American Sniper has taken the movie industry by storm. Controversy surrounds the movie between those who like it and those who hate it The biggest point of contention centers on the main character of the movie, Chris Kyle. The interesting thing to me is 80 or 100 years ago there would have been no controversy at all. Chris Kyle was a simple guy. A patriot who loved his country and chose to stand up and defend her. The same type of guy who was heroically celebrated again and again in books, movies and songs after World Wars I and II. Times have certainly changed... Over a hundred years ago, a man in a different kind of army made a prediction for the church in the 20th century. William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, said, “The chief danger of the 20th century will be religion without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, politics without God, and Heaven without Hell.” Yes times have changed. All these things have come to pass. Many of the great, historic churches in Europe are either shuttered up or in some cases turned into night clubs. And the time is coming that the same thing will happen here in America. Not because God is dead... but because we are. Paul said in 2 Timothy “ For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” The time that the great Apostle and William Booth warned us about is here and its our children who will suffer most from it. We live under the misguided impression that they need a football or basketball coach more than they need a Savior. And were paying for the consequences of that world view on a daily basis. As Pastor Begg said last week, “If you really love someone, youll tell them the truth about Jesus... if you simply want to be appreciated by them youll fudge the truth of who Christ is.” My favorite line in the American Sniper was from Chris Kyle himself. He said “People tell me I saved hundreds and hundreds of people. But I have to tell you: it’s not the people you saved that you remember. It’s the ones you couldn’t save.” Thats why Im writing this today. I dont want to come to the end of my life and look back with regret at all those people I didnt have the courage to speak up to and tell the truth about Christ. Ill finish with more of Pastor Beggs words from last week, “I care more about your life before God than I care about your political opinion or political correctness. We must declare ourselves dead to our own agendas and bow to Jesus Christ... The years are short, dont trifle” The years are short indeed. Today if you hear Gods call, do not harden your heart.
Posted on: Sun, 25 Jan 2015 12:28:22 +0000
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