Rare Jewel Insight: October 4, 2006
Table of Contents:
1. WILL CHRISTIANS GUARANTEE AMERICA’S DESTRUCTION?
- by Tim Ewing
2. MYTHS, LIES, & HALF-TRUTHS CONFERENCE
- Helena, MT; Oct 13-14
- FREE Book When You Register
- Conference Schedule & Speakers
1. WILL CHRISTIANS GUARANTEE AMERICA’S DESTRUCTION?
- by Tim Ewing
- 53-year-old man holds six teenage girls hostage in Colorado high school before murdering one and himself
- 32-year-old man kills five pre-teen girls and a teacher’s aide at Amish school in Lancaster County, PA
- 15-year old student murders his principal
And this is news from only the last week!
Oh, let’s not forget Representative Mark Foley (R-FL) who resigned this past Friday after his sexual advances on teenage boys became public.
And just two weeks ago we learned of a 24-year old woman in Illinois murdered her pregnant friend and her four young children including the unborn baby.
While police authorities, school/government officials, psychologists, and others wring their hands and wrack their brains to understand what has gone wrong in America and how to fix her problems, Christians should have answers—we need only to take them out of our private bible studies and bring them to bear in the public sector!
Psalms 22:27 states, “All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and He rules over the nations.”
Proverbs 11:14 reminds us, “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.”
God tells us in His word that He is in the business of world conquest. “…for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea” (Is 11:9). Christians, we just need to get with His program!
I’m not speaking of restarting the un-Biblical Crusades from 1,000 years ago…under the New Covenant God has given His church the sword of the Spirit, not the natural sword, to conquer nations. “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Cor 10:4-5). Our call is to bring God’s truth into the marketplace of ideas and destroy every philosophy or worldview that is against God.
“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.”
Who spoke those words? Muhammad? Osama bin Laden? Hitler? North Korea’s Kim Jong-ill?
Sorry, none of the above.
These are the words of Jesus Christ. It’s God’s Truth! (see Matt 10:34 and Luke 12:41). Our only hope for peace in the long-run is to stir up the pot in the short-run by bringing God’s truth to bear on America’s culture and politics.
If Christians do not get involved in the business of our nation, we will guarantee America’s destruction. We must become our nation’s “advisors”: in politics, in education, in the arts, in sciences, in environmental matters, in culture, in our neighborhoods…in every area of life.
We must become the chief influence on our nation because God commands it: Genesis 1:28 and 8:1 (“be fruitful, fill the earth, have dominion”) and reiterated by Jesus Christ in the Great Commission (“disciple all nations…teaching them to obey all I have commanded you” – Matt 28:18-20).
To this end, I know of no better place for Christians to be equipped and inspired than the Myths, Lies, and Half-Truths Conference in Helena, MT on October 13 – 14. Go to: www.americanvision.org/MT.
- Clarify your Christian role as salt and light in culture and politics
- Be inspired to bring the truth and power of God’s Word to bear in the public sphere
- Be encouraged that God is the Lord over nations and has an exciting role for His people in making Christian nations
Also, be sure to attend my FREE bonus session (Election Sermon) held in the Montana State Capitol building: open to the public, including current political office-holders and candidates running in the November election.
I will bring back a great American tradition that virtually ceased 100 years ago: the Election Sermon. Beginning as early as 1633, for over 250 years in America the presentation of Election Day Sermons was common practice. At the invitation of civil authorities, these sermons were preached on Election Day morning before governors, their councils, and the elected legislatures. The sermons were published and distributed, reprinted in newspapers, and read widely.
Historian Joel T Headley informs us in his 1861 book, The Forgotten Heroes of Liberty:
“These [Election] sermons were as much a part of the stately and imposing ceremonies as the election itself... the clergy were not a whit behind the ablest statesman of the day in their knowledge of the great science of human government... the publication of these sermons in a pamphlet form was a part of the regular proceedings of the assembly, and being scattered abroad over the land, clothed with the double sanction of their high authors and the endorsement of the legislature, became the text books of human rights in every parish.”
The text of my sermon will draw upon Genesis 2:9, 16-17; 3:5-6: the Fall of mankind, the Redemption of Christ, and the two basic worldviews we must choose from that operate in our world (either God or man is the acknowledged sovereign authority).
Every cultural and political problem we face in America is traced back to the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and its doctrine that teaches mankind may create its own rules for living. The solution to our problems is to embrace the way of the Tree of Life, to acknowledge God as our sovereign authority-individually and nationally—just as America’s Founding Fathers did. This is not the preferred way; this is the ONLY way to solve America’s problems and to ensure our nation remains a free society.
In my Election Sermon we will learn WHY the Founders chose Biblical Christianity as their blueprint for our laws and form of government. More important than knowing the fact that America was built upon Biblical principles, we must understand WHY!
No hints: you will have to attend the Election Sermon to find out WHY America was built upon a Christian foundation.
My great(5x)-grandfather, Reverend Gad Hitchcock, preached a bold sermon on May 25, 1774 in Boston before the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the British-crown appointed Governor, General Thomas Gage. I’m honored to follow in my ancestor’s footsteps.
Please join me, it will be a blessing to have some friendly faces in the audience. Seating is limited to 200, so be sure to come early to claim your seats.
I look forward to seeing you next week! Please pray that God will bring many of our public officials to this Election Sermon.
2. MYTHS, LIES, & HALF-TRUTHS CONFERENCE
a. When/Where: Helena, MT; Oct 13-14, 2006
How many times have you been left speechless when you heard the following objections to Christians getting involved in the issues of the day?
“Jesus didn't get involved in politics.”
“Christians should remain neutral.”
“Christians should just preach the gospel.”
“Religion and politics don't mix.”
These and many other objections are evaluated and answered at the Myths, Lies, and Half-Truths Conference. Learn what God's Word says about these oft-cited, but rarely examined, challenges to Christian activism (a.k.a. being “salt and light”). The Church can no longer survive on the sidelines.
Speakers include Rare Jewel Magazine founder, Tim Ewing; Gary DeMar, President of American Vision and Editor of Biblical Worldview Magazine; and David Barrett, director of Biblical Worldview Learning Center.
Co-sponsored by: American Vision, Biblical Worldview Learning Center, Montana Coalition of Home Educators, The Education Station, and Your Network of Praise.
Register today at: www.AmericanVision.org/MT.
b. FREE Book for Attendees
Attendees will receive a FREE copy (one per family) of Gary DeMar’s new book, Myths, Lies, & Half-Truths: How Misreading the Bible Neutralizes Christians.
The future of Christianity in America and around the world is at stake. Other than the Bible, this may be the most important book you will ever read (hardback; 300 pages; retail value $24.95).
Secure your FREE book right now at: www.AmericanVision.org/MT.
Go to: www.AmericanVision.org/MT
c. Conference Schedule & Speakers
Location:
Red Lion Colonial Hotel
2301 Colonial Drive
Helena, MT 59601
(Note: except for the Election Sermon that is held at the State Capitol Building in the old State Supreme Court room, all other sessions are held at the Red Lion).
Schedule:
Friday, October 13, 2006
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Tim Ewing: The Election Sermon: Restoring A Great American Tradition
7:00 PM to 7:45 PM Gary DeMar: America's Christian History: Fact or Fiction?
8:05 PM to 8:50 PM Tim Ewing: The Next Great Awakening - Can it Happen in America Again?
Saturday, October 14, 2006
9:30 AM to 10:00 AM Doors Open
10:00 AM to 10:45 AM David Barrett: Claiming the 21st Century for Christ
11:05 AM to 12:00 PM Gary DeMar: Myths, Lies, and Half-Truths that Neutralize Christians: Part 1
12:00 PM to 1:30 PM Lunch Break
1:30 PM to 2:15 PM Gary DeMar: Myths, Lies, and Half-Truths that Neutralize Christians: Part 2
2:30 PM to 3:15 PM David Barrett: Political Conservatism - Not the Answer
3:30 PM to 4:15 PM Tim Ewing: God's Nation-Driven Purpose
Download a PDF version of the conference brochure at: www.AmericanVision.org/MT.
Speakers:
GARY DEMAR is president of American Vision, a Christian educational and communications organization whose purpose is to equip and empower Christians to restore America's Biblical foundation. Gary has written more than twenty books covering a full range of topics. Gary has been interviewed by Time, CNN, MSNBC, FOX, the BBC, and Sean Hannity. He has done numerous radio and television interviews, including the "Bible Answer Man," hosted by Hank Hanegraaff and "Today's Issues" with Tim Wildmon and Marvin Sanders.
TIM EWING is president of Tolle Lege Press, founded to bring great Christian literature from the past back into print for Christians to be edified and equipped for years to come. Current projects include publishing the Bible that built America, the 1599 Geneva Bible, brought to the shores of our country by the Mayflower Pilgrims (www.1599GenevaBible.com). Tim is the Founder of Rare Jewel Ministries and writes regularly for American Vision's Biblical Worldview Magazine. Tim speaks frequently about America's Christian heritage and important cultural and political issues of our day.
DAVID BARRETT is the director of Biblical Worldview Learning Center located in Boise, Idaho. He is also the academic dean of Patria Academy International, a newly developed long distance academy. As a homeschooling father of seven, David co-authored the book Fathers and Daughters: Raising Polished Cornerstones with his eldest daughter, Elysse.
For more information, contact:
Jared Vallorani
American Vision
800-628-9460 x209
jaredv@americanvision.org
