Real Hope For America: VOTE "JESUS" in 2012

America's Greatest Need                                                       

This morning I read the heartbreaking account of a Texas teen, Bridgett Frisbie, 17, murdered "execution style" by Alexander Olivieri, 19.* This murder was part of an apparent cover-up for a previous drive-by shooting that was committed by Olivieri at the behest of Frisbie. (This all happened in April of this year.) Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of the story is reflected in Olivieri's mugshot. It was said of him during his trial, "He tries and fails to hold back a grin."

The irreverent countenance of this teen killer is reminiscent of 24 year-old James Holmes, as he stood trial for the recent shootings in an Aurora, Colorado movie theater. Holmes, like Oliveiri, displayed no remorse for his crimes, but rather a distant, entranced expression. Stories such as these, and many others, are symptomatic of America's greatest problem today. No, its not Iran's nuclear weapons initiatives, its not the struggling job market, its not even same sex marriage-- the greatest problem facing Americans is that we are a people without a conscience. Or a more biblical way to put it, America needs the fear of God.

Proverbs 16:6, "Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;
    through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided."

Hosea 4:6a, 14b, "...My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge...  a people without understanding will come to ruin!"

"Most Christian to Post-Christian"                                       

The United States is, by and large, a post-Christian nation. That is to say, there has been a regression from post-WWII days when Billy Graham Crusades aired on national television and "In God We Trust" was first printed on currency in 1957-- a time when America had somewhat of a "Christian golden age".**

From that time on-- somewhere between the 1960's Counterculture, coupled with with the Sexual Revolution, which gave rise to the Feminist and Gay Rights movements; somewhere between prayer being removed from schools and the Ten Commandments removed from courthouses and other public places; somewhere between the popularization of Eastern religions and relatvisim creating for religious pluralism, which values tolerance over truth; somewhere between Catholic Priests molesting young boys and Evangelical leaders stealing money from their people-- we as Americans went from most Christian to post-Christian.

The following is a breakdown of how these changes have shaped the average American mindset:

• Our identity is derived from New Age / Eastern religions that tells us we are God.
• Our ethics are founded on secular humanism / naturalism that tells us there is no god and we are merely evolved primates, the outcome of a cosmic accident.
• Our worship is directed at the gods of entertainment who present us with more sex and violence than we can shake a stick at.

Romans 1:21-23, "For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.  Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles."

Do you see a pattern here? In rejecting God's Word, we have disintegrated our foundations of truth, morality, and the value of human life. Is it any wonder that a James Holmes can walk into a crowded place and shoot with no regard as to whether he is killing someone's husband, mother or child? Granted, not nearly everyone is a James Holmes, but the rise of senseless violence in our nation is undeniable. I said all of this without mentioning the rates of divorce, STD's, drug use, depression, white collar crime, and fatherless homes. Behind all this is the underlying issue: America has a God problem.

Proverbs 29:18, "Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction."

Finding the Real Problem                                                      

Conservative Christians are often accused of majoring on the minors. It is said that we are so obsessed with whether gay people marry or whether or not women choose to abort their children, as if those things have any bearing on the struggling economy or the threat of nuclear war. And, while I'm sure there can be arguments made for the correlation between those things, I appeal as a person of faith to this one premise: God will not bless what He promised He would curse.

Proverbs 14:34, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people."

God cannot smile on a people who have slaughtered over 50 million of their own young. God will not wink His eye while gross immorality is broadcasted on prime time television and is the theme of so much top selling music. God cannot impart wisdom or peace in schools and courtrooms where He has been evicted. I believe Anne Graham Lotz said it well in an interview on CBS' "The Early Show" shortly after 9/11:

"I say God is also angry when he sees something like this. I would say also for several years now Americans in a sense have shaken their fist at God and said, God, we want you out of our schools, our government, our business, we want you out of our marketplace. And God, who is a gentleman, has just quietly backed out of our national and political life, our public life. Removing his hand of blessing and protection. We need to turn to God first of all and say, God, we’re sorry we have treated you this way and we invite you now to come into our national life. We put our trust in you. We have our trust in God on our coins, we need to practice it."***

If we are honest with ourselves, with the facts, and with God and His Word, we must admit that we as a people deserve God's wrath. In fact, it is evidence of God's huge mercy that we haven't suffered complete economic collapse, that Iran has not yet nuked us, and that the Gospel is still being preached here.

Where Does Your Hope Lie?                                                 

As a Christian and a Chicagoan, I was very hopeful a few months back to hear that Mayor Rahm Emanuel had been meeting with pastors on an ongoing basis, and that he'd even attended the churches of some of those pastors. My hopes were deflated, however, when Emanuel recently opened his mouth, rebuking a Christian wanting to do business in his city, saying that "their values do not reflect Chicago's values." But that should not have come as a surprise, after all was I really hoping in a liberal politician to bring about godly change in our city?

Let's look at another example of misplaced hopes. When Barack Obama was elected to the presidency in 2008, many black Christians and leaders were outspoken that he would be fulfillment of Martin Luther King's "dream."  In point to fact, black communities are still struggling with the same setbacks they had during Bush's presidency. In point to fact, Obama has done more to abort black babies than any other president before him!****

Well, Mitt Romney surely is not Obama. He identifies himself as being Conservative and having strong faith values, but is Romney what America needs? That remains to be seen. What I can tell you with confidence, however, is there is no such thing as a political savior.

Listen, I love Reagan as much as the next guy, but Reagan didn't bring revival! And nobody is saved in the name of Reagan! Who are really looking to?? Jesus! And guess what? Jesus did not run for office, nor He did not kiss up to Pilate, and He didn't lobby with the Pharisees and Sadducees! Jesus came as a Servant and when He was on trial by this godless world He said:

John 18:36, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” 

As a practical exhortation, I would encourage the reader to exercise their rights to vote and to free speech in the political arena. But know that the battle for a nation is fought on our knees! This nation needs nothing more and nothing less than a move of God! Let us appeal to Him who is sovereign, wise and merciful to heal our land!

Proverbs 29:26, "Many seek an audience with a ruler, but it is from the Lord that one gets justice."

In closing, I will leave you with Leonard Ravenhill's "Ten Commandments of Revival" that he adapted from Joel 2:15-17,

1. Blow the trumpet in Zion
2. Sanctify a fast
3. Call a solemn assembly
4. Gather the people
5. Sanctify the congregation
6. Assemble the elders
7. Gather the children, and those that suck the breasts
8. Let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet
9. Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep.
10. Let them say, "Spare Thy people, O Lord."

Endnotes, Works Cited:

*Article taken from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/30/alexander-olivieri-killing_n_1721127.html?icid=maing-grid7|maing6|dl1|sec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D186249 on July 31, 2012.

**That is not to broad brush this era as though absolutely perfect and without turmoil. It is duly noted that the 1950's saw racism and segregation at a fever pitch, the Cold War, and other controversies.

*** Quote taken from an atheist web site which called Lotz an "insane preacher." They by no means represent the author's point of view. Taken from http://francoistremblay.wordpress.com/2006/07/29/piece-of-propaganda-1-ann-graham-lotz/ on July 31, 2012.

****It is well documented that the vast majority of abortions take place in black communities. Also Obama's voting record reflects a strong pro-abortion stance. For more info visit: http://blackgenocide.org/black.html

Why Sound Doctrine Is Important

Choosing the Right Foundation

          Perhaps you have heard the saying, “If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.” This rings very true in our culture today. By the time most people reach college age they will have been exposed to many different opinions and worldviews. Internet, television, movies, music, school curriculum, and the latest bestselling books are constantly pushing many different ideas and values upon us, whether we ask for them or not. They seem to have answers for all of life’s questions—Who am I? Why am I here? Is there a God? What do I do with my life? How can I know right and wrong? But with so many different views being presented, we often find ourselves very lost and very empty.

          About 2,000 years ago, Jesus walked the earth and gave some of the most profound and clear teachings about life. The things He taught and the example He set for mankind is like no other prophet or religious leader—Jesus changed the world. As Christians, it is very important for us not to take His words casually as if we can take it or leave it, or just pick out the parts we like. He did not give us that option. Read what He said after giving one of His most powerful sermons:

Matthew 7:24-27, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

         What was Jesus saying? His teaching is a solid foundation for life—if you live by it, you will do well. If you don’t obey it, your life will crumble. He said elsewhere in the Bible:

John 8:31b-32, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

          Jesus said His teaching was the truth, and that by following Him as His disciples we would be free! The sad truth is that, today, many people are not living by His teachings, even many Christians. We don’t obey the teachings of Christ, because we really don’t believe in Christ. If we did, we would live differently, and we would be free. But as it stands, Christian and non-Christian alike, Americans look to prescription medications and other drugs, nightlife, self-help books, spiritual gurus, work, education, sex and relationships to find fulfillment in life. We don’t look to Jesus or the plain teaching the Bible and so our lives and families are falling apart.

What Do You Believe?

          This blog is meant to inform you and encourage you to stand for Jesus Christ and His Word. There are certain foundational truths that Jesus’ first disciples gave their lives to defend. Do you remember Peter, James, Matthew and the other apostles? They all died as martyrs because they firmly believed in Jesus’ words, His death on the cross, His resurrection, and that He was and is the Son of God. And it did not end with them—courageous men and women throughout the ages, and to this day, have worked tirelessly and been persecuted because they hold to these truths.

          What do you believe in? Is what you’re living for worth Christ dying for? Does the way you live reflect that you have strong convictions about anything? I believe one of the reasons God requires us to have faith in Him, is that if someone truly believes in something, they will live according to those beliefs. In the 20^th century, two of the largest nations on earth, Russia and China, became Communist regimes because a small group of people truly believed in it. On 9/11, a handful of men committed a horrendous act of war, changing the world for evil’s sake, because of their deeply held beliefs.

          What about you? Your faith in Jesus should be changing your life and the world around you for the good everyday. Faith in Jesus Christ ought to produce a life marked by personal integrity, love and self-sacrifice, courage, earnest prayer, hard work, humility, joy and every other good and perfect thing you can think of. Instead, many Christians sorely lack these things, and some are being swayed to eastern religions, atheism, and Islam. It’s not that they tried Christianity and found it wanting, but they never believed it to begin with. And they haven’t believed because they never understood it. To gain a proper understanding of the Christian faith, let’s start with the basics.

The “Once For All” Faith

          A brief look of Church history would confirm that these fundamentals we hold to today did not just fall from heaven, but were carefully discovered, and rediscovered, over the centuries through prayer and study, and in the midst of church splits, false doctrines, and reformations.

These truths were called by Jude in the Bible, “the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints” (Jude 1:3). Or to interpret the author of Hebrews, God had gradually revealed himself to mankind before, but “in these last days has spoken to us in His Son” (Heb. 1:1-2). This most basic and pure faith did not fall from heaven at Pentecost, but was permanently revealed to God’s people when the Word of God (Jesus) became flesh and made his dwelling among us (John 1:14).

God’s last word was given, and in Christ there was no longer uncertainty of who is God among the gods, or how we might be saved. Even the earliest disciples understood this as is reflected in the creeds of the Bible. Creeds are simply statements that are meant to clearly define a set of beliefs. To name a few that affirm foundational beliefs: 

• Mark 12:29: the shema, a confession of faith in only one God (as handed down from our Hebrew forefathers).
• 1 Corinthians 15:3-7: a testimony of the resurrection of Christ before many witnesses.
• Philippians 2:6-11: a proclamation of Jesus’ dual nature: fully God and fully Man.
• Matthew 28:19: a blessing to Christ’s disciples to baptize new believers in the name of the Triune God.

These creeds were memorized by the earliest disciples, and recorded in Scripture, and reflect the non-negotiable elements of the “once for all” faith (Jude 1:3); they are the deep truths of the faith which Paul required church elders to hold to (1 Tim. 3:9), the elementary teaching of Christ (Heb. 6:1), the full purpose of God (Acts 20:27), the form of teaching to which [the believers] were entrusted (Rom. 6:17). And they were faithfully passed on; as Paul wrote to his apprentice Timothy, “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Tim. 2:2).

          From the New Testament times until now men like Ignatius (50-117 AD), John Hus (1369-1415) and William Tyndale (1492-1536), among countless others, have been put to death by both religious and secular authorities for declaring the truth that Jesus is Lord and God, salvation is by repentance and faith, and the authority and inspiration of the Bible. Today, Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani has spent over 1,000 days apart from his family in an Iranian prison for his refusal to deny the truths of Christianity. When asked to deny Christ, he said “I cannot.”

          This “once for all” faith has been under sever attack these past 2,000 years and those who sought to preserve it have paid a heavy price. You have heard it said “Freedom isn’t free,” but I tell you “The truth isn’t free.” Jesus paid with His blood to make God’s truth available to all nations. And, following in the Master’s footsteps, Christian martyrs have paid with their blood to bring God’s truth to the ends of the earth. The abundance of Bible knowledge and resources we have, and the freedom of religion we enjoy was handed to us—we didn’t work for it, we didn’t fight for it, and we didn’t suffer for it. The truth is precious! How much does it mean to you? You may not have to die for it, but will you at least learn it and live by it?

The Fundamentals                                                                  

          The fundamental Christian teachings have been passed on in different countries and in different languages. In recent years, Christian leaders have condensed these truths into Seven Fundamentals. They did not invent them, but simply recognized what the Bible teaches and what Christians, from the New Testament until now, have always believed. There are certain sideline issues such as the gifts of the Spirit, and the role of women in the church, that not everyone agrees on. The fundamentals, however, unite all Christians in all times in all places. The fundamentals are what the Apostles taught; it’s what Chinese Christians risk their lives for. Baptists, Methodists, Pentecostals and Messianic Jews all affirm these truths and can thusly call each other brothers and sisters in Christ. The Seven Fundamentals are as follows:

1)    The Bible is God’s inspired Word—it is inerrant, infallible, and authoritative for faith and conduct (see 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21).

2)    There is one true God who is revealed in three persons –the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Mat. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14).

3)    Jesus is God—100% human and 100% divine (Jhn. 1:1, 14; Phil. 2:5-11).

4)    The Fall of Man—God made the world good, but sin and evil entered in through man’s disobedience (Gen. 3; Rom. 3:9-20).

5)    Salvation—By grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone (Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:8-10).

6)    Communion and Baptism—Two practices instituted by the Lord Himself (Mat. 28:19; Luke 22:14-20).

7)    Final Judgment—All mankind will be held judged by God for what they did in life to eternity in heaven or eternity in hell (Mat. 25:31-46; Rev. 20:11-15).

Do Your Homework

          This blog will help give you a basic understanding of each of the fundamentals, but these teachings are very deep and can be controversial. There have been many books written, and debates over, the teachings of Christianity. With that said, there is a good chance that you may still have some questions about these things. What will you do when your faith is challenged? Here are some situations to think about:

• What if you witness to an atheist only to have him point out errors in your Bible and call it a book of myths?
• What if a Muslim or Jehovah’s Witness uses your own Bible to try to demonstrate that Jesus is not God?
• What if you hear a famous Christian leader deny the teachings about God’s judgment and hell?
• What if you yourself just can’t figure out the concept of the Trinity?

          You WILL have your faith challenged, and you WILL have difficult questions about God and the Bible, BUT NEVER EVER GIVE UP ON THE FAITH! Just because you haven’t figured out something, doesn’t make it untrue. And just because someone makes a convincing argument, it does not make them right. There is a saying that goes, “Truth will always hold up against all criticism.” If the Bible is the Word of God, then it will always be proven true when all the facts are presented (see Prov. 18:17). If you find yourself struggling with one or more the fundamentals of the Bible, here are a few steps to help you along:

1. Pray—Ask God to help you understand His Word (see Jas. 1:5).
2. Study—Read the Bible passages you may be struggling with. Make sure you read it in its biblical context—that is, the whole chapter and book where the verse is found. Also check out commentaries by scholars who know the language and history of the Bible (see 2 Tim. 2:15, KJV).
3. Ask—Talk to your leaders and people who you trust to know the Bible and get their thoughts. You are probably not the first person to face such difficulties; allow others to encourage you with their experience and insight (see Prov. 13:20).

          When Paul came and taught the Jews in Berea about Jesus, they were excited to receive the message, but still had some questions. These questions did not cause them to reject the teachings, but only to study and dig deeper! Let’s take an example from some people in the early church that had a passion and desire to know the truth of God:

Acts 17:11, Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

Why Christians Don't Evangelize (And the First Step Towards Change)

The Workers are... FEW!

I want to introduce this lesson by giving the reader a "wake up call" with some hard-hitting facts concerning the state of churches in the US:

• 95% all of Christians have never won someone to the Lord! 
• 80% of Christians never even share their faith! 
• Only 2% of all Christians are active in evangelism ministries at their church! 
• 63% of the leadership, including deacons and elders, have not led one stranger to Jesus in the last two years through the method of “Go Ye” evangelism!
• 49% of the leadership ministries spend zero time in an average week ministering outside of the church!
• 89% of the leadership ministries have zero time reserved on their list of weekly priorities for going out to evangelize!
• 99% of church leadership believes that every Christian, including themselves, has been commanded to preach the gospel to a lost world (notice the hypocrisy, "they know and teach, but don't do it or live it!").
• 97% believe that if the leadership had a greater conviction and involvement in evangelism, that it would be an example for the church to follow.
• 96% of the leadership believe their churches would have grown faster if they would have been more involved in evangelism.*  

* Taken from http://bible.org/illustration/evangelism-statistics on July 29, 2012.

Diagnosis

I would like draw out from these numbers a few bottom lines as to why Christians do not evangelize:

1) Apathy

2) Fear of man

This article be taking that first roadblock head on: Apathy simply means you don't care. The Kingdom of God, heaven, hell and eternity all seem to have very little relevance to your daily life. You have wept over your home team losing but haven't wept for your lost loved ones. You have become frustrated over who didn't come to your dinner party, but the devil's work of destroying lives doesn't bother you nearly as much. You lose sleep over money woes, but God's glory and the Judgment Seat are way in the back of your mind.

Is that you I described? That's also me at times. We all experience apathy in different seasons. The cares of this life consume us to where we lose sight of what's really important. When that happens, however, the Spirit often convicts us, we repent, and God refreshes our hunger and restores our vision.

But for some, apathy is a way of life. There are Christians who read the Bible, attend church, and listen to Christian radio, but seem oblivious to the effects of sin and the lostness of people around them. They think random acts of kindness and kicking God a "tip" in the offering bucket is helping the problem. Such apathy often stem from bad theology. These are the kind of teachings:

• That make the Christian into a "victim" and not a "victor", constantly looking inward to their hurts and problems but never overcoming them. 
• That stopped calling people "sinners" and now calls them "unchurched" so as to downplay their condition and make them feel better.
• That invent doctrines to support their own unbelief and discouragement, such as: denial of healing and spiritual gifts, and claims that the world and the Church will only get worse before Jesus returns.
• That treat Christianity more like Eastern religion, in that it focuses on mystical experiences but are not very practical.
• That makes the pastor into the star of the show as the only who preaches, and the congregation as mere spectators.
• That have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof!

I write the following appeal in hopes that "cold-hearted Christians" will get a plain understanding of what the Bible says and what the world needs so they can be "on fire" and win a world for Jesus!

God’s Heart

I can give you a theological summary of Jesus dying for our sins and our preaching to others about it, but I want to give you a much simpler reason why we are to evangelize: God loves people!

First, I want to make something clear to you: the human race gives God no reason to love them. In fact, each person has strayed so far away from God that they only give him reason to punish them. Don’t think we’re that bad? Since Roe v. Wade in 1973, roughly 50,000,000 babies have been slaughtered in abortion clinics and many people regard that as a good thing (they call it a “woman’s right”), while still more look the other way with coldness. This is on top of all the war, starvation and chaos man has produced since the beginning of the earth. Yet the Bible still says:

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life- John 3:16.

Greater love has no one than this: that he lay down his life for his friends- John 15:13.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us- Romans 5:8.

How could God love us so much? The Bible teaches us that God is love, and so God has perfect love. When we evangelize to people we are expressing God’s great love for them. We are saying: “Even though you’ve sinned against him, God still loves you. He wants to forgive you and give you a new heart! The Maker of the universe became a humble man (Jesus) and died a brutal death to make this possible! Come to him!”

The Bible teaches that God loves us like any good parent should. In some ways he loves us like a father (Psalm 103:13); in other ways he loves us like a mother (Luke 13:34). Whether you are a parent or you have parents (which we all have), you know it breaks their heart when their children do wrong. I remember when I was 14 years old and my mother wept bitterly because she found out I was smoking pot and cigarettes. There are two reasons she was saddened:

1) Because I was smoking even though I knew my mother was against it. This showed her that I didn’t love her enough to respect her wishes.

2) Because she wanted the best for me, but smoking is harmful to my health and drug use could have eventually destroyed my life.

It is the same way God’s heart is broken when people live sinful lives. It shows that they love sin more than God. Sin is also the cause of all suffering on earth and ultimately leads us to hell. With so much sin in the world, it only makes sense that God our Father is heartbroken. Of course, like a loving parent, God can also forgive and restore no matter what the child has done (Luke 15:11-40).

The problem is that God’s unconditional love is lost on people. People hear “God is love” all the time, but they rarely understand what that truly means. So when we evangelize we are reminding them of this fact. In order for us to properly transmit the message, we must understand it ourselves. We must share God’s heart.

The Evangelist’s Heart

There comes a time in our walk with God that he shares with us how he feels. This might happen when we pray or read the Bible, or even during our morning commute to work. Any time that God shares his heart, it is intense. Here are a few verses about people like you and me who had been given a glimpse of God’s heart for the lost:

Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed- Psalm 119:136.

Every time a person is murdered, God’s law is not obeyed. In every home that is broken by adultery and divorce, God’s law is not obeyed. Wherever a young woman is pressured and deceived into aborting her baby, God’s law is not obeyed. With every life that is crushed by drug and alcohol addiction, God’s law is not obeyed. The psalmist here was horrified at the thought of people who chose ugly sin over the perfect ways of God.

Many people in our day know God’s commands but do not think it necessary to keep them. How do rebellion, sex, drugs and violence being sold to our young people make you feel? Does the atheistic influence of the media on our families bother you at all? Does it offend you that Jesus died brutally under the wrath of heaven to save people from their sin, yet most people love their sins and boldly commit them? Today in America, God’s law is broken more than it is kept and because of this, God’s judgment is not too far off.**

Oh, that my head were a spring of water and my eyes a fountain of tears. I would weep day and night for the slain of my people- Jeremiah 9:1.

Jeremiah was a prophet whom God sent to warn the people of Judah that their sin would be judged. Because Jeremiah spoke from the heart of God he was unpopular with all the people. They mocked him, placed him in stocks, and even through him in a sewer at one point. Still, the destruction that would overtake them caused him to cry ‘til his tears ran out.

Jesus said for us to love our enemies and bless those who curse us. Is it okay with you that the enemies of God are going to hell forever? Do you even believe in hell?

God is not an unstable, violent god who kills people when he has temper tantrums. He is loving, merciful and very patient with people. His judgment comes slowly but sudden because sinful people and whole nations will not repent after many warnings; they leave him no choice.

“Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked?” declares the Sovereign LORD. “Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!” Ezekiel 18:23, 32.

Seeing the Need

With as many churches and Christian organizations as there are today, it would be a great failure on our part if God had to pass judgment on America. It says to me that Christians have missed the heart that Jesus had for a lost and sinful world. Read this passage and see the world how the Lord sees it:

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Matthew 9:36-38

When Jesus saw the people, he saw their need for salvation. They were like lost sheep in a world full of wolves and they needed a good Shepherd who would lay his life down to save them. Compassion gripped him and he felt their pain, even if they were numb to it.

Next time you leave the house, look closely at each person you see on the street and remind yourself, “Jesus died for them and wants to touch every single one of their lives.” Your city is full of lost sheep, harassed and helpless.

O, if only someone would show them the way to life! When Jesus saw the lost sheep, he wished for workers to go and gather them. He knew that he alone could not gather so many people, so he told his disciples to pray for more workers to tell them all the Good News.

Remember, “the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which is lost (Luke 19:10).” He sought out the lost and hurting, he did not hold back his life-saving message from the people. Jesus preached in the Jewish Temple and in the synagogues, but much of his ministry was out in the open, where the ungodly sinners were. That’s where the greatest need was.

What Happened to Evangelism?

The Bible calls the Church the Body of Christ; that means we are his hands and feet, we are his voice crying out to a lost and dying world! Today, God is calling us to go out and touch the world. The only way to truly change the world is if we change people’s hearts, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only thing that can do that (Romans 1:16).

The question is not “Why are we supposed to evangelize?” No, evangelism is so important that the question is “Why aren’t we evangelizing?” Why are we sitting around, keeping the Way of eternal life to ourselves while the devil destroys our friends, family and communities? Today we get back in touch with God’s heart and see the reason we evangelize. For “God our Savior… wants everyone to be saved and understand the truth (1 Timothy 2:3-4).”

**God’s judgment has been known to fall through famine, disease, natural disaster and war overtaking cities and nations. The author is not trying to prophesy about God’s judgment on America; he is only basing his statements on biblical patterns of God judging nations in the past (2 Kings 24:20).

Questions:

1. Why are we to tell others about Jesus?


2. The Bible says God’s love is like a father’s. What are two ways that people tend to offend this kind of love?


3. Has God ever shared with you his pain for the lost? How did it feel?


4. What are you going to start doing today to touch your community for Jesus?

Passing the Torch!

I was listening to a message the other day and the preacher said a statement that I've heard many times before but this time it really sunk into my spirit.  The statement was, "Leaders reproduce who they are, not just what they say."

The meaning of this simple statement is- we as leaders do not influence people by just preaching or giving lessons, but in how we live.  This can be seen best in family relationships.  If the parents curse, it doesn't matter how often they reprove their children for their language, they will eventually curse too.  If the parents have a bad temper and yell often, it doesn't matter how many times they discipline the child for their temper tantrum, they will most likely grow up with their anger out of control too.

I was looking back on Metro Praise and its seven years as a church and what "kind of Christians" we have reproduced.  Meaning, if we as leaders only can reproduce after our "kind," then what "kind of Christian" have we made by God's grace?

Here were some of the traits I saw in people who have been influenced by Metro Praise*:

1. Love for the lost
2. Passion for evangelism
3. Strong desire for accountablity
4. Heart for missions
5. Hunger for spiritual gifts
6. Boldness in confronting error
7. Appetite for the pure Word of God
8. Addicted to intimate worship and prayer
9. High value in bible education and discipleship
10. And most importantly a deep love for God!

*I examined both people who are still with our church and those who have moved on.  Plus, I looked at people from all stages along the seven years we've been a church.

I am blown away by this kind of reproduction!  God has truly done something great in our people's lives!  However, before I or any leader takes the credit I am quickly reminded of how those things came into my life.  Other men and women of God poured those things into me.  When I look at the Bible college I came from those same attributes are seen in the leaders there!

Thus, with the 2012 Summer Olympics in current events the illustration of passing the torch comes to my mind.  Each person passes the torch to the next until it lights a huge fire for all to see.  I believe God is setting leaders on fire all over the world with His Spirit and these on-fire leaders are setting others on fire.  The Holy Ghost fire is being passed on to everyone who will receive it!

Now is the time to run your race and pass the Gospel to others!

Hebrews 12:1-2, "1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Love = Keeping God's Commands

 
I have been diving deep into the nature of the believer lately and understanding the righteousness of Christ in us.  For many familiar with the subjects of salvation and sanctification know that the book of Romans gives the best foundation concerning:

(1) Who man is without Christ, Romans 3:9-19 // A SINNER
(2) Who man is trying to keep the law without Christ, Romans 7:7-24 // A POWERLESS SINNER
(3) Who man is in Christ, Romans 8:1-16 // A NEW RIGHTEOUS CREATION.

However, the book that I would like to discuss here is 1 John.  The entire book is based on love for God and others. The Beloved Apostle John in this powerful letter applies the foundations of good doctrine to practical holy living on the basis of pure love.  1 John deals more with God's commands and sin in the believer's life than any other book.  Why?  Love compels the obedience of man to God.

 Five Things 1 John Teaches About Love and Keeping God's Commands:

1 // Love for God Results in Keeping All His Commands, 1 John 2:5-7, "5 But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did."

2 // Love from the Father Makes Us His Pure and Holy Children, 1 John 3:1,  "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him."

3 // Love for Our Brothers Displays the Perfect Character of God, 1 John 3:10, "This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.

4 // Love from God Drives Out All Our Fears, 1 John 4:18, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." 

5 // Love for God Makes All The Commands of God Joyous, 1 John 5:3-4, "3 This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith."

I would like to close out with this example:  Imagine you are a glass of pure water the day you accept Christ.  All your sins are washed away and everything in your heart is made new and pure, Ezekiel 11:19-20.  Now imagine the world and it's sin is like dirt.  How much dirt would you desire in your pure water?  None, right!

However, most Christians believe even after they receive Christ and His forgiveness they are still a "dirty glass of water" that Jesus is trying to make clean, instead of believing what the Scriptures teach, that they are a "pure glass of water" learning how to remain pure, Romans 6:8-14.  Therefore, what is the "secret" to remaining pure and holy... LOVE. 

1 John 4:13-17, "13 We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.

16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 17 In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him."

 Great Worship Song on Loving God

Who Are You?

 
This past Sunday I preached a very practical message on practical Christian living called, "Your Identity in Christ."  The simple truth was, "when you are in Christ, your temporary circumstances do not determine your identity but rather the Word of God declares who are."

The best example I gave was when I was born to my parents I was given the last name "Wyrostek" to be a sign of my family heritage and identity.  No matter how bad I acted as a child and despite all my ups and downs I am still a "Wyrostek."  In the same way when we are born again by faith in Jesus' work on the cross, we are God's children.  No matter what we do*, the mistakes we make, and all the ups and downs we remain God's children.   

(*This is not to say we cannot shipwreck our faith or deliberately walk away from God like the prodigal son.  Therefore, someone genuinely confessing sin, abiding in faith, and enduring to the end- this person remains in Christ despite their weaknesses and failures.)

However, as I was preaching and declaring seven identity traits of the believer found directly from the Word of God it was obvious some of the congregation didn't believe it.  It would have been easier for me to simply state how they we're sinners, messed up, and imperfect- then tell them they were righteous, blessed, and victorious.  Why?  I believe for many in the Body of Christ it is easier for them to see who they were before Christ, then who they are in Christ.  Thus, I believe this confusion creates an "Identity Crisis." 

Here are the combined seven statements derived from from the Word of God:

Now, I want to ask you the reader a serious question... do you really believe that is who you are?


 Here Are Some Things to Consider About Your Identity:

1 // In Christ your sinful nature is crucified, you are free from all sin... do you believe that?

2 // In Christ you are made fully righteous, just like Jesus is righteous... do you believe that?

3 // God has already provided for everything you need both spiritually and materially... do you believe that?

4 // Through your genuine thanksgiving and prayers, God will grant you peace beyond your comprehension in every trial you face... do you really believe that?

5 // In Christ you are victorious over every trouble you face... do you really believe that?


 Objections or Supposed "Balances" to the Above Points:

1 // But what about when I am tempted and sin?

2 // But how come I do not always feel new, clean, and righteous?

3 // But why don't I have everything I need right now?

4 // But why don't I feel peace of mind?

5 // But why don't I always win in life, sometimes I lose?

What is the answer to the above contradictions of God's Word and our daily circumstances... FAITH. "When you are in Christ, your temporary circumstances do not determine your identity but rather the Word of God declares who are." 


 Helpful Ways To Believe in What You Do Not See*

1 // Read the Word of God, Romans 10:17.  Your faith will increase in direct relation the amount of God's Word you know and understand.  Input the Word of God into your heart and mind more than the doubts and lies of this evil world. 

2 // Speak the Word of God, Proverbs 18:21. You will eat the fruit of your words, whether by faith or by fear... choose to speak the Word of God in faith even when you don't feel it or see it happening.

3 // Obey the Word of God, Psalm 119:9-16.  God will never bless your mess.  Obeying God places you in the right place to be blessed and delivered in your times of trouble. 

(*Sometimes we do not see all God's promises fulfilled in this life, thus what we do not see in this life we will see in the next.  Meaning, if we are not healed here, we will be healed there.  If we die in our time of trial and don't experience the victory here, we will over there.  Not one promise of God will fail- heaven and earth will pass away, but the Word of God will endure forever, Hebrews 11:13-16.)

 Who Are You? 

How Much Are The Nations Worth?

As I am preparing for my fourth annual trip to Southeast Asia, I am faced once again with the simple question, "How much are the nations worth to me?"  From our first service until now, missions have always been apart of our church services both in giving and intercession.    First, we supported Teisa Nicole and her work with Heidi Baker in the orphanages in Mozambique Africa.  Then by divine appointment we started to travel and train churches in both Mexico and India.  

Acts 1:8, "... you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Now, we are serving in Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Northern and Southern India, and Nepal.  In total there are over 100 pastors and 250 churches that call themselves Metro Praise and use the same vision and strategy in making disciples.  Therefore, every year since we took our first mission offering and prayed for the nations, the cost of missions to me, my family, and ministry has always increased.

I meet with our six Apostolic Elders every week where we pray, do devotions together, and share ideas to make disciples of the nations through strategic church planting.  Every week I am humbled and blown away by their humility and love for God.  I am consistently challenged by their moving stories and inspired by their amazing acts of faith.

Often times I hear prayer requests like this, "Pastor Joe, please pray for one of my pastors, he is in a village where the local thugs have threatened his life and said that unless he pays them an immense amount of money, he will have to leave or they will kill him."  I have come to tears many times in our meetings because of gut wrenching stories like this.

Psalm 2:8, "Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession." 

I taught "Intro to Global Missions" one semester at SUM and literally each time when I brought the Apostles in to share- I along with many in the class were brought to tears and deep intercession just by hearing their stories.  All of our leaders in Southeast Asia have been threatened, physically abused, and severely persecuted for their faith.  Plus, they are constantly in dire need of finances and proper health care. 

Sometimes people ask me, "How did your church get so many churches around the world?"  Or "How much money do you have to give the pastors to get them to work with you?"  I answer both questions the same, "God brought them to us, not because of money or our size, but because they found our materials online and wanted to partner with a church in the US that truly believed in Spirit-filled evangelism and discipleship."

I write all the above to now ask this very important question, "What are the nations worth to me today?"  Are they worth my precious time and energy?  Are they worth spending all the monies I have in my bank account?  Are they worth all the monies in the church bank account?  Are the nations worth my ministry position here in Chicago?  Are they worth my life?  Are they worth my family's life?

1 John 3:16-18, "16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."

I have actually heard well-intentioned pastors say, "My primary and only mission is here in Chicago.  The US is all I am concerned with.  Let God raise up local pastors in those areas to reach the lost."  I cannot even answer them back when they make those kind of statements because I know if I were to speak I would not even be able to hold back the tears.  I would be moved to weep in their presence before even being able to share the obvious Biblical reasons for a focus on world missions.

Matthew 28:19-20, "19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

At this point some might think that missions and cross-cultural ministry comes natural to me, but those people don't know me very well.  All those closest to me; my parents, wife, and close friends all know that I am the worst candidate for oversea travels in the natural.  (1) I cannot sleep on planes, thus I stay up for close to 48hrs each time I travel one way to India, (2) I always suffer from severe jet lag- it usually takes me 2-3 days to get back on track each way, thus I am up all night and sick feeling during the day, (3) Plus, I dislike heat, not being in control of my surroundings, I feel like a child not being able to speak the languages, and am easily annoyed by having to do everything in large groups... (4) Bottom line: I am my weakest on the mission field. 

1 Corinthians 2:3-5, "3 I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power."

However, my story of "temporary discomfort" does not even compare to the missionaries of ole' or the ones serving full-time today in persecuted nations.  Stories of David Livingston, Hudson Taylor, Victor Plymire, John G. Lake, and Adoniram Judson bid me to pay a higher price for the nations than I have even paid before.  

I can imagine the Father in heaven asking the modern day American church, "Who wants the nations as an inheritance for my Son?"  One pastor quickly yells out to the Lord of the Harvest, "I'll give you 10% of my church income to missions!"  Another pastor passionately bids back, "I'll match that 10%, plus I'll raise him with two missions trips every year!"  I can then hear these generals of the faith around the throne of God boldly declare, "We offered our entire lives including our families for the nations, that is why the Father gave them to us!  How can you offer Him any less, than your best!?"

Hebrews 12:1-3, "1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

As I am wrestling with this question the powerful quote from two Moravian missionaries who sold themselves into slavery to be a witness to the slaves comes to mind, "May the lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering." Here is the whole story, if you have never heard it before. 

The Moravians had learned that the secret of loving the souls of men was found in loving the Savior of men. On October 8, 1732, a Dutch ship left the Copenhagen harbor bound for the Danish West Indies. On board were the two first Moravian missionaries; John Leonard Dober, a potter, and David Nitschman, a carpenter. Both were skilled speakers and ready to sell themselves into slavery to reach the slaves of the West Indies. As the ship slipped away, they lifted up a cry that would one day become the rallying call for all Moravian missionaries, "May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering." The Moravian's passion for souls was surpassed only by their passion for the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. 

The closest I have ever come to this kind of sacrifice was when I was preparing to go to Pakistan for the first time.  I had been debating Muslims at the same time here in the US and one of my fellow apologist said that I should watch the "Muslim beheading videos" to be able to understand the truly wicked nature of Islam.  After watching these horrific videos I was scarred for life.  Thus, when I was getting ready to go to Pakistan I felt the Lord say, "Would you give your life for me?" 

I instantly began to think of my family, the ministry, and all that He had given me for the last 15 years of serving Him- and I was not able to answer.  Then I heard the Lord say, "If you would have died as a sinner, where would you have gone?"  I answered, "Hell."  He then said, "In hell would you have been like the rich man in the Bible and cried out to be released even if you were made a beggar in this life?  Would you not have pleaded with me so badly to get out of hell and be given another chance to spend eternity with me that you would have endured anything just to not be in hell forever?"  And I answered, "Yes, Lord.  In hell I would have begged for any kind of life just to have a second chance to go to heaven." 

Then I heard the Lord speak powerfully to my heart, "Then how dare you after being spared from hell and given 15 years of blessings now make those blessings I gave you a hindrance to doing my will!" 

Luke 14:25-27, "25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters–yes, even his own life–he cannot be my disciple. 27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple."

The Pakistan mission trip did not happen because our visas were denied due to political tensions.  However, the lesson burned deep into my heart.  At this time I hear the Lord speaking to me again saying, "Will you go on this mission trip even if it costs you all your monies both personally and in the church?"  Therefore, please pray for me as I totally submit my will to His so that when the Lord asks me, "How much are the nations worth to you?"  I can answer, "Everything." 

John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

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If you are interested in our 2012 missions trip, please visit this link and watch the video.