October 15, 2013
While looking through my archives of 'saved stuff',
I found this article that I feel needs to be shared, especially after
observing the current political climate now taking place in our nation.
... The following comments were stated some six years ago by then Australian
Prime Minister John Howard. .... Here is what he said ....
"Immigrants, not Australians, must ADAPT. ...
Take it or leave it. ... I'm tired of this nation worrying about whether
we are offending some individual or their culture. ... Since the recent
terrorist attacks, we have experienced a surge of patriotism by the
majority of Australians.
"However, the dust from the attacks had barely
settled when the 'politically correct' crowd began complaining about
the possibility that our patriotism was offending others. ... I am not
against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking
a better life by coming to Australia. ... However, there are a few things
that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some
born here, need to understand. ... The idea of Australia being a multi-cultural
community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national
identity. ... And as Australians, we have our own culture, our own society,
our own language and our own lifestyle.
"This culture has been developed over two centuries
of struggles, trials, and victories by millions of men and women who
have sought freedom.
"We speak mainly English, not Spanish, Lebanese,
Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. ... Therefore,
if you wish to become part of our society, learn the language!
"Most Australians believe in God. ... This
is not some Christian, right-wing, political push, but a fact, because
Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation,
and this is clearly documented. ... In fact, it is displayed on the
walls our our schools. ... If God offends you, then I suggest you consider
another part of the world as your new home, because God IS part of our
culture.
"We will accept your beliefs, and will not
question what they are. ... All we ask is that you accept ours, and
live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.
"It the Southern Cross offends you, or you
don't like it, then you should seriously consider a move to another
part of the planet. ... We are happy with our culture and have no desire
to change, and we really don't care how you did things where you came
from ... by all means, keep your culture, but do not force it on others.
"This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE,
and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. ... But once
you are done complaining, whining, and griping about OUR FLAG, OUR PLEDGE,
OUR CHRISTIAN BELIEFS, OR OUR WAY OF LIFE, I highly encourage you to
take advantage of one other great Australian freedom ... 'THE RIGHT
TO LEAVE'."
Wow! ... Don't we wish we had some leaders with
this kind of straight-forward courage?! ... Where has this simplicity
of truth gone? ... Where has the courage of speaking the truth gone?
... What would happen in America if we had leaders that had the courage
to speak this plainly? ....
That said, now let's apply this same basic 'truth'
approach to our churches of today .... What do we see happening all
around us? ... Total compromise and a complete 'selling out' of the
truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. ... In last week's commentary
.. 'Drowning in Deception' .. I listed just four individual leaders
that have, and are continuing, to 'sell out' the truth of our faith,
and as a result are compromising millions of souls all across the world
... O what a blessing it would be to have leaders like John Howard that
had the courage to speak plainly, and not be concerned about the possible
loss of power, popularity and wealth.
A number of years back, in my own personal quest
for the 'truth', I journeyed in the Red Letter teachings of Jesus Christ
... and nothing else. ... After some three years, when I came out on
the other side, I had learned that worldly fame, popularity & wealth
meant absolutely nothing to the true servants of God. ... On the contrary,
being truthful and unbending meant rejection and persecution. ... Jesus
Himself told us this would be the case. ... "If the world hates
you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the
world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong
to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is
why the world hates you." ... John 15:18-19
Is this the case with most of our christian leaders
today? ... Absolutely not! ... They're more concerned with telling us
how to give them our money so WE can become rich .. or .. not to worry
about your lifestyle because 'Hell' is a thing of the past!
Jesus showed us some very clear examples in Revelations,
chapters 2 & 3 where He listed specific weaknesses in His 7-church
teaching. ... Five of these churches had serious issues as is pointed
out here ...
*Ephesus - (2:1-7) ... Was once a strong
body, but lost its 1st love, Jesus Christ. ... It had become lifeless,
forgetting the passion & excitement of its original love for Jesus
...
*Pergamum - (2:12-17) ... Had fallen
under the influence of the pagan culture in which it lived ...
*Thyatira - (2:18-29) ... Became part
of an evil cult. ... This occurred because they allowed false teachings
to enter into their midst ...
*Sardis - (3:1-6) ... Became so cold
& dead that only the names in the church directory could indicate
any LIVING members ...
*Laodicea - (3:14-22) ... Lukewarm,
wealthy, lazy, rich, in need of nothing (or so they thought) ...
If we look around at the condition of the VAST majority
of our churches in America today, most, or all of these conditions fit
... Surrounding us today in every city & town are church buildings
which are no more than clerical caskets ... cold, dead, and buried in
complacency!
So why are we so afraid to speak the truth in today's
society? ... In most cases, it is because we don't want to offend people.
... When we speak of the reality of hell, or the consequences of a sinful
lifestyle, many folks call it 'judgement, or judgement preaching ...
and simply, this is NOT a popular concept in today's world.
But consider this ... Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah,
Jonah, Paul, and Jesus Himself all preached judgement in their messages.
... Can, or should we do any less? ... Charles Spurgeon, some 100 years
ago, said this ... "A time will come when instead of shepherds
feeding the sheep, the Church will have clowns entertaining the goats."
... Harsh, but ......
Dr. D.A. Criswell reminds us of the true character
of a prophet of God: .... "Whenever there is a true prophet of
God, he will preach judgement. .. These modern so-called ministers of
God speak all things nice. .. Modern teaching methods admonish never
to mention things negative. .. Ignore them and they will not exist.
... There is not any hell and there is not any devil and there is not
any judgement of God. .. All that is now intellectually passe. ... We
have evolved beyond that. .. So we stand up and speak of the love of
Jesus, and we speak of peace, and we speak of all things pretty and
beautiful. .... But the same book that tells us about the good, tells
us about the bad. .. The same revelation that speaks to us about heaven,
speaks also about hell."
Paul clearly warned us of these coming false teachers
in his second letter to Timothy .... "For a time will come when
men will not put up with sound doctrine. .. Instead, to suit their own
desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to
say what their itching ears want to hear. 4) They will turn their
ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
So now I will encourage you ... exhort you ... to
look first at your own walk. .. And then, look closely at the leaders
of your current fellowship. ... Are they teaching ALL of the Bible?
... Are they telling their flock that the ways of the world will only
lead to eternal death? ... If yes, fantastic! ... Tell your friends
and family about it and invite them to come! ......... But if not, you
must approach the leaders and question them .. to hold them accountable
for their actions ... And if that doesn't change anything, then run
as fast as you can to somewhere that is 'teaching it all!' ...........
I know I say this stuff a lot, and I'm willing to take the risk of offending
someone, but please take this seriously! ... Your eternal life depends
on it! ....
Know that I love you all and am praying earnestly
for each of you. ... Please pray for me as well ... We all need each
other in these difficult days we are facing .... but, praise God, only
temporarily! ... Hallelujah!
Until next time,
Red
Note: For you brothers & sisters who live
in he Florence, Oregon area, I will be coming down to the First Baptist
Church on Sunday, October 27th. ... Pastor Marvin has asked me to come
and lead the worship music and teaching for both the morning & evening
services. ... Of course, I will be teaching on the End Times. ... If
you have any questions, please contact either the Church or this website.
... We will do our best to answer as best we can .... See you there!
... Invite your friends. ... It's going to be a great time for all!
... Hallelujah!