WHAT DRIVES US?
January 6, 2002 AM
Sermon Outline
1 Pet 1:13-16
INTRO: The word driven is being used a lot these days and in ways that have nothing to do with an automobile. We hear of a market driven economy. We hear of culturally driven choices. The entertainment industry tells us that what it produces is consumer driven. The point is, of course, that the outcome is determined by underlying causes and impetus. With that little bit of explanation I want to pursue this question. What Drives Us?
I. ARE WE IGNORANCE DRIVEN PEOPLE?
A. Many life choices are made in ignorance
1. I didnt know
2. now, ignorance does not excuse unlawful behavior ... does not excuse wrong choices ... but it does explain
3. speeding in school zone ... I didnt know ... got a ticket!
4. conduct based on ignorance can be very serious
B. Eph 4:17-19 Ignorance - sin - alienation from God
1. ignorance leads us into conduct, life styles which are unacceptable to God
2. note Acts 3:14-17 driven by ignorance
3. Acts 17:30 ignorance does not excuse from penalty!
4. 1 Tim 1:12,13 but penitence and obedient faith will bring us Gods forgiveness
II. ARE WE DESIRE DRIVEN PEOPLE?
A. Desire is neither good nor evil of itself
1. for example: 1 Ki 8:18 desire drove him to do good
2. or, 2 Sam 11:2-5 desire drove him into sin
3. my concern here is that desire often leads knowledgeable people to say, I dont care ... this is what I want
4. and that desire results in sin!
B. Jas 1:14,15 Lust - sin - death
1. lust is desire for what is forbidden
2. this strong desire led David into a succession of sins ... and forever tarnished his memory
3. 2 Pet 1:5-7 ... note temperance - self-control
4. raw, uncontrolled desire is dangerous ... Christians must be careful about their desire drives!
III. ARE WE CULTURALLY DRIVEN PEOPLE
A. Culture more and more drives peoples choices, lives
1. times have changed is the rationale one hears
2. and, it is true; times have changed ... but can we safely use that rationale for choices, decisions that may well not be based only in culture?
3. do we use that rationale to dismiss practices, principles enjoined by scripture?
4. culturally decided may often be outright sin!
B. Mt 15:1-3 A culturally accepted practice ... violating Gods law!
1. this is not to say that some of what we read may have cultural trappings ...but such matters are fairly easily discerned
2. but when culture violates the Biblical pattern for morality and/ or the church, it cannot be accepted
3. 1 Ki 8:5,19,20 here, too often, is the basis for choices, direction ... be like everyone else (note v.7 - reject God!)
4. Christians must be cautious about making changes based on cultural/societal norms!
IV. ARE WE SCRIPTURE DRIVEN PEOPLE?
A. Scripture is Gods guide for life
1. infallible God provides infallible guide
2. everything must be weighed/tested with scripture
3. 2 Tim 3:15 wisdom leading to salvation
B. The issue? 2 Cor 10:18
1. so, Acts 17:11
2. ignorance, desire, culture must be tested, resolved by scripture ... trite to say? but true - your eternal security rests on what you do with scripture
3. ignorance, desire, culture all have their appeal ... but that appeal, unfortunately, is not Godward
CLOSE: You must answer the question, What drives you?
Cecil A. Hutson
06 January 2002