The Disturbing Realities of Our Times, Part 2

Chuck Swindoll on our changing time should avoid being interpreted honestly. It is now interpreted emotionally is the real being real. It is now distorted and virtual reality has taken charge we changed our thinking based on the truth of holy Scripture to the subject's secular thinking squarely on humanism or self is always predominant battle with America and around the world is a subtle but devastating shift and thought biblical principles once held in high regard as the benchmark for morality are now disdained is irrelevant, even intolerant, so what's behind this foundational change today on Insight for living here an urgent message from Chuck Swindoll. It's based on our study.

In first John called living right and a wrong world originally presented at a worship service where Chuck and senior pastor will begin by hearing the congregational program time of worship and are offering joined me for a few moments of prayer use a BR vision father in this day in which the world has lost its way in the morass and chaos of our times. Give us a clear vision of our role as your men and women on this planet saying one thing the one person in something altogether different to someone else give us the kind of vision it takes to see beyond our own immediate world and to understand your leading others in ways you have never led us. BR vision father is a church so that we know clearly how we are to serve you homes represented here lives being touched single as well as married older as well as younger teenagers as well as those in the midst of their graduate school studies and so many in careers BR vision for our ministries. There are so many represented here sing through those who use their voices for your glory in play beautiful music through those who are gifted with instrument be the vision of our lives in the arts, as well as in the sciences of our day, maybe step away from the demands in the end deadlines of our times, in a moment like this, may we be lost as we have just song in worship and love and praise.

Your word is truth, and maybe it's be sounding today as few other truths are sound.

May we hear what you are saying. Maybe take it personally deliver us from hoping someone else will hear what's being said, but rather accepting what you're saying to us directly and guide them through those words into decisions as you give discernment to live as we should be our vision Lord of our hearts as we give now to you from your abundant provisions to us and use these funds strictly for your glory and purposes. We ask it in the name of Jesus vision and see once to search the Scriptures with Chuck Swindoll.

Be sure to download his searching the Scriptures. Studies by going to Insight world.org/studies another message called the disturbing realities of our times with John the apostle says don't love the world or the things in the world he really understood what our times would be like as he wrote of the last day. In fact, six times in three versus 15, 16 and 17 the term because the boss appeared the system the world system that is headed by Satan.

That leaves God out but is hostile to Christ in holy Scripture. That's the world, which is not love. Now, difficulty is that's the world in which we live.

That's what characterizes our times, under God's permissive will this world is running its wicked course filled with lust of the flesh of the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life and all under the guidance of the one he allows to have his way for a while. Even Satan. In fact, John writes in verse 18 that it is the last hour and just as you heard. Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared before reanalyze that further I want you to go from here back to them rather unknown section of the Scriptures first Chronicles chapter 12, you go there, please.

Verse 32 the context of first Chronicles 12 would be the days of that when Israel was fighting for its existence. These would be this would be in the days of David and then later would be other kings in the midst of the fight in the midst of David's desire to bring order and direction in the chaotic world of Israel, God raised up a small body of men called sons of the car 1232 of the sons of Issachar man who understood the times with knowledge of what Israel should do, their chiefs were 200 and all their kinsman were at their command.

It's a small cadre of of of of warriors, but the courageous and discerning and decisive. That's why the men of Issachar were so valuable they had discernment they understood their culture and the forces at work behind the scenes.

Because of that they knew what Israel should do. My hope is that as a result of a message like this, you will gain some discernment. It will not be easy but I urge you, sons and daughters of Issachar to see what is occurring and then to play your part in doing what ought to be done. Let me share with you now.

Three troubling changes as I witness the world in which we find ourselves. Even in my own lifetime I have witnessed three very troubling changes many of you could speak for me with the same conviction.

The first of the three is this the blurring of the line between right and wrong. The blurring of the line that separates truth from error. Why we are in such a weird time. How dare anyone call anything wrong but the strange time in which to live. I can't speak for some of you were younger or even some older but I can tell you the home in which I was raised. It was clear what was wrong and it was made clear what would happen when you did what was wrong. Consequences would follow such wrong was verified in the pulpits of my earlier you what was wrong with our times withstood for by many of those who operated their lives in Congress.

What was wrong was stated openly even in some of the media of my early years. Clearly, there was a difference.

There was a there was a level of morality that was considered appropriate and that there was a level where it moved to inappropriate and the lien was clearly marked. We are watching a movie from wholesome standard of morality to a wholesale and discerning emphasis on tolerance. Common sense is being replaced with political correctness criminals are being defended more passionately than victims calling virtually anything wrong marks you as bigoted and prejudiced standing against same-sex marriage means that you are intolerant and a homophobic and you are out of touch. You have no right to say those things about that even though Scripture clearly state it is wrong. Being pro-life sets you apart as one who is anti-women, narrowminded and lacking compassion. Are you kidding, no I'm not kidding. Promoting abstinence is the best method for birth control and for preparation for a wholesome and help healthy marriage.

You just don't get it. You made to look stupid and and foolish.

Why because as a blurring of the line between what is right and what is wrong and God help you. Many of you, even in your own companies. If you let the convictions be known.

There's another change that's occurring these days that are that is troubling and that is the growing ignorance of biblical knowledge, the growing ignorance of biblical knowledge, there was a time even in my lifetime when theological thinking and biblical understanding and doctrinal truth became our guide for living. If the Scriptures said it and it therefore became truth for us at the time that that was our guide. If Scripture addressed it.

That's where we started. If Scripture stated that's what we believe politicians as well as educators quoted frequently from the Scriptures prayer was a part of every classroom in my elementary school years. No one ever thought of it as being inappropriate. Presidents quoted from the Bible its pastor stood and spoke in favor of holy Scripture and they took the Scriptures literally and they taught the Scriptures forcefully pulpits were known for the strong doctrine and a commitment to biblical exposition now. Now there's a famine in the land rights. The prophet Amos a famine not for bread or thirst for water but for hearing the words of the Lord.

Heartbreaking. Now churches are entertainment centers where people are made to feel good about themselves. Woodrow Kroll in his work back to the Bible rights when the church becomes an entertainment center Bible literacy is an early casualty people go away from the event. With a smile on their faces, but avoided in their lives. Let's face it, men and women. Unless you are unusual you know less about the Bible than your grandparents and you you stand less often for scriptural principles. If you were raised right then your own parents did.

You may be an exception. You may be already among the sons of Issachar, you probably are not most part the biblical ignorance is at times heartbreaking. Dr. Gary versus longtime Prof. of New Testament at Wheaton College noted a deficiency in the entering students when it came to biblical knowledge, and I quote from his work recorded in Christianity today for the last four years the Bible and theology department at Wheaton has studied the biblical and theological literacy of incoming freshmen. The students are intellectually ambitious and spiritually passionate. They represent almost every Protestant denomination in virtually every state in the country. Most come from strong evangelical churches and possess a long history of personal devotion and Christian involvement by that he means regular church attendance youth group activities Submission project so that they use the Bible regularly but curiously they don't know what stories the Bible is become a springboard for personal piety but not a book to be studied taken seriously and read regularly. When asked to complete a task in which a series of biblical events must be placed in order. Our students return surprising results. One third of our freshmen could not put the following in order Abraham the Old Testament prophets, the death of Christ and Pentecost.

Half of our students could not sequence Moses in Egypt. Isaac's birth Saul's death and Judah's exile one third of our incoming students could not identify Matthew as an apostle from the list of New Testament names when asked to locate the Bible book supplying a given story. One third could not find Paul's progress in acts half did not know the Christmas story was recorded in Matthew, that the Passover story was in Exodus.

Results of the test. He gave shocking the average grade was 50 to 55/100, when the students were told their responses gave a dramatic picture of ignorance. Fully 80% Could Not Pl., Moses, Adam, David, Solomon and Abraham in chronological order, only 15% could place in order. The major events in the life of Jesus and Paul's life only 20% new to look to acts to find the story of Paul's threat. 60% could locate the Exodus story, but only 33% find the sermon on the Mount in the New Testament, and 80% did not know where to find the Lord's prayer that your children, that's my children and grandchildren incoming freshman and a good evangelical school. All of us watch the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Even though we don't tell many people it's on NBC after the late news and some of it's really hilarious. Much of it is coarse and crude. One of the bits that Lena Lindo does is held as hilarious.

At least it would be if it weren't so tragic. He goes out on the street to ask questions to unsuspecting passersby about the Bible. What some of them questions are not hard. In fact, are designed to be easy. That's where the laughs come in.

Lindo asked with a twinkle in his eye. Maybe one of the 10 Commandments. After a long, Paul's one man said God as those who help themselves and everybody laughs Lindo ask another.

Can you name one of the apostles.

Nobody could name one.

So we said okay. Can you name the four beetles immediately George Paul John Ringo. The crowd cheers.

Lindo moves on to another victim and says when asked a few questions about the Bible answer all know much about the Bible. Lindo as well. Can you tell me according to the Bible who was swallowed by a great fish answer parochial doesn't have a clue is a change in biblical knowledge and let me tell you almost as a prophet. Now, if you lack biblical knowledge.

You are so if you think you're going to survive these times with any sense of victory in your life you're so you are at the mercy of whoever comes is that persuasive leader to say follow me on line your pockets give you a job will provide you with a future just go my way. There's 1/3. There's 1/3 concern of mine is a change in our day.

That is the intensifying embrace of postmodernism.

The intensifying embrace of postmodernism result of this is that we have clearly shifted from here.

This from a Christian era to a post-Christian era.

I remember when we used to say this about Great Britain. I now see this about the United States of America, the land I love the land I've served my country to help protect but we are in a post-Christian swamp. We have postmodernism to thank for that set of like being interpreted.

Honestly, it is now interpreted emotionally instead of the real being real. It is now distorted and virtual reality has taken charge and the younger generation prefers virtual reality, the reality wars them.

We change our thinking based from objective instruction on the truth of holy Scripture to the subjective secular thinking based squarely on humanism or self is always predominant. Postmodernism thrives on chaos it desires to destroy all moral criteria and replace it with no criteria.

It seeks a world in which everything is relative. Where there is no truth and perception alone is reality. Make no mistake about it. It is both insidious and it is soft becomes like a thief in the night paychecks window about the disturbing realities of our time. You're listening to Insight for living today. Study comes from a 16 part series called living right wrong world.

Please keep listening because Chuck has prepared some helpful closing comments about the book of first John and to learn more about Chuck or this ministry. Visit us online@insightworld.org. Also, let me recommend that you take your next steps in understanding this New Testament book by conducting a personal study.

While many of us are spending more time at home to stay out of harms way. This is the perfect time to dig deeper into topics you might otherwise miss. Recently, one of your fellow listeners wrote to say dear Pastor Swindoll I am now sheltered in place in the midst of the COBIT 19 pandemic plaguing our world. I determined to begin reading the books that I've had on my bookshelves that went unread while I was commuting and working and then he proceeded to describe his personal engagement in the book Chuck wrote and how he supplied the biblical principles to his life will in the spirit we invite you to walk alongside us through the summer months.

As we journey through the insightful book of first John together to help him place to point you to the in-depth commentary for first John. In fact, this hardbound volume from the Swindoll's living insights New Testament commentary said includes material on first John second John third John and Judy as well to purchase a copy right now.

Go to Insight.org/offer was representing this teaching series has been on your agenda for a long time was right. Dave, I wanted to present this study on the New Testament book of first John for several years. I'm delighted the day has finally come.

These timeless principles from John speak directly into a season. He never imagined a global pandemic, in which all of us find ourselves sequestered from the life we once knew. First John is a book about living right and wrong world. It's a bold case for the dangers of habitual sin and the rewards of faithful obedience. It's a book that takes the grays out of our pilot and helps us see the truth in black and white. Just as God intended. I can think of a more relevant book them.

First John in a world that celebrates shades of gray or truth has become foggy and relative and moral values are viewed as an encroachment on personal freedom and insight for living ministries. We are resolved to amplify John's clean and clear message and accelerate our mission because we believe the time is short. Even during a global pandemic, even when international economies are at risk. We refuse to take our foot off the gas pedal because we believe God is calling us to pursue a countercultural mission to live right and wrong world. For these reasons I am not bashful and I'm certainly not apologetic about calling on you to join us. Yeah, I know some are unable to give right now. I understand that, but gratefully many of you are able to give. Here's the bottom line.

This daily program with you along with vision 195 is our goal to reach all 195 countries of the world with insight for living is wholly different than yours life to contribute financial so as you sense God's prompting your spirit to join us, please send a generous donation before the June 30 deadline okay your partnership will make all the difference in the world thinks of you can use the insight for living mobile app to respond right now just tap on the heart icon follow the simple directions were clueless listening in the United States dial this number 1-800-772-8888 again that's 1-800-772-8888 or give a donation online@insight.about the disturbing realities of our time right here on insight for living. The preceding message. The disturbing realities of our times, and the sound recording were inaugurated in 2009 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. all rights are reserved worldwide. Duplication of copyrighted material for commercial use is strictly prohibited