The War Against Truth
THE WAR AGAINST TRUTH
Sunday (10/29), gather with your church family as we turn our attention to Matthew 14:1-12. Jesus, who had been facing increasing opposition, heard about the death of John the Baptist.
Upon hearing, He left the disciples to go and spend time alone with His Father in heaven. He grieved over John’s death and Israel's loss of a vocal proponent of speaking unashamedly and courageously the unfiltered truth of God’s Word.
Why was John martyred? Was it due to some heinous crime he had committed? The answer is no. The reason he was put to death was that he would not stand silent when the leader of his country was flagrantly and flamboyantly sinning.
King Herod (he gave himself that title), a ruler over a quarter of his father’s kingdom, after an adulterous affair with his brother’s wife Herodias, while in Rome, came home and divorced his wife to marry her. While acts like this don’t bother those who served in his court or friends and family, John understood it to be an offense to God, who had put him in leadership.
John had weighed the risks of speaking out against his government, for no one, especially Kings, liked being called out publicly. And because they hold vast amounts of power over their constituents, it would have been easier and more beneficial to John personally if he had toned down his public comments.
But he could not. There was a fire burning inside of him. It called him into action to defend the honor of God. Like Jeremiah, if he had remained silent, that fire would have burned inside him until he opened his mouth and declared the truth of God’s Word.
Like John the Baptist, we face whether to speak up and declare the truth or remain silent. There is no doubt there is a price to pay for being a born-again, Jesus-loving, Bible-believing, sin-hating follower of Jesus Christ in today’s culture.
But, inaction by remaining silent is not an option. Why? Because the souls of men and women entrapped by their sin can be liberated and granted everlasting life. And it begins by choosing to speak the truth of God’s Word.
Therefore, as one weighs their options, these words from Queen Esther’s uncle, Mordechai, remain true today. He had warned His niece if she did not speak up, then genocide would be committed against her people, the Jews.
As she contemplated the dangerous consequences of what he was asking, he spoke and said to her, “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this” (Esther 4:13-14)?
I look forward to our time together. Please pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the entire Calvary Chapel family.
There are several opportunities for worship. On-campus (10:00 am), drive-in church (92.1fm), and online (Facebook, YouTube: Calvary Inverness); (website: calvaryinv.com
In His Strong Love,
Pastor
Sunday (10/29), gather with your church family as we turn our attention to Matthew 14:1-12. Jesus, who had been facing increasing opposition, heard about the death of John the Baptist.
Upon hearing, He left the disciples to go and spend time alone with His Father in heaven. He grieved over John’s death and Israel's loss of a vocal proponent of speaking unashamedly and courageously the unfiltered truth of God’s Word.
Why was John martyred? Was it due to some heinous crime he had committed? The answer is no. The reason he was put to death was that he would not stand silent when the leader of his country was flagrantly and flamboyantly sinning.
King Herod (he gave himself that title), a ruler over a quarter of his father’s kingdom, after an adulterous affair with his brother’s wife Herodias, while in Rome, came home and divorced his wife to marry her. While acts like this don’t bother those who served in his court or friends and family, John understood it to be an offense to God, who had put him in leadership.
John had weighed the risks of speaking out against his government, for no one, especially Kings, liked being called out publicly. And because they hold vast amounts of power over their constituents, it would have been easier and more beneficial to John personally if he had toned down his public comments.
But he could not. There was a fire burning inside of him. It called him into action to defend the honor of God. Like Jeremiah, if he had remained silent, that fire would have burned inside him until he opened his mouth and declared the truth of God’s Word.
Like John the Baptist, we face whether to speak up and declare the truth or remain silent. There is no doubt there is a price to pay for being a born-again, Jesus-loving, Bible-believing, sin-hating follower of Jesus Christ in today’s culture.
But, inaction by remaining silent is not an option. Why? Because the souls of men and women entrapped by their sin can be liberated and granted everlasting life. And it begins by choosing to speak the truth of God’s Word.
Therefore, as one weighs their options, these words from Queen Esther’s uncle, Mordechai, remain true today. He had warned His niece if she did not speak up, then genocide would be committed against her people, the Jews.
As she contemplated the dangerous consequences of what he was asking, he spoke and said to her, “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this” (Esther 4:13-14)?
I look forward to our time together. Please pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the entire Calvary Chapel family.
There are several opportunities for worship. On-campus (10:00 am), drive-in church (92.1fm), and online (Facebook, YouTube: Calvary Inverness); (website: calvaryinv.com
In His Strong Love,
Pastor
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