THE GOSPEL IS THE ANSWER TO THE WORLD’S PROBLEMS

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Dr. James Tour interviews author and social critic Os Guinness about his book, American Agonistes –America’s 250th and the Restoration of a Nation in Conflict with Itself and Its Past (agonistes – a person engaged in a struggle).

Tour and Guinness explore the Jewish and biblical roots of American freedom, covenantal self-government, and the gospel as the true foundation of liberty. They contrast biblical freedom with secular ideologies, warn about America’s current polarization and dependence on the state, and call for repentance, renewal, and a return to Scripture as the nation nears its 250th anniversary.

The gospel transforms lives. Release from the burden of sin is liberating.

These two men do a great job of explaining how the Gospel is the answer to the world’s problems. If we return to the Lord, He will return to us and liberate us. When you get right down to it, the only thing that really matters is Jesus: “Now this is eternal life: that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” John 17:3

A mid-December weekend punctuated with mass shootings reminds us that a world plagued by sin is a world plunged in darkness. Worldly solutions focus on human action and therefore offer no hope for eradicating the evil afflicting the world. Yet this Advent season reminds Christians that true hope is found in Jesus, the one who is light, who came to earth on a divine rescue mission, whose birth first established the meaning and the significance of Christmas.

THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

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Christian scholar, pastor John MacArthur destroys Jewish scholar, Ben Shapiro’s view of Jesus. The two have an intense conversation about Judaism and Christianity, exploring their commonalities but also the major difference found in the person of Jesus Christ. This a powerful exchange worthy of wide distribution which is why I am posting it here.

I am sure you will agree with me that John MacArthur does a great job. If you don’t let me know why.

TRUE GOSPEL VERSUS POLITICAL GOSPEL – TWO CONSERVATISMS AT CHARLIE KIRK’S FUNERAL

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The hundreds of thousands of Americans who tuned into Charlie Kirk’s funeral could not help but notice the contrasting messages presented by speakers. “There could not have been a clearer presentation of the gospel” by some speakers, while “it was almost like a political gospel that was spoken” by others, said Family Research Council President Tony Perkins on “Washington Watch.” “And I really think it’s a picture of the current conservative movement, if you will.”

On one hand, Pastor Frank Turek affirmed the incarnation and explained penal substitutionary atonement, on the other hand, White House advisor Stephen Miller preached a message of political victory over the enemies of Western civilization.

 On one hand, Charlie’s widow, Erika Kirk announced through tears that she forgave his assassin. “On the cross, our Saviour said, ‘Father forgive them, for they know not what they do’ [Luke 23:34],” she said, visibly contending with her emotions. “That young man — I forgive him. I forgive him because it was what Christ did and is what Charlie would do. On the other hand, President Donald Trump confessed that he found such forgiveness impossible, apart from a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit in his life. Kirk “did not hate his opponents; he wanted the best for them,” Trump began. “That’s where I disagree with Charlie. I hate my opponent. And I don’t want the best for them. I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Erika. But now, maybe Erika can talk to me and the whole group, and maybe they can convince me that that’s not right. But I can’t stand my opponent.” We need to pray that the Holy Spirit will convict Trump on the need to forgive his enemies.

Perkins was “troubled” by the content of some of the speeches, concluding that they showed “the contrast between the Kingdom of God, which is countercultural, which is counterintuitive, to the world. I think we actually saw that on display in the conservative movement yesterday.”

Of course, these contrasting messages and visions cannot be reconciled. Jesus himself juxtaposed these views on enemies in the Sermon on the Mount. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:43-45). And Jesus contrasted the political gospel with a spiritual gospel in his discussion with Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting” (John 18:36).

The way of Trump and Miller is earthly; the way of Erika Kirk and Turek is heavenly. One may be tempted to ask, which is the real legacy of Charlie Kirk? Which is the real pattern of conservatism?

Yet these questions presume that there is only one conservatism, one legacy of Charlie Kirk — one straw man at which leftist media quills can tilt. In reality, at least two distinct movements were jostling one another for position at Sunday’s memorial service, continue to jostle in the Trump administration, and have jostled around in Republican politics for some time.

Whether either movement — the Christian or non-Christian brands of conservatism — will succeed in claiming an undisputed right to Kirk’s legacy, or for control of Republican politics, remains an open question. The only point that seems settled (for now) is that the two movements will coexist as a confederation of rivals while the values of both remain under assault from the culturally dominant Left.

ONE STEP CLOSER TO ARMAGEDDON

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‘One step closer to Armageddon’: Franklin Graham preaches to thousands in London

Thousands filled ExCeL London to capacity on Saturday evening for the return of the God Loves You Tour, led by Rev. Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and Samaritan’s Purse.

With attendance exceeding 17,000, the venue reached its increased maximum capacity of 15,000, prompting security to turn away several thousand people, according to organizers.

Despite the overflow, crowds outside the venue responded by singing and clapping rather than expressing frustration. Inside, worship was led by Grammy-winning artists CeCe Winans and Michael W. Smith, along with Christian band The Afters. 

The event marked Graham’s third appearance at ExCeL London in partnership with over 550 churches across the city. Leading up to the event, more than 2,000 youth participated in Pursuit — BGEA’s series of gatherings aimed at encouraging young Christians in the U.K.

“Since I last preached here in London two years ago, the world seems to be one step closer to Armageddon,” he said. “Many people feel hopeless, and they’re asking, is the world running out of time? You can come to the One who can turn that around, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ — God’s Son.”

He concluded by citing John 3:16 and inviting attendees to put their faith in Jesus Christ. Hundreds responded, including a 16-year-old girl who commented, “Everybody is hungry for God in my generation right now, and He is moving.”

I am 90 next year and I have found the best way ever to evangelise for a person my age. It happened when I was getting my car serviced at Mazda recently. The girl at the Mazda desk had discovered my age from her records and commented that I don’t look my age. Behind me where about six or seven people waiting for the courtesy bus. All would have overheard her comment and one of two men who were together asked me how old I was. I answered I will be 90 next year and he responded “no way”. How do you do it? My response was the Holy Spirit as I have never said this before and it surprised me. I said, “At the age of 47, I discovered God loves me and it changed my life forever“. It was like the place went quiet, no one said anything and yet I knew that the Holy Spirit was doing something. I tried to lighten the moment with another comment of a worldly nature. I said, “You also have to use it or you lose it” and that I have never smoked. When we got on the bus there were two women who wanted to talk to me but the two men were sitting opposite me continued talking about their own fathers who were in nursing homes in their eighties. The simple comment as to why I am so sprightly and enjoying life is because I discovered God loves me had a profound effect. I used it again yesterday in Chemist Warehouse with a man who was with his young son. When I said, At the age of 47, I discovered God loves me and it changed my life forever“, his response was I have been thinking about God for the last two weeks. I said this is not a coincidence that we met and he agreed. I was sorry that I did not have a John’s Gospel with me. I have many in the car. I can fit two comfortably in my jeans pocket so I next time I will have them.

USE END TIMES BIBLICAL PROPHECY TO COMPLETE THE GREAT COMMISSION

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“And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:19-21

The Bible is full of fulfilled prophecies, which testify to its divine inspiration and inerrancy. It is estimated that as much as 75% of the 2,500 prophecies in the Bible have been already fulfilled, and most of those yet to happen are last-day/end-time events.

Do you realise there are far more prophecies about Jesus second coming than His first coming? The Pharisees and Sadducees did not get it with His first coming, and the church is not getting it with His second coming, maybe in your lifetime.

“For this reason, you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.” Matthew 24:44

With knowledge of the Bible’s last days’ prophecies, we can use them to evangelize unbelievers, showing them that God controls history. I hope my book, Living Eternal Now – Ready for Jesus Return will assist you in being equipped to complete the Great Commission before Jesus’ second coming. It is available as a paperback and ebook on Amazon.

A GOOD NEWS STORY: REVIVAL AT U.S.A. UNIVERSITES

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In the fourth major collegiate revival in less than a month, thousands of students gathered at the University of Arkansas on Thursday night to seek Jesus Christ and find salvation in His name.

Unite US reports that 10,000 students from 67 different universities gathered in Bud Walton Arena (click on the link below)

“Jesus met us there,” the ministry said in an Instagram post. “We were blown away by His presence in the room and how it carried over to baptisms. It was a night we’ll never forget.”

Tonya Prewitt, founder of UniteUS, explained, “We started at Auburn University. We had 5,000 students show up, and over 200 got baptized. We next went to FSU – Florida State, the second biggest party school in the nation. We had 4,500 students come, and about 350 students got baptized at that event.”

The movement then swept through the universities of Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and South Carolina, with numbers growing along the way. Tonya calls the mission a simple one: Bring hope to a generation.

College student Haden Smith shared his experience. “Just getting to be with your neighbors and friends as they pray with you for your struggles and being open with those you normally wouldn’t be open with – it was just overall powerful,” he said.

Tonya added, “We’ve had students come in and say, ‘Hey, I came in thinking I was going to take my life. I left with the most joy I have ever had. I came in not being part of any community, and now I am serving in a local church.'”

UniteUS events operate by connecting with Christian student leaders and feature speakers, testimonies, prayer, and baptisms.

Zac White, a Christian student leader at the University of Arkansas, expressed his expectations: “We’re just expecting to see people really get lit on fire for what they’ve said they’ve believed for so long, or people that have never believed in Christ, Christianity, or the Bible and what it says their whole life – and we are going to see their whole life turn around.”

https://cbn.com/news/us/revival-sweeping-through-college-campuses-impacting-tens-thousands-its-movement

THE CHURCH THAT IS LEFT BEHIND

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The tragic shooting at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church in Houston is another sad reminder that sin is irrational, evil, and enduring.

The mayhem caused when a woman with a rifle opened fire led Osteen to say, “In the face of such darkness, we must hold onto our faith and remember evil will not prevail.” That’s good theology: In the long run, the God of the Bible triumphs. But that long run is much less temporal than it is eternal. Christians know no immunity from pain in a world cursed by sin. Instead, they look to a universe cleansed from sin and everlasting life in the presence of their Lord and King.

Osteen seems eager to talk about other things. According to him, “We’ve got to make our [church] services good. They’ve got to uplift people. They’ve got to walk away saying, ‘You know what, I feel better today.”’

Walk away feeling good? “Uplift?” Is this why God became both a man and, on the cross, the very essence of sin (II Corinthians 5:21)? This is Christianity without Christ, a spiritual oxymoron that removes the centre of the gospel and then throws only a shadow of hope on those in desperate need of transformation. It is grace reduced to psychological slobber and truth as a buffet from which you can select only those things you find appealing.

Lakewood’s statement of belief is sound, although basic. It’s my hope that Osteen and those on his large staff truly believe in the necessity of new birth in Christ and the need for faithful obedience to Him. But these things are not what Osteen preaches. His best-selling “Your Best Life Now” is hundreds of pages about how to obtain fulfillment without a single mention of dying to self and the cost of following Jesus. Instead, Pastor Joel recommends “letting go of the past” and tells us that we must “find strength through adversity.” In themselves, these things can aid you in regaining your emotional equilibrium. But is that it? Is this the message of the cross? Is this why, all over the world, martyrs are dying for their love of Jesus?

John Piper has outlined six problems with the “feel good” gospel. His analysis is a useful summary of where preachers like Osteen go far afield from “the faith once delivered” (Jude 1:3). According to Piper, such ministries as Osteen’s are characterized by:

  1. An absence of a serious doctrine of the biblical necessity and normalcy of suffering
  2. An absence of a clear and prominent doctrine of self-denial
  3. An absence of serious exposition of Scripture
  4. A failure to deal with tensions in Scripture
  5. Church leaders who have exorbitant lifestyles
  6. The prominence of self and marginalization of the greatness of God

The “serious exposition” of the good news of Christ involves things sinners often dislike hearing. As theologian Ray Ortlund reminds us, “The good news of the gospel begins with some really bad news. Our sins only provoke a bigger problem: the wrath of God. Our real problem is not our sins but God. He is angry, he isn’t going away, and there is nothing we can do about it.”

Nothing. We. Can. Do. About. It. No self-talk, no therapy, no learned technique to quell genuine guilt or silence the voice of divine conviction. This is the broad way against which Jesus so vividly warned, the way of Oprah and mysticism and prideful self-reliance. It might indeed lead to transient happiness but invariably takes one through the gates of hell.

The bad news of human sin and our inability to redeem ourselves is not the end of the story. “You were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked … and were by nature children of wrath,” Paul writes to the Christians in Ephesus, “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ.” Once dead, now alive: this is the key to your best life now and forever. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” Ephesians 2:1-9

Followers of Jesus should pray that God would so arrest the heart and mind of Joel Osteen and all like him that they would repent of the false gospel they so happily broadcast and issue a new message, one that announces the righteous anger of a holy God and the gracious offer of a loving Father. He is one and the same, and His offer of hope, meaning, transformation, and life itself never changes.

Sadly, Joel and Lakewood Church represent the church of Laodicea that is left behind to go through the Trumpet and Bowl judgements of God.

‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.” Revelation 3:15-19

Compare this with the church of Philadelphia which is the church that is raptured at the trumpet blast at the opening of the seventh seal.

“‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name… Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast to what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God.” Revelation 3:10-12

MARCH FOR LIFE 2024

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Thousands gathered for the 51st annual March for Life in Washington DC. This is an encouraging sign and hopefully most of the faces you see in this picture will be among those that are raptured at Jesus’ second coming in the foreseeable future. However, Jesus told us in advance that before His second coming to rescue the Saints the persecution of Christians will be intense. It will be a time of tribulation that escalates to great tribulation.

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.” Matthew 24:9-12

Let us make sure we are amongst those who endure until the end proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

“But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:13

GOD IS ALWAYS ON THE MOVE WITH THOSE TOTALLY COMMITTED TO HIM: FATHER, SON & HOLY SPIRIT.

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There’s a whole lot of baptism going on these days. Signs of revival have been ongoing around the U.S. since February when a spiritual awakening began at Asbury University. Initially, the awakening seemed to be happening mainly among college students. But the latest evidence is being seen in the form of hundreds of salvations and baptisms of all ages at churches across the country in just the last two weeks alone, not to mention over the past two months. From scores of souls being baptized at churches, to dozens being baptized at one prison, pastors across the U.S. are declaring that God is on the move. Pastor Eric Petree of Citygate Church in Cincinnati, Ohio posted online, “Over the past two weeks at Citygate we have seen 650 people give their life to Jesus, 93 baptized, and yesterday hundreds of people filled the altars seeking the baptism of the Holy Spirit.”

Sam Rainer, lead pastor, at West Bradenton Baptist Church in Florida, tweeted on Sunday, “Today we baptized 21 people at the beach. God is good! What a blessing!” At the Crossroads Church Jersey Shore Campus, 17 people professed their faith in Christ through public baptism. At the University of Houston, several students chose to be baptized in a public fountain after a Bible study. And Regent University in Virginia Beach just baptized nine students last week. A revival event was reported in mid-April in Damascus, Maryland at Difference Makers Church with non-stop worship that lasted for several days, with young people dedicating their lives to Christ. Jeremy Tucker posted the following photo, saying, “Worship has been going for 41 hours straight! Young people from churches all over Maryland/Virginia/DC are gathering to unite the bride of Christ for non-stop worship! We thought we’d never see it, but the Holy Spirit is finally breaking out in Maryland! Come, Lord Jesus!”

The GOSPEL is still the power of God to all who believe!” Many are also declaring their freedom in Christ, even behind prison walls. The God Behind Bars ministry reports, “First Baptisms Inside of this Prison in 7 years”. 35 men in a prison in Reno, Nevada were baptized!! What a powerful moment.” A recent conference at Trinity Baptist Church in Lancaster, South Carolina, reports, “Many were saved over the 2 days, and even more were encouraged to Keep on for Jesus!  …at the close of the Service, God moved on my heart to ask for prayer for those teens battling suicidal thoughts and over 20 raised their hands for prayer.”

And the list goes on and on. For weeks, churches have been reporting multiple baptisms, including people spontaneously choosing to join in. Christ Fellowship in Miami recently reported 14 baptisms. For the last few weeks, Faith Assembly Church in Winterville, North Carolina has reported baptism after baptism, week after week. Hope Missionary Church North Campus in Ossian, Indiana reported 31 baptisms just a few weeks ago. And two weeks ago, 14 more baptisms were reported at Revival Church in Modesto, California. A student-led evangelistic event based in Oklahoma quickly became one of the largest outreaches in the country after more than 80,000 people signed up for tickets within a matter of days.  Fill The Stadium (FTS) was a gospel outreach being held at the University of Oklahoma’s football stadium and happening in late April.

Source: CBNNews Robert Furman

GOOD NEWS FOR THE WORLD

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Here’s GOOD NEWS for the world!

Creation Ministries International seeks to give glory and honour to the triune God of the Bible as Creator and to affirm the truth of the biblical record of the real origin and history of the world and mankind.

Part of this real history is the bad news that the rebellion of the first man, Adam, against God’s command, brought death, suffering, and separation from God into this world. We see the results all around us. All of Adam’s descendants are sinful from conception (Psalm 51:5) and have themselves entered into this rebellion (sin). They, therefore, cannot live with a holy God but are condemned to separation from God. The Bible says that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) and that all are therefore subject to “everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power” (2 Thessalonians 1:9).

But the good news is that God has done something about it.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Jesus Christ the Creator, God the Son, though totally sinless, took on human nature, so He could become our Redeemer. Then He suffered, on behalf of mankind, the penalty of mankind’s sin, which is death and separation from God. He did this to satisfy the righteous demands of the holiness and justice of God, His Father. Jesus was the perfect sacrifice; He died on the cross, but on the third day, He rose again, conquering death, so that all who truly believe in Him, repent (repentance = a change of mind) of their sin and trust in Him (rather than their own merit), are able to come back to God and live for eternity with their Creator.

“He who believes on Him is not condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God” (John 3:18).

What a wonderful Saviour—and what a wonderful salvation in Christ our Creator!

If you want to know more of what the Bible says about how you can receive eternal life, please email, write, or call the office near you. For more: creation.com/good-news.

I also believe God has raised up Answers in Genesis for such a time as this. The fact that Martyn Isles (formerly ACL) has joined Answers in Genesis confirms that belief. Christians need to be able to show nonbelievers that the Word of God is inerrant and therefore provides the true history of this planet. Check out their website http://www.answersingenesis.com.