LIFE APPLICATION:
It is time for every Christian to take the stand for Christ.

INTRODUCTION:
In 1973 The Supreme Court said it was ok to kill unborn babies. Since then, we have killed more than the entire population of Canada. And it continues. A woman’s choice? Half of those who have died in their mothers’ wombs have been women. They didn’t have a choice. It is called abortion.
Me? I go to church, the minister preaches, I go home. That’s what Christians do now.

First, it was in dingy, dirty theaters. Then, convenience stores. Then, grocery stores. Then on television. Now it is in the homes of millions via the Internet. It is called pornography.
Me, I go to church, the minister preaches, I go home. That’s what Christians do now.

They call it no-fault. Why should we blame anyone when something so tragic happens. Haven’t they already suffered enough? Half of the marriages in America end this way. The children suffered. The family broke down. It is called divorce.
Me, I go to church, the minister preaches, I go home. That’s what Christians do now.

At one time it was a perversion. We kept it secret. We secured help and hope for those who practiced it. Now it is praised. We have parades celebrating it, and elected officials give it their blessing. Now it is endowed with special privileges and protected by special laws. Even some Christian leaders and denominations praise it. It is called homosexuality.
Me? I go to church, the minister preaches, I go home. That’s what Christians do now.

It used to be an embarrassment. A shame. Now a third of all births are to mothers who aren’t married. The state usually pays the tab. That is why we pay our taxes, so that government can take the place of parents. After all, government bureaucrats know much better how to raise children than parents do. It is called illegitimacy.
Me? I go to church, the minister preaches, I go home. That’s what Christians do now.

At one time it was wrong. But then the state decided to legalize it, promote it and tax it. It has ripped apart families and destroyed lives. But just look at all the money the state has raised. No longer do we have to teach our children to study and work hard. Now we teach them they can get something for nothing. We spend millions encouraging people to join the fun and excitement. Just look at the big sums that people are winning. They will never have to work again! It is called gambling.
Me? I go to church, the minister preaches, I go home. That’s what Christians do now.

Yes, all these things came to pass within 30 years. Where were the Christians? Why, they were in church. All these things are for someone else to deal with. Times have changed. Involvement has been replaced with apathy.
But don’t blame me. I didn’t do anything. I go to church, the minister preaches, I go home. That’s what Christians do now.
All original material copyright © 1999 AFA, Inc. Unedited redistribution authorized.

Christians, we can’t do that anymore. It is time to stand.

APPLICATION OF EPHESIANS 6.10-20
BE STRONG–EPHESIANS 6.10-13
Trust God alone as your strength
God works through us–Philippians 2.12-13
God works through us as we preach and live the Gospel–Romans 1:16.
Put on the whole armor of God
By being clothed with Christ–Galatians 3.26-27
By being equipped with the Word–2 Timothy 3.16-17
Recognize the true enemy–the Devil.
Do not be deceived into thinking we are fighting against people of this world.
Do not fight the symptoms.
The cure and the victory will be found when we attack sin at its root–the Devil.

BE ARMED–EPHESIANS 6.14-17
Take your stand, not your seat–6.14.
Become an expert with weapons of spiritual warfare:
truth–When deceit and hypocrisy are prevalent truth is most precious (Jn. 17.17; 1 Pet. 1.22).
righteousness–the fulfillment of covenant obligations despite the lack of integrity around us (Pr. 28.1).
gospel–the bearer of the good news is prized when bad news afflicts (Rom. 10.15).
faith–the hope and substance of Christianity can easily replace the doubt and emptiness of modernism.
salvation–the purpose of God (Jn. 3.16). Salvation must now become the purpose of every Christian.
the Word–the Son & Spirit of God, save through what is learned in the Word of God (Rom. 10.17)

BE PRAYERFUL–EPHESIANS 6.18-20
In tragedy even the atheist prays, but the Christian neglects prayer in most every situation.
We have a great work, which perhaps is accomplished only by prayer and fasting.
Pray as God directs–6.18
Pray for perseverance–6.18
Pray for boldness in Gospel preaching–6.19

INVITATION:
“Isaac’s Storm” is a book about the hurricane that wiped out Galveston in 1900. One of the main plot lines of the book is about how everyone was convinced that a hurricane could never strike Galveston, even as one approached. The author vividly describes how as the streets began to flood people went about their business as if nothing was wrong. Children played in the water, men gathered for breakfast at the local diner, and no one fled from the storm that was about to strike.
Some didn’t worry because Issac Cline, the national weather service officer in Galveston, assured them it would not be a severe storm. Other’s simply believed that Galveston was invincible. Some thought that since they had never seen a hurricane strike Galveston one never would. So for a number of reasons, people assured themselves nothing bad would happen. And as a result over 6,000 people died one September day in 1900.
Today we can see storm clouds forming on the horizon. There is a moral and spiritual decline that continues to erode our national life.

RISE UP O MEN OF GOD.

Rise up, O men of God!
The church for you doth wait,
Her strength unequal to her task;
Rise up and make her great!

Lift high the cross of Christ!
Tread where His feet have trod.
As brothers of the Son of Man,
Rise up, O men of God!