So much has already been said about the Oscar incident. You know, the one where Will Smith slapped the poop out of Chris Rock? Therefore, I’m not going to pretend that anything I write is going to be new or unique.
But who knows?
First, had it not been for the slap, I would have never even known the Acadamy Awards show was happening. Gone are the days when I had any interest at all. That was probably back when there were only 3 channels and the only other things on were re-runs of Gunsmoke or a variety show.
Second, people literally get naked and commit adultery right on the screen in front of us, yet THIS shocked people! Seriously? Like, oh, it’s OK for elitist egomaniacs to titillate us with their vulgarity and blasphemy, but did you see that??!! He just slapped him!
Third, Will and Jada Smith openly brag about their “open marriage.” In other words, the only part of being faithful to each other that they observe as husband and wife is staying together even when the other is regularly committing adultery. Instead of exhibiting the faithful love of Hosea, it’s Ho-say-us. Yet, instead of getting upset that his wife defiles his marriage bed, he goes ballistic over an ill-advised joke.
Fourth, what kind of pansy faker slaps another man, anyway? You’d think that all the action movies Will Smith had acted in would have taught him what a MAN would do in this instance. Sure, it was wrong and immature to do what he did, but once the line had been crossed, who defends his wife in front of millions of people by slapping somebody? Ever heard of using your fist, Will? Weirdo.
Fifth, Will’s son, 23-year-old Jaden, commented about the event later on Twitter. He said, “And That’s How We Do It.” Way to go, Will. Or should I say, way to be teaching your son about life, dude. Obviously, this wasn’t a shock to Jaden.
Sixth, every penguin-clad hypocrite in that room was a coward. Not one person got up and walked out in protest. Not one person went over to Will Smith and demanded he apologize to Chris Rock. Not one person objected to Smith receiving an Oscar only moments later. No, everybody knew who the “star” was, and nobody dared unhitch from him.
Remember this the next time Hollywood releases another video telling the rest of us how immoral we are when our values don’t align with theirs.
Am I the only one, or does it seem that Russia is not as formidable as we thought?
Oh, don’t get me wrong – I still believe Russia is a powerful force with which to be reckoned. If nothing else, they possess a massive nuclear arsenal which still poses a threat to all nations.
But how many of you remember the movie Red Dawn (not the remake, but the original)? Remember how Russia and Cuba were thought of, at least in Hollywood, as capable of mounting an invasion of the USA, splitting the nation in two? Scary stuff when I was young.
As a matter of fact, what is NATO but a reaction to the fear of conflict with Russia? NATO was created in order to solidify a unified defense against a monolithic existential threat which seemed unopposable on one’s own.
Yet, what do we see happening right now in Ukraine? What was supposed to be a cake walk for Putin and the well-equipped, numerically superior, immensely intimidating Russian military has turned into a classic example of “pride cometh before a fall.”
Recent stats released by Ukraine detailing Russian losses so far.
Years ago, shortly after the fall of the communist part in Romania, I visited there for about a month. One of the things I was able to do was explore much of the country via automobile, stay in Romanian homes, and talk candidly with those who had once served in the military, both Romanian and Russian.
Even then, all the way back in the early 1990’s, what became evident by what I saw and heard was that propaganda had built a much scarier enemy than what actually existed. I can still remember the exact words that came to mind as so many truths began to be exposed: “We were afraid of this?”
What Putin as done, and what the people of Ukraine have shown, is that Russia is not only completely incapable, but inherently unmotivated to conquer the West through conventional military means. In other words, despite what we have been led to believe, the Russian military is no more capable of rolling over Europe than a high school bully is able to stand up against a scrappy kid who’s decided not to run.
You know, there are spiritual parallels to this story. There are even stories in the Bible which teach us that numerically and technologically superior foes are often given more credit than deserved, especially in the face of indignant, defiant, and Spirit-led resistance.
So often the Church stands by and cowers, never moving forward and never making a stand, for fear that the Enemy is too powerful and the cost for victory is too high. Yet, even in the face of seemingly overwhelming military strength, the average citizens of Ukraine have taken up arms with a will to fight and have exposed the internal corruption already eating away at the gut of the Red Bear.
Remember what a ragtag group of rebels accomplished against what was then the most powerful military in the world, the “redcoats”? It took a change in tactics and was fueled by an undying hunger for freedom, but the American colonies eventually won their freedom from England.
My question to you is this: Is the struggle you face worth fighting for? Many times, the biggest enemy of freedom is our faulty perception of the foe.
As I sit here tonight, there are a host of stressors giving my gut something to complain about. Heck, I just ended a sentence with a preposition! It’s getting bad.
Things as petty as my dog whining because I’m not playing with him (petty, that’s funny), all the way to thoughts of nuclear war (that’s NOT funny), are making me feel like huddling in a dark closet until the monster gets through trashing my house looking for me.
Then again, how do my stressors compare to those trying to stand their ground in Ukraine? Do my problems involve trying to find more ammo for my AK47? Hardly. The most I’ve got to be concerned about is not screwing up tomorrow’s sermon or missing Monday’s flight out of Atlanta.
But there’s one stressor that should be challenging the most iron-like intestines – the genuine threat of World War. . . even nuclear.
“Oh, come on!” you say. “There you go with all that fearmongering that’s so typical at times like this.”
Times like this? What kind of time is this, exactly? It’s crazy, if nothing else.
Think about it. Nobody thought Hitler would keep marching through Europe after Germany annexed the Sudetenland, the ethnic German territory lining the periphery of western Czechoslovakia in September of 1938. Yet, in September of 1939, World War II began when German tanks rolled into Poland.
Ironically, what Hitler claimed as the reason for annexing Sudetenland sounds extremely similar to the accusations Putin has made about Ukraine.
Denigrating the ethnic German population to “immigrant” status, the Czech government instituted a policy of “rapid de-Germanizing” in Bohemia and in the Sudetenland.
Richard Tedor, “Hitler’s Revolution”
Hitler wanted to annex the territory around him because, as Putin claimed about those of Russian heritage in Crimea, the ethnic Germans were being disenfranchised and abused. Now Putin is saying the same about Ukraine and expecting the West to stand down.
However, looking at today’s news, it seems the western nations are not sitting idly by; it seems like we are ramping up sanctions (which hurst all of us, eventually) and upping troop numbers in nearby countries.
Does this mean that there is light at the end of this tunnel? Maybe. But the weapons in the hands of THIS madman are potentially catastrophic. Therefore, what may have been unthinkable at one point, much like what Europe believed in 1938, could be just around the corner, that is, if Putin’s pride is more valuable than human life.
Are we on the brink of the unthinkable?
Something to think about. But God is still God.
Therefore, don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. – Matt. 6:34 CSB
Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. – Psa. 55:22
Back in 1976 I was nothing more than an impressionable middle-schooler with a friend who liked KISS. Even though I went to a Christian School, my classmate introduced me to the group, and I thought they were kinda cool. Sorta.
Like I said, I was impressionable, and I wanted to be liked. Maybe that’s why I fell for the whole “KISS actually stands for Knights in the Savior’s Service” line. I guess it sounded cooler than “The Old-Fashioned Mountain Top Gospel Singing Boys from Bryson City, North Carolina.”
Now, to be fair, I never listened to KISS. It only when “Beth” came out that I actually heard them on some TV variety show. This song was unlike anything else they performed, and the one line that I’ll never forget was, “Beth, what can I do?”
What does this have to do with anything?
Well, it’s just that this year Beth Moore, the former darling of SBC women’s study groups, left the Baptists and the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 and went full-on liturgical Anglican.
Beth, what can I do. . . but say, “I told you so”?
Beth, what can I do. . . but shake my head at all the money you made off the backs of Lifeway shoppers while you secretly disavowed their beliefs?
Beth, what can I do. . . but wonder how many more there are like you within the Southern Baptist Convention secretly denying our unifying beliefs while attempting to undermine the greatest missionary-sending organization in history with woke heresies?
I guess the irony of all this is that unlike the ’70s hit from KISS, you’re not waiting at home alone while the boys are out playing; you joined EISS (Egalitarians in Satan’s Service).
Beth Moore behind the lecturn at St. Timothy’s Anglican Church (from YouTube).
Truth be told, I’m probably setting myself up for a firestorm of hateful comments and threats with the video I’m about to share. I’m tempted not to.
But then what would that make me?
Then again, with a much smaller number of readers than I had a year or two ago, it’s likely that the video I post will only be seen by a few, and most of them (maybe even you) will not watch or listen to all of it.
So, is it worth it? Is it worth sharing?
Of course it is! If it convicts one person . . . If it reaches one heart . . . If it only causes one person to stop for a minute and consider the truth of Scripture . . . then it was worth it.
Then again, it’s not my job to decide the value of a blog post, or even a sermon. My job is to be faithful to the call to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to exposit the Word of God so that others may come to the knowledge of the Truth.
Preached Sunday evening, September 5, 2021, at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Warthen, GA. Dr. Anthony Baker, Pastor.
There are not a lot of people these days using Romans chapter one to describe America and the culture in which we live. No, they are too afraid of the WOKE police and social media censors, not to mention the protestors who scream and threaten as they label Christians as the hateful and bigoted ones.
Too many pastors are afraid of offending, of burning bridges, of losing whatever numbers we have left.
But if we can’t preach the truth, preacher and pastors, we need to just call it quits and go home. I’m sure that we are not too far away from what God spoke through the Prophet Micah:
“I wish one of you would shut the temple doors, so you would no longer kindle a useless fire on My altar! I am not pleased with you,” says the Lord of Hosts, “and I will accept no offering from your hands.
And if, after listening to the above sermon, you think I’m going overboard on the “sex” thing, just a few minutes ago, right before I linked the above video to this post, my wife sent me a story in Messenger.
At some point, when the preponderance of evidence leans so heavily in one direction, you’ve got to call it for what it is. So, as I look around at all that’s going on in this world, I think I’ve come to the conclusion this is the beginning of the end.
What do I mean by the end?
For as long as I can remember, at least as far back as the “turn or burn” movies of Estus Pirkle (d. 2005) and whole-Sunday-long prophecy services with Dr. Ed Vallowe (d. 2002), I’ve believed in the immanent return of Jesus Christ. To be more specific, I’ve always considered myself a pre-tribulationist and a pre-millennialist who believed, at least on paper, that the trumpet of the Lord could sound at any moment.
I’ve always believed that there would be a rapturing of the Church, a time of tribulation on Earth, and then the return of Jesus (the “second coming”) as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And I still do.
The only difference is that before it was something I said I believed, but I didn’t REALLY believe it so much that I got excited about it or talked about it much. Why is that?
Well, a lot of people have gone to bat in the game of end-time signs. Every time they come out swinging, it’s because of some new earthquake, some war, some evil politician or evil law. It’s always been something, and usually it’s always been something that was a symptom of the natural moral decline in the United States. In other words, it’s always been something, but always something that should have never been thought of as anything other than ordinary.
For example, this once-great nation we know as America is rapidly chasing after its own demise. Many look at our country and its unbelievably insane social and legal affirmations of things not even possible in Sodom and Gomorrah and conclude, “The end must be near.” But was the end near when Rome fell? Was the end near when Germany fell sway to the anti-Christ-like Adolf Hitler?
We’re Doomed
Let’s be honest, folks. America is doomed. Marxists are already marching in lockstep down every hallway in Washington, D.C. For crying out loud, the only thing separating the Pelosi’s and the Cortez’s from red-flag-waving Bolsheviks are the perks and pensions they would lose in a full-on revolution.
The majority of our government, all of our media, every BLM-like terrorist group (yes, I said it), nearly every center of education, and probably a majority of Americans under the age of 20 want nothing less than to replace Western culture (including the USA) with a godless, socialist Utopia.
Granted, most of Americans DO NOT think this way, but they are too afraid or too tired to speak out anymore.
Like I said, America is doomed. All we are waiting for is either a miraculous healing or for somebody to flip off the the life support.
But is the decline of this country the sole predictor of the proximity of the “end time”? No!
Just like the fall of every other empire or nation did not mean the return of Jesus was just around the corner. America could fall and float away like dust in the wind (I bet you can even hear the tune, can’t you?), but the end could still be a hundred years away.
Except . . . . .
Have you heard the term “COVID Clench“? What about “Operation Pandemic Plunder“?
No?
Well, that’s probably because I just coined those terms. However, pause for a short moment and consider how that governments around the globe, from local to national, are clenching on to every bit of power they can obtain and are literally stealing liberty from every citizen.
Just the other day New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio unveiled the latest and greatest governmental twist of the arm, that proof of vaccination is “the key to NYC.” In other words, being vaccinated will be one’s “passport” to all the wonders available to them in the Big Apple. However, should one NOT be injected with the vaccine, there will be no access to restaurants, businesses, places of entertainment, public social events, etc.
Or, you could say that without the “mark” of a needle, there will be no buying or selling, etc., etc., etc. Sound familiar?
He required everyone–small and great, rich and poor, free and slave–to be given a mark on the right hand or on the forehead. And no one could buy or sell anything without that mark, which was either the name of the beast or the number representing his name.
Revelation 13:16-17 NLT
Is Mayor Bill de Blasio the Antichrist? No, of course not. That’s ridiculous. But what about that “mark”? Not so ridiculous of an idea as it might have seemed a few years ago, huh?
Isn’t this just another 1918?
102 years before COVID-19 was released upon the world, the flu killed millions of people around the globe. It came and went, and many people warned something like it would come again. It was just a matter of time.
2020 came along and with it came the Pandemic. So, just like nations rise and nations fall, diseases and viruses rise and fall. Therefore, this virus is no more of a reason to think the end is near than the flu of 1918.
Or is it?
What’s the difference between a naturally-occurring virus and one created in a lab? One eventually dies via herd immunity, while the other continually adapts and morphs into an ever-increasingly effective weapon that is always one step ahead of all defenses.
What nation can survive a destroyed economy? The inability to work, pay taxes, or feed oneself will destroy one’s faith in self, government, and even one’s god. Then, when no nation can support its infrastructure; when no nation can feed its people; when every nation cries out for effective leadership; when the world is desperate enough, one Leader will be able to take total control, especially if he’s gifted with the ability to literally bring healing.
Do you seriously think, just looking at how the new rounds of vaccine booster shots show no signs of ending, especially if the virus keeps mutating, that we are nearing an end to ever-increasing government control? That those with a blood-lust for power and control will let this pandemic go to waste?
And, do you think that those in charge are really capable of stopping something that was more than likely created as a weapon of gradual mass destruction?
It might not be tomorrow. It might not be next year. But if you want to know my opinion, I think it is entirely reasonable to assume, based on the preponderance of hard-to-explain-away coincidences and parallels with Biblical prophecy, that this is the beginning of the end.
What if I’m wrong? Does that make everything OK?
Umm, not really. There’s still a deadly virus out there that’s even killing fully-vaccinated individuals. That being said, the end of the world for YOU might be only one quarantine away.
Therefore, to paraphrase the prophet Amos, one way or another, prepare to meet thy God (Amos 4:12).
There were words that were sent to me just a few minutes ago from a weeping pastor in Pakistan. In Messenger he wrote, “I’m beyond mad at Biden and his administration.”
He then wrote, “I don’t like Joe!“
“Me either!” was my reply.
Video was sent to me of people desperately trying to flee Afghanistan now that the Taliban has gained control of the capital. There is video of families pausing in the street amidst the rushing crowd to huddle and cry, pray, or whatever.
“Look what the Mr. JOE administration did to those poor people!” exclaimed my friend.
I don’t think anyone in that area is happy with Joe.
This is worse than our leaving Vietnam in 1973. This is betrayal in the highest order!
How many Americans, not to mention our allies, died or were permanently wounded since we went in to fight the Taliban 20 years ago? And now, after all this time, we leave and hand it right back to them??? After all we fought to accomplish, we walk away and allow these murderous thugs to brutalize a nation, especially women and children?
For WHAT??
And now the word is that the Taliban is threatening the borders of Pakistan. The Russians just conducted drills at the Afghan border with supersonic bombers and MIG 29’s.
Let the record show, this did not happen under Orange Man’s watch; it happened while “sleepy Joe” was having a delusional moment and avoiding all advice to stay.
I guess now what we will hear from the news media is that Joe Biden and his administration presided over a peaceful transition of government in Afghanistan……and there’s no crisis, I suppose, correct?
I don’t like you, Joe. Not one bit.
There’s hot, sticky, mingled-with-tears blood on your decrepit, senile hands!
Let’s get straight to the point without worrying about font size, layout, or pictures.
I think it’s a sad, sad day for the people of Afghanistan. Unfortunately, it seems the sorrow is only going to deepen and spread thanks to the IDIOTIC and FOOLHARDY announcement that our soldiers are going to leave, and when.
What are we doing? Are we wanting a THIRD conflict? Do we need to bring this one to an end so that the current administration can get their street cred for declaring their own moral outrage?
I can’t help but think of all the blood that has been pour out and splattered across the sands. What a waste! A WASTE! What will have been gained? What will have been accomplished, especially if the Taliban goes right back to their old ways of hardline Sharia law and befriending those who want to bring Western Civilization to its knees?
As I watch the whole country succumb to the Taliban, I can’t help but wonder why and how? Not only why would we let this happen, but how on earth are they still capable of regaining so much so quickly?
Whatever the case, the re-implementation of radical Islamic rule will bring uncertainty and instability to the whole region – again. And what I fear is that neighboring places like Pakistan will find themselves having to deal with increased threats, more emboldened radicalism, and the inevitable loss of innocent life.
Ever wonder what preachers used to preach around this time of the year? Check out a few excerpts from a message preached only 18 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
We could learn a few things.
“A people under a free government will be happy, as long as they are virtuous and wise. They may become vicious and corrupt. They are then liable to be influenced by private connections, party spirit, bribery or flattery, promises or rewards, or the artifice and intrigue of crafty and designing men.
When this is the case, they give up their security, lose their liberty, and sink into slavery….
“…Our free government was a happy, but a costly purchase; let it not be lost by drowsy inattention, and implicit confidence…
The day is coming, when liberty and peace shall bless the human race. But previous to this, truth and virtue must prevail, and the religion of Jesus must govern men’s hearts. Then the horrors of war will cease, and the groans of slavery will no more be heard. The rod of the oppressor will be broken, and the yoke will be removed from the shoulders of the oppressed. The scepter will be wrested from the hands of the wicked, and the pomp of the proud will be brought down to the dust. The whole earth will rest and be quiet: they will break forth into singing…”
– from “The Happiness of Free Government and the Means of Preserving It,” preached by JOSEPH LATHROP, D. D. on July 4th, 1794
I think the “vicious and corrupt” are now running the show. As a result of our “drowsy attention” we have elected men and women of the lowest character, thereby giving up our security, our liberty, and the hope of freedom-loving people around the world who look to us as a shining city on a hill.
Good Friday morning, everyone! It’s good to be back in the blogosphere for a little while.
So much has been going on, so I apologize for not writing as much as I’d like. Honestly, writing is a good thing for any preacher to do, for it helps us hone our thoughts – at least it does mine.
But for today, and I don’t plan for this to be a regular thing, I’m going to forward the video from a Facebook live post I did Wednesday night. There’s just no way I could take the time to write out all that I cover in this video.
My Thoughts, Only
This week the largest non-Catholic denomination of Christian believers (the Southern Baptist Convention) met in Nashville, TN, for an historic gathering. 16,000 +/- people (messengers) sent from local congregations all over the country got together for collective worship and critical votes. My wife and I were two of them.
The meeting was so important that nearly all the major news networks and papers covered it. Most, of course, had no intention of being flattering – not unless they were praising the election of the left-leaning Dr. Ed Litton as President.
So, the video to which I am linking contains my thoughts, and only my thoughts, about the results of the meeting and the future of the SBC.
What is MOST Important
But I want you to understand something, my friends. What is most important about all this is how we move forward in the love and grace of Jesus Christ. What’s most important is what we are here to be and to do, and that supersedes denominational wins and defeats.
Please, I would encourage you to watch this video post that I made, because even if you are not Southern Baptist, or any kind of Baptist at all, the world is watching, the world is hurting, and the world needs the good news of Jesus Christ.
We mustnot allow the results of our gatherings to tear us apart.
The day is coming, when liberty and peace shall bless the human race. But previous to this, truth and virtue must prevail, and the religion of Jesus must govern men’s hearts. Then the horrors of war will cease, and the groans of slavery will no more be heard. The rod of the oppressor will be broken, and the yoke will be removed from the shoulders of the oppressed. The scepter will be wrested from the hands of the wicked, and the pomp of the proud will be brought down to the dust. The whole earth will rest and be quiet: they will break forth into singing…” 
The Recovering Legalist 