Brief Summary
The speaker discusses the moral decline in America, attributing it to the apathy of evangelical Christians and the infiltration of "woke" ideologies into churches. He contrasts the world's mission of conformity with the church's mission of transformation through Christ. He emphasizes the importance of speaking truth, even in the face of potential persecution, and highlights the difference between people of faith and those without respect for life or property.
- Moral decline in America is due to Christian apathy and woke churches.
- The world seeks conformity, while the church seeks transformation through Christ.
- Speaking truth is essential, despite potential persecution.
Introduction: The Upside-Down World
The speaker begins by observing the significant changes in American society compared to a generation ago, pointing out the reversal of values where wrong is called right and vice versa. He identifies issues such as gender confusion, marriage redefinition, disregard for life, stripping of parental rights, erosion of religious liberties, and environmental worship as symptoms of this upside-down world. He illustrates environmental worship with the example of sea turtles being more protected than unborn babies.
Tuna Petition Story: Exchanging Truth for a Lie
The speaker shares a story about encountering a young man with a petition to end the "senseless slaughter of tuna" while he was standing in line at an Apple store. The speaker refused to sign the petition and instead declared his intention to buy a tuna sandwich, highlighting the absurdity of prioritizing the lives of tuna over unborn babies. He connects this to Romans 1:25, where people exchange the truth of God for a lie and worship created things rather than the creator.
The Church's Responsibility for Moral Decline
The speaker asserts that the church is to blame for the social and moral decline in America. He cites the statistic that out of 90 million self-identified evangelical Christians eligible to vote, 55 million do not participate in the voting process, leaving the world of politics to those with opposing views. He also criticizes churches that have gone "woke," replacing the word of God with social justice and progressive ideology. He emphasizes that the church and the power of the Holy Spirit are the only two things restraining evil in the world.
The Church as the Conscience of the State
Referencing Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the speaker states that the church is the conscience of the state. He argues that if the church fails to keep the state in check, no one will. He stresses the importance of being a part of the restraining tide of evil until Jesus comes.
Conflicting Missions: Conformity vs. Transformation
The speaker contrasts the world's mission of conformity with the church's mission of transformation. The world seeks to conform people to its values, philosophy, culture, trends, beliefs, and system, often silencing dissent. The church, on the other hand, seeks to transform people through the person and power of Jesus Christ, leading to a change in values, beliefs, objectives, and standards.
Facing Persecution and Telling the Truth
The speaker warns that the world will shame, cancel, and ultimately persecute those who do not conform. He reminds the audience of Jesus' words in John 15: "If they hated you, they hated me first," and Paul's words in 2 Timothy 3:12: "All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." He notes that Christians have been relatively comfortable in America for too long and have been lulled to sleep with apathy. He emphasizes the importance of telling the truth, even if it is offensive, and allowing God to sort out people's feelings about it.
The Response to Charlie's Murder: Faith vs. Unhinged Radicalism
The speaker contrasts the response to Charlie's murder with the actions of "unhinged radical mobs," noting that people prayed, went to church, worshiped the Lord, and restrained their anger instead of rioting, burning cities, or looting stores. He concludes by reiterating that the church's mission is to help people become transformed by Jesus Christ, and that despite opposition and persecution, this mission must not be abandoned.
