Every Man A Liar, Jeff Kliewer

Good morning, everybody. Good to see all of your smiling faces if it seems like the the sanctuary is a bit more empty than usual. It's because we have about 40 of our teenagers and you know teenagers never go to first service, right?

So they're not they don't go to first service. They're always second service people. They're down at the retreat at Ocean City for a teen retreat This morning. We don't have any announcements, but we do want to pray for a couple of things.

One we'd like to pray for Caleb can you come on up here? Hey church, this is Caleb Malave. He is going into the Marines tomorrow. Let's give him a hand clap. It's gonna be hot when you're doing basic training.

We're gonna pray for your endurance your stamina and that the Lord will protect you and give you strength. Let's pray church Heavenly Father we thank you so much for Caleb and for this commitment he's made and this sacrifice he's made to go into the military to put his life on the line for the sake of this country.

And the peace in which we live we thank you for him Lord God, and we pray blessing upon him Lord God. We pray in the name of Jesus that you would keep him safe Throughout his time in the military Lord that you would guard him that you go before him.

Be his rear guard and keep your hand upon him. We pray Psalm 91 over him that no weapon formed. That there would be no arrow that flies by day or pestilence that stalks at night. Nothing could come against him.

But that you would give your angels charge over him that that you would cover him with your wings Lord God that he would be Safe at all times. We also pray that you make him a witness as he already is give him words to share With the other soldiers that he would be a witness for the gospel Lord and also help him to live Consistently as a Christian while in the military, which is not an easy thing to do.

Give him grace for this in the name of Jesus Christ. We pray. Amen. Thank you for serving brother. Let's give a hand clap. All right, the other thing I wanted to mention before we pray and then go into serving is just what happened yesterday.

No doubt. Everybody here is aware of the assassination attempt that took place. It was providential. That at the very moment when the gunman fired his rifle. That the president former president turned his head to the side.

Because it made a smaller target width wise than the length of his head and it was just the providence of God because it missed By enough to hit his ear. We're talking about less than an inch. So we just want to give thanks to God for his miraculous providence in sparing the life of former President Trump.

But I think that the mayor of Butler, Pennsylvania said it best that we need to pray and bring God back into society. Because what this was was an act of a godless society. There is a governor in Tennessee his name is Bill Lee who proclaimed the month of July a time of praying and fasting for our country and Week later Jack Hibbs in California, that's a preacher that I like he talked about how every State needs to do the same thing and every church should be praying right now.

So let's turn to the Lord in prayer let's pray for peace and that there would be a simmering down of all of the tensions and let's give God glory and praise and Thanks for sparing the life of the former president, but let's also pray for the family of the man who lost his life Yesterday, let's go before the Lord so Heavenly Father we saw what happened and we want to give you the praise and the thanks for sparing the life of the former president.

We thank you God that your providence saw it fit that the ear would be nicked that we would know How close a call this really was? But that we would give you the glory for sparing his life. Thank you God, and we do pray that you would heal him and protect him.

Father we also pray for the family of the man who lost his life yesterday we ask in the name of Jesus that you would comfort as only you are able to do and Bring that family all of them to saving faith in Jesus Christ.

And father we want to lift up our country right now as the tensions in this country have gotten so high. Lord we pray that they would be calmed by this incident that there would be no Push back that it would not escalate the tensions Lord God, but that you would bring a peace that passes understanding upon this country God that you would have grace and mercy and Lord we even pray for a revival in this country that all of us churches and and Society at large would turn back to the Bible would return to a godly society built upon the foundation of your word.

We pray that many people would be saved God even at this baptism that we have planned in September down at the shore. We pray that we would see more people than ever going into the water to proclaim faith in you.

We pray for a revival in the land. God we lift up the United States of America and pray that it would be much more like was originally designed in the Mayfell Mayflower compact. Lord that this would be a nation to advance the Christian faith.

Lord God be merciful to this country and.

Give peace.

We pray in Jesus name. Amen. Let's sing.

Worship, Treasuring Christ, and Praying for the Teen Retreat

Amen and let's all stand. It's just Take our eyes off of this world and get our eyes on the heavenly throne Where Jesus is now and where we'll reside with him forever and ever to him be the dominion forever and ever.

Amen, and as we sing just Let's just treasure up Jesus and the gift Treasure him up in our hearts. Lord God we do just give you that father. Your word says that one day we'll we'll be around your throne and we'll Cast our our crowns the crowns that you've given us back.

We will hand them back to Christ and cast them at his feet. Lord Let us just. You are our greatest treasure. You are greatest possession Lord. Amen.

Be holy as I am holy. Sanctify us to walk in that newness of life that you bestowed on us Lord God.

Let us be faithful to your word. Let us be obedient to your word Lord and let our love for you. Just draw us ever closer into your foot foot steps that we would just cling closely to you. It's like it was said of Peter and John.

They could tell that They were ignorant men, but they could tell that they had been with Jesus.

Let that be eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith.

Who for the joy set before him endured the cross despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. We're just in all of the sacrifice that you made for us Lord giving up your heavenly crown all of your riches all of your power and humbling yourself to become a servant and Walk among us and live the perfect life that we could never live Lord God.

And to think that you purchased us By your blood. And that one day we will gather around that throne with all the Saints that came before us and all the saints that are yet to come all the angels Forever not because of any righteousness that we bring nothing.

Nothing, we brought but all because of you Lord. It just humbles us It gives us grateful hearts. I just let our love for you abound Lord as we treasure you up in our heart. And the outpouring just the fruit of our lips is just the outpouring of What you've done for us what you've given to us the way that you've made for us.

How can we not sing with gratitude Lord.

Let's pray father as we gather here.

The teenagers 40 teenagers and young people from our church are gathered in a retreat center in Ocean City. And we pray for them now in the name of Jesus that this morning as they hear the word your unchangeable word.

That you would refine their hearts by your refining fire. Burn away the dross that the silver and the gold would shine forth and we pray the same thing for us in this place. That by your word you would transform us to reflect the image of Christ.

Lord, there is a word that each of us needs to hear this morning. And I pray that none of us would miss what you have to say to each of us. We pray in Jesus name. Amen. A Horse is a very strong animal.

But with a very small bit you can turn the mouth of the horse in the same way. A ship a giant ship is Enormous and it moves with great momentum through the water and yet with a very small rudder under the ship you can turn the entire course of that enormous ship.

A Forest is enormous and yet with a very small spark you can set the entire forest a blaze. James tells us this in chapter 3 to remind us that the tongue is A very small part of the body and yet from the tongue you can create a forest fire.

I mean think about what happened in recent years and how it manifested in the assassination attempt yesterday. How long have we heard? Language about Trump desiring to become a dictator that he's an existential threat to Democracy and to the future of this nation.

Just two days ago The president said that he was a rapist and an aspiring dictator. That kind of language and lies of that kind can spark a forest fire. And some Unstable mind Can climb onto a roof and attempt a murder based on that kind of rhetoric.

The tongue is a restless evil this concept of.

Ends.

Justifying means is rampant in our culture. How many of you think that the shooter yesterday? Actually believed that he was going to accomplish something good. I believe that I Think he thought that the end of stopping a dictator or stopping Someone who's a threat to the country Justified the means that he chose to use.

This concept of the ends justifying the means comes from humanism, and it was particularly popularized in this country in the year 1966. That was a major turning point. A Harvard ethicist whose name was Joseph Fletcher published a book entitled situation ethics from the 1940s to the 1970s.

He was an Episcopalian preach preacher and teacher at Harvard Divinity School. Joseph Fletcher taught that the ends justify the means that love Trump's everything else and the person's individual conscience should dictate the right thing to do.

Well, how do you know what the right thing to do is without a law? The answer for Fletcher was the individual conscience of a person should determine what is right? We should not be rigid with laws and absolutes of right and wrong.

And so he wrote the book called situation ethics turn with me to begin with today. To the book of James chapter 2 verse 8 We considered the power of the tongue from chapter 3, but in chapter 2 verse 8 James does not say.

That the.

Love that we are to have for others. Trump's law. He says rather that love is a summary of God's standard of justice in James chapter 2 verse 8. He actually says that love this command. You shall love your neighbor as yourself is the royal law.

If you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. You are doing well. But if you show partiality you are committing sin. Sin is missing the mark of God's perfect standard and You are convicted by the law as transgressors.

For whoever keeps the whole law, but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. Does the New Testament by the law of love cast aside the moral ethical commands of God's? Moral law as given in the Old Testament.

The answer is no because first it says in verse 11 He who said do not commit adultery also said do not murder if you do not commit adultery. He's quoting from the Ten Commandments, but you do murder. You have become a transgressor of the law.

So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of Liberty. So law and love are not against each other. Rather love is a summary of God's law and in verse 13 for judgment is without mercy.

To one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. From this expression mercy triumphs over judgment. We understand that law condemns all of us as sinners. Each of us has broken a command of God and therefore we need the mercy of God but James does not say that love triumphs over law as Joseph Fletcher said now, why is this so relevant?

Why am I telling you about this philosopher from Harvard? It's because after Joseph Fletcher in the 1960s John Rawls continued to teach this ethical standard and today Michael Sandel is their major ethicist at Harvard.

The first course that Harvard ever published online and made free was called justice by Michael Sandel. I Watched the whole course and it was nothing different than Fletcher's situation ethics. What they do is present what is called a tragic moral choice in which One would be forced to commit a sin against God's law in order to obey the principle of love.

For example, the classic illustration is given not only in Harvard. But in all the leading institutions of this country, which trains the people of America. The classic illustration is when the Nazi SS officer knocks on the door and You open the door or they come busting through and they ask you the question.

Are you hiding Jewish people in? This home and what you're supposed to conclude from this tragic moral choice is that it's better to lie to protect to protect the life of a Jewish person than to tell the truth and risk the life of an innocent person that the person who's knocking on the door has Surrendered their right to be told the truth.

This.

Situational ethic. Stands directly opposed to God's Word and standard of truth. In John 8 44 the devil is a murderer and a liar by nature when he lies. He speaks according to his native language. Conversely Jesus is the way the truth and the life and Hebrews chapter 6 tells us it is impossible for God to lie as image bearers of.

We must be like God for his sake always telling the truth. Now the tragic moral choice that's presented in classrooms across America and filters down into the public education system. I heard it when I was in public school is that you sometimes situationally need to sin so to speak or violate one law in order to fulfill the law of love.

In The 300s Augustin commented on this particular question. There was a runaway who was wrongly persecuted and hiding in Bishop Firmus's house and When delegates from the Emperor came seeking this man's life They knocked on the door and the bishop refused to lie.

Instead you don't want to know what he did. He fell silent. He refused to answer and because of that they beat him to within an inch of his life. But he suffered for righteousness sake and then the people rallied behind him and before long the Emperor actually Reversed the order and this man who was on the run was granted amnesty.

Likewise the knock on the door actually happened in the 1940s and the person who answered was Corrie Temboom With her two sisters. They were seeking able-bodied men Dutch men to work in the German munition factories but these women of Christian character refused to lie even to the SS officers.

When asked if they had brothers they said yes. When asked where they were they told that one was away at a theological seminary, which was true. When asked where are the other two they said they're under the table.

Which was actually true because under the table under the floor there was a cellar with a rug over it telling the truth the Nazi soldiers then ripped the tablecloth off of the table and Saw no one at which time Cokie who said that Corrie Temboom's sister began laughing hysterically.

And the soldiers assumed she was mocking them and in a huff they walked out the door. Did you know that Matthew chapter 10 tells you that the Lord will give you the words to speak in trials like this?

You are always free to do like Bishop Firmus and simply say nothing. No one can compel you to say anything. But it is also likewise righteous to plead with the SS officers and not to give them information Rather preach the gospel to them.

You could say something like this. I refuse to participate in your wicked persecution of other people and Begin to preach the gospel. It's true that that might cause them to go forth searching. But guess what if you said no, they'd probably search the house anyway.

You see the whole point of the tragic moral choice experiment which is taught in every college ethics class in America every large university class is To break down the moral fiber of the Christian students who are coming with a biblical worldview you see.

Truthfulness.

Matters not simply because of the pragmatic utilitarian result in this world, but because you are made in the image of God and God is truthful by nature. We sadly have been influenced by the water in which we swim.

We live in a wicked culture. Which does not value truth and we are being pressed into the mold Romans 12 1 2. Of this wicked world all the time without realizing it. Truth is no longer valued in American culture.

It has been jettisoned and explicitly so through the the teachings of John Fletcher and those who have taken up his mindset. Turn with me to the book of Romans today. Because what we are seeing today is actually nothing new.

But a return to the old paganism the very thing that Paul encountered when he went out preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Now Romans 3 we have to understand where we are in the book of Romans in the context of what we're given Romans is what is called a diatribe.

How many of y 'all feel like your spouse speaks in a diatribe from time to time. Don't raise your hand. Or maybe you are prone to giving diatribes. What is a diatribe in our parlance? It's simply a long Argument.

Some people think that my preaching is a diatribe. Well Paul's preaching in the book of Romans was literally a diatribe and here's what that is in philosophy in the first century a diatribe was a long verbal argument in which the speaker Anticipates the objections of the hearers.

Poses that question and then answers it. You see what happens here. He's making an argument and then he will pose what the listener must be thinking and Then answer the objection of the person he's trying to reach in Romans 3.

We have in this section Human sinfulness. Romans 1 18 is about godlessness unrighteousness and suppressing the truth. Godlessness that people don't submit themselves to God, but put themselves in that seat.

Unrighteousness that they do not obey God's standard of right and wrong but transgress God's law and suppression of truth that is lying and holding down the truth suppressing what is known. So in Romans 1 and 2 Paul has shut all people both Jew and Gentile up.

Under sin and now the hypothetical objector shows up. Paul will voice the objection and answer it three times. Let's read it Romans 3 1 to 8. Then what advantage has the Jew or what is the value of circumcision?

Much in every way to begin with the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness? Nullify the faithfulness of God by no means. Let God be true though Everyone were a liar as it is written that you may be justified in your words and prevail when you are judged.

But if our unrighteousness Serves to show the righteousness of God What shall we say that God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? I speak in a human way by no means. For then how could God judge the world?

But if through my lie God's truth abounds to his glory why am I still being condemned as a sinner and Why not do evil that good may come as? Some people slanderously charge us with saying their condemnation is.

Just.

So these eight verses address the hypothetical objector. Paul will voice an objection and then answer it three times. The fallen mind is a suppressor of truth and therefore prone to lies and to endless arguing.

But Paul will reduce these arguments to absurdity By the Word of God, so do you want to see what the three arguments were and really break that down? The first one is essentially that if Jews Have not accepted Christ, and they're being lost by and large.

Then what was the point of choosing them? How are they the chosen people if so many of them are being lost. And It's Gentiles who are largely coming to faith in Christ in chapter 3 verse 1. The question is that what advantage has the Jew?

Or what is the value of circumcision that goes back to Paul's argument, which is that outward circumcision? Being Jewish by custom and heritage is of no value. Unless you are regenerated from the inside by the Holy Spirit.

So both Jew and Gentile need to get saved through faith in Jesus. And The objector says well, then what was the point of choosing the Jews in the first place if they didn't get? This salvation by being Jewish.

Paul's answer in verse 2 is there's still much value in every way. But listen, it wasn't even about the Jewish people per se. Because in verse 2 he says the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God.

God's purpose Was to glorify himself by giving his word into the world. And the Jews were the vehicle that God used To do that. And he says what if some were unfaithful does their faithlessness? Nullify the faithfulness of God.

Now this next phrase in verse 4 in the Greek is.

May.

Genoita or Megan oito. It means by no means. Have you guys ever seen preachers that say turn to your neighbor and say Megan oito? We don't do that here. That's not our style. But if we did I Would say turn to your neighbor and say Megan oito.

No, you weren't supposed to do it. We don't do that here John. But the reason for it if we did that here I would have you repeat that phrase because it's very important it is the strongest negation of a concept may means never not negate and Good.

No, I tell means become or be he's saying may it never be. Perish the thought forget that idea.

Paul.

Refutes it as strongly as he can do in the Greek language by no means we have translated in the ESV. Then he says let God be true though. Everyone were a liar. He appeals to Psalm 51 verse 4 that you may be justified in your words and prevail When you are judged.

Like you to turn with me to Psalm 51. The reason that Paul goes here is Because David in Psalm 51 is confessing his sin with Bathsheba. But it has nothing to do with other people. He's concerned with offending God.

David has a God-centered worldview not a humanist worldview. The great danger in our culture the thing that's undermining the fabric of Christianity in America today is humanism. Humanism is the idea that Humankind people are the most valuable and preeminent thing in the universe.

It's a rejection of God. That's why they call it secular humanism. It puts man on the throne and removes God. It is Godlessness. Now without Christianity humanism would not have flourished in our age.

Because Christianity alone Upholds that man is made in the image of God, which is why we have dignity. Whereas animals don't a higher value as a.

Image bearer.

Than other creatures that comes from Christianity, but what the humanists have done like a cult off of Christianity they've held on to a high value of humanism of humans and Displaced God and made humanity with human rights the most important thing.

Getting rid of the responsibility that's owed to God. So turn with me to Psalm 51. I. Why Paul would quote from here? He's quoting David and in verse 4 He will say against you and you only Have I sinned?

Notice the God-centeredness and we'll just read the first six verses. Psalm 51 have mercy on me. Oh God. According to your steadfast love according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

Sin is missing. God's mark God's standard. For I know my transgressions and my sin is ever before me against you and you only have I sinned. And Paul quotes and done what is evil in your sight so that you may be justified in your words and Blameless in your judgment.

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity and in sin. Did my mother conceive me behold you delight and church. Stop for a moment pay attention. Listen to this. This verse will protect you from your natural disposition to lie.

Every person in here the title of my sermon today is every man a liar. Paul's point in Romans 1 18 to 3 20 is that all of us together are prone because we have this sin nature. We're prone to suppress truth to lie.

And so in Psalm 51 verse 6 We have protection against that.

Behold.

You delight in truth in the inward being and You teach me wisdom in the secret heart. If you will write that verse on the palm of your hand Memorize it think about it.

Pray.

This verse over your own life. That God does that desires truth not just in the outward of how it affects other people. But in the very purity of your relationship with God. In fear of the Lord he desires truth in the inward being and Wisdom in the secret heart.

What does it mean wisdom in the secret heart? It means we're only God can see. And how do we know what he thinks about our hearts? Well by his word by the oracles of God, he divides the thoughts and intentions of our hearts like a sword divides the bone in the marrow.

His word Here and throughout the scripture reveals the true Inward condition of our hearts. So go back with me to where we left off in Romans 3. In verse 4 Paul will say Let God be true though. Every one were a liar.

How many lies you think you've told in?

Your life.

What's that make you a liar though every man a liar. And how big of a deal is? Lying in the Bible even shading the truth. Meaning to deceive someone. With words and in with lying the Bible is referring to spoken or written Affirmations of what you know not to be the case.

Often it can't be proved because it's in the inner heart what a person knows and believes. But God sees that inner condition of the heart what you know and Affirming something that you know to be untrue is to lie.

Listen to just a couple of verses from the Old and New Testament to feel the weight of lying. Because in this culture, it's no big deal to lie. In fact, you're encouraged to lie to achieve a certain in the end justifies the means and lying is often acceptable in situation ethics.

Psalm chapter 5 verse 6. However says you destroy those who speak lies. Psalm 119 163 The author of that Psalm says I hate and abhor falsehood. Psalm 120 verse 2 deliver me O Lord from lying lips and from a deceitful tongue.

Proverbs 12 19 truthful lips endure forever. But a lying tongue is but for a moment. Moving to the New Testament when the church is first gathered the first sin that enters the congregation and God judges, so harshly is lying.

And Ananias and Sapphira tell the Apostles that they got a certain price for a land that they sold. They were outright lying about that price to Peter and Peter says Why did Satan fill your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and God dealt so harshly with lying?

That Ananias fell down dead and When Sapphira came in Ananias his wife. He asked her did you get such-and-such a price and when she said she did. The feet of those who carried out her husband were there to carry her out as well.

This is how God desires Truthfulness in the inner being and how he detests and hates lying. Colossians 3 says do not lie to one another. And at the end of our Bible the book of Revelation Chapter 14 God has called forth a hundred and forty four thousand Jewish people who believe in Messiah.

Who keep themselves pure and they are described this way in their mouth?

No.

Lie was found Conversely separate separating out the sheep from the goats in the very end of our Bible. Revelation 21 8 It says. But as for the cowardly the faithless the detestable as for murderers the sexually immoral sorcerers idolaters and all.

Liars.

Their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur which is the second death. How seriously does God regard lying very seriously. He desires truth in the innermost places of our hearts.

The world teaches the opposite that as humans you are in the highest place and your conscience dictates What will be right or wrong for you to do. Let's look at the second objection second of three. In there they're quick.

In verses five and six. We have the philosophical objection if God's glory shines brighter Against the backdrop of my sin the ugly dark backdrop of my sin.

Well, then.

God can't judge me Because it ends up serving him. Well He looks better in contrast to my sin therefore in the end. He's fine. He has no business judging me. God can't judge me. No one can judge me. Let me tattoo that on my arm the most popular tattoo in America today is only God can judge me interesting and If that's the case It's not surprising that it was the case back then.

Look at verses five and six, but if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God What shall we say that God is unrighteous? To inflict wrath on us to judge us with the lake of fire as revelation says burning sulfur and fire.

Paul answers this objection the same way he answered the first Meganoita. John you can say it this time Meganoita. There you go. There you go. For then how could John how could God judge the world? You see the answer is that it's absurd that God can't judge evil.

Paul is saying His judgment of evil is part and parcel of what demonstrates that he's righteous. When he judges the world he shows himself righteous and so he will judge the world. That's the point most people in the culture today 77 believe in God they affirm Jesus Christ and they express some belief in the Bible.

But just a small fraction less than 20 according to some Pew research believe in Hell because their true belief is In love their faith is in love. Not in the God of the Bible. The true God of the Bible loves but also inflicts wrath.

It says here That God could inflict wrath on us. I speak in a human way. Did you think that humanism was an invention of this country over the last century or two? It came back into this country as a result of departing from biblical ethics.

But humanism goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden. Did God really say it's the elevation of man to the highest place. So when Paul says I speak in a human way. It is that human reasoning because of the fall that exalts man to the place of God.

Notice what happened at the end of at the end of verse 4. Did you pick up on this? When Paul is quoting David from Psalm 51 verse 4. Everything has been turned upside down and at the latter half of that verse.

It's now man who's judging God. That you God may be justified in your words your oracles and prevail when You are judged.

Do you see that?

This is the one to whom God will look. The one who is humble and contrite of heart and who trembles at God's Word. Isaiah 66 too. But man has so exalted himself humanism puts man in judgment over God dictating to God what he can and cannot do.

And Paul refutes that as strongly as he can in verse 6 by no means. For then how could God judge the world lastly? There's a final objection and Then Paul will be done arguing. He'll move on in his text and establish his point, but in verses 7 and 8 the the objection here is That if God's truth shows itself resilient by overcoming lies Then lying actually serves a really good purpose.

The end justifies the means. The very point of Joseph Fletcher's book situation ethics the very ethic of American culture the end Justifies the means. If in your conscience you're achieving a good end Then the action is good.

Doing away with God's law. Look what he says verses 7 and 8. But if through my lie God's truth abounds to his glory. If that's the end of the matter the means of my lie Results in the end of God receiving glory.

Why am I still condemned as a sinner and Then Paul makes the point. Hope you catch that. Because this is the big idea in the passage here. Why not do evil that good may come. Why not climb up on the roof with an AK and Take a shot at the president.

Because I'm trying to achieve the good in this man's convoluted thinking. The end justifies the mean. I'm stopping a dictator. I'm preserving democracy. The ends justify the means and so in situational ethics anything is Acceptable as long as it's good in your own conscience and church.

I want to tell you this has infected us, too. How many times do you shade the truth in an argument? Because you're justifying in your mind That the result will be better for you or for another person.

How many times? Do you compromise what you know to be truth in something that you say? Because you think it will achieve something better. Some good in the end justifies the means. Christianity was viewed that way because forgiveness was offered not by works.