Mourning Babylon
Notes
Transcript
vv.9-13:
How foolish to place your faith in anything but Jesus Christ!
Their faith will be in their wealth, their goods, their power, their luxury, their convenience and their pleasure.
What is the common denominator? Self!
They will have wholeheartedly bought into a self-centered ideology.
Self-centeredness, self-fulfillment, self-esteem.
This type of self-focus can never esteem Christ.
One of the dangerous teachings of the “New Age” movement which has spilled over into modern evangelicalism is the notion of “self-esteem.”
Many psychologists—even Christian professional counselors—are attributing society’s ills to a lack of a “positive self-image” or “self-esteem” on those who exhibit antisocial behavior.
We are told they need more self-esteem in order to appreciate their own self-worth.
The problem with this idea is that it is both unscriptural and unrealistic.
To esteem one's self, always leads to the disregard of others.
Here, we see that slavery will have been revived (v.13).
This despicable disregard of others is where this type of ideology ultimately leads.
Don't get me wrong, people are not to hate themselves.
Instead of self-esteem, we are to esteem others. That doesn’t mean that we should hate ourselves.
Instead of self-esteem, we are to esteem others. That doesn’t mean that we should hate ourselves.
Ephesians 5:29
Ephesians 5:29
For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.
Instead of learning to esteem ourselves, the Scripture commands us each to esteem others.
Philippians 2:3
Philippians 2:3
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Even Paul considered himself so unworthy that he called himself the chief of sinners.
Not even Paul thought too highly of himself.
Not even Paul thought too highly of himself.
1 Timothy 1:15
1 Timothy 1:15
This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
We are told by some Christian leaders that the measure of our great value in the sight of God is the fact that Christ paid such a high price—His own death—to redeem us.
The fact is, however, that His death is not the measure of our greatness, but of our terrible sinfulness.
Christ’s death is not a measure of our greatness, but of our sinfulness.
Christ’s death is not a measure of our greatness, but of our sinfulness.
Romans 5:6
Romans 5:6
For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
In fact, the rise of this self-esteem idea is a sign of the last days, when men shall be “lovers of their own selves.”
It is the main characteristic of “New Age” humanism.
Christ died for our sins because He loves us, not because He needed us.
vv.14-16:
This self-centered, self-fulfillment attitude leads to an unhealthy lust for riches.
This can be seen in the return of slavery. Men will sell other men for the sake of profit.
The love of money will lead people to do wicked things in order to attain more and more of it.
The love of money will lead people to do wicked things in order to attain more and more of it.
1 Timothy 6:10
1 Timothy 6:10
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.
The problem is, in the end it will only bring sorrow. For when it is gone, all you can do is stand and weep.
vv.17-19:
All that they worked for, all that they longed for, all that they loved will be gone in an instant.
If only they'd known the words of Job.
The self-centered greedy should heed the words of Job. Instead, they are like the rich man.
The self-centered greedy should heed the words of Job. Instead, they are like the rich man.
Job 1:21
Job 1:21
And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.”
Instead, they are like the rich man.
Luke 16:25
Luke 16:25
But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.
Matthew 16:26-27
Matthew 16:26-27
For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.
v.20:
Though the lures of wealth may have appeal, God's righteousness and justice will prevail.
vv.21-23:
The fall of Babylon will destroy the last bit of worldly comfort that will still exist.
It will be the end of everything that this world considers normal.
People will finally realize that their end is near, there will be no more escaping it.
v.24:
This is a society that has fed on the blood of the saints, but it's destruction brings hope.
For in her fall, the glory of God will shine bright!
Let this be a warning not to get caught up in the world's vanity and values.
God’s people should not live for money, because money will be worthless in eternity.
We should keep on guard constantly against greed, a sin that is always ready to take over their lives.
God wants us to work and to provide for our families, and he commands the proper use of money.
But when the desire for money fills our lives, it becomes a false god. Don’t be enslaved by the desire for wealth.
Instead, become a bond servant of Christ.