Ten Deadly Sins Of A Dying Church | ChurchCentral.com

Ten Deadly Sins Of A Dying Church ChurchCentral.com

Do we see any symptoms? Until there is the right diagnosis, there cannot be the right prescription. At least some of this sounds a bit familiar to me.

THE POWER AND PITFALLS OF PASSION

Each stage of life brings with it certain potentials and problems. This is particularly true in the area of our passions.

Passion is not a bad thing in and of itself. Jesus said that the zeal of His Father's house consumed Him. We should so seek to be consumed! Passion is the fuel to achieve, to excel, to make an impact. That is its power.

Now as to its pitfalls, each stage of adulthood brings a particular peril to the believer in this area:

• Young adults face the peril of unfocused passion. It is passion run amok. There is no lack of zeal. The world is a great smorgasbord to indulge the senses. The challenge is to bring that passion into focus--to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness--and then find all other things fall into their proper orbit within a Christo-centric universe.
• Median adults face the peril of divided passion. Christians at this stage have tasted of heavenly things and have learned what their proper focus should be, yet they often find themselves also pursuing material things. They end up like "Mr. Looking Both Ways" in Pilgrim's Progress. Their passions are thus divided and in the end diffused.
• Senior adults face the peril of lost passion. Apathy sets in. They have neither excelled in the world, or if they have, they have found it wholly unsatisfying. Like Solomon in Ecclesiastes, they decree, "All is vanity--a chasing of the wind." They have not excelled in the things of God, and wonder at what they have missed of the purpose for which they truly were created. Since it seems too late to pursue those things, it becomes more comfortable to just not ponder them. Passion becomes a mere glowing ember that soon dies altogether.

If we do not properly harness our passion, maintain its focus on the things above and run relentlessly to the finish line, we will pass off the scene as though we virtually had never been. Our footsteps will be like those left on the beach, as the tides of time wash in and obliterate them. Should we embrace a passion for God and His glory, our footprints will be set in concrete, marking a path for future generations to follow. May God help us do so.

HOW TO HAVE THE HAND OF GOD’S BLESSING ON OUR LEADERSHIP

Ezra mentions three times in chapter seven that the good hand of God was upon him (v.6,9,28). Because of this, he provided tremendous spiritual leadership for the people of God. Leaders in the church today can learn from his example.

How can we have the hand of God’s blessing on our leadership?

IT IS A MATTER OF OUR HEART: CONSECRATION TO THE WILL OF GOD. We are told that Ezra “prepared his heart…” (v.10a). God can only use a clean vessel—one consecrated to His will. Ezra was such a servant. We must have a pure heart through which God’s grace can flow unobstructed if our leadership is to be effective.

IT IS A MATTER OF OUR MIND: CONCENTRATION ON THE WORD OF GOD. Scripture says of Ezra that his heart was set “to seek the Law of the LORD…” (v.10b). When our heart is set on God and our mind is saturated with God’s Word, then His hand is free to bless our leadership. Leading God’s church requires a roadmap and that roadmap is the Bible.

IT IS A MATTER OF OUR HANDS: COMMITMENT TO THE WORK OF GOD. This passage speaks of Ezra’s commitment “to do it…” (v.10c). For him, Scripture wasn’t theoretical, but practical. While we must know what God expects, nothing significant happens until we apply that truth.

IT IS A MATTER OF OUR MOUTH: COMMUNICATION OF THE WAYS OF GOD. Ezra 7:10 closes with his passion, “to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.” A leader must inspire others to follow. This means there is solid communication of where to go and how to get there.

The evidence of God’s hand of blessing on our leadership is fourfold:
1) EXALTATION (v.27). God will be glorified in His people.
2) EXTENSION (v.28a). His mercy and grace will be extended to His church.
3) ENCOURAGEMENT (v.28b). This is the fuel that keeps us running.
4) ENLISTMENT (v.28c). Leaders develop more leaders and multiply the ministry.

Let us seek the hand of God’s blessing on our leadership, and settle for nothing less!

"IN TROUBLE, YET UNTROUBLED"

Jesus said, "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). In the heart of trouble, we can have an untroubled heart! Scripture gives us insight in Psalm 91.

GOD IS OUR SECRET PLACE, "the secret place of the Most High" (v.1a). We have a hideout when evil pursues us. We can dwell--abide securely--in God's protection.

GOD IS OUR SHADED PLACE, "under the shadow of the Almighty" (v.1b). In that arid climate, the searing rays of the sun could bring death, yet the psalmist has a cool shadow to protect him. We can abide in God's presence. If His shadow falls upon us, then we may be certain His person is near us.

GOD IS OUR STRONG PLACE, "He is my refuge and my fortress" (v.2). In war, a key element for victory has always been to hold the high ground. Our lives are fortified by God Himself.

GOD IS OUR SAFE PLACE, "He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence" (v.3). Walking in a world with traps at every step to trip us up, God directs us safely. Living in an environment of virulent disease at every hand to assail us, God delivers us securely.

GOD IS OUR SHELTERED PLACE, "He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge" (v.4). God hovers over us as the Angel of the LORD. His wings extend above us and we are sheltered by Him. As a mother hen gathers her chicks under her wings, so God gathers us under His wings.

The Apostle Paul testified to the reality of this experience,

"We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed..." (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

THE WAY OF REVIVAL

Here are some thoughts to ponder based on 2 Kings 22-23 and an historic revival:

The way of revival involves A RETURN TO A WALK WITH GOD (22:1-2). Young Josiah learned to walk--with God--and as king of Judah would lead the people to follow his steps in returning to a walk with God. Revival isn't an event scheduled on the church calendar, but an experience with the eternal God.

The way of revival also demands A RESTORATION OF THE WORSHIP OF GOD (22:3-6; 23:21-23). The house of God had fallen into disrepair and the worship of God had been discarded for paganism. Josiah knew that the foundation of revival in a personal walk with God needed the framework of revival in the corporate worship of God. Someone has well said that revival is a person or community saturated with the presence of God. Worship brings us into an encounter with the Holy--awe-inspiring and revival-inducing.

The way of revival leads to A RECOVERY OF THE WORD OF GOD (22:8-10). A strategic make or break moment occurred when the Scriptures were found during temple renovations. All revival movements demand a recovery of the preaching, teaching and submission to the Word of God.

The way of revival calls for A REPENTANCE TO THE WILL OF GOD (22:11-13). A broken heart and bowed knee was the response to the truth of Scripture. The will of God was expressed in the Word of God, and Josiah and his subjects brought their lives into alignment with God's standard. This is more than emotion--though emotions are included--but is about volition--a deliberate surrender of our will to God's will. There cannot be revival without repentance.

The way of revival means A REPRIEVE FROM THE WRATH OF GOD (22:16-20). God's wrath was coming. Judah deserved it. Nothing could stop it. But revival meant that it would not occur in Josiah's lifetime. It was as though God hit the pause button. The fact is that this world has been on a collision course with the wrath of God since the first sin in paradise. Scripture is clear about the course and consummation of the age--but, it doesn't have to happen in our day. Revival can bring reprieve. Recall how pagan Nineveh, given a deadline of forty days to judgment, repented and experienced a revival under Jonah's preaching. Later, Nineveh returned to its old ways and the promised wrath of God fell.

The way of revival means A REVIVAL OF THE WORK OF GOD (23:1-3). Josiah leads the people to make a covenant to serve God. This kind of commitment is a hallmark of real revival. It isn't just about gathering for preaching or prayer--crucial as that is--but performance--the practical application of the truth.

The way of revival results in A REMOVAL OF THE WICKEDNESS BEFORE GOD (23:4ff). Josiah led the Jews to purge pagan practices--to remove the evil from their midst. Only then, would the hand of God be free to bless them. God takes sin seriously and until we do, we will never have revival.

TAKING A STAND AND PAYING A PRICE

Consider the following article from Kairos Journal:

“Paying the Price for Being Prophetic”—Aake Green (1942 – )

Aake Green pastors a Christian congregation “on the small southeastern island of Oeland” in Sweden. In June of 2004, he was convicted of hate speech by a Swedish court and sentenced to 30 days in prison for preaching a sermon against homosexuality.1 The statute he violated was part of “Sweden’s tough hate crimes laws, which make it a crime to make inflammatory remarks against racial, religious or national groups.”2 On February 11, 2005, the Goeta Appeals Court overturned the previous ruling on the grounds that a pastor’s personal interpretation of the Bible is protected by the European Convention on Human Rights.

Pastor Green felt compelled, given the weightiness of the issue, to include a national audience by inviting the media. Green’s original sermon in context underscores his central theme: a nation cannot long prosper if it ignores God’s holy ordinances for sexual activity.

Sexual abnormalities are a deep cancerous tumor in the entire society. The Lord knows that sexually twisted people will rape the animals {Lev. 18:22-30}.3 Not even animals can avoid the fiery passion of man’s sexual lust. Even this [bestiality], some will pursue. For many years, I have heard stories like these from people when I sat and listened as a volunteer telephone counselor. This wasn’t just one incident where people told of the animal [sexual] relations they had had—which had given them satisfaction. So it is abundantly clear that God is not writing a book of fairy tales for people to think of these things. He writes it with the thought in mind that people will act this way when they abandon God. Because of these sins, the land will vomit out its inhabitants. The political response to this in our country is then what Paul talks about: “We know God’s righteous decree that those who live that way deserve death. Still it is in that very way they live, and worse yet, they think it is good when others do it.” [Paraphrase of Romans 1:32.] This is how we experience the political response in our country. They [government] give their consent and they think it is good that they are engaged in this. “It doesn’t matter.”

However—our country is facing a disaster of great proportions! Of that we can be sure. God said the land would vomit out its inhabitants. They were not allowed to remain if they continued living like the people who had previously inhabited the land. When the children of Israel were about to possess the promised land, should they begin to have such relations that were contrary to God’s Word, then God says the land will once again vomit out its inhabitants. I think it could happen in Sweden. I think it could happen in our country, because we have adopted such laws. Our country has not the least concern about what God has spoken. Our country is facing a disaster. Who is to say that we cannot have an earthquake where hundreds of thousands of people could die in an instant? Who is to say that we cannot have any monsoon rains that drown thousands of people in our country? Who is to say that other catastrophes cannot reach Scandinavia? We are so safe and secure. And we sit here so sheltered and cozy, and “it cannot happen to us,” but in southern Europe—there it happens, and in other parts of the world and China—there it happens. God can turn it around, so that the inhabitants of our land may experience precisely these [events]. We may be vomited out of the land because our nation has left God. This is devastating.

To think that approximately 300 of our popularly elected officials have led us down a road to catastrophe. As they have adopted these laws of [domestic] partnership and let people live as they wish. And today they cannot fathom the consequences of the decisions they have made. Only time will tell about this. We have gotten to learn words like “incest, pedophile, and child molestation.” Words that make us shudder, that belong to the abnormalities. I want to turn to First Corinthians chapter six and include something Paul brings up concerning the Corinthian congregation and their way of life. He says in verse 9 [-11]. . .

Now I read from the original text, it goes like this: “Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. Do not deceive yourselves. Neither sexually immoral people nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor people of sensual pleasure, nor defilers of boys, shall inherit God’s kingdom.” Defilers of boys—already when the Bible was written the Lord knew what was going to happen. We have experienced it here, and we are horrified by it. In First Timothy 1:10 Paul talks about perverts. “Perverse” is translated from the original text, which states: “one who lies with boys.”

All homosexuals are not pedophiles or perverts. They nevertheless open the door to forbidden areas and allow sin to take hold of the life of the mind. And the one who is a pedophile today does not start out as such. They simply begin by changing their gender relationships. That is how it began. To be “faithful” in a homosexual relationship is in no way a better relationship than where you frequently change partners. It is equally detestable in the eyes of God. From God’s perspective it is to be rejected, and from God’s perspective it is as much sin if you frequently change partners as it is to live in a [committed] homosexual relationship. It makes no difference before God’s Word. . . .

We must never think that some people, because of their sinful lives, would end up outside of grace. Paul says about himself that he was the foremost of all sinners, but he encountered an abundance of grace and mercy. He also states in First Corinthians 6:9-11, when he lists sexual immorality with other sins, that you can be saved from all the listed sins, including sexual immorality. What these people need, who live under the slavery of sexual immorality, is an abundant grace. It exists. It is valid also for them. Therefore we will encourage those who live in this manner to look at the grace of Jesus Christ. We cannot condemn these people—Jesus never did that either. He showed everyone He met deep respect for the person they were, for instance the adulterous woman, in John 8, or the woman at the well in Sychar, according to John 4. Jesus never belittled anyone. He offered them grace. We must never belittle anyone who lives in sin. The sin we cannot bear—but the human being [we must hold up]. . . .4

Footnotes:
1 See Kairos Journal article, "Hate Speech: 'A Crawling Tyranny Looms.'"
2 Associated Press, “Swedish Pastor Is Acquitted on Appeal,” Beliefnet Website, February 11, 2005, http://www.religionnewsblog.com/10262/Swedish-pastor-is-acquitted-on-appeal (accessed March 4, 2005).
3 This Scripture citation was added by the Kairos Journal. The square brackets in the text were added by the translators.
4 Aake Green, “Is Homosexuality Genetic or an Evil Force that Plays Mind Games with People?” (sermon, Oeland, Sweden, 2003), trans. Anders Falk and Debra Sandstrom, CBN.com, September 7, 2004, http://www.cbn.com/CBNNews/News/040907aa.asp (accessed March 4, 2005).

How Do We Handle Halloween?

Go to this link for thoughtful, balanced, well-researched and most of all biblical thoughts concerning Halloween.

http://www.crosswalk.com/spirituallife/1293292/page0/

Where Have All the Christians Gone?

This is sobering information that should stir us all to prayer and action. Click on the link:

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THE REAL SOLUTION FOR THE REAL PROBLEM
Here is an important email from Patrick Morley and Man in the Mirror. It was too crucial to keep to myself. Read it and join me in praying desperately for our nation. May repentance begin with me!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Call to National Repentance
Volume 339
September 14, 2009
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pastors, Leaders, and Men....

We've been taking an altogether wrong approach to the severe recession in which we find ourselves. For many of us the strategy has been, "I just need to hang on until things gets better. I just need to weather the storm."

But we are not only in a financial recession. We've been sinking into a moral, relational, and spiritual depression for decades.

For example, 50,000,000 babies have been aborted since abortion was legalized in 1973. The life expectancy of a child born between 1973 and today averages about 75 years. But the life expectancy of a child conceived between 1973 and today is 49 years. The most dangerous place to be since 1973 is in a mother's womb!

We've also been in a family depression for decades. Tonight, 33% of America's 72,000,000 children will go to bed in a home without a biological father. And we've been in a marriagedepression for decades. 40% of first marriages ended in divorce affecting about 1,000,000 children each year. We are also in a spiritual depression. Declining interest in Jesus Christ, especially among younger disillusioned people, has sapped the spiritual vitality out of the church.

So why the sudden concern about a financial recession when a moral, relational, and spiritual depression has engulfed our nation for decades?

In retrospect it now seems obvious. When we were doing well financially, we were willing to wink at the moral, relational, and spiritual depression all around us. Praise God that he was not willing to let that stand. This recession is at least God's warning and possibly God's judgment, but in either case his grace to lead us to repentance:
When I shut the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:13-14)
Recently I gave a message on this text to The Man in the Mirror Bible Study entitled "A Call to National Repentance." You can view two excerpts on You Tube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyO-3v5uLh0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0j-498KMoI

Men, this problem is too big to be solved anywhere except on our knees. There is no human solution -- no human ingenuity -- that can fix this. Someone has said, "No matter how far you have traveled down a wrong road, the only solution is to turn back."

Will you join me in turning back to God? Will you join me in repenting? Will you join me in calling your friends and family to repent? Will you join me in calling for national repentance? Will you join me in calling our nation back to God?

National repentance is our only sure hope.


Yours for changed lives,



Patrick Morley, PhD

How Can a God of Love Send Anyone to Hell?

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Are We a Nation of Hindus?

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YouTube - Is it OK for a Christian couple to live together if they aren't married?

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http://www.churchcentral.com/article/Three-warning-signs-that-volunteers-are-losing-steam

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A POINTED, PASSIONATE PLEA TO THE PRESIDENT

It is such a powerful, prophetic word.

Episcopal Apostasy

"The Orthodox Are Finished"

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THAT SINKING FEELING

I don't always agree with everything Pat Buchanan says, but most of his views are on target. He tends to be too isolationist in foreign policy for example, and too anti-immigration (even of the legal aspect). But, here is something to consider:


This is a WorldNetDaily printer-friendly version of the article which follows. To view this item online, visit http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?pageId=104226

Friday, July 17, 2009
PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM
Socialist America sinking
Pat Buchanan: Even the CFR is seeing seriousness of nation's decline
Posted: July 16, 20098:41 pm Eastern
By Patrick J. Buchanan

After half a century of fighting encroachments upon freedom in America, journalist Garet Garrett published "The People's Pottage." A year later, in 1954, he died. "The People's Pottage" opens thus:
"There are those who still think they are holding the pass against a revolution that may be coming up the road. But they are gazing in the wrong direction. The revolution is behind them. It went by in the Night of Depression, singing songs to freedom."

Garrett wrote of a revolution within the form. While outwardly America appeared the same, a revolution within had taken place that was now irreversible. One need only glance at where we were before the New Deal, where we are and where we are headed to see how far we are off the course the Founding Fathers set for our republic.

Taxes drove the American Revolution, for we were a taxaphobic, liberty-loving people. That government is best that governs least is an Americanism. When "Silent Cal" Coolidge went home in 1929, the U.S. government was spending 3 percent of gross domestic product.

And today? Obama's first budget will consume 28 percent of the entire GDP; state and local governments another 15 percent. While there is some overlap, in 2009, government will consume 40 percent of GDP, approaching the peak of World War II.

The deficit for 2009 is $1.8 trillion, 13 percent of the whole economy. Obama is pushing a cap-and-trade bill to cut carbon emissions that will impose huge costs on energy production, spike consumer prices and drive production offshore to China, which is opting out of Kyoto II. The Chinese are not fools.

Obama plans to repeal the Bush tax cuts and take the income tax rate to near 40 percent. Combined state and local income tax rates can run to 10 percent. For the self-employed, payroll taxes add up to 15.2 percent on the first $106,800 for all wages of all workers. Medicare takes 2.9 percent of all wages above that. Then there are the state sales taxes that can run to 8 percent, property taxes, gas taxes, excise taxes and "sin taxes" on booze, cigarettes and, soon, hot dogs and soft drinks.

Comes now national health insurance from Nancy Pelosi's House. A surtax that runs to 5.4 percent of all earnings of the top 1 percent of Americans, who already pay 40 percent of all federal income taxes, has been sent to the Senate. Included also is an 8 percent tax on the entire payroll of small businesses that fail to provide health insurance for employees.

Other ideas on the table include taxing the health benefits that businesses provide their employees.

The D.C.-based Tax Foundation says New Yorkers could face a combined income tax rate of near 60 percent.

In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson called George III a tyrant for having "erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people and eat out their substance."

What did George III do with his Stamp Act, Townshend Acts or tea tax to compare with what is being done to this generation of Americans by their own government?

While the hardest-working and most productive are bled, a third of all wage-earners pay no U.S. income tax, and Obama plans to free almost half of all wage-earners of all income taxes. Yet, tens of millions get Medicaid, rent supplements, free education, food stamps, welfare and an annual check from Uncle Sam called an Earned Income Tax Credit, though they never paid a nickel in income taxes.

Oh, yes. Obama also promises everybody a college education.

Coming to America to feast on this cornucopia of freebies is the world. One million to 2 million immigrants, legal and illegal, arrive every year. They come with fewer skills and less education than Americans, and consume more tax dollars than they contribute by three to one.

Wise Latina women have more babies north of the border than they do in Mexico and twice as many here as American women.

As almost all immigrants are now Third World people of color, they qualify for ethnic preferences in hiring and promotions and admissions to college over the children of Americans.

All of this would have astounded and appalled the Founding Fathers, who after all, created America – as they declared loud and clear in the Constitution – "for ourselves and our posterity."

China saves, invests and grows at 8 percent. America, awash in debt, has a shrinking economy, a huge trade deficit, a gutted industrial base, an unemployment rate surging toward 10 percent and a money supply that's swollen to double its size in a year. The 20th century may have been the American Century. The 21st shows another pattern.

"The United States is declining as a nation and a world power with mostly sighs and shrugs to mark this seismic event," writes Les Gelb, president emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations, in CFR's Foreign Affairs magazine. "Astonishingly, some people do not appear to realize that the situation is all that serious."

Even the establishment is starting to get the message.

Let's Get Rid of Christianity!

Here is an article posted on Kairos Journal. In the times we live, with Christianity increasingly under assault, it is worthy of our consideration. Read on:


A Culture without Christianity? Imagine.

In 1971, John Lennon wrote a hymn for the secularist faith. The song, “Imagine,” fantasized about the state of world affairs if everyone were stripped of all beliefs and prejudices—with the notable exception, of course, of the former Beatle’s favorites. “Imagine there’s no heaven,” sang Lennon,

It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today . . .
Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace . . .

Now while there is certainly nothing wrong with peace, love, and understanding, the evidence suggests that Lennon’s dream world would in fact turn out to be a nightmare. That’s the conclusion of recent historical and sociological studies from two of America’s leading scholars: Rodney Stark from the University of Washington1 and Samuel P. Huntington from Harvard. Without any collusion, they have both found that the animating features that have made the West great—modern science, medicine, democracy and its attending freedoms—were the products of irreducibly Christian thinking derived from central biblical traditions.

In his 2004 book, Who Are We?, Huntington, arguably the most respected political scientist of our time, contends that the United States in particular faces a national identity crisis. What was the original identity? Beginning with G. K Chesterton’s analysis of America as “a nation with the soul of a church,” Huntington lists the following traits as explanatory of America’s success and global appeal:

the English language; Christianity; religious commitment; English concepts of the rule of law; the responsibility of rulers, and the rights of individuals; and dissenting Protestant values of individualism, the work ethic, and the belief that humans have the ability and the duty to try to create a heaven on earth, a “city on a hill.” Historically, millions of immigrants were attracted to America because of this culture and the economic opportunities it helped to make possible.2

In sum, the Harvard professor avers, it is the Anglo-Protestant culture that arose from scriptural foundations that made the United States great. Attempts to undermine this tradition, whether one ethnically arose from this context or not, he argues, are a misguided and dangerous social experiment which could unhinge the entire project.

In a similar manner, sociologist Rodney Stark tackles the secularist’s mantra that serious Christianity inhibits progress. This, Stark argues, is pure myth. To the contrary, for example, he demonstrates with lucid historical detail that “science could only arise in a culture dominated by belief in a conscious, rational, all-powerful Creator.”3 Further, against the charge that orthodox Christianity is inherently repressive, he makes the case that while believers have sometimes behaved horribly toward others (i.e., witch hunts and inquisitions), only people who believed “that slavery was an abomination in the eyes of God” were poised to defy the evil. “It was that conclusion,” writes Stark, “and only that conclusion, that enabled the West to abolish slavery.”4 The fear of God, in other words, means freedom for men.

Imagine a world without the Bible, without Christians, and without God? That is truly a frightening thought. It would mean more slavery, far fewer freedoms, and unchecked disease. Without the moral restraints inspired by God’s people, the world would no doubt be an unthinkably worse place in which to live. Even a self-professed relativist can appreciate that. All those who love liberty, or so it would seem, have a vested interest in the continued influence and vitality of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Footnotes:
1
Stark began teaching at Baylor University in 2004.
2
Samuel P. Huntington, Who Are We? The Challenges to America’s National Identity (New York: Simon and Schuster, 2004), xvi.
3
Rodney Stark, For the Glory of God: How Monotheism Led to Reformations, Science, Witch Hunts, and the End of Slavery (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2003), 197.
4
Ibid., 3.

YOU ARE IN GOOD HANDS

A friend of mine from India sent this to me the other day. I have seen it- before and perhaps you have, but it is a timely reminder:

A basketball in my hands is worth about $19.
A basketball in Michael Jordan's hands is worth about $33 million.
It depends whose hands it's in.

A baseball in my hands is worth about $6.
A baseball in Roger Clemens' hands is worth $475 million.
It depends on whose hands it's in.

A tennis racket is useless in my hands.
A tennis racket in Andre Agassi's hands is worth millions.
It depends whose hands it's in.

A rod in my hands will keep away an angry dog.
A rod in Moses' hands will part the mighty sea.
It depends whose hands it's in.

A slingshot in my hands is a kid's toy.
A slingshot in David's hand is a mighty weapon.
It depends whose hands it's in.

Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands is a couple of fish sandwiches.
Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in Jesus' hands will feed thousands.
It depends whose hands it's in.

Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse.
Nails in Jesus Christ's hands will
Produce salvation for the entire world.
It depends whose hands it's in.

As you see now, it depends whose hands it's in.
So put your concerns, your worries, your fears, your hopes, your dreams, your families and your relationships in God's hands because...
It depends whose hands it's in.


Looking at the circumstances that America finds itself in, on this month of celebrating our nation’s birth, and considering the challenges facing our church and evangelical Christianity as a whole, could lead us to throw up our hands and give up! In one sense, that would be a good thing!

If we give up on trying to be God and fix things beyond our control and lift our hands in praise and faith to an Almighty God we beseech in prayer, then that is a great thing! That isn’t to say that God might not see fit to use us as extensions of His hands, but that is the key after all. Too often we try to use God as our servant to accomplish our will, when He wants to use us as His servants to accomplish His will. But that can only be done as we relinquish control—letting go and letting God. This isn’t passivity, but it is Divine activity. Jesus gave the formula in John15:5-8:

5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

It would be good to recall the simple truth many of us learned as children: “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands!” That’s you and me, brothers and sisters.

NOTHING TO BRAG ABOUT

Al Mohler had this excellent post on his blog:

The issue of homosexuality presents all morally serious persons with an unavoidable question: What is the moral status of homosexual acts and relationships? One way or the other, some judgment on this matter will be made.

Are homosexual acts inherently wrong, dishonorable, and sinful? Or, is homosexuality morally neutral, with specific sexual acts and relationships determined to be either right or wrong by context and intention? Are homosexual acts morally good and honorable? These assertions of moral judgment represent something of the range of possibilities and cover most of the main alternatives.

Most Americans come to moral judgments by a complex and often confused process that combines moral intuition with emotivism and some (often quite minimal) knowledge of the history of moral judgment. Add to this the fact that most Americans are highly influenced by popular culture and mass opinion. In the end, as many observers have argued, most Americans are probably moral pragmatists at heart.

On an issue as controversial as homosexuality, moral confusion abounds. Americans respond to questions related to homosexuality with a range of often inconsistent and contradictory moral judgments. Ask a question about same-sex marriage one way and you get one answer. Change the question slightly, and you might get a very different response from the very same person.

President Barack Obama recently signed a proclamation designating the month of June as "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, 2009." The President declared:

Forty years ago, patrons and supporters of the Stonewall Inn in New York City resisted police harassment that had become all too common for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Out of this resistance, the LGBT rights movement in America was born. During LGBT Pride Month, we commemorate the events of June 1969 and commit to achieving equal justice under law for LGBT Americans.
President Obama is not the first American president to make such a declaration. In 2000, President Bill Clinton signed a similar executive order declaring June of that year as "Gay and Lesbian Pride Month." At that time, President Clinton stated:

This June, recognizing the joys and sorrows that the gay and lesbian movement has witnessed and the work that remains to be done, we observe Gay and Lesbian Pride Month and celebrate the progress we have made in creating a society more inclusive and accepting of gays and lesbians. I hope that in this new millennium we will continue to break down the walls of fear and prejudice and work to build a bridge to understanding and tolerance, until gays and lesbians are afforded the same rights and responsibilities as all Americans.

President Obama's proclamation goes far beyond the statement signed by President Clinton. After meeting massive opposition to his proposal to allow openly-homosexual citizens to serve in the Armed Forces, President Clinton crafted the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. In his declaration, President Obama pledges to end that policy. President Clinton signed the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996. President Obama has called for a repeal of that legislation.

In issuing his order, President Obama applauded the successes of the gay rights movement to date, but affirmed his judgment that "there is more work to be done." He called for enhanced federal hate crimes laws, adoption rights for homosexuals, and for "civil unions and Federal rights for LGBT couples," among other goals.

Nevertheless, the most morally significant dimension of President Obama's proclamation is the use of the word "pride." With the stroke of a pen, a vast moral judgment was communicated.

Given the background noise of cultural conversation, most Americans probably gave little thought to that word. Yet, by means of this proclamation President Obama called for all Americans to find pride in the fact that some of our fellow citizens are homosexual, bisexual, or transgendered.

This poses a big problem for citizens who believe that homosexuality is inherently sinful. Can we find pride in what we know to be sin? That question contains its own answer. There is no way that biblical Christians can join in the chorus of gay pride. The Bible is straightforward in its consistent identification of homosexual acts as inherently sinful. Homosexual acts are not singled out as the only form of sexual sin. The Bible condemns any number of heterosexual sins, ranging from fornication and adultery to a catalogue of forbidden acts and relationships.

Beyond sexual sins, the Bible condemns sins as various and deadly as anger, envy, covetousness, disobedience, gluttony, greed, and dishonesty. The Bible declares all of us to be sinners and makes clear that no one of us can even understand the full sinfulness of our own sin. Sin is deceptive and addictive. Sin leads to death, judgment, and eternal destruction.

The Bible allows no room for finding pride in sin. Indeed, such pride amounts to further evidence that sin is deceptive and subversive. Perhaps one of the most horrifying aspects of sin is just this -- we will find a way to be proud of our sin and the sins of others.

In signing this proclamation, President Obama put the issue right before us all. During the 1980s the gay rights movement began using the "pride" language in an effort to defy negative moral judgments about homosexuality. Calls for gay liberation became calls for gay pride. The new theme brought political, strategic, and psychological advantages. The assertion of homosexual pride is the ultimate rejection of normative heterosexuality.

Those citizens who believe that morality is mere social construction can go along with this. Those who believe that homosexuality is morally positive will champion the call for gay pride. Most Americans will probably give passing attention to the President's call. But Christians committed to the authority of the Bible as the Word of God cannot find pride in sin. To do so is not only to confuse sin, but to undermine the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Morally serious persons must take the President's proclamation as a morally serious act. As such, it demands a response. Evangelical Christians dare not respond with a claim of moral superiority as if we are not ourselves sinners. But we must be clear that we cannot find pride in sin, whether these are our own sins or those of others. The Gospel of Christ simply does not allow us to see sin -- any sin -- as a matter of pride.

© 2009, All rights reserved, www.AlbertMohler.com

WHAT’S RIGHT WITH THE CHURCH?

Yes, you heard me correctly—but, doesn’t it sound strange? We hear so much about what’s wrong with the church—and believe me, there are plenty of flaws to point out—that to even ask the question, “What’s right with the church?” is arresting to our ears. Are we fearful that we can find no answer?

Don’t worry—there is a lot that is right and good about the church. Even, more specifically, there is much to be thrilled about at Pole Creek. Let me list a few things:

God’s glory is the focus of our worship. Do we always hit the target? Not a bull’s eye every time, but it is always our goal. That is a good thing.

Someone could be saved at any service at Pole Creek. We unashamedly proclaim that Jesus saves—and that He is the only way to heaven. The cross is still central in our sanctuary and if a lost person attends, they will not be able to accuse us on the Day of Judgment of failing to share the Gospel.

The Holy Spirit still works. Would we pray for a mightier move of God’s Spirit? Sure—but He is moving. There will be those who are stirred, convicted, challenged and empowered by the ministries of the Body of Christ at Pole Creek.

The Bible is believed, taught and preached as the inspired Word of God. We have not deviated from sound doctrine. That can’t be said of every church in our area. You wouldn’t have to travel far to find apostasy just down the road—but the Scripture is foundational in what we do.

The Blessed Hope is still anticipated. We warn of hell, but we sing of heaven. Though there are members who likely give scant thought to the eternal state, so wrapped up in this present world are they. Yet, the core of this congregation is looking up and longing for the return of Christ.

Family is celebrated. Single adults are valued. We care for those with broken hearts and broken homes. When a marriage breaks, we grieve and seek to help people pick up the pieces. If someone is struggling with sexual sin, homosexual or otherwise, they will find Pole Creek speaking the truth in love. What you won’t find here is acceptance of abominable practices and unholy unions.

Children and teens are targeted for ministry. Pole Creek recognizes that the heritage of faith can’t die out with an older generation. Our commitment is to transmit the truth to those who will mature into young champions for Christ. Do we need more involvement and commitment to help in these ministries? Absolutely—but don’t miss the reality that a lot of good is being done.

Good music that is Bible-based, emotionally stirring and presented with excellence is featured. We may not hit a home run every time, but the musical score is more often than not a winner!

Sacrificial service is a hallmark. It would be wonderful if every member would be a minister. That’s ideal. However, if you began to add up the number of hours invested, the giftedness and energy utilized, and were to attempt to pay these workers it would be a staggering amount requiring millions of dollars. Do a few serve Christ for applause? Do some want a position without really performing? Grudgingly, we would say, “Yes”—but not a lot! Most serve only for the glory of God and the good of the church—motivated by love for Christ and His church alone!

Missions is still supported. Pole Creek is literally having an impact around the world. Through our prayers, our giving, and our going souls are being brought into the kingdom in places with names we can’t even pronounce. We could and should do more, but that doesn’t negate the fact that we do a lot—an incredible amount at home and abroad. We have young people answering the call to full-time Christian service. We have adult professionals that are giving of themselves to travel abroad and take the redeeming story of Jesus. There are senior adults that will work long hours for the Lord, though they are retired from secular jobs. Hallelujah!

Prayer is still offered. You will not get an argument from me, that we need a lot more participation in our prayer meetings. Yet, I would underscore that we do have a loyal band of intercessors—some praying in the morning at 6, others praying in the evening at 7, and all hours in between—some in group gatherings and more in private quiet places. God still answers the prayers of Pole Creek people.

Generosity is evident. Is there a need? People move to meet it. Over and again we have seen this church give and give to support the Lord’s work and to aid the Lord’s people. The economy has turned down, yet giving is actually up! That can’t be said everywhere. It costs more to do the work of the kingdom than ever while we struggle with family budgets where it costs more to make ends meet. A few may have cut back in their giving, but others have stepped up. In this we rejoice!

Fellowship is enjoyed. We like to get together. Some hang back. A few drop out. A handful may be harboring grudges. Let me tell you—I miss my church family when I can’t be with them and can’t wait till we get together again! Almost all of us feel the same way and that is something that brings joy to our Lord.

We have a committed and gifted staff. Don’t put us on a pedestal. We aren’t that good—but we ain’t too shabby either. I know these folks in the church office. I work with them. I see their lives and hear their prayers. Their heart for God and Pole Creek is indisputable. We are flawed flesh and blood—just like everyone reading this. Yet, God uses us by His grace.
Get the picture! There is a lot right with the church! I have only scratched the surface.

Now, you will hear a few critics from time to time. Frankly, ours isn’t the only good church around and if it were me and I weren’t happy, I’d find one where I would be. Trouble is, we usually take ourselves wherever we go and if we are unhappy people, it won’t be long until we’re unhappy somewhere else.

When two people marry, they suddenly realize that all is not as rosy as they thought. In courtship we choose to focus on the good stuff and in marriage to underscore the bad stuff. Both are there. Continue to look for the bad in your spouse and you’ll find it and before long divorce may seem the only way out—so you can remarry and make somebody else miserable! Wouldn’t it be better to extol the virtues of your mate—to love them warts and all? Maybe they will return the same courtesy to you!

That’s the way we ought to view Pole Creek. Not a perfect place—but we do have a lot of things going for us. Those who enjoy it have chosen to focus on the strengths. There is a lot that is right with the church!

AMERICAN IDOLS

Here is an article from Kairos Journal that needs to be considered:

American Astarte

“No trees. No telephones. No Jesus.” Thus begins a National Geographic article (September, 2002) on the paganism of supposed Eastern Orthodox Christians in Georgia’s Caucasus Mountains, east of the Black Sea. The title of the piece—“Crucible of the Gods.”

Though they traffic in the names of Christian saints and touch base with the liturgy and Christian symbols, their deepest devotion is to a spirit they call Khati. Beer is a sacred beverage, and animal sacrifice is common. At the same “service,” the citizens both read from the Bible and dip their hands in goat’s blood. And the ceremonial stone house, with its bell and brightly colored cloths, stands on a rise reminiscent of the “high places” used for idol worship in Bible times.

Sunday school children read about Moloch, Ashtoreth, and Baal in the Old Testament. For application, their teachers likely suggest that our “idols” are luxury cars, vacation homes, and championship trophies. But ancient paganism and idolatry are making a strong comeback in the midst of Western Civilization. It is not at all unusual to find self-proclaimed heathen material at local newsstands and in chain bookstores. Those wanting to order a devotional image of the goddess Astarte can turn to the ads in the back of pagan periodicals. (A nine-inch, $42 dollar model is available by mail from Sacred Source in Crozet, Virginia.) This is the same Astarte who appears as Ashtoreth in 2 Kings 23:13. Good King Josiah demolished her, but she’s back.
Type “pagan” into Internet search engines, and you’ll be overwhelmed by their products. There is even one for child raising, paganparenting.net. Through the catalogue store, Mom and Dad can order a pentagram-adorned t-shirt, ball cap, or coffee mug proclaiming, “Proud to Be a Pagan Parent.” Under “Kids’ Stuff,” they find new words for a familiar bedtime prayer—“Earth and Water, Fire and Air, Stay with me while Mom's not there.”

Meanwhile, in the Nevada desert, 120 miles north of Reno, 25,000 revelers recently attended the 17th annual Burning Man festival. Started in San Francisco, this arts-and-orgy campout culminates in the incineration of a 70-foot-high wooden man, while cheering celebrants dance below. The sponsors disavow occult connections, but many celebrants disregard the disclaimer.

The words “pagan” and “heathen” were coined with reference to those primitives who lived so far out in the wilderness (on the heath) that they’d missed out on the spread of Christianity in the cities. Now American towns have pagan chapters of their own. It is ironic that the mailing address for a leading Shamanic Wiccan church is Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin. That town is the namesake of the site where Moses dealt with worship of the golden calf (Ps. 106:19-20). Now Christians must once again deal with idolatry at Horeb—and in Chicago, London, and Rio.

Certainly, pastors should focus on the “gods” of materialism, ambition, and sensuality when preaching on idolatry. But they should not consider the Old Testament condemnation of graven images and pagan ritual as curious, ancient insects trapped in amber. These errors are alive and well, buzzing about in the atmosphere.
Missiologists tell us that conversion comes easier to a pagan or idol worshipper than to a Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, or atheist. Perhaps that is even true for those who have slid from Christian church attendance into heathenism. Whatever the case, the message of response is simple—Christianity 101: There is one God. His Only Begotten Son is Savior and Lord. Salvation comes by grace through faith. Repent, trust, and follow Jesus.

DEALERS IN HOPE

John Maxwell says that leaders are “dealers in hope.” In these distressing times, I am confronted with this pivotal responsibility. All about us, it seems like things are coming unglued. The government is spending us into oblivion. Terrorism is still a clear and present danger. American Christianity is in decline while those of other faiths and the strident anti-faith storm troopers are in the ascendancy. Along with the moral freefall and economic downturn, it seems reasonable to feel like Custer at Little Big Horn.

“What then shall we say to these things?” We join the Apostle Paul in asking that vexing question. Yet, we dare not neglect the confident assertion that follows, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

Facing a seemingly impossible task and intractable foes, this little Jew marched out and took the message of hope and change (REAL hope and change—not empty political promises) to the nations and the world has never been the same! Beaten, burdened, broke and besmirched, this faithful servant of Christ met each obstacle as an opportunity and with the dawn of every day drank in the sunshine of hope, and went about dispensing it to all the thirsty souls he encountered in his travels.

We are not like the goofy Alfred E. Newman of MAD magazine fame—a fictional figure of epic naïveté whose favorite expression is, “What, me worry?” Neither are we Glumm the Lilliputian cartoon character in The Adventures of Gulliver who met each difficulty by saying, “We’re doomed! We’ll never make it!” Our feet are firmly planted in reality, while our faith is grounded in revelation—God’s sure and steadfast promises! Jesus presented this balance when He stated, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but, be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Child of God, you have every reason to be filled with hope! Not wishful thinking—not hope so, maybe so kind of stuff—but, hope that is “an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast” (Hebrews 6:19a). When all that is of this world is shaky, we need not be shaken, recognizing God is just sifting out the dirt until all that remains is pure gold of eternal quality. My prayer for each of you is, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13 NIV). What else would you expect me to say? It’s my job! I am a dealer in hope.

THE TENSION OF SUBMISSION TO AUTHORITY AND SPEAKING PROPHETICALLY

There is a tension between the need to speak out to the sins of society and the the need to respect government authority. Scripture is clear that the Christian is to submit to the authority of government since it is instituted by God. Beyond that, even those in power are appointed by God. They may act like the devil, or may be ambivalent to their God-ordained responsibility, but irrespective of that we are to respect the position, even if we have difficulty respecting the person and especially their policies! The exception to this being that if human authority calls upon us to violate God's law, we must obey God rather than man, as did Peter and John when threatened by the government for preaching the Gospel.

So, how does one respectfully speak to immoral and unjust policies without coming across as sarcastic or disrespectful? That's the tough part. Surely, we cannot be silent when it comes to crying out against legalized murder--what we call abortion--or the destruction of free enterprise through a Marxist philosophy--what is termed economic stimulus--or the proliferation of pornography--what is promoted as free speech.

The balance is what Paul called, "speaking the truth in love." Surely, it is what Moses did when confronting Pharaoh. It was doubtless the tone taken by Nathan as he exposed King David's sin. It is what Elijah did when addressing Ahab. It was the manner of John the Baptist preaching to Herod. It is how Paul dealt with the authorities of his day. Supremely, it is how Jesus spoke to Pilate. Those are our models.

We cannot be so passive as to cower down and refuse to stand for righteousness and against evil. Otherwise, we are complicit with the assault on God and people, much as many Germans who looked the other way when Hitler was pursuing his "Final Solution." How can that be real love--love for God and love for people--that would allow sheep to be herded to the slaughter? That is what we are witnessing in America today--the trail that leads to the butcher shop! But neither can we condone violence in our methods or racism in our messages that show disregard for both truth and love. Some of the "challenges" addressed to the current administration seem to have these as undercurrents, and that is a polluted stream.

Revival or ruin? Which path will we take? Let us pray for our elected officials as Scripture enjoins us. When they are offtrack, let us speak the truth in love. May we not be silent when we ought to speak and speak righteously and respectfully--we don't have to sacrifice one for the other. It is a tension and it is tough. But it can be done. It must be done, for Christ has called us to be in the world, yet not of the world. For the present we are here, and who knows but what we have come to this kingdom for such a time as this?

THURMAN AND TWITTER

I am now "a twitter" or is that a "tweeter?" Irrespective, I am attempting to leverage a new technology to accomplish my mission in life, "to reache people where they are and lead them to become like Jesus." How all this will work remains to be seen. If anyone has suggestions, I am open to them.

THE WINDS OF CHANGE

The winds of change are blowing. In a few days, we will witness the beginning of change of leadership in our country. Unlike many nations around the world, the citizens will determine the outcome—no dictatorships. Power will be transferred without bloodshed—no military coup d’états. As we approach the Thanksgiving season, we can be grateful for America—with all her flaws—that we still have the freedoms we enjoy.

Yet, those freedoms can be lost. We can be thankful for the brave men and women of our military who sacrifice so much—even their very lives—to preserve these liberties we cherish. We appreciate those blood-bought privileges too much to surrender them.

Or will we?

Many Americans will refuse to participate in the political process. Disenfranchised, disgruntled, disillusioned—all this and more—are reasons (excuses) presented by citizens for dropping out of involvement. No one would argue that real change is hard to come by. Our government features a monstrous, entrenched bureaucracy that is slow to affect. The winds of change required to turn that around would need to be hurricane force! Still, with the help of God, they could be generated by “we the people.”

One of the saddest things is when Christians divorce their faith from their politics. Some will not even register and cast a ballot. When that happens, things still change—for the worse. If God’s people are not influencing the nation by letting their light shine, then darkness will only deepen. Should we fail to be the salt of society, the rottenness will only spread. That is beyond sad—it is sinful! For that is what Christ has demanded we do (Matthew 5:13-16). “To him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17).

How can we consider the legal execution of infants inside the “gas chamber” of their mother’s womb through abortion and not be involved in the political process that has given us this holocaust? How can we sit by while fundamental morality is undermined by a government that is giving us same sex marriage? Just days ago, a group of first-grade school children were taken on a “field trip” in San Francisco to “celebrate” the wedding of their teacher and her lesbian lover. How dare we avoid bringing biblical values to bear in our decision-making? Some would protest, “But those are decisions made by judges!” Who appoints those judges? Who holds them accountable? That is the duty of our elected officials. So, who then is responsible for them? Look in a mirror.

If we continue on our current course as a country, the winds of change will blow—and God will generate them. Here will be the results, predicted in Revelation 6:13-17:

13 And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind.
14 Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.
15 And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains,
16 and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!
17 For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”

I read a bumper sticker the other day, “God is not a Republican.” Of course not—and neither is He a Democrat! Recall how Joshua came to the siege of Jericho with the armies of Israel when a Man with drawn sword appeared. General Joshua’s question was, “Are you for us or against us?” That Man was the Lord, and His answer was basically, “I didn’t come to take sides; I came to take over.” You say Jesus is Lord. That means He is Lord of the polling place, also. Our responsibility isn’t to try to convince God to join our party, but for us to be obedient to Him. Abraham Lincoln said it this way, “My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.”

Be informed. Be praying. Be involved. I’m not going to tell you how to cast your vote. You have the freedom to vote for whom you wish. Just remember that we will all give an account to God for all our actions one day.

The winds of change are blowing. Let us set our sails to head in the right direction.

REVIVAL? OF WHAT?

Well, it's been a while since I posted anything. So, why not come back with a bang! Perhaps you've heard of the revival in Lakeland, Florida? If not, you will. My question is, "What is it a revival of?" Consider the following article:

“BAM! BAM! BAM!” said the false prophet
By Marsha West

Faith evangelist Todd Bentley has drawn hundreds of thousands to his Florida Healing Revival to “soak in the glory and spread the fire.” Before you pack up the car or purchase an airline ticket and head to Lakeland Florida, here’s a word of warning: Christians who play with fire will get burned.

All the controversy over the Lakeland Outpouring is causing deep division within the Church. Some Christians believe Bentley is bringing a long overdue revival. They argue that since people are getting healed it’s a move of God. But a growing number of believers say he’s a fraud. So which is it? Is Todd Bentley a prophet of God, or just another huckster? Let’s examine the evidence to find out if a genuine revival is going on in Lakeland.

There’s a plethora of video clips online that show Bentley in all his raging glory, stalking the stage. In one clip I watched, he’s bragging about “grounding and pounding” people who have come to him for healing. In another clip he declares that God told him to batter a woman’s legs with a baseball bat. He then boasts how he has applied choking moves on sick people who come to him for help. Then there’s the story of the “Chinese guy” he “hit so hard that a tooth popped out of his mouth.” Bentley’s “healing” is often so brutal that some witnesses compare it to WWF Smackdown! The man may be a wrestling aficionado, but he’s definitely not a prophet of God. No offense, but he is as phony as most professional wrestlers. But don’t take my word for it. Watch the video clips in this article and you’ll discover that I’m not making any of this up. Here’s the first clip: http://youtube.com/watch?v=_K8XjObzfXM

What struck me about this clip is that people in the audience, most of whom are professing Christians, laughed and applauded as Bentley blamed God for telling him to inflict pain on people! The Apostles never behaved in such an appalling manner. Would Paul kick a senior citizen in the head, even with lightweight sandals on his feet? Peter may have been hotheaded, still he would never have resorted to grounding and pounding the sick in order to heal them. Now, imagine John choking someone and saying that God told him to do it! What I have just described is Todd Bentley’s WWF style of healing.

Many of Bentley’s “healings” are not instantaneous, by the way. For example, a man claimed partial restoration of his hearing on Wednesday and on Thursday he claimed his hearing was completely restored. Both Jesus and the Apostle’s healings were instantaneous, and that’s because they were authentic. People were restored to full health. Not in Lakeland, though, where they experience “miracles in progress.”

Something I found odd is how Bentley feigns wide-eyed surprise at some of his “miracle healings.” Since he’s allegedly healed masses of people for a number of years, why does he look so amazed when people are healed? The answer is obvious. He plays the audience! And he’s oh so effective at “priming the pump” to keep their minds engaged.

Restoring someone’s missing eye or severed hand is an outward healing. Todd Bentley’s “healings” are inward. Glaringly absent are restored body parts. Several video clips show people allegedly healed of cancer, heart problems, tumors, diabetes, deafness, asthma, fibromialgia, broken bones, and so on. Again, Bentley’s healings are not outward like the genuine healings of Jesus and the Apostles. Moreover, he claims to have raised people from the dead!

The obvious question is if miraculous healings like the sort Jesus performed are actually taking place in Lakeland, where’s the proof? Photos and videos of people with restored limbs and missing body parts would be splashed all over national TV and the Internet, especially on Christian news sites. Where are the “before” and “after” pictures of burn victims, kids with cleft pallots and other obvious birth defects? Absent are stories from Alzheimer’s sufferers who miraculously regained their memories. One blogger made this astute comment:

“Bentley’s close friend and mentor, Bob Jones is sick with kidney problems and is obese. Todd Bentley is overweight and balding and had a recent heart attack. Quite a few of Todd Bentley’s musicians and singers, as others have remarked, are also very big so there is no miraculous weight loss anointing or healing baldness anointing or any healing anointing working among them -- and Todd claims the anointing drops pounds off fat people and puts hair on heads. James Goll’s wife is seriously ill with cancer. Get my drift?” [1]

In the next clip an eleven-year-old boy with Cerebral Palsey who cannot walk without a walker has a dream of running around the baseball diamond. The boy sincerely believes he’s been healed. (This one brought me to tears.) He struggles to speak as he relays his “healing” experience to the crowd. All the while his mother holds onto his shaky body to keep him from falling. The boy cannot stand alone, let alone run. Yet he’s told by Bentley that he’s a “healing in progress.” Then before the boy knows what hit him, BAM! he’s “slain in the spirit” (pushed to the floor). Watch it and weep: http://youtube.com/watch?v=dcqmShgqbw8&feature=related

What did Jesus do?

“Then he [Jesus] said to the paralytic, ‘Get up, take your mat and go home.’ And the man got up and went home” (Mat 9:6-7).

What about Peter?

“As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the saints in Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, a paralytic who had been bedridden for eight years. ‘Aeneas,’ Peter said to him, ‘Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and take care of your mat.’ Immediately Aeneas got up. All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord” (Acts 9:32-35).

The obvious question is, does Satan have the power to heal? The answer is that he gives the appearance of healing, but it’s a counterfeit. It’s true that God performs miraculous signs and wonders. And the apostles performed signs and wonders and miracles by the power of the Holy Spirit. Sorcerers perform “miraculous lying signs and wonders” that lead people astray and keep them from the truth. But lying signs and wonders may not be miraculous at all. Satan has the power to deceive, “even the elect—if that were possible.” Some faith-healers use social emotional and psychological manipulation to get people to to change their behavior, their attitude, even their morals. In a crowded setting people are more susceptible to manipulation tactics. This is known as peer pressure. Responding to peer pressure is part of human nature.

In his article SOAKING? A spiritual discipline or Eastern Mysticism, Gary Gilley describes psychological manipulation thus:

“John Arnott writes [in his book The Father’s Blessing]: It is no coincidence that we have seen people prophetically acting like lions, oxen, eagles and even warriors. In Steve Witt's church in St. Johns, New Brunswick, I saw all four of those manifestations happening at the same time -- the ox, the eagle, the lion and the man (warrior). The lion and eagle manifestations accompanied prophesying. The man who was acting out the part of the warrior had both hands gripped together around the hilt of a sword, and he was swinging it. These warrior actions give the observer a real feel of battlefield action. The people who were doing this were mostly credible pastors or leaders. I was astonished but sensed the awesome presence of God.

"One lady who played the keyboard and weighed about 115 pounds was on all fours, snorting and pawing the ground like an angry ox or bull. It was obvious that she was surprised and a bit frightened by what was happening, but at the same time she seemed determined to follow the Spirit's leading (p. 178).”

People who follow the “Spirit’s leading” in this way look like they’re crazy, drunk or possessed, which is the reason Scripture doesn’t support foolish behavior! In this next clip a group of people line up to receive the “anointing.” This is actually scary! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTsYSR9kEeg

Scripture never mentions lying supine on the floor sizzling like bacon in a frying pan as Bentley induces people to do. Nor does it mention crying or laughing hysterically, screaming, shaking all over, clucking, mooing, barking and roaring “in the spirit.” This may come as a surprise to some Christians, but being slain in the spirit is not normative in Scripture. Read 1 Cor. 14 to learn what God wants a church service to look like. Paul makes it clear that, “Everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.”

I find the next clip disturbing on so many levels. Watch what’s taking place in the Ashrams of India, the cults, the New Age movement, even inside the church! Popular Word of Faith teacher Kenneth Copeland gets in on the act and comes close to mussing his hair: Watch the mindless mind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtVGxJU-j2I

In Galatians 5:22-25 Paul describes the “fruit of the spirit” and how to live a Spirit-filled life. Ponder these verses and decide for yourself if the fruit produced by the Lakeland Outpouring is fresh or rotten. The fruit of the Spirit is “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit”

I wonder, are faith-healers recruited by the U.S. military to heal soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center who have sustained horrific injuries, from lost limbs to burns to blindness. Benny is always trapsing around the world to bring healing to the sick. One can’t help but wonder how much time he spends bring healing to our brave American soldiers. Our Lord healed the sick in his own backyard:

As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." He called out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" "Lord, I want to see," he replied. Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God” (Luke 18:34-43).

Now for more “fire burning heat healings” from Todd Bentley. Only this time he takes credit for a three year-old girl’s resurrection from dead. http://youtube.com/watch?v=-u56Z2A2NoA&feature=related

According to Charisma Magazine, Arnold Palmer Hospital denied the report. A blogger who believes the girl was healed claims that the she died a second time “under mysterious circumstances.” [2]

After watching Bentley in action, any reasonable person would have to conclude that the Florida Healing Outpouring is not a movement of the Holy Spirit as those involved in it believe. This so-called “revival” was birthed in the pit of hell. And speaking of hell, Bentley claims that the audible voice of God told him to pretend to be demon possessed during a Charismatic Catholic meeting. At first he argues with “God” about it, but then caves in and does as the voice tells him. Suddenly he finds himself “writhing around on the floor like a serpent.” Then a demonic power commences speaking from his mouth and he starts cursing and using profanity. Fortunately for him a first-rate faith-healer is on the scene to grab the bull by the horns. The “healer” proceeds to cast twenty-five demons out of Bentley’s body. Don’t take my word for it, watch the next clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtSK9TyduR4

Bentley has a demon alright -- the demon of heresy! (Naming demons is not biblical, by the way, nor is “binding demons.” But that’s another article.) How can a born again Christian be possessed by demons when the Bible says, “The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1John 4:4). The Holy Spirit indwells true Christians. Moreover, the New Testament does not mention that believers should be concerned with becoming demon possessed. So let’s set the “demons can possess believers” myth to rest once and for all. It can’t happen. Oppressed, yes, possessed, never!

Not surprisingly, Todd Bentley is obsessed with angels. Many of his followers have heard his tall tale of how a 14-foot angel “towers in the apartment,” where he lived. Seven days after the “visitation” he went into ministry. Listen to him “telling the honest truth” about a “visitation from heaven” and how it led to his healing ministry in Albany, Oregon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSlt0_8HwMk&feature=related

It matters not to Bentley’s followers that his angel encounters are unbiblical. He has received “visitations” from the “Winds of Change” and his money gathering angel, Emma. On money matters Bentley offers this advice in his article, Angels and the Florida Healing Revival:

"So when I need a financial breakthrough I don't just pray and ask God for my financial breakthrough. I go into intercession and become a partner with the angels by petitioning the Father for the angels that are assigned to getting me money: ‘Father, give me the angels in heaven right now that are assigned to get me money and wealth. And let those angels be released on my behalf. Let them go into the four corners of the earth and gather me money.’"

Where do I begin? First, and most importantly, Bentley’s understanding of angels is unbiblical. God does not instruct humans to partner with angels, nor are we to pray to an angel. The word “angel” means “messenger.” God sends messengers to humans via elect-holy angels. Humans are to pray directly to the Father in heaven. Nowhere in the bible are believers instructed to elicit the help of an angel to accumulate wealth! Hence, the “angels” Bentley prays to could not possibly be messengers from God. If you believe that he’s “telling the honest truth” about his “visitations,” understand that the advice he receives is from fallen angels, AKA demons. Had Todd Bentley taken the time to study the Bible to find out what it says about the host of heaven, he’d know that his “visitations” are from the dark side! (Angelology is out of the scope of this article. If you wish to find out what the Bible says about angels, visit NewsWithViews.com and read my articles on angels 3.)

Todd Bentley says he has conversations with God. He continually spouts, “the Lord told me…” and passes along to the audience what the Lord supposedly said. But would God really instruct him to kick a woman in the face with a biker boot? First of all, if he actually “obeyed” the voice, he’d have been arrested for battery! Or sued!

What’s up with the people Bentley employs? There are a number of them on stage with him at all times. Apparently they stood idly by when he assaulted helpless sick people, even knocked a man’s tooth out! The question Bentley’s devotees must ask themselves is does this sickening behavior in any way glorify the Holy Trinity?

I’m inclined to believe the “voice” Todd Bentley says he hears is not God at all. Either he’s hearing from demons or it’s a figment of his imagination. It is not in God’s character to lie, nor would the Almighty honor someone who blatantly twists Scripture.

Following is an excerpt from an article I wrote, Found: God’s Will:

“God speaks to us through the pages of Scripture. ‘For all our talk about sola Scriptura,’ says Greg Koukl, ‘many also hold that God speaks to them on a regular basis giving true information about Himself and specific directions for their lives. Their claim is, essentially, “I believe the Bible is a bona fide source of information and the Spirit also gives private information directly to me.” The second step frequently follows the first: The personal, subjective sense of what a person thinks God is telling him trumps the objective Scripture.’

“Koukl makes an important point. Should what we hear in our mind take precedence over what Scripture says? Christians will often toss out the phrase, ‘God told me’ that they should do this or that. Or ‘I felt led,’ or ‘I sensed that God wanted me to___’ You fill in the blank. Televangelists, who pretend to have a direct pipeline to God, prance around in front of the TV camera, claiming to hear a ‘word from the Lord.’ At the risk of sounding negative or divisive, most televangelists teach outright heresy (I can prove it), so why would God speak to them at all? Frauds should not expect to hear from God; they should expect to be rebuked by God.” [4]

And by the way, it’s blasphemous to blame God for giving you instructions that goes against the teaching of Scripture!

Bud Press made this insightful comment about Bentley:

“Bentley has a desire for power and experience, which has become the ruin of many before him. If one takes Bentley’s view as realistic and tries to make it normative for today, then maybe we should continue to write Scripture and add it to the Bible. Because that is exactly what Bentley is doing.” [5]

In their book Overrun By Demons: The Churches New Preoccupation With The Demonic, the authors explain the working of the Holy Spirit:

“The Holy Spirit is the One who works in us and leads us, while the Word of God is the means that He uses to bring this about. They are best friends and never travel alone. In addition, they never have an argument; they always agree. After all, the Holy Spirit is the agent used by the Father to write the Scriptures, so He knows them quite well! Therefore the Holy Spirit would never lead anyone to do anything which conflicts with the written Word of God, no matter how convincing the circumstances or intense the experience” [6]

Satan’s counterfeit signs and wonders have one purpose: To destroy the work of Christ. For those who are all caught up in the “sings and wonders” movement here are a few scriptures to ponder:

“Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD” (Jer 13:16)

“A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah." Jesus then left them and went away” (Mat 16:4).

“Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears” (Acts 20:30-31).

“Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!” (Gal 5:7-8).

“The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved” (2 Thes 2:9-10).

“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths” (2 Tim 4.3-4).

There are other verses that support this point, but you get the idea. Video clips exposing the Lakeland Outpouring abound. Some of them are far worse than those few I have selected. Most who watch Todd Bentley in action conclude that the man is a false prophet. In my opinion he’s deeply troubled and in dire need of prayer.

Over the years I’ve corresponded with a number of charismatics who have accused me of “quenching the Holy Spirit.” What I’ve found is that if you don’t share their experiences, you’re considered “outside.” In other words, if you don’t buy into the apostate “signs and wonders” movement you lack “divine revelation.” Since when does “experience” override Sola Scriptura? “To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching [Scripture], you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free’" (John 8: 31-32).

This is why committed Christians must be in the Word – so that they will know the truth! Knowing Scripture is the only way to become spiritually attuned enough to spot a counterfeit. False teachers are thriving! But in the end they will lose all they have gained here on earth. In Mat 7:21 our Lord gives this stern warning: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'”

So when a “miracle” takes place, test what the person is teaching! “Do not believe every spirit,” warned John, “but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 John 4:1-2).

Now, I don’t claim to know Todd Bentley’s motives, only God knows what he’s up to, but I can certainly judge his words and actions. His words are lies and his actions are dishonoring to God. Thousands are streaming into Lakeland to receive the false anointing. Visitors are treated to a magical mystical experience and a bizarre floorshow – literally! Countless people have found themselves on the floor “sizzling in the spirit.” This is not an authentic revival it is a counterfeit! True revival accompanies preaching about sin, sanctification, and salvation. The unsaved leave Lakeland with no concept of sin and repentance. They have not heard the true gospel from Bentley. “By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain” (1 Cor 15:1-2).

After watching Bentley’s performance, I’m convinced this is not a move of God; it’s a move of the Adversary. I’m also convinced that the charismatic revival, hailed as another Great Awakening, is a lying sign and a false revival. I realize that some lost souls are coming to Christ in Lakeland but they’re being saved in spite Todd Bentley, not because of him! This has all come about because of a lack of spiritual depth and transformation among those who claim to be committed Christians.

One last comment. Any pastor who advises his/her flock to visit the Lakeland Outpouring cannot be trusted for the simple reason that he/she is sorely lacking in spiritual discernment. Consider looking for a new church!

Footnotes:
[1] End Times Prophetic, Prophecy, Visions, Dreams, Revelation, Christian Blog
http://endtimespropheticwords.wordpress.com/2008/05/27/video-of-todd-bentley-choking-the-flock-quite-literally/
[2] Miracles, Part 3, blog http://groups.msn.com/TheConservativeVillage/coffee.msnw?action=get_message&mview=1&ID_Message=51024
[3] Articles By Marsha West (A slew of angel verses in Additional Reading below)
http://newswithviews.com/West/marshaA.htm
[4] For a biblical understanding of angles, read Unbiblical Ideas About Angels, By Marsha West
http://newswithviews.com/West/marsha59.htm
[5] An Open Heaven- Todd Bentley's Highway to Heaven, By Bud Press
http://www.letusreason.org/Latrain45.htm
[6] Overrun by Demons: The Churches New Preoccupation With The Demonic, By Thomas Ice and Robert Dean, Jr., page 88, Harvest House Publishers

Additional Reading:
What Is True Revival? Originally published August, 1989, By Charles Woodruff
http://thirdmill.org/newfiles/cha_woodruff/cha_woodruff.whatistruerevival.html

Scriptures on angels from Sola Scriptura Project website: http://solascriptura.com/tp_angels.php

Signs and Wonders, Heresy, and Love for God, By Mike Ratliff http://mikeratliff.wordpress.com/2008/06/11/signs-and-wonders-heresy-and-love-for-god/

Holy Laughter or Strong Delusion, By Warren Smith
http://www.discernment-ministries.org/Holy_Laughter.htm
Other Todd Bentley “healings” on YouTubeDistributed by www.ChristianWorldviewNetwork.com

So there--is this a revival? Of demonism? Spiritism? Charismania? Occultism?

Real revival means--humilty not celebrity; prayer not flair; passion for God not passion for the odd; conviction of sin not confusion of speech--then God hears from heaven, forgives our sin and heals our land (see 2 Chronicles 7:14). That's what we need, and rather than this circus being an evidence of revival, it is an evidence of the need for it! We are so far from God, we can't even recognize where to find Him--but I would suggest you save your time and not look in Lakeland, Florida.