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Devotion-A Charge to New World Leaders-Matthew 16:13-18 and Revelation 2:4-7

By Charlie Vensel | July 17, 2007

Charlie Vensel
Delivered in Musoma, Tanzania
Pastor’s Conference
June 2007

A Charge to New World Leaders (Matthew 16:13-18)

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But you,” He asked them, “who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!” And Jesus responded, “Simon son of Jonah, you are blessed because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the forces of Hades will not overpower it. (Matthew 16:13-18 HCSB)

Church history is an amazing thing. After the first few generations of Christianity, the power center of this new movement shifted from the Middle East to Africa, Alexandria and Egypt to be exact. Later it moved to Europe and then to the States. In fact, the United States’ earliest settlers were looking for a place to worship God as they thought best. It was the first place founded primarily for the pursuit of God.

Europe and the US had many faithful Christians. Churches were built on almost every street corner. These countries sent missionaries around the world. In fact, your church, the African Inland Church, is the fruit of such labors. However, things have changed.

Europe has beautiful cathedrals, so grand they are that you could not afford to build them again. However, they sit empty. I had a friend who recently visited Wittenberg, the birthplace of the Protestant Reformation where Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the cathedral. On the steps of this historic church today sit a coven of witches & warlocks, Goths, drug dealers, and prostitutes…few people ever go inside for anything other than sight-seeing. All over Europe, these empty churches are being turned into restaurants, bars, mosques and witches’ covens.

In the US, many of the older, stronger denominations have forsaken the Lord. They say things like Jesus is not raised from the dead, that Mary was not a Virgin, Jesus is a metaphor for the good in all men and that the Bible is not God’s Word but only some very wise words. They are undoing historic teachings, supporting abortion, ordaining unrepentant homosexuals, and performing same-sex marriages…all this they do saying, “God is doing a new thing. This is God’s will.”

But all of these are symptoms of a larger problem. Many American denomination have done away with the notion of the authority of Scripture. Cut out this foundation, and indeed, anything can be justified. Losing sight of a holy God who has clear commandments, raises man up in the position of ultimate judge to declare his own desires “God’s new thing.”

In America, we are only about 20-50 years behind Europe in turning our churches into restaurants, bars, mosques, and covens too. It is very discouraging. By sight, it is not likely to change. But for our verses this morning, I would give up hope for the American and European churches. Yes, there are many faithful there, but God’s moving in power to save many and preserve his church has slowed.

Please turn with me to Revelation 2:4-7: But I have this against you: you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. Yet you do have this: you hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. I will give the victor the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. (Revelation 2:4-7 HCSB)

It seems as though the Lord has removed the lampstand from America and Europe and the power center for Christianity is once again in Africa. We have come full-circle. Many in the US are looking to Africa for leadership. Many individuals belong to African churches in the US, including me…I am a Rwandan missionary sent to the United States. Christianity is exploding here in Africa. You are seeing so many come to Christ. Your doctrine is historic and true. Your leadership has godly character. You have not forsaken your first love.

Be encouraged! You are the leaders of the next period of Christianity. The Gospel has gone to all the corners of the world. God has called you and is blessing you to be the light of the world. God has called you to send missionaries to the US and to Europe. God has made you the head and you will succeed because not even the gates of hell will prevail against the church.

So, corporately, have confidence in your calling. You are God’s heroes. Send missionaries to the west. Study hard. Work hard so that you may keep your position of honor.

Individually, be encouraged in your witness; God called you! Be encouraged in your struggles. After all, we win in the end.

Pray for us. For hundreds of years, we have been praying for you and now the Lord is answering those prayers. Do not forget us. Pray for us, that these western churches would repent, and once again God would bless these continents with godly leaders and teachers. Pray for us, I beg of you!

I leave you this morning with a warning: Do not let up, do not neglect discipline, do not forsake the historic teaching, do not forsake prayer lest you lose your spiritual fortunes like the US and Europe.

Amen.

Topics: Devotionals, Matthew, Revelation |

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