#59 Sermon Review: Philippians 2:12-16 - MacArthur

Biblical Text: Philippians 2:12-16

Name: John MacArthur

Sermon Title: Living in a Perverse World

Link to Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSXzUDh7o60&list=WL&index=14

Rating

1-100 score

45 out of 100

1-20 Christological

5 The sermon fails to draw the listener to Christ instead opting to address only the believers in the room. And compared to a sermon on the same text by Spurgeon which draws the listener to examine their faith, MacArthur condemns the world and says not to complain. The idea of not complaining would be an excellent place to give reason not to complain which is heaven and Christ.

1-20 Holds Attention

20 Holds attention quite well as it makes wild claims and attempts to draw you into the narrative. Starting from the world and working towards the Christian individual the sermon stays relevant to the audience.

1-20 Compelling

10 The sermon is compelling yet it causes you to think sure the world is terrible but I’m okay. It doesn’t compel you in any meaningful way.

1-20 Memorable

5 It is quite memorable yet only in its condemnation of the world. To sum up earth bad, God good, be patient. Almost completely irrelevant to the associated verse the sermon purports to be based on.

1-20 Application to Life

5 We don’t find out until the end why this sermon matters. Furthermore it is so quickly glossed over that the idea of not complaining is given no foundation.

Thoughts

MacArthur here shows himself to be a great speaker able to communicate clearly and with authority. Yet he fails in the most basic way to communicate the word of God which is what gives any sermon its value.

Outline

*This outline was artificially generated and deemed accurate to the sermon.

Introduction and Context:

• The speaker asserts that society is in a state of moral inversion, where good is considered bad, and vice versa, likening it to a prophecy from Isaiah.

• He emphasizes that current societal issues are not just random but are divine judgments from God.

Divine Judgment:

• The sermon references Romans 1 to explain that societal issues are a manifestation of God's wrath.

• The speaker explains different forms of God's wrath, including eternal, eschatological, cataclysmic, sowing and reaping, and the wrath of abandonment.

Evidence of God's Judgment:

• A sexual revolution and a subsequent homosexual revolution are highlighted as signs of God's abandonment.

• The speaker describes these changes as steps in divine judgment: first, a rise in sexual immorality, followed by acceptance of homosexuality, and finally, a reprobate mind leading to irrational behavior, such as transgenderism.

Societal Reflection of Divine Wrath:

• The sermon asserts that the current societal acceptance of irrational behavior, like transgenderism, and laws protecting such behavior indicate a society under divine judgment.

• It is suggested that this reflects a deeper, spiritual abandonment where people no longer adhere to God's truth.

Role of Christians:

• Despite the pervasive judgment, the speaker assures Christians that they are protected by God.

• Using Philippians 2:15, the speaker encourages Christians to live blamelessly and shine as lights in a dark world.

• He emphasizes humility, obedience, joy, and a non-complaining attitude as key behaviors for Christians in these times.

Living in a Judgment-filled World:

• Christians are reminded to stay where they are, believing they are exactly where God wants them.

• The speaker urges believers to find comfort in their faith, commit their ways to God, and trust in His plan despite societal chaos.

Biblical Foundations:

• Various scriptures are cited, including Romans 1, Philippians 2, and John 8, to reinforce the sermon's points.

• The speaker emphasizes the distinction between the children of God and the children of the devil, explaining that true believers will reflect God's truth in their lives.