Westside Church of Christ

Respect for God is dwindling at an alarming rate. The number of atheists and skeptics is growing. The agnostics suggest that there is just no way to know if He exists. Really? The amazing creation surrounds them, and the “educated experts” tell us that it’s all the result of a big bang. The voice of the naysayers is the loudest. People are deceived, and the world suffers from the delusion.

It's nothing new. The culture that the disciples faced in the first century was about the same. The only difference is the capacity to communicate that we have today. As has been said, a lie goes around the world before the truth puts its pants on. It travels far, wide and fast. The self- professed wise wielded their foolishness and dragged the entire society into a pit of sin. Sound familiar?

They suppressed the truth. Such a strategy is at work today, and it is unfortunately very successful. The serpent utilized the same trick in the garden, and we see how that has played out through history. Postmodern thinking portrays all truth as subjective. None of it is absolute. Situations determine ethics, and personal preferences rule morality. The word of God is portrayed as an outdated relic. The foundation is being dismantled, and we wonder why the structure is crumbling.

Perfectly clear evidence is rejected. We are surrounded by the proof that there is a creator. The sun hangs in the sky ninety-three million miles away, the perfect distance to sustain our planet. It would burn us up if it were closer, and we would freeze if it were further away. Planets maintain orbits, and do not crash into each other. Our hearts continue to beat with no extension cord or batteries. Drop our keys and they always go down, always. Where did that law come from? No Creator? That is not reasonable.

Yet, it is being taught to children from birth, and the consequences are evident. It was in biblical times, and it is now. God has been dethroned in human minds, and the creation has been set inmHis place. People are king, and that’s a mess. If we doubt that, we need to take a look at our nation. We are lonely and angry. We are depressed and discouraged. Hurting souls are searching for a pill to pop, powder to snort or a needle to inject, and nothing eases the pain. Suicide is up and genuine contentment is down, while we’ve never had more people “doing their own thing.” These are all the telltale signs of a society that has turned from God (Romans 1:18-32).

No, it is not a new phenomenon. The wreckage is widespread when people no longer stand in awe of their Creator (Romans 3:9-18). We are now eye-witnesses of the effects. So is God, and He is angry.

Call to praise: Acts 15:36-41

His word on it: Psalm 133:1

Sermon: “Trouble in the Ranks”