Roots, Band-Aids, and Remembering the Titanic*

I chose this title because it represents how problems are most often dealt with, even spiritual problems. In our yards, undesirable weeds are usually dealt with by using a weed-wacker. However, the weeds grow back again, because the weed-wacker doesn't deal with the root of the plant. If an artery is cut, and gushing blood, the application of a band-aid is not going to solve the problem. The Titanic, at the time of its sail across the Atlantic, was called "unsinkable" by its builders. The captain sailed through a field of icebergs, confident that his ship would come through it unharmed. Once the Titanic started sinking, without enough lifeboats to hold all of its passengers, you can't solve the problem by rearranging the deck chairs (credit Randy Alcorn). Looking at the severe problems faced by our nation and society, these problems also can't be fixed with "weed-wackers, band-aids, and the rearranging of deck chairs". The people of God must be prepared to deal with the root of the problems. The LORD cried out in Proverbs for God's people to seek His wisdom: "How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you...But ye have set at naught all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I will also laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh...Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me...But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil." (Prov. 1:20-33, excerpt). Lawlessness is running rampant in our society, and people are looking for a political band-aid to solve the problem. We think that our prosperity makes us unsinkable like the Titanic, and we have turned from the solution provided by God. God says that He will mock, because we refused the opportunity and privilege of God's Spirit and Word being poured out upon us. Daniel, in the middle of the captivity of God's people in Babylon, dealt with the spiritual root of the problem, and turned to the LORD confessing his own sin, and the sin of God's people: "And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O LORD, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments; We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments: Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets...O LORD righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day...we have sinned against thee. To the LORD our God belong mercies and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against him; neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God...therefore the curse is poured upon us...all this evil is come upon us yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth." (Dan. 9:3-13, excerpt). Judgment begins in the house of the LORD, and, as it is also written in 2 Chron. 7:14, it is the responsibility of the people of God to turn back to the Lord in repentance, for His mercy and forgiveness. As Daniel also prayed, righteousness belongs to the LORD. All of our own righteousness is as filthy rags. None are righteous, not one, by our own efforts. We have allowed the curses attached to disobedience to God, and unrighteousness, to overcome our land in the name of "tolerance". Daniel knew what was necessary to deal with the root of the spiritual problem. Man's attempt to "fix" the problem will not solve it. Proverbs 14:12 says that there is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. The prophet Ezekiel brought the Word of the LORD to Israel and to all of us telling His people to repent, turn away from their idols and abominations (Ezek. 14:6). Because of these abominations, Ezekiel wrote, the LORD would send His four judgments of famine, beasts, pestilence and the sword to destroy the land and the people, until there would be just a remnant left. Even if the giants of righteousness, Noah, Daniel, and Job were in the land, they would not be able to deliver anyone but themselves from these judgments. (v. 12-22). We have seen pestilence paralyze America, and we are currently seeing heat and drought bring destruction of food crops. Do we want to see America go through the rest of these judgments? The LORD does not desire to see the death of anyone, however. He warns and warns again of the just consequences that follow sin and abomination. The Word of the LORD again from Ezekiel says: "Say unto them, as I liveth, saith the LORD God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?" (Ezek. 33:11). The LORD said to Ezekiel that the righteous man who relies upon his own righteousness, if he sins, his previous righteousness is forgotten, and he shall die for it. In the same manner, if the wicked man turns from his wickedness and walks in the statutes of life, then his former wickedness shall not be mentioned, and he shall live (v. 12-16). If God does not want the wicked to die, how much more is He looking for His people to turn from evil and live in Him? Are Christians praying, and if so, who and what are we praying for? only our friends? Paul wrote: "I exhort therefore that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercession, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus...I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting." (1 Tim. 2:1-8, excerpt). Paul wrote this as a preacher and an apostle to the Gentiles, ordained by Christ, bringing faith and truth in his teaching (v. 7). Are Christians praying for Joe Biden as one in authority? This must be our response as people of God. This is the will of God. As Paul wrote of his being compelled to preach the gospel without charge, he also wrote of his willingness to speak to all, relating to each in any way that proved effective. He could speak to the Jews as a Jew, knowledgeable of the Law. He could speak to those who did not live under the Law of Moses also, and to the weak, he spoke to them as someone weak: "...I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you." (1 Cor. 9:16-18). As Paul travelled to Athens, a society of idolatry, he was able to preach God and Christ in a manner using their own dedication to pantheism that caused the Athenians to want to hear more (see Acts 17:16-34). Does the Church have the same self-denial as Paul had in his preaching? I believe that we are about to witness the retuen of Christ, yet I can hardly recognize the country that I fought for and served. We need to show the house to the house, because judgment begins in the house of the LORD. Our free ebook, "The Shroud of Turin: A Perfect Summary" has now been read in 62 nations, and is currently available in four languages. I want to become all things to all men so that I might save some. Wake up America, the Word of God is calling you! *Based upon the 9/3/23 message of Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson Jr. to the Church. To hear the full message, look for Dr. Stevenson's Facebook page. You can contact this ministry at PO Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705. God bless you.