Bill O’Reilly the popular news commentator and host of his own cable show, “The O’Reilly Factor”, has coined a phrase with folks across the nation… “The spin stops here.”
I firmly believe that churches need to pick up on that catchy phrase and demand that when it comes to all the lies about God…“The spin stops here!” Every Christian ought to be able to stand securely in God’s truth and say, “there’s no spin zone allowed in my life!”
If we are not careful, Christianity will be hijacked by the socially and spiritually sick spin-doctors and they will cut out the very heart of our message…“Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father but by Him!”
There are 3 terms that every Christian should begin to get acquainted with in a hurry in 2009:
• Socialism. An economic system in which the production and distribution of goods are controlled substantially by government rather than by private enterprise. Think of it this way: Government controls what you get instead of you controlling what the government gets from you! This goes for your wealth, your property and eventually your freedoms!
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, “It’s not that I want to punish your success. I just want to make sure that everybody who is behind you, that they’ve got a chance for success too.”
Senator Barbara Boxer said, “My attitude is that if the economy’s good for folks from the bottom up, it’s gonna be good for everybody ... I think when you spread the wealth around, it’s good for everybody.”
• Modernism. A worldview based on the idea that only science can explain reality.
A modernist begins with the foundation that the supernatural is not real and therefore spirituality is unnecessary for society. America has been confronted with Modernism for over 100 years.
• Postmodernism. Is based on even more extreme views, as having no interest in absolute truth. It’s the newest threat!
To the Postmodernist, reality is whatever he says it is. They are the ones that have pushed “situation ethics” on our children’s educational system…and Christianity has hardly said anything.
The frightening thing about Postmodernism is that you can’t even debate truth. At least with the modernist you had somewhat of a dialogue. Everyone’s opinion is valid! Do you now see the slippery slope? Truth has become nothing more than personal opinion!
How wide spread is this thinking?
The saddest part to this chapter in American society is that this mentality has creped into churches at an alarming rate.
I here people say all the time, “Well this is what I think this verse means.”
Peter says, Scripture is not open for private interpretation! Everyday churches close their door for good because of novice preachers and knuckle brain teachers spewing their destructive and demonic theology.
2 Peter 1:20, 21 “For prophecy never came by the will of man, but by holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”
When the Pope literally embraces the Koran, then kisses it and says… “This is a wonderful religion of peace.”
Will someone please stop the spiritual spin?
Then former President Clinton says to a student body at Harvard… “You’re at a university which basically believes that no one ever has the truth…we are incapable of ever knowing the whole truth.”
Somebody Stop The Spiritual Spin!
Progressiveness will reshape America’s thinking in 2009:
• Socially. The homosexual movement is a good example. The attack on traditional marriage, which is considered “old fashion” for many today!
• Politically. Some of the legislation being considered is outrages. This “hand out” mentality is going to bankrupt us sooner than later.
• Theologically. We have whole denominations re-thinking their doctrine in order to keep up with the progressive mindset.
Let me be very clear…I am not against progressiveness when we change methodology to reach the lost and the unchurched. But where I part company with this whole progressive movement is when we change theology to reach the lost and the unchurched!
Key: Much of Christianity is now in the business of reforming socially instead of transforming culturally.
For 2000 years the New Testament church has been transforming lives. This is what makes our theology so distinct from other religions! You ask, “What’s the difference? Great question!
Reformation
Shallow areas of life
The outward affects the inward
Behavior
Transformation
Deep areas of life
The inward affects the outward
Mental
Think of it this way, when change comes from man, that’s reformation, but when change comes from God, that’s transformation. When man depends on man to change - that reformation, but when man depends on God - that’s transformation!
I ask, is truth vanishing right before our eyes, has it been thrown out like yesterday’s trash?
Jeremiah 7:28 “…Truth has vanished from among them; it is no longer heard from their lips.” NLT
Truth has gone unclaimed too long in America – as if it’s some cheap door prize or forgotten raffle winning!
Why will our culture struggle with truth in 2009? Because:
• Truth is irritating.
Matthew 19: 21 “If you want to be perfect, go sell what you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven and come, follow Me.”
John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father except by Me.
• Truth is Penetrating.
Psalm 51:6 “You desire truth in the inward parts…”
• Truth is dominating.
John 18:38 “Pilate said to Jesus, “What is truth.”
• Truth is educating.
Ephesians 4:21 “…You have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus.”
• Truth is elevating.
Psalm 57: 10 “Your mercy reaches to the heavens and Your truth to the clouds.”
• Truth is liberating
John 8:32 “…The truth shall set you free.”
3 things we desperately need to do in 2009 before time runs out:
a. Invest in the truth.
Proverbs 23:23 “Buy the truth and do not sell it…”
Invest in the things that have truth in it. Invest in: books, tapes, and others items that have truth in them!
b. Invoke the truth.
Put it to use again and that means in our everyday lives!
c. Inspire with the truth.
This is what this church is trying to do from in every ministry and all the preaching!
This has been one of the down falls of many churches over the last 20 years…we don’t inspire lives with the truth!
If Christians will start inspiring others to live for Jesus then we can stop most of the spiritual spin! That’s what Jesus did!
