Christianity and the Long March: A Journey of Faith and Transformation

In today’s message, we explore the profound themes of faith, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the responsibility of Christians in shaping culture and society. The journey of faith is not just a personal experience but a collective mission to bring about transformation in our communities and the world at large.

The Importance of the Holy Spirit

Before diving into the core message, it’s essential to recognize the importance of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Each individual is bestowed with unique gifts of the Spirit. Embracing these gifts wholeheartedly allows for a powerful manifestation of God’s work in our communities. When we take risks and step out in faith, we open doors for healing and transformation. If we never pray for healing, we might never witness it. This principle applies to all aspects of our spiritual journey.

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God’s Encouragement in Our Trials

In moments of struggle, we must remember that God sees our challenges. He reaches out to lift us up, promising that our striving will cease. This encouragement is vital, especially when we feel overwhelmed. It’s a reminder that God is actively involved in our lives, guiding us through every trial.

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A Personal Encounter with God

Reflecting on my personal journey, I recall the transformative experience of encountering God at the age of 19. This was a pivotal moment that shifted my understanding of faith from mere belief to a deep, personal relationship with Jesus. It was not just about attending church but experiencing the reality of God’s presence in my life. This encounter illuminated the darkness I was previously unaware of, igniting a passion within me for evangelism and community building.

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The Role of the Church in Society

As my journey continued, I wrestled with the purpose of the church in the world. Is it merely to save souls and prepare them for heaven? Or is there a broader mission? Through studying scripture and engaging with history, I began to see that the church has a vital role in shaping culture and society. This includes caring about politics, economics, and social justice. It’s essential for the church to engage with every aspect of life, as all these elements affect the people we serve.

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Understanding God’s Heart for Humanity

God’s heart for humanity is expansive. He cares about the injustices faced by individuals and communities. As Christians, we are called to reflect this heart in our actions. The prophetic words in Isaiah remind us of our responsibility to break the bonds of oppression and to care for the vulnerable. This is not merely a spiritual duty but a practical one that requires our active participation.

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Faith in Action: The Power of Prayer

Prayer is a powerful tool in our arsenal for change. It is through prayer that we invoke God’s presence and power into our situations. The Hebrew word for prayer, “palal,” suggests invoking God as judge, who is always in favor of the righteous. Thus, when we pray, we are aligning ourselves with God’s will, believing that change is possible. Our faith must drive us to act, to believe in healing, justice, and transformation.

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Confronting Cultural Challenges

In today’s society, the church faces numerous challenges that can seem overwhelming. There is a growing sense of despair as we witness the world moving away from Christian values. However, we must remember that God is still at work. Just as the early church turned the world upside down, we too can have an impact when we embrace our mission with boldness and faith.

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The Long March: A Call to Action

The concept of the “Long March” symbolizes a journey of perseverance and determination. Just as historical movements have sought to reshape society, we are called to embark on our own Long March. This involves reclaiming the narrative of Christianity as a liberating force rather than a source of oppression. We must actively participate in the cultural conversation, presenting Jesus as the true savior who brings life, freedom, and dignity to all.

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Rediscovering the Gospel of the Kingdom

As we navigate these complexities, we must rediscover the gospel of the kingdom, which encompasses every aspect of life. This gospel is not limited to spiritual matters; it speaks to justice, mercy, and the holistic well-being of individuals and communities. The church must proclaim this message with clarity and conviction, demonstrating how God’s principles can lead to true freedom and flourishing.

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Building a Legacy for Future Generations

The work we do today is not just for ourselves but for future generations. We have the responsibility to set a trajectory that honors God and reflects His heart for humanity. This means engaging in meaningful dialogue, addressing injustices, and embodying the values of the kingdom in our daily lives. Together, we can build a legacy that empowers others to know Christ and live out their faith authentically.

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The Call to Live Boldly

In conclusion, we are called to live boldly for Christ, embracing the gifts of the Holy Spirit and actively participating in the work of the kingdom. We must not shy away from the cultural challenges we face but meet them head-on with faith, love, and the transformative power of the gospel. Let us be a church that seeks to break the yokes of oppression and bring forth justice and mercy in our communities.

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Final Thoughts

This journey of faith is ongoing, and each of us has a role to play. Whether through prayer, action, or community engagement, we can make a difference. Let’s encourage one another to step out in faith, take risks, and trust in God’s ability to bring about change. Together, we can be the light in the darkness and the hope for a world in need.

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Christianity and the Long March

(Sermon Outline)

1. A personal journey
   1. When I first met the Holy Spirit – life or death, heaven or hell – a passion for evangelism and the church.
   1. As I grew in the Lord, my vision enlarged.
      1. I did not originally care about politics or culture, just a passion for church.
      1. As God’s love grew, a desire to see people experience life as God intended grew.
      1. Studying God’s word, prophetic encounters and studying history began to develop a vision, a passion, a hope and a commitment to brining the nations into the obedience of Christ.
      1. I believe the principalities and powers of darkness fear such a vision and have worked hard to vaccinate the church against such a dream.  They use terms such as imperialism because they do not see the beauty and blessing of holiness or a world ruled by King Jesus. 
      1. Rather than imperialism, the gospel is the worldwide liberation movement.
   1. I have wrestled with the fact I find sincere and devout Christians across America and  around the world who love Jesus and love one another, yet we are not having the impact that we read about in scripture and learn about in history.
      1. Leonard Ravenhill used to say that we have had more revivals, more healings and miracles in America than anywhere in history and yet we are closer to hell as a nation than we have ever been. 
   1. I believe the Lord is trying to wake up the church like we read in Isaiah. (Context)
   1. Isaiah 58:6–9 (NKJV) — 6 “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? 8 Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. 9 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ “If you take away the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness.
      1. To Israel, the church, nation or culture?  All are interconnected, and the failure to see this has practically handed territory over to darkness
      1. What is true for the many is true for the one and visa versa.
      1. Empowering a vision where men ask God in prayer and seek.
   1. One of the challenges is whether we believe such a thing is even possible today.
   1. If we do not dream or believe, then such a world is impossible.
   1. When the church is not leading the world into the obedience of Christ, or worse, when the church is driving worldly values, the world looks for another Messiah, because the church has hidden the true Messiah, King Jesus
   1. We are part of a move of God – Setting the world on a trajectory to bless posterity
   1. The world is often groaning under the tyranny of sin and trying to save itself.  I believe that is what Neo-Marxism is.  I want to talk about Neo-Marxism a little, because there is some real insight there.
2. Antonio Gramsci – (Context and wrestling)
   1. The problem, then, was that the “culture” of Western society was blocking the proletarian uprising. As Gramsci wrote in The Prison Notebooks: “The state was only an outer ditch, behind which there stood a powerful system of fortresses.” Furthermore, these “fortresses” were inseparable from the west’s Christian heritage and, despite the secularizing impact of the Enlightenment, remained undergirded by a latent Christian worldview. Consequently, until Christianity’s “cultural hegemony” was broken, no communist revolution would take place and no utopia could arrive.^[1]
   1. In short, unless and until Western culture is dechristianized, Western society will never be decapitalized. How might this be accomplished? By an army of Marxist intellectuals undertaking (what was later called) “the long march through the institutions of power”; that is, by gradually colonizing and ultimately controlling all the key institutions of civil society. As Gramsci put it, “In the new order, Socialism will triumph by first capturing the culture via infiltration of schools, universities, churches and the media by transforming the consciousness of society.” The larger goal, however, is control of all the major institutions of political society as well (e.g., the police, law courts, civil service, local councils). Gramsci referred to this process as “becoming State.”^[2]
   1. As Gramsci wrote in 1916: “Socialism is precisely the religion that must kill Christianity[3]
   1. In the face of impossible odds, they launched a siege on culture that they expected would take a long time to accomplish.
   1. A CHALLENGE OF FAITH
3. Every great move of God comes from fresh revelation from the word of God that often challenges the traditions of men.  I want to continue looking at “end times” passages like we have been doing recently.
   1. 2 Timothy 3:1–7 (NKJV) — 1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
   1. The key passage locates what Paul is talking about in the church. 
      1. If this was all Paul or scripture taught about the future of the church it would be really bleak, but as we have seen, it is not.
      1. It is a picture of a battle between the church of piety and the church of power.
      1. 1 Timothy 4:1 (NKJV) — 1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
      1. Acts 20:28–30 (NKJV) — 28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.
      1. Two of the enemies of Messiah’s kingdom throughout scripture are beasts and the harlot.
   1. 2 Timothy 3:10–17 (NKJV) — 10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
      1. To what end?  Here is the voice of our Western Christian Tradition:
   1. Religion has a message for every rank of human society. Like the sun in the heavens, religion exerts the benignest influence on men of every rank and station. It teaches the monarch humility and self-restraint. It teaches princes to live for others. It teaches magistrates the value of equity and justice. It teaches merchants principles of honesty and truthfulness. It cares for the poorest and the meanest among men; inspires them with the spirit of industry; casts a halo of beauty over the lowliest lot. Nothing that appertains to man is too insignificant for the notice of true religion. For every stage in life, from childhood to old age, religion has some kindly ministration. For every circumstance it affords some succour. It superadds dignity to the prince. It gives a kingly bearing to the peasant. It links all classes (when unhindered) in true and blissful harmony. Tyranny on the one hand, and insubordination on the other, are equally obnoxious to religion.^[4]
4. What we need to overcome
   1. We need a passionate commitment to God’s word.
   1. We need the Holy Spirit
   1. We need to awaken and empower the gift of God in one another.
   1. We need to grow up in Christ.
   1. We need to be comfortable with a long march.
   1. We need to know the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
   1. We need to walk in the beauty of holiness.
   1. We need to inspire the church and the world with the true Messianic kingdom.

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^[1] Robert S. Smith, “Cultural Marxism: Imaginary Conspiracy or Revolutionary Reality?,” Themelios 44, no. 3 (2019): 443.

^[2] Robert S. Smith, “Cultural Marxism: Imaginary Conspiracy or Revolutionary Reality?,” Themelios 44, no. 3 (2019): 443–444.

^[3] Robert S. Smith, “Cultural Marxism: Imaginary Conspiracy or Revolutionary Reality?,” Themelios 44, no. 3 (2019): 444.

^[4] H. D. M. Spence-Jones, ed., Ezekiel, vol. 2, The Pulpit Commentary (London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1909), 422–423.