The Disturbing Realities of Our Times, Part 3

Hello this is Dave Speicher reminding you the June 30 next Tuesday March the end of the financial year for Insight for living to give a much needed financial gift go to inside world.org. The coronavirus has shattered the most basic assertions in life are we safe can I trust anyone. What does the future hold. These are critical questions, but according to Chuck Swindoll. It's not the pandemic that threatens our future.

Instead, Chuck decided three things that have fogged our perception of reality. First, there's a blurring of the lines between right and wrong. Second, there's an epidemic of biblical illiteracy and will address the third one today on Insight for living. If you missed any portion of yesterday's program will begin with several minutes of helpful review 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 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 undiscerning emphasis on even in my own lifetime I have witnessed three very troubling changes. 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. There's another change that's occurring these days 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 in biblical understanding and doctrinal truth became our guide for living.

If the Scripture 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 an appropriate 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.

People go away from the event with a smile on their faces, but avoided in their lives. 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.

The result of this is that we have clearly shifted from a Christian era to a post-Christian era 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. Need a good definition and see if I can hammer one out for you.

For postmodernism, perhaps a description would be better than a definition.

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. Since God's eternal truth has no place in such a world, with the rise of postmodernism. We witnessed a commensurate decline in biblical knowledge. What makes it especially interesting is the way it has evolved get this postmodernism began in the rarefied atmosphere of the academic literary community.

It soon floated into from the ever diet eggheads in academia to virtually everyone in any position of leadership. It has morphed from the halls of academia to the halls of Congress to the holders of local public school's to the halls and rooms of our private home were now shot through with this philosophy of thinking.

Make no mistake about it. It is both insidious and it is soft, no big time announcement will never be made in the company. We are now embracing postmodernism. It doesn't commit like that comes like a thief in the night. The greatest tragedy of all is that the evangelical church of the 21st century has capitulated the evangelical church. Now it seems, has begun to buy in to this way of thinking. Francis Schaeffer told us it would happen back in his day, I quote from his words, here is the great evangelical disaster. The failure of the evangelical world to stand for truth as truth. There is only one word for this, namely accommodation. The evangelical church has accommodated to the world spirit of the age."

So we need to clarify further and to do that. I have a high broken every homiletical ruling giving you places for 10 things. Whoever remembers 10 things well sons and daughters of Issachar don't mind being given 10 guidelines. Let me help make you aware of what were dealing with and will knock them out one after another, here we go. None of them is attractive. None of them will make you feel good. Number one no authority is valid. No authority is valid. Who are you to tell me what to believe. So there's no respect for authority, no authority is valid number two no rules are valid so make up your own mind regarding no whatever seems right or wrong and then opening those things you feel are right for you.

If it feels right. Do began in the 60s, and has really taken its whole a whole new shape in the 80s, 90s and in the 21st century, no rules are valid. Three. Style is more important than substance. Style is more important than sub so image or appearance is what's real, not substance is one of the former president said in one of his unguarded moments. What is character had to do with being president you think, not to me and if I don't think it's important. It is an important.

The man would say style was more important than sub number four morality is a matter of choice is okay if you want to live that way on it. It's okay for you is right up. Nope that's it's great wonderful. I know parents that let the sun and his live-in live in the same house under the same roof back in the back bedroom if it's okay that that's what they feel like they should give me a break. Number five, the cardinal virtue is tolerance, the cardinal virtue is tolerance and here's the here's the catch. So you must validate everyone believe match which you can be intolerant perhaps the most intolerant of all individuals who ever lived, was the person of Jesus Christ.

Why they crucified the religious people hated him because he didn't tolerate their nonsense.

At the same time, he was winsome.

What a remarkable balance. Cardinal virtue is tolerance number six words have no inherent meaning, words have no inherent meaning so true. Communication is impossible.

I deliver this message earlier today. In our first morning worship service at a scientist come to see me come walk up front to talk to me that I wasn't thinking about what you said regarding words. My world is a world of words. Words carry weight or they carry nothing. I'm watching the significance of words fade.

Evidence is based on words decision based on the right words instruction to our children based on words if they have no inherent meaning there. The building block of communication that nothing is inherent meaning feel to give you a wonderful quote want to go back and do that.

Vaclav Havel made this statement. We live in the postmodern world where everything is possible, and almost nothing is certain, very true statement number seven the Western culture is oppressive. Our Western culture is oppressive, which means logic is out and mysticism is in democracy is out, and however you feel about it is in objective truth is out and spiritism is in. Who are we in the Western culture think we have some kind of corner on what is right and best number eight. The line between truth and entertainment is removed between truth and entertainment. So guess what Hollywood is as good a source of truth is the Bible quote some celebrity you got a baby area having he she's she said it and look at her is a celebrity line between truth and entertainment is removed number nine images and fantasy reflect reality images and fantasy now reflect reality. Look at the video games filled with in images and fantasy filled with violence. That's reality. So why should we be surprised the kids load up rifles and walk-through halls of high school. They watch it all the time of the video games. Therefore art has lost all meaning to the serious thinker. What serious thinker. Finally, what you believe is right. So do anything to achieve your goals. I know you can write that down quickly, but I hope you hear what I just said what you believe is right.

So do anything you need to achieve your goal, you feel you feel wronged you Cuban press to kill your opponent wipe them out.

Terrorism makes all the sense in the world who would later tell us what to do, kidnap a missionary Obama Embassy and sleep well that night it's acceptable to retaliate anyway you wish. If you feel wronged because what you believe is right.

I returned to where I was a few moments ago and on through sons of Issachar, daughters of Issachar. Me, I urge you to begin with.

To cultivate discernment how you're going to survive. Discernment will keep you from being deceived and duped and disillusioned discernment will tell you this is leading to a bad conclusion on stopping that I'm not going there. Our children are going to go there discernment will keep you from being deceived.

Second direction that is knowing what Israel ought to do. Remember, the sons of Issachar direction will result in hard decision make them first for yourself, and then for your family I said was up again would come. A content would come up on tough times the tough news. It's even worse than that. Is there going to get a lot of specially for people who determined to live upstream rather than floating down. May I remind you that deception is on the loose. Unless you're aware of it will be led write down the primrose path. Since you and I and our last visit to Israel spent a little more time than usual at the Java Shem Museum.

If you ever go to Israel. Don't miss the Java Shem exam is the museum and honor of those who were killed in the Holocaust. It is a stark piece of architecture that stands into the gray skies.

The building itself is drab, gray on purpose. You will warm your way up and down long aisles where you will see life-size pictures of how I individual not knowing exactly what was in front of them or where they were headed. When you get to the end of the museum you go into the room of remembrance, and it is notebook after notebook after notebook after notebook after notebook after notebook after notebook after notebook of shell filled with the names handwritten names written by the Nazis of the Jews who were killed as if they were proud to record every name. How could it be, how could that happen.

They even have preserved the iron sign that hung over the entrance of the cow work makes you free. It reads in German but that wasn't the most eloquent thing I saw. By the way, it's the only Museum of ever seen with more exits and entrances. Most people can go all the way through it. Some collapse if you're not weeping by the end you're not getting the message. It is heart rending. What stood out was a statement made in one of the official documents that was passed around all of those who were leaving the camp's listen to it, quote the camps wall is that those going to their death should be deceived until the deceived until the batter hits together serious words so much to think about.

I know you care. You wouldn't be here. You would be listening if you didn't care, but it is so easy to be swept along when we started this church. I remember saying to have very few circle of friends could be just have a church that's done right we have for these 10 1/2 years slugged it out to do it right made mistakes. Of course we had tell you we have fought for survival. We are on the minority among churches were not the only one you know that were one of I can't tell you how valuable your prayers are Cynthia and me to our elders as we are determined to slug it out. Whatever it takes. What's more important is how you can determine to live your life. I urge you to read less of the newspaper and the periodicals and read more of your Bible. I urge you to become a serious student of the Scriptures taken seriously. Teach them to your young read him his couples as single let the Scriptures be your guy will do amazing things, as it helps you live in a world that has lost its way. If you never trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ today you understand what you're dealing with. You don't have the kind of strength it takes to overcome this stuff you're doing well to survive economically, spiritually, what you need is power from within and it starts with being cleansed. Christ does that for you right where you're sitting right now you can trust him release your will to his take his gift in return begin a process of discernment and decision like you've never known before. Let us help you go there. Contact us. That's why were here, Lord God, in this day and in this age.

I pray that you will raise up sons and daughters of Issachar who understand their times and know with this country to do, may we not be weary in well doing, may we not lose heart in the midst of feeling outnumbered and intimidated. May we understand that it is truth that sets us free. Is your love that holds us close, but it is truth that freezes keep us our father in your will. Walking in your spirit, lest we be swept into the tide leads to antichrists I ask this in the name of Christ our Savior all the sons and daughters visitors everybody said in a manner listening to Insight for living and as we concluded a study in first John chapter 2 Chuck Swindoll would like to acknowledge Dr. Woodrow Kroll for providing helpful research on the 10 points for today's message and please stay with us.

You are a closing comment from Chuck in just a moment. If you'd like to learn more about Chuck for this ministry. Visit us online@insightworld.org because of the constraints caused by covert, 19, we know that these are challenging times for most households. All of us are learning to accept a new rhythm in life. That's not of our own choosing but is certainly open new doors of learning finding extra hours in our day has afforded opportunities to read more than usual.

Along those lines.

I like to suggest that you join us throughout the summer time study in first John to guide you.

We recommend that you secure a hardbound copy of Chuck Swindoll's commentary as well. We believe that when you dig deeper into first John God will give you brand-new insights that you can deploy even in these trying times when the coronavirus has altered our normal routines just refreshing and easy to understand. Commentary will shed light on the beauty, depth and meaning of John's love letter to purchase a hardbound copy of Swindoll's living insights New Testament commentary on first John.

Call us if you're listening in the United States dial 1-800-772-8888 or go to Insight.org/offer. You'll be pleased to learn that this particular book contains commentary on first, second and third John and the book of Jude is well.

Chuck for generations that follow.

Families will speak about the massive pandemic of the year 2020 were living in historic times about which books will someday be written. Movies will be filmed and songs will be composed and performed at Insight for living ministries. We believe this accelerates our God-given mission to proclaim to the world but God is life as we read in the letter of first John earlier this year as we began to hear reports that a virus was encircling our globe.

Cynthia and I decided it was time to present a study in the timeless New Testament letter of first John, his radical message is countercultural because John unapologetically warned us about the destructive nature of sin.

John, who was a close disciple of Jesus also declared an unpopular truth that Jesus is the one and only solution for our sin, but we continue to have the freedom to broadcast these biblical principles on Insight for living, you could rest assured that we will do so with passion and with integrity, even though many oppose God's message. We refused to filter or modify the truth in any way, and as long as we have supportive friends like you who come alongside us. We will forge ahead with boldness and confidence. Please as God has been faithful to supply you with what you need. We ask that you follow his leading and give to Insight for living as he directs you. We have a financial deadline. That's hard and fast its cons. On June 30, and more than that. We feel the time is running short. To tell the world about God's willingness to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. So together. Let's proclaim to the world the truth. That was from the beginning, but God is life analyst to clear these things so that the world in fact all 195 countries of this world may believe in someday share our joy day. Thanks Chuck summer finding it quite convenient to give her the insight for living mobile at just The heart icon and follow the instructions and to get by speaking to one of our friendly team member comments listening in the United States dial 1-800-772-8888 that's 1-800-772-8888 or you can also give online insight.or Friday. Chuck Swindoll talks about dealing with deceiver right here on Insight for living. The preceding message. The disturbing realities of our time and the sound recording copyright in 2009 by Charles R. Swindoll all right servicer will duplication of copyrighted material for commercial units is strictly prohibited