GENDER BENDERS ...

In an insightful article exposing the hidden agenda behind the same-sex marriage initiative, Dr. James Dobson is warning that not only has traditional marriage been targeted for ruin, but now sexual identity and gender distinction itself is under a blistering attack.

Indeed they are.  Major retailers have removed signage that would point customers to clothing and toys designed for “Boys” or “Girls.”  Bloomberg Business carried an article this summer entitled, “The End of Boys and Girls: These companies are going to change how your kids dress.” 

Todd Starnes of Fox News is reporting that in the Fairfax, Virginia public schools, a new gender identity curriculum has been adopted for middle and high school students.  The students will be taught that there is no such thing as 100 percent boys or 100 percent girls.  They will be introduced to transgenderism and to the transsexual revolution. 

Similar curriculums in Great Britain have taken their toll.  Today half of the young people say they are not 100% heterosexual. 

The unisex look—effeminate looking guys, masculine looking gals—is bearing the malignant fruit we knew that it would.  There’s a reason God insisted that men should not wear womanish looking clothing, and that women should dress in modest effeminate clothing. 

Girls that dress in clothing identified with boys will not only move and act like boys, they will begin to think like boys.  Boys that dress in clothing that is identified with girls will not only move and act like girls, they will begin to think like girls.  Parents should prayerfully consider how they are dressing their children.  Fitting in with Divine Design is far more important than fitting in with popular culture.

This is no time for rationalization, cultural relativism, or even an appeal to personal comfort.  This is the time for God’s people to accent and celebrate their God given gender.  

But it was Todd Starne’s report from Fairfax, Virginia that is capturing my attention today.  Telling students that they are not 100% male or 100% female not only defies biology (every cell in our bodies identifies us as male or female) but also blatantly contradicts the Word of God.  “God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”  Genesis 1:27.

The enemy wants us to think that right and wrong are not discrete, absolute choices.  He wants us to think that morality is actually on continuum, a sliding scale.  But we’ve seen this before from the father of lies.

Jesus warned us, “Let your yes mean yes and your no mean no.”  He told us that evil comes to those who tamper with definitions.  How many times have we heard the voice of the tempter saying, “Maybe that wouldn’t be so wrong in this circumstance?”

The deceiver says things like, “Go ahead and live with your partner, enjoy each other’s body.  You’re practically married anyway.” What folly.  You’re not married until you’re married.  And study after study confirms why God’s Word urges sexual abstinence outside of marriage.  Those who do not wait have divorce rates incredibly higher than those who follow God’s plan.

The Liar in Chief says, “You can disobey God sometimes and still be a disciple of Christ.”  He fuels his deception by pointing to the moral failures of professing Christians and rationalizing, “no one is perfect.” 

But Jesus did not mince words.  ^“If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings.” (John 14:23,24).  John says it plainly, “If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”  (1 John 2:15)

So Christians let’s be who we are!  100% Christ’s.

And Ladies, be who you are!  100% a Daughter of the King!

And Gentlemen, be who you are!  100% a Son of God!

 

ROOFTOP REASON

²³ But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: ...²⁶ Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.

²⁷ What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light:

and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.

²⁸ And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 

T H E   W O R D S   O F   J E S U S   R E C O R D E D   I N   M A T T H E W   1 0 : 2 3 – 2 8

 

The LORD and 150 people willing, this coming Sunday Morning your Pastor will be preaching on the roof!

It was a fun conversation with one of our Seminarians, Tom Gober that started this idea.  Somehow we got to talking about housetop preaching and the next thing we knew we were talking about PR on the roof at FCC. “Oh,” Tom said, “that would be so cool.”  And so…

In the 10^th Chapter of Matthew, Jesus is urging His disciples to be faithful witnesses and warning them of coming persecution.  He urged them to speak with courage and conviction.  He told his disciples to not fear their enemies, but to publicly proclaim from the housetops what He told them privately. 

In ancient Jerusalem the teacher of God’s law often had beside him an interpreter of Hebrew who would softly whisper into his ear the exact meaning of the text.  The teacher would then speak what he had heard.

What are to say?

What the Lord Himself has and is teaching us to say.

How much are we to say?

All that the Lord Himself has and is teaching us to say.  We must be explicit.  We must declare the whole counsel of God. Half truths cannot suffice.  We must speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

The problem with so much of contemporary Christendom is not what they are saying, but what they do not say.  They preach Christ without a cross.  They offer forgiveness without repentance.  And they offer discipleship without discipline. 

How long are we to continue?

Until we cannot continue! Jesus said, He that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Given the growing antipathy toward Bible believing Christians, it would seem that the LORD himself is drawing our attention to this passage. 

Years ago I saw a bumper sticker that read, “Get in, sit down, shut up, and hold on!”  When I saw who was driving I laughed!  I think I might have taken that advice if I were in her car.  J

Christians today are being told “Get in line, Sit down, Shut up, and Hold on to the world.”  And I’m laughing again.  There is absolutely no way I am going to line up with the godless, sit in the counsel of the ungodly, shut my mouth against deception, or hold on to a world that is opposed to the love of God. 

I’LL PREACH THAT FROM THE HOUSETOP!

IT'S TOO MUCH TRAUMA... NOT JUST DRAMA

Why are children acting like this?  What’s wrong with teenagers?  We want them to “grow well and love well,” but in far too many cases our young people are emotionally fragile, distrustful, and simply missing the mark.  They are zoned out, anesthetized by the latest beat and drifting through life in search of something—anything that makes them feel good.
Psychiatrists tell us that it’s more than just drama, it’s trauma that is to blame.  Researchers now report that a growing number of our children and teens have been severely impacted by the tragedies they have witnessed and experienced.

So last Friday evening I asked my teens if they had experienced a major life-changing trauma—a trauma they had witnessed, or something they had experienced.  As over half of the young people raised their hands my heart was broken.

I didn’t probe.  I didn’t want to embarrass them publicly.  Some of their stories I already knew.  They have been abused physically and tortured sexually.  They have seen relatives and parents fighting—some with guns.  Most of their parents are not married. Many of those that are married have been married several times. And some are living in homes with “two mommies.” Some are orphans.

They have awakened in the morning to find their parents so drugged or drunk that they could not wake them up.  Some have wondered why their mothers or fathers did not come home for days at a time. Imagine being a 3^rd grader trying to fend for yourself wondering if anyone would come to help.  One teen’s father told him that his mother was dead.  For more than 10 years he’s thought he could never see his mother again. Last week he found out she’s actually alive. 

Truthfully, sometimes I’m tempted to think it’s hopeless.  These young people have been damaged.

But God!  God so loved!  God so loved the world!

The loving care of our Lord Jesus has transformational power that is unparalleled.  Government programs can’t match it.  Educational curriculum can’t surpass it.  Psychology can’t provide it.  Medicine can’t medicate it.

If we can carry these precious wounded hearts to our loving Savior their trauma can be transformed.  I like the way one song writer puts it, “Turn your test into a testimony!”

That’s why FCC has for 19 years been dedicated to press forward our bus and outreach ministry.  Since September of 1996 FCC has introduced thousands of children to the love of Christ.  We have compassionately sown the seed of the Gospel in the hearts of “the least among us” with the conviction that God’s Word will not return void.  More and more of them are victims of trauma.  How wonderful to present them to Jesus.

Should you be one who has experienced a life-changing trauma let’s pray: “OUR FATHER, Creator and Keeper of the Universe. Thank you for loving me, for listening to me, and for lifting me.  I pray that your love would fill every part of my heart.  I pray that you would forgive me for mistrusting your love and disobeying your perfect will.  I pray that you would heal my wounded heart and help me to help others.  I am totally yours.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.”

STYLE, SUBSTANCE, OR SPIRIT?

STYLE, SUBSTANCE…OR SPIRIT?

The rise and fall of those aspiring to the presidency has been stunning.  Out of nowhere Donald Trump has risen to take the lead among likely Republican voters.  Mrs. Clinton has watched her political fortune dissipate one scandal at a time.  Ben Carson is showing an impressive come from behind surge.  Bernie Sanders, (Who? You know the socialist from Vermont) is packing huge stadiums in the west.

Voters are telling pollsters that they like Donald Trump’s style.  He’s confident.  He’s certain.  He’s definite.  While it remains to be seen if Trump’s “style” will carry him to the White House, it is certain that style often trumps (pun intended) substance in political campaigns.  The 2008 campaign of the junior senator from Illinois proved that image and style could win.  Who really knew what he meant as he campaigned in Columbia, Missouri, “We are five days away from fundamentally transforming the United States of America.”  Who really cared?  After all, Obama was cool.

Style may secure the victory, but it is substance that sets the agenda.  The voters and the media need to ask hard questions and thoughtfully consider not only what the candidates are saying, but what they have done.

While “image politics” has certainly cost the nation, it is “image church” that is damning our nation.  In too many quarters we have not resisted the siren call of the cool popular.  They want to dance. So we dance.  They want to rock.  So we rock.  They want to look cool.  So we look cool.   They do not want to know specifics—“thou shalt have no other Gods before me”…”Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy”…”thou shalt not kill, commit adultery, lie or steal”…”To be carnally minded is death,”—so we keep it general, “Love God.” 

Of course, in a culture where the beat is more important than the words, where the feel is more important than the facts, and where the substance driven, Bible believing, teaching, preaching ministry is considered irrelevant at best and pharisaical at worst (dem legalists)—we are faced with an existential moment.

So what’s a 21^st century church to do?

Change our style?  That’s superficial. 

Change our substance? That’s specious. 

We need Spirit!  The Holy Spirit.  The Spirit of the Living God.  The Spirit of Pentecost. The Spirit of Holiness.  The Spirit that raised up Jesus from the dead.  The Spirit that purifies.  The Spirit that guides us into all truth.  The Spirit that bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God.  The Spirit that intercedes.  The Spirit that sanctifies.  The Spirit that satisfies. 

Without Him we can do nothing. 

The last recorded words of our Lord Jesus in the New Testament are not the Great Commission, “Go ye…” Nor are they His words at His ascension, “Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.”  His last words were recorded by John in Revelation 3, “HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT SAITH”  Let’s do that.

TALK ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE...

President Obama took his entourage to Alaska this week to visit the receding Exit Glacier and to warn the world of the immediate threat of global warning.

While some have openly questioned the claims of scientists who warn of global warming, others have wondered whether or not global warming is actually man-made. After all, they argue, the last ice age ended long before the earth was populated with polluting people.  Certainly that warm-up wasn't man-made.

But while climate change is debatable, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO QUESTION THAT THE MORAL CLIMATE OF OUR CULTURE HAS AND IS CHANGING.

Respect for Authority is fading fast.  The police are targeted, teachers are threatened, and parents are fearful that their own children will attack.   Both the rule of Law and those charged with the task of upholding the law, are no longer respected.

Respect for Life is no longer our deepest conviction.  Murder rates are rising at alarming rates as fatherless gangsters battle in the streets.  Planned Parenthood not only murders the most innocent among us, they sell the parts of the children they have aborted.  Life is cheap. 

Today, knowing our "Rights" has replaced knowing what is "Right."

Liberty is thought to be incompatible with Law.

The reason of fallen man has replaced the revelation of the living God.
 
TALK ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE!

It's no wonder that violent murder rates are rising at an alarming rate.
It's no wonder that the police are maligned and mistreated.
It's no wonder that children are so unruly and disrespectful.
It's no wonder that sexual immorality is epidemic.
It's no wonder that people are zoning out on drugs to escape the hopelessness and despair of a meaningless universe.
It's no wonder that families are disintegrating, marriage is mocked, and sanctity is sanctioned.

So what are we to do?  How can we positively impact the moral climate of our time?

1. MORAL CITIZENS MUST STAND UP, SPEAK UP, AND REFUSE TO GIVE UP!  Believers in environmental climate change religiously proclaim their agenda. We who contend for morality must be even more zealous.  We must do our research, present our findings, and press our case in the public square.  We must be as earnest about moral purity as they are about environmental cleanliness.

2. BECAUSE TRADITIONAL HOMES ARE THE BEST AT INSTILLING MORAL SENSE INTO CHILDREN, WE MUST ZEALOUSLY GUARD THE SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY.  The best predictor of juvenile delinquency is not race or poverty, it is fatherlessness.  We simply must return to the nuclear family, "one man, one woman, for life," as exalted by Christ and Christian Civilization.  Only this arrangements is adequate to incubate moral sense into the tender hearts of children. 

3. WE MUST IDENTIFY WITH THE BODY OF CHRIST. Bible-believing, God-fearing, Christ-honoring, Spirit-filled, Separated-Christianity must be both our Sunday choice, and our Monday through Saturday commitment.  Only hearts and minds that are transformed by truth will withstand the sunami of immorality that is descending upon us.  Bible preaching churches need our support, and we need their support as well.

4. First Century Christianity faced every challenge we are facing--Idolatry, Licentiousness, Depravity, and Life-threatening opposition--but they overcame by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. GOD IS ABLE AND WILLING TO KEEP US AS WE HUMBLY SEEK HIS FACE, HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT SAYS, AND WALK IN THE LIGHT. 

WHO IS THIS LORD?

As we continue our 19th Anniversary series "ALL FOR HIM!" we are doing our best "TO MAKE READY A PEOPLE PREPARED FOR THE LORD."

In a very real sense, all of our lives are spent preparing for that great day when we see Jesus. The Scriptures tell us, "Every eye shall see Him." "We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ." Peter urges us to "Be diligent that we may be found of Him in peace."

But who is this LORD? When the Lord himself asked the disciples, "Whom do men say that I am?" they answered, "Some think you are Elijah, others think you are John the Baptist, and others think you’re Jeremiah or a prophet."

Then the LORD directed the question to his 12 disciples. "Whom say ye that I am?"

It is one of life’s most important questions. Peter didn’t hesitate to answer. He testified, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Amen!

When he testified, "THOU ART THE CHRIST" he was identifying JESUS of Nazareth as the Messiah--God’s Anointed Savior.

When he called Him, "THE SON" he was exalting His Divine and Human nature. And when he called Him "THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD" he was making clear that the LORD was not conjured up in the imaginations of the Ancients, nor was He made in the image of man. Ah this LORD was the SON OF THE LIVING GOD! The One who is. The One who was. The One who will always be.

Peter’s testimony drew a most interesting response from the Lord Jesus. Hear Jesus saying, "Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you!" Men and women who see the LORD for who He is do not see HIM on account of His miracles. They do not understand HIM because of His superb teachings. They do not recognize His authority because of His gracious acts of compassion. They see HIM because THE FATHER IN HEAVEN reveals it to them.

This revelation is offered universally, but it is only received individually.

Our answer to our LORD"s question, "Who do you say I am?" will finally determine the answer to our own identity. One day the Judge of all the earth will reveal who we are to all the world.

You see, our answer to Who He Is, determinesthe answer to Who We Are.

YOU THINK DISTRACTED DRIVING IS BAD? CONSIDER THIS...

2 PETER 3:13,14 … We, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.  Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

This past week the highly acclaimed business guru, John Maxwell, emailed an invitation to watch a video on “Successful Thinking.”  The theme of this segment was “Successful thinkers are focused thinkers.”  I took the bait and listened to what he had to say.

I learned great things like, “unsuccessful people go in too many directions, successful people focus on the main thing.”  Wow!  What a revelation.  Actually there were some good reminders in Maxwell’s presentation.  “Believe while others are doubting.  Plan while other playing. Study while others are sleeping. Begin while other procrastinate. Save while others are wasting.  Smile while others are frowning. Persist while others are quitting.”

As Maxwell stressed the importance of focus, I began to think about our focus on faith.  There are so many distractions to the life of faith. Tim Challies from Toronto is right.  “If we are a distracted people, a distracted society, it stands to reason that we would also be a distracted church, a church with a diminished ability to think deeply, to cultivate concentration, to emphasize slow, deliberate, thoughtful meditation.” 

I’m thinking Tony Reinke is seeing the same thing that I’m seeing, “Our spiritual condition is one of having spiritual ADD...We are more easily distracted from the important issues of our lives moment by moment.”

So at the precise moment when we ought to be looking up to the Savior, we’re staring down a screen.  When we are only a heartbeat away from eternity, we’re lost in the world of “Beats.”  While godlessness increases around us, godliness is ignored or rejected within us.  If the devil can’t defeat us, he will distract us.

In the last chapter of his last letter to the Church, the Apostle Peter urged,  “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.”  2 Peter 3:14.

This diligence, or focus, is our desperate need.  Jesus reproved the busyness of Martha and blessed her Christ-focused sister Mary saying, “She hath chosen the better part.” 

Distraction leads us to shallow thinking, and shallow thinking produces shallow living.

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the Light of His glory and grace!”