FROM D. JAMES KENNEDY MINISTRIES
THIS IS KENNEDY CLASSICS
♪
WELCOME TO KENNEDY CLASSICS
HELLO, I'M FRANK WRIGHT, PRESIDENT OF
D. JAMES KENNEDY MINISTRIES WHERE WE ARE STANDING FOR
TRUTH AND DEFENDING YOUR FREEDOM.
WELCOME TO KENNEDY CLASSICS.
THIS WEEK WE CELEBRATE THE SIGNING OF THE DECLARATION
OF INDEPENDENCE 241 YEARS AGO.
THE DISTINCTLY CHRISTIAN AND BIBLICAL UNDERPINNINGS
OF THAT ACT ARE A PRECIOUS HERITAGE AND WE HAVE
CREATED MANY RESOURCES TO HELP YOU UNDERSTAND AND
PRESERVE THE CHRISTIAN ROOTS OF AMERICA.
VISIT OUR MINISTRY WEBSITE, DJKM.ORG, FOR ALL
KINDS OF GREAT DIGITAL, AUDIO, VIDEO, AND PRINT
RESOURCES.
WHAT ARE YOU RESTING YOUR FAITH UPON?
THE SHIFTING SANDS OF THIS WORLD
OR THE SOLID ROCK OF GOD'S TRUTH?
FOUNDATIONS FOR YOUR FAITH, THE BEAUTIFULLY
BOUND HARDCOVER EDITION OF DR. D. JAMES KENNEDY'S
MOST COMPREHENSIVE BOOK LAYS OUT THE BASIS OF
A SOLID CHRISTIAN FAITH AND WE'D LIKE TO SEND YOU
A COPY FOR YOUR GENEROUS DONATION TOWARD THE ONGOING
WORK OF THIS MINISTRY.
THIS VOLUME OF NEARLY 500 PAGES EMBODIES A TREASURY
OF DR. KENNEDY'S DEEP THEOLOGICAL EXPERTISE,
DECADES OF PASTORAL EXPERIENCE, AND IS AN
EASY TO UNDERSTAND YET PROFOUND PRESENTATION OF
FOUNDATIONAL TRUTH.
TO GET YOUR COPY PLEASE CALL, WRITE, OR GO ONLINE
AND BE SURE TO INCLUDE A GENEROUS DONATION TOWARDS
THE ONGOING WORK OF THIS MINISTRY AND WE'LL SEND
YOU DR. KENNEDY'S CLASSIC BOOK, FOUNDATIONS FOR YOUR
FAITH TO HELP YOU STAND FIRM IN YOUR FAITH.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO RECLAIM AMERICA FOR
CHRIST?
DR. D. JAMES KENNEDY WROTE AND SPOKE EXTENSIVELY ABOUT
THE NEED- AND INDEED OUR OBLIGATION- TO RECLAIM
AMERICA FOR CHRIST.
HOW ARE WE TO UNDERSTAND THIS?
AS A STARTING PLACE WE SHOULD CLEARLY STATE WHAT
WE DO NOT MEAN.
WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT RECLAIMING AMERICA FOR
CHRISTIAN PEOPLE.
IT MUST BE FOR CHRIST OR NOT AT ALL.
WHAT IS AT ISSUE HERE IS THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD
OVER ALL OF CREATION.
DUTCH THEOLOGIAN AND POLITICAL LEADER ABRAHAM
KUYPER PUT IT THIS WAY: THERE IS NOT A SQUARE INCH
IN ALL THE DOMAIN OF OUR HUMAN EXISTENCE OVER WHICH
CHRIST- WHO IS SOVEREIGN OVER ALL- DOES NOT CRY:
MINE!
OURS IS A NATION BIRTHED IN FREEDOM- THE PRINCIPAL
ONE BEING RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.
AND THAT FREEDOM IS UNDER ENORMOUS DURESS IN OUR DAY.
WHAT IS NEEDED TO DEFEND IT?
ACCORDING TO DR. KENNEDY, THE THING NEEDED ABOVE ALL
ELSE IS COURAGE- COURAGE IN THE PROCLAMATION OF THE
GOSPEL AND COURAGE IN DEFENSE OF LIBERTY.
HERE IS DR. D. JAMES KENNEDY WITH HIS MESSAGE:
"AMERICA FOR GOD."
AS WE CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF THIS GREAT LAND,
WE KNOW THAT THIS LAND HAS BEEN PRINCIPALLY MADE
GREAT BECAUSE IT IS THE GREAT BASTION OF FREEDOM
AND LIBERTY.
OF ALL THE FREEDOMS WHICH WE MOST ENJOY,
THAT WHICH WAS MOST IMPORTANT AND STILL
REMAINS SO, IS THE FREEDOM OF RELIGION!
IN FACT, IN THE BILL OF RIGHTS IN THE FIRST
AMENDMENT, BEFORE THEY GUARANTEED THE RIGHT OF
THE FREE PRESS OR THE RIGHT OF THE FREEDOM TO
ASSEMBLE OR THE RIGHT OF FREEDOM TO PETITION THE
GOVERNMENT OR EVEN THE RIGHT OF THE FREEDOM OF
FREE SPEECH.
BEFORE ANY OF THESE, AND FIRST OF ALL,
THEY GUARANTEED THE FREEDOM OF RELIGION.
(APPLAUSE)
THAT WAS A UNIQUE ACT IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD.
ON THAT DAY, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF
THIS PLANET, RELIGIOUS FREEDOM BECAME A REALITY.
THERE HAD BEEN RELIGIOUS TOLERATION BEFORE, BUT
IT HAD NEVER RISEN TO THE LEVEL OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.
AMERICA WAS A RELIGIOUS NATION!
IN 1890'S THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES,
IN THE TRINITY DECISION EXAMINED ALL OF THE
DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE CONCERNING THE FOUNDATION
OF THIS COUNTRY, AND THEY CONCLUDED THEIR
INVESTIGATION BY SAYING: THAT THIS COUNTRY IS
"A RELIGIOUS PEOPLE.
THIS IS A CHRISTIAN NATION."
(APPLAUSE)
IT WAS THAT GREAT FAITH IN GOD AND CHRIST THAT BROUGHT
THE FOUNDERS OF THIS NATION TO THESE BARREN SHORES.
THE MAYFLOWER PILGRIMS DECLARED THAT THEY HAD
COME HERE TO PLANT THE FIRST COLONY IN THE
NORTHERN PART OF VIRGINIA FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE
ADVANCEMENT OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH.
WHEN THE COLONIES GOT TOGETHER IN THE NEW
ENGLAND CONFEDERATION, THEY SAID WE ALL CAME INTO
THESE PARTS OF AMERICA FOR ONE AND THE SAME END AND AIM.
WHAT, MY FRIENDS, WAS THE SINGLE END AND AIM THAT
BROUGHT ALL OF THE NEW ENGLAND COLONIES TOGETHER
BACK IN THOSE EARLY DAYS?
IT WAS THIS: NAMELY "TO ADVANCE THE KINGDOM OF OUR
LORD JESUS CHRIST."
THAT WAS THE REASON THAT THEY CAME.
(APPLAUSE)
ACCORDING TO THE SUPREME COURT, THEY ESTABLISHED
A CHRISTIAN NATION.
AND THERE IS NO DOUBT, IT IS BEYOND CONTROVERSY,
THAT THE OVERALL WORLD-AND-LIFE VIEW HELD
BY THE FOUNDERS OF THIS NATION WAS THAT WHICH HAD
BEEN DERIVED FROM THE SCRIPTURES AND WAS, INDEED,
ENSHRINED IN THE RELIGION OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.
WE SHOULD REMEMBER THAT THE CHRISTIAN NATION WHICH
WAS ESTABLISHED HERE ALLOWED MORE RELIGIOUS
FREEDOM FOR MORE PEOPLE OF MORE DIVERSE VIEWPOINTS
THAN EVER HAD BEEN KNOWN BEFORE.
BUT IF THESE SECULARISTS AND IF THESE
ATHEISTS SUCCEED IN REPLACING THAT FOUNDATION
WITH A GODLESS ONE, I ASSURE YOU THAT THE
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY THAT MADE THIS NATION GREAT
WILL BECOME A THING OF THE PAST.
I BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE COME TO THE PLACE THAT WE
HAVE COME TODAY AND ARE GATHERED TOGETHER ON THIS
OCCASION BECAUSE OF TWO PRINCIPLE CAUSES.
ONE MUST BE LAID AT THE DOOR OF THE CHURCH ITSELF.
THAT IS, WE MUST CONFESS, AS WE HAVE DONE IN THESE
DOCUMENTS WHICH HAVE BEEN READ, THAT A GREAT PART
OF THE RESPONSIBILITY RESTS WITH US.
WE HAVE FAILED TO OBEY THE GREAT COMMISSION.
WE HAVE FAILED TO BRING THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
TO THE PEOPLE OF THIS NATION.
ONLY LAST NIGHT, IN A TAXICAB IN THIS CITY,
I TALKED TO A MAN WHO HAD BEEN HERE FOR TWELVE YEARS
FROM CAMBODIA.
LIVED IN WASHINGTON DC, THE HEART OF AMERICA,
FOR TWELVE YEARS AND HE HAD NEVER HEARD ONE THING
ABOUT JESUS CHRIST.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE MUST CONFESS THAT WE HAVE
DISOBEYED THAT GREAT COMMISSION.
WE HAVE BEEN CALLED TO SHARE THE GLORIOUS GOOD
NEWS OF LIFE ETERNAL AS A FREE GIFT TO ALL OF THE
WORLD, TO EVERY CREATURE ON EARTH.
BUT WE HAVE LEFT VAST MILLIONS, IN THIS NATION
ALONE, MUCH LESS THE FAR-FLUNG NATIONS OF THE
WORLD, IN UTTER DARKNESS AND IGNORANCE OF THE
TRUE GOSPEL.
IN 1606, BEFORE THEY LEFT ENGLAND TO COME TO THE
JAMESTOWN TO PLANT THE JAMESTOWN COLONY,
THEY SAID THAT THEY CAME THAT THEY MIGHT BRING THE
KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUE GOD TO THOSE WHO LIVE IN
DARKNESS AND MISERABLE IGNORANCE OF THE TRUE
WORSHIP OF GOD.
WELL, MY FRIENDS, THERE ARE TENS OF MILLIONS OF
PEOPLE STILL IN THIS COUNTRY WHO LIVE IN THAT
SAME DARKNESS.
SOME, INDEED, MIGHT BE WITHIN THE SOUND OF MY
VOICE RIGHT NOW.
WE HAVE FAILED TO LET THEM KNOW THAT GOD OFFERS THEM
ETERNAL LIFE FREELY; THAT JESUS CHRIST DIED FOR OUR
SINS AND OFFERS TO THOSE WHO WILL REPENT
EVERLASTING LIFE IN PARADISE.
(APPLAUSE)
AND I WOULD ASK YOU HOW COMMITTED ARE YOU
TO SHARE THAT WORD?
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF EVERY CHRISTIAN IN THIS COUNTRY
BEGAN TODAY TO SHARE THE GOSPEL WITH EVERY PERSON
THEY HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO?
WHAT A TREMENDOUS WORK WOULD BE DONE!
THIS NATION COULD BE TRANSFORMED!
I AM HAPPY TO SAY THAT THERE ARE MORE CHRISTIANS
THAT ARE WITNESSING TODAY THAN EVER BEFORE IN
HISTORY, AND THAT IS ENCOURAGING.
BUT WE HAVE FAILED IN THE PAST, AND WE'RE
BEGINNING TO RECOGNIZE THOSE FAILURES AND DO
SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
THE SECOND CAUSE OF OUR DILEMMA- THE REASON THAT
WE HAVE SO MUCH CRIME, ALCOHOLISM, DRUG ADDICTION,
IMMORALITY, PORNOGRAPHY, TEEN-AGE PREGNANCIES,
ABORTIONS, AND ALL OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT PLAGUE
THIS LAND- ARE BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT THE UNBELIEVERS
HAVE BEEN MORE THAN WILLING TO COME INTO THE VACUUM
THAT WE HAVE LEFT.
CHRISTIANS, UNDER THE ERRONEOUS CONCEPT OF
PIETISM, HAVE WITHDRAWN FROM THE VARIOUS SPHERES
OF SOCIETY.
WE HAVE WITHDRAWN FROM POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT,
WE HAVE SAID THAT THIS IS "DIRTY BUSINESS."
WE HAVE WITHDRAWN FROM HIGHER EDUCATION.
WE HAVE WITHDRAWN FROM THE MEDIA AND FROM THE ARTS
AND SCIENCE, AND OTHER ASPECTS OF CULTURE AND
UNBELIEF HAS MOVED INTO THIS VACUUM.
WE HAVE FAILED TO DO WHAT GOD HAS TOLD US TO DO, AND
BRING THE TEACHING OF GOD TO BEAR UPON THESE THINGS.
AND THEY HAVE DISTORTED THAT AND USED ALL OF THESE
VARIOUS AREAS AS WEAPONS AGAINST THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST.
BUT IT THERE'S BEEN A TWO-FOLD CAUSE OF OUR
FAILURE BECAUSE OF OUR OWN INABILITY AND OUR OWN
FAILURE TO EVANGELIZE AND OUR OWN FAILURE TO REACH
OUT INTO THE VARIOUS SPHERES OF SOCIETY,
THE SOLUTION IS JUST AS SIMPLE.
WE NEED, ON THE ONE HAND, TO OBEY THE GREAT
COMMISSION TO TAKE THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE.
ON THE OTHER HAND, WE NEED TO OBEY THE CULTURAL
MANDATE, TO TAKE THE TEACHINGS OF CHRIST INTO
EVERY SPHERE OF LIFE.
ONE OF THE REASONS FOR THIS GATHERING TODAY IS TO AWAKEN
CHRISTIANS IN AMERICA TO OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DO
JUST THAT.
I BELIEVE THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF SOMETHING
WHICH IS GOING TO BE EXCITING.
WE NEED TO BEGIN BY REACHING PEOPLE WITH THE
GOSPEL, AND I AM HAPPY TO SAY THAT THIS IS BEING DONE.
BUT A GREAT DEAL MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE.
WE NEED PEOPLE WHO ARE WILLING AND COURAGEOUS
ENOUGH TO WITNESS TO THE CONGRESSMEN, SENATORS,
NEWSPAPERS, TELEVISION STATIONS, RADIO STATIONS,
THE PEOPLE THAT RUN THIS NATION RIGHT HERE IN
WASHINGTON.
THOSE OF YOU WHO LIVE IN THIS TOWN SHOULD COMMIT
YOURSELF TO THE STRATEGY OF REACHING PEOPLE IN THE
VARIOUS LEVELS OF BUREAUCRACY THAT GOVERN
THIS NATION, TOO MANY OF WHOM ARE COMPLETELY IN THE
DARK CONCERNING THE SPIRITUAL TRUTHS THAT
CHRIST BROUGHT INTO THE WORLD.
WE NEED TO HAVE A STRATEGY THAT CAN CHANGE THIS WORLD.
WHERE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE WILLING TO GO TO THE
COLLEGE PROFESSORS, THE BIOLOGY PROFESSORS, THE
SOCIOLOGY PROFESSORS, AND SHARE WITH THEM THE GOSPEL?
I HAVE FOUND THAT MANY OF THESE PEOPLE ARE QUITE
RECEPTIVE.
THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD, THEY HAVE BEEN OMITTED IN
THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD.
WE'VE GOT TO DO THAT.
WE HAVE TO REACH THE GOVERNORS, THE MAYORS,
THE SENATORS, AND CONGRESSMEN OF THIS NATION.
(APPLAUSE)
I HAVE MADE IT A PART OF MY MINISTRY TO TRY TO
WITNESS TO EVERY PERSON IN PLACES OF INFLUENCE
THAT I POSSIBLY COULD.
NOTE THAT THEIR SOULS ARE OF NO MORE VALUE IN THE
SIGHT OF GOD THAN THE DRUNK IN SKID ROW, BUT
THEIR INFLUENCE MAY BE FIFTY MILLION TIMES MORE
IF WE COULD ONLY REACH THEM.
I WAS INTERVIEWED ON A TELEVISION STATION IN ONE
OF OUR TOWNS BY A YOUNG WOMAN WHO WAS THE
CO-ANCHOR FOR THE NEWS, AND SHE WAS A CHRISTIAN.
SHE BEGAN TO ASK ME QUESTIONS ABOUT THE VERY
HEART OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE- THE KIND OF THINGS
THAT USUALLY ARE NOT ASKED ON NETWORK TELEVISION.
FINALLY, SHE SAID, "YOU KNOW, THERE ARE
A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT HERE LISTENING TO OUR PROGRAM
RIGHT NOW AND WATCHING THAT DO NOT KNOW REALLY
WHAT A CHRISTIAN IS OR WHAT IT MEANS TO BE
'BORN ANEW,' WHY DON'T YOU EXPLAIN THAT TO THEM."
AND I WAS SURPRISED THAT SHE ASKED ME TO DO THAT
AND I DID AND AFTERWARD AT A COMMERCIAL I SAID,
"YOU KNOW THEY ARE NEVER GOING TO RUN THIS."
SHE SAID, "OF COURSE THEY ARE. IT'S LIVE."
I SAID, "YOU HAD BETTER LOOK FOR A NEW JOB,
BECAUSE YOU ARE GOING TO GET FIRED."
SHE SAID, "I WON'T GET FIRED.
I'LL TELL YOU WHY LATER."
AFTER THE PROGRAM, SHE SAID,
"I WILL TELL YOU WHY I WON'T BE FIRED.
YOU SEE THAT MAN OVER THERE BEHIND THE CAMERA?
FIVE YEARS AGO I LED HIM TO CHRIST.
AND THAT ONE OVER THERE, AND THAT GRIP THERE,
AND MY CO-ANCHOR THREE YEARS AGO.
AND THE MANAGER OF THE STATION, I LED HIM TO
CHRIST TWO YEARS AGO.
THE OWNER OF THIS AND FIVE OTHER STATIONS I LED TO
CHRIST FOUR YEARS AGO."
SHE SAID "I CAN DO ANYTHING I WANT,
SAY ANYTHING I WANT."
(APPLAUSE)
NOW THAT IS THE GREAT COMMISSION!
WHAT AN INFLUENCE IN THAT CITY THAT STATION IS.
WE NEED TO DO THAT.
I WOULD CHALLENGE YOUR CHURCH TO TAKE UPON ITSELF
AS A PROJECT A NEWSPAPER, A TELEVISION STATION,
A RADIO STATION, A COUNTY COMMISSION OR A CITY COMMISSION
AND BEGIN TO PRAY FOR THEM AND GO TO THEM AND
WITNESS TO THEM FROM ALL SIDES.
WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THIS NATION FOR JESUS CHRIST!
(APPLAUSE)
IN ADDITION TO EVANGELIZING, WE NEED TO REALIZE
IF WE'RE GOING TO FULFILL THE GREAT COMMISSION AND
ALSO THE CULTURAL MANDATE, CHRIST SAID, GOD SAID IN
THE VERY FIRST COMMANDMENT THAT HE GAVE TO MAN IN
GENESIS 1:28, HE SAID: "BE FRUITFUL, AND MULTIPLY,"
HE SAID "SUBDUE THE EARTH AND HAVE DOMINION OVER IT."
THAT MEANS THAT WE ARE TO TAKE ALL OF THE
POTENTIALITIES THAT GOD BUILT INTO EVERY SPHERE OF
LIFE AND WE ARE TO PERFECT THOSE AND WE'RE TO OFFER
THEM UP TO THE GLORY OF GOD.
THAT IS WHAT WE'RE TO DO.
BUT, INSTEAD OF DOING THAT, THE CHURCH DISOBEDIENTLY
HAS RETREATED FROM THOSE SPHERES.
WE HAVE LEFT THEM TO UNBELIEVERS,
WHO HAVE MOVED INTO THE VACUUM AND THEY HAVE TAKEN
THE POTENTIALITIES THAT ARE THERE AND THEY HAVE
TWISTED AND DISTORTED THEM AND PERVERTED THEM,
AND THEY OFFER UP THE HIDEOUS RESULT UNTO THE
GLORY OF THEIR FATHER, THE DEVIL.
WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT AS GOD IS
ROBBED OF HIS OWN GLORY IN HIS OWN WORLD.
IF YOU WANT TO SEE EXAMPLES OF THAT,
JUST GO AND LOOK AT THE AVERAGE MOTION PICTURE
THAT'S BEING SHOWN IN THE THEATER, OR PICK UP
MANY OF THE NOVELS OR MAGAZINES THAT YOU'LL
FIND IN YOUR BOOKSTORE.
AND YOU'LL SEE EXAMPLES OF THAT SAME SORT OF THING.
WE NEED TO BEGIN TO MAKE AN INFLUENCE ON THAT.
CHRISTIANS NEED TO TALK TO THEIR CHILDREN ABOUT GOING
INTO AREAS WHERE THEY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THIS
COUNTRY, NOT JUST GOING SOMEWHERE WHERE THEY CAN
MAKE MONEY, BUT WHERE THEY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR
JESUS CHRIST.
WE NEED TO SEND OUR YOUNG PEOPLE INTO THE MEDIA,
INTO NEWSPAPERS, INTO TELEVISION,
INTO THE CONGRESS AND INTO THE SENATE.
I AM THANKFUL FOR ALL OF THE CONGRESSMEN AND
SENATORS, PEOPLE RUNNING FOR THOSE OFFICES THAT I
HAVE MET RIGHT HERE IN THIS CROWD TODAY.
I HOPE THAT THEIR NUMBER WILL BE MULTIPLIED TREMENDOUSLY.
(APPLAUSE)
AND WE CAN RECLAIM THIS NATION FOR GOD.
DO YOU BELIEVE THAT CAN BE DONE?
(APPLAUSE)
I THINK THAT AMERICA IS BEGINNING TO SEE WHAT IS
HAPPENING IN THIS COUNTRY.
CHRISTIANS ARE BEGINNING TO WAKE UP TO WHAT THEIR
RESPONSIBILITIES AND THEIR POTENTIALITIES ARE.
WHAT IS NEEDED IN THIS DAY ON THE PART OF CHRISTIANS
IS COURAGE.
WE LIVE IN A DAY, THEY SAY, WHEN EVERYONE HAS
COME OUT OF THE CLOSET.
THE HOMOSEXUALS HAVE COME OUT OF THE CLOSET AND ARE
MARCHING DOWN THE STREETS IN GAY PRIDE WEEK.
THE PROSTITUTES HAVE COME OUT OF THE CLOSET AND ARE
WALKING DOWN THE STREET DEMANDING THEIR RIGHTS.
WHY VIRTUALLY EVERYBODY HAS COME OUT OF THE CLOSET
TODAY, YOU OPEN THE CLOSET AND IT'S VIRTUALLY EMPTY.
UNLESS YOU MOVE BACK THE OVERCOAT AND LOOK BEHIND THE
SUITCASE, UNFORTUNATELY, IN MANY CLOSETS YOU'LL
FIND CRINGING THERE A CHRISTIAN.
(LAUGH)
ALAS AND ALACK!
IT IS TIME FOR THE CHRISTIANS TO COME OUT OF THE CLOSET.
IT IS TIME FOR CHRISTIANS NOT TO BE ASHAMED OF
JESUS CHRIST.
(APPLAUSE)
PEOPLE SCREAM AND YELL AND GET HYSTERICAL AT
FOOTBALL AND BASEBALL GAMES AND THEY SAY
THAT THEY'RE "FANS."
BUT YOU GET A LITTLE ENTHUSIASM FOR CHRIST,
THEY SAY "FANATIC."
MY FRIENDS, IT IS NOT SO.
CHRIST IS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE WHOLE WORLD WHO IS
REALLY WORTHY OF GETTING EXCITED ABOUT.
DO YOU AGREE?
(APPLAUSE)
I BELIEVE ONE OF THE GREATEST NEEDS OF THIS
TIME, THIS CRITICAL HOUR AND WE ARE LIVING IN A
CRITICAL HOUR IN THE HISTORY OF AMERICA-
A TIME WHEN SATAN AND CHRIST ARE ENGAGED IN A
GREAT BATTLE AND STRUGGLE FOR THE SOUL OF THIS NATION.
GOETHE, THE GREAT GERMAN LITERATUS, SAID THAT THERE
IS ONLY ONE STRUGGLE IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD
WHICH IS REALLY WORTHY OF OUR CONSIDERATION AND
THAT IS THE STRUGGLE BETWEEN FAITH AND UNBELIEF.
AND THAT STRUGGLE HAS BEEN GOING ON APACE AND HAS
REACHED ITS CLIMACTERIC IN AMERICA TODAY.
IT IS A CRUCIAL AND EXCITING AND CHALLENGING
TIME TO BE A CHRISTIAN, BUT WHAT IS NEEDED IS COURAGE.
WE NEED CHRISTIANS WHO ARE COURAGEOUS.
WE NEED PREACHERS IN PULPITS WHO ARE COURAGEOUS
AND ARE NOT AFRAID TO STEP ON TOES AND CHALLENGE
THEIR PEOPLE AND CALL A SPADE A SPADE.
(APPLAUSE)
ARE YOU COURAGEOUS FOR CHRIST?
ARE YOU BOLD?
WHEN THEY LOOKED AT THE DISCIPLES AND THEY SAW
THEIR BOLDNESS, THEY KNEW THAT THEY HAD BEEN WITH
JESUS, AND IF WE SPEND TIME WITH JESUS CHRIST,
WE WILL HAVE THAT BOLDNESS TOO.
I SAID I WAS GONNA TELL YOU A FAVORITE STORY;
IT IS ABOUT A STORY OF A MAN WHO WAS VERY
COURAGEOUS AND VERY BOLD.
HE WAS NOT A CHRISTIAN FOR HE LIVED 300 YEARS BEFORE CHRIST.
HIS NAME WAS ALEXANDER, WE CALL HIM "THE GREAT."
HE CONQUERED THE WHOLE WORLD BY THE TIME HE WAS 30
AND WEPT BECAUSE THERE WERE NO MORE WORLDS TO CONQUER.
ONE DAY HE WAS CONDUCTING COURT FOR HIS ARMY IN A
GREAT PALACE.
AND IN THIS PALACE THERE WERE SOLDIERS LINED UP
ALONG EACH WALL WITH THEIR SPEARS AT THEIR
SIDES AT ATTENTION.
ALEXANDER, THE KING OF THE WORLD,
WAS SITTING IN A GREAT GOLDEN THRONE CHAIR AND
ONE AFTER ANOTHER, THE SOLDIERS,
THE MISCREANTS WERE BROUGHT BEFORE HIM.
HE PRONOUNCED SENTENCE UPON THEM PEREMPTORILY AND
THERE WAS NONE THAT COULD DELIVER OUT OF HIS HAND,
FOR HE WAS THE SOVEREIGN OF THE EARTH.
AND ONE YOUNG MAN FINALLY WAS BROUGHT BEFORE HIM WHO
WAS VERY YOUNG, HE WAS ABOUT SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD.
HE WAS A MACEDONIAN, HE WAS UNUSUAL IN HIS MIEN
BECAUSE HE WAS BLONDE, BLUE-EYED-
A VERY HANDSOME LAD.
ALEXANDER LOOKED AT HIM AND HIS COUNTENANCE
SOFTENED SOMEWHAT.
THE SOLDIERS FIGURED THAT PERHAPS HE HAD TAKEN A
FANCY TO THIS YOUNG LAD.
AND HE ASKED WHAT HIS CRIME WAS, AND
THE SERGEANT-AT-ARMS READ OUT THE CRIME.
HE HAD BEEN FOUND CRINGING IN A CAVE,
HAVING FLED FROM THE FACE OF THE ENEMY IN BATTLE.
IF THERE WAS ONE THING THAT ALEXANDER COULD NOT
STAND, IT WAS COWARDICE, BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT A
COWARDLY BONE IN HIS WHOLE BODY.
ON HIS GREAT WHITE HORSE, BUCEPHALUS,
HE HAD RIDDEN IN FRONT OF HIS ARMY AND ALL OF THE
PERSIAN SPEARS AND ARROWS COULD NOT BRING HIM DOWN.
WHEN HE HEARD WHAT THIS MAN HAD DONE,
HE LOOKED AT HIM STONILY.
BUT AS HE LOOKED AT THIS YOUNG MAN,
HE WAS SUCH A FINE LOOKING YOUNG MAN,
AND HE SEEMED SO YOUNG, FINALLY ALEXANDER'S FACE
SOFTENED AGAIN AND HE SAID TO HIM: "YOUNG MAN,
WHAT IS YOUR NAME?"
AND EVERYONE IN THE ROOM BREATHED A SIGH OF RELIEF,
AND THEY KNEW THAT HE HAD WON THE KING'S HEART.
THE YOUNG MAN SIGHED HIMSELF AND HE SAID,
"ALEXANDER."
WITH THAT SUDDENLY, THE SMILE LEFT THE KING'S FACE,
AND HE SAID TO HIM ASTONISHED, HE SAID
"WHAT IS YOUR NAME?"
THE YOUNG MAN SNAPPED TO ATTENTION AND HE SAID,
"ALEXANDER, SIR."
THE KING CRIMSONED AND HE SAID TO HIM,
"WHAT IS YOUR NAME?"
THE BOY BEGAN TO TREMBLE AND STAMMER AND HE SAID,
"A...A...A...ALEXANDER, SIR."
AND WITH THAT, THE KING EXPLODED OUT OF HIS CHAIR
AND HE GRABBED HIM BY THE TUNIC, PICKED HIM OFF HIS
FEET, AND THEN THREW HIM ON THE GROUND AND HE SAID
TO HIM, "SOLDIER, CHANGE YOUR CONDUCT OR CHANGE YOUR NAME!"
MAN, WOMAN, "WHAT IS YOUR NAME?"
"CHRISTIAN, MY LORD."
"WHAT IS YOUR NAME?"
"CHRISTIAN, MY GOD."
DARE YOU TAKE UPON YOURSELF THE NAME OF HIM
WHO SET HIS FACE AS FLINT UNTO JERUSALEM AND WENT TO
A CROSS?
YOU, WHO HAVE NEVER OPENED YOUR LIPS TO BEAR WITNESS
TO HIM?
YOU, WHO HAVE MAINTAINED A YELLOW AND CRAVEN SILENCE
IN THE FACE OF ADVERSARIES WHO HAVE DRAGGED HIS NAME
IN THE MUD?
MAN.
WOMAN.
CHANGE YOUR CONDUCT OR CHANGE YOUR NAME.
(APPLAUSE)
PERHAPS YOU ARE WATCHING THIS PROGRAM AND AGREEING
WITH WHAT DR. KENNEDY HAS SHARED TODAY BUT YOU HAVE
NEVER ACTUALLY INVITED JESUS CHRIST TO COME INTO
YOUR LIFE AND TO BE YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD.
YOU CAN DO THAT RIGHT NOW.
LET ME EXPLAIN.
THE BIBLE TELLS US THAT HEAVEN IS A FREE GIFT.
IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE CAN EARN OR DESERVE
BECAUSE WE'RE ALL SINNERS AND FALL SHORT OF GOD'S
PERFECT STANDARD.
SO YOU SEE WE HAVE A PROBLEM.
BUT GOD SOLVED OUR PROBLEM IN THE PERSON OF JESUS
CHRIST, HIS ONLY SON, WHO LIVED A PERFECT LIFE, WHO
DIED ON THE CROSS TO PAY THE PENALTY FOR OUR SINS
AND PURCHASE A PLACE IN HEAVEN FOR US.
HE BECAME THE SAVIOR THAT COULD TAKE AWAY OUR SINS
SO THAT WE CAN NOW HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH AN ALL
HOLY GOD.
AND WE DO THIS BY TRANSFERRING OUR TRUST
FROM WHAT WE THINK IS GOOD ENOUGH TO GET US INTO
HEAVEN TO WHAT JESUS CHRIST DID ON THE CROSS.
IF THIS MAKES SENSE TO YOU AND YOU WOULD LIKE TO
RECEIVE THE GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE AND ENJOY ALL
THE BENEFITS THAT GO ALONG WITH THAT, WE CAN GO TO
GOD IN PRAYER RIGHT NOW SAYING, "LORD JESUS
CHRIST, FORGIVE ME OF MY SINS, CLEANSE ME AND MAKE
ME BRAND NEW.
I GRATEFULLY ACCEPT THE FREE GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE
AND PLACE MY TRUST IN YOU ALONE FROM THIS DAY
FORWARD.
THANK YOU FOR DOING FOR ME WHAT I COULD NEVER DO FOR
MYSELF.
IN YOUR NAME I PRAY.
AMEN."
IF YOU JUST PRAYED THAT PRAYER SINCERELY FROM YOUR
HEART, LET ME BE THE FIRST TO WELCOME YOU TO THE
FAMILY OF GOD.
AND WE HAVE A SPECIAL GIFT FOR YOU AS A NEW BELIEVER.
IT'S BEGINNING AGAIN, THE BOOK WRITTEN BY
DR. KENNEDY TO HELP YOU GROW IN YOUR NEWFOUND
FAITH.
TO RECEIVE YOUR COPY, JUST WRITE TO OUR ADDRESS, OR
CALL OUR TOLL-FREE NUMBER AND ASK FOR BEGINNING
AGAIN.
GOD BLESS YOU AS YOU DO!
WHAT AN HISTORIC EVENT, WHERE MY FRIEND AND MENTOR
DR. KENNEDY CLEARLY DEFINED THE CHALLENGE SET
BEFORE US AS CHRISTIANS IN AMERICA.
WHAT HE SAID ON THAT JULY 4TH IS EVEN TRUER NOW!
THE THREAT TO RELIGIOUS LIBERTY HAS ONLY INCREASED
AS THE FORCES OF POLITICAL CORRECTNESS AND SEXUAL
ANARCHY HAVE TAKEN CONTROL OF THE PUBLIC DISCOURSE.
OUR NEED TO STEP UP AND OBEY THE GREAT COMMISSION
IS URGENT.
IF YOU'D LIKE A DVD OR CD COPY OF TODAY'S PROGRAM TO
WATCH OR TO LISTEN TO AGAIN, OR TO GIVE TO
SOMEONE ELSE WHO IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE STATE
OF OUR NATION, WE'D BE GLAD TO SEND YOU ONE AS
OUR THANKS FOR YOUR GENEROUS DONATION OF ANY
AMOUNT TO THE ONGOING WORK OF THIS MINISTRY.
SIMPLY WRITE TO US AT:
OR CALL TOLL FREE:
OR GO ONLINE TO:
WE AT D. JAMES KENNEDY MINISTRIES ARE COMMITTED
TO FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF DR. KENNEDY,
STANDING FOR TRUTH AND DEFENDING YOUR FREEDOM.
I'M FRANK WRIGHT.
THANKS FOR JOINING US ON THIS 4TH OF JULY HOLIDAY
EDITION OF KENNEDY CLASSICS.
WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.
WHAT ARE YOU RESTING YOUR FAITH UPON?
THE SHIFTING SANDS OF THIS WORLD
OR THE SOLID ROCK OF GOD'S TRUTH?
FOUNDATIONS FOR YOUR FAITH, THE BEAUTIFULLY
BOUND HARDCOVER EDITION OF DR. D. JAMES KENNEDY'S
MOST COMPREHENSIVE BOOK LAYS OUT THE BASIS OF
A SOLID CHRISTIAN FAITH AND WE'D LIKE TO SEND YOU
A COPY FOR YOUR GENEROUS DONATION TOWARD THE ONGOING
WORK OF THIS MINISTRY.
THIS VOLUME OF NEARLY 500 PAGES EMBODIES A TREASURY
OF DR. KENNEDY'S DEEP THEOLOGICAL EXPERTISE,
DECADES OF PASTORAL EXPERIENCE, AND IS AN
EASY TO UNDERSTAND YET PROFOUND PRESENTATION OF
FOUNDATIONAL TRUTH.
TO GET YOUR COPY PLEASE CALL, WRITE, OR GO ONLINE
AND BE SURE TO INCLUDE A GENEROUS DONATION TOWARDS
THE ONGOING WORK OF THIS MINISTRY AND WE'LL SEND
YOU DR. KENNEDY'S CLASSIC BOOK, FOUNDATIONS FOR YOUR
FAITH TO HELP YOU STAND FIRM IN YOUR FAITH.
THIS HAS BEEN A PRODUCTION OF
D. JAMES KENNEDY MINISTRIES
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