The Pastor's Desk

The final question that the abortion debate ultimately hangs on is this: when does human life begin?  This message seeks to establish three lines of testimony which prove that life begins at the moment of conception.  You will hear the testimony of medical science, the testimony of history, and the testimony of Scripture.  All speak unequivocally to the beginning of human life at the moment of conception.  This means that every abortion is an act of murder and is a direct attack upon God, who creates every individual person in His image from the moment of conception.  And that is why every Christian must use every legal means possible to oppose abortion and strive for a culture of life.  I implore you to turn conviction into action in 2010 and support pro-life agencies in your city this year by service, donations and prayer.

Here in Norman, my prayer is that our church will be sending volunteers and donations all year long to the Eden Clinic (http://www.edenclinic.tv/).  There are many ways we can help save lives.  Let’s create a culture of life at Berry Road.  Soli Deo Gloria.

 

 Abortion - The New Civil War: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 Abortion - The New Civil War: Download

Today 50,000 Muslims will march on Capitol Hill for prayer.  On their website (http://www.islamoncapitolhill.com), their stated purpose is:

“IN THE NAME OF ALLAH….The objective of this gathering is to invite the Muslim Communities and friends of Islam to express and illustrate the wonderful diversity of Islam. We intend to manifest Islam’s majestic spiritual principals as revealed by Allah to our beloved prophet Muhammad (PEACE BE UPON HIM) of Arabia. Likewise; we intend to inspire a new generation of Muslim to work for the greater good of all people. We shall serve all people, regardless of race, religion or national origin.”

Sounds harmless, right?  After all, don’t we have freedom of religion in America?  Watch out.  With Islam, the domination of a spiritual regime is connected with the domination of a political and national regime.  One of the Sheikhs who is leading this historic gathering said, “Muslims should march on the White House. We are going to the White House so that Islam will be victorious, Allah willing, and the White House will become into a Muslim house.”  Don’t be deceived, church.  The spread of Islam necessitates the domination of the national and political world.  They are inextricably yoked.  We have already seen how Islam is beginning to dominate the culture of Europe (see here) and is spreading rapidly there.  We are not far behind.  It’s time to get equipped to share the truth of the one and only true God with Muslims and pray for their salvation.  They are motivated, devoted, powerful and organized.  If we don’t match their loyalty with gospel witness, America will be a country populated by Muslims when our children are trying to plant churches.  Be salt and light beloved (Matthew 5:13-16).  Be ready to give an answer to Muslims who tell you that Muhammad is God’s true prophet (2 Corinthians 10:5).  Be ready to defend the unchanging truth of God’s Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  Be ready church.

For those of you ready to be equipped, I encourage you to get the series “The Clashing of the Swords” by Ronnie Rogers.  You can find it here.  It includes 18 lessons with handouts and is well researched and thorough.  For books on the subject, I recommend:

Ergun Mehmet Caner and Emir Fethi Caner, Unveiling Islam: An Insider’s Look at Muslim Life and Beliefs. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2002.  This book provides an excellent look at Islam from the perspective of authors who were reared Jihad youth and are now Christians. One of them is a Professor of Theology and History at Criswell College, and the other is a Professor of Theology and History at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Norman L. Geisler and Abdul Saleeb, Answering Islam: The Crescent in Light of the Cross. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1993. This book has more of an apologetic flavor to it. It deals with some of the tough issues; for example, it examines and responds point by point to Islamic apologists concerning things like the accuracy of the biblical text, prophecies concerning Muhammad etc.

Just a good laugh. But it would be funnier if it wasn’t so true.

Wonderful insights from R.C. Sproul and Al Mohler on the theological and practical perils of the seeker sensitive movement, which applies largely to the emergent church as well.  Enjoy.

It’s time to get equipped and start witnessing to Muslims before we end up like Europe.

John Piper says it best.  Enjoy.

I have had several people ask me since the election if Obama is the antichrist.  I have always responded calmly and said that IF he is (which I currently do not believe) that they wouldn’t need to ask.  The antichrist will be unmistakable, at least when he is at the point of worldwide fame and recognition.  But apparently there are some out there who believe that Obama is not the antichrist, but instead the Messiah of America.  Check out this picture:

This painting by artist Michael D’Antuono’s is called “The Truth” and will be unveiled on April 29 at New York City’s Union Square.You can read a good article from World Net Daily at http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=96138.  The artist is not quite bold enough to say that Obama is indeed the Messiah.  What is interesting, however, is that Obama (who claims to be a Christian) is not in utter outrage AGAINST the painting.  Would someone who claims to know Jesus as Savior and Lord ever want themselves portrayed as the crucified Son of God and Redeemer of mankind?  When the Apostle Peter was crucified for his faith, he demanded that he be hung upside down on the cross, because he felt unworthy to die in the same manner as his Lord.  Seems to me like there is a slight difference between Peter’s faith and Obama’s ‘faith’.

This isn’t the first ‘work of art’ with messianic imagery of Obama either.  Check this one out at http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=87040:

This one done by artist Matthew J. Clark depicts Obama riding through the streets on a donkey in messianic fashion.  The obsession is even more clear and direct by other individuals.  Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan declared in October that when Obama talks, “the Messiah is absolutely speaking.”  One thing is certain – there are millions of people who are looking to Barack Obama to save our nation.

King Solomon wisely said that there is nothing new under the sun.  Looking to political leaders for the salvation of a country is nothing new.  It was done in Germany in the 1930′s with a young, charismatic leader named Adolf Hitler.  Though I don’t intend to compare Obama with Hitler, we see the same euphoria among Hitler’s followers as we do Obama’s.  The scenes following the election of people weeping in the streets and praising God for delivering them through their new president reveal the depth of spiritual darkness and humanistic pride that is prevalent and increasing in America.  There is always a temptation, even among God’s people, to look to government to save us from all our problems.  This was a sin among Israel that the Lord reproved through prophet Isaiah 31:1, 3:

1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, and trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the Lord! 3 Now the Egyptians are men and not God, and their horses are flesh and not spirit; So the Lord will stretch out His band, and he who helps will stumble and he who is helped will fall, and all of them will come to an end together.

There are two things I am absolutely certain of:

1) President Obama is NOT anyone’s messiah, and those who trust in him will have their hopes shattered. And the Scripture teaches that those who do trust Obama (or anything other than God Himself) “will come to an end together”.

2) God alone can deliver us from our personal and national sins.  Our salvation is not in a new president, a new congress, more laws or a better economy, but in the saving transformation of the hearts of people through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ!  I agree with the Psalmist who boldly declared…

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” Psalm 20:7

I just watched a magnificent 30 minute documentary sneak peek of I.O.U.S.A.  It was astounding.  Every American citizen NEEDS to see this and take some action.  Watch the trailer below.

You can find the 30 minute video at http://www.iousathemovie.com/ and learn more about the research behind it and the action needed to address it at the Peter G. Peterson Foundation at http://www.pgpf.org/.

You can also do what evangelicals have been saying for decades and the Bible has said for over 4,000 years – GET OUT OF DEBT NOW!!!

Common sense used to prevail…