THE GOD OF JUSTICE David Legge Jesus spoke to, many of them were extinct in several years' time because they didn't repent. <strong>God</strong> is building His church, there is revival in China and many other parts of the world, <strong>God</strong> is doing it - but I have a burden tonight for here, I have a burden for Ireland and for the United Kingdom. Friends, if the churches don't repent there is judgement! C.H. Spurgeon said about worldliness in the church, listen, I'm almost finished: 'I believe that one reason why the church of <strong>God</strong> at this present time has so little influence over the world' - that was in Spurgeon's day - 'it is because the world has so much influence over the church'. He further said: 'Put your finger on any prosperous period in church history, and I will find a little marginal note reading thus: 'In this age men could readily see where the church began and where the world ended'. Never were there good times when the church and the world were joined in marriage with one another. <strong>The</strong> more the church is distinct from the world in her acts and in her actions, the more true is her testimony for Christ, and the more potent is her witness against sin'. Addressing a National Seminar in the Southern Baptist denomination, George Gallup, who takes Gallup polls, spoke to the leaders of that church and said: 'We find there is very little difference in ethical behaviour between churchgoers and those who are not actively religious. <strong>The</strong> levels of lying, cheating and stealing are remarkably similar in both groups. Eight out of ten Americans consider themselves Christians', Gallup said, 'yet only about half of them could identify the person who gave the Sermon on the Mount, and fewer still could recall five of the Ten Commandments. Only 2 in 10 said they would be willing to suffer for their faith'. Donald Gray Barnhouse, a great preacher of bygone days, said this: 'Some years ago musicians noted that errand boys in a certain part of London all whistled out of tune as they went about their work. It was talked about, and someone suggested that it was because the bells of Westminster Abbey where slightly out of tune. Something had gone wrong with the chimes and they were discordant, and the boys did not know there was anything wrong with the peals, and quite unconsciously they had copied their pitch'. <strong>The</strong> church that marries the spirit of the age will be a widow in the next. Are you walking with <strong>God</strong>? Are you in agreement with <strong>God</strong>? Are you hearing from <strong>God</strong>? Are you speaking for <strong>God</strong>? Let us pray. As we have looked at the aimlessness of <strong>God</strong>'s people who were wayward, going in no direction because they were not walking with Him, in these closing moments analyse your heart. If you were asked the question Duncan Campbell was asked, how would you answer? Oh my friends, what are you arguing with Jesus about? Who here tonight will settle the matter? Maybe there is an unsaved person who will not repent of a particular sin because you love it - will you repent of it tonight and realise that Jesus will give you the power over it? But you must change your mind and allow Him to come in and change your heart. Backslidden believer, maybe it's something in your life that you're wedded to, and it's got a stronghold now, a foothold in your life - will you come tonight, while the Spirit of <strong>God</strong> is here, and dealing with people, and say: '<strong>God</strong> help me, I can't help myself! But Lord I will walk with You, I reach out my hand' - as Bill sang earlier - 'I reach out my hand, take it and walk with me'. But wait till I tell you: all of us, all of us need to repent daily, we need to die daily, we need to take up our cross and follow daily. 24
THE GOD OF JUSTICE David Legge Father, I pray tonight that You will do something, something supernatural, something significant and lasting in my heart, in all our hearts, in our homes, in our land. Oh <strong>God</strong>, we hear You roaring, <strong>God</strong> of justice, let us be close enough to listen. Amen. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Transcribed by Andrew Watkins, <strong>Preach</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Word</strong> - August 2011 www.preachtheword.com info@preachtheword.com 25
Change language