The Pulpit: America’s Tinderbox for Revival – Dr. John Diamond

The beginning of true liberty is Jesus Christ. And therefore, the first and last target of all subversion is biblical faith. Hence it is that the Church has been the first target of infiltration and subversion; and is the most subverted institution in the United States today.”

— Dr. R. J. Rushdoony

The United States of America is on the verge of political, social and moral collapse. While many Christian leaders are diligently praying for America’s Third Great Awakening, wickedness and immorality seems to continue to spread unabated across America with no apparent end in sight. How did this happen and who is ultimately responsible for preventing its demise?

The reversal of everything that our Founding Fathers stood for politically, socially and culturally began in earnest in the mid 1900’s, when America was invaded and infiltrated by a civilian army whose allegiance and loyalty were elsewhere. Their goal was to destroy the Judeo-Christian Constitutional Republic that our Founding Fathers created and replace it with a socialist/humanistic state to be ruled by a handful of judges. Therefore, if we are to defeat this enemy, we must understand their strategy in order for it to be countered.

Joseph Stalin shows us the tactic that they would use in order to undermine our nation: “America is like a healthy body and its resistance is three-fold. Its patriotism, its morality, and its spiritual life. If we can undermine these three areas, America will collapse from within.” The first attack occurred on our “spiritual life” when the Supreme Court invented the fictitious legal doctrine of “separation of church and state” which removed the LORD from His place as the highest authority in our nation. (See Romans 13). The second wave began when the Left unconstitutionally began to use the federal courts to attack our morality. After God’s law was removed as the foundation for American moral law, the sex / drug revolution immediately followed. America then began cascading into moral free fall. Abortion, legalized sodomy and gay marriage were all forced upon the nation by the Supreme Court.

The last wave was (and is) an attack upon our patriotism. This is the strategy behind the Colin Kaepernick protests. I fear if this last thread of resistance is severed, America will fall on the ash heap of history. Herbert Aptheker, Editor Communist Magazine Political Affairs, identified whose neglect was allowing this to happen: “Neglect of parents [and pastors] to teach our youth Christianity and Americanism has made the communist talk of deceiving American youth much easier.” Therefore, the course objective of Americanism: A Course in Citizenship and Ethics is to restore America’s 3-fold cords of patriotism, morality, and the spiritual life that has historically made America strong and great, thus restoring our American Republic.

If we are to pull America back from the brink of judgment and destruction, this movement must begin and be led by the churches and pulpits of America. – Charles Finney, The Father of Modern Revivalism had the following to say in his article The Decay of Conscience (1873)

 “Brethren, our preaching will bear its legitimate fruits. If immorality prevails in the land, the fault is ours in a great degree. If there is a decay of conscience, the pulpit is responsible for it. If the public press lacks moral discrimination, the pulpit is responsible for it. If the church is degenerate and worldly, the pulpit is responsible for it. If the world loses its interest in religion, the pulpit is responsible for it. If Satan rules in our halls of legislation, the pulpit is responsible for it. If our politics become so corrupt that the very foundations of our government are ready to fall away, the pulpit is responsible for it. Let us not ignore this fact, my dear brethren; but let us lay it to heart and be thoroughly awake to our responsibility in respect to the morals of this nation.”

I have interviewed hundreds of pastors over the last 25 years in an attempt to get them to engage the culture and the society outside the four walls of theirs church. My efforts were met with nothing but frustration, as many seemed more interested in building their own little kingdoms rather than advancing the Kingdom of God upon the Earth. I asked the LORD “What would you have me do? The LORD responded: “Write down the 12 lies that you have heard come from the mouth of a Christian leader and then refute that lying spirit.” [See 2 Chronicles 18:21 & 1 Kings 22:22]. From this conversation, the curriculum: Americanism: A Course in Citizenship and Ethics – The Social, Moral, Religious and Political Duty of the Church was born. For the next 12 weeks, join us as we address that 12 Lies that the Christian church has embraced as truth.

Dr. John Diamond

Dr. John Diamond is a nationally recognized teacher, motivational and inspirational speaker, author, theologian, and Christian apologist. He is the Founder and Director of Peacemakers Outreach, a non-profit, faith-based organization that is dedicated to pursuing reconciliation through video, social media, and biblical education. He is passionate, high energy and dynamic speaker whose subjects makes him relatable to both young and old, from the new believer to the most seasoned pastor. His teaching style makes him able to communicate the most complex issues in a way that is accessible to even laymen in the faith.  John’s sermons, teachings, and speeches have made him known as an articulate defender of truth and biblical morality.

He is a seasoned author who has written several books including An Appeal to Heaven: A Cry for Divine Justice and the 3-part discipleship series titled Unifying the Body of Christ. He is now being recognized as one of the nation’s experts in the areas of Christian Unity, Discipleship, Outreach, and Biblical Citizenship. This has made him an increasingly sought-out church and conference speaker as well as radio show guest. He travels widely across the nation working with a variety of evangelical churches and Christian organizations. His newly created educational materials and curriculum include several small group DVD studies such as Faith Training and The Mystery of Christ that educate, emphasize and expand upon the four-basic doctrine of the CM&A doctrines of Jesus Christ as Savior, Sanctifier, Healer, and our Coming King.

His 14-part DVD series titled Americanism: A Course in Biblical Citizenship and Ethics has made him known as one of the leading experts in the relationship between the Kingdom of God and the kingdoms of men. His book An Appeal to Heaven is being widely recognized as the only biblical solution for the restoration of legitimate biblical government by emphasizing the 3-fold role of Christ as King, Lawmaker and Judge. (Isaiah 33:22).

Dr. Diamond is presently the Executive Director of Peacemakers Outreach. He holds a Masters in Theology and a Doctorate in Christian Education. In January 2013, he created the first American Citizenship School which led to the forming of the American Christian Leadership Alliance (ACLA). He has served as the Director of Discipleship at Bible Community Church in Columbus, Ohio. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force.  

Peacemakers Outreach website here.

SER 168 – Dr. Mike and Olivier Melnick – End Times Anti-Semitism: A New Chapter in the Longest Hatred

Olivier Melnick and his new book End-Times Antisemitism.

Olivier Melnick is an internationally known speaker on the world-wide growth of anti-Semitism. Born in Paris, France, to Holocaust survivors, he has equipped thousands to recognize and defeat anti-Semitism with his research, writing, speaking, and teaching. Olivier is a graduate of the Moody Bible Institute. He serves as the Northwest Director of Chosen People Ministries, and has served in Messianic Jewish ministry for over 25 years,

He is the author of “They Have Conspired Against You:Responding to the New Anti-Semitism,” and his latest book, which is the subject of our conversation today, “End-Times Anti-Semitism: A New Chapter in the Longest Hatred.”

Olivier’s website here.

Fight the New Anti-Semitism.

Go Therefore 2018 – Calvary Chapel of Lima – June 8-10, 2018

MAKE YOUR PLANS NOW TO JOIN US IN LIMA, OHIO, JUNE 8-10 FOR THE “GO THEREFORE 2018” CONFERENCE.

This year’s speakers are Dr. Mike Lake, Russ Dizdar, and Preston and Kelly Condra as well as Pastor Mike Spaulding. Our theme this year is “Equipping the Saints for Ministry.” We will cover such topics as:

  • What does it mean to walk in the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit?
  • What does it mean to have the mind of Christ?
  • Why is it important that believers hold tightly together as the body and learn together how to stand firm now and in the near future?

There is no cost for this conference. You may register for the conference or ask any questions through the contact form below. An offering will be received in support of the speakers and their ministries.

Go Therefore 2018 Conference Schedule

I hope to see you at this year’s “Go Therefore” conference at Calvary Chapel in Lima, Ohio.

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Finding Balance in the Practice of Prophetic Study – S. Douglas Woodward

The prophetic scenario for the last days is generally built around several key issues.  Certainly, one of those issues is whether Bible prophecy comprises predictions concerning future events or simply proclamations illustrating spiritual truths.

In some cases, the former sends us into unwarranted speculation while the latter may drive us into contemplative introspection, sometimes bordering on being self-absorbed. We must find a balance. The passionate inwardness that Kierkegaard identified as true faith must be balanced with the doing of social good as an expression of works of faith extolled by James. (James 2:20)

Allow me at this point to say that an authentic Christianity demands we heed both admonitions. If we deny future fulfillment of events portrayed in the Bible, our attentiveness to holy living could be curtailed. “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as He is pure.” (1 John 3:3) However, if we commit to extensive conversations about future events and what the Bible has to say about them, our spiritual experience could suffer just as much when it comes to living out the commandments of Christ – daily – by failing to model the Kingdom of God through conducting our lives as if we did not know Christ.

No doubt: devotion to Christ should translate to a sincere contemplative piety. But it should also guard against overly self-indulgent spiritual disciplines in order that we do not forsake the local community of brethren and, more broadly, the needs of others.  We must love God and love one another.  “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 13:34) Jesus never taught that He would judge our commitment to Him based upon how well we have worked out the sequence of future events. Moreover, He instructed his followers to care for others not just prepare (i.e., “prep”) for cataclysmic events. Indeed, I have often wondered whether “prepping” could actually be justified given it betrays anxiety about tomorrow. “So, do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34).

Still, as with any theological topic, we best, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15) Hence, in the final analysis, understanding Bible Prophecy is a worthy endeavor for several reasons: first, that we may be inspired by witnessing the fulfillment of prophecy – judging that the Word of God has been made surer;[secondly, encourage others in the faith; and thirdly, guard against false teachings that might lead less knowledgeable brothers and sisters astray.

The late Dave Hunt, in his book, The Woman Rides the Beast, offered this confirmation of the importance of Bible Prophecy to solidify beliefs and in some cases lead to saving faith:

There are many important reasons for Bible prophecy. First of all, prophecy fulfilled provides irrefutable proof for the existence of the very God who inspired the prophets. By foretelling major events of world history centuries and even thousands of years before they happen, the God of the Bible proves that He is the only true God, the Creator of the universe and mankind, the Lord of history and that the Bible is His infallible Word given to communicate His purposes and way of salvation to all who will believe. Here is a proof so simple that a child can understand it, yet so profound that the greatest genius cannot refute it.[1]

Peter testifies succinctly, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.” (2 Peter 1:19)

Of course, that “day star” (the “bright and morning star”) is Christ Jesus Himself:  “I, Jesus, have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.” (Revelation 22:16)

The Spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus. If our study of prophetic themes does not lead us into a closer walk with Him, we must question why we are study prophecy in the first place. At this, I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.” (Revelation 19:10)

 


[1] Dave Hunt. A Woman Rides the Beast: The Roman Catholic Church and the Last Days (Kindle Locations 147-149). Kindle Edition.

This post originally appeared on Doug’s site on February 19, 2018 here – http://faith-happens.com/finding-balance-in-the-practice-of-prophetic-study/
Re-posted with permission.

Israel Wayne at Calvary Chapel of Lima – Saturday, December 9th

Israel Wayne will be joining us Saturday, December 9th from 1 to 5pm. Sessions include:

  1. Why a Christian worldview is important
  2. What the Bible says about Christians educating their children
  3. Revival in the home
  4. Creation science apologetics

This is a free conference. Email Pastor Mike – drmichaelspaulding@gmail.com for more information.

Where:

Calvary Chapel of Lima

682 W. Grand Avenue

Lima, OH 45801