Which Reality?

2^nd Kings 6.8-17

A biblical worldview, as defined by the Barna study, is believing that absolute moral truth exists; the Bible is completely accurate in all of the principles it teaches; Satan is considered to be a real being or force, not merely symbolic; a person cannot earn their way into Heaven by trying to be good or do good works; Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth; and God is the all-knowing, all-powerful creator of the world who still rules the universe today.

Less than one percent of the youngest adult generation in America has a biblical worldview, found a new study examining the changes in worldview among Christians and the overall U.S. population. The Mosaic generation, those between the ages of 18 and 23, “rarely” have a biblical worldview as defined by The Barna Group. The research data found that less than one-half of one percent of Mosaics have a biblical worldview. The research shows that only nine percent of all American adults have a biblical worldview, which although significantly higher than that of the Mosaic generation is still a small proportion of the total population. Among “born again Christians,” the study found that they are twice as likely as the average adult to have a biblical worldview. However, that still amounted to no more than about one out of five (19 percent) born again Christians, a small minority, the study pointed out.

The Reality of the Worldly People

· They are

· Selfish

§ This War is but raids to plunder and steal

§ The same is true today…

· Irrational

§ Capture someone who knows your plans?

· They Trust

· No one

§ Assumed someone turned against him… A thief thinks everyone is a thief

· Worldly Perceptions of Power and Accomplishments

· They Respond

· With Anger, Deception, Violence and force

§ Anger, v.11

§ Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city. (2 Kings 6:14 <NIV>)

· The same is true today

§ Miami 15yo doused with alcohol and set on fire

§ According to the National Youth Violence Prevention Resources Center, over 5.7 million children in the U.S. are involved in bullying either as a victim or culprit – or both. That’s 30% of school kids.

The Reality of God's People

· God's People

· Show Others Confidence (v.16)

· Show Others God's Truth (v.17)

§ Prayerfully

· God's People Trust

· God

§ David wrote: Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. (Psalm 20:7-8 <NIV>)

· God's People Respond

· With Faith (vv.18-19)

· With Love (v.18)

§ Could have prayed they were struck down…

· With Compassion (vv.21-23)

Conclusion:

Don’t be deceived by the scoffers who claim they “know” while believers foolishly rely on “faith.” The fact is we see, and they are blind.

Craig and Susan Phelps and their four sons were traveling through Texas on their way to Colorado when their van was struck broadside by an eighteen-wheeler truck. All four boys were thrown from the van.

Craig and Susan located their sons by their cries, one boy was lying in the ditch, another in an area wet from melted snow. Nearby was his brother who landed by a telephone pole. All were seriously injured, but when Craig, a medical doctor, reached Jeremy, he found him lying by a fence post with his neck broken. There was nothing Craig could do to revive him.

Don Moen is Susan's Brother in Law… He wrote the song

God will make a way

Where there seems to be no way

He works in ways we cannot see

He will make a way for me

He will be my guide

Hold me closely to His side

With love and strength

For each new day

He will make a way