Today’s message summary of April 30, 2017 from Pastor Gus Brown:
We live in a society that values the right to vote for its pleasures. Pleasures will win every time. Society holds that the only place we are to find Jesus Christ is within the church.
In contrast with the message of Jesus Christ to “go into all the world and preach the gospel,” (Matthew 28:19) our societal focus is to prevent this from occurring.
What does our society value today?
- Freedom of sexual expression and immorality
- Freedom to use profanity
- Freedom to use alcohol and drugs
- Freedom to destroy that which is good for all
Karl Marx’s view on religion:
- It’s irrational
- Religion is a delusion and avoids reality
- Religion negates all that is dignified in a human being by rendering them servile (like that of a slave or servant) and more amenable to accept the status quo
The church, and Christians, have moved to a place of acceptance of the status quo in America. It is not really challenged even within some of our own behaviors and actions.
God’s standards and principles have never changed. He still challenges believers with His standards of obedience and living according to His will.
Have we reached a point in which there is no room for the teaching of Jesus?
John 8:37
I know you are descendants of Abraham, but you are trying to kill Me because My word is not welcome among you.
Why is it that society today deems the use of the words of Jesus as being an attack? Simply, the truth of the message of Jesus Christ has the power to set people free from bondage. (There is virtually no opposition to any other religious practice.)
Proverbs notes that “out of the heart comes the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). Satan does not care whether or not you go to church, but he is concerned over whether or not you are focused on the Word of God. The constant focus on God’s Word is what refines you in your practice of following Jesus Christ. God’s Word challenges your way of thinking, and often provides guidance with correction. You need to have the desire to seek Him for yourself.
Acts 17:11
The people here were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, since they welcomed the message with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
Because of society desiring to exclude Jesus Christ, have we lost our blessing?
Psalm 33:10-12
The Lord frustrates the counsel of the nations; He thwarts the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart from generation to generation. Happy is the nation whose God is Yahweh–the people He has chosen to be His own possession!
Jesus was warning Jesus to “leave this place” of Jerusalem (Luke 13:31). He was warned by the people about Herod (who represents the government), but Jesus told them that He would continue His work.
Luke 13:32-33
He said to them, “Go tell that fox, ‘Look! I’m driving out demons and performing healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will complete My work. Yet I must travel today, tomorrow, and the next day, because it is not possible for a prophet to perish outside of Jerusalem!
As the kingdom of God tries to go forth, there are those who are trying to keep it at bay. Society has tried to put limits on the things of Christianity. What you are to see here is the determination that is needed to keep moving the church of God forward. We are not to give up easily, and we are not to accept what society tells us. At some point, someone has to stand up and tells others about Jesus Christ, no matter what others may say.
It is either following human authority, or God’s authority.
Acts 5:29
But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.”
Everyday there are people who want to push back against the teachings of Christ (Mark 3:6; Luke 19:47). It is little wonder that the church is dying in America.
What are we facing today? A downward trend in society, because we refuse to accept the truth, which comes from the words of Jesus Christ.
John 14:6
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
People are in need of ministry and healing, no matter what society tries to dictate. There will always be a need for people to experience your love and compassion, and as a result, the love of Jesus Christ.
It is the kindness of the people that draws them to the love of Jesus Christ. We are to keep going today, tomorrow and the next day, and then watch God open the doors of the hearts of many. It is what we must do for the glory of God.
Akron Alliance Fellowship 