As most of you no doubt realize much ink has been spilled in
the aftermath of the landmark SCOTUS decision.
Nothing I have read, heard, or written
comes close to what John MacArthur preached this past Sunday night. This was “Hope For A Doomed Nation” times a thousand.
The following is a brief sketch of MacArthur’s epic July 19, 2015 sermon (You can listen to the sermon in its entirety by following this link).
Since our nation’s founding in 1776 the American experiment
has brought an usual amount of religious freedom for all men, including- but
not limited to- evangelical Christians.
In light of what Jesus said in John 16:33, what Paul declared in 2
Timothy 3:12, and what Peter wrote in 1 Peter 4:12-19 these blessed liberties should not be taken for granted. In recent days the “reprieve” from an
ungodly and hostile culture has been removed.
Those who continue to uphold what the Word of God clearly teaches
concerning gender
and marriage
must prepare themselves for forthcoming persecution. (If you are interested in how America got to
this place so rapidly consider this
article. The LGBT blitzkrieg has taken
root in six basic stages: Desensitize, normalize, demonize, legalize, idolize, and finally, victimize/penalize the opposition).Dr. MacArthur went on to remind the congregation that almost every form of sexual perversion is described in the first half of Genesis. In other words, voyeurism, incest, adultery, fornication, and homosexuality is nothing new (see Genesis 3-19). The Bible teaches that sexual sin and corrupt human nature go hand in hand. We live in a fallen world of men who are lost and ruined by the fall (note Ephesian 2:1-3, Colossians 1:21-23).
MacArthur then explained how the Evil One (Satan) works to destroy everything that God has designed to be good and noble. If you read through Genesis you will quickly notice that marriage and family have been in the Devil’s crosshairs for a very long time. In order to uphold God’s original design for gender, sex, and marriage the Lord gave His people a number of regulations (note Deuteronomy 22:5; 23:1 and Leviticus 18:22). These instructions are clearly reiterated in the New Testament (see 1 Corinthians 6:9-20).
John soberly reminded the flock that sinners can have “sex without children” through various forms of birth control and that now same sex partners can even have “children without sex” through ‘donor insemination.’ Suffice it to say, Roe v. Wade and the recent SCOTUS decision highlight the sad reality that more and more Americans now worship regularly at the altar of sexual idolatry.
To make matters worse a majority of Supreme Court justices have now legalized that which the Bible clearly calls an “abomination” (note Romans 1:18-32). Woe to those who call evil good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20).
"This country talks a lot about terrorist attacks—and rightly so. Almost anybody in America can give you some kind of a listing of the most destructive acts of terror that have happened in our country. But let me suggest to you this: The two greatest attacks of terror on America were perpetrated by the Supreme Court. Not by any Muslim, but by the Supreme Court of the United States. The first one was the legalizing of abortion. Subsequent to that, there have been millions of babies slaughtered in the wombs of their mothers. It’s incalculable to even comprehend that. The blood of those lives cries out from the ground for divine vengeance on this nation.
The second great act of terror perpetrated by the Supreme Court was the legalization of same-sex marriage. The destruction of human life in the womb—in a sense, the destruction of motherhood—and now the destruction of the family itself. No bomb, no explosion, no attack, and no assault on people physically can come anywhere near that kind of terrorism. Our country is being terrorized by the people most responsible to protect it—those who are to uphold the law."The preacher went on to (fore)warn the congregation of what may be around the corner for local churches, Bible colleges, and seminaries “that won’t bow the knee to Caesar.” Namely, egregious “hate speech” lawsuits, the loss of funding/scholarships, the removal of academic accreditation, and increased marginalization. Yet for every genuine believer Christ is our King and Scripture is our Law (note Acts 5:29; Psalm 1). Therefore, we must imitate the courage and fidelity of Mordicai, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Jesus, and the Apostles. .
In effort to encourage God’s people Pastor John directed our attention
to 2 Thessalonians 1:3-10. In this rich passage,
the Thessalonian believers are warmly commended for their “perseverance and
faith” in the midst of persecution and afflictions. Apparently this faithful congregation endured
many hardships for the cause of Jesus Christ.
Paul wants these believers to find relief
in the doctrine of the second coming of Christ.
Like the Revelation of John at Patmos we are reminded that for all who
overcome the very best is yet to come (note 2 Thessalonians 1:10). As Jesus Himself promised in Revelation
22:12, Behold I am coming quickly, and My
reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what He has done.
The apostle Paul also reminds these steadfast saints that the
Lord will dish out retribution on
those who persecute the true family of God.
Judgment will be merciless to those who reject the mercies of God in
Christ. To use the language of Holy
Scripture, For after all it is only just for God to
repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to
give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus
will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know
God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction,
away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power (2 Thess.
1:6-9). In other words, there will be hell to pay for anyone who
persecutes the bride of Christ (see Revelation 20:11-15)!
In closing Dr. MacArthur reminded his flock that the Church
of Jesus Christ must be loving and gracious to all men but we cannot be silent. Those who are truly “compassionate” will warn lost sinners to “flee from the
wrath of God” that is to come (see Psalm 2; Matthew 3:7). Amen. Come quickly Lord Jesus!
