Ancient Faith for a Modern World - People Problems

Modern Problems Require...

Explain the Premise

Take Ideas:

If we want to solve the problems we face in the world today, we need to figure out perspective we are approaching them from:

Biblical Worldview.

Romans 12:2 CSB

Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

A concern for what is right.

Psalm 145:17 CSB

The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all his acts.

Psalm 33:4 CSB

For the word of the Lord is right, and all his work is trustworthy.

Proverbs 21:3 CSB

Doing what is righteous and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

A concern for what is true.

John 18:37–38 CSB

“You are a king then?” Pilate asked. “You say that I’m a king,” Jesus replied. “I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” “What is truth?” said Pilate. After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, “I find no grounds for charging him.

1 John 3:18 CSB

Little children, let us not love in word or speech, but in action and in truth.

Promotion of Gospel Values.

Philippians 4:8 CSB

Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things.

Done in Kindness with Love and Mercy.

2 Timothy 2:24–26 CSB

The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth. Then they may come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

No New Problems

Ecclesiastes 1:9–10 CSB

What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing new under the sun. Can one say about anything, “Look, this is new”? It has already existed in the ages before us.

Nothing that we face today is unique to what people have experienced throughout history.

We simply see new manifestations of old problems.

People Problems

Focused on Self

Lack of Compassion and empathy

Lack of Respect

Tribalism

Lack of Loyalty

Egocentrism

Mental Health

Division

Race

Religion

Gender

Sexuality

Nationality

Political

Greed

Much of what we see can be summed up by 2 Timothy 3:1-5

2 Timothy 3:1–5 CSB

But know this: Hard times will come in the last days. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, demeaning, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people.

Division was one of the common answers, but I want to go through the causes of division (which are their own problems) before we get to Division.

Selfishness

People who are “lovers of self.”

The root of the problem.

The original sin:

Genesis 3:6 CSB

The woman saw that the tree was good for food and delightful to look at, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

Selfishness is present in almost every sin.

We do something wrong, because we want to, or we thing it is beneficial to us.

Genesis 4:9 CSB

Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s guardian?”

Paul faced this problem when he was dealing with those who served with him. Philippians 2:21

Philippians 2:21 CSB

all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

What does God call us to do?

Philippians 2:3–4 CSB

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.

1 John 3:17 CSB

If anyone has this world’s goods and sees a fellow believer in need but withholds compassion from him—how does God’s love reside in him?

We should be people who are selfless, not selfish. We should recognize that people operate in this way, but we also see that we are called to live differently.

Lack of Compassion

Where do we see lack of compassion? Everywhere!

Division, infighting, strife.

Political Division

Difficulties across the world.

Lack of care for the problems of others.

The Compassion of God

Psalm 103:13 CSB

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.

Matthew 14:14 CSB

When he went ashore, he saw a large crowd, had compassion on them, and healed their sick.

How we ought to interact.

Colossians 3:12–13 CSB

Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive.

1 John 3:17 CSB

If anyone has this world’s goods and sees a fellow believer in need but withholds compassion from him—how does God’s love reside in him?

Ephesians 4:32 CSB

And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.

Matthew 6:14–15 CSB

“For if you forgive others their offenses, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. But if you don’t forgive others, your Father will not forgive your offenses.

Greed

How do we see Greed in the world today?

Distribution of Wealth in the world:

Worth >$1M

191.6 trillion

45.8% of wealth

held by 1.1%

Worth $100K-$1M

163.9 trillion

39.1% of wealth

held by 11.1%

Worth 10K-100K

57.3 trillion

13.7% of wealth

Held by 32.8%

Worth <$10k

$5.5 trillion

1.3% of wealth

Held bye 55%

In US wealth per adult is $486,930 (Richest)

In Africa wealth per adult is $7,371 (Poorest)

Money makes the world go round, but so many people are concerned with money to a point of sin.

Greed isn’t only about money.

1 Timothy 6:3–10 CSB

If anyone teaches false doctrine and does not agree with the sound teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the teaching that promotes godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing, but has an unhealthy interest in disputes and arguments over words. From these come envy, quarreling, slander, evil suspicions, and constant disagreement among people whose minds are depraved and deprived of the truth, who imagine that godliness is a way to material gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out. If we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

The rich young ruler.

Proverbs 28:25 CSB

A greedy person stirs up conflict, but whoever trusts in the Lord will prosper.

Hebrews 13:5 CSB

Keep your life free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for he himself has said, I will never leave you or abandon you.

Matthew 6:24 CSB

“No one can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Ecclesiastes 5:10 CSB

The one who loves silver is never satisfied with silver, and whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with income. This too is futile.

James 5:1–6 CSB

Come now, you rich people, weep and wail over the miseries that are coming on you. Your wealth has rotted and your clothes are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have stored up treasure in the last days. Look! The pay that you withheld from the workers who mowed your fields cries out, and the outcry of the harvesters has reached the ears of the Lord of Armies. You have lived luxuriously on the earth and have indulged yourselves. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned, you have murdered the righteous, who does not resist you.

Luke 12:16–21 CSB

Then he told them a parable: “A rich man’s land was very productive. He thought to himself, ‘What should I do, since I don’t have anywhere to store my crops? I will do this,’ he said. ‘I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones and store all my grain and my goods there. Then I’ll say to myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.” ’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will they be?’ “That’s how it is with the one who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

How should we be?

Proverbs 19:17 CSB

Kindness to the poor is a loan to the Lord, and he will give a reward to the lender.

2 Corinthians 9:6–7 CSB

The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver.

Proverbs 21:13 CSB

The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will himself also call out and not be answered.

Proverbs 22:9 CSB

A generous person will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.

Matthew 10:42 CSB

And whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.”

Division

We have seen factions and tribes and nations from the beginning of time. If there are options, there will be division.

Apple vs. Android

XBox vs. Playstation

Division in the world.

What is the truth?

What is Biblical?

Issue Based, not tribe based.

How should we react in love, kindness, and compassion.

Division in the church

Romans 16:17–18 CSB

Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned. Avoid them, because such people do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites. They deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting with smooth talk and flattering words.

Titus 3:9–11 CSB

But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, because they are unprofitable and worthless. Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning. For you know that such a person has gone astray and is sinning; he is self-condemned.