Ecclesia, Greek Ekklēsia, (“gathering of those summoned”), in ancient Greece, assembly of citizens in a city-state. Its roots lay in the Homeric agora, the meeting of the people.
Pray. Vote. Stand:
-we have the privilege to act and stand and be bold
-God has given us a voice in this time
-God has given us the opportunity by being bold, by taking a stand, by praying and fighting with the weapons of faith and putting on the full armor of God to change the direction of this nation
-Now is not the time to fear-the whole agenda is to always want us to be afraid
“ I think what we need as believers is we need a baptism of courage” Josh Hawley
“We know that the Judeo-Christian faith was vital to making this the most exceptional country in world history.”
“We will protect that in our schools.”
Faith, Family, Freedom-Tony Perkins says the battle is spiritual not political:
-Biblical worldview comes at a time when cancel culture has unleashed a full-fledged assault on America’s First Amendment rights
-We want to make sure that Christians don’t feel isolated, but they know that they are right, because they are in alignment with Scripture
“I was just standing for His truth and God honored His truth, and I’ve seen it over and over.” Perkins
-God is not finished with America
Ephesians 6 addresses slaves and the armor of God
“But we are called to love in the midst of these battles”
-we are to speak the truth from a redemptive heart
-It’s not to win a debate. It’s to win hearts and minds.
Which master will you serve?
Elijah was one of the greatest prophets
-Scripture says that he stood for God against an entire generation, against all powers that be
-He had courage, faith, simplicity, discipline, prayer and zeal
-He said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts” (1 Kings 19:10).
Story:
-Ahab was the king of Israel at the time and he was one of the wickedest of all the kings
-He did more evil than all the kings who preceded him
-He married a woman just as evil-Jezebel-a devout follower of Baal
Baal Worship:
-sex orgies, sensuality, and human sacrifice
Ex. archaeologists have found clay pots in the temples of Baal with the remains of baby bones that were sacrificed to Baal.
-People would sacrifice their children to Baal
-Jezabel was determined that every Israelite would worship Baal instead of the true and living God
Elijah-single man of God
-On Mount Carmel, Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal - 450 of them- and 400 prophets of the groves of Ashtaroth
-Challenged them all to a contest and see whose god is God
-Take 2 bulls and put them on the altar and see if your god will answer by fire
-All the prophets of Baal called upon their god. They cried all day, but no answer came (1 Kings 18: 22-23)
-Elijah took his turn-but he had them make a trench around the altar and pour 12 barrels of water on and around the altar, so the altar is soaking wet
-Elijah then called on God and the fire came and burned up the entire altar, including all the water (1 Kings: 18: 30-38)
“How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him” (1 Kings 18:21)
Today:
-You may want to live in 2 opinions: live your own life and follow your own “gods”
-But you should instead you should live for the living God, which is found in Jesus Christ
**people want a true God but also want to live out the sensualities of the world
-you cannot serve God and sensuality
-If not with God the American dream is a disillusionment
-nowhere does God say that happiness is to ge a goal in life
Followers:
-Our goal is to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ
-To grow in the grace and knowledge of Him, to reach maturity in Christ, to be conformed to His image
-The pleasures of sin, the Scriptures teach, are only for a season, a short time
-Sin leaves a bitter taste in our mouth
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12)
-Baal can’t answer your deepest questions: Where did I come from? What is the purpose of my life? Where am I going?
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7: 13-14).
Masters:
-It’s a choice between two masters
-You have to choose between two worlds
-Earth is dominated by evil, but Christ dominates the whole expanse: heaven and the world
-You have to live in the world, but you do not have to conform to it
“No one can serve two masters for either you hate one and love the other, or else be loyal to one and despise the other” (Matthew 6: 24).
-Jesus taught “and the desires of your father you want to do” (John 8:44).
“Whoever commits sin is a slave of sin” (John 8:34).
“Sin shall not have dominion over you” (Romans 6:14)
“But Lord, we did this and we did that, we did the other things,” Jesus is going to say, “I never knew you. Depart from me” (Matthew 7: 21-23).
Action:
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world–the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life–is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2: 15-17).
-Better to be in His world, serving Him
-You will have to choose between two destinies: Heaven or Hell
“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides in him” (John 3: 36).
“When you make that choice for Christ, it involves a price. It means that your whole life must change. There must be repentance. And repentance means to turn around, to change your way of living” (Billy Graham).
The Bible says, “He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy” (Proverbs 29:1).
The Decision is yours!
