Your House is on Fire!!!

This week my heart is burdened down with the onslaught of evil that has come down through legislation and court rulings.  What’s equally burdensome is to watch this onslaught happen in Springfield, MO.  The Mayor and his council are ready to legislatively strike a deathblow to the Church of Springfield and I haven’t heard a peep from the Church.  Once this “Sexual orientation and gender identity” ordinance passes, we can say with certainty that the Church in Springfield is effectively dead.  If the Church doesn’t stand up then who will?  As I watch this great nation disintegrate, I can’t escape the fact that it’s because the Church has busied herself with programs, projects and things that don’t matter one bit as it relates to the battles that God and Satan are currently locked in.  Alex de Tocqueville concluded that America was great because of her Churches.  There is no question that it was the influence of the Church that’s at the source of the greatness of Western Civilization and America.  Therefore, make no mistake that if America becomes rotten, it will be due to the fact that her Churches have lost their way.  There is a saying that says, “As the Church goes, so goes the culture.”  If we can tolerate institutional sin through legislation, we will eventually have to tolerate it in our Churches.

For over seven years the Mayor and his ilk have been planning to imprison the Church within its four walls.  Therefore, make no mistake about it; this will happen if the pastors of Springfield refuse to lead their congregations in regards to the issues of the day; as if God doesn’t have an opinion.

In the Community Free Press in the August 7-21 publication, “A. J. Brockelman, executive director of PROMO, said he sees a strong fight within the Republican Party in Jefferson City on many moderate issues, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LBGT) issues. “ This is a battleground” (speaking of Springfield, MO),” he said, “Many of the places we’ve already passed something, it’s been the easy fight.  This is the tough fight.  This has been on our platform to do in Springfield for about seven years.  This is a long fought battle.  This is strategic.  If we are able to win this fight with your help here in Springfield, this is a tipping point to be able to get more LBGT components in the state.  This sends a message that even in what’s viewed as one of the most conservative bastions in the state is still going to support the LBGT community.”

God is asking one question in this hour, where are My leaders, where are My ambassadors, where is My army?  Where is the Churches seven year plan to represent and rule on Christ’s behalf?

I will continue to cry out to the pastors of Springfield from the city walls to repent for running from the battle and to take their place at the gates of this city.  Some
may find scriptures to excuse themselves from the battle.  Some may find comfort from one another to sit out.  Some will take the easy route out, and just simply kill the messenger.  Some are too concern about their reputation or their perceived reputation.  Whatever the reason for silence and inaction, I know through the Holy Spirit that God will not excuse silence in this hour; it is sin, and it is dangerous for all who reside under it.

The only question on the table is which of God’s John the Baptists will stand up and represent the King and His kingdom to Herod.  Who will stand and proclaim righteousness.  Who will lead the congregations into the debate in the marketplace? Who’s willing to risk members and loss of friends?  Who’s willing to go against the peer pressure or lose finances?  The ugly reality is that if nothing is done you will lose the very thing that you hope to preserve.  We are faced with a choice and that choice is are we more willing to die hiding in our Churches and homes, or in the battle that God and the Devil are currently fighting?  When our house catches on fire do we go into the kitchen to wash the dishes as if nothing is happening; by the same token neither can we do business as usual and expect to not suffer great consequences.

Martin Luther said,  “If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved; and to be steady on all the battlefield besides, is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point”.

When Jesus said, “all authority has been given unto me”, it was with the clear understanding that, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.” (Col 1:16)  The thrones of Springfield were not created for the Devil and his followers; they were created for God and His glory.  The Devil has representatives to do his bidding, and God has representatives to do His bidding.  If we don’ speak, then God is silent.  If we don’t speak now, we won’t be able to in the future.

My brothers in the battle, let me leave you with this thought in regards to a pastor arrested under Nazi Germany for being politically incorrect;

The morning after Pastor Martin Niemueller was arrested, the Lutheran chaplain was making his rounds in the city jail. And as he entered Niemueller’s cell he was astounded and dismayed to find his fellow clergyman sitting there under arrest. “My brother!” he exclaimed, “what did you do? Why are you here?” Niemueller, never at a loss for words immediately reacted, “My brother, given what is happening in our country, why aren’t you here?”

“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”  Dietrich Bonheoffer