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October 2, 2009
Dedicated to keeping the main thing the main thing!
I was shocked to read the article sent to me some time ago of the musings of an
aged retired Baptist preacher who entitled his opinion: “The End of an Empire!”
In this article he wrote that he believed that America’s
days are nearly over. He believes that soon this once
great nation will become Balkanized and divided into
small countries within the states and essentially it will
be everyone for him/herself. I don’t know if I agree
with that opinion, but I began to wonder as I am sure
you have, and countless other Americans; “How did we
get into this mess? Well if you are a Democrat, it is the
Republicans fault. If you are a Republican, it is of
course the Democrats who have caused this. If you are
a Libertarian, it is the government’s fault, no matter
what party is in leadership. This habit of blaming someone else is as old as the
Garden of Eden where Adam when confronted by the Lord as to why he had eaten
the fruit of the tree, replied with; “The woman YOU gave me!” So, in keeping
with the age-old custom of blaming someone else, I to, want to lay the blame on
not a someone, but rather a something made up of some ones; The CHURCH in
this nation! We have failed! We have allowed this to happen! Leonard Ravenhill
the fiery preacher of the last century of whom I had the privilege of both meeting
and hearing several times, wrote: “I am often asked to pray for the healing of the
nation…..No! I am praying for the healing of the church. As the church goes, so
goes the world!”
Ravenhill goes on: “Why can evildoers stifle conscience, indulge in acts of
horrendous violence, defy the laws of God and the laws of government? I can find
just one answer to this reckless living. it is this: these people have never heard
The Gospel! They probably have heard a gospel. The apostle Paul said, “I am not
ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation.” (Ro.1:
16) He lived in a bloody world; the Romans had conquered much of it with the
sword. against this he held the blood of the cross. His warfare was known in hell:
“Jesus I know, and Paul I know…..” said the demons! (Acts 19:15) Today we have
another gospel. (Gal. 1:6)
The cross now is a pretty ornamental thing in gold or silver, decorated (if you can
afford it) with diamonds or rubies. It is a charm for some, held not in fear but in
superstitious reverence.
The God of holiness and eternal majesty is hardly mentioned these days. The
preachers used to declare with holy boldness to the pew dwellers, “You are lost!”
Today it is “You are loved.” It takes living men to deliver the living Word. Unless
preachers walk in the fear of the Lord and step out of eternity into the pulpits, the
spiritual life of the nation will continue in its descent to weakness and finally
apostasy.”
Although these words were written in 1983; (26 years ago) They are applicable
today. He was warning a compromising Laodecian church of the consequences of
being luke warm! The church in our country is interested in politics and social do
goodism. These two things have been pushed and pushed until to refuse to engage
in them (as I do) is looked upon as being “Anti-Gospel” When in fact, it is the
Gospel to refuse these things and simply preach the cross!
Be a witness for Christ! The Obama’s of this world will come and go-There is a
power behind him and others who rule this world-there is only one weapon which
will defeat them, and trust me it is not found at the voting booth, it is The Word of
God proclaimed and preached with fiery boldness! No wonder Paul wrote to a
church in the midst of a corrupt evil Roman Empire these words: “For I
determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him
crucified.”
It is Christ and Christ alone who will change mens hearts! O Church invite Him
back into the church- for “as goes the church, so goes the nation!
Dedicated to keeping the main thing the main thing!
I was shocked to read the article sent to me some time ago of the musings of an
aged retired Baptist preacher who entitled his opinion: “The End of an Empire!”
In this article he wrote that he believed that America’s
days are nearly over. He believes that soon this once
great nation will become Balkanized and divided into
small countries within the states and essentially it will
be everyone for him/herself. I don’t know if I agree
with that opinion, but I began to wonder as I am sure
you have, and countless other Americans; “How did we
get into this mess? Well if you are a Democrat, it is the
Republicans fault. If you are a Republican, it is of
course the Democrats who have caused this. If you are
a Libertarian, it is the government’s fault, no matter
what party is in leadership. This habit of blaming someone else is as old as the
Garden of Eden where Adam when confronted by the Lord as to why he had eaten
the fruit of the tree, replied with; “The woman YOU gave me!” So, in keeping
with the age-old custom of blaming someone else, I to, want to lay the blame on
not a someone, but rather a something made up of some ones; The CHURCH in
this nation! We have failed! We have allowed this to happen! Leonard Ravenhill
the fiery preacher of the last century of whom I had the privilege of both meeting
and hearing several times, wrote: “I am often asked to pray for the healing of the
nation…..No! I am praying for the healing of the church. As the church goes, so
goes the world!”
Ravenhill goes on: “Why can evildoers stifle conscience, indulge in acts of
horrendous violence, defy the laws of God and the laws of government? I can find
just one answer to this reckless living. it is this: these people have never heard
The Gospel! They probably have heard a gospel. The apostle Paul said, “I am not
ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation.” (Ro.1:
16) He lived in a bloody world; the Romans had conquered much of it with the
sword. against this he held the blood of the cross. His warfare was known in hell:
“Jesus I know, and Paul I know…..” said the demons! (Acts 19:15) Today we have
another gospel. (Gal. 1:6)
The cross now is a pretty ornamental thing in gold or silver, decorated (if you can
afford it) with diamonds or rubies. It is a charm for some, held not in fear but in
superstitious reverence.
The God of holiness and eternal majesty is hardly mentioned these days. The
preachers used to declare with holy boldness to the pew dwellers, “You are lost!”
Today it is “You are loved.” It takes living men to deliver the living Word. Unless
preachers walk in the fear of the Lord and step out of eternity into the pulpits, the
spiritual life of the nation will continue in its descent to weakness and finally
apostasy.”
Although these words were written in 1983; (26 years ago) They are applicable
today. He was warning a compromising Laodecian church of the consequences of
being luke warm! The church in our country is interested in politics and social do
goodism. These two things have been pushed and pushed until to refuse to engage
in them (as I do) is looked upon as being “Anti-Gospel” When in fact, it is the
Gospel to refuse these things and simply preach the cross!
Be a witness for Christ! The Obama’s of this world will come and go-There is a
power behind him and others who rule this world-there is only one weapon which
will defeat them, and trust me it is not found at the voting booth, it is The Word of
God proclaimed and preached with fiery boldness! No wonder Paul wrote to a
church in the midst of a corrupt evil Roman Empire these words: “For I
determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him
crucified.”
It is Christ and Christ alone who will change mens hearts! O Church invite Him
back into the church- for “as goes the church, so goes the nation!
