Input = Output (032226)
Pastor Joseph Campbell
Input = Output • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 26:09
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Text: Revelation 18:1-3, 11-17a
Title: Input Equals Output
The bulk of this message that I am going to preach this morning is a message that I preached in October, 2025.
I had every intention of diving into Proverbs chapter 4 this morning but, as I was studying, it seemed as though the Lord wanted me to share this message again as a “jumping off point” before fully getting to Proverbs chapter 4.
Our theme verse for this year is found in Proverbs 4:23
Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.
Now, our text this morning deals with the end times and the final and ultimate destruction of this world system known as Babylon the great.
I understand that you may be wondering, “What does this have to do with Proverbs 4:23?”
Listen
“Mystery” Babylon has also always had a strange attraction for believers.
Allow me to restate it: One of the saddest commentaries on Christians has been the ability of “the world” to impact them instead of Christians allowing God’s Word to impact them!
Another way to state this is that Christians are putting more of the world into their hearts and less of God’s Word which thus has a direct correlation to the output. For, input=output.
Allow me to give you an example:
Turn to and read 1 Kings 11:1-9.
The same individual - King Solomon - whom God used to pen the words of Proverbs 4:23, allowed his heart to be influenced to a world system - vs. 4 and 9 state that Solomon’s heart was turned from the Lord and to false gods - which in turn affected what Solomon did - vs. 6 states that Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord.
In other words, input (equalled) output.
Articles that I have shared previously indicate that culture - this fallen world system in which we live - is having a greater influence/impact upon us than God’s Word! And, that should be alarming.
One such article…
Culture having an impact in American churches, study finds
Culture having an impact in American churches, study finds
https://afn.net/church/2025/10/15/culture-having-an-impact-in-american-churches-study-finds/
[George] Barna says that the culture really seems to be taking a hit on people’s hearts and minds. Multiple topics that should be understood by Christians are met with confusion from consistent churchgoers.
“Some things that concern me are the fact that a majority of churchgoing Christians don't even know how to define family. And there wasn't as much support for Israel as you might have expected from regular churchgoers. In terms of worldview, we're also seeing people becoming more confused, less informed, and therefore not really thinking like Jesus,” states Barna.
Culture - this world system in which we live - is having an impact upon Christians - upon their hearts - through…
Music & entertainment
Education
Social media
Artificial intelligence
Politics
Christians are being impacted through their eyes and their ears!
According to that article, Christians today are much like Lot…
And delivered just Lot, vexed [tormented; worn down] with the filthy conversation [conduct; way of life; behavior] of the wicked:
But, that should NOT be; it does not have to be!
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
If we believe those passages of Scripture than the article I mentioned earlier should NOT be happening; culture should NOT be having an impact upon Christians!
Some foundational principles which we should keep in mind…
We should not resemble the world around us.
We should not resemble the world around us.
Romans 12:2 “…be not conformed to this world…”
1 Peter 1:14 “…not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance…”
We should not think like the world; talk like the world; act like the world; dress like the world; pursue the same things as the world; desire the same things as the world; etc.
Not because we are better but because we are different!
We should be different.
We should be different.
Romans 12:2 “…be ye transformed…”
This is how radically different we should be…
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
This difference begins in our mind - how we think.
This difference begins in our mind - how we think.
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…
Romans 12:2 “…by the renewing of your mind...”
1 Peter 1:13 “…gird up the loins of your mind…”
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
Casting down imaginations [thoughts; ideas], and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
We should not resemble the world.
We should be different.
This difference begins in our mind. And…
This transformation/difference is only made possible by God’s Word.
This transformation/difference is only made possible by God’s Word.
Sanctify [set them apart; make them holy] them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
These foundational truths, coupled with the fact that this world’s system is having an impact upon Christians demonstrates the importance of Proverbs 4:23
Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.
“Heart” occurs in the Bible approximately 1,000 times. In occurs in the book of Proverbs 82 times.
Ponder these familiar passages of Scripture:
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
The law of his God is in his heart; None of his steps shall slide.
BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.
With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might not sin against thee.
Finally, although the following verse does not contain the word “heart,” notice the word “in.”
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
One writer, about Colossians 3:16, stated:
Exploring Colossians & Philemon: An Expository Commentary (1) The Word Abiding in the Life (3:16a)
We need to get the Word out of our Bibles and into our hearts.
Exploring Colossians & Philemon: An Expository Commentary (1) The Word Abiding in the Life (3:16a)
We have all kinds of ways in which to get the Word of Christ where it belongs—into our hearts. We can memorize it. We can meditate upon it daily in our quiet time. We can study it using all available aids and helps. We can quote it in conversation, reinforcing its hold upon our hearts. We can live by it.
Exploring Colossians & Philemon: An Expository Commentary (2) The Word Abounding in the Life (3:16b)
The systematic input of the Word into our lives will result in the systematic output of the Word from our lives.
I believe that we would all agree with that last statement.
However, I believe that what many Christians are doing is…
Seeking to “cram” as much of God’s Word as they can into their heads while…
Not taking the proper steps to limit the input of the world and worldly influence into their hearts!
That’s like eating a wonderful, leafy salad but then following it up by devouring a complete bag of Doritos!
Finish with object lesson of water and weed killer.
