The Stronghold of Complacency
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26 And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: 27 They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 29 but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.
Resuming the Sermon Series: The Weapons of Our Warfare
We have weapons that are mighty in God for the pulling down of strongholds based on 2 Corinthians 10:4-6.
In this context, pulling down strongholds refers to demolishing walls of resistance in people’s minds.
Today: The Stronghold of Complacency
Complacency is defined as: A feeling of contented self-satisfaction, especially when unaware of upcoming trouble.
Let us continue to pray for families of the flood victims in Central Texas, worst inland flooding in 50 years. No one expected this to happen, there are children who perished in what was thought to be just a normal summer camp. Then Sudden death and destruction came.
In His discourse on the Mount of Olives on the topic of His second coming, the Lord Jesus talked about a future time when people will be living normal lives, and then suddenly, without warning, the end comes.
Here are the main points from what Jesus said:
Complacency Ignores Warnings.
2. Complacency Ignores Moral Failures.
3. Complacency keeps people unprepared for the coming of Christ
1. Complacency Ignores Warnings.
26 And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: 27 They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.
In verses 26-27, Jesus likens His return to the days of Noah when people were engrossed in eating, drinking, and marrying, completely unaware of the coming flood. 2 Peter 2 tells us that Noah was a preacher of righteousness, so he must have warned people of the coming judgement, but they chose to ignore him.
Just like people in the days of Noah, many today are captivated by the so called MAINTENANCE OF LIFE.
WHat is the MAINTENANCE OF LIFE? This is most pronounced and seen here in America. It is called…
THE AMERICAN DREAM.
American Dream—pursuing wealth, status, and personal success—while neglecting the spiritual truths that matter. We must ask ourselves: Are we so focused on our pursuits that we fail to recognize the signs of the times?
Sermon Illustration: “The American Dream (a.k.a. The Great Credit Card Chase)”
Let me tell you the story of an immigrant named Pedro — a man full of dreams, faith, and two suitcases that weighed more than his bank account.
Pedro arrived in America believing the streets were paved with gold. What he found instead were potholes, parking tickets, and a Costco the size of his whole hometown. But that’s okay! He was ready to work hard. He told himself, “This is the land of opportunity!”
The first thing Pedro noticed was — wow — everything is so nice! Cars that talk to you, houses with more bathrooms than people, and 47 kinds of cereal. He said, “This is it! The dream!”
So Pedro went to buy a car. The salesman smiled and said, “Do you have credit?”
Pedro said, “Yes! I believe in God!”
“No, sir... do you have credit score?”
Pedro said, “Score? Like basketball?”
And that was the day Pedro met the true ruler of the American economy: FICO.
So Pedro got a job. Two jobs. Three jobs. He worked days, nights, weekends, and one shift in his sleep. And slowly… his score rose. He started buying things not with money, but with credit.
He bought a car. Then a house. Then he sent his kids to school. Then they needed cars. Then they went to college. Then they needed a house.
Pedro looked up and said, “Wait… this is just one big cycle! I thought I came to live the American dream. But now EVEN SLEEP HAS BECOME A FAR AWAY DREAM.
He realized, the dream came with monthly payments.
But this comes with a warning Jesus said:
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,
2. Complacency Ignores Moral Failures.
Verse 27:
“…until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.”
28 Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 29 but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.
What comes to mind when you hear the word Sodom? Immorality, sin. Judgement
Talk of sin City in the Bible - we think of Sodom and Gomorrah. But the sin in those cities probably now pale in comparison to our modern day sin cities
Jesus continues with the example of Sodom in verses 28-29, where the inhabitants were consumed by their desires.
Their complacency kept them from repenting and led to catastrophic consequences. Our present society often promotes a culture of self-indulgence and moral failure, encouraging a lifestyle that distances us from God’s will.
The word of God is the weapon that we can use against the stronghold of complacency:
Romans 1 gives us the right perspective on what is really going on:
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, 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.
Look at the last part.. but also approve of those who practice them.. how do we approve of all these unrighteous acts, by saying or doing nothing..
The question we must confront is: What are the Sodom-like distractions in our own lives that we must confront and overcome?
3. Complacency keeps people unprepared for the coming of Christ.
30 Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.
Finally, in verse 30, Jesus emphasizes that the same fate awaits those who are not vigilant when He returns.
This is a call for us to awaken from spiritual slumber. Instead of chasing after fleeting dreams, we are called to seek first the Kingdom of God.
CALL TO ACTION:
1. Reassess our priorities.
2. Invest in our relationship with Christ
3. Actively participate in the work He has for us.
The challenge here is to examine our lives: Are we ready for Christ’s return? Are we living as if this moment could come at any time?
Not only that, we have a role to play in the coming of the Lord, not just a self-centered preparation..
14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
FINAL STORY: THE MORAVIANS
In the early 1700s, a small group of Christians called the Moravians gathered under the leadership of Count Zinzendorf in Germany. They were humble, simple people—farmers, craftsmen, even refugees—but they had one powerful desire: to prepare the world for the coming of the Lord.
Do you know what they did?
They started a 24/7 prayer meeting that lasted over 100 years.
Yes, you heard that right—a century of nonstop prayer.
Day and night, rain or shine, someone was always praying, asking God to send revival and reach the nations.
But they didn’t stop at prayer.
The Moravians became some of the first Protestant missionaries in history. They sold their possessions—some even sold themselves into slavery—just so they could share the gospel with people who had never heard it.
Why?
Because they believed Jesus was coming back, and they wanted to be found faithful—not idle, not comfortable, but ready.
Church, if the Moravians could prepare the way with prayer, sacrifice, and radical obedience—what’s stopping us?
Let’s not just wait for the Lord. Let’s prepare the way.
Let us not only prepare for the coming of the Lord, Let us prepare the way for His coming!
Explain the difference.
Reflect on this: What worldly ambitions are you willing to let go of in order to embrace God’s will for your life?
In this moment, let us commit to being alert, ready, and focused on the mission God has entrusted to us.
Let us awaken from the dream and live in the reality of His return.
