Pastor Ian bring us a word for ‘The WORD & the WORLD’. Reading from 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17.
Paul was dealing with the same issues that we are facing today.
We are shocked by the apathy, immorality, same sex marriage, politics.
The world is changing.
We ask ourselves, what has happened to this world?… “What happened to the good old days?” but Paul makes it clear what the problem has always been he writes:
“As it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.“”
Romans 3:10-12 ESV
This has been mankind’s heart right from the beginning Genesis 6:5 However, we are not asked to give up.
The evil we see has not suddenly appeared, it has always been there since Cain & Able.
Why should we have hope?
In the last days, God says evil, wickedness & lawlessness will increase.
“The Anarchist’s coming is all Satan’s work. All his power and signs and miracles are fake, evil sleight of hand that plays to the gallery of those who hate the truth that could save them. And since they’re so obsessed with evil, God rubs their noses in it—gives them what they want. Since they refuse to trust truth, they’re banished to their chosen world of lies and illusions.”
2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 MSG
Despite what is to come…….DON’T DESPAIR!!!
Whatever we see in the world, know that God is still sovereign, he is still in control.
Things might be getting dark, but like you would seeing a diamond put against a black backdrop you would see God’s glory shining.
Should we be concerned about the way of the world? Of course we should.
But we are to cling to the word of God. Our trust should be in him and him alone. The word of God is life changing, culture changing and world changing. The word of God is the most powerful thing there is.
God hasn’t condemned this world, but he has a plan for it. The gospel will continue to bring hope into the world.
What is the world coming to?… exactly as God had said it would.
We pray that you would find and have hope in God alone. To help you stay on the path he has placed for you, to live for him. To be steadfast even amongst the trouble and evil of this world. Know that his word is all conquering, that his light shines brighter even amongst the darkness.