Pastor Bob McCartney gave a sermon series on current social issues this fall highlighting the truth found in the Bible. Here are my notes from this seventh sermon in his series, True Colors.

Acts 4:32-36

32 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. 34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales 35 and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need. 36 Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement),

Acts 4:32-36 NASB1995

Venezuela is proof that socialism is a bad idea with 96% of the citizens living below the poverty level. Socialism is more than a bad idea, but the Bible does have something to say about it.

Although socialism has never actually worked over a sustained period of time, many Americans seem to embrace, especially people under 30. Right now surveys say that 40% of the American public has a somewhat positive view of socialism, but startlingly the under 30 group 60% say it is very positive.

What is drawing a younger generation to socialism? First, the promise of FREE: free health care, free college tuition, ect. Let’s confront that with reality: nothing in life is free! It is an immutable law of the universe. It’s free to you because someone else paid for it.

Secondly, we need to face the reality that the church as failed the poor. When many people under the age of 30 look around, what they see many times is churches that seem to have plenty that don’t do anything to respond to the plight of the poor. Jesus talked about the poor and the Bible repeatedly tells us how to respond to those who have less.

1. What is Marxism?
And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

Acts 2:44-45
Some say the church is a socialist organization, based on Acts 2, but here are a couple of reasons why this argument is faulty.

They sold THEIR property. Private property is a protected right in the Bible.
They were GIVING is strictly voluntary. Socialism takes whereas Christianity gives.
Socialism is a softer word for Marxism. This philosophy is incideous It is beginning to work it’s way into every facet of our lives.

Marxism is anti-God. Marx was an atheist, calling religion the opiate to keep the masses from rising up. “He had the devil’s view of the world and the devil’s malignity. Sometimes he seemed to know that he was accomplishing the work of evil.” ~ Robert Payne
Marxism leads to dictatorship. Freedom and Marxism can not coexist for long. Socialist countries always move to stifle disagreement and dissent with the party line. They offer you free stuff, but the price of that free stuff is your freedom.
Marxism is divisive. Divide and conquer is a Marxist idea. Marx believed the only way he could succeed with his philosophy was to create a division between the oppressors and the oppressed. “In todays cultural Marxism in our country, the exploited divide is race. It is one of the reasons race relations are at a low ebb. No matter what the issue, when a Marxist can not logically confront an issue, when they realize their arguments are hollow and pointless, the always, and I mean always cry ‘It’s racism’.” ~Dr. David Jeremiah
Marxism is deadly. A conservative estimate of Marxism’s victims easily totals over 500,000,000 people, half a billion people, in the last...