In an age where an increasing number of young people under 30 are now starting to walk away from the One True Faith, it is fitting that those of us with a large megaphone, speak up with solutions. This is precisely, one of the major takeaways from the brand new movie (released March 30, 2018) - GOD'S NOT DEAD 3 - A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS. In a sense, one of the major solutions reminds us that the old must become new again. That particular solution is Love and a great message coming out of this new movie by David AR White and his Pure Flix production company. We live in times of extreme hatred, bullying, permanent division and upside down morals. GND 3 attempts to address some of this division, in light of everything else, with the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and some strong human emotions from both sides of the conflict, in the movie. At the end of GND 2, released in 2016, the scene was set for this sequel at the end of the credits. David White, as Pastor Dave, was taken away in cuffs because he refused to submit his sermons for review by an oppressive city hall. At the time, this issue was heavy in the air with the overreach of the former Houston Texas Mayor, in real life, who had subpoenaed the sermons of five Houston preachers in 2014, over the pastors teaching directly from God's Word. This unconstitutional act backfired nationally, as it should. However, GND 3 - heads off in a completely direction. The arrest of Pastor Dave brought up another issue, which while related to the freedom of religion and to preach the Bible, tested the limits of the so-called "separation of Church and State". Religious liberty is still a potent issue with atheists attempting to remove chaplains from NCAA football teams in recent years, in the Bible belt of all places. Here in this movie, the increasingly liberal and narrow thinking of an anti-God society led to the accidental burning down of a historic church on the "Hadleigh" college campus. The secular staff, of this once Christian school, used that tragic occasion, which resulted in the death of a visiting African pastor, to kick the burnt out church (St. James) off campus for good. This, obviously, did not sit well, with Pastor Dave and his congregation or friends. He decides to travel to Chicago in his Prius to seek legal help from his brother, Pearce, who is a social justice advocate. Pearce is not a believer even though both he and David grew up in the same home with dad as the pastor of St. James. Pearce is played by John Corbett, who just a year ago, had the lead role as the real-life Pastor Michael Spurlock, who became renowned for rescuing a Tennessee church, which he was assigned to close down. Corbett is one of the well-known star-studded cast of God's Not Dead 3. The amazing thing, from the casting point of view, was how all cast members appeared in sync with both the screenplay and the execution of their roles. Christian movies with controversial themes are difficult enough for an authentic Christian to bring off the role with believability. David White did this perfectly here. I have seen his movies from the early evangelical short films of over 20 years ago, up to now. This role was his best ever, as all the nice happy church days of God's Not Dead 1 and 2, disappeared with the reality of late 21st Century American attitudes towards church and God.
This movie is full of drama with a well-written screenplay, which was obviously keyed in on current real-life events, and how it affects both the Church and young people. One particular scene involves the coed lead Samantha Boscarino (Keaton) telling Pastor Dave off about the reason millennials are not interested in Faith (Christianity) anymore. While Keaton character has a point, this did not happen in a vacuum. The "NONES" - the increasing number of people who do not believe in God etc. - got that way because of school indoctrination, parents who did not raise them with the Bible and THEN a church which is still playing games, instead of reaching souls and making disciples of their members. All of us in strong ministries which focus on discipleship, prayer, and families should go see this movie. It will also remind us in ministry, especially the pastors and church leaders among us, that the Church of Jesus Christ is NOT theirs to do as they/we please. It is God's and He will do as He pleases. It is also a good one to take an unsaved friend to, because those who doubt or walk away, need to come around to the Truth that is an old-fashioned concept like Love, is still answer. However, more importantly, this Love has only one Name - and His Name is Jesus! His Love is victorious over all. MOVIE WEBSITE HERE PURE FLIX WEBSITE HERE
For the past two articles posted, we have looked at the problem of young men going off the rails, through the Eyes of the Lord. We have actual proof of why all the problems with young men and boys in crisis for the past two decades began when the state replaced God as the father in many homes. Just look at the condition of almost every single American city. We have proof that what the Lord warned about in His Word is so true, it is difficult to look at without shedding a tear.
It did not have to be so. This was, is and never will be God’s plan for the half of the nuclear family, which He created. Men, who would father sons, were given a charge by God, since the beginning of time. This duty to raise up Godly children, as ordained in the Scriptures, has NEVER EVER changed. Never. (See video below for God’s instructions to parents).
The problems beyond fathers in the shrinking percentage of two-parent homes is their absence, now for the majority of children. When you add the intentional mocking of masculinity and Godly manhood by the secular culture, it is little wonder that men walk away or pull into a defensive or passive mode. Even so-called solid evangelical churches and especially influential megachurches shortchange or give scant attention to men’s ministry – the same men they say they want to be better fathers, husbands and community leaders. In fact, sometimes you get the impression that all these big churches care about is numbers and the big checks the shrinking amount of men going to church can write.
This is not how God planned it. When God created Adam, He gave Adam dominion over the earth and work to do. It was Adam who came up with the following names: rhinoceros, hippopotamus, and possum. One day, in Heaven, we should ask him about that…lol…but I digress. God created men to represent Him on earth. Even though Adam blew it sky high when he listened to his wife, who had just talked to a serpent, the mission never changed. God has a plan.
He said so very plainly in Jeremiah 29:11-13. While the original text was dedicated to the Land of Israel, all Scripture was written to all peoples of all time. So the words of the Bible are for all people of all time.
However, this final post of the 3 part “Oh Father Where art Thou” Series, is not just about diagnosing the serious problem of losing our sons to liberal pit. We are about solutions….and only the Lord knows and HAS this solution. He has told all mankind ALL through the Bible about His love, forgiveness, compassion and abundant life – in this life and the next. Lack of belief in His promises are not His fault but the fault of all who are disgruntled, depressed and in despair. Still, the promises are the same and are open for the taking, until the end of time.
Here is Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope".
We glean, from this, a factual and promissory statement from God:
He (God) has plans for us (verse 11). Those of us who have encountered the Living Christ know He has called us to a purpose for living. He is the only Being in the universe who can provide not just the goal for a meaningful, abundant life, but the means to get there. God’s plans literally work in mysterious ways. He obviously cannot show us everything He has designed for us at once, or we would not believe, fail miserably and then give up. God’s plans unfold as we walk closely with Him and seek Him daily and learn more about Him, from reading His Word. His plans give Hope, Purpose, Direction, Inspiration and more. But the majority of our young people who are not just lost but are now called “NONES” because they want nothing to do with Faith or the simple Gospel of Christ. No one ever tells them about God’s Plans for their lives – THE RIGHT WAY. The lost generations become lost because adults did not care enough to go beyond teaching them in platitudes and empty words.
God’s Plans (still verse 11), if taught accurately as the Scriptures exhort in Deuteronomy 6:6-9, also reveals the following:
1. He cares about our welfare deeply. His children never go hungry. I am here to say He always provides, even if is a plain saltine cracker. But His concern for our welfare goes beyond food, health, and shelter. He cares more about our souls and growth in the Knowledge of Him than if we see the latest super-hero movie or have the latest iPhone. Can someone please try to get to the nearest teenager/millennial to you so they can see beyond materialism and narcissism?
2. God is not here to hurt you, but there is pain in life. It is called life. Jesus explicitly stated that in this world, we will have trouble, but “behold He has overcome the world”. It is all about perspective. Worldly perspective leads to what we see daily in society, schools, culture and even churches and family. Godly perspective leads to the proper outlook on dealing with the peaks and valleys of daily living in a fallen world. If no one tells the young about original Sin and Satan, they will remain deceived until Judgment Day. By then, it will be too late and God will hold every single adult responsible!
Provision and perspective give us Hope in the One Who provides both to us. Anyone who has been gloriously converted into the Kingdom of His marvelous Light; instinctively knows He Who gives us Hope. It is the absolute essence of Faith, which is in such short supply, in these last days. Lack of Faith in the God Who has the blueprints for the best life one can ever imagine, if we work/reason/believe in Him, does not change the concept of Faith. Calling the sky purple and yellow does not make it so. God is God and all His Words are consistent and true.
12 Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
Herein lies a major failure by adults – from church and community leaders to parents. God DOES have all these amazing plans or blueprints for the lives of each human being born. However, the majority of this world has kept the next generations from accessing the Truth of these plans. The blueprints are there, BUT THEY MUST BE ACCESSED! There is a way, which the Lord lays out for us, to both access and maximize the potential of these “plans”. If we wanted a raise from our bosses or wanted to try out for "Band" in high school, don’t we go and talk to the boss, coach or bandleader? Don’t we communicate with a person who we consider influential in helping our situation? Of course, we do! So why are everyone with influence in the Christian world (family, friends, preachers etc.) NOT teaching the next generation about talking with and to God? It is called a relationship for a reason – relationships have two-way communication. This relationship can only be maintained through PRAYER! We all know the answer. The reason most Christians and that includes pastors CANNOT teach on prayer is because they do not pray themselves. Surveys have found that the average pastor in the west prays only 10 minutes a week....outside of saying "thanks for the food"! This is outrageous. The very fact the All-Powerful Creator of Everything says (and means it) that we can call on Him anytime and He will hear us, should boggle the mind with awe, fear, and respect….all of which are unknown even to a lot of Christians! God says “pray to me and I will listen”. He is right! He not only hears, but He pays attention. There is so much fun made of “thoughts and prayers” these days that the lost generations that the young and Millennials see no value whatsoever in praying to (or talking with), our Heavenly Father. This is outrageous.
13 You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
So we know, (those of us with experience) that God has plans laid out for us. He is a good, good Father and wants us to talk to Him about it. He is NOT an ATM machine Who owes anybody anything. In fact, if God were to give us what we deserve, they would be no hope for all mankind. Somehow, in this rich entitlement culture, a wealthy, spoiled population of the lost generations expect all good things from both their parents and God to fall into their hands….and to keep being given to them. There is no concept of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ which requires us to be “ALL IN”. This is what God means by “search for me with all your heart” (verse 13b). This relationship, like any interpersonal one, requires commitment and work. This can only be taught through Discipleship, of which there is an awful lack, in these final days of the Age of Grace. The question is this: do we adults and the current crop of men especially - fathers and grandfathers, have enough HEART for our Heavenly Father, that we will try to help save the next generation of young men before it is too late? The little we can do, those who are not in men's ministry like my friends and me, is a lot more than the entire world is doing. Think about it. Act on it. Leave a Godly Legacy.
Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up withwings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary (Isaiah 40:31) What an amazingly powerful, hopeful and encouraging collection of words and sentiments....from the very heart of God! Recent in-depth surveys of the beliefs of many people of different ages reveal stunning news, which should shock and dismay any right thinking person. It should also make any Christian cringe. The sheer volume of “Nones” (those who believe in nothing or have no faith system) is increasing by leaps and bounds. It is no more so than in Millennials, who learned their “believe-in-nothing-and-everything” from the Generation X-ers, who got their selfishness and “all about me” attitudes from one of the worse generations ever: we Baby Boomers. To be fair, the Baby Boomers came by it honestly. These were children of the so-called “Greatest Generation” who not only survived the Great Depression but won World War II and created the greatest and most prosperous nation in the world. Therein lies the problem. The adversity of the 1930’s and 1940’s built perseverance and character. The prosperity of the victorious post-World War II boom led to a level of spiritual depravity and moral chaos which will only get worse, with each passing generation. All we need to do is look at the parallel universes of the brave military of the 1960’s and 1970’s against the sex and drug sub-culture, of that same era. When you combine a western society of practical atheists, where God and His Laws have become ritual for one hour a week (for a declining minority of churchgoers), and a Christian church which does not follow the Compass of Christ, we have hopelessness. We see the fruits of a people with no hope in the increased use of Opioids and the resulting vortex downloads into hades. Suicide among young people has gone through the roof. Social media has coarsened relationships and true fellowship by the share nature of its into hades. Suicide among young people has gone through the roof. Social media has coarsened relationships and true fellowship by the share nature of its free-flowing accessibility and “anonymity”. With Christianity, the Bible and any mention of Jesus kept out of public schools and out of most of the public square in the west, it is no wonder people have no fixed point of reference on which to base their self-worth and eternal future. Isaiah 40:28-31 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. 29 He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power. 30 Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, 31 Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. Still, amidst all of this, comes one of the most famous and inspiring Bible verses of all time (Isaiah 40:31). But God, He gives us a reason why He can be counted on to make such as statement we find in verse 31. Here is what He says: Verse 28: Because He is the Everlasting - meaning He has been there from Time past, to now to Eternity and was never created but did the creating Himself, He knows all and sees all. He never gets tired or grows weary in all these six thousands years of Creation and attending to the needs and souls of billions of people in all those years. Not just that, but God knows every single detail about us- our thoughts, our hopes, plans, dreams and fears. Because of this incomprehensible superior knowledge of His Creation, His "inscrutable understanding" leads Him to do what is best for each of us, if we would just trust and listen for and obey His direction. Verse 29a: He does give strength to the weary in our rest - physical and spiritual. We all need food, sleep, exercise and relaxation so we can perform the work which the Lord has given our hands to do. Emotional rest comes when are our hearts are at peace and full of grace and love in the Lord. This encompasses those around us in our families, friends and community. If done right, Emotional well-being leads to this community focusing on the Word of God, its study and application to transform us into the Image of Christ. Verses 29b-30: There is a barrel of Truth to the statement that God gives power to those who lack. John 1:12 says "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name". That same power is translated from the original Greek in John 1:12 as "dunamis" where we get the word "dynamite" from. Think of the explosive nature of dynamite and this is how God empowers the weak - if we ONLY TRUST IN HIM! From there, the Lord, through His Holy Word now goes on to say that ANYONE - from young to old, who wait for Him....will then receive the promise of Isaiah 40:31. This "wait for the Lord" or as the King James Versions says so beautifully "they that wait upon the Lord" is crucial. It is an active present tense exhortation as in "those who are actively waiting until they hear from Me or get a clear direction" will..... So the key is this, for the benefit of you and I - do not get in front or ahead of God, in our haste to make things better for us, because as humans, we are guaranteed to mess it up. But, just a little while longer and we "....will gain new strength; they will mount up withwings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary!" Is there anything more amazing than this truth?! God is good - all the time!
There is a new phenom called the "Nones" - that is, people who identify as having NONE when asked what their religious preference is. Now, you and I know that a personal relationship with Creator God and the Lord Jesus Christ is NOT a religion, but for the sake of argument, let's remain on the pollster's choice of word for now. Between 1950 and 2010, the amount of those "NONES" increased from 2% of the population to 16%! This is a huge, but not surprising swing in the wrong direction. While the 1950's and 1960's saw some great crusades and many movements to Christ, due to the solid preaching of Billy Graham and the flaky Jesus Movement, America and the west were already heading in the wrong direction. It was during the 1960's that the Supreme Court kicked God, the Bible and School Prayer out of schools. When God is kicked out of anywhere, by man, we know who moves in - the god of this world, Satan. There is no need to talk about the downward spiral since the US Supreme Court did that. We see the evidence. What should be concerning us is that today, some of these same Nones are the children of so-called "Bible-preaching churches" who grew up sitting next to us but have no clue Who the Real Jesus is. They have no clue what the Cross means. They are biblically ignorant. They never pray. They may go to one of these modern churches and raise their hands and experience who knows what, listen to some mindless pap by a just as lost "preacher" and when you look at the trends today, and the move towards same-sex "marriage", you see the fruit of all that lack of grounding in Word of God and True Truth. More so-called "evangelicals" - and I don't mean christians - believe there are more than one way to heaven than through The Way, the Truth and the Life. Yet, as George Barna just told us a few weeks ago, these people are in the majority of a group he calls "The Exiles. The increase over 50 years of the Nones is not a surprise, but the increase of our young people losing their faith should be. In his just released research three weeks ago, Barna discovered something that should trouble us as deeply as the large amount of Nones in our midst. We know there will be a falling away from the faith in these last days. What many church leaders and parents are completely oblivious to is the effect the upbringing they allow to slip by them in church, could lead to their kids completely losing their way. It could lead to their children thrown into Hell on Judgment Day and these same parents and church leaders will have that to answer for! This is not a joke, me being mean or judgmental. Study the Scriptures and see what the Lord has to say about all of this. In Part 3, we will look briefly at who these young people or Millennials (those who are currently 18-29 years old) are whom Barna surveyed and what they believe. For now, this group of 46 million Nones should be a clarion call for Evangelism - not raising money to go on a self-serving jaunt called a summer missions trip. It should be a clarion call to start sharing Christ, our testimonies and the way to Heaven now...and let it start with the person down the hall with whom we work...or even live with.
