January 21, 2007
“Cannibalism and the Church that Promotes It”
Proverbs 21:16
In John Bunyan’s great book “The Pilgrim’s Progress” there is a chapter where Christian and Hopeful hit upon some hard ground and because of it their feet get sore. At this point they notice a path, right beside their own, called “By-path Meadow.” Deciding that this path runs along side their own, it being softer, they take it. Soon it starts raining, it is dark and they lose sight of their old path and to make a long story short, they wind up prisoners of the Giant Despair in Doubting Castle! Later, after a narrow escape they are given a look back at the dreadful place, seeing ex-pilgrims wondering blinded in the Giant’s backyard / graveyard they weep, it could have easily been them – the Biblical caption Bunyan gives this dread scene is – “A man who wanders from the way of understanding will remain in the congregation of the dead.”
The Church of Euthanasia / Pastor Chris Korda / a real church in Somerville, MA / Single Commandment – Thou shall not procreate / Four Pillars – Cannibalism; Sodomy; Suicide and Abortion … This is a literal manifestation of the Congregation of the Dead mentioned in Proverbs 21:16!
Not a sermon about cannibalism, most people hate the idea; but rather a sermon about how does a society gets so depraved, so far from God?
They wander out of the WAY of Understanding -
I. Two ways mentioned in Scripture:
1. A way of understanding vs. a way that seems right to man – Proverbs 21:16 / Proverbs 14:12; 16:25
2. A way of Life (instructed by the Lord) vs. a way of death (that seems right) – Proverbs 6:23; 10:17; 10:28; 15:24 / Proverbs 14:12; 16:25; Deuteronomy 13:1-5
3. A narrow / hard way vs. a broad easy way – Matthew 7:13-14
4. A way God knows and prospers vs. a way that perishes – Psalm 1:6; Genesis 24:40, 42, 48, 56 / Psalm 146:9; Proverbs 4:14-19
II. Avoid the wicked way that “seems” right – Proverbs 14:12; Proverbs 16:25
1. It seems right because it is popular – “broad” “many who go in by it” Matthew 7:13
2. We tend toward the way that is natural for us as sinners – Psalm 51:5b; Romans 3:10-12
3. We tend like sheep to flock together and follow – Isaiah 53:6; even to our destruction!
4. We tend toward the comfortable, easy way – Matthew 7:13-14; Hebrews 11:24-27
III. The right way is the way of Scripture –
1. It is a light to our path – Psalm 119:105
2. The right way is found in careful, diligent humble study of God’s word – Psalm 1:2; 25:9; 2 Timothy 3:16-17
3. We must be doers of the Word – James 1:22
IV. The Right Way is Jesus Christ – John 14:6
1. This is fought by false churches
2. He is the only Way of Salvation, the Narrow Gate and the Difficult Way – Acts 4:12 & Acts 14:22
3. He is the Way no matter the cost – Luke 14:26-27
Across the will of nature Leads on the path of God;
Not where the flesh delighteth The feet of Jesus trod.
O bliss to leave behind us The fetters of the slave,
To leave ourselves behind us, The grave-clothes and the grave!
We follow in His footsteps; What if our feet be torn?
Where He has marked the pathway All hail the briar and thorn!
Scarce seen, scarce heard, unreckoned, Despised, defamed, unknown,
Or heard but by our singing, On, children! ever on!
Gernard Ter Steegen
NKJ Jeremiah 21:8 " Now you shall say to this people, 'Thus says the LORD: "Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
