Today’s topic is one that could be taken directly from the pulpit of a plethora of pulpits across America but it needs to be said. Sensual hedonism, overindulgence, and instant self gratification are wreaking havoc in our nation. There is an old song which seems to be our cultural anthem which essentially goes “I want it like that and I want it right now.” Many of our social problems including obesity, adultery, divorce, pornography, pre marital sex, teen pregnancy, drug abuse, alcoholism, violent crimes, theft, fraud, and identity theft is all caused by our society’s problematic addiction to instant self gratification.
Now if you don’t think our sensual hedonism is a problem then I encourage you to watch television (not cable, just basic broadcast television), browse the internet, and/or shop at Wal-Mart. On TV you will see skankish women talking shamelessly about all the sex partners they’ve had while selling medicines for penile enlargement pills. During prime time you will shows such as Desperate Housewives where people throw off the traditional norms of marriage -love and respect for the other person- and replace them with overt sexuality. Listen to the music of today, Rap, Rock and Roll, Country, alternative etc and you will be bombarded with messages of lust, license, rage, and general hedonism. Women and men are being portrayed by the culture masters in Hollywood as sex objects and vehicles for pleasure.
The websites, other than Myspace (which pedophiles and rapists find very useful for their hedonistic acts which have victimized so many) and Facebook (which is trying way too much to be Myspace lite) and other social networking sites, which draw the most views per page are pornography sites. Harlequin romance novels – face it ladies who read them- are nothing but porn without the pictures and quite amazingly many churches sell these in their book stores. Our culture is inundated with vice and self gratification and we are pounded with it from all directions including the internet, radio and music, television, and the movie theatre. Sadly, however, hedonism is not confined to the realm of mass media which can be shut out and ignored, no our hedonism and greed shapes policy, theology, philosophy, and much of our news headlines.
A place where hedonism is becoming more and more pervasive is the church house. Too many churches embrace the prosperity doctrine (essentially give minister X hundreds of dollars and Jeebus makes you a millionaire glory be and hallelujah), now do not get me wrong I believe the Lord does prosper his people and tithing is essential (not so much because you should expect things in return, but because it is commanded). Lest you say, “but I don’t go to a prosperity doctrine church so I don’t hear a hedonistic gospel” I advise you to consider the fact that way too many churches teach a feel good acceptable doctrine. I am not against churches teaching you to have joy in Jesus, and nor am I saying the church should teach rapture and/or Hell, fire, and brimstone every Sunday, but I am saying too many churches are teaching a cost free form of Christianity where you say a formula sinner’s prayer and glory be you have a fire insurance policy keep going on doing exactly what you did before uninterrupted. While salvation is free, there is indeed a cost of discipleship and while I cannot call out someone who claims to be born again, I will say it looks rather suspicious if you aver to accept Christ as savior and there is no change. There are too many churches, and they are growing ever popular, where there are miracles, healing circles, tounges, prophecy, up tempo movement, and yet sound doctrine is not being taught. Do not get me wrong, I believe in a miracle working God and that spiritual gifts (tounges, prophecy, healing by the laying on of hands, and casting out demons) are for today, but too often the pentacostal churches go to overflowing congregations because people are seeking the miracles and the gifts which are free, but are less than interested in the one who does the miracles and dispenses with the gifts. People are flocking churches (especially Pentecostal ones) to see a show, do some calisthenics, and watch pastors preach much ado about nothing. The gospel is obscured by the circus acts such as the amazing woman who stammers like a baby, the man who sounds like he is having . . . . well . . . . a sexual act, the woman who moos like a cow, barks like a dog, or wails like a banshe. Do not get me wrong the Holy Spirit is still alive, but too often I get the impression that people are trying to draw attention to themselves far more than the Holy Spirit. Bottom line is that the church is now where people go for a one hour feel good experience, but where they do not seek change. Far too many churches no longer equip people for spiritual warfare and help them with their physical and spiritual needs. The church has become a place where one goes to act like a holy fool for an hour on sunday before going back to the carnal old man -that Ephesians chapter Four says we are supposed to die to daily- Monday through Saturday.
Sensual hedonism has also latched onto the Federal Government and how it shapes policy. We are in Iraq because Bush wanted to make a boat load of money for his wealthy friends and because of this 1.3 million Iraqis have died and so have 4000 Americans. Sensual hedonism has led to Enron, the bank failures, adjustable rate mortgages, credit card debt, and the many scandals of the Bush administration. The fruits of the spirit, seen in the fifth chapter of Galatians, would have warded off many of the crises that this country has faced in the past decade.
On a more local level one only need go to Wal-Mart to see hedonism face to face. You will hear the Subway commercial that says “indulge yourself,” and if you worked maintenance there for any time frame you would go “oh please do not indulge yourself.” You will see the children not getting their toys (these kids are 4 or 5 at the oldest) and proceeding to tell their mother (s) to F*** off. There is no discipline, no patience, no self control, no peace, no joy or compassion left in the United States and it will be our downfall. Much as it was the downfall of The Soviet Union, Qing China, The French Aristocracy, the Romanovs, the Weimar Republic, Rome, Athens, Persia, Mongolia, Israel, Babylon and the list goes on and on and on. We are not special in the eyes of God. We are not selected by God- historically only Israel is given any such promise- and we are not his chosen people or generation. If we do not repent and turn from our wickedness and our hedonism then we will join the ever growing ash heap of history.
