Today, Especially in these Times of the Coronavirus, Our Way of Life Is Slipping Quickly Away From Us

MESSAGE SUMMARY:

Before we blame our problems of today on those we have elected to high office (e.g., President, Congress, Governors), remember God told Daniel and King Nebuchadnezzar, in Daniel 4:17b, that He, God, rules {God is sovereign} the kingdom of men {i.e. Governance} and He gives it {i.e. Governance} to whom He chooses:  “the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High {God} rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.”. We seem to get those in our Governance that we either need or that we deserve – “the lowliest of men”. In all, God is always Sovereign.

Today, especially in these times of the coronavirus, our way of life is slipping quickly away from us, but our way of life is not just about elections and politics. This risk arises from direct threats to both our Christian faith-based institutions and our country’s related founding principles. The news, 24/7, confirms that this risk to our country, our way of life, and Christianity is coming from a constant state of conflict among institutions, cultures, and individuals. The Bible provides examples of similar institutionalized conflicts throughout the ages. However, the conflict today in and among organized religion, over the basic principles of Biblical teachings and Jesus’ Gospel, makes one wonder where and when the path for a way out of this descension and conflict will emerge.  From Clergy, Politicians, and the men and women in the street, God is mocked daily along with His institutions. Paul tells us, in Galatians 6:7, that: “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap." Some ask, in a mocking fashion, “Where is Jesus; He is supposed to be the Peacemaker?” or “Where is God in this Pandemic?”. Jesus answers these questions in Matthew 10:34-35, 38-39: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law . . . And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." 

The risks from this conflict, the mocking of God, and the large numbers of institutions walking away from the principles upon which America was founded will only be addressed by a change in our hearts. The hearts of the people will not change until we have a true spiritual awakening. As Jesus tells us in John 14:1: “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.”. Additionally, Isaiah tells us in Isaiah 35:4: “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.”. A spiritual awakening is needed not only to save souls from eternal damnation but to save our way of life. This “Spiritual Awakening” begins by proclaiming Christ faithfully to the nations.

 

TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: Today, because of I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I will not be controlled by my Self-centeredness. Rather, I will walk in the Spirit’s fruit of Love. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22f).

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Ezekiel 22:30; Daniel 4:28-32; Matthew 22:19-21; Isaiah 29:8-21; Galatians 6:7; Matthew 10:34-35, 38-39; John 14:1; Isaiah 35:4.

THIS SUNDAY’S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach’s Current Sunday Sermon: “What does the Resurrection of Jesus Have to Do with Us? What are the implications for humanity?", at our Website: www.AWFTL.org/listen/.

WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S SERMON VIDEO – “Do the Issues and Fears of Today Cause You to Ask: “Am I Going To Heaven”?”:  www.AWFTL.org/watch

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