In the Age of Technology What Has Happened to Our Theology

“In The Age of Technology What Has Happened To Our Theology?” Ecclesiastes 7:20, 29 INTRO. We are surely living in the Age of Technology. We have more gadgets, gizmos, and conveniences than has ever been know to man. Technology, the invention of objects and methods to provide and promote the betterment of man has in many instances added to man’s burden. The majority of the modern day inventions we see have come about since 1940, we are told. Some of these inventions are good, and good for us. They are not wrong within themselves. The problem is that they tend to take us away from the old fashioned Theology that has been handed down from generation to generation. When we fall into the trap of believing or, more accurately, hoping that technology will solve all our problems, we are actually abdicating the high touch of personal responsibility. Our technological fantasies illustrate the point. We are always awaiting the new magical pill that will enable us to eat all the fattening food we want, and not gain weight; burn all the gasoline we want, and not pollute the air; live as immoderately as we choose, and not contract either cancer or heart disease. In our minds, at least, technology is always on the verge of liberating us from personal discipline and responsibility. Only it never does and it never will. The more high technology around us, the more the need for human touch (1). The more we need God. The more we need to follow the principles for living contained in God’s Holy Word! 2 Timothy 3:7 says, “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Intellectually today man has reached heights that few thought possible, but spiritually we are bankrupt. Every generation has felt that it was a new age—that it saw more light and truth and was more enlightened than the former generation. In the area of science and techonolgy this is true...  BUT IT IS NOT TRUE IN HUMAN LIFE AND BEHAVIOR. How can we say this? Because man has not been changed. Man is still corruptible, aging, deteriorating, dying, and decaying. And he will continue to be a corruptible creature until his heart and soul are changed and made anew. This is where God’s Son comes in, even the Lord Jesus Christ.  Only Christ can change the human heart and soul; only He can make a person into a new creature. The truth of human behavior (sin and death) and of its deliverance from evil and death through Christ has been revealed. This truth never changes. Advancements in science and technology, psychology and medicine cannot stop the process of sin and death. Only Christ—the power of His cross and resurrection—can change man and give him eternal life. The question I want us to consider is this, “What has happened to the old time Theology?” as we think about this subject, “In The Age of Technology What Has Happened To Our Theology.” WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO: (1) THE THEOLOGY OF SIN Romans 3:10-18, 23—“As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asp, is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed innocent blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And they way of peace they have not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” *The Apostle Paul, in these verses, shows us that humanity in general, in its present sinful condition, is unacceptable before God. “No one is good” means “no one is innocent.” Every single person is valuable in God’s eyes because God created us in His image and He loves us, but no one is righteous (that is, no one can earn right standing with God) (2). Though valuable, we are born in sin-sinners by nature and by choice. And only God through Jesus Christ, His Son, can redeem us and forgive us our sin. A. Sin is something we don’t hear much about anymore. Very few preachers condemn it. We live in a society where the wicked and their wickedness is glorified. We are foretold in God’s Word that at time such as this would come (Isaiah 5:20). ILLUS. John MacArthur, in his book, “THE VANISHING CONSCIENCE,” says, “We live in a culture that has elevated pride to the status of a virtue. Self-esteem, positive feelings, and personal dignity are what our society encourages people to seek. At the same time, moral responsibility is being replaced by victimism, which teaches people to blame someone else for their personal failures and iniquities. Frankly, the Biblical teachings about human depravity, sin, guilt, repentance, and humility are not compatible with any of those ideas. The Church has been far too willing to embrace fads of worldly opinion-particularly in the area of psychology and self-esteem. Christians often merely echo worldly thinking on the psychology of guilt and the importance of feeling good about oneself. The adverse affect on the life of the Church can hardly be underestimated. No- where has the damage registered more than in the way professing Christians deal with their own sin….The Church as a whole is growing less concerned with sin, and more concerned with self-exonerat- ion and self-esteem. Christians are rapidly losing sight of sin as the root of all human woes. And many Christians are explicitly denying that their own sin can be the cause of their personal anguish. More and more are attempting to explain the human dilemma in wholly unbiblical terms: temperament, addiction, dysfunctional families, the child within, codependency, and a host of other irresponsible es- cape mechanisms promoted by a secular psychology. The potential impact of such a drift is frightening. Remove the real- ity of sin, and you take away the possibility of repentance. Abolish the doctrine of human depravity and you void the divine plan of salvation. Erase the notion of personal guilt and you eliminate the need for a Savior. Obliterate the human conscience, and you will raise an amoral and unredeemable generation. The Church cannot join hands with the word in such a grossly satanic enterprise. To do so is to overthrow the very gospel we are called to proclaim (3). *We need preachers in the pulpits that will take a strong stand against sin (2 Timothy 4:2-4)! ILLUS. The story is told that D.L. Moody was conducting a revival in a certain place. A little boy attended the services. One of this little boy’s friends, who did not attend the service, asked him what Moody preached. The boy said, “He preached on sin.” “What did he say about it?” the other boy asked. The first boy answered, “Well, I know this much, he is against it.” B. Sin is a destroyer of: 1. Body 2. Character 3. Family 4. Lives 5. Soul (James 1:14-15). Samuel Shaw said, “Sin itself is hell, and death, and misery to the soul…” (4). ILLUS. Could the United States be headed down a path similar to that of ancient Rome? Let's look at the five reasons for Rome's downfall, as set forth by Edward Gibbon in his classic work "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire." They are: 1. The undermining of the dignity and sanctity of the home. 2. Increasing taxes and spending of public money for bread and circuses. 3. The mad craze for pleasure, with sports becoming more exciting and more brutal. 4. The building of gigantic armaments, when the real enemy is the decadence of the people. 5. The decay of religion, with faith fading into mere form. (2) THE THEOLOGY OF SATAN 1 Peter 5:8—“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roar- ing lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” A. The New York Times, in reporting on a survey by the Barna Group, noted the diminishing belief in the devil among Americans. Two-thirds of Americans do not believe in the devil as a living entity. In a nationwide telephone survey of 1,007 randomly selected people, pollsters asked whether they agreed that Satan is “not a living being, but is a symbol of evil.” Sixty-two percent agreed with the statement, while 30 percent disagreed; the remaining 8 percent had no opinion. “If less than one in three Americans seems willing to give the devil his due,” reported the Times, “then that is a result of fundamental, long- term shifts in the nation’s religious culture” (5). B. But Satan is real. He is out to destroy God, God’s people and God’s Work, and take sinners to hell by the millions. Satan worship, a thing unheard of in our nation two generations ago, is one of the fastest growing cults in the nation-and is especially conspicuous in the youth culture. A recent news report from Orange County, California reported more than 500 cases of ritual animal sacrifice involving stolen pets have been recorded over the past decade (6). C. We need to warn people of Satan. We need to tell people how to detect him and what his plan is and how to stand against him. ILLUS. I was in an emergency room late one night last week. Victims of Satan filled the halls. A child - puffy, swollen eyes. Beaten by her father. A woman - bruised cheeks, bloody nose. "My boyfriend got drunk and hit me," she said, weeping. An old man - unconscious and drunk on a stretcher. He drooled blood in his sleep. Jesus saw the victims of Satan, too. He saw a leper one day . . . fingers gnarled . . . skin ulcerated . . face disfigured. And he got indignant . . . angry. Not a selfish, violent anger. A holy anger . . .a controlled frustration . . .a compassionate disgust. And it moved him. It moved him to action. I'm convinced that the same Satan stalks today, causing the hunger in Somalia . . . the confusion in the Mideast …the egotism on the movie screen . . . the apathy in Christ's church. And Satan giggles among the dying.- Max Lucado (3) THE THEOLOGY OF THE SAVIOR John 1:1-5, 11-14—“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to then that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was was made flesh, and dwelt among us, ( and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” A. Never have we seen our Blessed LORD Jesus so degraded, hated, and rejected as we see it today. 1. His deity is denied. 2. His sinless life is mocked. ILLUS. Television talk-show host Larry King made a very perceptive comment when he was asked who he would most like to have inter- viewed from across history. One of those he named was Jesus Christ. “What would you have asked Him?” Came the rejoinder to Mr. King, “I would like to ask if He was indeed Virgin born, because the answer to that question would define history” (7). ILLUS. In the March 29, 1999, issue of the NEWSWEEK magazine, the following questions were asked, and answers were given: "Do you think Jesus Christ ever actually lived?" Christians 93% YES Non-Christians 68% YES I was shocked to read that 7% of those who claim to be Christians, DO NOT believe that He ever actually lived. Does that make sense? How can one profess to be a "Christian", and yet deny the Christ who bought them? And isn't it interesting that more than half of the non-Christians polled, believe that He lived. There may indeed be more souls out there willing to hear and obey the gospel than many brethren are willing to admit! "Do you believe Jesus Christ rose from the dead after dying on the cross?" Christians 88% YES Non-Christians 32% YES Again one can be amazed to learn that 12% of professed "Christians" deny that Jesus was resurrected from the dead. Paul wrote, "And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain" (1 Co 15:14). But note again that a considerable number of non-Christians believe in His resurrection. "Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest" (Jn. 4:35).--Swartz Creek, MI, church bulletin B. Jesus Christ was and is God. It may be hard for our finite minds to grasp but that is where our faith comes in (1 Timothy 3:16). He was all together man and all together man. He was and is the God-man. W.A. Criswell in the Great Doctrines of the Bible writes: Our Blessed LORD combined in one, two natures, both complete; A perfect manhood all sublime, in Godhead all replete. As man He entered Cana’s feast, a humble guest to dine; As God He moved the water there, and changed it into wine. As man He climbed the mountain’s height, a suppliant to be; As God He left the place of prayer and walked upon the sea. As man He wept in heartfelt grief, beside a loved one’s grave; As God He burst the bands of death, Almighty still to save. As man He lay within a boat o’erpowered by needful sleep; As God He rose, rebuked the wind and still the angry deep. Such was our LORD in life one earth, in dual nature one; The woman’s seed in very truth and God’s eternal Son. O Child, O Son, O Word made flesh, may thy high praise increase: Called Wonderful, the Mighty God, Eternal Prince of Peace (8). C. In this age of Technology, the Gospel is “taboo”. But the Gospel is Jesus Christ-His death, burial, and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1- 4). Without Christ, Man is without hope. There is no way to God! ILLUS. Jesus the Way: there is a difference between pointing the way to a particular place and taking someone by the hand and leading him there. The person who guides a person to their destination literally becomes the way himself. Jesus Christ not only points out and tells a person how to walk through life and how to reach God, He personally shows the person the way. Therefore, He Himself is the Way. Note the repetition of the word “way” (John 14:4-6). (4) THE THEOLOGY OF SALVATION 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, 17—“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: and that He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” A. There is very little depth to so many salvation experiences today. When a person is truly born again by the Grace of God, he is never again the same— “old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

ILLUS. What does it mean for a man to become a “new creature”? Very simply, it means just what the Scripture says: the man actually becomes a new creature—his whole being, nature, life, and behavior changes:  Whereas a man was dead to God, as a new creature he becomes alive to God.  Whereas a man had no relationship with God, as a new creature he is given a relationship with God.  Whereas a man was not sure about God, as a new creature he is absolutely certain about God.  Whereas a man never fellowshipped and communed with God, as a new creature he fellowships and communes with God all the time.  Whereas a man was living in sin and immorality, as a new creature he lives in righteousness and holiness.  Whereas a man had to face death, as a new creature he never has to die.  Whereas a man was doomed to judgment and eternal separation from God, as a new creature he is destined to live eternally in the presence of God. B. Ask people these days when they were born again, when they repented, when they came to know Jesus and He completely transformed them, and they don’t know what you are talking about. To be in Christ means that a believer walks and lives in Christ day by day. It means that he does not “walk after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:1, 4). It means that “denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2:12). It means that he bears the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). It means that he abides in Christ, that he becomes as connected and attached to Christ... C. In this age of Technology, Repentance is seldom if ever mentioned in many Churches. But Repentance is a must. Jesus said, “..except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Jesus said, “No! But except you repent, you shall all likewise perish!” Such an argument has its basis in self-righteousness. The point is unmistakable: all men must repent of sin, for all men are sinners, ILLUS. The word “repentance” or “repent” is used in the writings of Paul to the Romans, the Corinthians, and to Timothy, and by the writer to the Hebrews as well as by Peter. It occurs ten times in the Book of the Revelation of John. In all of the New Testament it appears more than fifty times. Hebrews lists it as an elementary doctrine of Christ, a foundation. How serious then is the condition of a professing church where repentance is missing from its elementary evangelism or church growth?-J. Edwin Orr (9) (5) THE THEOLOGY OF SEPARATION 2 Corinthians 5:14-18—“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the LORD, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the LORD Almighty.” A. Even though the Word of God teaches Separation, we see less separation between the Church and the world than ever before. But to the Bible- believing Christian Separation is a valid doctrine and must be practiced in two areas:

1. Separation from Evil. It has become almost impossible to tell the difference between a Christian and a non-Christian. Very simply stated, believers are in the world, but they are not to be of the world. They live in the world, but they are not to take part in the sins of the world. Separation from this world involves more than keeping our distance from sinners; it means staying close to God. It involves more than avoiding entertainment that leads to sin; it extends as well into how we spend our time and money. In this fallen world, there is no way to separate ourselves totally from all effects of sin…..We are to resist the sin around us, not give up and give in (10). 2. Separation from Ecumenicalism. There is a trend today toward Christian unity. Ecumenicalism, the movement for world-wide unity and cooperation among all Christian Churches only leads to two things: a) Confusion. b) Compromise. God’s Word in Amos 3:3 asks, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed.” The obvious answer is NO! We cannot, must not, will not compromise simply for the sake of unity! (6) THE THEOLOGY OF THE SECOND COMING Revelation 22:12, 20—“And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly, Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” A. We don’t know the day nor the hour, but Jesus is coming soon and at a time when no one will expect Him. This is good news to those who trust Him, but a terrible message for those who have rejected him and stand under judgment. Soon means at any moment, and we must be ready for Him, always prepared for his return. Would Jesus’ sudden appearance catch you off guard (11)? ILLUS. Perhaps at cool of morning when The day is breaking light; Perhaps at noontide’s hour, or ‘Midst gathering shades of night: I’ll see a burst of glory, and The angel’s voice I’ll hear; The trumpet’s golden throat will sound The summons loud and clear! Then suddenly-I’ll see the Lord! I’ll meet Him face to face… The Lord of all the universe, The Lord of truth and grace! My cup of bliss will overflow; I’ll see Him as He is! What joy to place my hand within That nail-scarred hand of His! Perhaps today will be the day I’ll hear His welcomed voice! Perhaps today I’ll see the Lord And evermore rejoice! -Georgia B. Adams (12) B. We must preach it! We must believe it! We must be expecting it! (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18). comfort one another with these words. God does not reveal the events of the end time to satisfy curiosity. He tells us about the glorious events so that we can prepare and comfort one another. There is no need for discouragement on this earth; no need for extreme sorrow and grief; no need for hopelessness; and no need for ignorance. The Lord Himself has given us the most wonderful hope—the hope of living forever face to face with Him—of worshipping and serving Him forever in a new heavens and earth. CLOSING: In this age of technology what has happened to the theology of sin, Satan, the Savior, Salvation, Separation, and the Second Coming? Let us till He comes “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” NOTES: 1. Charles R. Swindoll. Dropping Your Grip. 2. Living Letters From The Life Application Bible. Pg. 18. 3. John F. MacArthur. The Vanishing Conscience. Pg. 11. 4. Albert J. Wells, Jr. Inspiring Quotations-Contemporary & Classical. Pg. 188. 5. Robert J. Morgan. Nelson’s Complete Book Of Stories, Illustrations & Quotes. Pg. 682. 6. MacArthur. Pg. 65. 7 7. Morgan. Pg. 485. 8. Morgan. Pg. 482. 9. Morgan. Pg. 664. 10. Living Letters. Pg. 90. 11. Living Letters. Pg. 318. 12. Wells. Pg. 176.