Dr. George Ragsdale, Pastor, West Marion Baptist Church
6001 NW 135th Avenue * Morriston/Ocala, Florida 32668 (352) 245-8900

“A NATION IN CRISIS” Isaiah 59:1-5, 12-15
Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
Psalms 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
Psalms 50:22 Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.
Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
I. INTRODUCTION
A. One by one, the lights of decency are being blown out in America.
B. 1 Samuel 8:18 And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day.
C. The Prophet Isaiah warned a sinful nation that their sins have created a barrier between them and God so that He would not hear their prayers. (Is.59:1-4)
II. THE SINS OF THE NATION DURING ISAIAH’S DAY
A. BLOODY Hands (v 3a)
1. America has bloody hands through the KILLING of pre-born babies.
2. Since the 1973 decision of Roe v. Wade, America is now killing up to 4000 babies each day - 58,586,256 innocent babies.
B. LYING Lips (v 3b)
1. American suffers from a decline in basic HONESTY. (Matthew 5:3, James 5:12 )
C. WICKED Hearts (v 4)
1. Our society tells us that private morality can be disconnected from public service.
2. In our society, public approval validates wrong behavior
Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
III. WHAT CAUSES THESE CONDITIONS? (vv 5-6)
A. A Diet of DECEPTION (v 5)
1. Lies and Philosophies hatched out through the incubators of:
a. MATERIALISM
b. HUMANISM
c. NEW AGEISM
d. LIBERALISM
B. A Web of WICKEDNESS (v 6)
1. PORNOGRAPHY
2. DRUGS and ALCOHOL
3. IMMORALITY
C. The Trashing of TRUTH (vv 12-15)
1. When you stand for TRUTH and against the Deception and Wickedness, you become the bad guy in the eyes of many. (v 15)
2. There is a traffic jam - JUDGMENT, JUSTICE, and EQUITY cannot enter because Truth is fallen in the streets (v 14)
3. TRUTH is not dead, but it has Fallen in America
IV. THE IMPORTANCE OF TRUTH
A. God refers to the Bible as the Word of TRUTH (Eph. 1:13)
B. The Holy Spirit is referred to as the Spirit of TRUTH (John 14:17)
C. God describes Himself as TRUTH (John 14:6)
D. Jesus is the Way, the TRUTH, and the Life
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
E. The Church is called the pillar and the ground of TRUTH
(1 Timothy 3:15)
F. The Apostle John said, (3 John 4:1)
G. The only way to defeat Deception and Wickedness is through TRUTH
V. WE MUST REDEDICATE OURSELVES TO THETRUTH
John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Proverbs 23:23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

VISIT OUR CHURCH WEB SITE...for all of Pastor Ragsdale’s teaching series and messages!
Web site: http://www.westmarionbaptistchurch.com

Or listen to the Sunday Morning services on the church YouTube Preaching Channel
@ http://youtube.com/CarolRagsdale

You can also watch and listen to Pastor Ragsdale's sermons on Radio and TV here in Central Florida on the following stations:

WMBC CHURCH SERVICE SCHEDULE:
Sunday School @ 9:45 am
Sunday Morning Worship Service @ 10:45 am
Sunday Evening Service @ 6:00 pm
Wednesday Evening Service @ 7:00 pm

TV MINISTRY:
The Victory Gospel Hour on TV
Central Florida - Sat @ 11:00 pm & Thurs @ 2:30 am
SuperChannel 55, WACX
Cox TV Ch. 10
Dish Net TV Ch. 55
Direct TV Ch. 55
Brighthouse Ch. 5

(Marion County) Ocala, Florida
The Victory Gospel Hour on TV

COX CABLE TV Digital Ch. 112.5 & Analog Ch. 16, WCOX-O
Tues, Thurs @ 9:30 AM; Friday @ 8:30 AM; Mon, Wed, Sat @ 8 PM
Sun @ 7 AM, 12 Noon, 8 PM

(Alachua County) Gainesville, Florida
The Victory Gospel Hour on TV

COX CABLE TV Digital Channel 112.4 & Analog Channel 15, CXLP
Tues, Wed, Fri @ 9:00 AM; Mon, Thurs, Sat @ 8:00 PM; Sun @ 10 AM

RADIO MINISTRY
The Victory Gospel Hour on Radio
DAYSTAR Radio 89.5 FM, North Central Fl
Sun 5 AM, 12 Noon, 7 PM

The Victory Gospel Hour on Radio
CLASSIC HITS RADIO of OCALA 104.7 FM, Downtown Ocala, Fl
Sundays 8:30 AM

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SPREADING THE GOOD NEWS OF THE GOSPEL