The Indictments Against ‘Cultural Christianity’ and Man Made Traditions of Old – A Time2Stand and the Urgency to Rise is now – Calling all Professing Christians back to Biblical Truth and Accountability.

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“Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong.  Let all that you do be done in love.”  1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Mikael Thomsen Calls Out

The Cross Alone.com

Axiom – the denial of American ‘Christianity’

Will you be the same? Will your church be the same? Will we remain in our comfort?

moving back towards biblical truth, through repentance and igniting sanctification

“I will return again to my place, until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face, and in their distress earnestly seek me.”  Hosea 5:15 ESV

Purpose:

            To outline and set out a beginning application process for the tension between Biblical Truth and the reality of the current ‘church’ condition today.  Clear biblical distinction should be shown as to what is true and what is of partial truth or in other words a lie.  Truth is unalterable and anything outside of the truth of Jesus Christ is nothing but a deceptive ploy set into motion by satan to deceive and blind a person to who God is.  The importance of this cannot be overstated.

“Half a truth is a whole lie.” 

Mark Olmstead

            We need to stop trying to be perfect in the ways of men and strive after holiness with an authentic passion to know the Way, the Truth and the Life.  Only a desire to be with the Only True God will contentment, peace, love and joy be found.  All of mans intellect, if not completely set upon Christ and His will, is of no avail and vanity in the eyes of the Lord.  Only through the strength, love, truth and power of God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit, can we live, love and worship as we ought.  (I highly recommend reading, praying through and questioning the ‘church’ today in regards to these verses: Joel 1:13-14, 2:12-17; James 5:1-7; Hosea 5:15-6:4, 14:8-9; Malachi 1:6-2:12, 2:18 – these are just for starters.) 

“We must give up routine work.  It is written, “Cursed is he who does the work of the Lord deceitfully” (Jeremiah 48:10).  The Church must wage a frontal, spiritual attack on the principalities in captive nations.  Wars are won only by offensive, never by defensive, strategy.”[1] 

            Even though this was written regarding the Underground Church, the principle for our local ‘churches’ and sin is the same.  We must wage a frontal, spiritual attack on sin and hypocrisy of man-centered traditions in the local ‘church,’ otherwise we are not wise in our discernment, absent of the Spirit and powerless to convert souls.  Our community essentially will not come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ and our outreach will be weak at best.

“But it is not enough that they (Western churches and Pastors) do not love those in captive nations and do nothing to win them for Christ.  By their complacency, by their neglect, and sometimes by acting as actual accomplices, some Western church leaders strengthen the infidels in their infidelity.  They help the Communists to intrude into Western churches and to win leadership in the churches of the world.  They help Christians remain unaware of the danger of Communism.  Western church leaders do not love their own flocks either, if they do not allow them to participate in the spiritual battle around the world.”[2]

Once again, Wurmbrand is talking about Communism and the disregard for doing nothing for the persecuted and Underground Church.  But is this not the same with sin and man-centered traditions in the ‘church’ of America today?  We must take the Scriptures seriously and apply them to our local congregations first.  Once a congregation is working through repentance and on a path of sanctification then would it be right to do and be active in worldwide missions.  If we do not confront sin specifically we thereby unconsciously strengthen sin and blind the eyes of men to justify their sinfulness with the most selfish of arguments.  If we do not repent in the areas that we need to, we will then just spread our disease to people overseas who need Christ and not some sick form of ‘culturally relevant Christianity.’

“Christ does not belong only to America, England, and other democratic countries.  When He was crucified, one of His hands was stretched out toward the west, the other towards the east.  He wishes to be the King not only of the Jews, but also of the Gentiles, of the Communists, and of the Western world.  Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).  He gave His blood for all, and all should hear and believe the gospel.”[3]

We are to preach unto all the world but how can we when we do not even preach the full truth in our local ‘churches’ at home?   We need to stop trying to be perfect in the ways of men.  We need to stop trying to become better intellectuals.  All of man’s intellect, if not completely set upon Christ and His will, is of no avail and vanity in the eyes of the Lord; to hell with man’s way of doing Christianity!

Understanding the call of God – the truth brought to light

1.     The Lord is revealing the truth to individuals all over the world.  With the wisdom that God has given, handling that wisdom properly is of essential and crucial responsibility.  To whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48).

2.     The revelation of this truth is causing people to earnestly pray for a movement of God to occur.  People are crying for true revival back to the Holy Scriptures and to a pure worship of Jesus Christ in and through sanctification.  These people are studying God’s Word with diligence, on their knees and seeking the LORD’s ‘face’ until He moves people to action.

3.     These people are earnestly and authentically striving to know God’s wisdom and seek to change that which is wrong, all while waiting on the LORD for direction. 

4.     Eventually and swiftly these people will begin to move at any and all costs in total love.  Their goal is to see that souls are saved and demonic influence and ritual in the church is completely purged.  These believers will risk their homes, their families and their lives to spread a true Gospel.  This has been ongoing since Christ ascended into Heaven and continues to this day.

So how do we go about in moving?

1.     As Paul Washer has said, “With bloody knees.”  We must be in prayer crying out to God with a passion and a desire to see Him save souls.  We need to be continually praying.  We should be in constant intercessory prayer.  1 Samuel 12:20-25, 2 Chronicles 7:14, Hosea 5:15-6:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Romans 8:26-27, and Jude 1:20 for starters.

2.     We are to see people as Ezekiel – “The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones.  And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry” (Ezekiel 37:1-2).  We have to understand that in Ezekiel we see the very process of salvation (37:1-14).  We must understand that salvation is a supernatural work of God and God alone.  We must see people as ‘dry bones’ needing God to breathe life into dead hearts.

3.     We must repent, not only of our sinfulness, but of the way we have preached the Gospel.  We cannot hold back nor use any excuse for doing so.  People’s souls are and eternally at stake – eternal salvation/damnation.

4.     We must bring to light the unbiblical issues of our ‘churches’ in prayer, in fasting and in absolute love.  There can be no other way.  So how do we actually move towards repentance and approach the people?

a.      Identify that which is not biblical

                                                                                     i.      Practices, traditions, friendships, ministries, lack of accountability and lack of loving discipline.  This list should be backed up with Scriptural references to point out every point made on the list.  There should also be Scriptural references that describe the consequences of refusing to repent of such ways.

                                                                                   ii.      The Scriptures must not be sacrificed for tradition.  If some way or something is not biblical, repentance is then required and change must be made; otherwise tradition has become an idol. 

b.     Present the “Ten Indictments” DVD  preached by Paul Washer to ALL church Elders, Deacons, leaders, teachers and pastors at the same time.  Tell them of the urgency and importance of this matter.  Ask the people to pray about what they are going to see and the truth of what they will hear.

The first indictment: A practical denial of the sufficiency of Scripture.

The second indictment: An ignorance of God.

The third indictment: A failure to address man’s malady

The fourth indictment: An ignorance of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The fifth indictment: An ignorance of the doctrine of regeneration

The sixth indictment: An unbiblical gospel invitation.

The seventh indictment: Ignorance regarding the nature of the Church.

The eighth indictment: A lack of loving and compassionate Church discipline.

The ninth indictment: A silence on separation. (pursuit of holiness)

The tenth indictment: Psychology and sociology have replaced the Scriptures with regard to the family. 

Not to show the Ten Indictments video to the ‘church’ is to have a greater fear of man and a lesser fear of God. (the time in between the next step has to be handled in prayer, led by the Spirit and with great care and concern)

c.      Present the list of unbiblical ways to the appropriate members of leadership following the current chain of command.  Be sure to show a great amount of respect to those in leadership authority.  Once leadership understands the biblical necessity to change and the issues at hand, then the people/congregation must be addressed.

d.     Once again urge the people to pray and examine the Scriptures and examine themselves throughout this process.  Prayer cannot be emphasized enough!

e.      Meet often to pray as a group seeking God’s will for addressing the necessity to change.

                                                                                     i.      A small group study of the narrow way/path and biblical sanctification would be extremely helpful here.  Isaiah 52 & 53, Jeremiah 31:31-34, John 3, 1 John, Hebrews, Romans, James, 1 & 2 Timothy, 1 & 2 Peter would be great in this study.  This will help to expose the sheep and the goats in leadership.

                                                                                   ii.      Church membership classes/mentorship should be a process lasting at least 6 months.  Although this should be based totally upon the individual as the Spirit leads.  We need to strive to know if a person is saved and is in the sanctification process.  We must tarry to find out the truth.

5.     During this process begin a one year study/preaching/teaching on “Who God Is.”  During this initial first year the attributes of God, what is the True Church, the Word of God is inspired and sufficient, biblical fear of the LORD, the acropolis of the Christian faith (Proverbs 17:5; Psalm 5:5; John 3:16 ect…), regeneration, sanctification, and what does the narrow way look like, should be the main topics of preaching.  A clear painting of the holiness of God should be painted for the congregation; although at the same time a clear and accurate picture of mans moral depravity and darkness of heart must also be painted.  During this year, initiate small changes as the LORD leads the leadership team.  Once again I quote Wurmbrand:

“I have decided to denounce communism, though I love the Communists.  I don’t find it to be right to preach the gospel without denouncing communism.

Some tell me “Preach the pure gospel!”  This reminds me that the Communist secret police also told me to preach Christ, but not to mention communism.  Is it really so, that those who are for what is called “a pure gospel” are inspired by the same spirit as those of the Communist secret police?

I don’t know what this so-called pure gospel is.  Was the preaching of John the Baptist pure?  He did not say only, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matthew 3:2).  He also “rebuked [Herod]… for all the evils which Herod had done” (Luke 3:19).  He was beheaded because he didn’t confine himself to abstract teaching.  Jesus did not preach only the “pure” Sermon on the Mount, but also what some actual church leaders would have called a negative sermon: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!… Serpents, brood of vipers!” (Matthew 23:27, 33).  It is for such “impure” preaching that He was crucified.  The Pharisees would not have bothered about the Sermon on the Mount.”[4]

6.     DO NOT BACK DOWN!  There will be people who are unregenerate.  God’s Word, if preached/taught with a passion led by the Holy Spirit, will bring these people to light.  The first signs of these people will be their refusal to change and back-stabbing gossip.  They will seek to take those who question tradition out by all means possible.   “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12).  Remember, God’s Word when preached fully through true love and with great power, will not leave people lukewarm.  People will either draw closer unto Christ or will become angered and run more into selfish desire and away from everything representing biblical truth.  The Gospel does not leave a church looking like Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22).

“The Underground Church is a poor and suffering church, but it has few lukewarm members.  A religious service in the Underground Church is like nineteen hundred years ago in the Early Church. The Preacher knows no elaborate theology.  He knows no homiletic, as Peter did not know it.  Every professor of theology would have given Peter a poor grade for his sermon on the day of Pentecost.  They are like Job who said that he would believe in God even if He would slay him.”[5] 

7.     We must realize and understand some things.

a.      We are to be like Ezekiel when we look out upon people when we preach. (See point number 2)

b.     Only by the power of the Holy Spirit in truth and conviction and by the Grace of God will people be saved/converted/regenerated.  Ezekiel 37:1-15, Acts 16:14, Mark 9:24 & John 3, 6:60-65, are places to start.

c.      People who are of the flesh do not understand the things of the Spirit. 1 Corinthians chapters 2 and 3 are a great start in this area.  Romans 8 is also a good place to start here.

d.     We must understand that true theology is theology that does not remain at seminaries, in private study and in an office, but rather is applied when moving within the world and within the Church.

8.     Movement – a time2stand, even unto death if necessary (this is not the goal – should go without saying), must be initiated by true bible saturated believers.  There is no sacrifice too great for the Gospel. 

Parts of this is credited to Paul Washer of HeartCry Missionary Society.  This has not been endorsed by HeartCry.

Random Quotes and Scriptures

“A game cannot be won by talk.  We must show up and play.”[6]

“When Christians in free countries win a soul for Christ, the new believer may become a member of a quietly living church.  But when those in captive nations win someone, we know that he may have to go to prison and that his children may become orphans.  The joy of having brought someone to Christ is always mixed with this feeling that there is a price that must be paid.  We had met an entirely new type of Christian – the Christian of the Underground Church.”[7]

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?”

“But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation.  When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”[8]

          “And behold, I am coming soon.  Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.  I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.”[9]

Cultural ‘christianity,’ pastors, teachers, professing Christians – you have no right to deny any part of the Scriptures!

“Whoever has known the spiritual beauty of the Underground Church cannot be satisfied anymore with the emptiness of some Western churches.  I suffer in the West more than I suffered in a Communist jail because now I see with my own eyes Western civilization dying.  Oswald Spengler wrote in ‘Decline of the West:’

You are dying.  I see in you all the characteristic stigma of decay.

I can prove that your great wealth and you great poverty, your

capitalism and your socialism, your wars and your revolutions, you

atheism and your pessimism and your cynicism, your immorality, your

broken-down marriages, your birth-control, that is bleeding you from

the bottom and killing you off at the top in your brains – can prove to you

that there are characteristic marks of the dying ages of ancient states –

Alexandra and Greece and neurotic Rome. 

This was written in 1926.”[10]

“Tremble because of the sufferings of those persecuted in different lands.  I tremble thinking about the eternal destiny of their torturers.  I tremble for Western Christians who don’t help their persecuted brethren.”[11]

“The West sleeps and must be awakened to see the plight of captive nations.  I cannot put the guilt on some of the Church leaders of the West who compromise with the haters of Christians.  The evil comes not from them.  These leaders are themselves the victims of a much older evil.  They did not create the mess in the Church; they found it.”[12]

“Whoever knows what is right to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”  James 4:17 RSV

          “My brethren, if any of you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”  James 5:19-20 RSV

          “Jesus has been dressed up as a corporate CEO, life coach, culture-warrior, political revolutionary, philosopher, copilot, cosufferer, moral example, and partner in fulfilling our personal and social dreams.  But in all of these ways, are we reducing the central character in the drama of redemption to a prop for our own play?”[13]

          “Demonic oppression and mental idolatry has crept into the ‘church’ virtually unnoticed by the majority of professing Christians.  Satan’s subtle deception has led the ‘church’ to operated in a superficial mode by denying the true God of the bible.  This denial is obvious as the demonstration of ‘Christian living’ by most people appears as only a vague outward transformation, at best.”[14]

Axiom

1. a self-evident truth that requires no proof.

2. a universally accepted principle or rule.

   3. Logic, Mathematics. a proposition that is assumed without proof for the sake of studying the consequences that follow from it. 

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Censoring the Church can be found by accessing the link below:

http://www.repentamerica.com/hatecrimeslaws.html

Links

www.time2stand.net / www.time2stand.wordpress.com / www.time2standladies.wordpress.com / www.heartcrymissionary.com / www.anchoredintruth.org / www.gfa.org / www.repentamerica.com / www.bromalachi.wordpress.com / www.thecrossalone.com

God Bless His Church and may you seek to know God for who He is!

10:31 Sermon Jams

Remember if you do not apply this to yourself, communicate this with your local congregation and refuse to share this with everyone you know, then all of this knowledge means absolutely – NOTHING!