07 Changing Values

Reading Time: 6:45

Well, today is my 7th blog post this year. The weeks march on and it will soon be spring. I’m looking forward to spring—and not! There is so much on the agenda that I am sometimes overwhelmed by it all. Actually, the load comes from past things that have not been done yet and new things that arise unplanned. However, I'll share more about that in upcoming blogs. Today my heart and mind are somewhere else.

Unchanging Truth

I spent way to much time Sunday morning “griping” about the reaction to the recent clarification our fellowship put out regarding homosexuality and same-sex marriage. There should be a united celebration for the fact that the Assemblies of God has not compromised its integrity by yielding to social pressure from the LGBT community in our country. Even though it amazing me how much influence such a small sector of our nation as on public policy, I understand that there is an evil spirit behind its promotion.

You can read the full statement here: https://ag.org/Beliefs/Position-Papers/Homosexuality-Marriage-and-Sexual-Identity. The statement is long, but it is not new (2014). It’s just that the Assemblies of God felt a growing need to dig it up and put it out there again to remind us of what we stand for regarding this issue.

However this time, instead of celebration, there was a backlash of opposition within our fellowship. It amazes me that things we once held in our common understanding about morality and Christian behavior has evaporated. Ministry today requires you to spell out everything and leave nothing up to an inferred understanding. The way you think and believe is no longer the way your fellow “pewmate” thinks and believes. This is not diversity, this is disunity in the faith.

There were and are churches within the Assemblies of God that are withdrawing from our fellowship because of our stance. I openly use the example of what has happened in the United Methodist Church over this issue. If we let it stand by our silence, then they will creep in unawares (Jude 1:4) and gain leverage. Churches are splitting over this issue, pastors are being fired for speaking out, and believers are left bewildered by our lack of boldness concerning this threat to our religious communities across the nation.

Enraged by Evil

I probably shouldn’t have vented so much on our people here at Calvary, but we need to be warned. Acceptance of this sinful lifestyle is becoming a license to enter into our churches and take control. Creeping in under the banner of acceptance and understanding, they now desire to change the truth of God’s Word to embrace their sin.

Why has the church become so fearful of addressing the sin in people’s lives? Is it because offended sinners will leave, take their money elsewhere, and say ugly things about us? Well, yes. We are more concerned with our institutions being accepted in a community than with the sin that is destroying those communities.

I believe we must go back, way back, to our roots and declare to this nation its sin and call them to turn from these sinful ways. We’ve embraced divorce as a choice. We’ve embraced sex outside of marriage as a choice. We’ve embraced drugs, tobacco, and alcohol as a choice. We’ve embraced abortion as a choice. We’ve embraced same-sex marriage as a right. We’ve embraced homosexuality as a natural way of life in our land. No. We must call it what it is and stand in the gap for our families, our churches and our nation.

It Affects Everyone

I live in a small community and I am amazed at the impact the wicked have on every area of our town. The sexually immoral strut around daring anyone to confront them. They are not only proud of their activity, pastors and school teachers alike remain silent before their ever increasing influence.

I’m glad our fellowship saw the writing on the wall and took a stand for the truth before the influence of the sexually immoral did greater damage to our churches.

When called to answer before God for how I handled it, may I be found expressing outrage towards this issue, rather than social compliance. May I speak boldly about the destructive nature of sexual sin. May I boldly confront the arrogance of those who practice this evil in our land and call them to repentance. Pastors and churches that do not take this stand make themselves instruments of Satan’s work in our country.

Engage the True Enemy

In our fight to regain the territory we have lost to our enemy, remember this:

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,
against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against
the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
13 Therefore put on the full armor of God,
so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground,
and after you have done everything, to stand.”

Ephesians 6:12, 13 (NIV)

I often couple the above passage with another to remind myself that we are out to reach people for Jesus and bring them to repentance of their sin. As God’s people, our boldness should not show a lack of kindness. People involved in homosexuality are the same as every other person involved in any type of sexual sin. They are paying a price, they are living in darkness, and they need a Savior who will forgive them, cleanse then, and restore life to them. The other passage I use is this:

24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone,
able to teach, not resentful.
25 Opponents must be gently instructed,
in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,
26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil,
who has taken them captive to do his will.”

2nd Timothy 2:24-26 (NIV)

Until next Monday, I pray you consider deeply what I have shared. Our people heard me “complain” at length about the permissiveness of the churches in our area. However, I will not give up this fight, I will not concede to the demands around me, and I will not remain silent about sin and its destructive power.

Pastor Brian Jenkins
Calvary Assemblies of God

Calvary Assemblies of God | 720 N Plum St Union City IN 47390 | Pastor Brian P. Jenkins |  (765) 229-4013 | www.calvaryassembliesofgod.org