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Transcript
• Introduction 1. God not man sets the standard: we are not capable or qualified 23 “O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.” • Introduction 2. When man determines morals: rationalize, justify, enable, accommodate, & excuse sin Selfishness, self-deception reverse right and wrong 20 “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” • Introduction 2. When man determines morals: rationalize, justify, enable, accommodate, & excuse sin Evolution denies God and the Bible, leaving man himself as the highest standard Existentialism: each person “experiences” “truth” in his own way— no absolutes Situation ethics: moral right and wrong are relative and situational, not absolute • Introduction 3. Popular slogans for relative situational morality: Each man’s conscience is a safe guide Man is free to do his own thing If it feels right, do it No one can legislate morality Fornication, adultery & homosexuality are optional “lifestyle” choices, not moral issues • Introduction 3. Popular slogans for relative situational morality: Women should be “free to choose” abortion • Introduction 4. Who determines morals: God or man? Joseph Fletcher vs God on morality Fallacies of man setting his own standard Situation ethics produces no ethics God not man must determine morals I. Joseph Fletcher vs God on Morality A. Situation Ethics Replaces Bible Morality Joseph Fletcher (1905-91), Situation Ethics: The New Morality Episcopal priest, ethics professor, then atheist Abortion, infanticide (1971 Euthanasia Conf.: let State kill defective children), euthanasia (kill people with low life quality), eugenics (improve humanity’s gene pool) I. Joseph Fletcher vs God on Morality A. Situation Ethics Replaces Bible Morality “Love” guides moral decisions: allow woman in German P.O.W. camp to commit adultery with guard (pregnant women released) Is this true love for God, husband, guard, child conceived & other P.O.W.’s? I. Joseph Fletcher vs God on Morality A. Situation Ethics Replaces Bible Morality “Love” guides moral decisions: allow woman in German P.O.W. camp to commit adultery with guard (pregnant women released) Germans jailed her in “love” of humanity (genetic engineering) Germans jailed her in “love” of humanity (genetic engineering) I. Joseph Fletcher VS God on Morality A. Situation Ethics Replaces Bible Morality “Love” guides moral decisions: allow woman in German P.O.W. camp to commit adultery with guard (pregnant women released) God denies this false love: the end justifies the means I. Joseph Fletcher vs God on Morality B. Joseph: God’s Morality, Not Situation Ethics Joseph’s faith in God was tested by a woman’s “love” Joseph’s faith in God was tested by a woman’s “love” 7 And it came to pass after these things that his master's wife cast longing eyes on Joseph and she said, "Lie with me." 8 But he refused and said to his master's wife, "Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand.” 9 "There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" Joseph’s faith in God was tested by a woman’s “love” 10 So it was, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not heed her, to lie with her or to be with her. 11 But it happened about this time, when Joseph went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the house was inside, 12 that she caught him by his garment, saying, "Lie with me." But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside. Joseph’s faith in God was tested by a woman’s “love” 13 And so it was, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and fled outside, 14 that she called to the men of her house and spoke to them, saying, "See, he has brought in to us a Hebrew to mock us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. 15 "And it happened, when he heard that I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left his garment with me, and fled and went outside." Joseph’s faith in God was tested by a woman’s “love” 16 So she kept his garment with her until his master came home. 17 Then she spoke to him with words like these, saying, "The Hebrew servant whom you brought to us came in to me to mock me; 18 "so it happened, as I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left his garment with me and fled outside." Joseph’s faith in God was tested by a woman’s “love” 19 So it was, when his master heard the words which his wife spoke to him, saying, "Your servant did to me after this manner," that his anger was aroused. 20 Then Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were confined. And he was there in the prison. I. Joseph Fletcher vs God on Morality C. David Justified God, Not Himself David confessed his sin and affirmed God is right David confessed his sin and affirmed God is right 1 Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight-That You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge. II. Fallacies of Man Setting Own Standard A. Man Attempts to take God’s Role to Himself God created and sustains all things 3 “Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” II. Fallacies of Man Setting Own Standard A. Man Attempts to take God’s Role to Himself God is the origin of light and truth 5 “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” II. Fallacies of Man Setting Own Standard A. Man Attempts to take God’s Role to Himself God is the revealer of truth 16 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” II. Fallacies of Man Setting Own Standard A. Man Attempts to take God’s Role to Himself Man in God’s role: “the man of sin.” Man in God’s role: “the man of sin” 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. II. Fallacies of Man Setting Own Standard B. False Premise: Man Can Know Without God What is Right, Wrong, Loving or Best Man not created with inherent ability to know right and wrong. II. Fallacies of Man Setting Own Standard B. False Premise: Man Can Know Without God What is Right, Wrong, Loving or Best Man is easily deceived and deceives himself. 12 “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” II. Fallacies of Man Setting Own Standard B. False Premise: Man Can Know Without God What is Right, Wrong, Loving or Best God must reveal “the things” in His mind—that is the purpose of the Bible. 9 “But as it is written: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” II. Fallacies of Man Setting Own Standard C. When Man Sets His Own Standard, He Contradicts Both God and Himself! He contradicts God’s word. 20 “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!.” • II. Fallacies of Man Setting His Own Standard C. When Man Sets Own Standard, He contradicts Both God and Himself! He contradicts himself: Existentialism: truth is relative not absolute—that is the absolute truth! Situation ethics: morals are relative not absolute—that is the absolute moral truth! III. Situation Ethics Produces No Ethics A. When Man Is His Own God, Moral Chaos Follows every man is his own law=no law Romans 1:18-32 All forms of sin appear right, good, and desirable when God is not the standard. 18 For the wrath ofAll God is revealed from heaven forms of sin appear right, good, against all ungodliness unrighteousness & desirable when Godand is not the standard of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. All forms of sin appear right, good and desirable when God is not the standard 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man-and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. All forms of sin appear right, good and desirable when God is not the standard 26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. 28 And even as theyAll didforms not like to retain God in their of sin appear right, good, knowledge, God gave God themisover & desirable when not to thea debased standardmind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. III. Situation Ethics Produces No Ethics A. When Man Becomes His Own God, Moral Chaos Follows Our selfishness, greed, and ambition justify all forms of sin 10 “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” III. Situation Ethics Produces No Ethics A. When Man Becomes His Own God, Moral Chaos Follows Our selfishness, greed, and ambition justify all forms of sin Cheat, steal: for school grades, later for money; feed family, improve business, solve debt; gamble, bribe, embezzle, kidnap, extort Mafia: gambling, prostitution, drugs-business III. Situation Ethics Produces No Ethics B. Modern Man’s Moral Chaos: Advancing Agenda Fornication rationalized: “live-in,” “love child” Adultery legalized: easy divorce & remarriage Homosexual practices rationalized: inborn, lifestyle choice, marriage, etc. Abortion on demand legalized (U.S. 1973) Government sponsored gambling Euthanasia, infanticide openly advocated IV. God Not Man Must Determine Morals A. God Sees What Man Does Not: Terrible Destructiveness of Sin! Sin enslaves, disappoints 22 His own iniquities entrap the wicked man, And he is caught in the cords of his sin. 15 Good understanding gains favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard. IV. God Not Man Must Determine Morals A. God Sees What Man Does Not: Terrible Destructiveness of Sin! Sin harms other people— no sin meets the ethical test of true love Sin harms other people—no sin meets the ethical test of true love 9 For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not bear false witness," "You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. IV. God Not Man Must Determine Morals A. God Sees What Man Does Not: Terrible Destructiveness of Sin! Sin harms other people— no sin meets the ethical test of true love Situation ethics claims “love” justifies sin: adultery (P.O.W. camp, abusive mate) murder (abortion, infanticide, euthanasia) stealing, etc.,etc. IV. God Not Man Must Determine Morals A. God Sees What Man Does Not: Terrible Destructiveness of Sin! Sin harms other people—no sin meets the ethical test of true love A rationale allowing the murder of anyone endangers everyone! A rationale allowing the murder of anyone endangers everyone! 12 Weeks: 3 Inches, 1 Oz. 16 Weeks: 4.5 Inches, 2.8 Oz. A rationale allowing the murder of anyone endangers everyone! IV. God Not Man Must Determine Morals B. Sin Destroys Man’s Fellowship with God Sin separates us from God 1 Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear. IV. God Not Man Must Determine Morals C. God Sets the Standard: We Must Choose Selfish sinful life vs truth and right Selfish sinful life vs. truth and right 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. IV. God Not Man Must Determine Morals D. God Says Right Can Become Sin in Some Cases, But Sin Never Becomes Right Love self, but not more than God or others Use money, but not love it Not force innocent optional things on someone who has scruples • Conclusion 1. God not man sets the standard: we are not capable or qualified 23 “O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.” • Conclusion 2. When man determines morals: rationalize, justify, enable, accommodate & excuse sin Evolution denies God and the Bible, leaving man himself as the highest standard Existentialism: each person “experiences” “truth” in his own way— no absolutes Situation ethics: moral right and wrong are relative and situational, not absolute • Conclusion 3. Who determines morals: God or man? Joseph Fletcher vs God on morality Fallacies of man setting his own standard Situation ethics produces no ethics God not man must determine morals • Conclusion 4. God calls sinners to submit to Christ for salvation and moral instruction Matthew 28:18-20 Christ will save us and help guide us to heaven Christ will save us and help guide us to heaven 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.