Of all the major Crusades the most tragic was the failed Children's Crusade. In 1212 a German youth called Nicholas proclaimed that God had ordained him to lead a crusade of children to the Holy Land. The idea captured the imagination of the children. Thirty thousand young people (including girls who dressed as boys) averaging twelve years slipped away from their parents to follow Nicholas. As they marched from Cologne, down the Rhine and over the Alps they sang:

Fair are the meadows,
Fairer still the woodlands,
Robed in the pleasant garb of spring;
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
He makes the grieving heart to sing. 

Many died of hunger. Some stragglers were devoured by wolves. Thieves mingled with the marchers and stole money, food and clothing. Those who survived reached Genoa, Italy only to discover that no ships would carry them to the field of battle in Palestine. Pope Innocent III told the children as kindly as possible to go home. Some did but many stayed.

In France in the same year, a twelve year old shepherd named Stephen came to Philip Augustus and announced that Christ had appeared to him while tending his flock and commanded him to lead a children's crusade to Palestine. The king ordered him to return home. Still, twenty thousand young people gathered to follow wherever Stephen chose to lead them. He chose to lead them across France to Marseille, where, Stephen promised, the ocean would divide in a miraculous manner and they would walk to Palestine on dry ground. The ocean did not open like the Red Sea but several ship owners offered to take as many young people as possible to Palestine without charge. The children anxiously crowded into seven ships and sailed forth singing hymns of triumph. On the way two of the ships were wrecked off Sardina resulting in the death of all on board. The other surviving children were not taken to Palestine, but instead, were brought to Tunisia and Egypt where they were sold as slaves. The ship owners were eventually arrested and hanged by neck until death from order of Frederick II.

If there is a practical lesson to learn from this historical narrative it is how children and young people can be manipulated and misguided. If there is a spiritual lesson it is that young people’s hearts can be turned towards the Lord and towards noble causes. To that end let Christian parents labor. It is time well invested.

Charles Francis Adams, a 19th century political figure and diplomat, kept a diary. One day he entered: "Went fishing with my son today—a day wasted." His son, Brook Adams, also kept a diary, which is still in existence. On that same day, Brook Adams made this entry: "Went fishing with my father—the most wonderful day of my life!" The father thought he was wasting his time while fishing with his son, but his son saw it as an investment of time. The only way to tell the difference between wasting and investing is to know one's ultimate purpose in life and to judge accordingly (Silas Shotwell, in Homemade, September 1987).

Georgetown University officials confirmed recently that they covered the monogram "IHS" with black painted plywood—symbolizing the name of Jesus Christ—because it was inscribed on a pediment on the stage where President Obama was to deliver a commencement address. The White House specifically asked the university to cover up the Christian symbol.

"In coordinating the logistical arrangements for yesterday’s event, Georgetown honored the White House staff’s request to cover all of the Georgetown University signage and symbols behind Gaston Hall stage," Julie Green Bataille, associate vice president for communications at Georgetown, told CNSNews.com.

"The White House wanted a simple backdrop of flags and pipe and drape for the speech, consistent with what they’ve done for other policy speeches," she added. "Frankly, the pipe and drape wasn’t high enough by itself to fully cover the IHS and cross above the GU seal and it seemed most respectful to have them covered so as not to be seen out of context."

What all Christians should find disturbing and offensive is the need to cover the Christian symbol for any reason whatsoever. Predictably, other organizations are now being asked to cover Christian symbols. On Friday, April 24, 2009 Fox News reported that a local church was asked to cover the cross—because the church served as the location for a public school’s graduation ceremony. The nation should weep, be ashamed and alarmed over these requests from the nation’s highest office and from those below.

Once, the cross was a symbol of shame and suffering. "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree" (Gal 3:13).

Today, the cross is much more. The cross is the place where the battle of the ages for the souls of men was won. "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect" (1 Cor 1:17).

The cross is foolishness to some but a display of the saving power of God to others. "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God" (1 Cor 1:18).

The cross is an encouragement to suffer persecution for Christ though some want to avoid any type of suffering. "As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ" (Gal 6:12).

The cross is where a person dies to the world. "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world" (Gal 6:14).

The cross is the place of reconciliation. "And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby" (Eph 2:16).

The cross is the place where Jesus became obedient even unto death. "And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Phil 2:8).

The cross is the place of peace. "And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven" (Col 1:20).

The cross is the place where God becomes free to justify the guilty. "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross" (Col 2:14).

I realize the cross is an offense to many. It always has been. In Galatians 5:11 the apostle Paul spoke about the "offence of the cross". Nevertheless, now is the time for Christians to stand up and glory in the cross. Oh Christian, who ever you are, wherever you are, do not cover up the cross for anyone. Not even the President of the United States.

"I will glory in the cross, in the cross
Lest his suffering all be in vain
I will weep no more for the cross that He bore
I will glory in the cross."
-- Dottie Rambo

President Barack Hussein Obama announced to the world at a press conference in Turkey earlier this month that America is not a Christian nation. By so doing he contradicts the words and thinking of most—if not all—former presidents from George Washington to George W. Bush, which is rather audacious. He also contradicts the decision of at least one Supreme Court Justice, Brewer, who wrote, "These, and many other matters which might be noticed, add a volume of unofficial declarations to the mass of organic utterances that this is a Christian nation" (Church of the Holy Trinity v. United States, 143 U.S. 226; 1892).

Some believe that President Obama would find a defense in the writings of John Adams and John Tyler and also by appealing to the Treaty of Tripoli (1796-1797). I do not think so, but that effort has been made.

Certainly, the Judeo-Christian heritage upon our country cannot be denied or dismissed. Even Thomas Jefferson, who gave us the image of a "wall of separation" between church and state, was influenced by Judeo-Christian values reflected in the time and trouble he took to put together his own Jeffersonian Bible and the words inscribed on the walls of his memorial in our nation’s capital. Most prominent are the words which are inscribed in a frieze below the dome: "I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man."

Mr. Jefferson did not want a state religion, but to remove religion itself from American life was unthinkable for Jefferson recognized and wrote that, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."

The natural rights of individuals come from God, not from the divine rights of kings or congress or other legislative bodies. If God were removed from our thinking then tyrants would be unstoppable. What the government gives, government can take away. What God has put together, let no man tear asunder.

But, for the moment, let us for the sake of argument conceded that Mr. Obama is right. Let us say America is not a Christian nation. My response would be, "Mr. President, perhaps you are right. Perhaps America is not a Christian nation. Some say that we are living in a post-Christian nation. Truth is no longer believed in. Everything is deemed to be relative. One religion and one political ideology is viewed as being no better or nor worse than another. Mr. President, perhaps you are right. But, Mr. President, I would argue, America COULD be a Christian nation and, in my opinion SHOULD be a Christian nation and to that end I want to do my part to promote that noble objective for in Christ alone is the hope of the world."

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). Jesus is not "a" truth or "a" way. He is much more. Christ is the only hope for individuals who wish to be saved from the power and pollution of sin. He is the only hope for this country. I say again, if America is not a Christian nation, it can be and should be.

Many of us have probably given little consideration to the importance of apologetics. This is an often-overlooked task that seems to be neglected by many Christians today. Some people seem to be fearful of the use of intellect or reason in the defense of the faith. However, God has equipped us with the ability to reason so we should take our duties seriously. I would like to offer just three important reasons for including apologetics as a part of any ministry—providing one reason that is personal, one that points to a benefit to others, and finally, one that points to proclamation to the unbelieving world.

Personal: Apologetics facilitates a deeper knowledge of God and his Word. There is no office of apologist so each person is commanded to be prepared to give a defense for the hope that is in him (1 Pet 3:15). One’s ability to communicate the truth of God’s Word does not come with little effort. Due diligence necessitates memorization of the Bible and a complete immersion into Scripture in order for one to defend the faith accurately and to present the good news effectively. Not only will this give us an academic understanding of the Christian religion, the practical effect will inevitably result in spiritual growth when we earnestly and prayerfully desire to learn more about God and what he did for us.

Other believers: Apologetics strengthens the faith of others and encourages them to persevere. The world is fraught with enemies of Christ. Now—more so than ever—attacks against religion in general and Christianity in particular are seeping into the culture through academia, the television, internet, pop culture, and just about every other media imaginable. The attacks are becoming more sophisticated yet they often remain subtle. It is easy to become ensnared without even knowing we are being deceived. Nevertheless, when individuals are confronted with accusations they are unable to refute, the consequence can oftentimes be devastating. However, when we hear there are rational answers to objections it instills confidence in what we believe and gives us strength to persevere. It is encouraging to realize we do not tenaciously hold to irrational beliefs, but have firm evidence that Christianity provides the only logically consistent answers to life’s most basic questions.

Unbelieving world: Apologetics allows us to participate in the salvific process. The Lord could have chosen any means he wanted to draw sinners unto him, but he employs the preaching of the Word as the method whereby sinners come to repentance. Said Paul: "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth" (1 Cor 3:6). The Lord uses our presentation of the gospel message and our ability to defend the faith in order to plant the seeds unto salvation. In this manner, the Lord uses apologetics to reveal the truth about God and who he is to an unbelieving world. Furthermore, when we do this, we not only obey God’s commands, we demonstrate our love for our fellow man.

What happens when two Christians disagree over the extent to which the second commandment applies? One Christian believes that reading a classic novel about Christian characters (i.e., Ben Hur) is a blessing while another insists that it violates the biblical command to redeem the time. These same Christians also disagree if that particular book was made into a movie. One Christian believes it is a blessing as it stirs the emotions and visualizes biblical scenes, while the second condemns the movie as blasphemous because it recreates biblical scenes—and thus—creates a false image of Christ. Does the Bible forbid this in Exodus 20:4? Are we to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7)? Could it be argued that a well-written novel or a movie actor might leave the actor’s image on the mind of some person so that when they go to pray they see the image of the actor and thus commit idolatry? Does not the Bible clearly state that we should not lead others into sin?

One way to solve this dilemma is to appeal directly to Scripture. The individual who believes it is not sinful to write a religious novel that has proved to be a blessing to others might defend the work by quoting 1 Corinthians 10:31. "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." Lew Wallace—author of Ben Hur—might say, "I wrote the novel for the glory of God." Indeed, in his heart, he knows he did.

"Blasphemous!" Comes the response as another Christian cries out, "I know God cannot be glorified by that obscene novel. We are to obey Scriptures and the Bible says to redeem the time (Colossians 4:5). We are to speak to ourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19). We are not to write novels that set forth an image of Christ or other biblical scenes and characters and certainly we are not to make such novels into a movie."

A second way to solve the dilemma is for one person to convince the other person of the error of his way through dialogue. A reader of Ben Hur for example and someone who has actually seen the movie might try to convince an opponent of both that Jesus Christ was glorified and no Scripture was violated. Or, the person who is convinced both are blasphemous artistic expressions might try to convince his or her counterpart of the error of it all with words of condemnation, shame, innuendoes and finally dire threats and warnings which suggest utter destruction.

(Special note: There was a time when religious zealots tortured individuals for their own good thinking it is better to physically hurt the body in time than lose the soul in eternity and so many "confessions" of personal error were elicited. Today, verbal zeal inflicting mental and emotional torture is seen to be acceptable in religious zeal to convince a brother or sister of the error of their way. Some people actually have convinced themselves they are loving in doing this. It is out of concern they speak or write or call.)

A third solution to the dilemma of opposing points of view is for one Christian to concede the outward behavior out of concern for a weaker Christian. The person who has read Ben Hur and has seen the movie might agree to be silent and not encourage someone else to read the book and see the movie. This will be done simply out of concern of offending the conscience of a weaker brother or sister. An example of exercising this principle of grace is found in the book of 1 Corinthians. Long ago some Christians stopped eating meat that had been offered to idols. Even though there was freedom of conscience and freedom in grace to eat meat offered to idols, some fellow Christians were so weak in their faith they were stumbling at the very idea. In grace and love, in order not to make a weaker brother or sister defile their conscience, some Christians gave up their freedom of thought, their correct point of view and their liberty in the Lord (Study 1 Corinthians 8:1-13). Such kind behavior still happens today.

(Special note: When a Christian does exercise restraint in order not to offend a weaker brother or sister, there is the danger that the religious zealot will be emboldened in his or her unwarranted zeal and move to hurt someone else with an emotional and untempered verbal assault until the Lord arrests their thought process. That is a real possibility. Nevertheless, the mind of the Lord is known in principle; we must try not to cause others to stumble if at all possible. Sometimes it is not possible and a weaker Christian might one day just have to be told to hush and grow up by taking into account the whole counsel of God.)

A fourth way to solve the dilemma between two sincere Christians with opposing points of view is to agree to disagree and follow the counsel of Paul in Romans 14:5. "One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind." Liberty of conscience has historically been a principle of Christian grace.

The irony of life is that what is blasphemy to one Christian can be a blessing to another. Because there are many issues that only God the Holy Spirit can direct the heart in, my counsel is to let God be God and let the Lord guide His people.

How can a person know if they are being too zealous and unreasonable in their rhetoric? Part of the answer is this: look at the fruit of your writings, warnings, and many broken relationships.

First, listen to someone when they say, "Your spirit is too harsh. Your language is too caustic, even if you did not intend it to be." Words have not only a meaning but a spirit to them.

Second, keep in mind that no one should be more zealous in defending the faith than Paul who was familiar with secular writings and artistic expressions and still used them to advance the truth (see Acts 17:23ff and Titus 1:12). No one should be more zealous than the apostle John, that son of thunder who became the apostle of love. Christ corrected his censorious spirit (Mark 9:38-40). No one should be more zealous in their ideas of religious separation than Christ who was a friend of sinners (Luke 5:30ff). So, Christian, be a blessing to others and let others be a blessing to you.

When good people begin to make trouble for others they have several problems:

There is the problem of pride. Troublemakers are characterized by extreme sensitivity. They have a public image they have cultivated and are sensitive to it being challenged—even with the truth.

There is the problem of self image. Troublemakers never see themselves as the problem. The problem is always others. Paul and Silas were arrested for preaching the gospel of redeeming love. Those who opposed the gospel viewed them as troublemakers. Acts 16:20 "And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city."

In the church when an individual stops wanting to do God’s work God’s way he or she will insist on their own method and shift the blame for the resulting discord. Usually the blame is redirected towards the pastor. An exalted self image never allows an individual to accept responsible for the discord and disharmony they have consciously generated in order to gain a following and press their will on the assembly.

There is the problem of deep and abiding anger. Troublemakers are anger people and they are dangerous too. Sometimes they will literally go and get a gun to enforce their will. Most will use a legal "gun" in the form of a lawyer or a parliamentary rule book, but have their way they will—no matter who they hurt.

Even little children will be used. I have personally seen adults put into the hands of innocent children false documents for distribution. Children are pitted against their childhood friends and their tender hearts are turned against people they once naturally loved.

There is the problem of wanting to retaliate. Troublemakers want to hurt others. Read the biblical narrative of all the troublemakers set forth and notice this common characteristic. Troublemakers have an object for their malice.

There is the problem of excessive vengeance. Not only are troublemakers verbally and physically dangerous and not only do they enlist others in their cause including children, but they want to retaliate in a larger way than the matter warrants. There is an old expression about killing a fly with a cannon instead of a fly-swatter. Pity the soul that dares to call a person a troublemaker who has been found making trouble.

Unless God grants the gift of repentance troublemakers will be confirmed in a lifestyle of evil (injurious behavior) because of the evil they have done and gotten away with—or so they think. The gospel antidote for troublemakers is found in Psalm 133. "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore."

Extract from The Doctrine of Troublemakers

Ministers are not the only people who are called to study God’s Word. It is a duty that is required of every Christian. The Scriptures exhort us to do our best to present ourselves approved unto God, and we are to be capable of rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15). Many people have the false impression, however, that the Bible is a book of secret texts that only the seminarian is capable of properly exegeting. But that is not the case. Due diligence in studying God’s Word combined with the working of the Holy Spirit will enlighten the serious minded, enabling one to be prepared to give a defense for the faith that is in him (cf. 1 Pet 3:15). Paul affirms this promise when he wrote of the efficacy of the Holy Spirit:

"These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God" (1 Cor 2:10–12).

So, since we have the promise that we can know more about God through diligent studies, we should all long for the truth that He has revealed. One of my favorite biblical characters that illustrate the insatiable hunger every Christian should have for the things of the Lord is the apostle Peter. Constant tension between the flesh and the spirit only served to heighten his sense that he needed to grow in grace and truth. We see this aspect of Peter throughout the gospel narratives—the spiritually inquisitive side that yearned to know more about his Master. That we see Peter constantly speaking for the group and asking difficult questions of Jesus gives rise to the belief that he was concerned for the truth. Peter was not complacent with his status as being part of the inner circle of Christ nor was he overly satisfied with his current breadth of knowledge. We find Peter constantly searching for answers because of his inquisitiveness. It was he who asked the Lord to explain the parables and difficult sayings (cf. Matt 15:15, Luke 12:41). Peter was the one who asked Jesus how many times he should forgive another (Matt 18:21) and asked questions of the risen Christ (John 21:20-22). And when he was not asking questions, he was at the forefront answering questions as illustrated by Peter pointing out the withered fig tree on which Jesus had pronounced his curse (Mark 11:21). Peter understood the importance of maturing in the knowledge of Christ.  

The bitter reality, however, is that many do not have a spiritual hunger reminiscent of Peter’s. All too often, Christians are content to remain in their ignorance of Christ. They do not care about variety, flavor, or quality of spiritual food—they just want what tastes pleasing. Instead, we must be like Peter who later in his life declared that we should be like newborn infants, longing for the spiritual milk that will help us to grow (1 Pet 2:2). That is to say, we should desire the purity of God’s Word so that we will be nourished.

If we surrendered to our natural desires to eat only what we want then our growth will be hindered severely. We will stunt our spiritual growth if we do not feed our appetites with thorough biblical study. A good appetite that enjoys a well–balanced meal is one sign of good health. If a believer does not have an appetite for the whole counsel of God, then he becomes emaciated and his soul goes unnourished—or at least undernourished. The only antidote to malnutrition is to eat regularly and in a healthy manner. May we all have the spiritual hunger that Peter possessed and be filled with the only sustenance will satisfy our desires—the Word of God.

In a recent exchange of emails with a man who wrote to object to some of my writings, I was astonished at how quickly he "went for the jugular" to use a vulgar expression. Simply because I disagreed with his view I was immediately branded—by innuendo—to be a promoter of heretics and a partaker of the evil that others do. How did I manage to do all of this? Because I would not denounce a historical but controversial prominent religious figure in American culture during the Second Great Awakening. Furthermore, I mentioned in passing that a contemporary Hollywood film did an excellent job of portraying the cruelties of the crucifixion of Christ.

This is not my first experience with irrational rhetoric under the disguise of "exhortation" and it will probably not be my last. For thirty-two years as a local pastor I was subject to the emotional diatribes of Christian people who lashed out when things did not go their way. As a pastor I had to endure the nonsense. Today—no longer a local pastor—I have the freedom to say to such individuals, "Enough is enough. Stop it. Reign in the rhetoric. Stop writing the way you do."

Let the world shout out its vileness if it must—manifested in the riotous demonstrators in streets throughout the world. Let the political pundits write and rant and rave at one another in the public arena as they will. But let God’s people season their conversation with grace. "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man" (Col 4:6).

I can admire and appreciate the zeal of a person for purity in self and others but sometimes, when they are Pharisaical in their spirit I will have to admire and appreciate them from a distance. My objective is to live as much as possible peaceably with all men (Romans 12:8). With some it is not possible for they have zeal for God but not according to knowledge (Romans 10:2). There are individuals who know the doctrines of grace but know nothing about God’s grace found in those doctrines. So they are angry with anyone and everyone who disagrees with their understanding of Scripture. They have yet to realize it is possible for people to have good hearts and hold to bad theology. They have yet to mature spiritually enough to realize that "a soft answer turneth away wrath" (Prov 15:1) – not just in others but more importantly in self! They have yet to hear Jesus say to those who are trying to serve the Lord with the understanding they have, "he that is not against us is on our part" (Mark 9:38-41). I have a brief word for my overzealous brothers and sisters in Christ who believe they are doing God’s work by writing hostile letters and emails etc against other Christians trying to discredit them or correct them and that word is simply this: Reign in the rhetoric.

"Some people's idea of [free speech] is that they are free to say what they like, but if anyone says anything back, that is an outrage" (Winston Churchill).

Several years ago I was asked to present a position paper on the technical definition of worship and to testify in open court in defense of the right of a local church not to have its auxiliary buildings taxed. In that particular instance, the state was trying to define worship in order to tax a fellowship hall the church was using for its outreach program. While preparing for the court case, I asked to read a copy of the constitution and by-laws for the church and was astonished at what I read in one particular area, namely, church government. The deacons had arrogated to themselves full authority in the boldest wording possible. I asked myself, "Has no one read the Bible or studied church history?" If they had it did not matter and so the day came when the deacons overreached. That day was when they took charge of the congregation in their own minds and imposed their will on the will of God’s people thereby disrupting the divine pattern of church government clearly set forth in Scripture.

What happened in that congregation is not unique. All around the world God’s people struggle with organizing local congregations. What is often neglected is the role that God has assigned individuals so that everyone has boundaries and accountability.

By way of brief review there is one ultimate leadership position in the New Testament and that is found in the concept of the elder, also called pastor or bishop. The terms are used interchangeably. Two important points are to be noted about the elder. First, an elder must meet specific qualifications. "This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil" (1 Tim 3:1-5). Second, an elder must have others to serve with him. The New Testament pattern in the local church is to have a plurality of elders (1 Tim 5:17; Titus 1:5; 1 Pet 5:1).

If there are any concerns regarding an elder, the Bible makes provision for them to be addressed by the guidelines set down by Christ in Matthew 18 and by the apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 5:19. Nowhere does the Word of God authorize secret meetings for the purpose of directing the hearts of people against an elder (pastor), the writing of petitions, the sending forth of libelous letters in the attempt to terminate his ministry. The day a deacon engages in this behavior is the day he has over reached.

What then is the biblical role of a deacon? Simply put, a deacon is a servant and not an authority figure. As such they too must meet certain qualifications. "Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience" (1 Tim 3:8-9). Moreover, a deacon should first be tested for the purpose of approval. "And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless" (1 Tim 3:10). And very importantly, a deacon must be married to a gracious woman who does not gather the other women of the church to promote her husband while discrediting the pastor(s) through slander. "Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things" (1 Tim 3:11).

Divine commendation awaits those who use the office of a deacon well. "For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus" (1 Tim 3:13).

Fearful judgment awaits those who want to be "watchdogs," as some deacons have actually called themselves, which is why the exhortation comes. "Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision" (Phil 3:2). There is good reason. There are no "dogs" in heaven. "For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whore mongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie" (Rev 22:15).

Fortunate are the pastors that have faithful men to pray with and for them, counsel them, and serve God’s people without fear that one day the deacons will overreach and arrogate unto themselves unscriptural authority. The day that happens is the day the congregation begins to die.

Yesterday's headline read as follows:Gay Marriages Expected to Begin in Iowa April 24.

Many people were captured by the television reporters rejoicing at this news but some of us wanted to weep for we have read the words of Romans 1:18-32. "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."

The concept that men hate God is well understood. What is not so well comprehended is that God is furiously displeased with some individuals and judges them. And, when enough individuals displease the Lord, a whole nation will come under divine discipline.

One form of divine judgment is allowing individuals to fall into the pit of adultery in particular and unrestraint immorality in general. Why? Because such individuals are abhorred of the LORD. "The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein" (Prov 22:14).

For those who are spiritually discerning, America is witnessing an awesome manifestation of God’s wrath upon our nation—which means that, in due time, this proud and mighty nation shall join the great civilizations of the past in the dustbin of history.

That God’s wrath has been poured out upon America is the clear teaching of Scripture by way of applying biblical principles to our present situation. No, America is not mentioned specifically in Bible prophecy but the principles of God are eternal and so America will decline and fall as surely as the Roman Empire declined and fell. It is inevitable apart from gospel repentance.

Were America to find herself in a fourth great spiritual awakening then she would have hope again. Only the church can save America from herself and this is how the church can do it. 2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." Gospel repentance is the only hope for America’s survival but hope there is, in the Lord. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart" (Jer 29:11-13).

In recent days the news media has given excessive coverage to a statement by radio personality Rush Limbaugh in which he expressed his desire for President Obama’s economic and global objectives to fail. That is, Limbaugh has repeatedly asserted that he wants the President to fail in implementing his Anti-capitalist agenda, because he believes those policies are bad for America.

Now, if the objective of President Obama is to move our nation towards a one-world government and a global economy with a strong man like himself at the helm of that enterprise then the president will not be successful. History indicates that it has been tried and has failed—and always will. I say this with confidence based upon Scripture. The Bible teaches that God has determined the times and the boundaries of nations and any attempt to tear down those boundaries in order to advance a social and political agenda of a one-world government will never succeed.

The driving force behind this movement towards globalization is the enemy of men’s souls—the devil. While some may laugh at the idea of a personal devil the reality is that Satan is alive and well on planet earth and he has an agenda he cannot hope to accomplish. That agenda is to be like God.

“You said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north” (Isa 14:13).

This desire to be like God was manifested in its clearest form during the days of the humiliation of Christ when Jesus was tempted.

“Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Be gone, Satan! For it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve’” (Matt 4:8-10).

The Satanic offer to Jesus to be at the helm of a one world empire was not a legitimate offer for one simple reason: “The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein” (Ps 24:1).

Satan cannot give away what he does not own. Jesus in His humanity, though weakened by hungry and physical exhaustion, knew this. Jesus also knew that Satan is a liar and the devil was lying to Him just as Satan has lied to individuals down through the centuries promising them the kingdoms of this world if they will worship him. The satanic offer was made to Nero in ancient times and in more recent times to people such as Adolph Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Joseph Stalin, Saddam Hussein, and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. All of these individuals—and others too—have one element in common, megalomania. This is a pretty good term for behavior characterized by delusional fantasies of wealth, power, genius, or omnipotence.

To the Christian community, I have this word of encouragement. Let not your hearts be troubled. The current movement towards world-wide globalization and union, and the destruction of our national economy to make that happen, will not succeed. “God …made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place” (Act 17:24-26). There is a divine line which no man can cross.