A Christian Nation Or A Nation Of Christians

I was recently stirred by a presentation of Rep. J. Randy Forbes of the 4th district of Virginia. Congressman Forbes brought a stirring presentation to the House of Representatives as he proposed bill HR 397 which would institute the first week of May as “America’s Spiritual Heritage Week”. Representative Forbes eloquently laid out the historical role that faith in God, the bible and prayer have had in your nation’s history. His case was laid with examples that started with the founding fathers of our nation and weaved its way through all three branches of government. In his presentation Rep. Forbes cited many examples from sitting Presidents of the United States of America.

You will find people who find a resolution like this repugnant and others who will find it refreshing. I personally find it refreshing in an era when many would be led to believe that God has no bearing on the affairs of our nation or any other nation for that matter. There is no doubt if you believe the bible that even the most wicked of leaders are ultimately accountable to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. While I know that our president is not a king, and our country is not the nation of Israel, it is clear in history and scripture that God does have his hands upon the direction of nations, especially as it involves the nation of Israel. This is not a political issue, but a biblical issue.

Having said that, there is much debate about the United States being a “Christian Nation”. Last weekend I mentioned that the United States was not a Christian and it never has been. While that may sound shocking coming from a preacher of the gospel, there is a good reason to make the distinction. First, let me say that I have no problem with the general concept that America is a “Christian nation” in the sense that we are a nation built upon the Judeo-Christian ethic. I realize that without God our nation would not exist, and without God’s providence, divine protection and guidance we would deteriorate faster than we already are. I have travelled the world and you certainly can see that God has and does bless the people of this great nation. However, nations can’t be Christians only people can be Christians.

The reason it is important to understand that the United States has historically been a nation of Christians rather than a Christian Nation is because our favor with God rest’s in the relationship its citizens have with their creator. I praise God the founders of our nation understood, supported and encouraged God to rule in the lives of it’s citizens. Faith is reflected in our government when Christ is allowed to be Lord of its citizens. This is why I do appreciate so very much the historical evidence presented in HR 397. It reflects the influence of Christ in the citizens of our nation from its inception until now. It also documents the favor our government has had toward God and the citizens they represent who historically have been Christians in the biblical sense of the word.

So what about now? It really doesn’t matter if we have been a “Nation of Christians” if we don’t continue to be so. In the United States of America, the individual believer and the local New Testament church have everything to do with our so called status as a “nation of Christians”. Christian’s are not born, they are born again according to John 3:3, Galatians 6:15, 1 Peter 1:23-25. The fortunate thing about true bible Christianity is that it is not dependent on the religion, race, nationality or the origin of your physical birth. Nicodemus was a Jew, but he had to be born again to see the kingdom of God. The Philippian jail or was a pagan Roman gentile but he had to be born again to see the kingdom of God. The bible is clear that it doesn’t matter if you are Jew or Greek, American or Asian the death of Jesus was for all and to all that will call upon the name of Christ as Lord and Savior.

Statistically Europe will be a “Muslim” continent in the next 25 years. While that may be true if the Lord tarries, it is absolutely not a possibility if those born into Islam make a conscience decision to follow Christ as adults. A biblical movement of God’s Spirit in Europe could change Islamic immigrants into born again Christians. The great thing about the term “Christian” as it is found in the scripture is that it is not applied to nations but to individuals who profess to know and follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior without respect to the origin of their nationality or religious status.

Acts 11:26
And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Historically the term Christian started out as a derogatory term used to describe the followers of “that way” (Acts 9:9, 23). The church at Antioch contained a diverse group of believers from many ethnic backgrounds but they all found unity in Christ. They behaved themselves as Christ and were accused and maligned as being little Christ’s or mini messiah’s. The pagan Roman government never embraced the concept of biblical Christianity. Throughout history the term “Christian” has come to mean many other things than that which the bible describes in Acts 11:26. You can be a Muslim because you were born to a Muslim home, you can be Greek or Russian Orthodox because you are born into those religions and baptized as a baby, you can be a Roman Catholic because you are born and baptized as an infant into the Roman church but you cannot be a biblical Christian unless you are born again!

So what is my point? You are not a Christian because you are born in the United States any more than you are a Christian because you were baptized as a baby. Nationality and church membership are not what God is looking for! He is looking for people willing to lay down their own righteousness and receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of their souls. If you don’t believe Jesus is God then you cannot possibly be a biblical Christian. He is not a prophet, or a good teacher, He is who he claims to be, The Son of God. He suffered and bled in my place on the cross, He was died, was buried and rose again the third day according to the scripture and many eye witness accounts. Those who are Christians have understood that Jesus is their sacrifice for sin and have forsaken religion for a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Preaching the gospel and making disciples of all nations (people groups) is the only way to ensure that any nation is a nation of Christians. No member of clergy or politician can proclaim a nation to be Christian. That seal is reserved to those who have made the cognitive and resolute decision to recieve Jesus Christ as thier Lord and Savior. While political resolutions and public acknowledgment of our biblical heritage are indeed nice, only the perpetual influence of biblically born again believers in our free society will honor God and bless the citizens and the endeavors of the great nation of the United States of America or any other nation.

Happly Mother's Day!

Ephesians 6:1-2

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)

We had a good Mother's Day service this morning. The preacher went a little long, but that is not unusual. We discussed three characters of Ruth's influence and character: Ruth was Faithful, Beautiful and Fruitful!

I pray you are blessed this Mother's day regardless of your circumstances. Cleave to the Lord and let go of everything else and He will reward you in time and eternity. Ruth is a great example of what a New Testament Christian is supposed to be. Amen.

We have come off a whirlwind month or so at HBF! We started off with Blake Anderson and Doug Pearson as guest speakers at the beginning of March and ended April with a fabulous marriage retreat! Bret and Jennifer Rice and Brad and Monica Roark joined us from Vider Texas for the marriage retreat and they did a tremendous job! In addition to the marriage retreat, Bret preached on prayer during our fabulous fifth Sunday service.

As we entered April, Duane Hoffman came in to anchor our 2009 Vision Conference! WOW did God use Duane to anoint our eyes and tenderize our heart and embolden our resolve to look on the fields! It was an excellent week as we heard from Duane, Tom Trach, Sam Stricklin, Ken Franklin, David Shelby and a guest panel speakers Tony Godfrey, Mike Blake and Allen Smith.

Easter was excellent too, as Clearly His put on a quality Easter performance Sunday during our BIBLE hour. We concluded the main service with as riveting life house skit that connected with the congregation in a big way. I am sure the fruit will continue to come in from this past Sunday for weeks and months to come.

Tomorrow is my birthday and I'm reminded of the words of Moses:

Psalms 90:4-12
For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. 5 Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: in the morning they are like grass which groweth up. 6 In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth. 7 For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled. 8 Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance. 9 For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told. 10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. 11 Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath. 12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

It is hard to believe I am already 39! Since a day with the Lord is 1000 years, I figure the average person only has about 45 minutes on the stage including sleep, time you are lost and out of fellowship included (that is if you live to be seventy). Every minute is truly precious in the service of our Lord! I pray that the Lord make my days count for the Kingdom of God as I press toward the mark and the prize.

On the other side of this birthday coin is my spiritual birthday which I celebrated March 25, 2009! For me eternity started March 25, 1987, so really time is just an opportunity to glorify God until I get promoted to my glorified body! We are really more than conquerors (Romans 8:37)! There is nothing like knowing you are alive (and in fellowship with God) for eternity!

The Love of God!

I have been so impressed with the love of God for my life and the life of our church. There are times in our walk as individuals and as a church that you just know that you know that God is working to give you every opportunity to glorify Him in time and eternity. I am convinced that the conditions we see in our culture are excellent for preaching the gospel! We could not ask for any more manure to fertilize the gospel seed.

I am looking forward to our upcoming Vision Conference, "Look Upon The Fields". Duane Hoffman will be in, MCBC will be teaching the children and we once again will be able to sit at the feet of Jesus corporately to hear and apply the words of Truth. I am reminded that to whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48), but another verse is a continual source of comfort to step forward in faith to trust God for things bigger than ourselves.

1 Thessalonians 5:24
Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

Slum Doug

Dave Pearce travelled with me to KCBT's Summit last night. Had a great time catching up with so many old friends and spiritual family! I ran into Manuel & Martha Estabane which was a great surprise. My prayer is that the war in Mexico would fall out to the furtherance of the gospel. I know Manuel will continue to stand for Christ in the midst of a difficult situation.

It was great to see Doug Pearson aka. "Slum Doug" bust some bread at the Summit. The dude is a one man wrecking crew for Christ. I can attest that his letters are not embellished in any way! He is getting it done in India and Nepal. It was good to catch up on old times with Doug last night. Here is a picture of Doug teaching Dave how to order a chicken burrito in Hindi! (Inside Joke)

I look forward to hearing about how the Lord is working through KCBT to reach the peoples of the 10/40 window tomorrow. I hope to catch Duane Hoffman for a few in the process. I am confident God will do a great work through the Hoffman's in China.

The heart of the wise

Ecclesiastes 7:2-4
It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. 3 Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

Last week I performed the funeral service of Retired KCFD Captian Gary Zellmer. Though I didn't know Gary well, I have known his wife and step children for about 25 years. His stepson, KCFD Captain Brian Alexander is one of the truest friends I have ever known. It was an honor to be there for my friend and his family at such a critical time of loss.

Captain Zellmer was once honored by the mayor of Kansas City and President Richard Nixon for his bravery in saving a young girl from a house fire. The girl had a debilitating disease that rendered her helpless. The little girl was laying on the floor in the smoky house when Captain Gary stepped on her. He reached down, scooped her up and saved her life. When the girl grew older she sought Gary out and thanked him for saving her life. She and Gary exchanged Christmas cards for years after they were reacquainted.

That is such a heart warming story and reminds me of the debt of gratitude I owe my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! When I was without strength Jesus Christ came down and rescued me by taking my place on the cross of Calvary. Just like the girl Captain Gary saved, there was nothing I could do about my circumstances, I was doomed without help. I praise God that Jesus died for my sin and I am even more thankful that I met him on March 25, 1987. We exchange words every day now and we have had a great relationship since that day. I know the Father is honored by my Savior's heroic sacrifice and I am eternally grateful for the day he saved me from the burning flames of hell.

Big Commitments

I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.

These familiar words are recited during the inaugural ceremony of every man who holds the office of President of the Unites States of America. No matter what your political persuasion, the massive responsibility of the office of President of the United States is cause for sober reflection.

It is not the commitments we make that manifest our character but the commitments we keep. How many times have politicians broken commitments to their constituents? How many times have employer’s broken commitments to their employees or employees broken their commitments to their employers? How many times have husbands’ broken commitments to their wives or wives broken their commitments to their husbands? How many times have parents broken their commitments to their children or their children broken commitments to their parents? In reality is every human has flawed character.

There is only one man who can actually deliver on all his promises. That one man is, of course, The Lord Jesus Christ. His Word is Truth. He promises to love us despite our character cracks and our sinful hearts. Make a commitment to the one who is eternally committed to you. If you need a New Life this New Year turn from sin and call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved. He will never leave you nor forsake you.