Contending for the Faith in a Hostile Culture

The title of our message tonight is contending for the faith in a hospital culture contending for the faith in a hostile culture. Let me mention you that I have a bit of a lengthy introduction that I think is important to put my message in context and then will conclude with a illustration of what we been teaching tonight is been said that culture is the environment where we live and move and eat and work and play. It influences with the people in a given area, assume as normal. For example, in an normal urban or city culture is going to be different than a country or rural culture of fundamental importance is how culture views and values human life because that plays a huge role in everything else. If we believe that were merely one of thousands of animal species, all of which are the product of chance and our endgame will be our survival and our personal happiness in our particular culture may say that again because it's critical if we believe that were merely one of thousands of animal species, all of which the product of chance that our endgame will be our survival and our personal happiness in our particular culture. If that's true then right is determined about what the most powerful people considered be right and therefore it's assumed to be normal for the time being. When the people in power go off the scene in a new group comes in the norm.

What is normal changes that describes America. Our nation has devolved into a culture where life and religion become discounted as evidenced by abortion. Increased homicides and increased religious persecution because Christians believe that were the product of purposeful creation by God than our endgame should be his will and his glory is the supreme judge of all mankind. We know that the guidelines by which God will judge are contained in the Bible and the impact of those guidelines upon individual believers may vary based upon generational norms and geography. I'll give an example is pretty obvious the music that we use in worship and may differ from generation to generation. I think you realize that happens, it can also him be impacted by geography and even by the subculture of churches in the same town.

If you are listed churches in the Burlington area, the type of worship music that they list words or use would vary from church to church for Christians. One thing in all of us that's irreplaceable and constant is the role of the Bible plays in our evaluation of, and our interaction with a culture in which we live. Our doctrinal statement at beacon Baptist Church says that the Bible reveals the principles by which God will judge us and therefore is and shall remain to the end of the world the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct creeds and opinions should be tried as powerful folks. I hope in the months ahead.

The next time I get an opportunity to speak is talk about continuing for the faith in a hostile culture comes to the gender issue.

Another one that I want to address is when it comes to the abortion issue and all I'll insert this shocking bit of news is I thought ahead, but with the Lord have me share when it comes to abortion.

I read a stat recently that said this for abortion or for covert I should say for Cove to catch up to abortion the deaths in one year for Cove and to catch up with a the deaths of abortion or to abortion in one year.

It would take 23 years.

Yes. 23 years that's mind-boggling.

Were not talking I just United States were talking worldwide for the deaths that are already happening Cove to catch up with a deficit would take place worldwide due to abortion. It would take 23 years. We live in 1/2 and a culture that is hostile to life and were finding out more. More is hostile to religion as we navigate our culture. Every professing believer needs to ask these two questions. All of us is my conviction that the Bible reveals the principles by which God will judge all mankind with eternal consequences. Is that your conviction secondly is my conviction that the Bible is the template for the Christian worldview and the guide which I evaluate and respond to the culture in which I live. We read that again is it my conviction that the Bible is the template that guide the example for the Christian worldview and the guy with which I evaluate respond to the culture in which I live. Before we get to our text and you can turn to it. Now if you like. First Timothy four going to be looking at two passages, the first first Timothy 412 and 13, but before we get there. I want to read one passage by the apostle Peter, and in this passage he challenges believers to be ready to give a defense for their convictions and already some of you know the one that I'm referring to first Peter 314 through 16. Peter writes, but even if you should suffer for righteousness sake your blessed and do not be afraid of their threats nor be troubled but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asked you a reason for the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. Having a good conscience that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. Love it for people to ask you for reason of the hope that is in you that indicates your whole is evident to them in your testimony. These are days of opportunity for people of conviction, encourage, and if we get nothing else out of this message tonight. That's what I want to get across as these are date dark days these are perilous times, but these are days of opportunity for people of conviction and courage and as I said were going to focus on to tax written by Paul to Timothy in these texts offer insights and the contending for the faith in a hostile environment. Look at first Timothy 412 and 13 all rights to this young preacher and he says let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers, in word and conduct in love spirit and faith, and purity till I come give attention to reading the exhortation. The doctrine do not neglect the gift that is in you which was given you by prophecy.

With the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things. Give yourself entirely to them that your progress may be evident. All take heed yourself and of the doctrine continue in them for doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you first thing that we want to look at is this the fact that we must now what the Bible says is true, we must know what the Bible says is true.

Secondly, we must have the conviction in our own hearts that it is true. And finally, we must be able to share that truth with others in the nonconfrontational informed manner.

Could you say that of yourself. Could you say that of yourself. We must accurately know that what the Bible says is true to the point of it being a conviction we must have the conviction in our own hearts that it's true.

And then finally we must be able to share that truth with others in a nonconfrontational informed manner. Peter tells us were supposed to do this with meekness and fear.

There are three things that were gonna consider out of this passage tonight.

What was Timothy admonished to do first thing that we see in verse 12 he was to be a prototype or a pattern for others, even though he was young for a preacher.

Paul gives guidance here in five areas and I want you to just listen to the verses that I have up for you. One of the year is his speech.

Colossians 4 verse six Paul says let your speech always be with grace. Season with salt.

Why that you may know how you ought to answer each one speech is one area that we need to be very careful and be an example and secondly, our actions we favorite verses of mine first Corinthians 1031 to 33 they state. Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or what ever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense either to the Jews or the Greeks or the church of God. Just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of many, that they may be saved. You could use different verses than these folks and at the end of these five men to suggest something to you. These are some that I pointed chosen for myself. I need to guard my speech I need.

I guard my actions. I need to make certain that my love for others is express through actions for the benefit of the one love and we look at Matthew 2237 238 Jesus said to them, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind.

This is the first and great commandment in the second is like it you shall love your neighbor as yourself. Heavy sliding, you shall love the Lord with everything you are completely and the second is like it you shall love your neighbor as yourself and unconditional biblically. Agape love and then I need also make certain that my faith is exemplary. James chapter 2 verse 18 someone will say you have faith and I have works. Show me your faith without your works, which is impossible, and I will show you my faith by my works, which is imperative and then purity. First Thessalonians 522 abstain from every form of evil. I want to go back to these briefly and ask you a couple of questions and then give you a thought. At the end. First of all when we look at speech is your speech exemplary and I'm going to pause after each of these because the temptation be it just goes in one ear and out the other is your speech exemplary not just passable is an exemplary and secondly, what about your actions are your actions exemplary. The way you carry yourself in public and in private for that matter, are they exemplary.

We looked at love. Third is your love for God. Mankind in general and Christians in particular exemplary in any of these. It don't measure up in your own mind any of these that the Holy Spirit convicts you up. You and I need to address and then faith.

Faith is your faith evident in your obedience to the word of God is your faith evident in your obedience to the word of God and then this last one.

All five of which are critical is your purity evident in your life are you abstaining from every form of evil. And you know is I asked that question is your purity evident from your abstention from anything morally questionable. I have to ask this because if you read much literature about the church that you know it's a problem.

Some people call it the hidden sin and that's pornography. I mentioned that the teens in the college and career folks today when it comes to purity.

If I'm sitting in my den and something provocative comes on.

I have a choice to make. I can either watch that thing or invest in my purity and what do I do if I turn the channel to things I exercise myself and the godliness I've made a choice to use the tuner change the channel. Take that from out in front of me. David put it this way. I I hate those who promote iniquity, I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes, he purposed in his house and his privacy that he was going to do that which is right. The second thing I do is not only exercise myself in the godliness, but I strengthen my relationship with my wife when I make the choice at a my love for God and my love, my wife to get rid of that provocative thing on the television.

I've done both of those things I've exercise myself in the godliness, and I have also strengthen my relationship with my wife this first thing that we looked at, though he was to be a prototype. An example in his speech, his actions, his love in this faith in his purity pays a brother you're going to give us a hint at the end you don't need all five of those passages. If I ask myself this question is what I'm about to say, consistent with acknowledging God is what I'm about to say, consistent with acknowledging who God is, is one about to do. Consistent with acknowledging who God is, is the way I'm expressing love, consistent with acknowledging God for who he is, is the display of my faith consistent with acknowledging God for who he is is my purity and thought consistent with acknowledging God for who he is.

Proverbs 3527 says trust in the Lord with all your heart, with all your essential self and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways. All five of these acknowledge him and he shall direct your paths. Then verse seven which few of us memorize it ends up saying, be not wise in your own eyes. Fear the Lord and depart from evil so beloved.

The first thing that we looked at. We asked the question, are you a prototype. Are you an example in your speech, your actions you love your faith and purity.

The second thing that Timothy was supposed to do was to proclaim the truth by first reading it, followed by exhortation and that word exhortation means comfort for consolation in treating people. Then he second layer thirdly was to teach it, talking about doctrine and asking the question, do you read heat and feed the truth.

Others do you read the truth.

Do you heed the truth. Do you feed the truth and other people as the Lord gives you opportunity. Then the third thing he was to be a prototype. He was proclaim the truth and he was to polish his God-given gifts to polish his God-given gifts.

Look at verse 14 do not neglect the gift that is in you which was given you by prophecy. With the laying on of hands of the eldership polish his God-given gifts.

MacArthur gives this statement, he states this refers to the grace given to Timothy and all believers at salvation and I love this, which consisted of a God design Spirit empowered spiritual ability for the use of ministry has powerful what are we to polish our God-given gifts of God design spirit empowered spiritual ability for the use of ministry in Timothy's case, the specific get was preaching and teaching, preaching and teaching. What about you and what about me while first Corinthians 12 tells us that a diversity of gifts is given to Christians as determined by the spirit. For the good of the church, let me ask you this question. Do you know what your God-given gifts are and are you using them for his glory. So this first thing what was Timothy to do what was he admonished to do. He was to be a prototype.

An example in his speech, actions, love, faith and purity. He was to proclaim the truth read it heated and feed it. He was to polish his God given gifts. Now the question comes how was he supposed to do this.

How was Timothy to accomplish being an example of the believers averse 15 gives us three of them says meditate on these things.

Give yourself entirely to them that your progress may be evident to all, Timothy was to ponder the fundamentals of being an example. What are those you find them in verse 12 those five things that we listed. He was to ponder the fundamentals of being an example that word ponder means meditate to take care of, to resolve in the mind to practice a lot of times you and I will read Scripture without taking the time to meditate upon it time direct and make a practical application in our own lives. Secondly, he was to practice them. The idea of immersing himself in them, followed by practice.

No probably all of you. Many of you, if not all of you know I coached for several years. Coached boys back boys soccer girls soccer girls basketball and I made a big deal.

In a practice of having them do fundamentals, fundamentals, and here's my point. This serious minded soccer player. The serious minded basketball player took practicing the fundamentals seriously. You didn't have to say come on guys, get serious now with those people.

I remember going to Carolina's coaching school the second year, I came to Alamance and I observed two types of kids down there. The one kid was there to play ball love soccer. He was there to play ball. The second happy kid was there to learn how to play ball better and there's a world of difference. The first one is going to be able to play ball for that week because his parents a few hundred dollars to do it. The second one was going to be able to play ball better by the end of the week and I asked this question, you ponder the fundamentals of being an example. Do you practice them immersing yourself in and then the third thing he was to progress. He was to progress in his growth in grace in his testimony before men. If you ever stopped to ask yourself the question, in my growing in grace and what is the evidence in my growing in grace and what is the evidence that I'm growing in grace. It's a good question. You gotta be honest in answering and then finally, in verse 16 take heed to yourself that the doctrine continue in for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you he was to persevere again. MacArthur makes this statement by careful attention to his own godly life and faithful preaching of the word Timothy would continue to be the human instrument God used to bring the gospel in a safe someone who heard though salvation is God's work.

It is his pleasure to do it through human instruments. 11. What we consider thus far. Timothy was to be a prototype. An example he was to proclaim the truth he was to polish his God-given gifts. How was he to do this, ponder the fundamentals. How does this truth of the word apply to my life and then practice those fundamentals as he interact with other people. He was to show progress in his growth.

It should be evident spiritually.

That is not the same person that he was and then he was to present her to persevere by guarding his own heart is an instrument through which God would work. I want you to turn to the second passage of Scripture. Now, second Timothy 215 MOC the fifth thing. How was Timothy to accomplish being an example to the believers pondering the fundamentals practicing them, showing progress, persevering within second Timothy 215, where Paul gives yet another indispensable element of being an example of the believers.

Notice what he says. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

He was to present himself as one approved on the God without shame and folks. This required action. It wasn't an option. The word diligent gives the sense of zealous persistence in accomplishing a goal.

Would that would that describe you.

Are you zealous in accomplishing the goal of being an example of the Lord Jesus Christ before others. He was to present himself as one approved under God without shame.

And as I said this required action on his part. It required acknowledging God in all of his ways, and I mentioned that earlier acknowledging God in all of his ways. It's not a hit and miss approach to living essay one time probably 30.

Seriously, 30, 35 years ago I was at the teacher's convention and am very careful in how I say this I say this realizing it can be missed. Mistaken about 35 years ago I was sitting in a workshop at the North Carolina Christian school convention and there was an athletic meeting in a bunch of coaches were in their and this one coach was from one of the schools of played football and they were debating this topic and he said this well I don't coached football. The way I teach Bible or I don't teach Bible the way I coached football that is a mistake. That's mistake in my said this could be misunderstood.

I've I've said this from this public before. The best I know how I tried to teach Bible the way coached or I tried to coach the way I taught Bible folks to do anything different is the height of hypocrisy and teenagers are very perceptive.

There very perceptive. Ask yourself the question, are you acknowledging God in all of your ways are is your life, your Christian testimony, a matter of hit and miss approach to living out your faith and then thirdly, this required accuracy. Notice what he says, rightly dividing the word of truth, rightly dividing the word of truth, the word of truth is indispensable.

It's inspired. It's an errant it's the vehicle for all aspects of the Christian life and again just listen to these verses that I've chosen. It's essential in salvation first. Ephesians 113 in him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation you you were saved after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation and sanctification.

Probably all of you memorize. John 1717 Jesus is praying to the father and he says sanctify them by your truth. Your word is truth, and then finally in our service. As I mentioned these three elements in our prayer we need to thank God for his grace and saving.

We need to thank God and his grace are for his grace in sanctifying us making us more like Christ and finally, we need to thank God for his grace and service. Second Timothy 316 and 17 all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete or mature, thoroughly equipped for every good work. The word of truth is the indispensable inspired an errant vehicle for all aspects of the Christian life. I asked you this question. What part does the word play in your life daily. What part does the word play in your life daily. I don't want to say confession is good for the soul because when about to say is not a can fashion because I don't think that I did wrong in doing. I do not read through the Bible every year and that might shock some of you.

Why don't you read to the Bible of your because I speak five times a week three times in Alamance Christian school once and once night here once on Sunday morning and when we were pre-covert once a month at home place and I put a considerable amount of time and every lesson this year I'm reading to the word using the program that we use a knife. I have read through it several times. Don't misunderstand me, but the point that I want to make whether I'm reading through the word or I'm studying to prepare a lesson as part of my getting into the word I have to be diligent, it can be a hit and miss. And as I read through and if you're doing this after reading to that guy that were using it can be tedious when you get into some of those first books of the Old Testament.

But what I got out of bed, among other things, the violence of the time in which they live. You can't help but notice that in the other thing you notice is the incredible detail that the Bible gives so-and-so begat so-and-so generation after generation after generation. And if I do, didn't have sons. It even mentions his daughter's names were that that in and of itself strengthens my faith and of the fact that God has given us such a meticulous history of the nation of Israel. The last question that I have for you. What was timidly admonished to do to be a prototype. Proclaim the truth polishes God-given gifts.

How was he supposed to do this, ponder the fundamentals practice them, show progress in his growth persevere by guarding his own heart as an instrument to which God would work and then we just covered present himself as one approved under God, but the last thing is this how how are we to interact with others as witnesses to the culture in which we live in again. I have a couple of passages there on not have you turn to just listen to the first word to be godly in our attitude were to be godly, and our attitude instead of belligerent. Yes, we have the truth, but sometimes we hammer people over the head with true. Have you ever talk to someone who came at you know they believe what they were saying was true, and not necessarily referring to up witnessing to you or something spiritless just to match they can match any guess I do back off a bit. How are we supposed to interact with others as witnesses to this culture in which we live. Listen to Matthew 543 through 45 godly in our attitude. Jesus said, you have heard that it was said, you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute. Why should you do this, that you may be sons of your father in heaven, for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good and seines sends rain on the just and the unjust. This is a natural is not natural. Obviously what is necessary if we are going to be an effective example to believers in an effective witness to the loss. We are merely the conduit.

The instrument that carries the word.

The Holy Spirit brings forth the harvest so how are we to interact with others as witnesses to the culture in which we live. First of all, be godly in our attitude.

And lastly were to be honorable in our actions where the Hon. interactions. First Peter 211 to 17 Peter said beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims abstain from fleshly lust which were against the soul. Having your conduct Hon. among the Gentiles. Why that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they observe glorify God in the day of visitation. Let me insert here that day of visitation. Some commentators say the data that you say other commentators say that the date the day that the Lord returns. Either way, they observe our conduct.

Peter goes on in verse 13. Therefore, in light of this, submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord say whether to the king is supreme order governors as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good for this is the will of God, that by doing good you make put to silence the ignorance of foolish men as free yet not using liberty as a cloak for advice, but his bond servants of God. He concludes honor all people love the brotherhood, fear God. Honor the king. I don't know about you but verse 12 says having your conduct Hon. among the Gentiles, that when they speak and she was evildoers, they may by your good works, which they observe glorify God in the David visitation and he says, in light of that, submit to every ordinance of man does that have any qualifiers yes were going to share them as we close this part of the message. The Greek word for Hon. implies the purest, highest and noblest kind of goodness. When the unsafe CS. They have the idea that were Hon. interactions. It means lovely, winsome, gracious, noble, excellent, and noticed that Peter says when they speak against you as evildoers, not if it reminds us of Paul's inspired statement in second Timothy 212 yes and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. We said pastor through you said there may be a qualifier. Yes, there is in here it is Christians should be exemplary citizens. As long as government does not force us to choose between thus says the Lord, and thus as government Christian should be exemplary citizens. As long as government does not force us to choose between thus says the Lord, and thus as government, and if you question that go to for yourself. The first Peter 211 to 17 and read what it says one Peter and the other apostles were told not to preach in the name of Christ. They replied we are to obey God rather than men. The word ought in this verse literally means we must obey God rather than men prominent examples from Scripture include Daniel. She Shadrach me shack men to go. You could list numerous others who disobey government when government mandated a clear contradiction of the word of God and what was that you shall have no other gods before me. So in review before I give you a very potent illustration at the end. What was Timothy admonished to do be a prototype for example proclaim the truth, polishes, gifts, how was he to do it ponder the fundamentals practice them, show progress in persevere and doing them by guarding his own heart present himself as one approved under God without shame and to do that. It required action that wasn't an option.

It required acknowledging God in all of his ways.

It required accurate dividing the word of truth, and then we discussed how are we to interact with others as a witness to the culture in which we live were to be God and our attitude were to be honorable in our actions. I want to give an illustration and then we have just an application will be done tonight is closing illustration. The early Christians were falsely accused of rebellion against the government with such false accusations as terrorism, burning Rome atheism. No idols or emperor worship, cannibalism, cannibalism, rumors about the Lord's supper and this last one damaging social progress. They were looked upon as a group that damaged social progress, damaging social progress has the rain of modern accusations against Christians, because Christians view the issue to the lens of the Bible.

They find themselves in the crosshairs of humanist who reject or ignore the Bible as outdated and whose view those who follow as harsh judge mental and a danger to the public good. You don't think that's the case, let me give you one recent example I'm going to give you headline religious fundamentalism threatens American public education and a lot more.

This is the headline religious fundamentalism threatens American public education and a lot more. The article was written by J. Allen Bryant and associate Prof. of elementary education in Appalachian State University. It is dated April 5, 2021. It was posted on the site. Progressive pulse quote and this is what he said folks in short North Carolina taxpayers are subsidizing superstition and underwriting bigotry. He's accusing us of being superstitious and bigots.

While it is certainly true. These vouchers will drain funds from public schools, all of society loses when education is mocked in this way, assess scary statement I'd like to ask the dude, let's see what schools went to school this year the schools your market. He goes on in another quote and Mrs. unbelievable Tar Heel tax dollars are being funneled into the creation of a Tar Heel Taliban and Tar Heels. All of us will pay a terrible price. The dangers to great the threat to real. We can no longer accept taxpayer funds being channeled to curricula that undermine American ideals of pluralism, democracy and tolerance.

The University has a role to play in the defense of these ideals, the entire University in the time is now. That's pretty heavy hitting stuff folks when Christians are being called Tar Heel Taliban. When Christian education in the curriculum is being accused of undermining American ideals of pluralism, democracy and tolerance. Unbelievable. This present-day rhetoric is part of a crusade that's gone on for desk decade. We've just been asleep at the wheel. I have given this quote once before and I'm going to give it again in full and I want you to listen to this quote in light of what I just read that came out April 5, 2021. This was written in the humanist magazine by John J. Dunphy in 1983, 1983. He said I'm convinced that the battle for humankind's future must be waged and one in the public school classroom by teachers who correctly perceive their role as the proselytizers of a new faith or religion of humanity. These teachers must embody the same selfless dedication as the most rabid fundamentalist preachers, for they will be ministers of another sort utilizing a classroom instead of a pulpit to convey humanist values and whatever subject they teach the classroom, must, and will become an arena of conflict between the old and the new, the rotting corpse of Christianity, together with all its adjacent evils and misery, and the new faith of humanism.

They have pretty much folks.

One, the cultural values war in most universities say that again they pretty much wonder the values war in most universities, but if you watch the news. They have their crosshairs now on K-12 schools and if they win their America will continue her plunge into a culture where values are fluid instead of absolute truth is relative, or biblical Christianity is concert considered a relic or a sugar pill for weak minded also-rans as the way they will view us beloved days of opposition and even oppression are also days of tremendous opportunity for those with the conviction and courage to declare thus says the Lord for that declaration have affect and must be accompanied by an exemplary Christian walk in the home and the church in the marketplace.

I cannot convey that enough. I cannot convey that enough. Let me say it again for the declaration thus says the Lord have affect, it must be accompanied by an exemplary Christian walk in the home in the church and in the marketplace. Let me give you practical illustration I'm going to just read five applications in closing prayer I mentioned that I coached how much respect do you think the guys would have if I had them out in 95° doing wind sprints and I'm sitting on the side than RC Cola and an umbrella over my head. Now when I first started out coaching. I did everything I required of them brothers that is in the rearview mirror, a long time ago but you know what I learned that the respect of the players did not diminish why because and I believe this they knew I would if I could.

They did. They knew I would if I could. And that's what it's all about folks doing everything we can do to be an example of the Lord Jesus Christ. I want to give five questions in closing, you make it a regular part of your day to ponder the word of God. In other words, asked the question what do I believe, what do I believe about gender and transgender. What do I believe about abortion. What do I believe about a myriad of social bonds if you will. You make it a regular part of your data, ponder the word of God. Secondly, do you give yourself entirely to being like Christ by immersing yourself in the word and practicing another word you asked the question not only what do I believe.

But how do I behave. Thirdly, is there evidence of progress and grace in your life for others to see her see clearly. So we asked the question how do I broadcast the light of life. How do I broadcast that others will people even know that I'm a Christian, adjusted on religious would they know that I'm a Christian to more are you committed to persevere and contend for the faith in a godly double way.

One person, are you committed to them. Are you committed to another words, am I battling for the truth now and then finally is your main goal in life to present yourself approved unto God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed is that your mango and you asked the question, will I blush in shame before Christ, when he evaluates my kingdom efforts will I blush in shame before Christ, when he evaluates my kingdom efforts.

The title of her message has been contending for the faith and hostile culture.

And we need to leave this place tonight knowing that if we were to put in one statement the state would be in my being an example of the believer in all of these areas that Paul mentions these five areas in my being an example of the believer MI acknowledging God in all of these ways. I want to close by simply praying the last two verses in Jude that hit it on the head now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen