A Call to Arms | SermonIndex

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audeyb Feb 16, 2009

Hello, My brothers and sisters in Christ. I am posting this thread for all of you to join in the grassroots effort to help the ACLJ (American Center for Law & Justice), which is the organization led by Jay Sekulow, to join the fight by signing the petition to allow the passage of the Freedom of Broadcaster's Act.

As you all may well know, the Fairness Doctrine is rearing its head again. How does this affect you? If it passes, Christian radio and conservative talk radio will no longer be on the air. All of the great shows like Focus on the Family, Jay Sekulow Live, even shows like Sean Hannity will be forced to be off of the air. Why, you ask? Because the fairness doctrine states that for every view that is given by a conservative they have to pay for 30 minutes of liberal airtime. Our airwaves will be silenced. It will come forth as either the fairness doctrine, or diversity, or something to that effect.

I am asking you to go to:
www.aclj.org
and sign the petition to allow the passage of the Freedom of Broadcaster's Act. This act, if it passes, will ban the Fairness Doctrine from ever rearing its head again in any form.

Thank you for listening and God Bless!

Brian
1 Peter 3:15

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ccchhhrrriiisss Feb 16, 2009

Hi Brian...

I have been praying about this. This unconstitutional (and socialist) idea is to make things "fair" -- yet it is propagated by men and women who think that the media is unbiased and that the preaching of Christianity is for wild, mentally unbalanced men. In fact, there is a real danger for a "fairness doctrine" to be carried even to the internet...or, possibly, to outdoor arenas.

It is so sad that men today can openly ridicule people of faith...whereas just a couple of decades ago, people of faith were respected.

The "fairness doctrine" will only be "fair" to those on the far left who think that they are right and everyone else is wrong. To them, preaching against homosexuality/homosexual marriage, pornography as free speech, instructionary sex education ("how to" teaching while handing out condoms to children), abortion, etc... are the "hateful" rants of mentally unbalanced men rather than the words of men who know the Creator of the Universe. Yes, there are plenty of bad examples, but this is an attempt to destroy the voice of those for whom people on the far left disagree. It has the possibility to extend to the prohibition of a pastor from preaching against sins that the far left might call a basic "right" (like abortion or homosexual practice).

We should pray for the nation in which the Lord has placed us.

:-(

sermonindex Feb 16, 2009

If it passes, Christian radio and conservative talk radio will no longer be on the air.

Great news!

"Christian" and "conservative" radio is bringing more judgment on this country then any abortion clinic ever could. Flee from babylon, run for your lives.

-Jim

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ccchhhrrriiisss Feb 16, 2009

Hi Jim...

I agree that there are some bad examples in "Christian" radio, internet and television. Yet there are also some good and decent examples too (like this website, your website, or even www.ravenhill.org). The fairness doctrine could potentionally and eventually end such things.

I think that it is a stretch to say that christian and conservative radio is "bringing more judgment on this country than any abortion clinic ever could." While plenty of those websites, radio stations and television stations do present false doctrines, I think that the reason that such people are trying to pass a "fairness doctrine" has nothing to do with that. Rather, they want to shut down ANYONE or ANYTHING that teaches something that contradicts their very secular, agnostic world view -- that considers the preaching against sin to be "hate speech."

This is not simply directed against radio. It is an attempt of a certain segment of society to stifle the voice of those with whom they disagree. It might appear to be directed at radio, but it actually can be interpreted to new media -- such as found on the internet in the form of blogs and podcasts. It has the potential of REQUIRING that an open air preacher on a college campus must find an alternative view so that there can be equal time for the two (or more) ideas.

It is unneeded...and it is not "great news."

sermonindex Feb 17, 2009

Brethren,

(I intend no harm to the poster of this thread, but please hear me out)

The title of this thread is "a call to arms". Ironically, this type of "sign the petition and do your duty as a good conservative Christian" hype is a product of our "Christian" and "conservative" media.

We live in a country where over 50% of church goers regularly view pornography (and over 30% of pastors do). How many are openly greedy goats too, lovers of pleasure and entertainment more then God. So the name of Christ is openly blasphemed among the heathen while professing Christians spend their time and money enjoying every luxury their heart desires. It's no wonder that we get nervous when something like this comes along that might rock our "best life now" boats.

I don’t think that satan or liberal politicians would be the one rocking our boat though (they may be the means but not the cause). Satan is not bothered one bit by the (so-called) church in this country or the overwhelming, vast majority of Christian or conservative media. If persecution comes it will be the will of God, maybe part of that will is to shut up those who claim to speak for Him over our airwaves. We are not called to arms to sign petitions, we are called to sell our possessions and give to the poor, to love our enemies, pray without ceasing, and to forsake this world, neither loving the things of it or loving our very lives onto death.

Those who are commissioned by God to preach in such an hour will continue to preach even if it gets them jailed or killed. So, I do think it would be great news if God did something to bring glory to His name that has been openly blasphemed by His supposed followers. It just might be needed too brethren, since most evangelicals have signed more political petitions then they have given away possessions to the poor. I expect any persecution to be the will of God and to force His sheep back into new testament Christianity.

In Christ - Jim

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ccchhhrrriiisss Feb 17, 2009

Hi Jim...

I understand what you are saying and agree with most of it. The Gospel will be preached regardless of the law. I just think that we are living in a blessed time where we don't have to fear for our lives (or the lives of our families) right now. We can share Christ without fear of prison...or chains...or death (for the most part). Yes, there aren't many people who do this in a time of blessing...but I wonder if there would be more or less during a time of suffering? I would hope that more would be willing to lay down their lives.

I think the "call to arms" used in this thread wasn't speaking about a literal call to arms...but a means to open our mouths. You're right: We should always be at arms (vocally) in a sense that this world is dying and going to Hell in a handbasket. I think that the original poster meant it in a sense like, well, Esther. Esther spoke to her husband...a ruler. She didn't preach to him. She didn't preach at him. She simply spoke up...about an injustice that was going to be done to her people.

You may be right in your statistics about the Church (in regard to pornography, etc...). Yet this isn't a product of a church that is not persecuted. It is a product of a group of people who claim to be a part of the Church...but are found false. No one is saying that the Church would be revived or more holy by preventing a certain group from hindering the free speech of Christians or conservatives.

What I do believe, however, is that it would not be a good thing for Jim to be in prison for his faith...or for Brother Jim to be forced to find someone to preach against what he just preached about on some college campus, internet blog or street corner. Yes, the Word has power...and will "not return void." Yet I would prefer to have the liberty to speak out about sin...rather than to quiet all believers because a few (or many) choose to preach lies.

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audeyb Feb 17, 2009

Chris,

Thank you so much for your encouragement. Your words are almost like a soothing balm to the soul. You understand exactly what I am trying to say.

Never in a million years would I have expected some of the reverb I thought I would get over this post. My intentions, by saying a call to arms, was to say that Christians have a tendency to be silent. We sit here on Christian websites, with Christian blogs, etc, but we never speak out. We have been silent too long. I am glad that I have been a Christian for a while, otherwise I would get very discouraged over some of the "legality" of some "christians".

I just wanted for Christians to band together and be a voice. Too many times we sit on our blessed assurances and allow our rights to be taken from us. The freedom for us to be able to listen to preaching on the internet or on the radio is a blessing. In other countries, many times, these freedoms are taken away. So, there are not some good "conservative" or "christian" talk radio. To the others, just remember, if there was a perfect church and you were to walk in it, it wouldn't be perfect anymore.

Again, thank you to Chris for understanding exactly the point I was trying to get across.

Thanking God for His mercies and grace,
Brian
1 Peter 3:15

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MaryJane Feb 17, 2009

Hi

I just wanted to say that I will be praying about this. Not sure what Father has for me in this at this time but I can understand what Jim is saying as well as Chris and Brian. I keep thinking about that article that Greg posted suffering for the Gospel and he asked, “What is your Christianity costing you? Are you taking easy street? Why are we afraid to suffer for the Gospel? The angels weep over this!”

Perhaps we have taken easy street and had things to easy???? This has been on my heart,anyway thank you for sharing what Father has put on your heart everyone.
God Bless
MJ

sermonindex Feb 17, 2009

Amos 3:5 ESV
Does a bird fall in a snare on the earth, when there is no trap for it? Does a snare spring up from the ground, when it has taken nothing?

"What I do believe, however, is that it would not be a good thing for Jim to be in prison for his faith...or for Brother Jim to be forced to find someone to preach against what he just preached about on some college campus, internet blog or street corner"

Brother, I preach largely to gang members and drug dealers on the streets of Detroit. I have had my car stolen, a gun flashed (and a few other) weapons brandished at me and have been threatened in numerous ways. I have been blessed in this, to fellowship as a body and street ministry alongside some brethren from Romania that live in the area, whom their elders went through the persecution back home. These things combined have helped me to see things in a bit different, and I believe more Biblical, light. I do not fear what you have described here brother to the same degree, though of course I do not wish for it either. I can say that in the midst of the trouble on the streets we have had a small blessing this past summer, that I have shared in private with some here on SI, where the power of God came down on the streets and in our fellowship and we experienced what many on this website talk about and hope for. I rarely speak of these things on this forum, under the leading of the Lord, but brother I say all this as someone who has seen a (very) small amount of persecution and blessing go together hand in hand, and any fear I do have is shadowed by hope to see the glory of God return to the sanctuary. It does not look like it will happen though without persecution driving it (or going hand in hand with it).

Never in a million years would I have expected some of the reverb I thought I would get over this post.

Welcome to Sermon Index :0)

My intentions, by saying a call to arms, was to say that Christians have a tendency to be silent. We sit here on Christian websites, with Christian blogs, etc, but we never speak out. We have been silent too long. I am glad that I have been a Christian for a while, otherwise I would get very discouraged over some of the "legality" of some "christians".

Brian, do not think that I am attacking you, but it is important that I use these words to make a point. I would say the same thing if we were sitting in a room together, and I pray ultimately what I say will turn out to be a blessing to you. What you are describing here is a subtle counterfeit form of Christianity that is presented in most of our evangelical, Bible believing churches. Never in the New Testament are we told as a group to "speak out" by signing petitions, etc. Though this type of nonsense certainly does help lukewarm church members feel better about themselves, it is mostly just a false covering for the nakedness and shame of those who have rejected the true call of Christ (or have never even heard it preached) but still think they are "really on fire for God". I know there are some true brethren here that do sell their possessions, that do forsake all, and that also do take part in petition signing with a pure conscience, but overall this "speaking up" is used as a substitute for living the normal new testament Christian life. As I said before, and now again knowing these words will be brought out on that great and terrible day, for the most part this type of petitioning serves only to A) make lukewarm church members feel like they are doing something for Jesus or B) protect our (unbiblical) rich and increased with goods western lifestyle.

I just wanted for Christians to band together and be a voice. Too many times we sit on our blessed assurances and allow our rights to be taken from us. The freedom for us to be able to listen to preaching on the internet or on the radio is a blessing.

I do not doubt your intentions at all, I am just saying we should start in banding together and selling our jewelry, vacation homes, jet skis, liquidating our retirement accounts, and giving them to the poor instead. That would be far more Biblical. This is where the crux of the matter is, it is that we're not doing things that Jesus commanded and replacing them with petition signing and other silly things instead.

In other countries, many times, these freedoms are taken away. So, there are not some good "conservative" or "christian" talk radio.

But there is true fellowship and the blessing of the Lord, miracles, and the power and presence of the living God.... see my earlier comment about the brethren I fellowship with from Romania. The true sheep in America may have to suffer persecution for this to happen.

To the others, just remember, if there was a perfect church and you were to walk in it, it wouldn't be perfect anymore.

Like most things, there is a bit of truth in this, but it is generally another hollow cliché used by western "christians" to cover the shame of our so called evangelical church. It is a good line for our pornography addicted and pleasure driven pastors to use when confronted with the worldliness of their "sheep", but has little value once you have stepped into a meeting where the Spirit of the Lord is really there.

Brian, God bless you, I know everything I write goes against the grain of western "christianity", but please (everyone) consider these things in prayer and in study. My intentions are not simply to tear things down for no reason, but that we might have level ground to see greater and enduring things built amongst us brethren.

-Jim

EDITTED FOR GRAMMER / WORDING...