If ever the Christ-follower, the true believer, needed to be “set on fire” it is today!  Jesus told the Last Day’s church at Laodicea that because they were “lukewarm,” neither hot or cold, He was ready to spit them out of His mouth.  Wow, that’s a serious threat from the Lord God Himself!

In this message I want to do something that could change our lives, both believers and unbelievers. I want the Holy Spirit to “ignite” our PASSION FOR JESUS!

Passion is “a powerful force; strong and barely controllable emotion; a state or outburst of such emotion; intense desire or enthusiasm for something; a thing arousing enthusiasm.”

Ask yourself, “What am I passionate about?” Is it sports, music, sex, reading, news, money, business? Recently 250 pastors gathered for our Concerts of Prayer – Annual Summit in PA.  David Bryant led us in an experience called, “Christ Alone.”  It got all of us all thinking about the question, “How passionate am I for Christ?”

In a recent article by Francis Chan, “Public Passion Vs. Private Devotion,” he confessed the possibility that he could lead a successful church in America without being in love with Jesus.  I wonder how true that is for many of us, whether it be ministry, business or career?

What brought you to the point of salvation?  Was it desperation caused by a problem in your life, marriage, family, business, finances, sickness or a divorce?  Maybe it was to escape Hell (not a bad idea). I wonder how many of us were motivated by the “love of Christ” or “love for Christ” when we realized how much He loves us, and how much He wants to bring us into fellowship with Him?

I believe that the prize of the high calling in Christ is not getting to Heaven (a good idea) but rather to become like Jesus in all the glory of His moral attributes.

A.W. Tozer said it well, “The modern scientist has lost God amid the wonders of His world; we Christians are in real danger of losing God amid the wonders of His Word.” The end affect in similar.  We miss Him!

Last month we spent three days at our Pastor’s Summit reveling in the majesty and glory of Jesus. Since then, God has been dealing with me personally, especially after reading Francis Chan’s article. I have been faced with the question over and over again, “Do I love the church, the ministry, my work, my wife, my family, my own personal ambition and success, MORE than I love Jesus.”

In the movie, “The Hiding Place” Cory and Betsy are imprisoned in Ravensbrook Concentration camp, and face the challenge of trusting God completely. A bitter Jewish violinist who has had her hands broken by the Germans challenges Betsy.  With her career ruined, and now imprisoned, she blames God for what has happened.  Betsy replies, “If only you knew Him and His love…when you know Him, you don’t have to know why.” Do we really know Him? How much do we really love Him?

As I read Scripture and look at the great people of the Bible like Moses, Job, David, Isaiah, Paul, I sense that they knew something about God that we may have missed.  I suggest that this is the greatest challenge of life.

MOSES faced it on Mt. Sinai, EX. 3:10- “Therefore, come now, and I will send you to Pharaoh, so that you may bring My people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?” And He said, “Certainly I will be with you, and this shall be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God at this mountain.” Then Moses said to God, “Behold, I am going to the sons of Israel, and I will say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you.’ Now they may say to me, ‘What is His name?’ What shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ”

You see, it’s not who we are that really counts in a blessed life, it is Who HE IS. Once Moses got to know God for WHO He is, it was all downhill from thereon.

DAVID had to have had an encountered God before he could write Psalm 23, (MES)“God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows; you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure. You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life. God claims Earth and everything in it, God claims World and all who live on it.”

No wonder David said, “Like the dear pants after the water brook, so my soul pants after God.” When you know Him, you want Him, and when you know Him more, you want Him more!

ISAIAH’S life was changed and challenged when He encountered God is all His glory (6:1-5) “In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory.” And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke. Then I said, “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.”

What is blocking your view of God today?  What “Uzziah” has to die emotionally, personally, ambition-wise, even physically in your life before you can see Jesus clearly?

PAUL’S quest to know Christ is legend, Phil. 3:7-17 (MES “The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I’m tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn’t want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness… I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.  Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal.”

Consider Paul’s description of Jesus as he got to know Him better:

Colossians. 1:15-20 (NLT)  “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.  Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else and he holds all creation together. Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything. For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself.

He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.”

I keep asking myself, “What did these men know about Jesus that our generation seems to have missed? People get saved, baptized in water, join the church, even get into ministry, but there is little evidence that the God of Moses, David, Paul, is sought after and passionately pursued.

When you really know Jesus, and He is everything we read in Colossians, Philippians, Psalms, then it is easy to trust and obey Him in everything. Then we are not only Purpose Driven, but also PERSON Driven.  Maybe some of us need to get Person Driven before we can even become Purpose Driven.

DR. J. I. PACKER describes the modern church, “In today’s church historic Christian belief in Jesus Christ is like Humpty Dumpty; it has had a great fall, and now lies before us in broken pieces.  Everyone picks us some of these, but few have them all or know what to do with what they have.”

This is what Jesus was teaching in the Beatitudes – Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. (MES)“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat. “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

DAVID BRYANT points out the sevenfold revelation of Christ from Scripture as what Christ is TO us, FOR us, OVER us, BEFORE us, -WITHIN us, THROUGH us, UPON us:

-TO us -This speaks of how His supremacy is firmly rooted in his deity, His nature, His character, as well as His Trinitarian existence as the Son of the Father. In Him we have the embodiment of the fulfillment of Scripture, the image of the invisible God.

-FOR us- this speaks of His incarnation; He became one of us so that through His redemptive, sacrificial death, followed by His victorious resurrection He conquered death and hell FOR us.

-OVER us – This speaks of his supremacy as King of the Universe, the Ruler of history, the Lord of Hosts over the Nations, and the Master of our lives.  Jesus is LORD.

-BEFORE us – Jesus went before us into the Throne Room of Heaven to intercede for us. He is the first-born of the resurrection paving the way for us; we are already seated with Him in the Heavenly places because He is already there.

-WITHIN us – By His Holy Spirit, Christ indwells every born-again believer; Christ is you, your hope of glory; Paul prayed that we would be “filled with all the fullness of God in Christ”

-THROUGH us – His supremacy is evidenced working through the Holy Spirit making us witnesses to the lost; to make known to the Nations His salvation and Lordship, with weapons of our warfare that are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, taking everything captive to Christ.

-UPON us – He is pouring out His Spirit UPON us in these last days, bringing in the spiritual revival that will precede His return

What a resume, what a description, what a SAVIOR! No wonder Paul sums up this seven-fold revelation of Christ with these words, “That in everything Christ may have first place!”

-Is this the Christ you are hungering and thirsting for?

-Is this the Christ you have welcomed into your heart as your Savior, to cleanse and sanctify your life?

-Is this the Christ you seek daily in prayer, the Word, in every circumstance you face?

-Is this the Christ you surrender to as Lord of your life, marriage, family, business, education, and ministry?

-Is this the Christ you are waiting to see, any day now?

Make some practical steps to apply this truth:

1. Make some time for Jesus, just to love Him

2. Get into His Word daily – find a good devotional

3. Spend quality time in prayer – speaking and listening

4. Show you love for God by serving Him and others

5. Give God access to your finances in good stewardship, tithes and offerings.

6. Keep you life pure as you wait for Him to return.

Let the Holy Spirit IGNITE your passion for Christ anew today, and turn your eyes upon Jesus!

This month’s 1st Friday Prayer Gathering will be held on March 5th at 8 p.m.

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Genesis 2:18-24 “Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.” Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the sky, and to every beast of the field, but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him. So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place. The Lord God fashioned into a woman the rib, which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. The man said, “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.”

Matt. 19:4-6 “And He (Jesus) answered and said, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? “So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”

-Is marriage a man-made institution or law devised by a government or a religion?

-Is marriage a relationship that can be entered into, or broken at will or the whim of partner or both?

-Is marriage a license to have sexual relations without respect for the soul and spirit of both man and woman?

-Is marriage open to all kinds of relationships, regardless of gender or species, opening the door to same-sex marriage, polygamy, or bestiality?

These are the questions we are facing as Valentine’s Day comes upon us this year.  The biblical answer to all these questions is “NO.” In the Bible we have the precise guidelines to the institution of marriage ordained by God Himself, in the first Book of the OT and the first Book of the NT.

-Genesis 1 & 2 makes is clear that “God said…”

-Matt. 19 makes it clear that “Jesus said…”

To me, the greatest offense by those seeking to change marriage from the union of a man and a woman is the audacity of shamefully changing what Creator God said is “good.”

“Through the years,” a lot has changed regarding marriages and perhaps in your marriage, but you are here today to reaffirm the basis of your vows to each other years ago.  Today, you will repeat those vows & reaffirm your commitment “till death parts you.”

First, think about what has happened “through the years” and look back in your own life and marriage:

1- Remember growing up thinking about marriage and watching other people who were married, often saying, “I want to have a marriage like that one,” or “If that’s what marriage is, I don’t want it.” Did you have good models to look at?

2- Remember the dating years, when you felt that you had met the person of your dreams, but it was infatuation, and you went on to other relationships…until…. finally….

3- Remember how you met the person of your dreams, how that special relationship started, and grew, and finally heard the big question, “Will you marry me?”

4-Remember the months (years) of planning for the big day? Don’t you wish you planned as much for what followed?

5- Remember your wedding day, the make-up, haircut, ceremony, reception, the honeymoon (still paying for it)

6- Remember those early years, (some of us want to forget) but you hung in there, with all the adjustments, changes, hopes, dreams, and nightmares?

7- Remember your first child? (I can) How about the challenges of parenting?

8- Remember your first grandchild? (I can) Wow!

9- Remember the struggles, scraps, sorrows, and the successes? Well, here you are today, to say “I DO” and “I WILL” again.

Look at our text, because it is the only text mentioned in three places in the Bible, Old Testiment History, and New Testiment teaching of Jesus, Epistles & teaching from Paul.  Let me give you a refresher before you say “YES” again.

Eph. 5:21-33 (MES) “Out of respect for Christ, be courteously reverent to one another. Wives, understand and support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ. The husband provides leadership to his wife the way Christ does to his church, not by domineering but by cherishing. So just as the church submits to Christ as he exercises such leadership, wives should likewise submit to their husbands. Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting. Christ’s love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness. And that is how husbands ought to love their wives. They’re really doing themselves a favor—since they’re already “one” in marriage. No one abuses his own body, does he? No, he feeds and pampers it. That’s how Christ treats us, the church, since we are part of his body. And this is why a man leaves father and mother and cherishes his wife. No longer two, they become “one flesh.” This is a huge mystery, and I don’t pretend to understand it all. What is clearest to me is the way Christ treats the church. And this provides a good picture of how each husband is to treat his wife, loving himself in loving her, and how each wife is to honor her husband.”

Wrapped up in these verses are the keys to happiness in marriage for those who are renewing their vows, and those who hope to marry someday in the future.  Young people, listen up, this is for you too.

1- LEAVING- “And this is why a man leaves father and mother.” The “leaving” is an important step in building a great marriage.  Some people never do.  Instead of making new memories, they hold on to the past ones.

I can use an illustration of  old time farmhouses.  Parents just added a room on the old house instead of the newlyweds moving to a new home. Some of you may have “added rooms.”  It’s time to move!

2- CLEAVING – “a man leaves father and mother……. and cherishes his wife; cleaves to; is joined to his wife (wife to her husband).  This is when the soul of marriage kicks in, and a deep emotional & spiritual bonding takes place.  Singles don’t bond to someone who you are not going to marry, or you will leave fragments of your soul on the path of broken dreams

You, who are reaffirming your vows, make a determination to become “soul-mates” if you are not already!  “If you can be the best of lovers, and be the best of friends, the music never ends.”

In a recent study of what makes married women happy, it was found that the biggest predictor of women’s happiness is their husband’s emotional engagement. The extent to which he is affectionate, to which he is empathetic, to which he is basically tuned into his wife was the most important factor in her happiness. The study went on the say, “If the wife had to choose between having a husband who is taking half of the housework and having a husband who is really making a conscious, deliberate effort to focus emotionally on his wife, the emotional focus is much more likely to be a paramount concern.”

Get it guys?  However, the article went on to say to the wives, “Take him off the hook,” and realize that he will never be able to fulfill all those dreams & expectations.  Only Jesus can!  Yes, in marriage, two people have to work at it constantly!  Amen!

3-PHYSICALLY – “No longer two, they become “one flesh.”

When the emotional and the spiritual are in play, the physical takes on new dimensions. The Bible speaks of sex in marriage as “holy, and the marital bed undefiled.”

God intended your present spouse to be the one who fulfills your sexual needs.  He didn’t make a “Plan B” for marital fidelity. “Plan A” is for exclusive marital sex for a lifetime.

What has happened to many couples is, they begin sex in the bedroom not the living room. With all the great Christian material available today, no spouse should go wanting for a fulfilling and God honoring sex life in the bond of marriage.

Well, as you plan for the years ahead, try a proven formula for a successful and blessed marriage:

1- Be a giver, not a taker

2- Be a listener, not just a talker

3- Be a leader, not a follower

4- Be an initiator, not only a responder

5- Be a pray-er, not a worrier

6- Be a doer, not a just a hearer

7- Be a believer, not an unbeliever

I wish Vangie could say as the song, “Through the years you never let me down…” but that’s where God’s grace came in. And it is still what helps us face the highs and the lows of two people coming together in the second most wonderful and beautiful relationship God has ordained for mankind.

What’s the first?  Our relationship to Him, through the love of Christ in our lives as we make Him Lord and Savior personally and in our marriages. Only by knowing Christ personally through His work of salvation on the cross, can we enjoy the full blessing of marriage.

Paul put it this way in Ephesians 5:32 (MES) “This is a huge mystery, and I don’t pretend to understand it all. What is clearest to me is the way Christ treats the church. And this provides a good picture of how each husband is to treat his wife, loving himself in loving her, and how each wife is to honor her husband.”

ARE YOU READY for another 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 years together?  You can either say, “Forgetaboutit” or “GO FOR IT!”

Toward the end of the 19th Century the voices of the Orthodox Rabbis and Evangelical preachers were heard, creating new interest in the Biblical promise of a restored Israel in the Holy Land.  First, the Balfour Declaration in 1918, and then the eventual rebirth of Israel as a nation in 1948. The rest is history. Most Evangelicals believe that the unfulfilled promises made to Israel in the Bible, will be fulfilled in the Last Days. America is not the new Israel, or Washington, DC, the New Jerusalem of Revelation.

Well, then, what about America in the Bible prophesies?  Let me review some of the theories about America in prophecy:

1- The Coastlands – Ezekiel 39:6 -“And I will send fire upon Magog and those who inhabit the coastlands in safety; and they will know that I am the Lord.  (LGPE)  “Coastlands were designated as the great Gentile civilizations across the seas which were usually settled along coastlands. This could be referring to the future islands of the Western Hemisphere” (America?)
Isaiah 66:19-20 “I will set a sign among them and will send survivors from them to the nations: Tarshish, Put, Lud, Meshech, Rosh, Tubal and Javan, to the distant coastlands that have neither heard My fame nor seen My glory. And they will declare My glory among the nations. “Then they shall bring all your brethren from all the nations  to My holy mountain Jerusalem.”

2-Restored Babylon – Revelation 18:1-3, 10, 17-18 “After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority and the earth was illumined with his glory. And he cried out with a mighty voice, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place of demons…. “For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the passion of her immorality, and the merchants of the earth have become rich by the wealth of her sensuality (10) Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the strong city! For in one hour your judgment has come (17) And every shipmaster and every passenger and sailor, and as many as make their living by the sea, stood at a distance, and were crying out as they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What city is like the great city?”

Is this a possible new Babylon that reports say is in process of being planned for in Iraq?  Could it be NYC, and is 9/11 a preview of future?

3-The Eagle – Some see America’s presence in the End-times scenario as identified with the eagle mentioned in Bible.  Is that why the Founders chose the eagle as the symbol of the new nation?

4-Revived Roman Empire – Is America’s place in prophecy linked to a Revived Roman Empire in today’s European Union?  Our roots certainly go back deep into Europe.
Remember Daniel’s vision of Empires in Chapter 2 – Babylon-gold; Medo-Persian-silver; Greece-bronze; Rome-iron/clay; and the final Divine Kingdom-a stone cut out of the mountain that crushes all others.

Of all the theories, I believe the key to understanding America’s role in prophecy is its relationship to a Revived Roman Empire, or the present European Union.  Before Christ returns, the focus will shift to Europe in preparation for “Antichrist’s” rise to power. Many believe he will rise out of the new Confederation of a United Europe.

If this is a possibility, then it is worth exploring as we see what is happening in America today.  Can we still sing with pride, “America, the Beautiful?”

Let’s look at some of the current issues to WATCH in 2010.  Now, just in case some of you think I am getting “political” you are right, for I see much of what is happening in Washington and America today directly related to the signs Jesus spoke of, particularly in Matthew 24:12-“Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.”

Paul warned in II Tim. 3:1-7 -(MES) “Don’t be naive. There are difficult times ahead. As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God. They’ll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they’re animals. Stay clear of these people. Depressed by their sinfulness, take up with every new religious fad that calls itself “truth.” They get exploited every time and never really learn.”

If there is one thing I don’t want believers to be is ignorant and uninformed about the issues facing America today.  Let’s explore some:

1. STATISM:

“Statism” is the belief that the civil government (man) is the ultimate authority in the earth, and as such is the source of law and morality.  The state defines what is right or wrong, lawful or unlawful, moral or unmoral. The state becomes the “de facto” god of the society. As Roscoe Pound, Pres. of Harvard Law School in the 1920’s said, “The state takes the place of Jehovah.”

Listen, this is the worldview held by our present Administration, the Senate and House majority.  That’s why 4,000 babies a day are being aborted (slaughtered), why same-sex marriage is supported, why spending is out of control, why taxes and inflation will skyrocket in the next few years, why our Government is moving toward a European style socialism (the State taking the place of the individual in determining his destiny), why a soft tyranny could take the place of liberty.

Stephen McDowell (Rendering To Caesar The Things That Are God’s)“The fruit of socialism is loss of liberty, loss of prosperity, and loss of the ability for the Church to disciple the nations. A statist gov’t will suppress Christian involvement in gov’t, education, and social life. While civil gov’t is a divine institution with an important purpose, it is very limited in what it is supposed to do. It basically is to protect the life, liberty, and property of its citizens. Many people look to the state to meet their needs from the cradle to the grave, to bring peace and utopia on earth, to help them in times of trouble, to solve their problems, to care for them in sickness, to control and regulate all things.  We as a nation have given over to the state many of the responsibilities that God says belong to the individual, the family, or the church. Liberty is freedom to do God’s will.”

2. ECONOMY – No issue probably threatens the long-term interest of our families and future like the burgeoning national debt. If America goes bankrupt in the next ten years, we won’t have to worry about the debate that caused many minority American Christians to vote for a President they thought would focus on Social Justice over Moral Issues like abortion and same-sex marriage. We will have not money to give anyone Medicaid, Welfare or Food Stamps.  Could it happen?

SHAKESPEARE said, “Neither a borrower nor a lender be.”

APOSTLE PAUL said, Romans 13:8- “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another.”

CAL THOMAS said, “The Obama Administration is bankrupting our future, all in the name of taking care of us.”

Rick Warren’s $900,000 deficit (now erased) is just the beginning of the impact on churches in America, and when we suffer, the world suffers.  The root cause of financial drop in churches is a failure to love and trust God, not the faltering economy.  When God’s people are faithful in their tithes and offerings, the windows of heaven open and pour out the blessings!

3. HEALTH CARE REFORM -

There is no question that we need reform in Health Care, but why don’t we start with the individual, instead of the gov’t. Newt Gingrich spells it out in his book “Real Change.”  Look at some of the suggestions he got from the average American citizen when asked what they would do about reform:

-Informed and responsible citizens, who use prevention, self-control (obesity) exercise, technology to manage health.

-Move from paper based records to IT based systems. How about E-prescriptions instead of reading handwriting?

-Change from acute-care system to prevention/early detection, lowering cholesterol, high blood pressure, and weight.
“We must demand nothing less than an electronic, consumer-centered, personalized health system that will improve individual health, reduce costs, and build a brighter future for all Americans, and while change of such magnitude is never easy, America has a long history of taking on great challenges and emerging triumphant.”

The recent election in Massachusetts may slow down this madness in Washington in passing a bill that will change Health Care in America for decades to come and move us toward bankruptcy.

4. EDUCATION – As a “watchman” on the wall of education in America today, and a former school teacher, I cry out a warning to parents who choose to send their children into the “morally bankrupt” public educational system (from pre-school to graduate school) PRAY, read, study, review text books, question your children, guard their relationships, join the PTA, and consider alternatives like home-schooling, Christian schools and colleges. And don’t forget to……PRAY, PRAY, PRAY.

Our children are no longer allowed to children because they live in an age of
information explosion that will precede Christ’s return.  Such was prophesied in Daniel 12:4- “But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase.”

5. MORALITY – Remember what Paul said of the last days, “For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,”

When an Administration appointed “Czar” calls for more immorally explicit teaching on sexual perversion in public schools beginning in kindergarten, how far can we be from Sodom!

6. IMMIGRATION – This will be one of the next battles in Congress, as the Democrats try to legalize as many as 30 million illegal aliens. If they voted Democrat, we would not see a Republican or Conservative in power for generations.

No civilization has ever survived without proper border protection from illegal aliens. Again, reform is needed, but it must protect our borders and the sovereignty of our Nation.

7. RELIGION – II Tim. 3:5  “holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. (7) Always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

The condition of the Church is paramount to the condition of the World.    A recent article asked the question, “How Spiritual Are We Americans?” The answer was alarming, as questions were asked related to…..
-Religion’s Purpose = 40% say it holds truth; 22% say it has no place in their lives; 19% say it helps teach morals to children.
-Reasons We Pray = 72% pray for the well being of others; 60% pray for forgiveness; 21% pray for material things.
-Our New Beliefs = 82% would marry someone of another faith; 59% say all religions are valid; 29% say they are spiritual but not religious.

What does this mean for the Church in 2010?
-I believe we will continue to see the demise of dead, lifeless denominations, and continue to see more Americans hunger for reality in their religion.
-I believe we will see young people rediscovering the church as they keep filling Bible preaching churches to learn the truths of God’s Word for their generation.
-I believe that God will continue to raise up “worshippers” who are tired of dead formalism and are hungering for the presence of God in their lives.
-I believe the harvest is coming that will usher millions into the Kingdom of God through the work of the Holy Spirit in a new surge of intelligent, relevant witnesses, who can speak to the culture with Biblical understanding and knowledge.
-I believe God is even now preparing His Church for the return of Christ, as the message of His soon coming is revived and renewed.

Well, that’s what I believe we need to be watching for in 2010.  How long do we have, as a Nation, if God doesn’t step in and send a spiritual awakening to America? Our heart-cry must be “Revive us again!”

The Scottish Historian, Alexander Tyler, wrote in 1787, “A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. The average age of the world’s greatest civilizations from the beginning of history has been about 200 years. During those 200 years, those nations always progressed through the following sequence:
From bondage to spiritual faith.  (America’s Pilgrims)
From spiritual faith to great courage. (Revolutionary War)
From courage to liberty. (Vision of the Founding Father’s)
From liberty to abundance  (200 years to Ronald Reagan)
From abundance to complacency. (Late 1990’s)
From complacency to apathy. (Since 9/11/01)
From apathy to dependence.  (Today)
From dependence back into bondage!  (Tomorrow)
(My words in italics)

Jesus said in Mark 13:28-37 (MES) “Take a lesson from the fig tree. From the moment you notice its buds form, the merest hint of green, you know summer’s just around the corner. And so it is with you. When you see all these things, you know he is at the door. Don’t take this lightly. I’m not just saying this for some future generation, but for this one, too—these things will happen. “But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven’s angels, not even the Son. Only the Father. So keep a sharp lookout, for you don’t know the timetable. It’s like a man who takes a trip, leaving home and putting his servants in charge, each assigned a task, and commanding the gatekeeper to stand watch. So, stay at your post, watching. You don’t want him showing up unannounced, with you asleep on the job. I say it to you, and I’m saying it to all: Stay at your post. Keep watch.”

With Christ’s return at hand, how then should we live as Americans, as Christians?  I believe the destiny of America is in God’s hands, and to some extent in our hands as Christ-followers.
Can this Nation be saved?  Can we see that Heaven-sent Revival in America before Jesus returns?  Can we still say it, “America, the Beautiful?”
YES, but only by God’s grace!  Amen!

Why do we have to know it? First, to encourage those of you who are not sure of your readiness for Jesus’ return to get right with God in this day of Salvation.  Second, to encourage believers to become “watchmen” on the wall of history & prophecy. Jesus delays His return for one reason: LOST SOULS!

What must we do with this knowledge? Prepare to meet our God, and prepare others, and then influence our society to order our ways according to God’s Word, while there is time.

We have looked at the signs Jesus predicted before His return. Then we looked at the signs in Nature that would be present and increasing just before His rapture of the Church, and the beginning the Great Tribulation.

In this message, I want to look at one of the most fascinating aspects of the Prophetic signs of the last days,  “Sign in the Nations”

Luke 21:7-10 “Teacher, when therefore will these things happen? And what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” And He said, “See to it that you are not misled; for many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not go after them. “When you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end does not follow immediately.” Then He continued by saying to them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. (25)“There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world;”

While it would be impossible to cover all the Nations mentioned in Biblical prophecy, I want to focus on Nations that I believe are emerging as the key signs in the end-times.

1. Africa – We are seeing Africa beginning to emerge as an ally of China and a supplier of, not only gold’s growing value, but also oil. The Prosperity Gospel, duping many believers with false teaching and false hope, unfortunately heavily impacts the spiritual awakening in Africa that is driving the Muslims north.

2. Japan is pushing for East Asia Union modeled on the European Union, building on the present 10 nation Association. The members would be Japan, China, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines, Burma, Brunei, Cambodia and Laos. By the way, the absence of India is interesting.

3. European Union picked its first full-time president, Belgium’s Prime Minister, Herman Van Rompuy.  Tony Blair was favored, but lost the election. Believed by many to be the “Revived Roman Empire”, keep your eyes on Europe & the powerful Euro. Isn’t it interesting that, while Europe is moving away from Socialism, America is moving toward it!

4. Turkey – Watch their rapid Islamization, and their emergence as a leader of the region (remember the Ottoman Empire) I quote:” The Islamic World is incapable of uniting voluntarily. It is, however, capable of being dominated by a Muslim power. Throughout history, Turkey has been the Muslim power most often able to create that Muslim empire”

5. Middle East – Be alert to what’s happening in Yemen, the new hotbed of terrorism, Two things to watch in Iran; the continued development of nuclear weapons, and the quiet rebuilding of Babylon.  The present U.S. Administration is reportedly buying 125 acres of land to build a new embassy in the “Future Babylon Project”, fifty miles south of Bagdad.

6. The Vatican – The Pope recently called for a “world political authority” to manage the global economy, “with authority to endure compliance with its decisions from all parties.”  Is this the coming “one world” government?

7. China – China is calling for a new world currency to replace the dollar as the world standard, while her economy surges forward.  China just overtook Germany as the world’s biggest exporter.  Could it be that China’s growth and power portend the prophecy of Rev. 9:13-16 - “Then the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, one saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” And the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released, so that they would kill a third of mankind. The number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them.” Rev. 16:12- The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river, the Euphrates; and its water was dried up, so that the way would be prepared for the kings from the east.”

A recent report told of China considering setting up military bases in the Middle East over the next decade.

8. Russia – Russia’s revival is a direct result of the leadership of Vladimir Putin, who is still in control.  The Russian government has again taken control of mass media organs, and human rights activist are being murdered.

Russia plays a major role in Last Days prophecy, and many believe will be involved in what is shaping up to be WW III, that could occur before Armageddon. Look at Ezekiel 38:1-3, 7 “And the word of the Lord came to me saying, “Son of man, set your face toward Gog of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal. (7) “Be prepared, and prepare yourself, you and all your companies that are assembled about you, and be a guard for them.”

9. Israel – Called the “super-sign” by scholars of Bible prophecy, always remember that Israel if God’s “timepiece” in the prophetic scenario. Jesus made it clear that she plays the major role in the End-times countdown:

Luke 21:26 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near. “Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are in the midst of the city must leave, and those who are in the country must not enter the city; because these are days of vengeance, so that all things which are written will be fulfilled. “Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days; for there will be great distress upon the land and wrath to this people; and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

Can Israel allow Iran to continue the development of nuclear weapons? Will the Jews allow another Holocaust? Will Israel surrender its determination to defend itself against a hostile Arad and Muslim world to appease our present Administration?  These and other questions will probably be answered in 2010.

Jesus made it clear, that in the Last Days, just before his return to rapture His Church, and usher in the Great Tribulation (Matt. 24:29-36), that according to Luke 21:26 -“There will be signs on the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity, men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world;”

My hearts cry is that we will be alert and prepared for what is “coming upon the world” & become “watchmen” to alert others!

Jesus said, (Matt. 24:33-36 – MES)  “So it is with you: When you see all these things, you’ll know he’s at the door. Don’t take this lightly. I’m not just saying this for some future generation, but for all of you. This age continues until all these things take place. Sky and earth will wear out; my words won’t wear out. “But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven’s angels, not even the Son. Only the Father knows.”

Listen, you can speculate about the signs, but don’t speculate about your salvation.  Get right with God and others, and get ready for Christ’s return. Watch for the signs in 2010.

A quick click to see what’s going on at Church of the Gateway…

2/28 – New series begins: Ignite! - Passion, Compassion, Vision, Faith

3/4: Grief Share begins and continues each Thursday through May 27  at 7:30 – 9:30 p.m., $20 (includes seminar and workbook)

3/14: Blood Drive – 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

3/14: Moody Symphonic Band will be in concert during Sunday services, 9 and 11:00 a.m.

3/19-3/20: Freedom in Christ Seminar - Friday, 3/19: 7 – 10 p.m. | Sat. 3/20 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., $25 registration includes workbook and pizza lunch. Pick up registration form at kiosk, or call (718) 966-4500. POSTPONED – A new date will be announced.

3/27: Men’s Breakfast at the Plaza Diner, 9:00 a.m. – $15.00 per person.  The Subject will be “Sexual Sanity in a XXX World” (young men –  junior high age and older are welcome).

4/2: Free showing of “The Passion of the Christ,” 12 noon in the Seminar Room

4/2: Good Friday Communion Service – 7:30 p.m.

In Part 1 of this current series, we looked at the general scenario of what many believe the End Times or Last Days will look like. We focused in on the signs Jesus said to watch for as His return draws near:

1. Deception
2. World Conflicts
3. Natural Catastrophes
4. Persecution of Believers
5. Israel Reborn
6. World-wide Spiritual Revival

In Ezekiel 33, God calls His people to be “Watchmen” on the wall of history an dprophecy.  A “Watchman” sees, hears and warns of what it coming.

In this message, I want to speak on a prophetic subject that preachers rarely deal with, “Signs in Nature,” particularly the environment.  Let’s go to the Word of God, Luke 21:7-11: “They questioned Him, saying, ‘Teacher, when therefore will these things happen? And what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?’ And He said, ‘See to it that you are not misled; for many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not go after them. When you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end does not follow immediately.’ Then He continued by saying to them, ‘Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. (25) There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. (MES) “It will seem like all hell has broken loose—sun, moon, stars, earth, sea, in an uproar and everyone all over the world in a panic, the wind knocked out of them by the threat of doom, the powers-that-be quaking.”

Could it be that we will see on the news what we have seen on the big screen over the past few years. Movies like “The Day After Tomorrow” and “Deep Impact” gave a glimpse on what “could” happen as nature explodes before us. I think the big question is this, “Who’s in control around here… Mother Nature or Father God?”  We have to know the answer to the questions people ask about Katrina, Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Tsunamis.  Are these natural catastrophes or “Acts of God” that play out as we near the Lord’s return?

USGS reports, “There’s a 100 percent chance of an earthquake today. Though millions of persons may never experience an earthquake, they are very common occurrences on this planet. So today — somewhere — an earthquake will occur.”  In checking a list of the history of earthquakes, it just takes a glance to see the increase of earthquake activity in the past 40 years.  Tsunamis are the result of earthquake activity under the sea or ocean, and could result from an Asteroid falling from space.

A recent news article out of Russia suggests that the Russians are ready to spend millions of dollars to find a way to prevent an Asteroid from hitting the Earth in the next 20 years.

Can we doubt that we are seeing another plague with the AIDS epidemic spreading across the Globe? Like most plagues, we usually know the cause. The root cause of AIDS is sexual immorality, starting with homosexuality, not beyond that practice.

Famine is devastating entire nations and peoples no matter how much we seem to be spending to feed millions on the brink of starvation.

But perhaps the most controversial sign in nature is the ecology. The great debate raging today in our world relates to the question, “Is there truly global warming, and if so, what is causing it? Is it Mother Nature, Father God, or man?”

I want to look at this today, and teach you how to answer the question.  Remember the fairy tale, “Chicken Little,” who ran around the barnyard shouting, “The sky is falling, the sky is falling.” An article in “Imprimis” by Dr. Fred Singer debunks the claims that there is truth to the claim that there is unusual climate warming today any more than in past centuries, or that man is causing it.

President Obama says, “Few challenges facing America and the world are more urgent than combating climate change. The science is beyond dispute and the facts are clear” (11-19-08).

However, a statement signed by more than 100 of the world’s top scientists and researchers challenges the President’s statement in an open letter to him in the NY Times, Wash. Post, and LA Times on March 30, 2009:  “With all due respect, Mr. President, that is not true. We, the undersigned scientists, maintain that the case for alarm regarding climate change is grossly overstated. Surface temperature changes over the past century have been episodic and modest and there has been no net global warming for over a decade now. After controlling for population’s growth and property values, there has been no increase in damages from severe weather-related events.  The computer models forecasting rapid temperature change abjectly fail to explain recent climate behavior. Mr. President, your characterization of the scientific facts regarding climate change and the degree of uncertainty informing the scientific debate is simply incorrect.”

Most Americans don’t realize where the “cap and trade” legislation could lead us. In an article entitled “Cap and Trade for Babies” a feature writer for the NY Times actually suggested that we might end up punishing families with more than two children with extra financial responsibility for sending more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. WOW! Wake up, America, and speak out now about such foolishness.

I think it is tremendously important to state here the position of our National Association of Evangelicals on this subject in our recent publication. Contact me for a copy of “For The Health of the Nation.”

The Biblical Mandate is clear for Christ-followers:

1. Christians care about climate control, but want the facts.  We support any effort to protect God’s creation, considering the benefits clean air, water, and agriculture will be to the even the poorest among us.  Our mandate is Matt. 22:36-40 (MES): “Teacher, which command in God’s Law is the most important?” Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence. This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: “Love others as well as you love yourself.” These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them.

2. Christians believe that God is the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe, and has mandated US to care for it.  Gen. 1:1: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Gen. 2:7, 15: “Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. Then the Lord God took the man and put him into the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it.”  Psa. 24:1, 2:  “The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it. For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.”   Col. 1:16, 17: “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”

Just remember, like the old hymn says so well, “This is my Father’s world, O let me ne’er forget, that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.  This is my Father’s world, the battle is not done; Jesus who died shall be satisfied, and EARTH and HEAVEN be one.”  In the end of this age, Jesus will reign. The question is, “Will you reign with Him?

II Peter 3:14 (NLT): “And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.  And remember, the Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved.”

Again, I say it clearly, I believe the only reason Jesus has not returned is because there are still lost souls to be saved. “The Lord’s patience gives people time to be SAVED!” Well, I’m saved, and I’m glad that I am! Are you?