Five characteristics that must be in the lives of Christians and churches

CNG radio for today's culture and timeless truths come together is reasoned, relevant content, apologetics, worldview and answers to the questions that you need to know need to know from Alex McFarlane ministries.

This is true for a new generation radio and now the man who preached in 50 states and 50 days speaker, writer, and advocate for Christian apologetics Dr. Alex McFarlane. It's been said that the height of your accomplishments will be holding depth of your convictions. Welcome to the program Alex McFarlane here. Think about that quote from the height of your accomplishments will equal the depth of your convictions and I think that's true because it's your convictions that motivate you to do what you do what you think is important.

What you value what you believe in will motivate you to action and on today's program were going to look at the Scripture from second Kings chapter 6, but I want to talk about our convictions and frankly our priorities as it relates to number one. Our relationship with Christ. A number to our involvement in the church as I record this time packing the car and getting ready to drive to Richmond Virginia because we got another tree for a new generation crusade really.

Some people say what what is the event you do is that is MNR is a conference it's really an apologetics training event mixed with a big dose of evangelism and at our truth for a new generation events everywhere around the country where people accept Christ, and we we thank God for that.

But by the time you this broadcast. The Richmond TNG event will be over and we praise God in advance for what is going to do there but when I was on the road just recently. Everywhere I go I talk with people, pastors, laity, concerned individuals that we talk about the state of the church and we need to be sure. Have a great opportunity if you're a believer to touch our nation and this is a time as everyone knows when our nation deeply deeply needs the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are in a state in our nations history that we so desperately need a move of God. And this is something that every Christian can participate in, and frankly must play a role in and I want to give you some words of encouragement from second Kings chapter 6 organ to talk about some things that need to be qualities of every thriving church today and thriving Christian summit to give you five truths that need to be a part of your mindset and your makeup today. If you're going to make a difference for Christ at this very very urgent time and back to the quote about considering whether we would invest the bandwidth to take a solid look at our walk in our witness if we would really invest and be open to looking at our church and its condition and should we double down and pray more and witness more and recommit ourselves to being the world changing church that Christ calls us to be. Again, the quote, the, the depth of our convictions will drive and inform the height of our accomplishments. If anything, indeed, is accomplished in and think about this. Think about this, if we believe that Jesus Christ is the Lord. If we believe that souls need to be saved if we believe that Christianity and godliness and morality have been a part of our national DNA and we suffer greatly if we lose that if we believe that the young generation coming up needs to know Christ and were headed for some very dark days.

If we continue down our slide toward secularism, socialism, lawlessness, moral and ultimately social anarchy. I mean, if we believe those are bad things and and we need to change course if we believe that God alone can send a move of his Holy Spirit give us revival and help us change course if those are convictions then they will drive us to some action and therefore to some accomplishments and I pray to the good Lord that that it does in and that it will, and so I will look a little bit at second Kings chapter 6 will talk about these things and you'll probably remember Elisha why she was a prophet of God and that you know all true ministers of God that are fearlessly faithfully proclaiming the truth of God. They make some enemies they really did.

And like you and all good preachers. Infini said this one time.

Charles G.

Finney, the great revivalist in the 19th century on two different occasions.

Charles Finney had entire congregations walk out the back door in disgust and leave him as he was preaching and when you can empty and entire sanctuary. You're either a really poor speaker, or you're the voice of God for a generation and Finney was a great evangelist and up a number of times people threatened to kill Finney. We cannot be as Christians in this merely to try and be popular because the calling for the individual believer and for the church as a whole is not popularity, but to obedience not to success but to faithfulness know we all want to succeed, we all want to make a mark but it's time Christian leaders moms and dads.

If you set down barriers and boundaries for your family. I've had many parents say to me, will you know my kids if if I put restraints on the computer. Kids are gonna push back against that and if I let you know curfews and boundaries and if if I say no to sports, but we've gotta be in church Sunday morning Sunday night Wednesday night, which I pray to the good Lord that you will do that you will bring up your kids in church look the kids might push back the soccer coach might not understand the teacher promoting the extracurricular activities at school might threatened that the greatest can be docked. But listen, moms, dads, pastors, leaders, Christians believing American citizen, but we can lose at anything else. But we must win in our walk in our witness for Christ.

Now when we come back will going to read a little bit from second Kings chapter 6.

Do not fear, for those who were with us are more than those who are with them so Satan will going to come back right after this from. I am a watchman ministries.

Here's today's I am a watchman minute. What makes a good church. Some say good preaching music or programming. Now, I agree.

These things are important but they are not essential and they are not what God is looking for a good church focuses on lifting up the name of Jesus. A good church focuses on loving others – the great commandment in helping people be ready for the return of the Lord.

That's the great commission.

A good church is not a place where people are fed than encouraged and then rest a good church is where people are equipped and then empowered and then engaged in service.

Jesus has a heart for the church in the I am a watchman ministry does to so pray for your church pray for the church and check out the free resources for the church at I'm watchman.com people be faithful, be a watchman, I am a watchman.com Christians don't necessarily agree with one another when it comes to questions of religious pluralism, homosexuality, the role of government abortion and war. Too often, we manage these disagreements by ignoring them, yet were called to engage the world for the sake of Christ. How can we be effective if we avoid society's most pressing questions in 10 issues that divide Christians Alex McFarlane challenges us to drill down to the biblical core of 10 current issues such as social justice evil and suffering, photography, and environmentalism as he echoes the biblical invitation, this reason together only by engaging the Scriptures deeply thinking clearly and speaking truthfully can we, in God's family address our differences and discover the peace that comes with unity of purpose.

10 issues that divide Christians find this book and many others@alexmcfarlane.com first Peter 315 tells us to be ready always to give an answer for the hope we have were instructed to be prepared to defend our faith. This is Alex McFarlane for the life answers teams students we train at North Greenville University, a leading Christian college in South Carolina.

The life answers.

Teams are made up of students who will inspire and equip your congregation. These apologetics teams. We train speaking churches to youth groups and train Christians of all ages to address key issues of our times. From a biblical perspective like is there a God is the Bible true. What about gender and moral issues. Call me at 864977 2008 and we will arrange for the life answers team to come your church and give a presentation that will benefit your people for years to come. 864-977-2000 eight and always be ready. Timeless truths in the soundbite culture for a new generation radio. Do not be afraid, for those that are with God are more than those that are against God and against you.

Welcome back to the program that paraphrase of the verse from second Kings chapter 6 yeah II think about young people that have never known a moral America. They have never known an America where God was spoken with reference and morality and character and and and things that you know the good, the right, the true respect for authority, respect for the flag respect for our our history just respect for our national identity respect for the church respect for ministers respect for authority, parents, teachers, the principal at school. The policeman, you know, I do think the world of morals and courtesy a world without terrorism. A world without opioid deaths and rampant drug abuse.

A world without corruption in the government of a world without elected officials that will spin their entire four-year term. Merely fighting rather than doing things to protect our Constitution and better our country. I do think a world without a 68% divorce rate is a better world. I do think a world where children grow up under the same roof for their entire unit 18, 19, 20 years of of growing up and maturing that they live in a loving, stable home of unconditional love with both mom and dad. I do think that's a better world. I think a world where couples stay together for life and they're able to help each other financially, emotionally, physically, in old age is better than a world where people break up and have multiple marriages, I do think a world where STDs are a rarity and abortion. I didn't exist because we believed in the sanctity of human life. I do think that's a better world. I do think it's a better world in which churches aren't closing their doors where young people are told about Jesus and salvation, and told about the 10 Commandments and and pastors while they're not perfect, but pastors and priests shepherd their flock and preach the word of God, and there there isn't sin and scandal and lawsuits that that is a better world GK Chesterton who would quote a number of times in this program Chesterton. I was very influential in the life of CS Lewis and he said if man doesn't control himself within by the 10 Commandments.

Man will have to be controlled from without by the 10,000 Commandments.

All these laws and soak the home and the Christian church were that the DNA in the glue and the substance that held this nation together and they were supplemented by two things the classroom and the government.

But think about this for the last really 40 to 50 years the classroom and the government have done their utmost to undermine the home and the church mean their incentives. Now there are government stipends and subsidies for not getting married. Now the government financially and certainly in the in the tax code, and in entitlement programs, the government really affirms and underwrites the breakdown of the family and my goodness, unless your kids go to a solidly Christian school K-12 and then in college.

Having spoken at 200 universities plus and done assemblies in many public schools, and I know there are Christians in the public school in the classroom and in administration and other Christians in higher education but let me say this, the curriculum and certainly the teachers unions of the national Association of educators there overwhelmingly anti-American anti-God pro evolution pro abortion, anti-morality Pro global village climate changes caused by humans, big government take away personal property ownership rights antibusiness. The worldview of the government as a whole and education in general has been overwhelmingly against the two pillars of our nation the home and the church and the Christian worldview.

So we must recover convictions if were going to achieve things that will contribute to the betterment of our nation the obedience to our Savior, and the nurturing and the preservation of our families only read a little bit of Scripture limiting what's going on in second Kings chapter 6 and second Kings chapter 6 we read about the Syrian studies are really the Aramaeans and they were a group of tribes that fought against Israel, by the way, it's very interesting. One of the extra biblical references to King David comes to us from the. The archaeological digs hundreds of things that have been found about the Syrian people and the Syrians were frequently at war with Israel. Nowadays people because the king of Aram set up a camp where he could try to ambush the Israelites. Another very often called the Aramaeans and you know in the first four centuries of the church. The Aramaeans after centuries of poly theism. They worship many gods, many of of the Syrians/Aramaeans turn to Christianity. But here's the thing Elisha had prophetically warned the king of Israel.

Do you know do not go through Syria because that they're going to be ambushed by the Syrian troops and tribes and so he successfully helped save the King of Israel but the king of Aram the Syrian king asks you know there's gotta be a traitor in our midst because twice now, Israel has successfully evaded capture but it was because of Elisha, the prophet, and so the king of the Syrian king of Aram thinks there's a traitor in the midst so the king of Syria. Since this army to track down Elisha and surrounds the city were Elisha stay Elisha's servant gets up in the morning and is terrified by the sight of of Syrian armies all around. And Elisha says to him that they have more allies on their side.

This is a really really good word for us today that we have God on our side. They that are with us.

God's word the Holy Spirit the power of prayer and more than 100 million Christians.

There's more on the side of God in truth, then, is on the side of darkness to hold that thought is we come back to him to give you five things to think about. In light of the battles of our day call of our Lord and the resources really that are at our disposal got a word of encouragement for you… Stating back after this Alex Bartlett is here to bring you answers for the tough question Scripture speaks to the issues and help to develop a personal, stable and strong Christian faith and with the help of notable names like neurologist and author Josh McDowell, an award-winning author and pastor emeritus of Moody church would lose her.

Alex and the truth for a new generation conference is committed to packing our nation Christ and the future and to equipping you to be a difference maker.

Don't miss the final TMG unashamed conference for 2019 November 15 and 16th Atlanta bar church in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Romans 116 says I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation to everyone who believes. Register now by calling 877 yes God one that's 877 yes, God, and the number one or visit truth for a new generation.com to do something why we don't follow traditions merely for the traditional world in search of reasons behind answers Christian Diemer gauge magazine development is from the reviews and like the believer spiritual share. Truth gauge magazine need to have a Bible degree from Liberty University's or pray, worship and obey God they can make life more vibrantly when you're ready for a religious studies degree find more than 60 ministry degree options. Dr. of Ministry one LeBlanc grade forgive any courses. Liberty University where we train champions for Christ liberty.edu\explore, to learn more as limiting media\explore, to learn more in the midst of a culture obsessed with relativism.

Alex McFarland is a voice you can trust to speak the timeless truths of Christianity in a timely way. You're listening to the truth for a new generation radio. I was in Tennessee traveling and I went to the Hermitage, the home of Andrew Jackson and Andrew Jackson famously said one man with courage makes the majority one man with courage makes a majority of the program were going to continue looking at five characteristics that must be in the lives of Christians and churches. At this time. I do encourage you to visit our websites. Alex McFarland.com and treat for a new generation.com.

We got a great TMG event coming up in Cincinnati, Ohio, November 15, 16 of 2019 going to have Josh McDowell great defender of the faith really a living legend and apologetics in Christian worldview great.

One of the greatest public speakers you will ever hear Josh McDowell, Irwin Lidster, pastor of Moody Church in Chicago for 30 years. Just an amazing amazing person. Goodness gracious, you're gonna see them there live Irwin Lidster, a number of great speakers Abe Hamilton, the third from the American family radio network. You don't want to miss truth for a new generation. The last one of this year in my goodness what a busy year. We've had to be in front of tens of thousands of people and to see our souls come to Christ to see young people get direction and a fire in their belly, and a willingness to stand strong for their faith is for all ages coming up November 15 16 Cincinnati, Ohio, was so deeply grateful for landmark Baptist Church for hosting us and all the volunteers.

But please, folks, pray, promote, and plan to attend and we thank you for your interest. For what were doing and let me say how much I appreciate the American family Association in the AFA Journal for putting ads for us and you know this is the collaborative ministry were a lot of people kind of just bring to the table what they've got in terms of promotion and prayer in helping us so we give God the glory where all about our national revival. We hope that you will be a part of that wherever God has planted you to grow into serve as well. So limited what's going on in second Kings chapter 6 that the king of Aram since this army to track down Elisha and Elisha's servant is terrified. Elisha gets up in the morning and says to God, please open my servant, size, and the servant suddenly sees that on the mountains surrounding them are fiery chariots and horses and a divine army of massive numbers and so the Aramaeans/Syrians are going to attack and Elisha praise and ask God to strike blind the Syrian army, which happens and is the Syrians are going to attack the blind Army just as suddenly in chaos. And so when their eyes are open and their vision is restored, they realize they're being captured by the Israelites, the king of Israel asks Elisha.

Should we kill them. And Elisha says no, don't.

And of all things after having captured these people by divine miracle of God, the Israelites see the Syrians and and let them go.

It's an amazing and amazing part of the Old Testament history, folks. We need a move of God. We need a revival, and God can use you in your prayers and your walk in your witness to be a part of that. So let's talk about some priorities and remember our "that the height of our achievements will be driven by the depth of our convictions. Okay, here's what we need number one a solid grasp of biblical truths biblical truths about God's authority. Biblical truths about Christ, the head of the church and the church.

God's body and the commission which is our mandate. We need to recover a solid grasp of biblical truths we need a clear understanding of convictions versus preference now. Maybe your preference is a style of music that really no longer works in 21st century ministry.

The convictions never change Christ shed his blood on the cross to wash our sins away. The Bible is the word of God in its entirety. Those are convictions, they never change preferences and methods and approaches. Now they they can change and so be careful about fighting to defend something that's not a scriptural conviction, but merely a cultural transient preference.

Number three.

We need a commitment to the right things. A consistent commitment to the right things, the things to which the church is been called in with the bride of Christ, worship, instruction, and fellowship evangelism.

The wife worship instruction fellowship evangelism. Those are the things to which we been called and so be committed to the things that are that are working there winning souls is souls that come to Christ are baptized into the local church are discipled and if if souls are not being one if the church is not being strengthened and if your local church is not in a consistent state of God's presence and power revival. Then you can have to change your commitments. You know the old saying if if the horses died. This meant I would gotta be consistently committed to the right things that bring life and vitality to the church and lives to Christ. We need now listen we need wisdom to ask the right questions. What are the right questions for an individual a family and a church. Okay here are some is what were doing biblical is what were doing fruitful.

Are we willing to do what it takes to be obedient and are we achieving our assignment. The great commission going all the world and make disciples and then finally, what we need not only a solid grasp of biblical truth, a clear understanding of conviction versus preference consistent commitment to the right things.

Wisdom to ask the right questions. Finally, we need this. Folks listen humility to change where appropriate. And that's that's courage you know we need courage to change and to alter and to to alter course were necessary. Now folks be encouraged by the second Kings chapter 6, verse 16 do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them. Our country has the spiritual DNA we've got the Christian foundation and we've got the word of God on our side the Holy Spirit in prayer.

Heaven forbid with truth and a majority if we continue to wither and die, not because we didn't have the sanctioning of God. The gospel going forth always does, but merely because the believing masses shrank back in fear and kept silent in disobedience to God cleanses Phyllis send us and uses TNG radio is made possible by the friends of Alex McFarland ministry, PO Box 10231 is Burrell, NC 27404.

That's PO Box 10231, Greensboro, NC 27404 call us at 877 yes God one that's 877 yes, God in the number one or give online@alexmcfarland.com while you're there, listen the program archives. Read Alex's blog invite Alex to speak at your event or contact Alex with a question or comment, Alex McFarland.com. Thanks for listening today and join us again next time. As we bring you more true for a new generation TNG radio