TODAY ON TRUTHS THAT TRANSFORM.
“HOW DO WE, AS CHRISTIANS, LIVE IN LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL
OF JESUS CHRIST IN THE MIDST OF A WORLD,
IN THE MIDST OF A CULTURE,
IN THE MIDST OF A PEOPLE WHO ARE ANTI
THE VERY MESSAGE THAT WE HAVE BEEN SAVED BY?
THE MAIN ISSUE CHRISTIANS OUGHT TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT IN
AMERICA REGARDING THIS ELECTION IS FREEDOM OF SPEECH.
HAPPY LABOR DAY WEEKEND,
AND WELCOME TO TRUTHS THAT TRANSFORM,
A PRODUCTION OF CORAL RIDGE MINISTRIES.
I’M PASTOR ROB PACIENZA.
THIS ELECTION SEASON HAS BEEN A ROLLER-COASTER RIDE,
WITH UNPREDICTED TWISTS AND TURNS SEEMINGLY EVERY FEW WEEKS.
BUT WHILE THE DAY-IN, DAY-OUT POLITICAL CYCLE
CAN BE EXHILARATING OR DISCOURAGING,
IT’S IMPORTANT FOR US TO STEP BACK AND SEE THE BIGGER PICTURE.
ON TODAY’S PROGRAM, WE’LL INVESTIGATE WHAT IT MEANS TO
LIVE AS A CHRISTIAN IN AN ANTI-CHRISTIAN CULTURE.
WHAT ARE OUR DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS?
HOW DO WE SHOW GRACE IN TUMULTUOUS TIMES?
AS WE BEGIN, CORAL RIDGE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH’S
INSTITUTE FOR FAITH AND CULTURE
WAS FOUNDED TO EQUIP CHRISTIANS IN THIS CULTURAL MOMENT.
ONE OF OUR ESTEEMED SENIOR FELLOWS IS STEPHEN MANSFIELD.
WE RECENTLY SAT DOWN TOGETHER TO DISCUSS WHICH ISSUES
WE SHOULD BE PRIORITIZING IN THE UPCOMING ELECTION.
SO, STEPHEN, UPCOMING ELECTION, A LOT OF CRITICAL ISSUES TO
DISCUSS AND TO THINK ABOUT, BUT FROM A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE,
IN YOUR OPINION, WHICH OF THE ISSUES ARE MOST IMPORTANT?
I APPRECIATE YOU ASKING THAT BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE WILL THINK
I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT ABORTION OR IMMIGRATION OR LGTBQ ISSUES,
BUT I'LL TELL YOU THE MAIN ISSUE CHRISTIANS OUGHT TO BE CONCERNED
ABOUT IN AMERICA REGARDING THIS ELECTION IS FREEDOM OF SPEECH.
THAT MAY SOUND LIKE IT'S A DISTANT
THIRD OR FOURTH FOR SOME FOLKS,
BUT IN CANADA RIGHT NOW, PASTORS ARE ACTUALLY BEING
ARRESTED FOR SPEAKING OUT AGAINST HOMOSEXUALITY
OR CRITICIZING THE GOVERNMENT IN ANY WAY.
SAME THING'S HAPPENING IN EUROPE.
SO WITH A SLIGHT SHIFT IN
AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT,
WHAT WE'RE ALLOWED TO SAY AND WHAT WE'RE NOT ALLOWED TO SAY,
WE CAN SEE SERIOUS OPPRESSION.
SO, EVERY OTHER ISSUE RESTS ON
THE CHURCH'S ABILITY TO SPEAK FREELY,
THEIR BIBLICAL VALUES.
AND IF FREE SPEECH IS RESTRICTED,
EVERYTHING ELSE GETS WORSE.
IN OUR COUNTRY WE'VE ALWAYS BELIEVED
THAT YOU CAN SAY ANYTHING YOU WANT TO SAY
THAT WORDS DON'T HURT PEOPLE, ACTIONS DO,
AND THAT SHOULD BE PROTECTED.
BUT WE'RE SEEING WITH SOME RECENT ADMINISTRATIONS AND
WE'RE SEEING IN THE COURTS
THAT THEY'RE SAYING THAT'S NOT THE WAY IT IS.
YOU CAN BE HARMED.
YOU CAN BE FIRED FOR SPEECH AND THAT'S PERHAPS
THE MOST DANGEROUS TREND IN AMERICA RIGHT NOW.
OFTEN WHEN CHRISTIANS TALK ABOUT THE TRANSGENDER MOVEMENT
OR THE GAY RIGHTS MOVEMENT,
WE GET LABELED AS A HATE GROUP.
WE GET LABELED AS BIGOTS.
BUT WHY IS THIS SO IMPORTANT THAT WE GET THIS RIGHT,
PARTICULARLY WHEN IT COMES TO A POLITICAL ELECTION
FOR THE SAKE OF A FLOURISHING SOCIETY?
WELL, OFTEN IN PUBLIC POLICY YOU HAVE AN ISSUE
THAT IF IT MORPHS INTO THE DANGER IT CAN BE,
IT WILL ENDANGER OTHER FREEDOMS WITH IT.
SO FOR EXAMPLE, CALIFORNIA HAS JUST PASSED A LAW
IN WHICH IF A CHILD IN SCHOOL
DECIDES TO CHANGE ITS GENDER AND THUS ITS PRONOUNS,
THE PARENTS DO NOT HAVE TO BE TOLD.
IF THAT WERE TO SPREAD AROUND THE COUNTRY,
THINK OF THE OTHER FREEDOMS,
THINK OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT COULD BE KEPT FROM PARENTS.
THINK OF THE OTHER ABUSE OF CHILDREN THAT WOULD BE
COVERED UP BY THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THE COURTS.
SO THIS IS ABSOLUTELY A SERIOUS ISSUE.
LET'S DISCUSS THE SOUTHERN BORDER AND IMMIGRATION.
MANY PEOPLE PARTICULARLY INSIDE THE CHURCH
SAY WE NEED TO BE HOSPITABLE TO ALL PEOPLE.
AND A LOT OF TIMES THAT TRANSLATES INTO
YOU NEED TO HAVE OPEN BORDERS.
WE NEED TO WELCOME EVERYBODY, ACCEPT EVERYONE.
WE NEED TO BE HOSPITABLE TO EVERYONE.
CAN WE AS A NATION BE BOTH HOSPITABLE
BUT ALSO HAVE LAW AND ORDER
AND A CORRECT PATHWAY TOWARDS CITIZENSHIP?
PARTICULARLY WHEN IT COMES TO THE CRISIS AT THE OPEN BORDER?
THERE'S NO QUESTION OFTEN OUR DEBATES CENTER AROUND EXTREMES
ITS EXTREMES TALKING TO EACH OTHER.
THE FACT IS WE WANT IMMIGRATION.
WE'VE BENEFITED FROM IMMIGRATION.
MOST OF OUR NATION IS IMMIGRANTS AREN'T THE ORIGINAL PEOPLE
EXCEPT THE NATIVE AMERICANS.
AND SO WE DO WANT IMMIGRATION, BUT AS ONE OF MY FAVORITE
COMEDIANS SAYS, JUST SIGN THE GUEST BOOK ON THE WAY IN, RIGHT?
JUST GET REGISTERED AND TAKE A COURSE THAT REQUIRES
THAT YOU UNDERSTAND AMERICAN HISTORY AND AMERICAN VALUES.
SO THERE'S NO QUESTION
THAT WE CAN HAVE A SANE IMMIGRATION POLICY,
BUT WE ALL KNOW THAT
MILLIONS POURING OVER A RIVER UNDOCUMENTED
AND THEN PERHAPS LATER TAKEN CARE OF FINANCIALLY
AND GIVEN THE VOTE WITHOUT EVEN BEING CITIZENS
OR SPEAKING THE LANGUAGE,
THIS IS GOING TO DAMAGE AMERICA.
SO THAT'S WHAT I'M OFTEN CHALLENGING OUR CONGRESSMEN
AND SENATORS ABOUT IN DC IS,
LOOK, WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE PEOPLE
POURING OVER THE BORDER BY THE MILLIONS.
THERE'S A SANE POLICY, LET'S GET SERIOUS AND IMPLEMENT IT,
AND THAT'S WHAT WE SHOULD BE CALLING FOR.
OCTOBER 7TH, 2023 FOR MANY SEEMS LIKE A DECADE AGO,
BUT WE KNOW THE ATROCITIES THAT OCCURRED.
WE KNOW THAT ANTISEMITISM IS STILL AN ISSUE.
HOW SHOULD THE PEOPLE OF GOD STILL BE CONCERNED NUMBER ONE,
ABOUT THE CRISIS IN ISRAEL, BUT ALSO ABOUT THIS ISSUE OF
ANTISEMITISM IN THE WORLD AND PARTICULARLY IN OUR NATION?
IT'S ONE OF THE GREAT PRESSING ISSUES OF OUR TIME.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE SEEN THE VIDEOS WHERE
JOURNALISTS GO IN AND ASK THE PROTESTORS
WHAT IS FROM THE RIVER TO THE SEA EVEN MEAN?
AND WHAT DOES HAMAS STAND FOR?
AND IS ISRAEL REALLY AN APARTHEID COUNTRY?
AND THE PROTESTERS DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA
WHAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT.
THEY'VE GOT A FRIEND MAYBE FROM A MIDDLE EASTERN COUNTRY OR
THEY'VE READ SOME RHETORIC AND THEY'RE PROTESTING.
SO YOU HAVE A COMBINATION OF VIOLENCE, HATE AND IGNORANCE.
WE'VE GOT TO DO A BETTER JOB OF EDUCATING PEOPLE ABOUT ISRAEL,
ABOUT THE MIDDLE EAST, ABOUT THE HERITAGE OF THE JEWS,
ABOUT THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE WORLD.
IN JUNE, 2022, THE HIGHEST COURT IN THE LAND,
THE SUPREME COURT OVERTURNED ROE,
AND IT WAS A GREAT VICTORY FOR THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN
DEFENDING THE SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE
FROM THE MOMENT OF CONCEPTION.
IT DOES SEEM LIKE THERE'S SOME DISCOURAGEMENT
IN THE PRO-LIFE MOVEMENT RIGHT NOW.
THEY SEE A LOT OF POLITICIANS THAT SEEM TO BE ABANDONING
THE FIGHT FOR THE SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE.
THEY'RE SEEING IT MAY BE REMOVED FROM
THEIR PARTY'S PLATFORM THAT THEY AFFILIATE WITH.
SO WHAT IS THE ENCOURAGEMENT AND THE PERSPECTIVE
THAT THE PEOPLE OF GOD SHOULD HAVE,
PARTICULARLY THOSE THAT ARE SUPER CONCERNED
ABOUT CONTINUING TO ADVANCE THE PRO-LIFE MESSAGE
AND AS MANY HAVE SAID,
TO NOT ONLY MAKE ABORTION ILLEGAL,
BUT TO MAKE IT UNTHINKABLE IN THIS NATION.
WELL, WOULDN'T IT BE A DISASTER IF WE HAVE THIS
AMAZING SUPREME COURT VICTORY AND THEN BECAUSE ONE PARTY
KIND OF BACKS AWAY A BIT FROM ITS PRO-LIFE STANCE,
WE JUST THROW UP OUR HANDS
AND STOP CONTENDING AND STOP CHANGING MINDS AND HEARTS
AND STOP WORKING FOR THE CAUSE?
NOW, IT'S CERTAINLY TRUE THAT NOT EVERYONE
IS AS PRO-LIFE AS WE WANT THEM TO BE,
BUT YOU PICK PEOPLE UP WHERE THEY ARE AND YOU KEEP
CONTENDING FOR THE BEST AND YOU KEEP MAKING THE CASE.
BUT PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY CHRISTIANS,
NEED TO TRUST THAT GOD IS AT WORK,
NEED TO CELEBRATE THE VICTORIES THEY'VE BEEN GIVEN.
STAY OPTIMISTIC AND UNDERSTAND THAT POLITICS OFTEN LOOKS DIRTY
AND THEN IT RIGHTS ITSELF ON THE OTHER SIDE,
PARTICULARLY OF AN ELECTION.
SO I TALK TO A LOT OF CHRISTIANS,
I GET A LOT OF CALLS WHEN THESE DECISIONS ARE MADE
ABOUT PARTY PLATFORMS AND AT CONVENTIONS,
AND I'M ALWAYS SAYING THE SAME THING.
CALM DOWN, TRUST GOD.
HE'S AT WORK.
LET'S DO THE BEST THAT WE CAN DO AND
DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU SEE ON THE EVENING NEWS.
HOW CAN THE PEOPLE OF GOD AND AMERICA
BE PRAYING FOR OUR NATION.
ANY THINGS THAT COME TO MIND?
PARTICULAR PRAYER POINTS WITH THE UPCOMING ELECTION
AND WITH THE STATE OF OUR UNION.
YOU KNOW I REALLY CARE ABOUT THIS ISSUE.
BECAUSE I STUDY REVIVALS AND THE HISTORY OF RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS
AND PRAYER BEFORE BIG NATIONAL DISASTERS, BIG PRAYER MOVEMENTS
I BELIEVE HAVE MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE
PARTICULARLY IN AMERICAN HISTORY.
IN FACT YOU CAN ACTUALLY LOOK AT A RISE AND FALL PATTERN
IN AMERICAN HISTORY; REVIVAL, RELIGIOUS REVIVAL AND
THEN DECLINE AND THEN RELIGIOUS REVIVALS AND THEN DECLINE.
BUT PRAYER IS ALWAYS AT THE ROOT OF IT.
SO, PRAYING FOR OUR NATION, PRAYING FOR OUR LEADERS,
PRAYING FOR THOSE THAT WE DESPISE
AND DISLIKE IN THE NATIONAL DEBATE.
THIS IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL. LET ME SAY IT A COUPLE OF WAYS.
FIRST OF ALL IT’S COMMANDED. WE DON’T HAVE A CHOICE.
PRAY FOR YOUR ENEMIES, PRAY FOR THOSE
WHO DESPITEFULLY USE YOU SCRIPTURE SAYS.
SECOND OF ALL, WE KNOW IT’S THE HIGHEST WEAPON WE HAVE,
YES VOTE. YES, LOBBY. YES, GET EDUCATED.
YES, TEACH AND TRAIN OTHERS. YES, MOBILIZE.
BUT IF YOU’RE NOT PRAYING, THEN YOU’RE FIGHTING YOUR BATTLE
COMPLETELY AT A NATURAL LEVEL.
OFTEN CHRISTIANS SPEND A LOT OF TIME
COMPLAINING ABOUT THE CULTURE, COMPLAINING ABOUT POLITICS,
COMPLAINING ABOUT THE NATION.
BUT CHRISTIANS, WE SHOULD BE
THE MOST OPTIMISTIC PEOPLE IN THE WORLD. YES.
WHAT HOPE DO YOU HAVE FOR AMERICA?
AND FOR THIS CULTURAL MOMENT?
YOU KNOW I HAVE GREAT HOPE FOR AMERICA.
AND PART OF THE REASON IS THAT I AM A HISTORIAN
AND I KNOW THAT THINGS HAVE BEEN FAR, FAR WORSE.
SO, I HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF OPTIMISM BECAUSE
I BELIEVE IN A SOVEREIGN GOD,
BECAUSE I BELIEVE THERE ARE
AGE OLD COVENANTS STILL AFFECTING OUR HISTORY.
I PRAY EVERY DAY WHAT THE PURITANS ON THE MAYFLOWER WROTE,
WE SAILED FOR THE GLORY OF GOD
AND THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH.
SO EVERY DAY I SAY, LORD, I PICK UP THAT TORCH.
I WANT TO LIVE TODAY FOR THE GLORY OF GOD
AND THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH.
AND IF WE'LL RENEW THOSE AGE OLD COVENANTS
AND GET GOD'S WISDOM FOR OUR GENERATION
AND LIVE FIERY DYNAMIC CHRISTIAN LIVES
IN THE SERVICE OF HIS KINGDOM ON EARTH,
WE WILL SEE THINGS CHANGE IN OUR GENERATION.
STEPHEN, SO APPRECIATE YOUR FRIENDSHIP,
YOUR LEADERSHIP IN MY LIFE,
LEADERSHIP NOW IN THESE MINISTRIES
THAT GOD HAS CALLED US TO CONTINUE TO LEAD
FOR THE SAKE OF THE NEXT GENERATION.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR VOICE.
THE NATION NEEDS TO HEAR YOUR VOICE
AND THE PERSPECTIVE YOU GIVE,
PARTICULARLY THE CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
ON WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THIS NATION,
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THIS CULTURE;
JUST INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL FOR YOU.
ROB, THANKS FOR LETTING ME BE PART OF THE TEAM, MAN.
IT'S A PRIVILEGE.
WITH A PIVOTAL ELECTION UPON US,
IT IS VITAL THAT GOD’S PEOPLE PRAY FOR AMERICA.
WE’LL SEND YOU THE
40 DAYS TO THE ELECTION PRAYER GUIDE
TO HELP YOU AND OTHERS LIFT YOUR HEARTS IN FOCUSED,
TARGETED PRAYER IN THE RUN-UP TO THE ELECTION.
CONTACT US TODAY AND ASK FOR YOUR FREE PRAYER GUIDE
OR SIGN UP ONLINE.
JUST VISIT CRM.TV/ELECTIONPRAYER TO DOWNLOAD
YOUR 40 DAYS TO THE ELECTION PRAYER GUIDE.
WHEN YOU JOIN THE PRAYER CAMPAIGN,
WE’LL ALSO SEND YOU A DAILY EMAIL
PROVIDING BOTH A PRAYER TOPIC AND AN INSPIRATIONAL READING
ABOUT THE POWER AND EFFICACY OF PRAYER.
SIGN UP TODAY.
TOGETHER, LET’S PRAY!
I’M THANKFUL FOR STEPHEN MANSFIELD
AND THE OTHER SCHOLARS AND FELLOWS
WE HAVE DRAWN TO THE INSTITUTE FOR FAITH AND CULTURE,
BECAUSE AS BELIEVERS, WE ARE ALL CALLED TO ENGAGE
AND TRANSFORM CULTURE FOR GOD’S KINGDOM IN EVERY SPHERE.
THAT REQUIRES BIBLICAL WISDOM AND
INSIGHT IN THIS COMPLEX WORLD.
HERE IN OUR CONGREGATION AT CORAL RIDGE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,
FOLLOWING OUR FOUNDER, DR. D. JAMES KENNEDY,
WE WANT TO GIVE CHRISTIANS EVERY TOOL TO LIVE OUT
GOD’S CALLING TO IMPACT THE CULTURE.
THAT’S WHY I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO TAKE THE TIME
TO SHARE THIS MESSAGE WITH THEM FROM ROMANS CHAPTER 13,
AS WE LOOK AT WHAT IT MEANS
TO BE A CHRISTIAN IN AN ANTI-CHRISTIAN AGE.
WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT
ROMANS CHAPTER 13 VERSES ONE THROUGH SEVEN THIS MORNING.
WHAT IS THE CONTEXT OF THE BOOK OF ROMANS?
THE EMPEROR CLAUDIUS IS THE RULER OF ROME
AND HE IS THE RULER OF THE ENTIRE KNOWN WORLD
AT THE TIME KNOWN AS THE ROMAN EMPIRE.
AND EMPEROR CLAUDIUS IS DOING EVERYTHING IN HIS POWER AND
MIGHT TO PURGE THE KNOWN WORLD, ESPECIALLY ROME OF CHRISTIANS.
CHRISTIANITY IS ON THE RISE AND
ALL OF THESE JEWISH CHRISTIANS ARE CONVERTING AND
CLAUDIUS AND THE EMPIRE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT.
AND SO IT IS THIS INTO THIS CULTURAL CONTEXT THAT
PAUL WRITES THIS LETTER TO THE ROMANS, THE CHRISTIANS IN ROME.
IT IS A CULTURE THAT IS PAGAN.
IT IS A SECULAR CULTURE,
A CULTURE THAT IS ANTI-GOSPEL AND ANTI-GOD.
AND THE QUESTION OF THE DAY IS
HOW DO WE AS CHRISTIANS LIVE IN LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL OF
JESUS CHRIST IN THE MIDST OF A WORLD,
IN THE MIDST OF A CULTURE, IN THE MIDST OF A PEOPLE
WHO ARE ANTI THE VERY MESSAGE THAT WE HAVE BEEN SAVED BY.
HOW DO THE PEOPLE OF GOD LIVE IN A CULTURE SUCH AS ROME?
AND I HAVE A FEELING THE PEOPLE OF GOD TODAY WANT TO KNOW
HOW DO WE LIVE IN SUCH A WORLD, IN SUCH A CULTURE?
HOW DO THE PEOPLE OF GOD LIVE TODAY IN SUCH A TIME AS THIS?
ROMANS CHAPTER 13 VERSES ONE THROUGH SEVEN,
HEAR THE WORD OF GOD,
“LET EVERY PERSON BE SUBJECT TO THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES
FOR THERE IS NO AUTHORITY EXCEPT FROM GOD AND
THOSE THAT EXIST HAVE BEEN INSTITUTED BY GOD.
THEREFORE, WHOEVER RESISTS THE AUTHORITIES RESIST WHAT GOD
HAS APPOINTED AND THOSE WHO RESIST WILL ENCOURAGE JUDGMENT.
FOR RULERS ARE NOT A TERROR TO GOOD CONDUCT BUT BAD.
WOULD YOU HAVE NO FEAR OF THE ONE WHO IS IN AUTHORITY?
THEN DO WHAT IS GOOD AND YOU'LL RECEIVE HIS APPROVAL.
FOR HE IS GOD'S SERVANT FOR YOUR GOOD, BUT IF YOU DO WRONG,
BE AFRAID FOR HE DOES NOT BEAR THE SWORD IN VAIN
FOR HE IS THE SERVANT OF GOD,
AN AVENGER OF WHO CARRIES OUT GOD'S WRATH ON THE WRONGDOER.
THEREFORE ONE MUST BE IN SUBJECTION NOT TO AVOID
GOD'S WRATH BUT ALSO FOR THE SAKE OF CONSCIENCE.
FOR BECAUSE OF THIS, YOU ALSO PAY TAXES FOR THE AUTHORITIES,
OUR MINISTERS OF GOD ATTENDING TO THIS VERY THING,
PAYING TO ALL WHAT IS OWED TO THEM,
TAXES TO WHOM TAXES ARE OWED REVENUE TO WHOM REVENUE IS OWED,
RESPECT TO WHOM RESPECT IS OWED AND
HONOR TO WHOM HONOR IS OWED.
AND MAY THE LORD BLESS US THIS DAY AND REMIND US
THAT THE GRASS WITHERS AND THE FLOWER FADES,
BUT THE WORD OF GOD, EVEN ROMANS CHAPTER 13,
IT STANDS FOREVER. AMEN.
HOW DO GOD'S PEOPLE LIVE IN THEIR CULTURAL MOMENT?
THE PEOPLE OF GOD 2000 YEARS AGO WANTED TO KNOW,
AND IT DROVE PAUL TO WRITE DOWN
THE WORDS OF ROMANS CHAPTER 13,
AND THEY ARE JUST AS RELEVANT BECAUSE
THE WORD OF GOD IS LIVING AND ACTIVE AND DOES NOT CHANGE.
IT IS JUST AS RELEVANT TODAY AS IT WAS 2000 YEARS AGO.
YOU SEE, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING
THAT THE CHRISTIANS IN ROME HAD TO UNDERSTAND
AND THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND TODAY
IS THAT ALL OF THE AUTHORITIES THAT
GOD HAS PLACED IN OUR LIFE ARE THERE
BECAUSE OF THE SOVEREIGN HAND OF GOD.
THE SOURCE OF ALL AUTHORITY IS GOD HIMSELF.
HE IS SOVEREIGN.
AND WHEN WE SUBJECT OURSELVES AND SUBMIT OURSELVES
TO THE AUTHORITIES AND LEADERS THAT ARE IN OUR LIVES,
WE ARE ULTIMATELY DOING WHAT ACCORDING TO THIS PASSAGE,
WE ARE RECOGNIZING THE ULTIMATE SOURCE OF THAT AUTHORITY,
WHICH IS GOD HIMSELF.
WE'RE ABLE TO SAY AS THE PEOPLE OF GOD THAT
THAT LEADER IS IN POSITION BECAUSE GOD HAS APPOINTED HIM
OR APPOINTED HER TO BE THERE,
THAT THE AUTHORITIES OF LIFE LIVE UNDER
THE SOVEREIGN RULE AND THE SOVEREIGN HAND OF GOD.
NOW, SEE, THIS IS ALL CONSISTENT WITH BIBLICAL HISTORY, ISN'T IT?
IF YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH THE OLD TESTAMENT AT ALL,
GOD DID NOT ONLY APPOINT GOOD KINGS
AND GOOD JUDGES AND GOOD RULERS,
GOD ALLOWED WHAT IT TELLS US IN ROMANS NINE,
I RAISED YOU UP PHARAOH FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE.
YOU SEE ,PAUL HERE IN ROMANS 13 VERSES ONE AND TWO,
WHETHER YOU REALIZE IT OR NOT,
IS MAKING A VERY PROFOUND POLITICAL STATEMENT.
DON'T SAY THAT GOD AND THE BIBLE DON'T TALK ABOUT POLITICS.
THE POLITICAL QUESTION OF THE DAY IS WHO IS LORD?
AND ROME SAID, CAESAR IS LORD THAT CAESAR IS IN CONTROL.
AND THEY EVEN WENT A STEP FURTHER AND SAID,
CAESAR IS LORD AND HE'S THE DIVINE LORD.
THEY TREATED CAESAR AS THE KING AND AS GOD HIMSELF.
AND HERE IS PAUL MAKING A MOST PROFOUND POLITICAL STATEMENT
AND SAYS, NO CAESAR IS NOT GOD.
THAT GOD HAS APPOINTED CAESAR FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS,
I HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DO WHAT?
TO RELEASE YOU.
WHAT DOES OUR JESUS SAY?
JOHN CHAPTER 19 VERSE 11 YOU WOULD HAVE NO AUTHORITY OVER ME
AT ALL UNLESS IT HAS BEEN GIVEN YOU FROM ABOVE.
THEREFORE, HE WHO DELIVER ME OVER TO YOU HAS THE GREATER SIN.
OH LITTLE PILATE, YOU THINK YOU HAVE ALL OF THE AUTHORITY BUT
DON’T YOU REALIZE YOU HAVE NO AUTHORITY AT ALL
EXCEPT FROM THE APPOINTED HAND OF GOD.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS GOD-GIVEN AUTHORITY?
WELL, IN VERSES THREE AND FOUR WE READ THIS
AND IT IS SO PROFOUND.
VERSE FOUR SAYS, FOR HE IS GOD'S SERVANT FOR YOUR GOOD.
NOW SERVANT HERE IN THE GREEK NEW TESTAMENT IS LITERALLY
TRANSLATED MINISTER, A MINISTER, A MINISTER.
I THOUGHT THE MINISTERS WERE THE ONES THAT PREACHED THE SERMONS,
THAT ADMINISTERED THE SACRAMENTS.
BUT HERE PAUL IS SAYING NO, THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES THAT GOD
HAS PLACED IN YOUR LIFE, PARTICULARLY HERE, HE'S TALKING
ABOUT EVEN THE CIVIL AUTHORITIES OF THE STATE SHOULD BE SEEN AS A
MINISTER OF GOD FOR YOUR GOOD.
YOU SEE, THIS TAKES US
ALL THE WAY BACK TO GENESIS CHAPTER THREE.
IN GENESIS CHAPTER THREE.
IN THE FALL, THERE IS UTTER CHAOS
AND BROKENNESS IN THE WORLD.
AND SO GOD IN HIS MEANS OF GRACE TO ALL PEOPLE,
NOT JUST TO THOSE THAT HE SAVES, BUT TO ALL PEOPLE ALIKE,
HE PUTS IN PLACE CIVIL AUTHORITIES,
HE PUTS IN PLACE GOVERNMENTS, BOTH LOCAL AND REGIONAL
AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS TO DO WHAT?
TO RESTRAIN EVIL.
AND THAT IS WHAT PAUL IS SAYING HERE.
IF YOU TRAVEL TO SOME OF THE COUNTRIES IN EUROPE,
THEY STILL REFER TO THEIR OFFICIALS
AS WHAT AS MINISTERS, THE MINISTER OF DEFENSE,
THE MINISTER OF THE STATE, THE MINISTRY OF THE STATE.
YOU SEE, IT GOES ALL THE WAY BACK TO ROMANS CHAPTER 13,
THAT THE WHOLE REASON THAT GOD APPOINTS GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
AND LEADERS IS TO RESTRAIN EVIL,
TO PROMOTE JUSTICE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS,
TO PROTECT THE VULNERABLE'S OF SOCIETY,
TO PROTECT THE UNBORN AND THE INNOCENT,
TO STAND FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS
AND TRUTH THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE CULTURE.
THIS IS THE ULTIMATE GOD-GIVEN PURPOSE OF GOVERNMENT
TO SERVE AS MINISTERS,
MINISTERS AND SERVANTS OF OUR COMMUNITY AND OF OUR CULTURE,
AND OF OUR LAND STANDING IN BETWEEN EVIL AND ITS CITIZENS.
IMAGINE A COMMUNITY OR CULTURE WITH NO GOVERNMENT,
WITH NO POLICE, WITH NO FIRE DEPARTMENT,
WITH NO ELECTED LEADERS, WITH NO OFFICIALS,
UTTER CHAOS AND BROKENNESS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
ALL THE MORE REASON WE NEED TO BE
PRAYING FOR OUR LEADERS AND LIFTING THEM UP.
THEY WOULD STAND FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS
AND STAND FOR TRUTH,
NOT JUST CIVIL SERVANTS AND CIVIL AUTHORITY,
BUT MINISTERS PLACED THERE BY THE AUTHORITY
AND THE SOVEREIGN HAND OF GOD.
HI, I’M JENNIFER KENNEDY CASSIDY.
AS YOU JUST HEARD FROM DR. PACIENZA,
GOVERNMENT IS GIVEN TO US
BY GOD AS A MINISTER OF GOOD.
IN AMERICA, WE HAVE THE GOD-GIVEN BLESSING
OF CHOOSING OUR OWN GOVERNMENT LEADERS.
WE’LL BE HEADING TO THE POLLS IN JUST TWO MONTHS
TO ELECT A PRESIDENT,
A THIRD OF THE SENATE,
AND AN ENTIRELY NEW HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
NOT TO MENTION LOCAL RACES.
IT’S VITAL TO YOUR FAMILY, YOUR COMMUNITY,
AND THE FUTURE OF YOUR COUNTRY THAT YOU VOTE
AND VOTE WITH A CONSCIENCE INFORMED BY THE WORD OF GOD.
WE HAVE A COMPELLING NEW RESOURCE WE’D LIKE TO SEND YOU
THAT WILL HELP YOU DO THAT.
IT’S THE BRAND-NEW DVD, RIGHTEOUSNESS EXALTS A NATION,
AND WE’LL SEND IT TO YOU AS THANKS FOR YOUR GENEROUS
DONATION TO THE WORK OF THIS MINISTRY.
IT FEATURES KEY MESSAGES FROM DR. ROB PACIENZA,
DR. AL MOHLER OF THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST SEMINARY,
AND MY FATHER, DR. D. JAMES KENNEDY.
IN THESE MESSAGES, YOU’LL FIND ENCOURAGEMENT AND
EQUIPPING FOR RECLAIMING AMERICA FOR CHRIST,
AND FOR MAKING POSITIVE CHANGE IN AMERICA.
YOU’LL WANT TO SHARE THESE MESSAGES WITH
YOUR SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS OR SMALL GROUP AS WELL.
AND IF YOU’RE ABLE TO GIVE A GENEROUS GIFT OF $50 OR MORE,
WE’LL SEND YOU THE DVD PLUS THE BEAUTIFUL,
FULL-COLOR, COLLECTOR'S EDITION BOOK,
MIRACLES IN AMERICAN HISTORY, BY SUSIE FEDERER,
FEATURING A FORWARD FROM HER HUSBAND,
HISTORIAN WILLIAM FEDERER.
THIS SPECIAL EDITION COMBINES VOLUMES 1 AND 2
OF THE PREVIOUS MIRACLES BOOK INTO
THIS BEAUTIFUL, ONE-VOLUME, GIFT EDITION.
THE ORIGINAL VOLUMES WERE AMONG THE MOST POPULAR RESOURCES
WE’VE EVER OFFERED ON THIS PROGRAM.
AND THIS SPECIAL COLLECTOR’S EDITION IS NOT TO BE MISSED.
DURING THIS TRYING TIME IN OUR HISTORY,
IT’S ENCOURAGING TO BE REMINDED THAT
GOD HAS BEEN PRESENT FROM AMERICA’S SETTLING,
AND HAS OFTEN ACTED IN MIRACULOUS WAYS
TO ESTABLISH AND PRESERVE THIS NATION.
DISCOVER DESPERATE CIRCUMSTANCES IN AMERICA'S PAST
AND HOW MEN AND WOMEN ROSE UP WITH FAITH
AND COURAGE TO SEE GOD TURN THE SITUATION
AROUND FROM THE SETTLING OF THE NATION
THROUGH THE APOLLO SPACE MISSIONS AND BEYOND.
AND YOU’LL BE ENCOURAGED TO SEEK GOD
IN OUR OWN DIFFICULTIES TODAY.
THAT’S THE POWERFUL NEW DVD PROGRAM,
RIGHTEOUSNESS EXALTS A NATION
WITH MESSAGES FROM ROB PACIENZA, AL MOHLER,
AND D. JAMES KENNEDY, AS THANKS FOR YOUR GENEROUS DONATION.
AND THE DVD PLUS THE FULL-COLOR, 288-PAGE GIFT EDITION OF
MIRACLES IN AMERICAN HISTORY, BY SUSIE FEDERER,
AS THANKS FOR YOUR DONATION OF $50 OR MORE.
AND AS YOU DONATE, YOU’LL BE HELPING US TO BROADCAST
A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE ON THE KINDS OF ISSUES
THAT THE FUTURE OF OUR NATION WILL BE HINGING ON.
THAT’S IMPORTANT AS AMERICA GETS READY
TO HEAD TO THE POLLS IN NOVEMBER.
SIMPLY WRITE TO US AT CORAL RIDGE MINISTRIES:
OR CALL TOLL FREE:
OR GO ONLINE TO:
ELECTION DAY IS STILL JUST OVER TWO MONTHS AWAY.
AND YET IN MANY WAYS IT HAS ALREADY BEEN AN ELECTION SEASON
LIKE NO OTHER WE HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED.
THE INCREDIBLE PAST FEW MONTHS
HAVE BEEN VIRTUALLY UNPRECEDENTED.
AS YOU’VE HEARD ME SAY, HERE AT CORAL RIDGE,
WE INTEND TO BE A
GOSPEL-CENTERED, CULTURE-SHAPING CHURCH.
THOSE THINGS ARE NOT IN COMPETITION WITH ONE ANOTHER.
RATHER, THEY FLOW TOGETHER UNDER THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST.
BUT WHILE IT IS AMONG OUR VITAL FUNCTIONS
AS CHRISTIANS TO BE SALT AND LIGHT,
AND TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR THROUGH OUR VOTE
AS WELL AS OUR SERVICE, WE ALSO MUST ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT
THE CURRENT POLITICAL ORDER IS TEMPORARY
THAT KINGS AND GOVERNMENTS RISE AND FALL.
GOD HAS MADE US TO LIVE ETERNALLY, AND NEXT TO ETERNITY,
OUR PRESENT DAY IS A MIST, A VAPOR.
SO I WANT TO ASK YOU TODAY, IS YOUR ETERNITY SECURE?
DO YOU KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO YOU WHEN YOU DIE?
DO YOU KNOW HERE YOU’LL BE A THOUSAND YEARS FROM NOW?
OR A MILLION YEARS FROM NOW?
GOD WANTS YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT IT’S POSSIBLE TO KNOW.
THAT’S THE ENTIRE POINT OF THE GOSPEL.
JESUS CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD, CAME TO EARTH AS A HUMAN BEING.
HE LIVED THE PERFECT LIFE,
AND THOUGH HE WAS COMPLETELY PURE AND INNOCENT,
HE DIED THE DEATH OF A CRIMINAL ON THE CROSS.
HE DID THAT IN MY PLACE, AND IN YOUR PLACE,
TAKING OUR SINS ONTO HIMSELF
SO THAT HE COULD ABSORB THE PUNISHMENT AND YOU AND I
COULD BE FREED FROM OUR GUILT AND ACCEPTED BY GOD.
AND THEN JESUS ROSE FROM THE DEAD,
COMPLETING THE VICTORY OVER DEATH
AND ENSURING OUR RESURRECTION.
WHEN A FREE GIFT IS OFFERED TO YOU,
THE ONLY THING FOR YOU TO DO IS RECEIVE IT.
HAVE YOU DONE THAT?
GOD OFFERS ALL OF THIS TO YOU
FORGIVENESS, ACCEPTANCE, RESURRECTION,
AND ETERNAL LIFE IN HEAVEN WITH HIM.
AND HE OFFERS IT TO YOU IN HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST.
THE BIBLE TELLS US,
“IF YOU CONFESS WITH YOUR MOUTH THAT JESUS IS LORD
AND BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART THAT
GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD,
YOU WILL BE SAVED.”
IN OTHER WORDS, YOU CAN BE SAVED
BY PUTTING YOUR FAITH AND TRUST IN JESUS AND NOTHING ELSE.
IF YOU’VE NEVER DONE THAT,
I WANT TO INVITE YOU TO DO IT RIGHT NOW.
YOU CAN PRAY THIS PRAYER ALONG WITH ME, FROM YOUR HEART.
“HEAVENLY FATHER, I WANT TO RECEIVE THE
FREE GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE THAT YOU’VE OFFERED TO ME.
I KNOW THAT I HAVE SINNED AND DESERVE PUNISHMENT,
BUT TODAY, I’M PLACING MY TRUST IN
JESUS CHRIST AS MY LORD AND MY SAVIOR,
AND TRUSTING IN HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION ON MY BEHALF.
LORD, HELP ME TO TURN AWAY FROM MY SIN AND
LIVE MY LIFE FOR YOU IN GRATITUDE.
I PRAY THIS IN CHRIST’S NAME, AMEN.”
IF YOU SINCERELY PRAYED THAT PRAYER WITH ME JUST NOW,
PLEASE LET US KNOW.
WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU AND SEND YOU A FREE GIFT.
IT’S BEGINNING AGAIN, DR. KENNEDY’S BOOK
FOR NEW BELIEVERS TO HELP YOU GET STARTED
IN YOUR NEW RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST.
CONTACT US TODAY AND RECEIVE YOUR COPY.
AND MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS YOU.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.
THE NEXT TIME YOU’RE IN SOUTH FLORIDA,
WE’D LOVE FOR YOU COME WORSHIP WITH US RIGHT HERE
AT CORAL RIDGE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN FORT LAUDERDALE.
OR YOU CAN JOIN US VIA LIVESTREAM AT
AND FINALLY, MAKE SURE TO CHECK OUT ALL OF OUR
PROGRAMS, DOCUMENTARY SPECIALS, PODCASTS, AND MORE,
AT OUR NEW STREAMING SITE,
AND NOW, HERE’S A LOOK AT THE NEXT TRUTHS THAT TRANSFORM.
WE'RE CALLED TO BE A PART OF THE CIVIC PROCESS,
TO BE A PART OF SHAPING CULTURE AND VOTING IS REALLY BEING A
GOOD STEWARD OF THIS EXCELLENT RESOURCE THAT GOD HAS GIVEN US
WHICH IS TO LIVE IN SUCH A GREAT COUNTRY.
THAT'S NEXT WEEK
THIS HAS BEEN A PRODUCTION OF CORAL RIDGE MINISTRIES