Hypocritical Smiles and Fatal Stabs

Berean Baptist on September 28, 2015

Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts. (Psalms 28:3)

 Fifty-four years ago when I was saved, I was more than blessed with my salvation. I was also blessed to be born into a family with a pastor as my father. Not only was he a pastor, but he was a diligent man who helped to shape my theological training and gave me the right perspective of the word of God. I believe the most significant part of my training was his teachings on the sovereignty of God. I learned that God is in control of every minute detail of His creation, and whether good or evil God works all according to His eternal plan. Much of the time, if not most of the time, we cannot see this because we can only deal with the here and now and have no ability to discern how all contingencies play their part in the whole.

Two years ago, the largest casino in the State of California opened in Rohnert Park. The roads were clogged for hours—at one point peaking with a 24 mile backup on highway 101 to highway 37 in Novato. Nearly every day I pass this casino on my way to work and I am amazed how interest has not waned. At all hours every day the parking lot is full. I must confess I do not understand how a casino in Rohnert Park figures into God’s eternal purposes. I thought about this for a while until I read the 28th Psalm and realized how perfectly suited this Psalm is for this magnificent building. God has His eyes on these things as well and uses them to accomplish His purposes. You might wonder how I could possibly see a casino in the 28th Psalm!

Obviously, there is not a picture of that nearly one billion dollar building in my Bible, but there certainly is a word picture of those that operate it. Notice verse 3: “Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts.” How perfectly descriptive of the devious leaders of the Graton Rancheria. They speak so eloquently and make such wonderful promises of how they will help the city of Rohnert Park.

The owners and managers busily sow the seeds of goodwill by donating to charities and promising funds for numerous social and governmental services. They appear to be doing wonderful works for the community, but the real intent is to suck the life out of those who can least afford to gamble their family’s income away on their vices. It is no secret that these devilish enterprises prey on the poorest of the community. The casino leaders can afford to sprinkle a little cheap goodwill here and there while they reap the millions taken in from glassy eyed fools hoping to beat the house. One such fool was quoted in our newspaper. He was asked how long he was going to stay. How long? His reply, “Until I run out of money!” He was dumb enough to stay when he was sure he would not beat the house! “A fool and his money is soon parted” is an old English proverb surely based upon the wisdom of Solomon. “The workers of iniquity speak peace to their neighbors, but mischief is in their hearts.”

How does this work into God’s eternal plan? I do not know the smaller details, but I can see the big picture. At least I can say this: If God needed vindication for the destruction of the greedy and selfishly wicked, He established another count for indictment in His court of justice. We prove every day by the defiance of His Holy Commandments that we fully deserve the fires of hell. Surely the flames are higher and the heat is intensified for those that put wickedness in front of their neighbor and entice him to imbibe.

The depravity of man is on display in Rohnert Park in all of its deplorable radiance. Some have said our city will never be the same. I do not think it has changed at all. The crud that was always beneath has simply been exposed to reach the surface.

Pastor V. Mark Smith

It’s the Economy, Stupid!

Berean Baptist on January 26, 2015

 

…Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour is thy judgment come. (Revelation 18:10b)

During the middle to late 1980’s our country experienced a period of great economic success under President Reagan. When George H.W. Bush was elected in 1988, we began a period of slight economic decline which enveloped the country in a period of recession. During the campaign of 1992, the buzz of people and politicians was the economy, so that all attention was paid to the different plans that would bring us out of recession and help us back to the economic success that was previously enjoyed. Bill Clinton ran for president that year and campaigned with the slogan, “It’s the economy stupid!”

Our country was in the throes of many problems and still is, but the single issue that seems to attract more attention than any other is the economy. Today we consider candidates for office without regard to their decency and morality. Their personal beliefs no longer matter. Qualifications are not really too much of a concern either. The most important position to consider is “Where do they stand on the economy?” To many American Christians, it does not matter if the candidate promises to keep abortion a viable option for birth control, it does not matter if gay marriage is a part of the platform, it does not matter if constitutional rights are trampled—the most important problem we have is money for more conveniences and nicer houses and bigger bank accounts and greater luxuries.

Revelation chapter 18 shows how our country is immersed in political and ecclesiastical Babylon. It is not difficult to see how the Antichrist will come to power when America’s agenda for the most part is the same as the Antichrist’s. He will come to power at a time of political chaos and in a time of economic distress. He will make many promises about how he can improve the economy and since this is what we are most concerned about, this one issue will dominate all other concerns so that recovering prosperity will be the ticket to worldwide support. America is immersed in Babylon. Politically and religiously Babylon is much preferred to Zion.

It may seem surprising to you but God is very much in control of what is happening. True believers need not concern themselves that we are hopeless and helpless in the face of the rising tide of immorality. God has a plan to purge the world of sin and it will come at the expense of those that have sold out to moral decadence and the love of money. Revelation 18 depicts the sudden demise of Babylon. The sorrows of destruction will envelope it as people weep and wail when they see the smoke of her burning (18:18-19).

Those that put their trust in such things will lose everything. They enter into a compact with the devil to preserve their riches and prosperity. They will discover in a most fearful manner the truth of Jesus’ words, “What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” This is a question all of us need to answer. There is nothing more valuable than your soul and God holds the destiny of yours in His hands. What will He do with your soul? Take account of your life and see where you stand. Preserving the best of the world is nothing in comparison to the riches of the inheritance of God. You cannot have both. Either you live forever with God or you die forever in Babylon.

 

Pastor V. Mark Smith