Introduction:
The world to which our Savior entered was a sick
world. He didn’t make it that way. It is humanly impossible to imagine
the splendor of heaven, therefore we cannot even begin to imagine the
magnitude of His loving sacrifice when He left paradise to enter our
world. Jesus created the world (John 1:1-3). What happened?
I.
The condition of man from Adam to Christ
A.
The history of mankind is the history of man doing all that they
can to get away from God.
B.
While God longs to walk with man, in the cool of the evening and
have that communion with him, mankind hides in the Garden because of the
shame of sin and rebellion against God. It all began there in that
Garden.
C.
It was in that Garden that Satan, himself, said, “Let
me open your eyes.” “God
knows that the day that you eat of this fruit your eyes will be opened”
(Gen.3:5). But in the moment Adam & Eve ate of that fruit - from
that moment mankind’s eyes were closed – by sin!
- You
would think mankind would have learned.
- Soon
after the ark, man cried out “Let
us build a tower to the heavens.”
- From
Moses to the Judges and kings, God’s people were continuously in
sin.
- The
Gentiles moved farther away from God (Rom.1:18-27). Catalogue of
sin!
- The
Jews were also guilty and had no excuse.
II.
The Condition of America
A.
The condition of the Jews and Gentiles aptly describes the
condition of our own world.
- There
were 5,315,500 crimes of violence in America in 2000.
- 23,000,000
crimes of all types.
- Our
world is much like it was when Jesus walked this earth.
- Take
an honest look at what is happening and you will see how corrupt we
have become.
B.
It can all be summed in three words: We are lost!
III.
The
Nature of the god of this World
A.
The god of this world (2 Cor.4:4) blinded our nation.
B.
Sin enslaves us each day.
- We
have become materialistic. We desire things.
- Parents
have forgotten their roles.
- Has
blinded many in the church.
C.
The god of this world has not changed his tactics (1 John 2:16).
- It
worked in the Garden and it is still working in our world.
IV.
The Nature of Our God
A.
The Nature of sin has not changed and neither Has God (Heb.2:2).
B.
His just requirements have not changed (Acts 17:30-31).
C.
Yet His compassion and mercy has not changed (Acts 13:34).
D.
Because God’s eternal nature has not changed, His grace is
still available.
Conclusion:
God is not mocked (Gal.6:7-8). Sow to the Spirit
and reap eternal life!
His gospel liberates. Lord, Jesus, Open our eyes to
our condition and our need of You!
