Some Things The Supreme Court CANNOT Change
Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not;
Listen online at - https://www.facebook.com/Stockdalebaptist or http://www.stockdalebaptist.com/
The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) is the highest federal court of the United States. Established pursuant to Article III of the United States Constitution in 1789, it has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all federal courts and over state court cases involving issues of federal law, plus original jurisdiction over a small range of cases. In the legal system of the United States, the Supreme Court is the final interpreter of federal constitutional law, although it may only act within the context of a case in which it has jurisdiction. (source:wikipedia)
In the past 53 years there have been 3 cases decided by the Supreme Court that stand our above all others. The rulings in these 3 cases have greatly contributed to the moral decline of our nation. The cases that I am referring to are:
1. Engel v. Vitale (1962), was a landmark United States Supreme Court case that ruled it is unconstitutional for state officials to compose an official school prayer and encourage its recitation in public schools.
2. Roe v. Wade, (1973) is a landmark decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that resulted in the legalization of abortion.
3. Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), was a landmark United States Supreme Court case in which the Court held that the recognition and provision of same-sex marriage is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
- Most of you have witnessed each of these with your own eyes. The latest ruling came on June 26th, 2015. Sadly when the news broke this past Friday I was not the least bit surprised. Don't get me wrong, I am greatly grieved by the ruling of the court. I am devastated by the rapid decline of our nations morals. I am sickened by the news coverage glorifying what God calls an abomination. I was outraged when I saw the White House that belongs to me and to you light up like a rainbow celebrating the decision. I looked at my wife (who is visibly pregnant) and wondered what this world will be like when that unborn child grows up. I have noticed the decline of America's morality for the past 33 years. And I cannot imagine what my two girls will see in their lifetime.
- With all of that being said, I still have hope!! The reason I can have hope is because my hope is not in America. My hope is in Jesus! I will not enter into a deep dark depression because of the ruling of the Supreme Court. I refuse to allow the current events, political decisions or the immoral course of our Country to rob my joy. As I look at the world today I rejoice in the fact that this world is not my home. I am a stranger and a pilgrim just passing through this wicked land. My home is in Heaven... and it is an eternal home.
- Notice what John says about our real home - Revelation 21:23 The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. 24 And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. 25 Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). 26 And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it. 27 But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
- There is nothing the Supreme Court can do to take that away from me. They may be the highest court in this land, but I serve the One who is ALL POWERFUL!!
* Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
- Maybe you are also disturbed by the events taking place in our day. Maybe you are concerned about the condition of this great country. If so I would like to give you some hope and encouragement today. I want to look at some things that are constant and unchanging. I want to see some things that our cannot be changed my mortal man, no matter what position he holds. I invite you to look with me to Malachi 3:6 as we examine "Some Things The Supreme Court Cannot Change" The first thing we will see is:
I. The Supreme Court Cannot Change The Fact That God Is Still God
* Isaiah 46:9-10 Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’
* Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
* Psalm 103:19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.
- These are just a few scriptures that reveal the fact that the ultimate authority in History is God Almighty. The court can rule any way it pleases. Congress can pass whatever laws they choose. The president can use as many executive orders as he desires. But they cannot change the fact that God is still God. He created the earth and everything in it. There came a time when He saw the wickedness of the earth and He decided to destroy it. Everyone on the earth, save 8 souls on an Ark were wiped out. And there is coming a day when He again will pour out His undiluted wrath.
- We are on this earth because He created it. I read somewhere that if the earth were any closer to the sun we would all burn up. And if it were any farther away we would freeze to death. God did not just create this earth, He is the one who sustains it! He is the one Who has allowed us to come this far. And at the sound of His voice... ANYTIME HE SEES FIT, HE COULD BRING IT TO AN END!!!
- Not only did God create the earth and everything in it.... HE CREATED US!! We are here because He made it happen. Every breath you take is a gift from God. The only reason you woke up today is because HE ALLOWED YOU TO!! Remember that and keep in mind His great power. When things look rough down here...LOOK UP! and remember Who you serve!
a) We serve a God Who is Omnipotent - This means that He is all powerful
b) We serve a God Who is Omniscient - This means that He knows all and sees all.
c) We serve a God Who is Omnipresent - This means that He is all places at all times.
- There is no God like our God! In fact there is NO GOD BUT OUR GOD!! And there is nothing that the Supreme Court can do to change that!!! God says "I am the Lord and I change not"... this means that He is still as much in control as He has ever been! As we move further I would want to encourage you by saying:
II. The Supreme Court Cannot Change The Fact That Marriage Is Defined By God
- Let's look way back to the very beginning and see God's design for marriage. Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
- In Genesis we have an account of God's creation. In the beginning, He created the Heavens and the Earth. He created trees and plants water and light, animals and mankind. When finished with these things The Lord looked and them and said "they were good". The first thing that God said was not good was loneliness. Genesis 2:18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper who is sufficient for him.” Marriage is a gift from God!! When it comes to marriage Jesus said "God created them male and female"! (Mark 10:6). Marriage is as much a part of creation as light & water and the heavens & earth! Jesus makes it clear that God planned, created and sanctioned Biblical Marriage!
- God did not give Adam an animal to be his mate, therefore bestiality is not God's plan. God did not give Adam two to be his mate, therefore polygamy is not God's plan. God did not give Adam a man his mate, therefore homosexuality is not God's plan. God's plan for marriage is, always has been and always will be "One Man...One Woman... For Life!" The Supreme Court can attempt to re-define marriage. They may have ruled that it is against the law to deny gays the right to marry one another. But it is against God's law to allow such. And I stand with Simon Peter when he says "we ought to obey God rather than man!!". God says "I am the Lord and I change not"... this means that He has not changed His mind about marriage!
- As we move farther we will see that:
III. The Supreme Court Cannot Change The Fact That Homosexuality Is An Abomination
- Webster's defines abomination as something that causes disgust or hatred. The Hebrew word in the bible for abomination refers to something that is "morally disgusting" The Bible makes it clear where God stands on the subject of homosexuality:
* Leviticus 18:22 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.
* Romans 1:26 For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
* 1 Corinthians 6:9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
- It may not be politically correct to call sin ....sin. You may lose some friends. It may one day be against the law to speak out against it. But God says that homosexuality is an abomination...and there is nothing that the Supreme Court can do that will ever change the fact that Homosexuality is an abomination. God says "I am the Lord and I change not"... this means that He has not changed His mind about homosexuality!
Moving on we see that:
IV. The Supreme Court Cannot Change The Fact That Sin Is Still Sin
- Sin is defined as transgressing of the law of God. Before you become self righteous and begin to condemn anyone else you better remember that you came into this old world as a sinner!!
* Psalm 51:5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me
* Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
- Each and every person since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden has been born with the same problem....SIN! In our day things have been turned backwards: What God says is right man says is wrong. And what God says is wrong man now says is right. It doesn't matter what society says, it doesn't matter what the government says, it doesn't even matter what the Pope says!!! WHAT GOD SAYS IS TRUTH. And as Paul says "Let God be true and every man a liar!!!"
- There will be other rulings that are handed down from the Supreme Court that will be biblically incorrect. But no matter what laws are passed by the legislative branch, singed into law by the executive branch and upheld by the judicial branch... SIN IS STILL SIN!!! God says "I am the Lord and I change not"... this means that He has not changed His mind about sin!
Notice with me that:
V. The Supreme Court Cannot Change The Fact That Lost Souls Are Going To Hell
- Jesus made it clear to Nicodemus that anyone who dies without Jesus as their Savior will not see Heaven. - John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
- Jesus also revealed to John the end result of those who die lost in their sins -Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
- Earlier we saw that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." We also find in Romans that "the wages of sin is death". Homosexuals who refuse to repent and surrender to Christ will die and go to hell. Likewise, every Heterosexual who refuses to turn to Jesus will die and go to hell. All who die lost in their sins will be 'cast into a furnace of fire and there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth."
- People don't like the subject of Hell. And many reject the notion all together. According to Dr. H.L Wilmington, Hell is usually attacked along three lines of thought:1. Rationalism: The rationalist says, "There is no God, therefore there can be no Hell." - Charles Darwin said, "{Hell} is a damnable doctrine." 2. Ridicule: those who ridicule the doctrine of Hell say, "There may be a God, but it is silly to speculate about millions of disembodied spirits frying in a lake of fire somewhere." - Robert Ingersoll, a famous atheist once said, "The idea of Hell was born of revenge and brutality on the one side, and cowardice on the other. I have no respect for any man who preaches it! I dislike the doctrine, I hate it, I despise it, I defy this doctrine!" 3. Religion: The religionist says, "There is a God, but He is a God of love and therefore He would not or could not send anyone to Hell." (Source: H.L Wilmington "The King Is Coming")
- It does not matter what people think or believe about hell, what matters is what the Bible says. Much of what we know of Hell, we learn from the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus Christ was the greatest hellfire and brimstone preacher in the Bible. Of the 162 references to Hell in the New Testament, 70 were spoken by the Lord Jesus! Why did Jesus speak so much on this subject? Because He knew of Hell's reality. He warned man about Hell because He did not want them to go there. And my dear friend, He does not want you to go there either!! God says "I am the Lord and I change not"... this means that He has not changed His mind about hell!
- With all that we have seen, we must remember our calling. Notice:
VI. The Supreme Court Cannot Change The Fact That We Have A Job To Do
- Jesus said to His followers in - Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" - We cannot allow the current events to distract us from the task at hand. In fact, the things that are taking place right before our eyes should motivate us to get busy while there is still time. Remember a place called Sodom and Gomorrah? Many of the things that are taking place here in America brought about destruction on that wicked land. Do not think that it cannot happen to us.
- Are you more disturbed by the ruling of the supreme court than your are the lost souls in need of a Savior? If so, something is wrong!!! Yes we should be upset that immorality has been endorsed and celebrated by our government. But we should also grieve over the fact that these people are lost and headed for hell. We will never reach these people with hate! Jesus told us to "love our neighbor". And whether they are gay or straight we are to show the love of Christ to each and every person that we encounter. We do not have to compromise the gospel. We must be bold and courageous. But we are called to do so with compassion!
Remember our theme for 2015:
"We've Got To Love Them"
"All The Way To Jesus"
"We've Got To Point Them To The Cross"
"Without CONDEMNATION"
"Without COMPROMISING"
"Just Pure Salvation, To Win The Lost"
- We do not get to decide who we love, Jesus has already told us who to love. That lesbian that you work with... She deserves to hear the Gospel as much as your mother does! That gay man that you may encounter at the store tomorrow, do you realize that you were once as lost as he is? Jesus came to seek and to save those who are lost...Jesus died to save you, He died to save me, He died to save the homosexual, He died to save the heterosexual, He died to save the drunk, He died to save the addict, He died to save the moral person, He died to save the immoral person He became sin for WHOSOEVER!!! No matter your circumstance or situation, there is room at the cross for you!
- There are several people in this church who have homosexual children, siblings and close friends. And I am sure if you asked any of them they would say their greatest prayer would be to see that person saved by the blood of Jesus and delivered from that wicked lifestyle. Look around folks... we have a job to do!! And right now we have the freedom to do so without harm or persecution. There will most likely come a day when preaching a sermon like I have preached tonight will be illegal. There may come a time when you are not legally allowed to share your faith in public. They may ban any religious comments on social media. And it may even come to a place where it is illegal for us to gather together to worship. I know you are sitting there thinking "that will never happen"!!!
- People before 1962 never thought prayer would be banned from schools. People before 1973 didn't think that abortion would be legal, and just a few years ago we wouldn't have thought that we would see the day when the highest court in our land says that it is against the law to deny a man the right to marry a man or a woman the right to marry a woman. But these things have happened. So we must take advantage of the freedom that we still possess. And even if it becomes illegal to witness to others, the Supreme Court cannot change the fact that we have a job to do! Jesus told us to go, and we must go and make disciples! God says "I am the Lord and I change not"... this means that He has not changed His mind about evangelism!
- We are living in dark days. And they will continue to grow darker. But God is still God and ultimately He is in control When it seems that the enemy has succeeded and that we are defeated, remember that we are on the winning side in Christ. Satan can throw many things our way but our victory is secure through Christ! We are living in perilous times but we have no need to fear! GOD IS STILL ON HIS THRONE! And there is nothing the Supreme Court can do to change that fact!
