What in the World is Going On? Final Message

Final Message
7-30-23

Today we'll wrap up this series "What in the World is going on".

We began by discussing how it is we (as Christians) are to view world events, which includes everything we can see, hear, touch, measure, etc.;
Which is through the lens of Scripture.
2Pe 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,
2Pe 1:3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
2Pe 1:4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

We are engaged in a battle that has been raging since the Garden of Eden;
DID GOD REALLY SAY???

Gen 3:4 Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die.
Gen 3:5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
Gen 3:6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.
Gen 3:7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.
Gen 3:8 And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

The choice was clear then, and it's just as clear now!
John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
John 3:2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
John 3:4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"
John 3:5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
John 3:7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'
John 3:8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."
John 3:9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, "How can these things be?"
John 3:10 Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?
John 3:11 Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness.
John 3:12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?
John 3:13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.
John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
John 3:15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
John 3:18 "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
John 3:20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
John 3:21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."

John 12:42 Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue;
John 12:43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
John 12:44 Then Jesus cried out and said, "He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me.
John 12:45 And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me.
John 12:46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.
John 12:47 And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.
John 12:48 He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him— the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.
John 12:49 For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.
John 12:50 And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak."

The choice was, is, and always be this:
Do we CHOOSE to come into the light that our hearts and deeds are made manifest in HIS light, or do we hide ourselves from HIS presence when He comes to visit in the cool of the evening?

Adam began in the light. He had to CHOOSE to step into darkness through disbelief.
We, however, begin in the darkness and must choose to step into the light.
John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."

Everything that we have been discussing is simply varying means and methods of hiding from God, covering ourselves with fig leaves, hoping to not be called out of the shadows and into the light.

Globalism,
Coming Antichrist,
Pronoun insanity,
Gender deniers,
Man made climate change,
And the list goes on...

Are just new methods of hiding from God and avoiding critical Biblical truths:
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Heb 4:13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
Heb 4:15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Everyone, male, female, great and small, rich or poor, will be called to give an account to their maker.

Gen 1:27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
God created mankind in His image, after His likeness, male and female He created them.
Jesus quoted this in Matthew 19:4 in His discussion of divorce.
To say otherwise is to be a "gender denier".

We will be called to account on this: "Did God really say?"

Speaking of this, JESUS had a Biblical Worldview!
In all His teachings He referred to the divine authority of the Old Testament (Mt. 5:17-18; 8:17; 12:40-42; Lk. 4:18-21; 10:25-28; 15:29-31; 17:32; 24:25-45; Jn. 5:39-47). He quoted the Old Testament 78 times, the Pentateuch alone 26 times. He quoted from Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Psalms, Proverbs, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Amos, Jonah, Micah, and Malachi. He referred to the Old Testament as “The Scriptures,” “the word of God,” and “the wisdom of God.”

The world knows that the time is short, and is aggressively fighting to KEEP our eyes on ourselves and NOT on Christ!
The world wants to avoid personal accountability to their creator at all costs!

New methods of "hard wiring" to avoid accountability...

Col_1:16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

Blame is even placed on Bilderbergers, Illuminati, The Elders, so on and so forth, but even that is a distraction. These groups exist, but the power behind their actions is not their own, it's satanic.
Eph_6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

To have a Biblical worldview we must understand clearly that Jesus meant what He said in
John 8:19 Then they said to Him, "Where is Your Father?" Jesus answered, "You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also."
John 8:20 These words Jesus spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one laid hands on Him, for His hour had not yet come.
John 8:21 Then Jesus said to them again, "I am going away, and you will seek Me, and will die in your sin. Where I go you cannot come."
John 8:22 So the Jews said, "Will He kill Himself, because He says, 'Where I go you cannot come'?"
John 8:23 And He said to them, "You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.
John 8:24 Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins."
John 8:25 Then they said to Him, "Who are You?" And Jesus said to them, "Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning.
John 8:26 I have many things to say and to judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I heard from Him."
John 8:27 They did not understand that He spoke to them of the Father.
John 8:28 Then Jesus said to them, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things.
John 8:29 And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him."
John 8:30 As He spoke these words, many believed in Him.
John 8:31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
John 8:32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

What then shall we say to these things?

1Jn 3:10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.
1Jn 3:11 For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another,
1Jn 3:12 not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous.
1Jn 3:13 Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you.
1Jn 3:14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.
1Jn 3:15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
1Jn 3:16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
1Jn 3:17 But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
1Jn 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
1Jn 3:19 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.

How do we not become distracted by smoke screens and diversions?

Col 3:1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
Col 3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
Col 3:3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Col 3:4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
Col 3:5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Col 3:6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,
Col 3:7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
Col 3:8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
Col 3:9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,
Col 3:10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,
Col 3:11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
Col 3:12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
Col 3:13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
Col 3:14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
Col 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Col 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

We are not to be "triggered".
We are not to be deceived.
We are not to be afraid.

We ARE to live by faith!
Rom 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH."

We must not grow weary in doing good!
Gal 6:9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Gal 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

We ARE to be encouraged!
John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

Even John the Baptist needed encouragement!
Luk 7:20 When the men had come to Him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?' "
Luk 7:21 And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.
Luk 7:22 Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.
Luk 7:23 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."

God moment...

VCA...

China;
150 Million "underground church" members.

India;
Estimated 28M Christians...

Bible ministry;

Sarah and I have been overwhelmed by your generosity and commitment to putting the Word in the hands of as many people as possible. As our first Team Leader Lewis used to say, the Bibles we give away will be here producing fruit long after we are gone.

I wanted to let you know what we've been doing with the funds you've been giving to us. We have asked other Team Leaders who are also seeing people come to Christ in their areas across Central Eurasia if they need literature for discipleship or EV work. We have received an overwhelming response, both in asking for funds for buying Bibles and discipleship materials as well as being grateful for your generosity and commitment to the Great Commission.

So far, in addition to purchasing Bibles that we are giving out in Istanbul, we have given funds to a couple of teams that operate in the Northeast part of Turkey. This area used to be known as the Zero Zone because it had zero Christians, zero M's, and Zero churches. It can't be called the Zero Zone anymore, as the teams we have given funds to are seeing great advancement in Kingdom work (even seeing entire families come to Christ!).

We also have given some funds to a team in Azerbaijan who are on the verge of seeing a Church Planting Movement spring up in this country that in the last year has been hit hard by COVID, as well as found itself embroiled in a war with Armenia (this team has been through so much, would you join us in praying for them?).

We love you. Thank you for all that you are doing for the Kingdom. Please let us know if there is anything that we can do to be of service to you.

Grace & Peace,

Malawi;

currently over 500 kids in the program.
10's of 10's of 10's of thousands of commitments for Christ.
Two orphanage centers.
Bible seminary.
Church plants
Children sent through secondary school, and even university!

Current plans:
Fish ponds at Jali
Cyclone home rebuilds
Pastors Apprenticeship program
Infant Care facility

All to be funded this year.

No one will be in heaven because of our pontification on Globalism, Climate change, vaccinations, satisfactory use of pronouns, all-inclusive-virtue -signaling, or any other such distractions, UNLESS these conversations lead to opening a door to present the Gospel and lead people to Christ!

Be encouraged!
Be of good cheer for Jesus has overcome the world!
And do not grow weary in well doing for if you do not grow weary you will reap in due season!