When you read about – Apostle Paul, something you will realize if your looking for it is, Paul always identified himself with – people
he was never addressed as – Apostle, he was never separated or not aloof , or elevated from – people, he was just like all of – other believers
he didn’t dress any different, or cut his hair or beard differently, he was one of them
in – American church, pastors have been largely responsible for creating a difference between themselves & – people
they wanted to be recognized as – leader, & so they dressed in suits or robes, you better make an appointment if you wish to speak to him
they separated themselves & elevated themselves from & over – people believing that they somehow dirty themselves if they rubbed their elbows with – common person
It is true that Pastors are teachers of – Word & they are acting on – behalf of God himself, their his representatives, his voice
but God is not telling Pastors to live any different than any body else
fact is, God has asked all believers to live on a high plane because all of us are acting on Gods behalf & he expects all of us to be teachers of Gods Word
There never should have been a difference between pastors & – people
to tell you another truth (I would get shot by pastors if I said this at a pastors conference)
But paid positions in – ministry has been one of – biggest curses upon todays church than anything else, it caused division in – body of Christ
but I also recognize that not much would have gotten done if it wasn’t for people getting paid to accomplish things
but almost all heresies have come from paid ministries
do you realize that – political arena was – same way?
When this country started, politicians were on – same level as – people, they lived in homes right next to – people who voted for or against them,
they didn’t live in mansions separated from – people
they shopped together, ate together, farmed together & fought together
they weren’t paid to be a politician, but over – yrs, they became separated & above – people
& out of a paid political system came heresy, corruption, & false teaching
theres nothing more dangerous in – church or in politics when – pastor or a politician tries to exalt themselves over – people
but separation didn’t just come from pastors & politicians, it also came from – people who wanted their leaders to be somehow special & above others
theres people who will boast about how much they pay their pastor or a mission trip that they sent him on or all – things that they supply
they boast that their politician has all – answers
but – problem is, – Lord never meant for a division between leaders & those they lead, they have a role to fulfill, but it was with – people, not above them
I Thess. 5
because of this separation, something was effected in – church, & that was – attitude & – actions of Christians
because churches paid people to do ministry, – people got into – back seat & allowed – leadership to do – driving
anytime theres a problem with your attitude, its going to effect your actions, we see this with some of todays kids
because they have a attitude problem, they have wrong actions
in – early Corinthian church, when they got saved, they were so convinced that Jesus was coming back any moment & they gave away their stuff & helped each other
their attitude was, they didn’t have much time, so lets do as much as we can so they jumped into action
they were awake & alert to imminent return of – Lord
in our time, we are also to be awake & alert to – imminent return of – Lord
which ought to get us out of – backseat & into – drivers seat because you & I know that when – church is removed through – rapture
that awful night of – Great Tribulation Period begins which is called – Day of – Lord
& anyone who has not accepted Christ before that day, who had – ability to accept Christ, will not be saved, that means our family & friends that you & I never witnessed to when given a chance, will be lost for eternity
that ought to spur us to action, BUT I’m going to be honest with you
Since Tuesdays election, we are now closer to – stop sign on – road to – Lords return & – increase of – Lord pruning his church = removal of – unsaved in Lk 3:17
Tuesday night was without a doubt – most important vote in American history, to remain a free society or become enslaved to our government
America chose to become enslaved
We were given a clear choice from God himself to either choose evil or good, and Americans chose evil
They chose to allow & accept sodomy, to accept – continual murder of not just babies but older adults through Obama un-care
there is provisions in his unholy health care to choose who is worthy of help
they chose to begin a war on religion, they chose to legalize drugs, they chose to attack those who are rich and create businesses
in a nutshell, America has stuck its puny fist in – face of God for yrs, but now America has officially rejected God himself
Why would a nation reject God? And What happens to a nation that rejects God?
Ro. 1:21-22
We wonder how can people believe people like this? And do something so stupid as to vote for – destruction of your country?
Notice it says we once knew God, & this country did, we were – leaders in spreading – gospel & building churches worldwide
21
then it says they glorified him not = they no longer gave him credit for anything stopped thanking him
These fools hearts were darkened with sin, sin overcame them & they no longer could formulate a thought of their own,
they became like mindless robots who could only do & believe what was given them by their owner
22 says they thought they were so smart & became fools
a fool is someone who will do whatever is told them to do because they think its benefiting him
majority of Americans have become fools because they think their going to benefit somehow by – ones who are pushing their buttons
but – problem is, in every socialist nation, sooner or later, – benefits run out
so where does that leave us, for those who haven’t bought into – enslavement theology?
Those of us who believe in God, country & self reliance?
Heb. 13; 5-6
he says be content with what you have
there is no doubt, that we are about to go over a financial cliff & we may not have much of anything when our economy hits rock bottom
but the Lord says that he will not leave us nor forsake us
we’re to trust God, and walk by faith, I cannot express to you enough, that right now, you & I have to get determined in our hearts, that no matter what comes our way, we will not turn our backs on God
you’ll remember I told you before – elections that – probability that our churches will close, is becoming a reality
with – health care cost, and taxes that will be needed to generate cash & – mandates that churches will be required to meet
and also – cost of fuel, electric & insurance that will skyrocket over coming months, theres little doubt in my mind that we will not be able to keep these doors open
I’ve already heard – question asked, “can’t God intervene? Can’t he change things?
But – right question is: Since 49% of Americans have chosen immorality over God, will he intervene?
& I believe – answer to that is “no”
scripture is pretty clear & gives us many examples when a nation goes as far as we have gone
then God allows us to reap what we’ve sown & until a nation humbles itself and repents of its sin, God will not intervene
But I do thank God, he loves and cares about those of us who are his children
although I believe I know whats coming our way, I’m not ready to throw in – towel
we all know, tomorrows another day, & everything can change on a dime
darker a nation grows – more man will seek – light