The Bible and Our Culture

Update on City Council

There is a new Spokane city council since September of 2023 when they renounced the mayor for attending a worship service many patriotic Christians in Spokane participated in (including LRC).  Many of the most immoral council members still remain, and have acted unethically in plain sight.  For example, last meeting, they deceptively passed a deceptive Resolution about illegal immigration when they never even mentioned the word illegal and many citizens went along with it.  

How Gideon became a bureaucrat...

Many ignore this portion of Gideon's story: the dirt.
The temptation of popularity.
Proverbs 18:12 "Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility."
Gideon got lazy and pride crept in.
Pride brings destruction to Gideon and the people around him.
Beware of those who want power but don't take responsibilities.  
Many unelected "gatekeepers" influence policy hiding in plain site.

Ginosko

Many who do "Christian" ministry don't truly and absolutely know God!
We can ginosko God and flow in gifts of power, but just because you flow in power doesn't mean you ginosko God. 
If your lawless, you don't really know God.  God's law is something we love.
God's law partners with God's grace against sin.  

Phonies might do God's will in God's power but not know Him.

Beware of false prophets.  What is a false prophet and how can you spot them?
Some have God's anointing but don't know them.  They don't get to heaven.  
Saul versus David.

Righteous anger for God's people who won't fight for the nation.

Priorities: Tolerate those who will fight for God's people, but not those who are cowards.  
Gideon wisely accommodated the Ephraimites even though they were making false accusations against him because they were willing to fight.
There is no excuse for those who won't help fight the culture war.  

God answers prayer in amazing ways, but we need wisdom to maintain the victory.

Judges 7:23 - 8:17
After an amazing victory, Gideon has to use wisdom in diverse circumstances to enforce and maintain the victory.
Gideon responded wisely and refused to react foolishly.
Gideon didn't have tolerance for those who undermined the battle.

Protecting the Local Body

Wolves are in issue each local church must beware of.
Fruit is always the currency.  
False prophets correct in error.

Make the enemy's plans backfire!

Battle the enemy within relationship with God's people. 
Be active in your local church. 
God will help us build our faith. 
We can stand in faith and cause the enemy's plans to backfire.
God causes the enemy’s plans to backfire

God likes to use just a remnant to show off!

Gideon's Army had to be whittled down from 32,000 to 300. 
God wanted the glory for Himself.  Fear and lust might disqualify some from the victory. 
Have a big-picture vision.  Understand the importance of a generational focus and an eternity focus!

Old Testament prostitution

Ezekiel 16; Old Testament prostitution.
Gideon's victory at home in Judges 6.
The over-sexed culture requires child sacrifice.
Sex saturated culture leads to degradation of our son's and daughters as well as all our society.