Rebuilding the Altar of God in America

Rebuilding the Altar of God in America

(Preaching Outline)

1)      Last Week – The Calling and Destiny of America

a)      Thankful for America and Western Civilization, but thankful for Jesus and the cross.

b)      For Thanksgiving – Pursuing Christ’s inheritance as a community, moving into the calling and destiny of God.

c)      I see we are moving in the right direction because Ephesians 4 is becoming a reality:  Ephesians 4:15–16 (NKJV) — 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

d)      We have to decide whether we will be Jacob or Esau.

e)      Rebuilding the Altar of God in America – Elijah – Body Life

f)       Authenticity not forms.

g)      Dreaming of what life and the world can be through Jesus Christ!

2)      Transform the Church, Transform the World! – Saving nations one person at a time!

a)      I suggest that the greatest need for the church of Jesus Christ today is to be motivated by faith, hope and love rather than fear!  Once we get this right, we will fulfill the call to storm the gates of hell and set at liberty the captives.

b)      The secret of Paul’s incredible impact:  Romans 9:1–3 (NKJV) — 1 I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, 2 that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh,

c)      Dreaming the Dream birthed in love – Romans 8:18–21 (NKJV) — 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

d)      Many Christians see the sin and the brokenness in the world and respond in fear, judgmentalism and self-righteousness – the salt has lost its saltiness and the light is hidden under a bushel.

e)      I want us to make an important connection from Romans 8 – How the world is delivered.

i)        Motivated by love we pray – Romans 8:26–27 (NKJV) — 26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

ii)      Reproducing the Life of Christ – Romans 8:28–29 (NKJV) — 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

iii)    Faith, hope & love motivation

3)      The image of God in man – humanity is at stake.

a)      The whole gospel motivation is connected to this.

b)      Why we teach about fear motivation

i)        The pyramid

ii)      Fatalism

iii)    Witchcraft – Intimidation, manipulation, domination and disapproval.

iv)    Seen when we tell people rather than persuade people.  We might be right but we are abusing the image of God in man. – a form of judgmentalism and accusation.

c)      Humans are not resources.

d)      Great moves in history come about when people become com-passionate about liberty.

i)        Why I love Vishal Mangalwadi – my shameless plug for our Tuesday book club

ii)      Motivating Christians to read the bible for the right reasons.

iii)    In 1520, a Roman Catholic monk, Martin Luther, had in three books presented the biblical case for justice, equality and freedom. The peasants’ revolt applied those principles to their daily experience of humiliation, oppression, and exploitation. Luther and Zwingli had awoken them.  Reformers believed that Europe’s exploitative and enslaving culture needed to change.[1]

iv)    St. Gallens voting to make the bible the final authority in public and private life – The city knew perfectly well that their vote to seek and live by God’s truth would annoy some religious authorities…Why did citizens make a decision that risked war? Reading the Bible convinced them that Europe’s brutal religious and political power structures needed to change. Human authorities, political, intellectual, and ecclesiastical, needed a light purer than their own; an authority higher than humans, yet open to critical investigation.  The Bible had fired their love for freedom and justice, for a reasonable faith.[2]

4)      The battle for the destiny of America rests with the church of Jesus Christ becoming truly authentic.

a)      Philippians 3:1–9 (NKJV) — 1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, 4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

5)      I am thankful to be part of a move of God that will bring deliverance from bondage to America.