Pulpit Today Sermons
AMERICA IN CRISIS
Robert D Pace
The turmoil that America is experiencing is nothing new. It is merely history repeating itself. That is why I want to compare America’s present crises with those of Israel during Biblical times. In so doing, we could see what the Bible forecasts for America.
Explosion of Lawlessness in the Land
If I had to identify two nemeses that grossly plague America today they are these: (1) Lawlessness and (2) the “spirit of Antichrist.”
(Definition) What is “lawlessness”? The best definition I have found is this: Lawlessness is “flagrant defiance of the known will of God.” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words.) Lawlessness substitutes the will of God for the will of man. (List ways on marker board that lawlessness abounds)
Sins of Lawlessness
Abortion
Alternate lifestyles
Murder
Rejection of truth
Destruction of others’ property
Rejection of authority
Then there is the “spirit of antichrist” that prevails today. How is this defined?
(Definition) The “spirit of antichrist” is three-fold: First, this spirit manifests as it blasphemes and impugns the name of Christ. It is boisterous and uses God and Christ’s name in vain. Second, the prefix “anti” indicates that which “takes the place of Christ; it involves the removal of Christ.” But this prefix also indicates that which is against Christ. And third, the Apostle John noted that the “spirit of antichrist” cannot say, “Jesus is Lord.” That means, when people, organizations, committees, etc. cannot mention the name of God or Jesus Christ, it is manifesting the “spirit of antichrist.”
For the next few minutes, I will show how lawlessness leads to the demise of nations. I will begin by pointing out how lawlessness led to God chastising ancient Israel.
Turn to Hosea 4:1—6 and let’s read.
“Their rulers dearly love shameful ways” (4:18).
“The rebels are knee-deep in slaughter. I will discipline all of them” (Hosea 5:2).
“They do not acknowledge the Lord” (5:4).
“They practice deceit, thieves break into houses, bandits rob in the streets” (Hosea 7:1).
“Israel’s arrogance testifies against him, but despite all this he does not return to the LORD his God or search for him” (7:10).
“I long to redeem them but they speak about me falsely” (7:13).
“They set up kings without my consent; they choose princes without my approval” (Hosea 8:4).
Nothing Unites America
It’s ironic that this country is called the “United States of America” when hardly anything unites us!
Not the Bible! Politicians are now taking their ‘Oath of Office” on books other than Scripture.
Not the Flag! It’s being burned.
Not the National Anthem! Sports figures are kneeling in protest as it’s being sung.
The Founding Fathers are now held in disrepute. Statues have been toppled and hammered to pieces.
America’s Judaeo-Christian principles have been mocked and a former, sitting President denied America was ever a Christian nation.
Last year I came to the conclusion about our nation. Here is what I sensed: “America has lost its song. . . .” Think about that for a moment. . . . Have you ever tried to define “song”? Songs are written because something deeply stirs the heart. It could be love, or a particular longing. Beauty, achievements, great victories, and hope have inspired songs. Songs are written out of intense feelings and passions, both positive and negative, that people can relate to. Unfortunately, there is no longer a patriotic, soul-stirring song of endearment that unites Americans. America has lost its song!
It is an understatement to say,the “United” States is a DIVIDED country!And we are divided because we have rejected the ways of God.
(Quote) Thomas Jefferson said: “Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God? They are not to be violated but by His wrath. Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever.”
Folks, I fear that the justice of God has begun to awaken from its slumber, and judgment no longer lingers on the horizon, but stands at America’s door.
I hear preachers claiming that America will be reunited and we will become one in purpose again. Some are even prophesying that our country will reunite around its founding principles. Don’t misunderstand me! The United States needs healing and restoration. But I want you to give me two minutes to unpack something regarding the assumption that unity will reign and bring the United States together as one:
For the Christians that believe: (1) America will be reunited around the Constitution and the Bill of Rights;
(2) that America will regather around its founding principle that proclaims we are a Christian nation, (and I want to pause and read two quotes from John Quincy Adams: “The Declaration of Independence laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity.” And next, he said: “The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: it connected, in one indissoluble bond, the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity.”). With that said, I will continue.
(3) For Christians that believe Americans will rally around the Biblical tenet that ‘life begins in the womb’;
(4) for the Christians that actually believe Americans will continue to embrace support for Israel in these “last days”;
And finally, (5) for the Christians that believe unity will reign among the races and our racial differences will finally be resolved, then here is what I have to say:
You have more faith than anybody I have ever met!
I would like to be idealistic and believe that Americans will drop their differences and chant “Kumbaya,” but my discernment tells me that the Bible is right when it foretells the division among the peoples during the Endtime.
Jesus predicted tremendous cultural infighting during this time. When he said “nation would rise against nation” he used the Greek word is ethnos, which transcends national borders. It means ethnic group will fight ethnic group!
Folks, such idealistic thinking contradicts the Bible’s characterization of the “last days” when it foretells international lawlessness and the “spirit of Antichrist” fomenting around the globe!
There is no question that preachers should decry the injustices of the world. But nowhere in the Bible does it say that our hope is in a unified government, social order, or with peace treaties among the nations. The Christians’ hope is not in winning the “Culture War.” Folks, the hope for Christians in the last days is to become a praying church; a Spirit-filled church; a bold, witnessing church; and a unified church. It is a reignited army of Christians and not a cultural revolution that is the answer for today. When the church can reclaim its commitment to these principles we will see a move of God unlike you and I have ever witnessed.
I want to tell you the danger of the Pentecostal and Charismatic church: that which was birthed in the fire of the Spirit can eventually smolder into a bed of shriveling ashes.
Where Division Leads Nations
Now, with all the lawlessness and disunity manifesting, where is it leading America? It is directing us to the same place it lead the ancient nation of Israel. I want you to turn to Hosea 8:1—8 and let’s read where God says these sins lead our nation.
Hosea 8:1–7
This year of 2020 was marked on God’s calendar before the beginning of time. As omniscient, God knew the circumstances that would befall the world—the impeachment coup against an innocent president; the pandemic; the protesting and rioting; the stoking of racial differences; the international monetary impact of COVID—19; the collapse of thousands of businesses around the world; and the concerted efforts of world leaders to control the movements of people. And intertwined with these problems, Satan has used 2020 as a “year of unprecedented deceit.
With all this impacting the world, can you see that this has been a foreboding year compared to most others? Since 2020 has been a year of tumult by both man and nature, do you think it is important for the church—the people of God—to take notice . . . and take action? If you answered yourself by saying “Yes”, then my question is this: how have you made a difference in the church and in the world?
If churches across this nation continue week-to-week worship without invoking a Spirit-led, Biblically scripted response to these world events they have slipped into the drowsy estate of complacency. This is not the year to “hold the fort” and trust that everything works out. This is the year for churches to battle the gates of hell.
If America’s pulpits cannot see the perils of 2020 and recognize that liberalism and political correctness are corroding society, then the ministry of preaching has lost its discernment, its power, and its persuasion to redirect lost souls toward Christ.
If Christians, by-and-large, do not understand that their “marching orders” originate with the “King of kings” and not with the federal government, then they must re-read the Constitution of the Kingdom—which is the Bible!
Here’s the bottomline: the events of 2020 should have shaken the souls and disturbed the hearts of Christians in a seismic manner! These events should have created a proactive response. Yet many Christians have remained unmoved by the Holy Spirit and have taken no action to shake free from their complacency.
Folks, I’m going to divulge my desire for Christians: My heart’s desire is that Christians would revolt against living-the-Christian-life “as usual”; revolt against their witness-in-the-world “as usual,” and; revolt against having church “as usual.” I am hoping that the church in general and Christians in particular will not fail the assignment God has issued for this time.
(Harbinger) There is a reason I’m preaching this message. America and the nations are facing a decisive, appointed moment in the history of the world. And we cannot let this moment slip away without a Biblical confrontation. Christians must rise to the occasion.
(Question) That leads me to ask an important question: what are you willing to sacrifice in order to fight against this beastly Leviathan that has arisen upon our shores. What are you willing to do to help spare this nation from evil in behalf of the succeeding generation?
The Pilgrims of the early 17th Century left the protection of the mightiest monarchy on Earth—Great Britain—to sail to an unknown world and claim it for God. They surrendered property, pleasures, and prosperity in hopes of creating a better world where God and freedom reigned.
In the War of Independence, our Founding Fathers persisted against cold, disease, and outmanned forces before victory was claimed. Later, all but a few of the framers of our Constitution were martyred for their beliefs.
And then there are those referred to as the “Greatest Generation”—the people of WWII. These people sacrificed everything to repel Hitler and his coalition. Women worked in factories and surrendered their husbands and sons to the battlefield. Girls were willing to serve as nurses overseas. All for the sake of preserving American values.
So again, my question is this: what is this generation of Christians willing to sacrifice in order to save the remaining Biblical values of America? In order to give hope to their children and grandchildren? God is asking us to do something and I hope his divine request becomes evident quickly.
I want to close by reading the last verse of Hosea. Turn to Hosea 14:9.
“Who is wise? Let them realize these things.
Who is discerning? Let them understand.
The ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them,
but the rebellious stumble in them.”