 Pastor's Update
In addition to this informative seminar we were treated to a guided tour of our nation’s capitol building, narrated by David Barton. We heard reports on what we all knew was so true; our nation’s only hope is if it repents and turns back to God. We learned how dismal the Christian voter turnout was in the 2006 election; the voter turnout by homosexuals, on the other hand, was over 95%. Micah 3:1-12 We all love America, and make no apology for doing so. We enjoy her freedoms, especially being free to worship the true and living God. The United States of America is the greatest country on the face of the earth in terms of God’s blessing upon it. We can love our nation but not like the direction she is heading. Could it be that our country is actually facing God’s judgment for its offenses against Him? If so, who is at fault? Terrorism is a great threat to the USA, but it is not our greatest threat. We have powerful enemies around the world yet the most powerful are much closer to us. Evil exists and is growing rampantly. But it may not be concentrated in the part of the world we think it is. America’s greatest threat is not from without but from within. We are our own worst enemy and God is generally displeased with us as a nation. One could say there are even "terrorists" within the church, fighting against those who are on the frontlines of battle against the enemies of God and the church. In Micah 3, the prophet is concerned about something. He wants his nation to know that the God they serve is not only a God of love, mercy, and grace, but also a God of judgment. Though God would rather bless and demonstrate love, and continue to extend His grace and mercy, there does indeed come a time when, because of sin and rebellion, God’s patience is exhausted. Eventually God will give a nation [or an individual] what they are demanding. It happened in Noah’s time, and again at Sodom and Gomorrah. It even happened to God’s people, Israel. Will He make an exception for our nation? Micah speaks by the Spirit of God and points a bony finger at three distinct groups of people and says, “It’s Your Fault!”: Micah desperately wants the people to understand that the God who loves sinners still hates sin. And sin must always be judged. His holiness demands that. Praise God, if you’re saved, you will never be judged for your sin; they were judged 2,000 years ago on Calvary’s cross! But that does not mean we can live a careless, haphazard Christian life. The same Bible which teaches that we will not be judged for our sins also tells us that we will indeed be judged for how faithful we have been. All individuals will one day be judged, and there is such a thing as the judgment of a nation. Micah 3:12 talks about a nation being “plowed as a field,” a metaphor for judgment. No nation was as pure in its inception as the nation Israel by God Himself in Genesis 12. And yet even Israel became corrupt, and the vast majority of the people were ignorant or indifferent concerning that corruption. For this reason the prophets of judgment came along, like Micah, calling the people to repentance, and making the people aware that the God who would rather bless will blast if his hand is forced. Does this sound at all familiar? Our nation’s possibilities for the future can be very positive, but we must be realistic. We must remember that part of loving America is wanting to save it from a corruption most people do not even see. All of the speakers focused on concerns the Church is facing today. Reading these verses is like watching the nightly news. NBC’s Tom Brokaw used to do a weekly segment called "The Fleecing of America." It highlighted the price Americans pay at the hands of leadership gone awry. One could have put these three verses into his teleprompter and no one would have known the difference! Here are six requirements, from Proverbs, that God recommends for government leaders: 1. Righteousness "It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness." (Proverbs 16:12) Why is it that today we just look for skills and credentials, and not look to morality? 2. Wisdom 3. Absolute Honesty Leaders and liars are not the same thing! 4. Separation from bad influences A leader must focus on what is right, not just public opinion or lobbying pressures. 5. Personal Purity If a man will not honor his marriage vows, what’s he going to do with those “piddly little vows” of public trust? 6. Protection of the weak and the defenseless A leader is to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves, and defend those who cannot defend themselves. A Biblical leader should stand tall on behalf of the unborn. Some say, “Abortion is legal. And a leader is supposed to uphold the law!” Certainly being legally right doesn’t make something morally right. “Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?” (Psalm 94:20) And those who stand for the unborn but turn a blind eye to the poor offend God as well. When Micah warns the people that God is about to judge, he points first at the corrupt politicians, and says, "It’s your fault." And until we own our faults there is no hope for a change.
Should they be preaching peace when judgment is coming? Should they preach to the offering plates, altering their message so as not to offend? And do we today really need to drag Jesus down to a lower level in an attempt to make Him more palatable? Did not Jesus Himself say, "Come unto Me"? When a preacher invites someone to Jesus, he must present Jesus and all He is without compromise. Sometimes compromising preachers even attack those who are taking a stand. The Church becomes a kingdom divided against itself. If the day ever came when Body of Christ would come together in unity, standing for righteousness, we could make such a dramatic difference. So often the leader is attacked rather than the message. This is often the case with Michael Heath. We can understand when the pagan media attacks him and that they do. What is discouraging is when those who name the name of Christ do so. This ought not to be. I have served on the Christian Civic League Board of Directors since 1986, before Michael Heath became executive director. I probably know him as well as anyone and can attest to the fact that he is a man of the hightest integrity and is a leader with the strength of a Prophet, willing to tell the truth and take the heat for it. I applaud and support him, as does the Board of Directors. We must preach the truth at all times, no matter the cost. And it is vital that we practice what we preach. As people of God, we must, at times, look inside ourselves with humility. Concerning ministers such as myself, I believe the Lord is not as concerned about where we are as where we are headed. Which way are we facing? Are we going forward for him or regressing? In short, our present is more pertinent than our past. This principle applies not only to those of us in the ministry but our church members as well. It applies even further to our nation. But, in keeping with our point, what does this mean for us? When Micah warns the people that God is about to judge, he points at not only the corrupt politicians, but also the compromising preachers and says, "It’s your fault." And we must own our faults before God, repent, and change direction. Concern #3 - Complacent People The word "they" is where the complacent people appear. The people of Israel said, "We know the politicians are corrupt, we know the preachers are compromisers, but it will be ok, because we’re ok. The economy is strong, we’re happy, and it’s alright. Is not the Lord among us? No evil can touch us." And many ignorant Americans make a similar claim: "Our nation has a Christian heritage. We have Godly roots." So did Israel! And so did many other nations which God has judged, or wiped out completely. We must pursue hard after God or destruction will certainly overtake us as well. Where do we go from here? The most recent referendum is one of those times. The League is beginning a signature gathering campaign to give voters in Maine a chance to turn back the advances of the homosexual rights movement. We are just getting started and there is considerable excitment about the possiblities of the success. The League is pleased that Focus On The Family and Family Research Council have both endorsed the League referendum. They both know how important it is at this time. It is true: our state and our nation is in trouble. But Jesus Christ is the hope of the world. He stands as a light for us to follow. His arms of mercy are open to those who will turn from selfishness and evil to Him. Certainly He extends His own righteousness to us as a free gift. But our acceptance of that righteousness will certainly be evidenced by a life marked by that righteousness. My prayer is that my preaching - and yours - be marked by the righteousness, justice, and mercy embodied by Christ himself. Ultimately, the hope of America is not found in the White House or the State House, or in the Courthouse. Hope for America is found in God’s House, and your house, and my house! Please join the League in the signature gathering part of our referendum that will correct the advances of the militant homosexual movement. If we don't do something we could be another California. Click HERE to read about it. © Copyright by Christian Civic League of Maine. All rights reserved. |
