December 7 | Standing Against Racism

Series | The Life of Revival

Scripture | Acts 17:26, “From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.”

Lesson 7 | Standing Against Racism

Racism is a devil’s lie that divides God’s creation into different categories according to skin color, facial distinctions, and culture.  According to the Bible there is only one “race” and that is the “human race.”  There are not actually different “races” of humans but rather just different variations of the same human race.

Some people have darker or lighter skin, some have bigger or smaller noses, others have different shapes and positions of their eyelids; however, the entire human race with all its variations are all equally loved by God. It would be good for us to always remember the words to the ole’ Sunday school song, “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world.  Red and yellow, black and white,
 all are precious in His sight, 
Jesus loves the little children of the world.”

Sadly, racism has made its way into almost every culture throughout human history. In the last couple of hundred years there was “ethnic” cleansing of the Jews in Germany, the Rwandan genocide between the Tutsi and the Hutus, and the oppression of African Americans in the U.S. because of the Atlantic slave trade in the 1800’s.

As a result, disciples today should preach against racism and teach the proper biblical perspective that Paul proclaimed in the above passage while he was in Athens.  This is the message summarized; “from one man Adam, God made all the nations of the earth. God did this that they should inhabit the earth and seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us,” Acts 17:26-27.    

Every disciple should stand against racism in the following ways; (1) Personally believe that there is only one race- the human race; (2) Reject any form of racism that would exalt one race of people over another; and lastly, (3) Preach salvation to all people in hopes that they will be saved!    

 

Reflection | Do you believe God only made one race- the human race?

Action | (1) Repent if you have ever been guilty of racism.  For example if you treated people in a negative way simply based on their skin color or culture.  (2) Pray for God to end racism in your nation and around the world. (3) Lastly, for more information regarding ending racism read the following books, “One Race-One Blood,” by Ken Ham and “Oneness Embraced,” by Tony Evans.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Hosea 6:1-9:17, 3 John 1:1-14, Psalm 126:1-6, & Proverbs 29:12-14. Click here to read online.

December 6 | Standing Against Poverty

Series | The Life of Revival

Scripture | Luke 4:18-19, “18 The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Lesson 6 | Standing Against Poverty

Poverty generally refers to the state of lacking the material possessions one needs to live a healthy and fulfilled life.  Today many in the world live in poverty because their government doesn’t provide clean water, safe roads, good jobs, or reliable education.  Poverty can also be caused by war, corrupt/oppressive governments, or when a country faces economic hardships.

Some people in the U.S. may live in poverty because the region they reside in doesn’t provide adequate jobs.  For others they are oppressed with a “poverty mentality” because they have been raised in poverty and think receiving government aid like food stamps and “section 8 housing" is normal and may lack any real motivation to move up in life.  However, what is true for all people living in poverty is that they must first be given the gospel of Jesus Christ- just like everyone else!

In the above passage, Jesus was quoting from Isaiah 61 in regards to His Messianic duty.  One of His main duties was to preach good news to the poor.  He was called to reach out to those who had been forgotten and neglected by society.  The gospel (or “good news”) to a person living in poverty is that God will save them and give them His kingdom blessings without “classism,” Matthew 6:33.  Classism is a sinful way of treating people according to the “social class” they are in based on their monetary value.  However, according to Jesus, all people, especially the poor are important to Him.

Therefore, all disciples should stand against poverty in the following three ways, (1) Preach the gospel to the poor so they might be saved and have God’s kingdom blessings upon their life; (2) Help educate and assist those who live in poor conditions. For example, give money to impoverished countries for medical relief, food, clean water, and good education.  In the U.S. help needy families have proper health care and access to education; and lastly, (3) Treat those living in poverty with the same respect as you would the rich- don’t live with “classism,” James 2:1-9.

Reflection | Do you believe Jesus loves the poor just as much as the rich?

Action | (1) Clearly explain from the Bible why we should help those living in poverty.  (2) Pray for God to end poverty in the region you live in and through missionaries around the world. (3) Lastly, for more information regarding ending poverty read the following books, “With Justice For All,” by John Perkins and “Always Enough,” by Roland & Heidi Baker.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Hosea 4:1-5:15, 2 John 1:1-13, Psalm 125:1-5, & Proverbs 29:9-11. Click here to read online.

December 5 | Standing Against Corporate Greed

Series | The Life of Revival

Scripture | James 5:4-6, “4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.”

Lesson 5 | Standing Against Corporate Greed

One major way corporate greed occurs is when companies make a surplus of money by abusing and stealing from their employees.  The abuse can come in the form of long hours without breaks in harsh working conditions known as “sweatshops.”  Sweatshops refer to the work environment of many third world countries that are set up by rich companies in the West to make products with the lowest cost at the expense of the workers so they then can sell their products in the West for enormous profits. 

Most of the time these workers are uneducated and have very little rights so they cannot negotiate with the big company for better work environments and hours because the company will simply fire them and hire another willing person.  As a result, the poor workers are treated more as slaves than employees and are forced into a lifetime of servitude.

These companies also steal from their employees by not paying acceptable wages and offering proper health benefits like insurance or hospital care.  This kind of “robbery” not only happens in poor countries but can also be seen in the US when large companies purposely keep employees at part time so they do not have to pay for their health benefits or give them raises.

James pointed out in the passage above that the greedy owners could do better for their employees and still make a profit.  However, because of their greed they try to squeeze every penny out of their employees so they can make more money and rule over them. 

A better solution would be to still have capitalism (free market without government control of the economy like with “socialism/communism”), but with laws and regulations that protect the workers and insure they are getting a fair pay with affordable health benefits. 

Here are three things you can do to stand against corporate greed, (1) Don’t support companies that are known to treat their employees unfairly; (2) Vote for godly leaders to make laws that protect the average worker and limit corporate greed and oppression.  For example, you can support laws that increase the minimum wage, require health care for workers, and close loop holes that big companies use to steal money from the government and their people; and lastly, (3) Pray that both the workers and owners will live by the golden rule, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you!”

 

Reflection | Do you believe companies should treat their workers fairly?

Action | (1) Clearly explain from the Bible why corporate greed is a sin.  (2) Pray for God to expose and bring an end to greedy companies and their leaders. (3) Lastly, for more information regarding corporate greed read the following books, “Rescuing Capitalism from Corporatism,” by John David Rose and “Business for the Glory of God,” by Wayne Grudem.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Hosea 1:1-3:5, 1 John 5:1-21, Psalm 124:1-8, & Proverbs 29:5-8. Click here to read online.

December 4 | Standing Against Political Corruption

Series | The Life of Revival

Scripture | Micah 3:9-12, “9 Hear this, you leaders of Jacob, you rulers of Israel, who despise justice and distort all that is right; 10 who build Zion with bloodshed, and Jerusalem with wickedness. 11 Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets tell fortunes for money. 12 Therefore because of you, Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, the temple hill a mound overgrown with thickets.”

Lesson 4 | Standing Against Political Corruption

God is a good God that stands for truth, justice, righteousness, and charity, Isaiah 58.  The Lord has always stood against the corruption and sinful ways of men in power.  All throughout the Bible it can be clearly seen that God has judged and brought down nations that rebelled against Him.  God judged the Egyptians because of Pharaoh’s pride (Exodus 11-12), He allowed Babylon to be conquered by the Assyrians (Isaiah 13:9), and He even sent the leaders of Judah and Israel into captivity when they refused to obey Him (Micah 3:9-12).

Daniel 2:21 boldly declares, “He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others.”  Therefore, God is always against political corruption.  Sometimes it may seem like the corrupt leaders in power will never be stopped- but eventually they all come down.

In the U.S. we see leaders in the government arrested all the time for bribery, lying, and breaking the laws of the land.  Sometimes corruption comes in the form of overlooking crime in a certain area because the criminals pay off the local officials.  Other times it can be seen when lobbyists try to buy and manipulate leaders to vote a certain way for a bill to pass.

Ordinary citizens like you and me may not be able to always know what our government leaders and local judges are doing right or wrong but we can be sure that God does.  So we should be people that do our best to pray for our officials and ask God to expose any corruption that may be in their lives.  Plus, we should help empower people to vote for the best leaders to serve the people.

Here are three things you can do to stand against political corruption, (1) Vote for leaders that hold to godly values and morals; (2) Promote integrity in your everyday life so it becomes the normal behavior in your community; and lastly, (3) Pray for God to remove corrupt leaders and to raise up good ones that are “God fearing,”

Remember the words of King Solomon in Proverbs 29:2, “When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.”

 

Reflection | Do you believe God can remove corruption from your nation’s government?

Action | (1) Clearly explain from the Bible why political corruption is a sin.  (2) Pray for God to rise up good leaders and bring down the corrupt.  (3) Lastly, for more information regarding godly leaders in government read the following books, “God & Government,” by Charles Colson and “Politics According to the Bible,” by Wayne Grudem.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Daniel 11:36-12:13, 1 John 4:1-21, Psalm 123:1-4, & Proverbs 29:2-4. Click here to read online.

December 3 | Standing Against Abortion

Series | The Life of Revival

Scripture | Proverbs 6:16-17, “16 There are six things the Lord hates,

seven that are detestable to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood...”

Lesson 3 | Standing Against Abortion

The greatest tragedy of our times is the slaughter of the unborn.  Just in the US since 1973 there have been over 50 million abortions.  China, the world largest nation for murdering babies, has shed the blood of over 300 million innocent babies in just 40 years.  God have mercy!

God is clear in the Bible that human life starts at conception and “personhood” belongs to preborn babies in their mother’s wombs.  Such examples can be found in Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.”  To God Jeremiah was a person while he was still in the womb- he wasn’t just a blob of flesh and blood as some abortionist try to claim.  Also, in Luke 1:41 we see that John the Baptist was a person able to be blessed by the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb, “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.”    

In the above Proverb God is very clear about the things that He hates and one of them is, “hands that shed innocent blood.”  Therefore, God hates everyone’s hands that are involved in abortion- including; the doctor who performs the abortion, the mother allowing her baby to be murdered, the nurses and staff at the clinics, the boyfriend and family members who support the murder, and even the voters who allow the practice… all are guilty of murder in the eyes of God. 

If they do not repent for their crimes against humanity God will punish them in the lake of fire for eternity.  Revelation 21:8 clearly states that, “murderers… will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur.”  Therefore, God hates abortion and will punish all those who participate in the act as the sin of murder.

Here are five practical ways you can stand against abortion, (1) Teach by example that God’s will is only for people to have sex in marriage and to raise all the children they may have (planned or unplanned); (2) Support single moms in your community so they will not abort their babies if they happen to get pregnant again outside of marriage; (3) Go to the local abortion clinics and publically preach the gospel to everyone there (mothers, staff, security, etc.); (4) Vote and support candidates that oppose abortion; and lastly, (5) Pray for God to change people’s hearts.

 

Reflection | Do you hate what God hates by hating the sin of abortion?

Action | (1) Clearly explain from the Bible why abortion is a sin.  (2) Pray for God to use you to help end the slaughter of the unborn in your nation.  (3) Lastly, for more information regarding standing against abortion read the following books, “Pro-Life Answers to Pro-Choice Arguments,” by Randy Alcorn and “Abortion: A Rational Look at an Emotional Issue,” by RC Sproul.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Daniel 11:2-35, 1 John 3:7-24, Psalm 122:1-9, & Proverbs 29:1. Click here to read online.

December 2 | Standing Against the Homosexual Agenda

Series | The Life of Revival

Scripture | Romans 1:27, “In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.”

Lesson 2 | Standing Against the Homosexual Agenda

Paul clearly describes homosexual behavior in the book of Romans as being “unnatural.”  Some modern liberal scholars have tried to get around Paul’s rebuke of homosexuality by saying the only kind of people homosexuality would be unnatural for is those who are heterosexual “by nature” but God punishes them by having them commit homosexual acts like rap or pederasty.

In other words, because people turn their backs on God they become male rapists, like men in prison who are mostly straight but rape other men because of their deprived mind and uncontrollable lusts.  This kind of wickedness would be their “due penalty for their error.”  So for the “Christian homosexual movement” they would say, “I am neither an idolater or a rapist- thus I am not being punished by God in any way for my love towards a person of the same gender.”

As a result, today the homosexual agenda wants to be able to marry, adopt children, and have their sexuality taught in schools during sex education as normative behavior.  Accordingly, to oppose their agenda is to be labeled as, “intolerant, hateful, and a religious bigot.”  Homosexual activists in the US have actually convinced most lawmakers and media outlets that they are fighting for their civil rights just as the African Americans did in the 60’s. 

However, it is the job and command of the church to stand against this agenda.  Not with physical weapons or verbal abuse but with the Word of God.  We are commanded by God to defend the institution of marriage as “one man with one woman” and to ask lawmakers and school officials to not promote this perversion to our children, military, or in our businesses, Proverbs 14:34.

Here are the two main reasons why we should stand against the homosexual agenda, First, biblically speaking, God calls the acts of homosexuality unnatural because they are against His created order and thus it is a sin, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. Romans 1:26-27 is a direct reference to the prohibition of same sex acts in Leviticus 18:22 and the creation of male and female marriage in Genesis 1:27. Anything sexual outside of that is unnatural and is considered “sexual immorality and impure,” Galatians 5:19.

Plus, the reason why we still look to Leviticus in regards to homosexuality and not to what we should eat (like not eating shrimp or pork) is because Christ carried over the “moral laws” of marriage into the New Covenant (Mark 10:8) but not the dietary laws (Mark 7:19). 

If the homosexual activist then states that Jesus’ statement on marriage doesn’t mean He “limited” marriage to just one man and women because Jesus never forbad homosexuality, then the homosexual would be forced to also extend Jesus’ “marital blessing” to incest, zoophilia, pedophilia, polygamy, polyandry, and polyamory because He didn’t “forbid” those sexual orientations either.  Therefore, either Jesus’ statement regarding marriage between one man and one woman “excludes” all other sexual orientations or one must accept every sexual fetish.  We as true biblical Christians must choose traditional marriage and see its exclusivity defended in God’s moral laws from both the Old and New Covenants.       

Secondly, socially speaking, modern studies of same sex relationships and families show a major negative impact on the children and the partners involved.  Dr. Mark Regnerus of the University of Texas did an extensive study of the family life of both homosexuals and lesbians and found the following to be both true and shocking, (1) The couples are more likely to suffer depression and physical abuse, (2) The children are more likely to have trouble in school and with crime, and (3) The children are more likely to be sexually abused.

Therefore, the homosexual agenda is not only a sin according in the Bible but it is also harmful to those involved and to the children.  I pray that you would prayerfully make a stand against this agenda in your home, church, and community with the truth of God’s Word.  Homosexuals can be saved and changed by the power of God but their agenda must be resisted, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11!  

 

Reflection | Do you believe homosexuality is a sin?

Action | (1) Clearly explain from the Bible why homosexuality is a sin.  (2) Pray for God to use you in love to help confront the error of the homosexual agenda with the Word of God.  (3) Lastly, consider purchasing the book, “The Same Sex Controversy,” by James White for further biblical research and, “A Queer Thing Happened to America,” by Dr. Michael Brown for further evidence of the negative social impact of homosexuality. 

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Daniel 9:1-11:1, 1 John 2:18-3:6, Psalm 121:1-8, & Proverbs 28:27-28. Click here to read online.

December 1 | Standing Firm

Series | The Life of Revival

Scripture | 1 Corinthians 16:13, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”

Lesson 1 | Standing Firm

The definition of revival is, “a spiritual awakening of the church in their love for God and people that impacts the community with salvation and community transformation.”  Many different kinds of revivals have impacted nations and cities around the world in various generations.  But no matter when and where these true revivals occurred they always bore the same fruit- salvation and community transformation.  Just like in the book of Acts when the gospel came to a city and the people received it, souls were saved and the community was transformed, Acts 8:4-8 & 19:1-22.   

There were amazing revivals in England and in the United States in the 18^th and 19^th centuries during the time of the Methodist movement that helped ground these countries, especially America’s bible belt, in Christian’s values.  The Azusa Street revival in Los Angeles in the 1900’s sent the fire of God all around the world to such places like China, Brazil, South Korea, and Nigeria.  And today these nations are literally seeing salvations in the millions and transformation of entire communities!

Christian leaders throughout the different generations have had various steps to take to see such revivals happen.  Many emphasized the need of prayer, fasting, strong biblical preaching, and the visible power of God with signs and wonders.  However, this series is not meant to be another laundry list of “spiritual duties” one must do to “see” revival, but rather it is a list of ways to “live” out revival everyday.

In other words, if we all do the basics and pursue God in prayer and ministry but never do these things it will be impossible for true salvation and transformation to come to our nation.  On the other hand, if we do these things faithfully, it will be impossible for the devil to withstand us and stop true spiritual revival from coming and bring cultural revolution. 

For example Isaiah 58 taught the people of Israel how to truly fast and experience the renew of God’s power, “6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter — when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? 8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. 9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.”

Notice how God said in verse 8 that when they did the “things” He commanded them “then your light will break forth like the dawn.”  Therefore, I believe that when we “do the things” that are listed in this series we will see the nations saved and communities transformed.  

Likewise, Paul wrote in the passage above to stand firm in the faith and be strong and courageous to do all that God has intended His church to do.  So all true disciples should be the salt of the earth, the light in the darkness, and a city on hill that cannot be hide, Matthew 5:13-16.  I pray we will all stand against the things that God hates and stand for the things He loves.      

 

Reflection | Do you want to see revival in your nation?

Action | (1) Examine your life to see if you truly love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and your neighbor as yourself.  (2) Be faithful to ground your life in God’s basic plan for spiritual growth. Like prayer, consecration, accountability, discipleship, living holy, keeping God’s commands, seeking of spiritual gifts, regular study of God’s Word, and public preaching of the gospel (witnessing and sharing your faith). (3) Lastly, ask God to empower you to stand against what He hates and stand for what He loves.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Daniel 8:1-27, 1 John 2:1-17, Psalm 120:1-7, & Proverbs 28:25-26. Click here to read online.