 "But if they had stood in My counsel, and had caused My people to hear My Words, then they would have turned them from their evil way and from the evil of their doings." Jeremiah 23:22 The Crisis That Confronts Us Just how did we descend to such a disastrous situation that degenerate Hollywood entertainment could be considered normal, that corruption could be endemic, dysfunctional families the norm, most state schools failing, rampant rhino poaching, canned lion hunting, legalised abortion, "gay pride" parades, legalised perversion and so-called homosexual "weddings"! How could Europe so abandon its Christian heritage that it could be hijacked by the New World Order and endangered by Islam? Wickedness Within the Church "My heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake. I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine has overcome, because of the Lord, and because of His holy Words. For the land is full of adulterers; for because of a curse the land mourns. The pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up. Their course of life is evil, and their might is not right. 'For both prophet and priest are profane; Yes, in My house I have found their wickedness,' says the Lord." Jeremiah 23:9-11  Recognise the Tactics of Satan We need to recognise the tactics of the enemy: corrupt and conquer and confuse, divide and conquer. We need to learn the lessons of history, recognise the tactics and strategies of satan, as well as the disastrous consequences of idolatry and immorality. Wickedness and Weakness Yet, God's Word makes it clear that it is not primarily the wickedness of the wicked, but the weakness, compromise and cowardice of religious leaders who purport to speak in God's Name that has led to the disastrous situation that confronts us today. Strengthening the Hands of Evildoers "'Therefore their way shall be to them like slippery ways; in the darkness they shall be driven on and fall in them; for I will bring disaster on them, the year of their punishment,' says the Lord. 'And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria: They prophesied by Baal and cause My people Israel to err. Also I have seen a horrible thing in the prophets of Jerusalem: They commit adultery and walk in lies; they also strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns back from his wickedness. All of them are like Sodom to Me, and her inhabitants like Gomorrah.'" Jeremiah 23:12-14 Causing God's People to Err We can see the slippery ways of those who walk in lies, strengthening the hand of evildoers and causing God's people to err. Foundational Biblical doctrines are undermined by the teaching of Evolution, even in theological seminaries. Even institutions which claim to be Christian Universities, teach Evolution and the tenants of secular humanism. Antinomianism, hostility to God's Law further erodes the foundations of the Church. Many are distracted by Rapture fever, date setting, end times obsessions. As a result, many of our churches have become corrupted by cheap grace and easy believism. By failing to Evangelise and educate, many churches have become more like social clubs, failing to be salt and light, people-pleasers, sinner-friendly, non-confrontational and comfortable in compromise with the world. Promoting Child Sacrifice Prominent church leaders such as Bishop Desmond Tutu have gone on record promoting the largest abortion provider in South Africa: Marie Stopes Clinics. We have seen the large pull-out banner at the Marie Stopes Abortuary in Bree Street, Cape Town, with a picture of Bishop Tutu and his quote endorsing the work of this, the largest provider of abortion in the country  The Fruit of Failure One can see the fruit of such failure: "They also strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns back from his wickedness…" The fruit of a false prophet is that people fail to repent from their wickedness. Worthless Words "Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts concerning the prophets: 'Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall; for from the prophets of Jerusalem profaneness has gone out into all the land.' Thus says the Lord of hosts: 'Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They make you worthless; they speak a vision of their own heart, not from the mouth of the Lord. They continually say to those who despise Me, the Lord has said, 'You shall have peace'; and to everyone who walks according to the dictates of his own heart, they say, 'No evil shall come upon you.'" Jeremiah 23:15-17 False Prophets Encourage the Immoral and Idolaters Profaneness, drunkenness, blasphemy, immorality and idolatry have spread throughout the land. Yet these religious leaders continually say to those who despise the Lord: "The Lord has said you shall have peace, and to everyone who walks according to the dictate of his own heart, they say, no evil shall come upon you!" A true servant of God comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable. God's Servants Must Instruct, Correct and Rebuke "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17. For the servant of God to be thoroughly equipped for every good work, they need to be taught doctrine, reproved, corrected and instructed in righteousness. Our Solemn Duty Before Almighty God "I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, Who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His Kingdom: Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching." 2 Timothy 4:1-2 In the presence of God and our Lord Jesus Christ who will judge the living and the dead, we are commanded to preach the Word of God. The whole counsel of God. We need to be prepared, in season and out of season, whether well received or opposed, whether popular or politically incorrect, it is the duty of a servant of God to convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. Itching Ears "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers, and they will turn their ears away from the truth and be turned aside to fables. But you, be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an Evangelist, fulfil your ministry." 2 Timothy 4:3-5 Who Has Stood in the Counsel of the Lord? The Word of the Lord comes to us today: "For who has stood in the counsel of the Lord, and has perceived and heard His Word? Who has marked His Word and heard it?" Jeremiah 23:18. Have you stood attentive in the counsel of the Lord? Have you studied God's Word, clearly heard it, perceived its significance and marked it  God Will Bring Judgement "Behold, a whirlwind of the Lord has gone forth in fury - a violent whirlwind! It will fall violently on the head of the wicked. The anger of the Lord will not turn back until He has executed and performed the thoughts of His heart. In the latter days you will understand it perfectly." Jeremiah 23:19-20 The Word of God is Powerful "For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom We dare not censor God's Word and lie to the people in order to receive their approval. It is not loving to fail to warn people of imminent danger. God is a holy God. His Judgment will inevitably fall. Those who fail to repent will experience His wrath. Presumption is Not Faith "I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran. I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in My counsel, and had caused My people to hear My Words, then they would have turned them from their evil way and from the evil of their doings." Jeremiah 23:21-22. It is a serious sin to claim to have 'a small Word from God', to claim to speak for God and yet to encourage people in the sinful desires of their own hearts. To fail to faithfully proclaim the Law of God is a sin. They Prophesy Lies in My Name "'Am I a God near at hand,' says the Lord, 'and not a God afar off? Can anyone hide himself in secret places, so I shall not see him?' says the Lord; 'do I not fill Heaven and earth?' says the Lord. 'I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in My name, saying, 'I have dreamed, I have dreamed!' How long will this be in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies? Indeed they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart, who try to make My people forget My name by their dreams which everyone tells his neighbour, as their fathers forgot My name for Baal. 'The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream; and he who has My Word, let him speak My Word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat?' says the Lord. 'Is not My Word like a fire?' says the Lord, 'and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?'" Jeremiah 23:23-29. Why give people popcorn when there is milk and meat of the Word of God  Back to the Bible for Reformation and Revival
We are feeding God's people sawdust and straw, instead of the Bread of Life. What is chaff to wheat? God's Word is like a fire and it is like a hammer that breaks the rocks in pieces. We need to get back to the Bible. We need to work for Biblical Reformation and pray for Spiritual Revival. We need to invest in Christian education, Christian radio stations, Christian literature, Christian books and Christian magazines. We need to utilise social media and produce Christian films, supporting ministries that are faithful to the Word of God and effective in fulfilling the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ. Where Your Loyalty is Proved As Reformer Dr. Martin Luther declared: "If I profess with the loudest voice, and clearest exposition, every portion of the Truth of God, except precisely that point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, then I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Him. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved; and to be steady on all the battlefront besides is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point." "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." Ephesians 6:10-13 Dr. Peter Hammond Livingstone Fellowship P.O. Box 74 Newlands 7725 Cape Town South Africa Tel: 021-689-4480 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Books, Audios,Data Disks and boxsets are available from Christian Liberty Books, PO Box 358, Howard Place 7450, Cape Town, South Africa, tel: 021-689-7478, fax: 086-551-7490, email: [email protected] and website: www.christianlibertybooks.co.za Prices exclude postage.
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