRAPHY. HALLELUJAH
MIAMI HERALD Concerning our emphasis on sexual Purity said "TRUE LOVE WAITS -- ITS ABOUT TIME
THE PRINCIPALS STILL STAND. Are We Sanding?
A. IN THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD. v 4 a
". . . The LORD is in His holy temple; . . . "
B. IN THE THRONE OF THE LORD. v 4 b
". . . the LORD'S throne is in heaven;. . ."
C. IN THE TESTING OF THE LORD. v 5 a
". . . The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked, . . . "
FOUNDATION Foundations (translated purposes in Isaiah 19:10
Strong's # 8356 shathah (shaw-thaw'); from 7896; a basis, i.e. (figuratively)
political or moral support: KJV-- foundation, purpose.
Strong's # 7896 shiyth (sheeth); a primitive root; to place (in a very wide application): KJV-- apply, appoint, array, bring, consider, lay (up), let alone, look, make, mark, put(on),+ regard, set, shew, be stayed, take.
high places
2 King 14:4 Howbeit the high places were not taken away: as yet the
people did sacrifice and burnt incense on the high places. (KJV)
2 King 15:35 Howbeit the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places. He built the higher gate of the house of the LORD. (KJV)
2 King 18:4 He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut
down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had
made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it:
and he called it Nehushtan. (KJV)
ILLUSTRATION:
Robert Imgersol the Famed Atheists. said Washington Oregon Churches
Are Dying. They Are Closing Them Every Day. Leader in the Singing Methodist
Church Starting One New Church Every Day. Sent Telegram "All Hail the Power
of Jesus Name We Are Starting One a Day"
Several Years Latter That Methodist Preacher's Grandson Led to Faith in The Lord Jesus and Baptized the Grandson of Robert Imgersol. Latter the Grandson Called and Said Would You Come and Talk to My Son. Great Grandson Was Saved and Baptised.
Charles Chaney of the SBC North American Mission Board says "We
Are Starting Three a Day We Are Starting Three a Day All Hail the Power
of Jesus Name We Are Starting Three a Day. The SBC NOW HAS 46,200 Congregations
APPLICATION:
Father are you seeking the presence of God in your life?
A. BECAUSE THE LORD JUDGES THE RIGHTEOUS. v 5
B. BECAUSE THE LORD JUDGES THE WICKED. v 5 b - 6
C. BECAUSE THE LORD IS RIGHTEOUS. v 7
ILLUSTRATION:
CONTRAST O.J.SIMPSON and MAGIC JOHNSON WITH A. C. GREEN OF THE LAKERS.
Illustration #2
There is an interesting development in Hungary this year. Government
radio produced a six-part series of the first five books of the Old Testament.
Each broadcast was 60 to 70 minutes in length with the best actors in Hungary
participating in the dramatization. The series was repeated again several
months later under the title, "The Book That Karl Marx Read." Also, a dramatized
adaptation of the four Gospels was broadcast in the fall on the same station.
The Government hopes that these broadcasts may contribute to the solution
of the drug and alcohol problems among its youth. -- The Trans-World Radio
Report
APPLICATION:
I. FATHERS IF FOUNDATIONS ARE DESTROYED . . SEEK THE PRINCIPALS
OF GOD.
II. FATHERS IF FOUNDATIONS ARE DESTROYED . . SEEK THE
PRESENCE OF GOD.
III. FATHERS IF FOUNDATIONS ARE DESTROYED . . SEEK THE
PURITY OF GOD.
