In the July 4th sermon posted on InTouch.org Dr. Charles Stanley, Pastor of First Baptist of Atlanta, spoke on "Turning the Tide." A primary focus of the sermon is the clash between Christianity and Socialism.
Dr. Stanley said, "We find ourselves, as a nation, violating the laws of God and heading in a direction that is going to be disastrous for us, for our children and for the generations that are to come, unless there is a change. . . . There is a tide that has touched our shores and reached the heart of our nation. It is a tide that is bringing with it ideas and philosophies, actions and attitudes, that will ultimately destroy the way of life that you and I have."
Dr. Stanley discussed the growing national debt, unemployment, abortion, the sanctity of marriage and the abandonment of Israel, but his primary focus was on the dangers of Socialism. He said, "Listen carefully, this tide is bringing in control that will attempt to silence the truth and will attempt to squash the religious devotion and worship of the people of God. There will be a collision with Socialism and the Gospel of Jesus Christ."
He said Christianity interferes with the spread of Socialism.
Dr. Stanley closed with a story about German Christians gathering to pray in 1989 -- against the will of their Communist government. Over time, the prayer meetings swelled from a handful to over 10,000. It got so there were too many to fit in the church where the prayers started. Very soon the Berlin Wall came down.
Dr. Stanley concluded by calling for 140 days of prayer for our nation.
Such a sermon is so rare that InTouch ministries has been overwhelmed by the response. Their web servers are having difficult handling the traffic.
The reason such a sermon is so rare is because many pastors fear the government will interpret their sermon as political speech and threaten their tax exempt status.
This only confirms the truth of Dr. Stanley's message. Big secular government fears the church and, while professing a desire for separation of church and state, the state stands at the ready to come into a church and limit what a pastor can say. Even Dr. Stanley avoided the use of any current elected official's name. He quoted President James Garfield and Winston Churchill.
Because of tax-exempt status most American pastors opposed to abortion and gay marriage are afraid to call for parishioners to oppose Elena Kagan's nomination to the Supreme Court. Ironically, Kagan is exactly the kind of judge likely to rule against churches. If you want "In God We Trust" removed from our money, or "Under God" removed from our pledge, you can place hope in the judges nominated by President Obama.
If you want pastors to have the freedom to preach the Word of God -- even as it applies to government -- you may wish to join Dr. Stanley in prayer for this nation.
Dr. Charles Stanley Warns of the Danger of a Tide of Socialism
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Socialism? While there may be theological reasons to oppose Socialism, there are much better arguments to oppose brutal capitalism and its lack of concern for losers in such a Darwinian economic system. One of the dangers in preaching such overtly political terms is that you repel a lot of people who don't share your politics. Dr Charles Stanley should refrain from trying to mix the Gospel of Jesus Christ with politics.
It is about time to hear such a serman that was preached by Dr. Stanley today. I am in 100% agreement with Dr. Stanley. We need to stop right now and take a stand. I strongly disagree with comments made by Javier. If we are afraid to step on toes, we will never make a stand against what is happening in America today. I say NO! To Socialism. We are a Christian nation although many Christians fail to make a stand. I will be praying for America for the next 20 weeks and pray that other Christians will be doing the same. II Charn. 7:14 will be my prayer.
Absolutely correct! I invite all to pray the USA Chaplet for our country and the world. To give you an idea, one of the prayers from it: "Sweetest Jesus, for the sake of those that love You, by merit of Your Holy Passion, lift not Your Protective Hand from us and please bless the USA!"
Much needed today.... officially Church approved.
Just do a search for USA Chaplet or Battlebeads for full printable instructions. God bless America!!
The most awsome sermon I have ever listen too. Thank you for preaching the truth.
Very disappointing from a man I once respected and from this point forward I no longer trust his interpretation of the scriptures.
For those not aware the drive for independence started in the churches. Google up "black robe brigade" Unless your politics are pro socialist and anti-christianity, the sermon was on point and appropriate
Thank God for a man like Charles Stanly that is not afraid to speak the truth. Paul the apostle was not afraid to go from city to city to preach the truth., neither was Jesus. Like in years gone by, I would hope that more gospel preachers would do the same.
Javier...my sentiments exactly. I used to attend Stanley's church - was baptised by him many years ago. The fact that the sermon was preached with him sitting in front of a giant flag was the first of many problems with this 'sermon'. While Charles is certainly free to have his opinions, mixing those with the Christian observance of Sunday and the sermon / Bible teaching are dangerously irresponsible. Especially when I could easily use the New Testament to put together more support for Socialism than Capitalism. I heard the politics of Dr. Stanley come out clearly .... but I did not get any clear biblical basis for why this message was connected with Jesus. Where was Dr. Stanley 6 years ago when Bush was expanding the powers of the Federal government more than any president since FDR? Where was the worry over debt back when the war in Iraq was costing us 1.5 billion a week and yet taxes were being cut?
Amen. I am very disappointed in Charles Staney and refuse to watch him again
Myra: I think you meant II Chronicles 7:14 when you wrote II Charn. 7:14. Scary that you are committed to praying through something you apparently don't know how to even properly reference. Do you know what II Chronicles is about? Is there any reason to think it applies to us today in the USA?
i thought Jesus said his Kingdom is not of this world. It's sad to see politics in the mix in Dr. Stanley's preaching.
On my God! More idiotic lunacy from the right! When will you people stop with the mantric spouting off of buzz words... really just because you don't like our President...and pick up a book! Do you twits even know what the definition of Socialism is???
I frequently listened to Charles Stanley until that 4th of July sermon. I don't think I can take him seriously any more. He should stick with preaching the gospel and leave politics alone. He sounded like Rush Limbaugh, Glen Beck and Sarah Palin. Never again will I tune him in. Never again.
One of the reasons we are in the mess we are in now is because ministers did not speak out of what we face day to day. The churches didn't give guidelines to living in a world. The bible did, but the churches for the most part dropped the ball. Dr. Stanley's message was excellent. He didn't need a teleprompter, he gave clear and precise information, with scripture that those of us understand as to what we face today. The Bible is our reference, and Dr. Stanley did a good job of pointing it out. For those caught in the ideology of the secular world, it is just irritation to hear his message.
The religious right is responsible for turning more people off to Christianity than anything else in modern America. Their obsession with politics and controlling other people's lives has left a bitter taste in the mouths of younger Americans, who despise the attempt to link Christianity to politics. The religious right is obsessed with power and control over others. Dr. Charles Stanley needs to get back to preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ and get out of politics.
Ron.... Your an idiot ! Pull your head out of your rear and take a deep breath. Do YOU know what socialism is ? You libtards are something else...
Funny how the truth makes those cringe that have a socialistic view of God. Maybe it's time they start reading the Bible in its entirety rather than the usual pick and choose philosophy so many "christians" use today.
I watched Charles Stanley yesterday,when this was sermon, I wish
every one in the whole country could have seen it.I hope and pray
that this country can get back on track.I think it will take God's
intervention to do it.It is so scary to see what is happening,
especially for future generations.
socialism or capitalism, they both have some type of wart or drawback to both, but with capitalism you have your own choice in what you decide in life. remember each of these types of governments have some unseen spirit that governs each system. which one do we really want to have over this nation? we have choice which one will the main driving force in this nation in the very near future, i choose capitalism.
Come on, people. I'm sorry I didn't get to hear Dr. Stanley's sermon but I know he preaches the Word of God and sometimes the emphasis on how we have, as a nation, strayed from God's Word is a difficult truth for some. Look at the reality of what is going on in the U.S. May God have mercy on us and prevent us from becoming a government controlled nation.
Dr.Stanley, a true man of GOD says our National Debt is at 13 trillion $, and growing 3.6 billion everyday. He states that at that rate the country will be bankrupt in 12 years. Our govt. is trying to run this country broke, so that they will be in charge of all of your money, and possesions. That is what a socialistic goverment is all about. Be very afraid!!!! They will do this by use of the military. The end days are near people..... These politicians we have think they are in charge. They do not govern by the good of the people,but the good of their PARTY....They put on this show that This goes against our Constitution. Our forefathers set down our freedoms that the people were in charge... We need to fire every single politician that runs on views of his particular Party, and HIRE the ones that are afraid where this country is headed, which is Socialism..... VOTE NEWT GINGRICH FOR PRESIDENT 2012... a true American Revolution historian, man of GOD, and patiotic AMERICAN.....
We have a President of the United States that once called Romans chapter one on God's wrath on the sin of homosexuality -vague. He mocks God on the "sermon on the mountain" scripture. Despite this, the Word of God says we must pray for our leaders. I believe God put Obama in that office to usher in the Great Tribulation that's coming to this world. What is troubling, there are many Christians on both side of the political party that's backing this President who doesn't think much of the Holy Bible. He is now attempting to repeal the Federal marriage law that states marriage is for one man and one woman. Judgment is reserve for this man and it will come.
I noted in the comments that some have not watched the sermon. It is readily available for viewing on the intouch.org website.
For those who seem so antagonistic to the good Reverend, please take the time to study your history. No - not the reconfigured secular history taught in today's government run schools, but the actual documented history of the United States.
Clearly, to ignore facts of record in favor of personal political bias has disadvantages. Dr. Stanley is acknowledging history, both spiritual and worldly, and the direct correlation between the two insomuch as how it defines and affects America.
Take a few notes and then do some research...You might find you didn't know as much as you thought about your own nation.
Last year, Dr. Stanley gave the Independence Day (July 5th) service over to Dr. David Barton. Dr. Barton is a noted historian and an expert in U.S. history. If that video is available in the InTouch archives all who missed it should search
Dr. Charles Stanley is a respected Christan man and Godly influence that any person of either party would do well to heed. His sermon calls each of us to realize that socialism may line your pockets if you desire to live off your government now, but don't count on it to line your pockets later. And ask yourself at what price you are willing to sell your freedom, for you will most surely pay the price of freedom (all of the freedoms you now enjoy), if you support the continued borrowing in America from foreign countries like China. How is your America lenders treating you? Imagine how those in China will when they won't even allow their citizens free worship, speech, or determining the number of children they have. You think about that!
I urge all of you to speak properly so that your messages are tailored to reality. Our economic system is based on private property - a God given gift. God gave us our lands, our private porperty, as a people. Each nation is the private owner of its land - given by God. And as members of our societies, private ownership trickles down to us as citizens.
One of the Ten Commandments recognizes private property by forbiding to steal from others: Thou shall not steal. It is explicit in this Commandment that people somehow acquire private property; that "somehow" is found in the product of our work.
Karl Marx purposely created a substitute for "private property" by inserting the term capitalism as a mean word, in which the rich exploit the poor. But how can the poor find work if there is no private property to produce the jobs? So, Marx's solution was that the government was the sole owner of private property and the only capitalist! That's socialism and it's aginst God's will.
My conscience tells me that Dr. Stanley's July 4th sermon is biblical and appropriately delivered. It's about time that true followers of Jesus Christ including those in Congress should stand up for their faith at all times. True Christians are to evangelize the world with the good news. True Christian living is freedom from sin. Socialism is bondage to sin.
Thank God for ministers like Charles Stanley. He has the guts
to get up in the pulpit and tell it like it is. I just wish
more pastors would follow in his footsteps. Wake up people
before it is too late!
Sorry to tell you all Dr. Stanley is going to HELL.
No Bill maybe it's you who are headed for hell.
Thank you DR stanley for having the courage to go up against the evil man that poisons our government......
Dr. Stanley is my all-time favorite pastor. You can research anything he says and you will find that it comes right from the Bible. He speaks God's truth, wisdom and love into our lives. Christ spoke of politics, finances, marriage, families, love, sex, war, peace, obedience, God the Father, the Holy Spirit and dozens of other topics. Dr. Stanley does nothing but emulate Christ so our evil government should be shaking in their boots. They can't stand up against the power of God!!
The reason these tele-evangelists do not cross the line on public endorsement of candidates and involving themselves in politics is because they don't want all that money they take in taxed. That leaves less for them. Period. I am a Christian and I love politics but I don't want to get my churching from a politician and I sure don't want to get my politics from a tv preacher. Period.
The money that goes into the church from the congregation is money that has already been taxed. The tith is that 10% or higher from a wager earner. The government has no business touching the church money because is goes to help others and to further the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Socialism seeks to destroy Christianity because the Chruch stands in their way. Its time Americans who love this great nation under God stand up and say we will not lay down to slavery and oppresion. It is up to us to pray and then speak out.
Thank you Dr. Stanley for standing up and being counted for the cause of Christ. Christians worldwide are going to have to grow a backbone and quickly!!
Typical rightwing nutjob out making outlandish statement to drum up some business for his caufers. Rightwing nut jobs should stay out of religion or politics. But tv evangelists are all about DRAMA and fearmongering followed by pray and gimmie your $$$$$$$$$$!!! Robertson tried that gang-prayer schtic several times and got the opposite reaction from nature. Economics brought down the Berlin wall not prayers or reagan.
Some of the comments here are correct about the Televangelist! They are only in it for the money and if the spoke up about the government then they would be in trouble. There are a very few preachers on TV who are worth anything, very few. Others like Kenneth Copeland and his band of crooks are the worst ones there are. Kenneth is so crooked that even the folks that work for him don't really know what is going on, and too afraid of loosing thier jobs that they will not open thier eyes. I have seen firsthand how this man is and know that he is not what he claims to be.
I haven't yet seen this sermon, but if more preachers would simply tell it like it is and stand for what the Bible says our churches would be filling up rather than emptying out!
Socialism is the antithesis of everything this nation, and Christianity as well, stand for! Not only that but it is extremely dangerous. Throughout history Socialism, Fascism, Marxism & Communism - which are all simply varying degrees of the same idea - have always led to two thing: lots of misery & lots of death!!! Never have they led to anything else, & never will they lead to anything else. Period!!!
And Mr. Nutjob, perhaps you are the nutjob here. Ronald Reagan & prayer both had a great deal to do with the fall of the Berlin Wall! The pressure Reagan put on the U.S.S.R. both politically and economically had a devastating effect on the power & control of the Communist regime. The prayer meetings - done in defiance of that regime - galvanized the people to resist and demand their freedom!
In wondering about the lack of response from Christian churches,
pastors, and especially, iconic tele-evangelists, I came to the conclusion that their non-profit status could be removed if the
government thought that their comments were political. But what about John the Baptist!! In the gospels, we read that he was
beheaded for speaking out against Herod's affair with his brother's wife. I believe that in order to make an impact on our
society, we ar going to stand up for our faith.
, I listened to Dr. Stanley's sermon yesterday and he was right on target. I to am a Pastor of a church and I know there are some people who don't like to here the truth. I don't like to think about this nation going to socialism. We have laws to live by and they are all found in the Bible, God's word. I to preach things people don't like, but when you find a man called by God and not self he will preach the truth whether he gets paid or not. when you are preaching the truth of God's word people get mad. If they have a problem with the truth maybe it's because they need to get right with God. By the way we will all stand before the lord and give account of our lives. if you have not been saved by the word of God then guess who is going to HELL. It's not Dr. Stanley, it's the nut cases that think he is wrong.
I choose GOD, we have a muslim as a prez. He is not legal,not in this country. We need to vote all of the evil out of our Government. Barry Hussein obama has an evil agenda. That is to take Our Great Nation down. Who is not for us is against us. I believe in the Holy Bible, that is good enough for me. We have all of the signs in front of our faces. What other proof do you need. I am for the immigration law in Arizona. I am a resident of Arizona. I am glad that Janet Brewer stepped up to the plate. If you go to any other country without a passport. Guess what. Look at the Oil spill. Can't you see why he is not doing anything about that. We have had from other countries wanting to help us. Barry says no. He should be impeached for treason. He bows to his kings from other countries. Who in the heck voted for this imposter. I saw right through him as soon as he was on the scene. I believe in my Jesus, Satan will have his way for a very short time. God will prevail in the end. Wake up AMERI
Bill,who ordained you whith this knowledge? muslims? Jerimia Wright or barack?
No one cares where you go.
This message is spot on if this is indeed what Charles Stanley has preached. Yes indeed, socialism is upon us and it's closer to you than you could possibly think. A place where you wouldn't think would be socialistic in practice and possibly government controlled (think of the banks and auto ind. they want to take over) and that is your local retailer store. You know, the one called Wal-mart. I was recently fired for basically "rocking their boat about many thngs and yet in 11/2 years i did not miss oneday of work. but ot only socialism but are antichristian as it goes against there princples of greed of the "ceo's." Asked a while back for Sundays off that i might go to church and Worship God but the boss said he had a business to run and said no. But then told me when and where i should go to church. it is not walmart mgmt's job to tell you how to live your life outside walmart!But they sell "Jesus loves me"licence plates in there store for profit. Boycott Walmart!!
Dr. Stanley is right on target and I intend to join him in this prayer......... "God Almighty" can do it again.
As they say in east texas, Anyone with two ears above a jackrabbit can see whats happening; if there's even a minute question.. open your eyes and ears!
Anyone opposed , we can ONLY conclude that they are socialist, marxists, muslims, communists or the like that want this to happen and only stand to gain themselves for that particular direction.
Interestingly, I have heard this from missionaries since I was just a boy! The missionaries came from Germany, Poland and this area. They were warning 40 years ago that America was asleep! Thank God for Dr Stanley!
I haven't read all these comments but one of them may say they are starting their prayer TODAY!
Its always amazed me that "they" can seize our money and do what they want and not even give us a voice...... well.... OUR VOICE IS OUR VOTE! I say "Let's clean House.... and Senate when given the chance!"
I am so sorry that Dr. Stanley decided to leave the pulpit and take on the political arena. I have loved and respected his teachings for years. I can truly say that I was dissapointed by his unresearched information on the economy, financial, taxes etc. I am 75 years old, the statement "that we will leave debt for our children and grandchildren" I heard that when I was a child. Go figure. I like you Dr. Stanley in the pulpit and not as a tea party group.
FINALLY! A Pastor with the 'guts' to tell it like it is!!!
(sadly our's does not)
Hey, Margaret, how is it possible for someone who is 75, to be so BLIND, DEAF & DUMB??? If 'things' keep going the way 'they' are headed, you won't have to worry about Charles Stanley, or ANYONE like him anymore. jmo
Where was Tea Bagger Stanley when President Bush had us join this illegal war, that made Cheney and his buds millions of dollars? Where was the tea bagger call for prayer when Bush and his cronies gave WS the pass to put us in a financial crisis that will last of years?
We are in danger of losing all our freedoms, we need to "fire" all the congressional/representatives leaning toward socialism or we will no longer be free to speak, use Internet, be Christian or Protestant -- any God fearing person! What a mess we got ourselves in now! Do we still believe in the "CHANGE" that Obama promised? Change yes, but not what we were led to believe. Dear GOD HELP US!
Dr. Stanley is the best teaching preacher I've ever seen. He has a relationship with God that the Move-On Morons cannot understand. They haven't advanced intellectually to the point of understanding that God is real. His story for humans, the Bible, is not understood by socialists, communists, Marxists or progressives because all of these groups have decided to worship big government made up of people like themselves. Perfect example is Nancy Pelosi. Did you hear her comments about the Word. She doesn't get it, because she never did, coming from her family of origin. Obama is no better for the same reasons. Most people who encounter trauma like he did between age zero and five have psychological issues and have difficulty believing in God. He certainly didn't learn about God from Jeremiah Wright. Talk about an imposter. What a racist. Most peoples' first impression of God comes from their father/mother authoritarian figure. If there is not a good one, the child suffers.
Your religions are a disease. And they infect most of the world.
Humans are SOCIAL animals. The natural path of government is socialism. But you've not seen any good examples of it yet because it's based on political dogma rather than human compassion.
None of the responders here embrace the Christ spirit. You only talk about it. That is the nature of religious people. Talk, while your heart remains rooted in the world.
The very nature of spiritual enlightenment will turn you into the ultimate socialist. Because you are now centered on the good of ALL humanity rather than just the segments you like.
How soon you forget the message of compassion from the one you claim to follow...
You're dirty with the world. And I call you out for it.
x
Socialists worship man. Christians worship God. There is a big difference. It is the atheist whose belief system fosters sin, not the Christian. Socialists steal from those who produce. I know of no "religion" that promotes that type of stealing other than the coerced tribute forced by a few.
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