I. THE SPIRITUAL CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE

A. None that honored God.

1) The poor

In our cities the poor live in abject spiritual poverty. We do not need to fill their bellies or meet their material needs as our welfare system promotes, for this has not brought them to a better understanding of God nor created any favor of God with them. Rather, we need to show them the Savior!

To a large extent, the poverty that exists in our country is due to unrighteous living!

Illustration: At the close of World War II, General Douglas Macarthur testified before congress that we have an opportunity to bring the gospel of Christ to the Japanese people. He was basically ignored and instead of flooding the nation of Japan with Bibles and the gospel, we gave them technology. How much better are they today? They are highly successful as the world goes, but suicide, depression, and sinfulness runs rampant. We should have listened to Macarthur.

2) The leaders

B. They were perverse.

1. We have homosexuality

LEXINGTON, Mass, April 29, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – David Parker was arrested Wednesday by Lexington Police, allegedly for “trespassing” at his son’s elementary school, while attending a scheduled meeting with the principal and the city’s Director of Education over his objections to homosexual curriculum materials and discussions in his son’s kindergarten class.

2. We have promiscuity

3. We have Prostitution

4. We have abortion

5. We have drug and alcohol addiction

6. We have cheating and lying

C. They were adulterers.

I don’t even know what to say here!

D. God blessed them with riches, which only led to idolatry.

II. THE JUDGMENT OF GOD UPON THEM

A. The Babylonian invasion foretold.

Religious leaders in our country have spoken on this subject, that America is heading into a place where we could be conquered by another nation (We’re already there fiscally.) and no one wants to believe it, especially those of religious persuasions.

B. The correction of God ignored.

III. THE NEED FOR GODLY MESSENGERS

Not ecumenism, but Truth, Righteousness, and Holiness.