Turning Point Part 2

By Pastor Bob Rasmussen

Good morning to our congregation and all those watching online – YouTube, Facebook, CWM, Roku, and our website.

I usually do not have dreams that I remember. That was up until about two weeks ago. I have had some very elaborate dreams, a couple of nightmares, and some that I have a hard time finding a word to describe other than spiritual.

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

I have definitely been sensing something shifting and moving spiritually through the Holy Ghost’s discernment. An impending move of God and of the enemy. I think we are seeing a manifestation of that specifically since the assassination of Charlie Kirk. But we should also consider all of the other people who have been killed because they believe in Jesus Christ, our Redeemer.

But since the assassination of Charlie Kirk, we have seen a sort of move of God, starting even with Charlie’s memorial service. A worship service with attendees, surrendering in worship. Political leaders, time after time, at the podium, proclaiming Jesus.

And in one of the most powerful moments – a woman, still grieving, Erika Kirk, with tears in her eyes and mustering all of her fortitude, offered something that may make no sense to other people – she forgave her husband’s killer.

Since that time, I have read that Turning Point has received 120,000 inquiries to start new local chapters at schools and universities. That’s good for Turning Point!

But I had a dream, and I saw throngs of people heading to a Turning Point building. It was cathedral-like. It looked shiny, but something was off – it was a feeling more than a visible flaw. Then, as if from heaven, I heard – that’s not the Turning Point, I am. Jesus is the Turning Point Amen, amen, and amen!

Repentance is the turning point to be saved. Repentance is the acknowledgement and action of changing, which involves setting oneself apart.

There are many folks who, according to media reports, are returning to church. Others are questioning their beliefs, considering the possibility of a God, and seeking to learn more.Maybe we are finally at a turning point in our country where there will be an awakening.And I, for one, would love to see that happen, more than anything!

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

This is where the actual turning point is – in repentance. This is part 2 of a message where I want to address some of the questions that people are either new to the faith in Jesus, or perhaps equip those in the faith with answers to some questions that may come up in conversations. And if I am being honest, these are some of the same questions I had before I came to the Lord.

1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

I have heard several messages on verse 15, but not the whole verse.

Sanctifying the Lord is before answering. Sanctifying the Lord is before sharing.

Sanctifying means that we put Christ first in our lives. Christ is more than our selfish desires. Christ is to be more important than the opinions of others and what people think about us. Jesus is more important than our likes and followers on Instagram and Facebook. We are more concerned with following Him than people following us. Amen?

The verse then ends that we are to answer the hope that is in us in meekness and fear, or gentleness and respect. We need always to be ready to share or to answer why we believe what we believe. Why do we live the way we do? Why do we give the way we do? Hopefully, why do we love like we do, amen? And who is our hope in?

And as I said, there may be those, because of events that are occurring, like the Charlie Kirk assassination, that may be opening their hearts and minds to the hope that is in the gospel. We also want to do our best to answer some of those questions and address any misinterpretations they may have heard.

One of the biggest misconceptions that I have heard is that the bible is racist and a condoner of slavery. Wow! That’s a big one.

What I love about the bible is that it is not a book of perfect people always doing the ideal thing. Many individuals in the bible did some great stuff– and some not so great stuff. Some did both.

As I have said, God did not want puppets and gave all of us free will. Sometimes free will works well, and sometimes it doesn’t. When I consider that and also understand that the times in the Old Testament were a completely different culture and different economy, I have perspective as to what happened..

The truth is, men created slavery. But brother Bob, some scriptures talk about how slaves are to be treated and so forth. You are correct, there are. But God did not tell men to make slaves. Slavery had been around for a long time, originating from the economic and agricultural needs of society.

Are you saying slavery was good? Of course not, but like I said, the bible tells the whole story of God and the whole story of mankind, bumps and all.

There were some of the pro-slavery debaters in the United States who used Genesis 9 to justify slavery. In Genesis 9 we see Noah got a little sauced, and one of his sons found him there naked, and he went out to tell his brothers, trying to disgrace his father. Noah wakes up and knows this and said this:

Genesis 9:25 And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.

The slavery advocates called it the curse of Ham. First of all, Ham was Canaan’s dad; Noah did not mention him. And it also assumes that Ham was the ancestor of all black people. But they would use this single verse to justify the enslavement of another person.

Bad biblical interpretation hurts people. Inaccurate interpretations that justify unjust institutions can encourage harmful attitudes. Greed, child abuse, and warmongering are all evils that bad interpretations of scripture have been attached to.

Why didn’t Jesus free the slaves or all the slaves? He did!

John 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Through His life, death, and resurrection, paying the sin debt for ALL of mankind, He allowed everyone to be free from the yoke of sin. And through His Holy Spirit and through His Word, He has shaped states, countries, and generations, where people have been changed, resulting in generational changes that abolish evils like slavery.

But now the world is so modern and good, there is no more slavery, right? Mankind is so good on its own.I looked up some data, and it indicated that there were some 50 million slaves in the world today.

Source – https://commons.wikimedia.org

Here is a map, and the countries that are reddish and brown are where slavery is highest. Most of those countries have a religion that is rooted in Islam or communism, except North Korea, which is just a country run by a crazy little fat man named Kim Jung Un, or affectionately known as Rocket Man.

But notice the other countries, like the United States, which at its peak had almost 4 million slaves – slavery is now outlawed. Jesus is not a political force; He is a Spiritual force who brings about changes in the most critical area, the heart, that affect generation after generation. Lord, come quickly.

Last week, I also touched on the values of marriage that we have, why we have them, and what God has to say about that in His Word. I did not get to address sexuality. It seems to me there are a lot of churches that won’t discuss the subject, or that have just decided to embrace what society considers normal. And one argument I have heard is that it was just for the Old Testament. OK, it is there. We have the Sodom and Gomorrah event. We also have this scripture as well:

Leviticus 18:22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. 23 Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion. 24 Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you:

But then they will come back and say Well, Jesus came, and it was about peace and love. Jesus is just love and peace.

Matthew 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.

He calls for a faithful commitment to Himself, to Jesus. And that commitment causes division between those who choose His truth and those who reject it. The division created between these two choices explains how Jesus did not come to bring peace but a sword. And after Jesus came, we have this scripture in the New Testament.

Romans 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

The New Testament and the Old Testament do not disagree. Why? Because God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. And the hot topic that can separate family members is when they talk about homosexuality. In this don’t ask, don’t tell culture, we can be seen as aggressors. That we are full of hate and unforgiveness, that we are too judgmental. They make it seem that we have a choice, and we are choosing hate, because we disagree.

I wish I could tell my family that well, it doesn’t matter – but it does. And I have to stand on that Word of God, no matter how uncomfortable it is for them. And be ready for when you have this conversation. I hope you don’t – it is uncomfortable, but no matter how awkward it is, I can tell you that after that, Jesus will give you confirmation that you are standing for Him and His Word.

It may put division in your familial relationship – it did mine. But I have the complete confidence of His Word that He approves, even if they do not. I cannot change the Word of God to accommodate how someone feels or how right they think they are.

And many times, they will say, “Well, doesn’t Jesus love them?” Absolutely, He does, but not enough to change his characteristics of a Holy and righteous God. If God bent to the will of man to accommodate what society wanted, He really would not be God. Just like the event and message of grace from the prodigal Son, Jesus is waiting and hoping that ANY and ALL sinners would repent and just come home.

Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Which brings me to another conversation you may have. Where the other person says Well, I live a good life. I treat people well and support various charities. I volunteer at the food bank on the 3^rd Tuesday of every month. I have never killed anyone, and I rescued a puppy. Jesus knows that, and I will be able to live in heaven.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

That is the consistent message in the Word of God. That we all need to have Jesus, not just in our lives, but as our Savior. No matter how hard and how good we think we are, there is only one who is perfect and is our Savior. There were a lot of people throughout history who thought they were good and had it all figured out. You can have all the works in the world, but without faith, the bible says they are dead.

The next thing that might be asked is Why are there so many hypocrites in the church? I was hurt by so and so in the church. Well, that one can ring true. I think we all try to live our lives as close to Jesus as we can, but we all can have a moment, amen? Where we fall short of the expectations of those we know and of our Lord Jesus.

We have seen some very popular and famous preachers, men of God, get caught up in scandals. Even in our own lives, there may have been times when we attended church and the pastor hurt us, leaving a lasting sting. I know it has happened to Diana and me.

But we do not follow men, amen? We follow Jesus.

1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

A perfect savior. That is who the head of this church is. To judge Jesus based on the actions of any man or woman is flawed thinking. Men and women will inevitably fail, and we must put our faith in Christ. Jesus had to come because no one who lived before him or lived after Him was good enough. Jesus was the only person who ever lived or will ever live who is good enough to be the payment for our sins.

I don’t want to beat up on Catholics, but to be clear, the pope is also a sinner. The pope also needs Jesus. People need to worship Jesus, and not the pope. Popes die, Jesus will live forever.

Another question might be if there is a God, why is there so much pain and suffering? I mentioned slavery, but there is also rape. There is murder, there is incest, so much violence, even genocide, to name a few. Now the bible says that Jesus will come and wipe all that away, but still people want to argue this point as evidence that there is no God or God is a big meanie.

Pain serves as a survival mechanism, prompting us to avoid harmful actions. When an individual places their hand on a hot stove, a pain signal is transmitted, prompting a reflexive withdrawal of the hand.

Suffering is also a signal, a spiritual signal that reminds us of the shortness of this life and our mortality. In The Problem of Pain, Christian apologist C.S. Lewis writes, “God whispers to us in our pleasure, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts to us in our pain; it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

In the world of free will, some will choose good and some will choose evil. What is amazing about God is that he can use that suffering. Suffering has the potential to awaken spiritual awareness and lead individuals to seek a deeper connection with God. What Lewis is saying is that pain is not a whim, but a necessary part of the process by which humanity comes to understand their need for God and its capacity for spiritual growth.

I think part of the problem is that we live in a society that holds pleasure as the primary goal of life. Doing whatever feels good and right is the way to navigate this life. And then any form of suffering is offensive or counterintuitive. And then they say God is not fair.

If we got what we deserve from God, man, we would be in trouble. God’s mercy and God’s grace are what He offers to us. And I think that it can be so taken for granted that suffering and pain are somehow a shock. I thank Him every day for His love and sacrifice, amen?

Last one. If God is love, why would He send people to hell? I asked Jeff last night, and we are going to do a bible study on hell – but for the sake of argument this morning, let’s say why doesn’t everyone get eternal life in heaven, which I think would be hell.

There is a day of judgment that is coming. We have the wonderful gift of the opportunity to receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior or reject Him. It is that simple.

I read this somewhere, but I cannot remember where. But the unfortunate fact is that many will reject that message of salvation. And to that end, at the end of the days, I think that the gates of hell are locked from the inside by the free choices of men and women.

If you are watching online this morning, I hope this helps. If you’re asked some of those questions, I hope this helps as well. God’s Word will provide all of the answers we all need.

As I said, people are saying that there is an opportunity for revival in this country after the Charlie Kirk assassination. But I fear that it will be superficial; That it will mean a Jelly Roll concert, a devotional book, and then that’s it.

Real revival comes with a focus on Jesus. Real revival requires repentance and passionate prayer. Real revival is focused on the Word of God, a yearning for the Word, and a burden for the lost who need salvation. I think genuine revival will yield people surrendering to the call of service and ministry. Generosity in giving for the work of the Lord.
And most importantly, a manifestation of the presence of God through conviction of sin, healings, signs and wonders, and hallelujah, fillings of the Holy Spirit! That is true revival, amen? The altar is open.