Christian Church Archives - Stand Up For The Truth Podcast

We start with a promise from Jesus: the gates of hell will not prevail against His true church.  But there has been compromise and complacency as well as enormous challenges facing the professing church in America. We’re seeing a decline in many denominations and church attendance, the growing influence of secular humanism within many churches, and the increasing threat of discrimination and eventual persecution.

Paul says in Romans 8:37 that we are more than conquerors through Jesus, but we seem to be raising the white flag of spiritual and cultural surrender.  Could that be because we are conforming to this world and changing the eternal message of the gospel to fit our human understanding and prejudices?

The post Big Challenges Facing Christianity in America appeared first on Stand Up For The Truth Podcast.

Strong rainstorms can be a positive or a negative.  On the positive side they can bring much needed rain to parched lands.  But on the negative side they can bring catastrophic wind and lightning doing a lot of damage.

American Christianity might be on the verge of a strong storm coming.  As more and more believers become frustrated with what they see as a “corporate, worldly” system taking over many churches they are opting for Organic or Home Churches.  But are these Home or Organic Churches themselves a potential pitfall for true believers?  Could they be exasperating the problems we increasingly see in American Christianity?

Mike and Crash discuss the growth of Home and “Organic” Churches this morning, looking at it from both sides of the argument.  In our first segment we are joined by Mike Zander of Key Radio in Utah, a Christian radio Station sharing the gospel in a heavily Mormon state.

MIKE ZANDER ARCHIVES

The post A Storm Brewing in American Christianity? appeared first on Stand Up For The Truth Podcast.

Mike and David look at this bill from several perspectives:

But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves. 11 Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.12 These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; 13 raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. Jude 1:10-13

“For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. 29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:27-31

ARTICLES

A Dangerous Attack on Religious Freedom – here are the details from Liberty Council

This bill amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by striking the word “sex,” and inserting “sex, sexual orientation, gender identity” as protected classes throughout the federal code. This amendment applies to employment, housing, rental, public accommodation and more.

The suicidal Equality Act of 2019

Star Parker: I once complained that our society was denying morality – right and wrong. Now we’re beyond this. We’re denying reality in its entirety.

“Indeed, the deniers of reality on Capitol Hill are driving the so-called Equality Act – a perverse piece of legislation that will destroy us.

A bizarre list of behaviors will become legally protected and enshrined in a new America that will be the total antithesis of the ideals of liberty envisioned by its founders. I will have to start to worry that my little granddaughter will encounter a man in the restroom who has a right to be there because he thinks he is a woman.”

The post HR 5: Out With Christianity, in with Marxism? appeared first on Stand Up For The Truth Podcast.

Steel On Steel Radio

John is a fifty year veteran of broadcast journalism and born-again follower of Jesus Christ.  John is in his 25th year of hosting Steel On Steel Radio — a news talk program that looks at today’s events through the lens of the Bible.

ARTICLES

Why Obama and Clinton Tweeted about ‘Easter Worshipers,’ not Christians

Worst 50 places for Christians ranked in 2019 World Watch List: India in top 10 for first time

Praying for Persecuted Christians FB page

The post America’s Battle for the Soul of Institutions and our Society appeared first on Stand Up For The Truth Podcast.

Horowitz is founder of the David Horowitz Freedom Center, Discover The Networks resource, and his new book, Big Agenda: President Trump’s Plan to Save America, discusses President Trump’s plan to get America back on track and the tremendous obstacles Marxist Socialists will throw in his way.

With each new survey we see an emerging pattern regarding religion and Americans:  A growing disillusionment with institutionalized religion.  Young people are leaving “church” in massive numbers, and even older people are starting to question why they should be affiliated with a church or denomination.  Mike and Crash explore the numbers and reasons, including a very related story of the rise and fall of Pastor James McDonald, a mega-church pastor whose teaching show was carried by hundreds of Christian radio Stations until he recently was fired over a serious financial scandal which uncovered a lavish lifestyle that has left his former church on the verge of bankruptcy.

In our first segment we visit with Conservative icon David Horowitz to discuss his new book “Dark Agenda: The War to Destroy Christian America”.

Harvest Bible Chapel allegedly made James MacDonald a millionaire; ECFA terminates membership

The post Are Americans Losing Faith in Church? appeared first on Stand Up For The Truth Podcast.

We’re joined by Pastor Carl Gallups today as we try to look at today’s news from a biblical perspective, and try to see how all that is happening around us fits into God’s plan for the world. His latest book is Gods of Ground Zero.

Americans have been historically blessed with a Constitution that guarantees us the right to religious beliefs and expression of those beliefs.  But slowly and surely those freedoms are under attack by secular humanists, public education, media and an out of control government.  At some point we will reach a breaking point in our nation where the Bible is viewed as hate speech and where every person who trusts in it as the Word of God will be seen as dangerous.

Joining Mike and David today is Pastor and best-selling author Carl Gallups.  Carl is a student of biblical prophecy and has studied the trends in Europe where Christianity has all but been eliminated from society.  Is America next – and what will be the consequences.

The post Biblical Christianity in the Crosshairs appeared first on Stand Up For The Truth Podcast.

Today, we start by discussing the importance of Christian parents and coaches in the lives of high school student athletes. We’re joined by a local representative of a Christian organization standing strong in battle for young souls,  Jeff Middlestead of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Hear how coaches and athletics can have a profound affect on young Christians, and why discipleship is vital in the lives of these young people.

We have also seen pressure ratchet up against Christians to be silent and accept the ways of this world. Pressure from the powerful LGBTQ lobby is transforming how church is conducted in our nation and around the world.  First it was organizations like the Boy and Girl Scouts; then the YMCA and YWCA, caving to political pressure and the almighty dollar.  And now we are seeing professing Christian Churches cave in and justify the LGBTQ movement, in some instances going as far as using the Bible out of context to justify their sinful lifestyles.

We discuss the Church of Sweden and the Mormon Church caving to the powerful LGBTQ lobby.

 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. 6 But from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female.’ 7 ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh’; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” Mark 10:5-9

Jeff Middlestead, FCA Area Director Northeast Wisconsin, [email protected]

Virginia coach Tony Bennett says his faith in Christ is ‘greatest truth’ he knows

Church of Sweden LGBTQ kids’ guide: Jesus queer

Mormon church OKs baptisms for LGBT couples

Unequal Outcomes, Anti-Christian Bias in so-called ‘Equality Act’

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Steel On Steel Radio

John is a fifty year veteran of broadcast journalism and born-again follower of Jesus Christ.  John is in his 25th year of hosting Steel On Steel Radio — a news talk program that looks at today’s events through the lens of the Bible.

Are we seeing similar scenarios unfold within American Christianity?  Despite the Bible’s clear teachings on a variety of “social issues,” a growing number of Christians and churches refuse to accept the truth of God’s Word, choosing to compromise or believe what seems “right” to them.

John Loeffler of Steel on Steel Radio joins Mike and David to discuss how opinions are being elevated over facts, in politics, in the media, and even when it comes to doctrine in some Christian churches. We also discuss Canada’s new “Risk Tracking Database” that some feel is a portal to government intervention into private lives and religious beliefs.  How long before this might come to America?

ARTICLES

Canada Creates ‘Risk Tracking Database’ with Disturbing Parallels to China’s Social Credit System

The post Mueller, Trump, Christians, and Government appeared first on Stand Up For The Truth Podcast.

In our final segment today we look at the increasing evil and godlessness of our world, our nation, and how Christians must stand out as light and salt. Jesus said the greatest commandment is that we love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and mind.  The second is that we love our neighbor as we love ourselves.  Biblical Christianity is all about relationships in a world that is broken, decimated by sin, and needs to be reconciled to God.

How do we as disciples of Jesus Christ develop truthful, loving relationships with other believers as well  as those still imprisoned in darkness?  Pastor Randy White joins Mike and David to discuss relationships according to the Bible.

Referenced:

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Referenced: John Nelson Darby Academy

ARTICLE (podcast segment 3)

Godlessness is reaching epidemic proportions

“I want to break down a few of these godless conditions and shed light on the cause. These are times of great difficulty because people will become lovers of self and lovers of money. We live in a world where everyone wants the latest gadgets and toys, but there are people all around us who are in desperate spiritual and physical need.

Babies are aborted, children are discarded, and women are abused. Marriages are crumbling in record numbers and families are disintegrating because of sin and selfishness. All of these conditions have skyrocketed in just one generation. People are all about being free, self-made, and autonomous. This is indicative of our generation of godlessness.

…We have an opportunity to shine like a bright light for the Lord in a world that’s completely mired in evil. When the majority of the people in society trade punches on social media, be salt and light by taking the high road and writing something kind or resist the urge to fire back at gossip or slander.

Some will revile our God and our faith, many will not care and ignore us, but some people will be watching carefully. Let’s live to hear, “Well done” from Jesus to the glory of the Father even as godlessness is reaching epidemic proportions in our day.”

The post Christianity, Relationships, and Society appeared first on Stand Up For The Truth Podcast.

Francis Chan has been on a very interesting journey over the past few years.  He resigned as pastor of the mega-church he founded and went on a personal sabbatical.  He has returned and finds himself in a growing controversy surrounding his criticism of American Christianity as well as his recent appearances at IHOP and alongside Todd White and Benny Hinn. Really?

So where does Chan really stand on doctrine? Mike, David, and Crash look at the controversy and discuss the difficulties in being discerning Christians without jumping to conclusions or branding those we disagree with a “heretic” or “apostate.”

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Francis Chan Defends Speaking at Events With False Teachers to Be ‘Most Effective,’ But to Exercise More ‘Caution’ and ‘Safeguards’

Chan has responded to concerns surrounding photographs that recently surfaced with Todd White and Benny Hinn at “The Send,” whose practices and teachings are at odds with biblical orthodoxy. Chan advised that he will still attend “certain events” with the intention of being the “most effective” in bringing Bible teaching where it is lacking, but now with prior research and safeguards. However, Chan did not specify exactly how he plans to “warn and separate from” false teachers as noted in his response, or to “mark and avoid” them in accordance with the Scriptures, and what impact it will have, if any, on speaking at events where others preach another Christ and another gospel.

Todd White, who endorses Kenneth Copeland and the prosperity gospel, as well as uniting with the Roman Catholic Church, wrote in part in sharing the photograph on social media: “A lover of God and devoted son. Francis Chan is an incredible man of God—loved his prayer over me at The Send,”

Francis Chan Calls Out ‘Embarrassing’ American Christians Who’ve Lost Their Passion for the Gospel

“You know what, we can change…We’ve got to give God the glory he deserves and we’ve got to be willing to suffer whatever we need to suffer to walk away from our sin, to confess Jesus as Lord and Savior, because we believe what the disciples did – that Jesus rose from the dead,” he urged.

“We’ve go to become people who don’t just love it when a person preaches in a way that they like, we are to be people of the Book,” Chan said, Bible in hand.

Tim Challies review of Francis Chan’s Letters to the Church

I am concerned about how often he overstates his case. Chan consistently states the problem and his solution with far too much force and far too little nuance. His book is packed full of hyperbolic statements about the woes of the American church and the superiority of house church. Some of these are uncharitable while others tip into the absurd.

I have a lot of respect for Francis Chan. There is no doubt he is a man who has strong convictions and who lives by them. There is no doubt that he has an extraordinary measure of zeal, and we need zealous people like him to help us identify our apathy and to challenge us to address it. But just as this book displays so many of the strengths that come with zeal, it also displays so many of the weaknesses. It is not a bad book, but a book that lacks the nuance and balance that could have made it much better.

Mega-church pastor questions multi-campus model

A prominent North Carolina pastor who is stepping down from a mega-church he oversaw is sharing his doubts about the multi-site church model.

David Chadwick, 69, has resigned as pastor of the 4,000-member Forest Hill Church in Charlotte after leading the congregation for 40 years. The church has grown from a 180-member church to a six-campus ministry.

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