Taking a Stand When Times Get Tough

by Wilson Adams

Introduction

These are tough times.  Anyone who doubts that is either completely out of touch or blindly optimistic.  Human depravity is everywhere.  False religion is deceitfully veiled as truth.  Humanism and modernism threatens the basic moral values that God desires for all people.  In the words of the apostle Paul, "difficult times" are upon us.

How does the Christian cope?  How can we keep our faith and families strong, stable, and secure?  How can we maintain our spiritual equilibrium in a world gone mad?  The Apostle's final words of counsel offer wise advice for tough times like these.

  1. OUR TIMES: DIFFICULT and DESPERATE

    1. Stated in Scripture, 2 Tim. 3:1-5.   I do not believe the "last days" refer to the time just prior to the second coming of Christ, but to future time in general.  In other words, as time moves on it will not become easier to be a Christian but increasingly more difficult.   The term "difficult" means: "perilous" (KJV), "times of stress" (NKJV), and "terrible" (NIV).  The same word is used in Matt. 8:28 and translated "exceedingly violent".

    2. Illustrated in Life.  The evidence of moral and spiritual decline is overwhelming.

      you agree or disagree with these statements?
      1. It is harder to walk with God today than 25 years ago.
      2. It is more difficult to raise a godly family today than in previous generations.
      3. The activity of Satan becomes more open and obvious each passing year.
      4. Christians are ridiculed more today than a few years ago.
      5. Crime, immorality, and perversion have surged recently.

      How can we make it in times like these?



      How can we walk with God and raise up strong families?



      How can we live for heaven in a world going to hell?

       

  1. OUR STAND: CLEAR and CONCISE -- 2 Tim. 4:1ff

    1. What are we to do?

      1. Make the scriptures our standard, 4:1-2.   "Preach the word..."  It is easy in difficult times to push aside the standard but God's wisdom is tested tried, and true.  Matthew 4:4

      2. Be on the Alert.  "Be ready in season and out of season..."  We have become so ecumenical, and tolerant in our modern age of political correctness that we have become spiritually sloppy!  How far will things have to deteriorate before we stop tolerating evil?   --before you say:  "Enough is enough?"

      3. Take a stand.  "reprove, rebuke, exhort..."  How is it possible to reprove wrong, rebuke error, and exhort good if you are not standing for what is right?  Taking a stand means we say AND LIVE by this motto:  I will do right, whether anyone else does or not.

        All the darkness in the world cannot stop the light of one candle.  Be that candle!  Be that light!  Shine for God!

    2. Why are we to do it?

      1. Because truth is rejected:  "They will not hear endure sound doctrine..."  People in general care little about what God says about much of anything.

      2. Because lies are supported:  "They will accumulate teachers in accordance to their own desires."  WHY DOES THAT HAPPEN?  Because it is easier to do wrong, rationalize behavior, and accommodate others than it is to do right.  For example, is the Bible unclear about God's view of homosexuality?  Obviously not.  Then why do so many people uphold it or express an attitude  of unconcern?  Because people in general do not care about God's will.  Period.

        live in an era where
        it is more popular to be
        politically correct than
        spiritually correct!



        All of which means....
        you must be a moral and spiritual leader.


        You may be the only guy in the office who doesn't laugh when the jokes get vulgar.
        You may be the only gal in the group who doesn't watch the latest sexually oriented sitcom.
        You may be the only teen in the school who doesn't drink, or dress immodestly, or sleep around.

        Someone must maintain a higher standard.  YOU be that someone!

        BE A LEADER!

        Do not be conformed to this world, but be
        transformed by the renewing of your mind,
        that you may prove what the will of God is,
        that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
        Romans 12:2

    3. How are we to do it?  1 Tim. 4:5

      1. Calmly - "sober" lit: "be calm, stay focused"

      2. Focus - "endure hardship" Don't give up.

      3. Diligently - "do work evangelist" Be diligent.

      4. Thoroughly - "fulfill your ministry" Be committed.

  2. OUR IMPACT: PURE and PRACTICAL
    If we take a stand for righteousness, what will it mean?

    1. Being unique - we will make an impact.  Change starts with me.  I'll never make an impact for Christ if I'm not living for Christ.   The buck STARTS here.

    2. Being pure - we will be a model.  We need Christians who will shine their light and model righteousness in the work place, in schools, in neighborhoods, in athletic contests, etc.

    3. Being committed - we will gain determination.   Each victory over the temptation to conform makes the next one easier.

"The key to victory is to never give in.
Never, never, never give in."
Winston Churchill

Conclusion

  1. We need more Christians who will face life with faith and say:  "Enough is enough!  I'm living for Christ.  Regardless."

  2. You can't live for Christ until you are Christ's.   Have you obeyed the gospel?

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