Introduction:
A If you have not heard of the controversy of the Ground Zero Mosque that is trying to be built just two blocks from were nearly 3,000 people perished at the hands of 19 Islamic terrorists, then you will become very familiar today with that story.
(13 stories, glass/steel, where 1 to 2 thousand Muslims would come to pray daily.)
1 Two weeks ago our President changed his stance on the building of the Mosque.
a Earlier in the month he refused to get involved in the topic because it was a local zoning issuing . . . like putting in a Starbucks.
b Last week, speaking at a White House IFTAR meal, meal Muslims end their fast during the month of Ramadan.
aa Show video
bb President Obama said he strongly supports the planned Islamic cultural center near the site of the 2001 World Trade Center attack.
cc Warned about not confusing mainstream Islam w/ the radical formed practiced by Al-Qaeda’s “ . . . gross distortion of the faith.”
2 Sarif-el-Gamal, Moque developer/Cordova Initive, said, “We are deeply moved and tremendously grateful for our President’s words.”
B The First Ammendement of the U.S. Constitution says, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, . . . .or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; . . .or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; . . . or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
1 The Government is forbidden by the Constitution to endorse religion.
a The liberal, progressive courts have said the gov’t can not appear to endorse or commend any religion.
aa IL. In May, a group of senior citizens at the Ed Young Senior Citizen Center in Port Wentworth, Georgia were told to stop praying out loud over their meals. Why? Federally subsidized meals and violate the so called separation of church & state.
bb In Chicago last month, a graduate student from Northwestern University was arrested for praying the Rosary outside a Planned Parenthood facility/abortion clinic.
b The left ignores the second part of the First Ammendment, “ . . . or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. . .”
2 Can you imagine what would have happened if the White House would have been hosting a dinner of Catholic Bishops over lent, and declared Catholic doctrine as mainstream and protestant doctrine as a gross distortion of the truth? Public outcry would have been deafening.
a We now operate by the godless rules & interpretation of the liberals . . . so lets apply it evenly.
b Our President (the head of the Government) endorsed mainstream Islam and condemned Jihads Islam as a gross distortion of the faith.
c According to progressive rules the President hit a home run because he hit the First Amendment out of the park.
aa Old folks praying over their federally subsidized food is a violation of the First Amendment.
bb But forbidding prayer is not prohibiting the free practice thereof?
cc It’s Christian and our Government wants no part of it.
3 The President can host a religious observance in the White House, interpret Islamic doctrine (decided was is good/bad), and nobody’s got a problem with it.
a This is the problem and should be recognized as the problem.
b Can you imagine if Bible Believing Christians would plan to demolish one of the buildings damaged on 9/11 and build a cathederal in its place?
aa The building would instantly be declared a landmark and off limits.
bb Be offensive to Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, occultists, athesists would blow their lid.
c The President & the supporters of the Ground Zero mosque are cloaking themselves in the Constitution to build anywhere they want.
d There are over 100 mosques in NYC already. (Not been denied a place to worship/pray)
I Why must they build it two blocks from Ground Zero?
A It’s just a building, preacher. No it isn’t! Cordoba Initiative
1 In the 8th century, Spain was invaded and conquered by Muslim invaders and summarily divided into 5 administrative caliphates:
a Andalusia, Galacia Portugal, Castile Leon, Aragon Calalonia, and Septimani.
b Cordoba was the name of the seat of Al Andalusia, center of Islamic learning.
2 Spain reconquered & regained their land starting in 1085 with Castile Leon and ended in 1492 when Al Andulusia surrendered to King Ferdiand of Spain.
B Islam teaches that territory once controlled by Islam, but falls back into the hands of infidels is still part of Dar al Islam (House of Islam.)
1 Jihadists believe that it is the duty of every Muslim to regain every inch of land in the world for the glory of Allah no matter how long it takes . . . even centuries.
a That is why Hammas/Hezzbelah will never make with peace with Israel. LAND.
b Also why Al-Quada & its coherts will never stop trying to destroy the crusaders who took Cordovia.
2 March 11, 2004, four bombs exploded on a Madrid railway killing 191 people.
a The act of terror took place exactly 911 days after 9/11, 2001.
b Osama Bin Laden said the bombing in Madrid was in retaliation for Cordova Al Andalusia (Like it happened yesterday, not 1492.)
3 Cordovia, the name itself, is symobolic of revenge/regaining land and the Cordovia Mosque would be steps from Ground Zero as a monument to Islamic triumphantism.
a Imam Abdul-Ramif says their building it to build “bridges between faiths.”
b Like Germans building a military academy next to Dakho (concentration camp) to improve relations with Israel. Absurd!
aa Like erecting a monument to Hirohito beside the U.S.S. Arizona in Pearl Harbor.
bb It is as if the Muslim community is rubbing 9/11 in our face, saying we’ll win in the end and use your freedom, democracy, gov’t to do it.
II Ground Zero is hallowed ground.
A “A place is made sacred by a widespread belief that it was by the miraculous or the transcendent (Lourdes, Temple Mount) . . .
by the presence there once of great nobility and sacrifice (Gettysburg), or by the blood of martyrs and the indescribable suffering of the innocent (Auschwitz.)
When we speak of Ground Zero as hallowed ground, what we mean is that it belongs to those who suffered and died there . . .
and that such ownership obliges us, the living, to preserve the dignity and memory of the place, never allowing it to be forgotten, trivialized, or misappropriated.”
-Charles Krauthammer
1 When the Twin Towers caught on fire & subsiquently collapsed, debis, remains, & ash filled the air, area around Ground Zero.
a We don’t know exactly how many people died because not everyone’s body was recovered from this act of terror.
b Many families who lost loved ones come to Ground Zero as cemetery.
2 Can you imagine coming to the site your loved oned perished, passing by a building that is blaring the last thing your loved one heard before they were burned to death.
a Five times a day Muslims pray the “Adhan” and typically done through loud speakers so the neighborhood can hear it.
aa First phrase, “Allahu Akbar” God is Greatest
bb The phrase the terrorists said over and over at the top of their lungs as the drove their planes into the WTC, Pentagon, Pennsylvania countryside.
b What a cruel reminder to those who live in the shadow of death.
aa Ground Zero is the site of the greatest mass murder in American history . . . perpetuated by Muslims of a particular Islamist orthodoxy in whose cause they died and whose name they killed. - Charles Krauthammer.
bb A grieving family doesn’t care about the theological nuances within Islam.
c They want us to be tolerant of them, how about being a little tolerant of us.
3 How tolerant is Islam towards Christians?
a In Saudi Arabia, not one church or synagogue Not allowed Bibles, share your faith . . . often penalty is death.
aa Last month in Afghanistan, 10 aid workers were slaughtered because they were helping people under the umbrella of Christian organization.
bb Islam’s aim is to have the whole world either convert or die by the sword.
b Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in the wake of the Bali terrorist attack.
aa Talking directly to Muslims in Australia who want to live under Sharia law were told to get out of Australia.
bb Quote: “IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take it or leave it. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali, we have experienced a surge of patriotism by the majority of Australians. This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials, and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom. We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, learn the language!
Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right-wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture. We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.
This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about our flag, our pledge, our Christian beliefs, or our way of life, I highly encourage you to take advantage of one other great Australian freedom, THE RIGHT TO LEAVE. If you aren’t happy here then LEAVE. We didn’t force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted”
b Christianity aim win the world for Christ . . . you don’t want Him? We’ll wipe the dust off our sandals and go tell somebody else.
Conclusion:
A I’ve got news for Mecca, this isn’t the end of the story!
1 The God of the Christian Bible is the only one who has provided a just way to be forgiven of sin by the offering of His Son.
a 44 And Jesus cried out and said, " He who believes in Me, does not believe in Me but in Him who sent Me. 45 He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me. 46 I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day. 49 For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. John 12:44-49 (NASB)
aa Rev. 5.9 Nothing but the Blood!!
bb John 14.6
cc Islam rejects Jesus as Messiah and I John tells us that are operating under the influence of the spirit of Antichrist. (1 John 4.3)
b The Jesus who came to save is the Jesus who is coming in power!
aa Rev. 19.11-16
bb 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil 2:7-11 (NASB)
2 You will either call Him Lord now or later, but you will call Him Lord!
Notice to Sermon Central Users:
My name is Mike Fogerson, and I pastor a Southern Baptist Church in Chester, Illinois. I have been a long-time user of Sermon Central and truly appreciate its content and contributors. Some of the best sermons I’ve ever preached have been reworked material from this website. As you use the material from my sermon bank, understand that it is work that has been done from not just myself, but from hundreds of other pastors as well. If you see part of your message, or a bunch of your message with my name on it and this upsets you, please email me and I will quickly respond and cite you as the main source. My intent is not to claim someone’s work as my own. I am disclaiming up front that I use the resources from Sermon Central and appreciate the tool. I simply want all those who use my work to know that some of these messages were inspired by the Holy Spirit working through other pastors. Because I do use the messages of other pastors I waive all claims of originality or origin of creativity for the messages posted under my messages. I pray God blesses your preaching ministry for the glory of His Kingdom.
Respectfully,
Mike Fogerson
