IF THE FOUNDATIONS ARE DESTROYED

Scripture Text Psalms 11:3 (NKJV) 

                If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?

Introduction:

Today the foundations of Christianity are being tested by those around us. God is looking to see what His people are going to do. Some Christians will cave in to the pressures of society. Some already have, while other believers will be strengthened in their resolve to serve the Lord. Are we up to the task? Yes, with the help of God. Let us examine what the Scriptures say about what is happening and what we can expect in the future.

I. What are our foundations and what causes a nation’s foundations to be destroyed?

   A. The foundations of this nation are the Lord God, His word, our morality, and our constitution. This nation was built on God, His word, and on Christian principles. Look it up in history books if you doubt it!

  B. Some concerning the truth of God’s word have erred. 2 Timothy 2:16-18 (NLT)
¹⁶ Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior.
¹⁷ This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus.
¹⁸ They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith.

  C. There are those who will not understand because they walk in darkness. Psalms 82:5 (NLT)  But these oppressors know nothing; they are so ignorant! They wander about in darkness, while the whole world is shaken to the core.

      These kind of people love the things of this world more than God.

      John 3:19-20 (NLT) ¹⁹ And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.
²⁰ All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed.

   1. There are workers of iniquity who have no knowledge of the Lord, want nothing to do with God or His way.

       Psalms 53:4 (NLT) Will those who do evil never learn? They eat up my people like bread and wouldn’t think of praying to God. Hosea 4:1-3 (NLT) ¹ Hear the word of the Lord, O people of Israel! The Lord has brought charges against you, saying: “There is no faithfulness, no kindness, and no knowledge of God in your land. ² You make vows and break them; you kill and steal and commit adultery. There is violence everywhere— one murder after another. ³ That is why your land is in mourning, and everyone is wasting away. Even the wild animals, the birds of the sky, and the fish of the sea are disappearing.

   2. They walk in the darkness of unbelief. Proverbs 2:13-15 (NLT) ¹³ These men turn from the right way to walk down dark paths. ¹⁴ They take pleasure in doing wrong, and they enjoy the twisted ways of evil. ¹⁵ Their actions are crooked, and their ways are wrong.

  D. Some have had their faith overthrown. 1 John 2:19 (NLT) ¹⁹ These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us.

     There are Wheat and tares both in church.

    1. They are being deceived by “deceitful workers.”  2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (NLT) ¹³ These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. ¹⁴ But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. ¹⁵ So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.

      Some are in the ministry for what they can get out of it or to control people.

      They tell people what they want to hear instead of the truth of God’s word.

   2. It is because of a lack of knowledge of the Word of God that people are led astray.

      Hosea 4:6-7 (NLT) ⁶ My people are being destroyed because they don’t know me. Since you priests refuse to know me, I refuse to recognize you as my priests. Since you have forgotten the laws of your God, I will forget to bless your children. ⁷ The more priests there are, the more they sin against me. They have exchanged the glory of God for the shame of idols. There are all kinds of preachers in the pulpits these days so Christians must read the word of God to make sure they are being taught the truth.

      Conclusion:  We cannot allow ourselves to get caught up in the things of the world and go astray from God and His word. There will be more deception to come as time goes on.

     Invitation: Because of these trying times, we must be ready to stand up for what we believe. So now is the time to “Make your calling and election sure.”

   2 Peter 1:10-11 (NKJV) ¹⁰ Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 

¹¹ for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

     If you have never called on Jesus to forgive your sins, now is the time. The return of Christ is very near so don’t put off making sure of your salvation, time is short.