If you have been following my blog for the past seven years, you will remember that I have stressed that the day will come when Christians will be put under the microscope and condemned for what they say and do in the name of Jesus Christ; that the day will come when pastors will be arrested and put in jail because of the truths they proclaim from the Word of God. Friends, that day is getting closer than we realize. Allow me to share a story that was reported on several of the conservative news sites yesterday.
The article can be found at www.wnd.com/2014/10/major-u-s-city-demands-oversight-of-sermons. The author of the article is Bob Unruh, one of the featured writers with WND. Allow me to quote from the article. "Officials with the City of Houston, Texas, who are fighting for a controversial ordinance that would allow men to use women's restrooms there now have demanded to see the sermons preached by several area pastors. The recent move came in a subpoena from the city to pastors for copies of their sermons - and copies of other communications from the pastors to their congregations - in the city's fight over a 'non-discrimination' plan that allows 'gender-confused' people to use whatever public restrooms with which they identify. A legal action challenging the city's move has developed because the city allegedly violated its own charter in the process of adopting the Equal Rights Ordinance, which in May designated homosexuals and transgender persons as a protected class. Critics say the measure effectively enables sexual predators who dress as women to enter female public bathrooms, locker rooms and shower facilities. And a coalition of activists that includes area pastors filed suit Aug. 6 against the city and lesbian Mayor Annise Parker after officials announced a voter petition to repeal the measure didn't have enough signatures to qualify for the election ballot."
So, let's just stop right here and ascertain the gravity of the situation. The city council of Houston, Texas, adopted an ordinance that made it possible for persons who are confused about their gender to use any public bathroom facility that they choose. The people of Houston strongly disagreed with that ordinance and filed a petition signed by many of its residents urging the city council to repeal the ordinance. And, several of the area pastors spoke out against that ordinance through sermons, e-mails, blogs, etc. to their congregants. What was the response of the Mayor and the Council? They challenged the signatures on the petition and they decided to subpoena the sermons and other forms of communication from those pastors on record as opposing the ordinance. The Mayor and the Council members are not interested in hearing the Gospel; they just want to know if what is said from the pulpit aligns with the will of the Council.
The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) attorney working on behalf of the pastors said that "the city is illegitimately demanding that the pastors, who are not party to the lawsuit, turn over their constitutionally protected sermons and other communications simply so the city can see if the pastors have ever opposed or criticized the city. 'City council members are supposed to be public servants, not 'Big Brother' overlords who will tolerate no dissent or challenge,' said ADF Senior Legal Counsel Erik Stanley. 'In this case they have embarked upon a witch hunt, and we are asking the court to put a stop to it.'" ADF Litigation Counsel Christiana Holcomb said, "The city's subpoena of sermons and other pastoral communications is both needless and unprecedented. The city council and its attorneys are engaging in an inquisition designed to stifle any critique of its actions. Political and social commentary is not a crime; it is protected by the First Amendment."
Friends, this is a very serious matter. I have been teaching a class on Church History on Monday evenings in my church. I have been noticing an interesting trend when it comes to the conflict between the teachings of the Gospel and the world. What happened in the Book of Acts when the disciples dared to proclaim boldly the resurrection of Jesus Christ? They were arrested and threatened by those who opposed that message. In fact, we read where James was arrested and martyred, and a similar fate awaited Peter, except for the divine intervention of God. The Apostle Paul knew the difficulties of opposing those with divergent positions: imprisoned, beaten, and even stoned. The world is frightened when confronted with the truth.
And, as one continues in the study of the history of the Church, the assault upon truth is obvious. Our great nation was founded by those who were being persecuted because of the truths they held regarding the Word of God. And, as a consequence of that persecution, when this nation was founded, one of its foundational principles was that truth should not be quieted by government. This is the reality of the First Amendment.
And yet now that foundational principle is being assaulted. If the courts rule in the favor of the Mayor and Council of Houston, Texas, then pastors in this country will be faced with the reality of choosing whether to: a) continue preaching the truths of the Bible and speaking boldly those truths, knowing that to do so will most certainly lead to a jail sentence, or b) to compromise on biblical truth so as to preserve their freedom from jail. And the issue that will create this dilemma will be that of homosexuality and gender equality. We have seen it already in Canada and places in Europe. Seventeen states and the District of Columbia have already embraced the transsexual agenda. It is on our doorsteps, and the situation arising in Houston is a strong clarion call that the battle is now engaged.
It is becoming increasingly clear that my role as a pastor/teacher is to proclaim the truths of the Scriptures as clearly and as powerfully as the Spirit of God gives the ability. And then to help the families within my church to own those truths as their own so that they, in turn, can instill them into the hearts of their children. If America is to be saved, it will only come through a cooperative and dedicated effort on the part of homes and churches strongly committed to knowing and proclaiming truth, even if it means a sacrifice might be required. I challenge you to re-read the book of Daniel, especially those first six chapters. "Dare to be a Daniel, dare to stand alone; Dare to have a purpose firm, dare to make it known."
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