The BIGGEST Problem in the World?

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The BIGGESTProblem in the World?
by Wes Woodell
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• The top ten issues secular society sees as the
  worlds biggest problem

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Secular Societys Top Ten

• Species Extinction
• Today, human activities are causing a massive
  extinction of species, the full implications of
  which are barely understood. Rising ocean
  temperatures reduce the ability of plankton to
  reproduce, thereby undermining the entire oceanic
  ecosystem.
• Commercial fishings increasing size and scope
  threaten to empty of the ocean of fish within
  several decades.

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Secular Societys Top Ten

• Species Extinction
• Modern agricultural practices strip the Earth of
  its thin layer of topsoil through water and wind
  erosion, destroying this precious micro ecosystem
  that takes centuries to form and supports all
  life on land.
• Furthermore, bee populations are plummeting, and
  over 70 of our food is pollinated by bees if
  bee populations fall too far, our food supplies
  will be seriously threatened. . .

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Secular Societys Top Ten

• 9. Radical Islam/Terrorism
• The destabilization of modern civilization by
  terroristic attacks carried out upon civilian
  populations.
• This modern day problem is an assault upon the
  ideals and expression of freedom, and has the
  potential to convert free societies into police
  states.

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Secular Societys Top Ten

• 8. War
• Civil wars in small, poor countries cause untold
  suffering, and half of them are renewed flare-ups
  of recent conflicts. A single conflict can cost
  250 billion or more, takes many years to recover
  from and can block all other humanitarian
  interventions.
• A large scale war in current times has the
  potential to destroy modern civilization as we
  know it.

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Secular Societys Top Ten

• 7. Nuclear Proliferation
• The acquisition or development of nuclear
  weapons by governments or groups intent on using
  them has the potential to lead to all out nuclear
  war thereby threatening the existence of all
  living things.

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Secular Societys Top Ten

• 6. Malnutrition and Hunger
• Despite significant reductions in income poverty
  in recent years, undernutrition remains
  widespread. Recent estimates from UNICEF (2006)
  are that one out of every four children under
  five or 146 million children in the developing
  world is underweight for his or her age, and
  that each year, undernutrition contributes to
  the deaths of about 5.6 million children under
  the age of five.

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Secular Societys Top Ten

• 5. Global Water Crisis
• Water - the essential ingredient for life on
  this planet is becoming an increasingly scarce
  resource. According to the World Bank and World
  Health Organization, 2 billion people lack access
  to clean water and 1 billion people do not have
  enough to even meet their daily needs.
• Every day an increasing amount of pollution
  seeps into rivers and lakes making them toxic to
  humans, and underground aquifers our most
  significant sources of water are being depleted
  at an alarming rate.
• If current trends continue more and more useable
  water will be lost while the world population
  continues to grow larger and larger.

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Secular Societys Top Ten

• 4. Global Population Growth
• The world is currently growing at a rate of
  79,000,000 people per year more than ever
  before and as more time passes that number will
  rapidly increase.
• The world population is predicted to be over 10
  billion in 40 years, and will rapidly increase as
  the ever-growing human species continues to breed.

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Secular Societys Top Ten

• 4. Global Population Growth
• Some believe the earths resources will be
  depleted to the point that mass starvation and
  disease epidemics will plague mankind.

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Secular Societys Top Ten

• 3. Peak Oil/Energy Consumption
• Petroleum powers 96 of the transportation on
  the planet and is the key ingredient in plastics
  and fertilizers. Its integral role in human
  civilization cannot be overestimated - without it
  modern life would be impossible. Over the last
  century, the global petroleum supply could be
  counted on to meet demand today however, the
  situation appears to be changing.
• The developing world - led by China and India -
  is modernizing at a blistering pace, and their
  appetite for oil is driving up demand all over
  the globe. At the same time, production is
  declining in all but a few countries.

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Secular Societys Top Ten

• 3. Peak Oil/Energy Consumption
• For decades, scientists, government officials,
  and business leaders have warned of Peak Oil, the
  point at which global petroleum production
  reaches its maximum level and begins to drop.

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Secular Societys Top Ten

• 2. Global Economic Collapse
• The global economy binds together the fate of
  the international community and all its member
  nations. It precludes the possibility of a third
  World War, and exposes individuals all over the
  world to new ideas, products, and information.
  Today, the world economy is facing two looming
  crises.
• The U.S., by far the worlds largest and most
  powerful economy, is completely in debt at the
  individual, institutional, and governmental
  levels. The Dollar is at its lowest rate in
  years, and the fundamental driver of the US
  economy the housing market appears to be
  coming undone.

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Secular Societys Top Ten

• 2. Global Economic Collapse
• Many experts believe were on the brink of
  global economic depression, and if the markets
  fail the infrastructure of modern civilization
  will collapse causing modern ways of living to
  drastically change.

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Secular Societys Top Ten

• 1. Global Warming
• Due to the steady stream of attention this issue
  has gotten in the last few years, many believe
  global warming is the preeminent danger to human
  civilization today.
• It is believed that the rising global
  temperature threatens to create catastrophic
  weather systems, crop failures, disease
  outbreaks, and water shortages worldwide.

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• Global warming advocates say emissions of
  greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane
  are trapping heat within the Earths atmosphere,
  slowly increasing the overall temperature. These
  emissions are the byproduct of our modern way of
  life, and to halt them would require a voluntary
  shift in the very structure of our society, a
  move unprecedented in human history.

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Secular Societys Top Ten

• 1. Global Warming
• Advocates also believe to take no action against
  global warming would be to alter the very
  chemical composition of our planet.
• They believe life on Earth evolved over hundreds
  of millions of years to survive within very
  specific conditions, and any change in those
  conditions will breed a myriad of disasters.

Global warming is the most dangerous crisis we
have ever faced by far - Al Gore
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• Are these valid problems?
• but are any of those the biggest problem in the
  world?

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• What does the Bible say?

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Whats the purpose of the Old Testament?

• Genesis serves as the basis for the rest of the
  Bible gives an account of Gods creation of the
  world, the introduction of Satan and the division
  between man and God caused by the fall, Gods
  fierce opposition to sin and His wish to cleanse
  the world of it, and Gods promise to bless the
  world through His chosen people Abrahams seed.
• Exodus chronicles Gods deliverance of Israel
  out of Egyptian bondage and His journey with them
  to the promised land Gods character is
  revealed, His law is shared, the priesthood,
  tabernacle, and worship ceremonies are
  established, and the institution of the Passover
  Feast points to the Saviors future sacrifice.
• Leviticus gives an account of the laws and
  regulations given by God at Sinai the primary
  theme is the holiness of God and His requirement
  of perfect sacrifice points to Jesus.
• Numbers a history of Israels journey from
  Mount Sinai toward the promised land of Canaan,
  their rebellion against God, His wrath against
  them as carried out in the desert wandering ends
  with Israel on the plains of Moab having yet to
  cross the Jordan into the promised land.
• Deuteronomy gives an account of events leading
  up to Israels entry into the promised land
  emphasizes the love relationship God has for His
  people, His expectation of total commitment,
  obedience, and the blessings that accompany it,
  and His promise to curse those who are
  non-committed or disobedient.
• Joshua main theme centers around the
  establishment of Gods people in the promised
  land Canaanites serve as symbols of sin, and
  Gods servant Joshua (whose name means the Lord
  saves and is same name in Greek form that Jesus
  was given) cleansing the land of sin is symbolic
  of Christs future victory.
• Judges gives an account of period between
  Joshuas leadership and the establishment of the
  Jewish monarchy chronicles Israels frequent
  descent into sin, accompanying punishment, their
  crying out to God for deliverance, and His
  covenant faithfulness.

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Whats the purpose of the Old Testament?

• Ruth the main theme of the book is redemption,
  and is played out through Naomi whose life is
  moved from emptiness to fullness and from
  destitution to security and hope by the selfless,
  loving acts of Boaz and Ruth parallels the work
  of Jesus in the world.
• 1 2 Samuel a historical account of the rise
  of the Israelite monarchy including the stories
  of the lives of Samuel, Saul, and David Gods
  promise to establish Davids throne forever
  points toward the coming reign of Jesus.
• 1 2 Kings possibly written during the Jewish
  exile, these books provide a sequel to the
  history found in 1 2 Samuel and the guiding
  principle in the book is Israels success or
  failure as a people is dependent on their
  submission to Gods sovereign rule and law.
• 1 2 Chronicles written to post-exilic Israel
  to answer the burning question, Is God still
  interested in us? The dissolution of the Davidic
  monarchy had caused the nation to question Gods
  relationship with them, and the writer of
  Chronicles highlights various aspects of history,
  Gods promises, and things like temple worship,
  the priesthood, prophets, etc., to emphasize the
  continuity of Gods role in the life of Israel.
• Ezra highlights Gods work to bring Israel out
  of exile back into the land of promise the
  temple was rebuilt and the people were
  rededicated to God even though they remained
  under Gentile rule.
• Nehemiah meant to go along with the book of
  Ezra, this book gives an account of Nehemiahs
  ministry in rebuilding Jerusalems outer wall,
  the opposition that arose, and the resulting
  triumph of Israel.
• Esther a historical account of the deliverance
  of Gods chosen people from annihilation and the
  institution of the annual Jewish festival of
  Purim.
• Job written to teach mankind to stop blaming
  the suffering of godly people on their own
  wickedness and to realize Satan is at work in the
  world driven by an all-consuming desire to
  separate men from God, and to view suffering as
  an opportunity to show what true godliness is
  highlights the value God places on righteousness
  above all else, and the highest wisdom is found
  in truly loving God for God despite the
  circumstance not simply loving Gods blessings.

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Whats the purpose of the Old Testament?

• Psalms a collection of songs, poems, prayers,
  and worship literature emphasizing the fact that
  God is at the center of all, King over all, the
  ultimate arbiter of truth and justice, and has
  established the throne of David (i.e. Jesus
  Christ) over all.
• Proverbs written to pass on timeless wisdom and
  to remind readers that true wisdom is rooted in
  reverence for the Lord.
• Ecclesiastes the main theme is to truly live
  meaningfully, purposefully, and joyfully one must
  place God at the center of their life.
• Song of Solomon teaches readers the type of
  love God expects to be a normal part of marital
  relationships (a lesson that has largely been
  lost in modern times).
• Isaiah prophecy unveils the full dimensions of
  Gods judgment and salvation through Christ.
• Jeremiah highlights the consequences of sin and
  individual responsibility, Gods wrath against
  the Jews for their apostasy, their subsequent
  punishment through enslavement and exile, and the
  promise of redemption through Gods covenant
  promise.
• Lamentations laments inspired by the fall of
  Jerusalem show that the people understood their
  punishment was divine even though it was carried
  out by earthly kings, were willing to acknowledge
  their sin, ask for forgiveness, repent, and be
  restored.
• Ezekiel main themes include Gods sovereign
  control over all creation, Israels fall, Gods
  subsequent punishment, and Israels restoration
  as the people through which God would bless the
  world.
• Daniel a historical narrative that highlights
  Gods rule over the entire world (seen in Gods
  ultimate triumph in each of Daniels visions).
• Hosea Hoseas marriage to a prostitute is used
  to symbolize Gods relationship with Israel
  disloyalty and idolatry are seen as spiritual
  adultery, and while judgment is announced against
  Israel the major purpose of the book is to
  proclaim Gods covenant love and loyalty to
  Israel as His chosen people.

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Whats the purpose of the Old Testament?

• Joel teaches that a horrible locust plague
  Israel is afflicted with is a harbinger of Gods
  judgment calls Israel to turn from
  unfaithfulness and notes that restoration will
  come only after repentance.
• Amos Israel allowed their faith to become
  lackadaisical yet continued to carry out worship
  rituals (believing that after they carried out
  the rituals they could do whatever they wanted),
  but they were uncommitted to Gods law and
  uncaring toward the poor. God was so fed up He
  was ready to destroy them while preserving a
  remnant by which to later bless the world through
  establishing Davids throne (i.e. Jesus).
  Repentance was called for by Amos and taught to
  be expressed through social justice and personal
  piety.
• Obadiah the shortest book in the OT condemns
  Edoms gloating over Israels misfortune and
  predicts that God will destroy Edom while
  glorifying Israel.
• Jonah depicts the large scope of Gods purpose
  for Israel and Israels jealous view of her
  favored role in Gods plan.
• Micah alternates between oracles of doom and
  oracles of hope while stressing what God hates
  (idolatry, injustice, rebellion, empty ritualism)
  along with what He loves (pardoning those who
  repent) Micah points to the future by
  proclaiming the future glory of Zion through the
  restoration of the Davidic throne (i.e. Jesus).
• Nahum main theme is Gods judgment on the
  Assyrian city of Nineveh for extreme wickedness
  ending with the destruction of the city.
• Habakkuk highlights the prophets struggle with
  the ways of God. He sees wickedness in Judah and
  God doing nothing about it. When he inquires of
  God and finds out He will mete out punishment via
  Babylonian attack, hes perplexed how God could
  work through such a wicked people. In the end,
  the prophet learns to trust in the higher ways of
  God that transcend finite understanding.

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Whats the purpose of the Old Testament?

• Zephaniah pronounces judgment against wicked
  nations (including Judah) and ends with a promise
  of Judahs restoration.
• Haggai the second shortest book in the OT
  contrasts the blessings of obedience vs. the
  curses of disobedience.
• Zechariah main theme centers around calling the
  Jews to repentance, encouraging them to rebuild
  Gods temple, and reminding them of the glorious
  future that awaits them through the Messiah.
• Malachi the main theme centers around the
  Messiah coming to judge His people as well as
  blessing and restoring them.

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Whats the purpose of the Old Testament?

• Establishes the role of God as Creator of the
  world and the supreme, sovereign power in the
  universe He created.
• Gives an account of sins introduction into
  creation by Adam Eve, the fall of humanity, and
  the subsequent barrier that developed between God
  and man.
• Tells of Gods covenant promise to the
  descendents of Abraham, and the divine selection
  of the Jews as the people through whom God will
  bless the world.
• Gives a historical account of Gods moral law
  (revealing His righteous character) being passed
  down to the chosen Jews with the understanding
  that obeying God will bring blessings while
  unfaithfulness will bring curses.

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Whats the purpose of the Old Testament?

• Much of the OT is a historical account of Gods
  reaction to Jewish unfaithfulness including
  disciplinary action taken against them (often
  through other nations), calls to repentance, and
  Gods restorative work among them when sin is
  turned away from.
• Ultimately, the entire Old Testament is a story
  about redemption God taking the initiative
  through the Jews to bridge the gap sin created
  between Himself and all of mankind. The Jews
  werent chosen simply to be blessed themselves,
  rather, they were chosen as a vessel through
  which the rest of the world would be blessed.
• Almost everything in the OT points back to Gods
  promises to the Israelites, or forward to the
  coming glorious establishment of the Davidic
  throne (i.e. the Messiah).
• Overarching Theme of the Old Testament
• I will bless those who bless you, and whoever
  curses you I will curse and all peoples on earth
  will be blessed through you.
• -God
• Genesis 123

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Whats the purpose of the New Testament?

• Matthew written to Greek speaking Jews to show
  them Jesus fulfilled OT prophesy to prove He was
  the Son of God.
• Mark written to Romans and emphasizes the
  actions of Jesus to prove he was the Son of God.
• Luke to reaffirm the beliefs of Gentiles, and
  to help them more fully understand who the
  authentic Jesus was.
• John written so that you may believe that
  Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by
  believing you may have life in his name. (John
  2031)
• Acts written as a historical record of the
  birth and spread of the church thereby
  strengthening the faith of early Christians
  possibly compiled in preparation for Pauls trial
  in Rome to give a defense for following Jesus.
• Romans written to Jews and Gentiles in Rome
  emphasizes how true righteousness comes from the
  life of Jesus (not our own), and justification
  before God comes by faith in Christ
• 1 2 Corinthians written to the Corinthian
  church calling for unity in Christ and for the
  holy lifestyle that goes along with following
  Jesus rebukes false teachers who were distorting
  the real gospel of Jesus
• Galatians written to the Galatian church to
  rebuke Judaizers who were distorting the real
  gospel of Jesus.
• Ephesians written to believers at large to
  explain Gods purpose for the church (i.e. to
  glorify the Father by revealing Christ to the
  world).
• Philippians written to thank the Philippian
  church for their help in advancing the gospel of
  Christ and to encourage them in to continuing
  maturing in their knowledge and understanding of
  Jesus.
• Colossians written to the church in Colossae to
  emphasize the supremacy of Christ over the human
  wisdom behind false teachings that had cropped up
  in the church.

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Whats the purpose of the New Testament?

• 1 2 Thessalonians written to the Thessalonian
  church to encourage their faith in Christ, urge
  them to live holy lives, and to proclaim Christs
  return.
• 1 2 Timothy written to Timothy to encourage
  vigilant defense of the gospel of Christ against
  false teachings and to instruct him in caring for
  the Ephesian church.
• Titus written to Titus while he was on the
  island of Crete instructing him to spur the
  Cretans on toward holy living in Christ.
• Philemon written to Philemon instructing him to
  welcome back his slave Onesimus (whod apparently
  stolen something from him and run away) as a
  brother in Christ.
• Hebrews written to Jewish converts familiar
  with the OT emphasizing the supremacy of Christ
  over the prophets, angels, Moses, Aaron, and the
  priests.
• James written to Jewish believers giving
  practical instruction on living a Christ-centered
  life.
• 1 2 Peter written to Christians scattered
  throughout the land after Pentecost includes a
  call to holy living in Christ, submission to
  authority, and Jesus return.
• 1 John written to correct false teachings
  distorting the gospel of Jesus and to emphasize
  the believers assurance of salvation through
  Christ.
• 2 John written to a Christian woman instructing
  her to no longer open her home to false teachers
  so that those distorting the gospel of Christ
  would not receive aid.
• 3 John written to the believer Gaius to commend
  him for welcoming itinerate teachers sent out by
  John, and to indirectly warn the church leader
  Diotrephes who was speaking maliciously against
  other church leaders.
• Jude written to early believers warning against
  false teachers (early Gnostics) who were
  distorting the gospel of Jesus.
• Revelation an apocalyptic writing composed for
  the church at large emphasizes the sovereignty
  of God over the world and the impending return of
  Christ.

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Whats the purpose of the New Testament?

• The gospels provide an account of, defense of,
  and affirmation for belief in Jesus Christ as the
  embodiment of God on earth who died to pay our
  sin debt.
• The NT chronicles the activity and spread of the
  early church people united in spreading the
  Good News about Jesus sacrifice to permanently
  reconcile man to God.
• The NT also chronicles the divine activity of the
  Holy Spirit who worked to lend credibility to the
  claims made regarding Jesus.
• Epistles (letters) written by early church
  leaders address specific situations and problems
  surrounding the first century church, and serve
  to rebuke bad behavior and false doctrines
  distorting the teachings of Jesus, or to
  encourage early Christ followers to continue in
  their faith.

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Whats the purpose of the New Testament?

• The whole of the NT points back to the person of
  Jesus, or points forward to His return.
• Overarching Theme of the New Testament
• I am the way and the truth and the life. No one
  comes to the Father except through me.
• -Jesus Christ
• John 146

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The BIGGESTProblem in the World?
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Fate of the Twelve

• Peter
• A.D. 67 - Thrown into the infamous Mamertine
  Prison in Rome. Chained upright to a post for
  nine months (so that he couldnt recline),
  endured brutal torture, and was eventually
  executed in Neros Circus by being crucified
  upside down. His final moments were spent
  encouraging the disciples. His wife was also
  executed by Nero for her faith.
• Andrew
• A.D. 69 - In Patras, Greece, Andrew converted
  the governors wife to Christianity causing their
  estrangement. As a result, the governor had him
  tortured and tied to an X shaped cross naked
  and exposed to the elements. This torture went on
  for two days until Andrew died. Before his death,
  Andrew is said to have encouraged the onlookers
  to turn to Christ as their Lord.
• James, Son of Zebedee, Brother of John
• Arrested and beheaded by order of Herod Agrippa
  I in Acts 123.
• Thomas
• Best known for doubting the resurrection of
  Jesus (John 2025), Thomas turned into a
  committed believer when he encountered the
  resurrected Christ. Thomas traveled to India
  around A.D. 52 where he discredited the Brahmins
  a Hindu sect before their king. As a result,
  the Brahmins eventually found him praying in a
  cave and killed him by thrusting a spear through
  his side. He died trying to drag himself up a
  hill near the cave.
• Matthew
• Reports of his martyrdom vary. The Jewish Talmud
  indicates he was condemned by the Sanhedrin. Some
  writings indicate he was pinned to the ground and
  beheaded for his faith around A.D. 60.
• Philip
• Executed at the age of 87 in the city of
  Hierapolis in Phrygia. Pagan priests crucified
  him upside down by piercing him through the
  thighs. He was then stoned as he hung upon the
  cross. Before yielding his spirit, he is said to
  have prayed for his enemies as Jesus did.
• Bartholomew (Nathaniel)