Sermon Framework | When Everything Goes

When Everything Goes, Nothing Stands

"Everyone did what was right in his own eyes." — Judges 21:25 (ESV)

1. The Creed of Our Age

To "arrive" in today’s culture means achieving a state where moral judgment is suspended, truth is personalized, and boundaries are optional. It means applauding every lifestyle, validating every feeling, and resisting every absolute. Our age does not tremble before the holy—it bristles at restraint. The highest virtue in this framework is tolerance, but only of that which demands no repentance, makes no truth claims, and leaves everyone undisturbed in their own sovereignty.

This is the world where “everything goes.”

But Scripture tells us that when everything goes, nothing stands.

Not marriages.

Not integrity.

Not identity.

Not truth.

Not the soul.

“If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”— Psalm 11:3 (ESV)

We have confused freedom with the absence of moral gravity. And now, as the world floats in a vacuum of meaning, even the most basic moral instincts are evaporating.

2. What Does God Say?

Applying the CENI Framework (Command, Example, Necessary Inference) helps us evaluate cultural ideas with divine clarity rather than public consensus.

● Command: Has God spoken directly?

Yes. God has never commended moral ambiguity or celebrated autonomy from His authority. He says plainly:

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness…”— Isaiah 5:20 (ESV)

He commands His people to be holy, because He is holy (1 Peter 1:16). Holiness implies boundaries. It requires distinctions. It cannot coexist with "everything goes."

● Example: Do we see modeled behavior?

Jesus is our example. He was merciful to sinners, but never permissive about sin. To the woman caught in adultery, He said:

“Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”— John 8:11 (ESV)

His love restored her, but His righteousness redirected her.

Paul also warned of societies that worship freedom while decaying in truth:

“Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images… Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts…”— Romans 1:22–24 (ESV)

This is not a celebration. It is a judgment.

● Necessary Inference: What truth must we conclude?

If God is holy, if truth is not relative, and if sin still separates, then the conclusion is clear:

Not everything goes.

The permissive culture is not progressing—it is perishing.

3. The Lie Beneath the Slogan

The slogan “everything goes” is not merely a moral claim—it is a spiritual deception. It whispers a lie that has echoed since Eden:

“Did God actually say…?”— Genesis 3:1 (ESV)

Satan does not need to make people worship him outright. He only needs to dismantle truth, and the soul will drift by default. The goal is erosion, not explosion.

Every moral “liberation” offered by the culture is actually a re-enslavement under different masters—lust, pride, addiction, confusion, self-worship.

“They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.”— 2 Peter 2:19 (ESV)

Culture’s false freedom is a baited hook. The more you bite, the more numb you become. And eventually, numbness feels like peace.

4. When Culture Abandons the Standard

What happens when “everything goes” becomes the social expectation?

• Shame disappears — not because sin has vanished, but because conscience is silenced.

• Truth is fragmented — each person becomes a god in their own universe.

• Correction is bigotry — and moral clarity becomes hate speech.

• Discipline is abuse — and boundaries are considered oppressive.

Even within the church, this erosion creeps in.

We exchange deep conviction for vague compassion. We call compromise “contextualization.” We fear offending man more than grieving God. And we forget that Jesus never apologized for His authority.

“He taught them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.”— Matthew 7:29 (ESV)

When everything goes, even churches can lose their salt and light.

5. The Unshakable Kingdom

In contrast to this cultural instability, God calls His people to stand.

“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken…”— Hebrews 12:28 (ESV)

To live by faith in this age means to:

• Refuse moral drift.

• Reclaim God’s design.

• Reject the applause of relativism.

• Return to the fear of the Lord.

Holiness is not about superiority—it’s about surrender.

Faithfulness is not about fighting culture—it’s about refusing to be formed by it.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…”— Romans 12:2 (ESV)

6. A Personal Reflection

Where have you begun to drift?

Not with loud rebellion, but with quiet accommodation?

• Have you softened your convictions to be more "palatable"?

• Have you stopped calling sin what God calls sin?

• Have you excused compromise in the name of love?

Remember: Jesus did not die so we could be accepted by the culture.He died so we could be reconciled to the Father.

He didn’t die to make sin less offensive. He died to make sinners holy.

7. A Prayer to Re-Anchor

Lord, In a world where everything goes, help me to remember that You do not. You do not change. You do not adjust Your holiness for popularity. You do not revise Your Word to keep up with the times. Root me in Your truth. Shape me by Your Word. Let me not be afraid to stand—even if I stand alone. For when everything else collapses, Your Kingdom still stands. And You are still King. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

8. Scripture for Meditation This Week

“For the grace of God has appeared… training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age…”— Titus 2:11–12 (ESV)

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked… but his delight is in the law of the Lord…”— Psalm 1:1–2 (ESV)

“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”— John 17:17 (ESV)

Reflective Questions

1. In what area of your life are you most tempted to compromise under cultural pressure?

2. How does Scripture offer clarity where the world offers confusion?

3. What specific steps can you take this week to renew your mind and reinforce godly boundaries?

Final Exhortation

The world applauds when you say “everything goes.” But heaven rejoices when you say “Jesus alone.” In a culture rushing toward the cliff of self-rule, the most loving thing you can do is stand still—and point to the Cross.

Truth has not evolved. Holiness is not outdated. The Gospel is still offensive—and still the only hope.

“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”— Isaiah 40:8 (ESV)