Back to title page. "Covered with Confusion"

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1 ï» Back to title page "Covered with Confusion" "We lie down in our shame, and our confusion covereth us: for we have sinned against the LORD our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even unto this day, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God." (Jeremiah 3:25) Our text verse in the book of Jeremiah was directed to the backslidden nation of Israel. The prophet Jeremiah declared that the people of God were covered with confusion. The cause of this condition was also clearly given in this Scripture. Jeremiah said, "for we have sinned against the LORD our God." Rebellion against God will always create confusion. As a matter of fact, all nations that travel down the path of rebellion against God will end up in mass confusion! There are many similarities between the nation of Israel and the United States of America. God's people in the Old Testament were often guilty of disobedience to God. Their national rebellion resulted in division, spiritual blindness, and widespread confusion. The tragic truth that confronts all of us today is that our country is following in Israel's footsteps. Our nation is living in rebellion against God and our people are covered with confusion! "The world today doesn't make sense, so why should I paint pictures that do?" (Pablo Picasso) What does the Bible say about confusion?

2 "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints." (I Corinthians 14:33) "For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work." (James 3:16) Why is there so much confusion in our world today? Since the Scriptures make it clear that God is NOT the author of confusion, the problem must lie on man's end. Those who are living in confusion are certainly not listening to God. When man listens to conflicting authorities, confusion is the end result. The only authority that can and should be trusted is the infallible Word of God! While this generation is screaming for answers, many Christians are stuttering in silence. Instead of proclaiming what God's Word has to say, many believers are not familiar enough with the Scriptures to give a sound answer. A lack of knowledge of God's Word leaves a believer confused and unprepared to respond to questions that demand an answer. "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." (I Peter 3:15) People often seek to hide their ignorance behind their education. Yet, some of the most Biblically ignorant people in all the world are some of the world's most educated. Instruction that fails to emphasize the fear and wisdom of the Lord is worthless from a spiritual standpoint. "Education without salvation equals damnation!"

3 (M. Luther) 3 Main Areas of Confusion: 1. People in Power The Psalm writer asked this question in Psalm 11:3, "If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" The ruined foundations of America are the tragic evidence that this nation has forsaken God. The few remaining foundations are quickly being plundered by corrupt, careless politicians. What was once prohibited by the Law is not protected by the Law. What was once practiced in secret is now paraded on the street corner! *When politicians support murder and call it abortion, they are confused! *When politicians legalize sodomite marriages and call it gay rights, they are confused! *When politicians call pornography an art form, they are confused! *When politicians start pointless wars over personal agendas, they are confused! *When politicians vote to protect the whales while murdering innocent babies, they are confused! *When politicians believe that gun control will actually reduce violence, they are confused! 2. People in Pulpits Every problem in America can certainly not be blamed on corrupt politicians. Much of the blame must be laid upon liberal preachers who refuse to speak and stand for the truth. Many of them do not have the high calling of God upon their lives. They have entered the ministry for the sake of finances and fame.

4 God's hand of judgment will certainly fall strongly upon phony preachers who deceive His redeemed people! "His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter." (Isaiah 56:10-11) *Preachers who preach the social gospel rather than the Gospel of Jesus Christ are confused! *Preachers who do not believe in a literal Hell are confused! *Preachers who exalt man's tradition above God's truth are confused! *Preachers who constantly criticize the King James Bible are confused! *Preachers who are afraid of the word "doctrine" are confused! 3. People in the Pews Many people try to hide their wickedness behind their religion. Yet, some of the world's most wicked sinners are among the world's most religious seekers. They strive to cover their spiritual deadness with religious activity. They are convinced that a loving God would certainly never judge them for their wicked lifestyles. However, their spirits remain dead in their sins as their souls continue down the broad road leading to eternal destruction! If there is one fact that is more disturbing than the confusion of our country, it certainly must be the confusion among our churches. People can believe anything they want to believe and find a crowded church to support them. What was once

5 considered heresy is now considered orthodox. Many churches play with doctrines like kids play with their toys. No wonder their people are covered with confusion! "Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together." (Acts 19:32) The confusion covering the churches of our land can be classified into four distinct categories. I. Confusion about Scripture Confusion about the Scriptures is certainly not a new problem. The attack on God's word has existed since the entrance of sin into the world. Satan began to question the author and the accuracy of the words of God in Genesis chapter three. Every attempt to add to or subtract from the Holy Scriptures is nothing less than satanic in nature. Confusion abounds in our world today concerning the inspiration of the Holy Scriptures. Believers who have enough faith to believe that God has preserved His inspired words for every generation are frowned upon by apostate religious scholars. How sad it is that these liberals don't have enough faith to believe that a perfect God has written a perfect book that is forever settled in Heaven! What a blessing it is to know that we have God's infallible words preserved for us in the King James Bible! Preachers who have traded in their AV 1611 for some perverted version translated by a lesbian are confused and under the judgment of Almighty God. (Deuteronomy 4:2, Proverbs 30:5-6, Revelation 22:18-19) II. Confusion about Sin Confusion about the Scriptures will always create confusion

6 about sin. Without an infallible authority, man is left to decide what is right and wrong in his own eyes. There can be no standard against sin without a strong foundation on God's Word. The lifestyles being lived by so-called Christians today is clear evidence that confusion abounds. Very little difference even exists anymore between the devil's crowd and people who attend the House of God. What a shame it is that even many pastors drink socially, watch pornography, and play the lottery! God's people need to take heed to the warnings of His Word. "Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." (James 1:15) III. Confusion about Salvation The area of greatest danger for one to be confused about is on the subject of eternal salvation. This issue is vitally important because one's everlasting destination hinges upon it. How sad it is to consider the multitudes of religious folks who do not comprehend God's way of salvation! Ignorance of the saving grace of God leads to eternal destruction and everlasting damnation. The Scriptures clearly teach that believers can have total assurance of eternal life. The Bible says, "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life..." (I John 5:13). There is no need for a believer in Jesus Christ to live under a cloud of confusion and doubt. The God of Heaven is not a God of lies and deception. Therefore, His people can live in victory every day, having full assurance of eternal Heaven! IV. Confusion about the Second Coming The final area of confusion that we will examine concerns the

7 second coming of Jesus Christ. Confusion abounds on this extremely controversial subject. Intelligent men have a wide range of ideas and teachings concerning the timing and details of the Lord's return. While it is possible to have fellowship with folks who hold a different position on these matters, the Holy Scriptures serve as our only basis for believing as we do. The words of an infallible God should always be exalted above the words of fallible men. (John 14:3, Acts 1:11, Hebrews 10:37) Our hope does not rest in the second coming of Christ, but in the Christ of the second coming. It does not center on an event, but rather a person, Jesus Christ. He is our blessed Hope! A. He will Rapture the Saints! (I Thessalonians 4:13-18) B. He will Revenge Satan! (Revelation 20:1-3, 20:10) C. He will Reign Sovereign! (Revelation 19:16, 20:4-6) CONCLUSION: In a world where chaos and confusion abound, God's people can live in assurance and victory. God has not called His children to catch the spirit of this age, but rather, to correct it. His Word provides all the answers and ammunition that we will ever need. May God help us to stay on our knees and in His word so that we may never be covered with confusion! "IN thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion." (Psalm 71:1)

8 Evangelist Jeremiah Dixon