How the Church Should Respond

PNG radio, or today's culture and timeless truths come together it's reasoned relevant content apologetics worldview and answers to the questions that you 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 weaker writer, and advocate for Christian apologetics Dr. Alex McFarlane. Welcome to this edition of truth for new generation Alex McFarland here to read scripture in just a moment from Philippians chapter 4, and I hope this will be a message of hope truth for new generation radio is a program in which we talk about worldview current events through the lens of Scripture and look let's just cut to the chase on no doubt many people maybe most of the people listening to this radio broadcast are probably concern for America, maybe, or even grieving a little bit because we have a new president, and for some people there. Glad for many people.

They're not happy about it, and it's not from all the people that I talk with and I've tried to pick the brains of a lot of people about the current state wherein it's not about persons or personalities. It's about worldview are we going to be a moral representative republic based on the Judeo-Christian worldview or are we going to be a socialist/Marxist state are we going to be governed by internal objective moral truth we going to be continually fluid based on subjective relativistic preferences and so this is a tough time in the life of our nation. It really really is and some to read from Philippians 4 and I want to give a word of encouragement, especially to Christians.

The Christians that have prayed for America and saw revival and that may be right now you're feeling despondent and you just you just don't know what the future of the station house. I want to give a word of encouragement and then I want to give you some back story, some history and some present analysis and maybe hopefully future hope but Philippians where was Philippians written by the apostle Paul led the Holy Spirit was writing Philippians. Where was he, you know this Doña. He was in a jail cell and Philippians has a lot of content but it's overall and a big theme is joy in chapter 4, Philippians, the apostle Paul writes this beginning in verse four rejoice in the Lord always again I will say, rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance.

The Lord is at hand have no anxiety about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, we continue in verse eight of Philippians 4 finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence or literally virtue, if there be any virtue and if there's anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do, and the God of peace will be with you. Let's unpack this a little bit.

Maybe the election did go your way. Maybe it didn't. Maybe you're thrilled about the new administration coming in maybe you're concerned many people are open borders, free college tuition universal healthcare abandonment of our relationship with the nation of Israel confiscatory taxation of ballooning national debt cutting military spending, making under the table alliances with nations like China made. These are things that many of us and I I've taught God in government for about 15 years. Many of us that no history, and we care about America and we know American history and we know what word of God says we know that the current track.

We believe does not bode well for the future the country and so were concerned.

But listen to this. Paul writes from a jail cell.

Rejoice in the Lord always and you know we can talk about draining the swamp in Washington. But even on her worst day.

I really don't think Washington DC an American government has been as corrupt and vicious and oppressive as Rome and and yet Paul says rejoice in the Lord always and just to underscore and reiterate.

He says again I say rejoice. Now depending on what translation you have verse five of Philippians 4.

Let all men know of your forbearance now forbearance. What in the world. Does that mean listen to this, it means reasoned patients as Christians. You know I think about this when Biden was being inaugurated. There were hundreds of troops in DC and yet, yet there were riots and unrest in other cities, but oddly enough it was leftist breaking windows in writing yet again made out the 74 to 80 million people that voted for Donald Trump that worn in the streets, creating anarchy forbearance.

Why is a born-again Christian. Why are we not fretting just wanting to scream and destroy burn down the world look forbearance means a reasoned patients because look while I am concerned, and there are many things at the present moment that caused me great concern. My reasoned patients says look God is in control. Christ is on his throne. Truth is eternal.

Scripture has no expiration date. Christ is coming back and so when it says let all men know of your forbearance. It doesn't mean you put up a billboard and have to tell anybody they can just see by your demeanor and your countenance know they'll sing. Still waters run the deepest that they know there's depth, there's maturity, because you've got God's perspective on life. Scripture enables you to do that you read the word of God and you're able to see life through the lens of eternal truth verse five. Let me know your forbearance, your patients, your composure, your maturity, your trust in God and then it says the Lord is at hand. What does that mean Ms. Jesus is coming back were going to see Christ one day verse six of Philippians 4 have no anxiety about anything, is not something the word of God as if to anticipate our present situation. The word of God says don't be afraid.

Have no anxiety about anything, you know they all sang work as if it's all dependent on you pray knowing that it's all dependent on God we don't have to be afraid, brothers, sisters, Christians, Americans look God's got this. His name is worth living for his truth is worth fighting for and defending and whether we live or die.

We are the Lords now want you to state and because we get to come back again to continue talking about how the church and how Christians and citizens are to conduct themselves in the encouragement were to maintain within our hearts. At this time and always and I would say this folks, where we are is a great, wonderful, glorious moment of opportunity to see the power of God as we stand up as the people of God state entry for new generation is back after this. America today is like a patient struggling to live yet is being forcibly euthanized by her quote doctors, the life force within the patient fighting for survival is the honest citizens like yourself team of quote caregivers are the local and national leaders actually contributing to the demise of the patient economy is crashing crime is exploding. The Constitution is being abolished the assault on America how to defend our nation before it's too late. By Alex the farmer has one single purpose to get you prepared the real source of America's current problems that no one else is talking about and what you can do now to face tomorrow.

Regardless of what tomorrow brings. The assault on America how to defend our nation before it's too late. Available now at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and local Christian bookstores.

If you're a Christian. You of course want to instill a biblical view of life in the hearts of your children, your pastor, you want to offer ministry that draws young families to your church. This is Alex McFarland encouraging you to check out my new book and video curriculum.

The 21 toughest questions your kids will ask about Christianity. I interviewed hundreds of children ages 5 to 12 and we address actual questions from actual children. The spiritual issues that are on the minds of your kids the book and video lessons are great for groups of any size and was produced with the goal of equipping kids to stand strong for Christ in any situation. The 21 toughest questions your kids will ask the book study guide and video series. You'll find it@afastore.net that AFA store.net for apologetics, resources, books by Alex McFarland and to find out where Alex is speaking to visit Alex McFarland.com will back truth for a new generation Alex before on here. Thank you for listening when Philippians 4 and were talking about. As Christians, how do we respond to the current situation and how we continue moving into the new year. As obedient Disciples of Christ note, don't forget we are these three things we are disciples we are citizens we are neighbors that first and foremost of your born-again believer, you are a disciple and disciple means a consistent obedient learning follower. That's what it means we are disciples we are citizens we are to be salt and light in this culture and we are neighbors blouses were to love our neighbor. And you know your neighbor the people around you. They know what you say but very often they see how you live, and so when Philippians 4 says have no anxiety about anything, okay than what we do in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Now in verse eight, which I want to unpack verse eight of Philippians 4 is really a thought replacement program.

You can't just have a negative. You gotta replace the negative was something positive. Okay so Philippians 46. Don't be anxious, but do pray supplication praise and petition in everything by prayer that you talking to God supplication that you're pouring out your heart to God friend. It is okay. Tell God how you feel you say will he already knows he does but it is good for you it's therapeutic for you. Talk to God. Lord I'm concerned.

Lord I my heart breaks over this Lord I'm I'm thrilled about that.

I praise you for this supplication is you laying your soul bear before God in all of its joys and sorrows. Okay everything by prayer, not anxiety. Supplication, not fear an OCD obsessiveness, but supplication with thanksgiving free and praise God is healthy for you do know.

Psychologists tell us that a grateful spirit that is healthy to cultivate a spirit of appreciation and gratitude with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God. Please revive the church, God bless my pastor God, let my family know that I love them God, thank you for my job. Please let me keep it. God, thank you for my children. Please, may they walk in your wife. Make your request whatever they be, God invites us to come boldly to his throne with all of our request and what's going to be the outcome of this verse seven of Philippians 4 and the peace of God which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus you know not only your emotions but your intellect, you gonna feel the good things as you think the right things, the spirit of God keeping you focused on Christ the Lord of life. The source of life. The author of our salvation get the peace of God that peace is a piece that this world can't give you remember Jesus said peace I leave to you not as the world gives. Give IT you is you can't find it in any store.

Not going to get it on planet Earth, but the peace of God which what passes all understanding. The wording are very interesting word configuration.

I studied on it it it speaks of taking someone's hand and helping them up a staircase or hillside you being taken by the hand and lifted above is not something lifted above what circumstances just hopelessness, futility, depression about where you are, the peace of God not know what are some of the components of the peace of God will you know that your name is written in the Lamb's book of life. If you're a believer you know that God is on his throne and nothing can change that. He is Alpha and Omega forever King Jesus will not leave office in four years, King Jesus is from everlasting to everlasting. That is peace to know that.

And so it is transcendent. It's beyond this world, it passes all understanding. And like a trusted guide helping the hiker up a dangerous mountain cliff lifting them up, getting them over the danger spot and onto the solid ground of safety. The peace of God which passes all understanding lifts us up and it will keep that that means stability, sustainability of permanence to keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Now, in light of this verse eight of Philippians 4 finally, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there be any virtue or excellence us with. That means if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things, that the implication there folks listen carefully is as opposed to the other things hello, news junkie, I watch a lot of news and was reading out of step with current events. Every now and then Angie will say to me, you know, turn, turn off the news that is just depressing. And that's true. You gotta unit don't focus on what's wrong with the world. You've already broken your New Year's resolutions and life is bad, you know, woe is me know. Look at that look at this grocery list what is true God is in control. What is honorable to gratefully yield my life to the Savior who gave his life for me. What is just, well, for one thing, to forgive those who hurt you because look if Almighty God could forgive a sinner like you and me who will not hold a grudge against anybody you want to live justly. You want justice. We hear a lot about justice start living a righteous moral life, whatever is pure, friend. Let the spirit of God search your heart and make you aware of the impure things from which you need to repent. Whatever is lovely, and by the way what's lovely is the things God is doing in the lives of people. That's beautiful, whatever is gracious and we we who have experience God's grace are supposed to be ministers of grace. If there's any virtue, excellence, praise worthiness, we are to focus think on these things build our life on these things exemplify these things. So what should the church do at this moment, we should be grateful that we have Jesus and we should be mindful that we represent Jesus will turn to God this day and always will be okay will you be okay mistakingly got a whole lot more to share with you on this edition of truth for a new generation with Alex McFarland go I will back after you know Alex is writing for many years, and one of his classic books is still great. Today is a basic introduction to the Christian faith. It's called stamp courtrooms must know for the unshakable faith. This book will help you help your teens get off the roller coaster of doubt onto solid ground. You'll read about the six pillars of biblical Christianity.

They are one inspiration of the Bible to the virgin birth. Three. The deity of Christ for atonement. Five. Christ's resurrection and six Christ return. You know Alex mixes it up with humor and stories gleaned from decades of working with youth and encourages things to build a foundation of faith that will stabilize their lives and help them take a stand for Christ. Simple and straightforward stamp courtrooms you must know for an unshakable faith available wherever Christian books are so welcome to the podcast I hear you. We are so excited that you joined us, and this is just going to be a great new podcast dealing with issues around race issues around friendship and how do we deal with the tough issues and also excited to be here with my good friend Alex to do with you Adele in on the I hear you podcast we talk about race. We talk about culture. We talk about politics, and sometimes we agree, sometimes we disagree, but we find resolution and common ground near what's really cool. Not only do we learn new things. We make friends would grow and that's good for all of us with just two friends why why one black and we just invite everyone to come and join to share with us is a big difference between hearing and listening and show love and look forward to it. An audience thank you so much for giving us a chance, I hear you with Alex and Odell every get you podcast 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. Welcome back to the program I want to resume talking about what the church might do at this moment but I want to say a couple of things please don't forget I'm going to be at the Cove, the Billy Graham training center at the Cove. June 25-27 will be going to the book of acts together, verse by verse through the New Testament book of acts and were going to talk about the principles of spiritual awakening and revival in the book of acts. I would love you to be there. You can register by going to the Cove.org the Cove.org and then also have another podcast that I'm a part of. Now, I hear you and it's with myself and Rev. Odell Cleveland and that he and I've interviewed each other and we just have severe robust conversations about race, culture, politics wherever you listen to podcast.

You can find.

I hear you and I would encourage you to do that and then I want to say.

Finally, my own website which is Alex McFarland.com. We have a searchable database of questions lot of content there that God is allowing us to create and post it information about where I'm speaking all around the country and you can find that it Alex McFarland.com you and I want to say a big thanks.

I was in eastern North Carolina just right before Christmas and I got to speak at a school of their wonderful school and I got a group of letters probably hundred and 50 letters. The school's Colterra Sierra TER are a CE IA Teresita and it's in eastern North Carolina right near Greenville where ECU is and so thanks everybody down that way but elementary to middle schoolers sent me these letters dear Mr. McFarlane thank you for coming to our school. It was a blessing. What you said lines up with all of my beliefs that was Spencer who wrote me that thank you for visiting our school. Now, this is Hendley thank you for visiting our school. You did a good job keeping my attention and not once did I wander and wonder when you would end.

I appreciate that Hendley thanks for listening and somebody said because I get. I was there to give a talk in the U.S. Constitution, it is not easy to hear and accept teachings like this, but you are very inspirational and you have made me interested in our Constitution. So I give God the glory for the chance to speak in schools. All of the students it Teresita thank you for these handwritten notes I've read each and every one of them praying for you too and I really do appreciate that and folks before the break, I was reading from the Thomas Paine book common sense, was a pamphlet really and he said that you know Providence knows when to time our misfortunes as well as our favors.

In other words, just like Adam Smith who wrote the wealth of nations. He said that unit in a free economy, there is there is this invisible hand of Providence. Now many of the founders were told about Providence that we talk about God, but they knew there is the sovereign hand of God in world affairs, and I agree. And just like that on the market in a Visio phrase a rising tide lifts all boats look God. If we pray for return to God he's going to be with us. He is going to be with our nation and we don't need to be afraid. We do need to stand strong for truth and TMG entry for new generation is here to help you do that to win the lost and equip the saved but we don't need to be afraid God is with us and the more that I think about things, the more I believe we are at a time of great opportunity for the church to unify and look maybe churches and denominations that weren't necessarily bedfellows prior to this moment. It is time that we stand for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

We stand for loving our neighbor. We stand for caring about others merely because they are human beings made in God's image didn't read a quote I got a very dear friend in Jackson, Tennessee. The attorney IV Scarborough. He wrote a wonderful book called into the night.

The crisis of Western civilization, and he talks about what a dangerous thing it is that we've lost our biblical worldview. But in his book.

He's got a wonderful quote by a professor Wolf who is a scholar of religion and American history and listen to this quote from IV Scarborough's book into the night.

He says despite its failures and they are massive and ubiquitous. There is no other hope for Western civilization than the Christian church and he goes on, and he talks about the fact that all the ideologies have failed, you know this ideology and that ideology and he says the secularist lose ground, and the secularists complain and criticize the church and the failures of those that name. The name of Christ. He goes on, and he says love as described eloquently by the apostle Paul is one of the great distinguishing features of the Christian message. Nothing else rivals it on the stage of world history for the power to change lives.

Nothing can equal the power of the Christian message in Christian love elicited this this form of love, the product of God himself, influencing human thought and attitude in Dawson's words completely transform human nature.

Put another way, only in this sense, and through this method can the human heart be truly changed in every other sense, human nature is incorrigible. He and irredeemably self centered and that's true. The gospel of Jesus changes lives. And if your life is been changed by Jesus. Let God work through you to let the world in a Billy Graham famously was in New York City back in the 50s and data. There was a socialist up on a soapbox talking to a crowd pointed to a homeless man is that socialism can put a new suit of clothes on that man Billy Graham said yes. But Jesus can put a new man in that suit of clothes and that's the truth and so I leave you with this. Read Philippians 43 through eight and put aside the fear and anger. The anxiety, heaven forbid, put away bitterness or any animosity rejoice in the love of Jesus. Commit yourself to the call of Jesus and let's show the world truth of Jesus. Truthfully generation will do our utmost to help you in this regard. Thank you Felicity truthfully generation. Let me encourage you stand strong for truth because as first Corinthians 1558, says your labor in the Lord is not in vain. TMG radio is made possible by the friends of Alex McFarlane 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@alexmcfarlane.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 McFarlane.com. Thanks for listening today and join us again next time. As we bring you more true for a new generation TMG radio