23-0730a - Detailed Summary

The speaker discusses discovering materials by Dr. Del Tackett, specifically "The Truth Project," which aims to help individuals develop a biblically-based worldview. The speaker mentions that this material is being studied by a group of men from the congregation to bring this understanding to the broader church community. They also mention "The Engagement Project," a newer initiative by Tackett that focuses on how to engage with a world that opposes God’s worldview, highlighting its contemporary relevance.

The speaker introduces a series by Del Tackett called "The Seven Threats of Our Time," which serves as a bridge between "The Truth Project" and "The Engagement Project." This series aims to address current cultural threats, particularly in America. The seven threats listed are:

The speaker emphasizes understanding these threats to take appropriate action, maintaining focus on the identity and purpose of the Christian community amidst these challenges.

The speaker encourages the congregation to keep their faith and identity central while discussing these threats, reading from Psalm 92 to underscore God’s enduring goodness and justice. They quote Alistair Begg to set a historical context for Christian persecution and marginalization, suggesting this is part of the normal Christian experience. The sermon then delves into the progression from simple-mindedness to foolishness and finally to scoffing, as described in Proverbs. The scoffer is described as not just rejecting God but actively opposing those who believe, characterized by pride, arrogance, and causing division. Proverbs verses are cited to illustrate the destructive impact of scoffers on society, emphasizing their role in strife, abuse, and societal discord.

The speaker continues to discuss the nature of scoffers based on scripture, emphasizing that it’s not about eschatology but about understanding the character of scoffers as described in Jude and 2 Peter. These passages warn of scoffers in the last times, driven by their own ungodly passions. Proverbs 4:16 further describes scoffers as unable to rest unless they cause harm. The sermon then transitions to discuss the regression in Romans 1, where God’s wrath is revealed against humanity’s suppression of truth, leading to moral degradation. This degradation is marked by God giving people over to sexual impurity, shameful lusts, and finally, a depraved mind. The speaker connects these biblical descriptions to historical cultural shifts in America, particularly influenced by figures like Darwin and Freud, and events like the Roaring Twenties and subsequent depressions and wars.

The speaker shares a personal anecdote about an unsuccessful attempt to discuss voter ID rationally, illustrating the difficulty of engaging with individuals who might have a depraved or irrational mind in today’s society. This leads into a broader discussion on the challenges of rational discourse on topics like abortion, race, gender identity, and military training. The sermon underscores the need for wisdom as exemplified by the sons of Issachar in 1 Chronicles, who understood the times and knew what actions to take. The speaker suggests that we need to conduct ourselves wisely and speak with grace towards those outside the faith, recognizing that we are in a spiritual battle where prayer and understanding are key.

The focus shifts to the Christian identity and mission, drawing from 2 Corinthians 5, which speaks of believers as new creations and ambassadors of reconciliation. The speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing our spiritual role rather than engaging solely on physical or logical terms, especially when dealing with an irrational scoffer. The approach suggested is not to rely solely on traditional apologetics but to build trusted relationships and pray for the transformation of hearts and minds. The sermon cites research from the book "I Once Was Lost" to show how skeptics can come to faith through stages of trust and sincere questioning, all underpinned by prayer.

The sermon concludes by returning to Psalm 92, reinforcing the themes of God’s enduring goodness, the temporary flourishing of the wicked, and the ultimate victory of the righteous. This psalm serves as a reminder of hope and the steadfastness of God amidst cultural and moral decline. The speaker ends by inviting those moved by the message to come forward in response, suggesting a moment for personal reflection or commitment while the congregation stands and sings.