September 8, 2024
“In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” ~ Judges 17:6 (ESV) ~
WHAT MORAL CODE?
In August of 2008 Christian Polster, George Barna, released the results of a national survey on moral behavior, in which participants were asked which of the following eight behaviors they had engaged in during the past week. Here are the results. I am pretty sure that with the proliferation of platforms that make these activities more accepted and easily accessible now than they were 15 years ago, the percentages of those participating would be much higher today.
Used Profanity 28%
Gambled 20%
Viewed Pornography 19%
Gossiped 12%
Drank alcohol to excess 12%
Lied 11%
Sex outside of marriage 9%
Revenge/retaliation 8%
However, among the younger participants persons under the age of 25 the numbers were much higher.
Used Profanity 64%
Gambled 20%
Viewed Pornography 33%
Gossiped 26%
Drank alcohol to excess 25%
Lied 37%
Sex outside of marriage 38%
Revenge/retaliation 12%
Barna said, “We are witnessing the development and acceptance of a new moral code inAmerica. Mosaics [the generation of persons under 25 – now 40 today] have had little exposure to traditional moral teaching and limited accountability for such behavior. The moral code began to disintegrate when the generation before them the Baby Busters pushed the limits that had been challenged by their parents the Baby Boomers. The result is that without much fanfare or visible leadership, the U.S. has created a moral system based on convenience, feelings, and selfishness.
“The consistent deterioration of the Bible as the source of moral truth has led to a nation where people have become independent judges of right and wrong, basing their choices on feelings and circumstances. It is not likely thatAmerica will return to a more traditional moral code until the nation experiences significant pain from its moral choices.”
We need a new awakening. We have lost our moral compass as a nation. We have in many cases lost our moral compass as Christians. We can try to sugar-coat our thoughts and actions as not being a big deal. We can try to excuse them by saying “everyone is doing it.” We can try to claim that these actions are ok because we are now enlightened and woke. We can even fess up and say “My sin is really no big deal.Afterall, I’m a Christian and God will forgive me.”
When it comes to sin, we all have a blind spot. We never think our sin is as bad as everyone else’s sin. But we are wrong! Note what King David said concerning our sin:
“Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God at all. In their blind conceit, they cannot see how wicked they really are. Everything they say is crooked and deceitful. They refuse to act wisely or do good.”
~ Psalm 36:1-3 (NLT) ~
Let’s not forget the warning Moses gave to the Israelites…
“But if you fail to keep your word, then you will have sinned against the Lord, and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.”
~ Numbers 32:23 (NLT) ~
Blessings on your week. It may be a good time to take you own poll a personal poll of what is going on in your heart and personal life. I look forward to seeing you this Sunday in worship as we continue the second half of IMMERSE: BEGINNINGS. This Sunday I will share ACrash Course on Sin.
Pastor Terrell
P.S. We are getting oh-so-close to reaching our $135,000 “ThatAll May Hear” goal.Afinal offering from each of us will get us there. Thank you all for your faithfulness and generosity.
ScheduleforSunday,September8,2024:
The Saints Class @ 9:00 AM Room #201
Ruth Class @ 9:00 AM Room #202
Prayer Room open @ 9:00 AM Room #206
Preschool Worship opens @ 10:15 AM KID CITY
Sunday Morning Worship @ 10:30 AM in Worship Center
Kidz4Christ (K-6th) dismissed during Morning Worship
Schedulefortherestoftheweek:
Tuesday@ 10:00 AM IMMERSE: Beginnings Men in Room #202 Women in Fellowship Hall
Wednesday@ 6:30 PM Youth Group in Fellowship Hall
Thursday@ 6:00 PM IMMERSE: Beginnings in Fellowship Hall
Friday@ 9:15 PM 5th Quarter Youth Activity
Saturday@ 8:00 AM CHURCH WORK DAY @ 2:00 PM Senior Care Home Ministry @ Good Sam in PV
SEPTEMBER OPPORTUNITIES
Friday, 9/13:
Youth Group Football 5th Quarter @ 9:15 PM-11 PM Saturday, 9/14: ALL CHURCH WORK DAY @ 8:00 AM
Senior Care Home Ministry @ 2:00 PM Wednesday, 9/18:
Choir Rehearsals begin @ 6:20 PM in Choir Room #203 Friday/Saturday, 9/20-21:
Arise AZ Women’s Conference in Sedona, AZ Saturday, 9/21:
Senior Care Home Ministry Saturday, September 14th 2 PM
Contact Gene Moore @ 928-350-8789
Time to think about CHOIR! Come and sing to the Lord at Saturday, September 14, 2024 Beginning at 8:00 AM For the Youth Group!
Good News Club Training, Calvary Prescott @ 9 AM Sunday, 9/22:
Women’s Fall Potluck Brunch, September 28, 2024, 9:30 AM, $5 Tickets on sell in foyer on Sundays.
Quarterly Business Meeting following Morning Worship Saturday, 9/28: Youth Group Trip leaves church @ 9 AM Saturday, 9/28: Women’s Fall Brunch Potluck in FH @ 9:30 AM Sunday, 9/29: FAMILY WORSHIP DAY - Kid City closed Hymn Sing in Worship Center @ 6:00 PM
Morning Worship at a Glance
“That’s Why We Praise Him” “Heaven Came Down” “God is Good All the Time”
Welcome & Offertory Prayer WE REMEMBER “He Will Not Remember” “Lead on Good Shepherd” “All the Way My Savior Leads Me”
Kidz4Christ dismissed
BEGINNINGS
Immersing Our Lives in God’s Word
A Crash Course on Sin Numbers 32:23, page 262, paragraph 4
“Jesus is the Song”
2820 N. Pleasant View Drive
Prescott Valley, AZ 86314
928-772-7218
fsbcpv@firstsouthernpv.org www.firstsouthernpv.org
Church Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8:30AM - 2:30PM
Senior Pastor Terrell Eldreth: 619-244-6265
PastorTerrell@firstsouthernpv.org
Worship Pastor Bart Young 928-254-8713
PastorBart@firstsouthernpv.org
Advancing the Kingdom of God one heart at a time.
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