Culture of Death

Death/Dark and Life/Light – two worlds. 

John 1:4-5, In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

John 3:19, And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

Ephesians 5:8-13, For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.  For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.  But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light,

We live in a culture given over to death and the dark because we have abandoned the Light!

John 8:12, Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

We have abandoned Jesus, the Bible and the God of creation and life!

In Mark 5:1-20 is found the story of a man in a very bad way and unable to extract himself from his state.  His life was bad!  As ugly and twisted as his life was, he was very much like many in the United States today.

Consider his life…

1. He lived in a cemetery among the tombs of death in the darkness
2. He was violent – untethered, out of control
3. He was always crying out – loud, brash and bold
4. He was cutting himself
5. v. 15, He was not clothed or properly clothed

Think about the USA these days…

1. Death and Dark: Movies, video games, clothing, hangouts are about death, darkness and blackness.  The night trumps the daytime.  Halloween has overtaken Christmas.  Demons, spirits and Satan are more intriguing than church, Jesus or the Bible.

2. Violent: Spending, debt and credit cards are out of control.  There is a growing use of violence to make a point or to get one’s way.  We burn things in the street, spray graffiti, litter and destroy the lives of others. 

4. Loud: We scream, yell and chant to silence others.  Just think of recent legislative sessions in state houses with both those in galleries and hallways yelling and chanting and even elected ones yelling and chanting on the floor. On many campuses a conservative or Christian cannot hold a public meeting without being shouted down by opposers. 
5. Cutting: Self-mutilation is nearly rampant. Many middle school girls fall into the cutting habit. Then there is the trans revolution that involves cutting off body parts.  Consider the tattoo craze.
6. Clothing: Clothing is more and more revealing and more suggestive. Just consider the recent uproar over the clothing lines Target has marketed and brought on intense reactions.

The USA has pushed God into church buildings alone and has openly attacked any who claim a faith in a divine Being.  Instead, the culture promotes “science” and the “wisdom of men” for life.

God is out and the darkness has moved in!  And the result?  Mark 5-ishness!

The world of dark and light are highlighted in this verse. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly (John 10:10).   Death or Life – we have chosen Death!