Okay admit it–How many of you checked the news this morning to see if anything bad had happened yet? More than a few I suspect. Some will spend the day constantly checking to see what is happening.

While all of us are thinking about the awful tragedy that happened on 9/11/01, as we should, many are gripped with fear that something like that might happen again. That of course is exactly what the terrorists want us to do. They want us to live with a dark cloud hanging over our head, unable to enjoy what we have and they don’t. They want us to be as uncomfortable as possible. They want you to spend your time looking over your shoulder, fearful of what might happen, rather than enjoying the bounty God has blessed us with. Don’t do it! Rather than giving them the control we need to do as we’re told in Heb. 12:1-3, “ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”  If we are to endure our hardships and enjoy our blessings we must keep our eyes on Christ rather than the circumstances. As someone said, “Stay clam and carry on”. Something bad might indeed happen, but worrying about  things we can’t change or control does nobody any good. Keeping our focus on Christ will enable us to keep going regardless of what happens. Think about it!

Every preacher knows what I mean when I say, sometimes you just can’t get a message out of your head. Long after the benediction is over, the wheels in your mind are still turning. That’s what I’ve been going through all morning. Ever since my message yesterday morning I just keep thinking about the fault-finders and critics. I’m talking about people who had a glorious opportunity and blew it– men who were in the very presence of Christ, yet focused on the faults of a woman caught in the very act of adultery, rather than the perfections of Christ! While most of us would give just about anything to hear Christ preach, His preaching meant nothing to those men. They were so self-righteous that they saw no need of Christ. They were so full of hate they couldn’t love anybody else. They were so selfish that they cared nothing about their neighbor. They were so intent on justifying their views they would rather see a woman die rather than be delivered. It is sad to think that anyone could be in such a wretched condition, yet we see people like this all the time.

There are many instances where the worst people think they are the best people. They feel superior to others in the church and as a result they become hyper-critical. Unless things go their way they are going the wrong way, in their mind, and they are quick to voice their disapproval. Unless they are getting the attention they crave they are never happy. And if they can’t get it in one place they go to another. They create conflict in churches, ruin relationships, forsake friends, and make a mess of their marriage. While it is easy to get angry with these folks, due to the great harm they cause, they are to be pitied. In pursuit of their selfish desires they make themselves and everyone around them miserable. There is more hope for the guilty soul caught in the very act of sin, who dares not deny it, than the person who is so self-righteous that they see everyone’s sin but their own. Be wise and heed the warning given in Ex. 23:1-2 ” Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.  Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil—“. Such people are a danger to everyone around them. Rather than waste your energy fighting against them and becoming bitter, remain vigilant lest you believe their lies, succumb to their influence and become like them. It is better to be accused by them than to join in affinity with them.

I am amazed that so many people support people, businesses, and organizations that promote sinful things that these people claim they oppose. Isn’t that kind of like giving to the Obama campaign fund even though you didn’t vote for him? Does that make any sense? Not only does it not make sense, it is wrong. I realize that we all unknowingly contribute to businesses that we shouldn’t support, because we have no idea who all the stock-holders or partners are, but many people do it even when they are aware of the company’s sinful activity.

It’s no wonder that the world doesn’t put much stock in what Christians say. Many have a double standard. For example, if you voted for Obama you are just as guilty as he is for the things he has done. And if you knowingly support businesses, products, or organizations that promote sinful activities you are just as guilty as they are. That’s sad and serious. Yet these same people sit in church every week and pretend they have nothing to repent of. It’s time some people put up or shut up. Stop talking about the things that are wrong if you are going to support them. It doesn’t make any difference if you think their product is the best, if they use their profits to promote sin you ought to stop lining their pockets. Many of these companies would go out of business if enough Christians had the guts to stop supporting them. Think about it!