Incomplete Obedience

(Our Greatest Down Fall)

Judges 2:1-15

 In the previous chapter we see a list of all that the children of Israel left undone. They didn't completely drive the pagan God worshippers from the land that God had promised them. It left the next generation corrupted by their influence so that when Joshua died and his generation with him the people were left with a generation that was influenced by the wrong Gods.

  These men of Israel were not bad men. They did much of what the Lord required. But by not driving the inhabitants out of the land they left their children spiritually unfit to lead the nation and as in verse 15 of our text "the hand of the Lord was against them for evil.."

 What happen? Simply "Incomplete Obedience" to the Lord

In this sermon I plan to show you the effect Incomplete Obedience has had on our Nation, on our Churches and on our Homes.

I. The Effect of Incomplete Obedience on our Nation

As we commemorate the birth of our nation we can look back and see what our nations principles were on upon it's founding some two hundred and 34 years ago.

  1. Our Foundation

              a. founded on basic moral principle

                           The beliefs of our forefathers

Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of people that these liberties are the gift of God; that they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever.

Thomas Jefferson



              b. founded on biblical principle

 The destiny of America is to carry the gospel of Jesus Christ to all men everywhere.

John Adams

The appearance of religion only on Sunday proves that it is only an appearance.

John Adams

 "The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: that it connected in one dissoluble bond, the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity..."

 John Quincy Adams(sixth president)

Patrick Henry, American Statesman and Patriot, said "it cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians, not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ."

  What Happen? Our nation was not completely obedient to it's founding. 

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord...." Psalm 33:12

We have let down our guard as to the caliper of leadership our nation demands.

It happens like this " well I know he may not be the a God fearing man that believes the Bible, but, he would be good for the economy" generations later being of a Godly character is no longer even a necessary consideration.

 The Long term effect: prayer out of school and evolution in, abortion legal, presidents  committing immoral behavior in office, lacking support for Israel and "the hand of the Lord was against them for evil.."

II. The Effect of Incomplete Obedience on the Church

The role of the church is and all ways should be for the spreading of the Gospel to the lost, brotherly fellowship, disciplining and teaching believers in the virtue and truth of God's Word, prayer, and worshipping God.  

 Many Churches today, once founded upon biblical principle have now traded in for a hip, cool place to get your God fix. The have not honored God's preserved Word, they have allowed the same music that the devil promotes to enter the worship service, in the name of Jesus of coarse, they have justified not soul winning, allowed liberalism and humanism to redefine their purpose and have brought their lofty and Godly standards so far down that they are completely in effective for His service.

When did this happen? 

     Ever since the founding of our nation God has raised men up to keep our nations churches on the correct moral coarse.

   Whitefield preached religious liberty and responsibility

   And our last great man of God Billy Sunday, was known for bringing prohibition and the tearing down of the alcohol industry.

  Although these men won many to Christ they also changed the moral attitude of the nation.

  The latest man that has become our national icon is Billy Graham. He was picked by a couple Roman Catholic newspaper men for his fiery preaching and soul winning ability, but he remained none opinionated on moral matters. 

                       Sam Gipp Explains:

Billy Graham refocused American Christianity on soul winning, soul winning, soul winning. Yes, he saw folks saved and churches went out and won souls. But pulpits across America followed his lead and went silent on moral living, holiness, biblical ethics and character. They quit fighting wickedness in society. Thus today we have soul winners who are committing adultery, drinking, viewing online porn, stealing church funds, molesting children and trying to destroy anyone who disagrees with them, but..."they can sure preach a good salvation message."

Our nation is loose morally, ignorant biblically and damned Divinely, all because the one man the Nation looked to for spiritual guidance remained silent about their sins and taught them that as long as they won souls everything was okay.

According to Ephesians 4:12 the biblical purpose of the Church is to edify the Saints. Teach them the Bible, biblical morals, biblical ethics, biblical values and get them living for God first and themselves second. Thanks to "Bought-off Billy" pastors were convinced that the only purpose of the Church was to get the lost in and win them. Weeeeelll! Guess who picked up on that and took the next logical, horrible step? Rick Warren. Basically Rick Warren said, "Oh, you want to get lost people into your church? Well, I'll show you how to get lost people into your church." and then he turned the Church into the very Theater that it had preached against for so many years. That's why so many soul winning preachers are drawn to his methods even when they know Warren is bad.

 Soul winning is vital to being obedient to God, but is equally important that the church preach morality, ethics and holiness.

  The effects of this incomplete obedience:

              Immoral living among professed Christians, No spiritual growth among members, wishy washy congregations, a generation that doesn't see the need for church, "and the hand of the Lord was against them for evil..."

   I believe Billy Graham was a saved man, and I believe he truly led many to the Lord, but he left a great void to be filled by a generation that doesn't see anything wrong with the way they want to live.

The Effects of Incomplete Obedience on the Home

The home is the place where we really see the difference incomplete obedience has made. The modern Christian home can not often be distinguished from the worldly home.

Divorce among Christians is as high as it is among the heathen. 

          Why? Incomplete Obedience.

  They profess Christ but don't serve him.

  Statistics

1 out of 2 end in divorce. But a family that prays together, goes to church together, soul wins together, and serves God together, the divorce rate is 1 and 1500. Wow!

Many of our children have drug problems at an early age, teenage pregnancy is at an all time high (despite or because of teaching sex ed IN kindergarten.) Kids are disrespectful to adults, profane, lacking sensibility, and dangerously lost. And this is in good homes, it is far worse in bad homes.

 Why? We have been only partially obedient to God's Word. We allow things to remain as the Israelites did that should be driven out. Pagan gods, idols, and influences that corrupt the minds of everyone in our home.  

     The home that receives instruction from society rather than God's word is doomed for failure. And that very failure is glorified to be what they should obtain.  

   The home used to be centered around the Bible but now it is far to often centered around the Television. The almighty box tells people how to live, how to raise their children, how to decorate their house, how to vote, basically, how to think. And if their God box tells them that it's O.K. to be disobedient to God's word they believe it rather than the pastor knocking at their door (because of coarse the T.V. has their best interest at heart, that pastor just wants their money, right?)

  Because society tells us that our mission in life should be happiness, many have searched out whatever sin will make them happy for the moment at the cost of the very home God has provided them. Despite what their pastor may have taught them about Glorifying God being their purpose in life.

  I'm talking about Christians, we expect this from the lost.

 We have yet to suffer any real persecution so the reason our churches and nations have gone astray is because many American homes have gone astray. Persecution does a good job to get us refocused on our priorities.

 It starts in the home. Dad, it starts with you. As the morality of the home declines so does the morality of the society. And incomplete obedience has reeked havoc in our homes so much that they have become our havens for sin rather than our refuge from it.

Why are our kids not respecting our authority? They learn by example. If we are not respecting our authority why should they? 

What incomplete obedience in the home leads to:

                     Reprobates =   " and the hand of the Lord was against them for evil.. " 

I pray none of these attributes describe your home

             turn to  Romans 1:24-32

Conclusion

 You don't have to be an out an out Bible rejector to lead generations astray, just be partially obedient and you too could have your part in establishing a reprobate society.

The Fix

     1.Get saved 

     2. Get established in the Word

     3. Establish Your home in the Word 

     4. Quit making excuses and be obedient to the Word