Truths That Transform

D. James Kennedy - A True Christian Statesman

February 17, 2025 | S25:E7

Truths That Transform presented by Coral Ridge Ministries featuring Dr. Robert J. Pacienza, with sermon commentary from Dr. D. James Kennedy and Dr. Pacienza. Each program provides a compelling analysis of current moral and cultural controversies all from a biblical perspective.

#Prayer #Leadership #AmericanHistory #Evil #Religion #Culture #Government #Politics #Sin #inActive #Leaders #D.JamesKennedy #LightoftheWorld #Lies #Patriotic #RobPacienza

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Truths That Transform | D. James Kennedy - A True Christian Statesman | February 17, 2025

You've probably heard about the controversial national prayer
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Service that took place at the national cathedral
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Following the inauguration of president trump.
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I was there for it, and i'll tell you what i thought,
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On today's truths that transform.
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Welcome to truths that transform,
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A production of coral ridge ministries.
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I'm pastor rob pacienza.
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On presidents day, we celebrate the lives of some of
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Our nation's great leaders with a special focus on
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George washington and abraham lincoln.
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These men were great christian statesmen
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Something we need quite a bit more of today.
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On this program, you'll meet another great model
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For christian statesmanship one who led his nation,
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And ultimately the western world -to abolish slavery.
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And i'll share with you my thoughts as i experienced
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The national prayer service following
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The inauguration of president trump in washington d.c.
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A few weeks ago a service that became quite controversial.
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And we begin with my friend stephen mansfield.
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Dr. mansfield is a best-selling author, historian, and speaker,
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As well as an ambassador for the d james kennedy
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Center for christian statesmanship in washington.
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He and i recently sat down to discuss
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The pressing need for christian statesmanship.
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Stephen, how would you define a christian statesman?
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I believe a christian statesman is cooperating with god and
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His government of the world.
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That's my core truth,
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My core understanding that god rules the nations,
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That he sets the boundaries of nations,
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That he sets one up and sets another down.
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And a christian statesman is operating in light of that,
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In light of the fact that there's final truth
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And god has a will for men and for women
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And for families and for nations
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And for schools and all of the institutions.
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And so the christian statesman sees himself as an agent of god.
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Yes, he's accountable to the people.
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Yes, he wants to obey the laws of the land,
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But sees him or herself as an agent of god's purposes
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For that point in history.
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The proper role of a christian
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In the realm of politics is the great commission.
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The great commission is not just an evangelistic commission;
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It's a go disciple, the nation's commission.
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It's not political domination, it's not military takeover,
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But it's influencing and shaping the nation
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Along the lines of god's will.
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30 years ago, dr. kennedy had a
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Very clear vision when he launched
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The center for christian statesmanship on capitol hill.
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It's one of the reasons i'm so excited
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That we've relaunched this initiative.
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It is so strategic and so important.
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You are very familiar with washington dc,
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Very familiar with what happens on capitol hill.
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From your perspective,
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Why is the center for christian statesmanship
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Right now so important and so strategic?
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Well, the center for christian statesmanship is always valuable
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Because it's encouraging truth and that's always needed.
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But i'll tell you that one of the things i'm seeing happen on
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The hill is the utter exhaustion many of these people feel
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Because they don't have a moral compass,
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They're blown around by
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The political winds, which is exhausting.
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They're always trying to stick their finger in the air and
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Figure out which way the wind is blowing,
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What's going to be successful
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And who's going to vote for them,
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And what money will they lose.
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So they go a certain way and it's exhausting.
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The people who are at most peace are the people
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Who know biblical truth and are executing that every day
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Regardless of the political cost.
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So i think that the center for christian statesmanship is more
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Needed than ever part of it because of our eternal work.
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But also because in this moment there is a hunger and exhaustion
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And desperation for final truth that i've never seen before
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In washington dc and i've been there for decades.
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For those watching this interview, that might not be
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Familiar with the center for christian statesmanship.
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And i just want to clarify, it's not a lobbying group,
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But the case could be made.
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There's a ton of nonprofits in washington dc.
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What makes the work of the
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Center for christian statesmanship so unique?
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I think what makes the center unique is
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That it's focused on statesmanship.
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Now you have lots of organizations lobbying
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For certain political conclusions,
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And lots of them may be trying to do bible studies
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With different congressmen and senators.
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All of that's fine, but we are talking about the distinctive
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Of christian statesmanship as it came from dj james kennedy.
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And of course, even more importantly from scripture,
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I don't know of many organizations or any
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That are doing precisely that, and quite frankly,
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Credit to you doing it as well as it's being done.
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So this is our moment.
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We talk a lot about a christian worldview.
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Why is a christian worldview so necessary for christian
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Men and women who are serving on capitol hill?
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Well, many of the people who go on capitol hill as christians,
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Some of them have never confronted the fact
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That there's this beefy,
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Biblical worldview that applies to every area of life.
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They might've gone to dc because they wanted to be christians,
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But they didn't understand that scripture speaks,
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At least in principle, to every area of life.
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And this means now that we're doing something
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That's full bodied and rich and powerful and its final truth.
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And so when i see people who have gone up on the hill
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And maybe not fully equipped,
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But they start to embrace what we're teaching
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And start to understand a biblical worldview,
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They begin to get energized.
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They become more powerful,
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They become more peaceful in their personal life,
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Their families more whole, by the way,
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Because there's less stress and tension and absenteeism.
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And suddenly they begin to have greater success
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In changing our country, which is exciting to see.
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Stephen, it was so good for you to be
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At the ccs event this past year, mcing the event.
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And as you know, we presented
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The distinguished christian statesman of the year award
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To senator josh hawley.
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He was such a worthy recipient.
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What were your impressions from that event?
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The main impression i had from that event was josh hawley
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Is known as this pit bull of the senate.
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He just goes after bureaucrats and goes after people harshly
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Who are not doing right by america.
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But when he got there, he got tender.
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And one of the things he was most tender about was talking
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About d james kennedy's impact upon him and
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All the things that are happening at coral ridge.
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And i got to tell you that touched me because he's fierce.
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I mean, he's feared up on the hill and here he was saying,
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No, the reason i do what i do is that this man
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And a christian worldview impacted me.
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And i thought about that for months afterwards.
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I was very moved by it.
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So let's talk about senator josh hawley when he does
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Have to confront what he calls sin,
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What he calls evil.
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Why is it important at times when it's necessary
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For christians to speak up, to have a backbone
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And to confront the evil in our culture?
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You know, biblically, there are actually a lot
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Of models for christian statesmanship.
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There's the gentle thinker, there's the thomas jefferson
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Sort of crafter of words and so on.
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And then there's the fiery old testament prophet.
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And that's how i think of senator hawley.
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He just gets up there and rages after sin
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And rages after corruption and does so with skill.
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And so i think of him as being one of
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The options of christian statesmanship.
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Some people don't get it.
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Some people think we ought to be sweetness and
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Light all the time.
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I don't think that changes things and i'm glad he's there.
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We both agree that politics and no single politician
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Will save america our only hopes revival. absolutely.
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However, with what we see happening in washington dc
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And what we see happening across america
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Concerning the political landscape,
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Why is there reason for optimism?
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The reason for optimism is something
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That i go around saying all the time.
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God in washington, dc is always doing more than we know.
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He's always at work.
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I live there as you know, and i see the bible studies and
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I see people who fight each other on the cable news shows,
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But then are praying together behind the scenes.
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There's a lot happening.
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There's a lot of good happening.
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So we have to trust that god is always at work.
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And by the way, let's bear in mind that as much as
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We might get our news from the major networks,
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They're not telling us about the progress of the kingdom of god.
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We have to have confidence that god is at work
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And he's doing great things.
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And i can tell you just from my little
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Bird's eye view there in washington dc.
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Amazing things are happening behind the scenes
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And not just based on one administration,
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But because god is always at work
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No matter how bad the news may be.
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So i'm very optimistic.
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Stephen, thank you so much.
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Always great to be with you.
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I'm so thankful for my friend stephen mansfield,
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Who is a regular contributor to truths that transform.
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He and i share the vision that was so well-articulated
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And implemented by our founder, dr. d. james kennedy,
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Who knew that leadership unmoored from
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Christian principles leads us astray,
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But that a passionate christian statesman can change the world.
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Ministering to today's and tomorrow's christian leaders
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Is why he founded the center for christian statesmanship
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On capitol hill in 1995,
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And why we continue that mission 30 years later.
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At the tenth anniversary celebration in 2005,
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Dr. kennedy shared with us one of the greatest
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And most inspiring christian statesmen-william wilberforce.
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Let us ask god's blessing upon this.
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Gracious heavenly father,
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We pray that you'll speak to us tonight
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Through thy word and through the life of a man
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Who loved thee and thy word and truth with all of his heart
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And mind and so impacted our world.
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In christ's name, we ask. amen.
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William wilberforce, not a name that
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Is a household name in america.
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But of course, he was british,
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Born and lived his life in england.
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But other men who were british are, perhaps, better known,
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Such as, william carey, who was the founder
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Of the modern missionary movement.
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And david livingston, who was scottish,
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A part of great britain, and
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So impacted and transformed the continent of africa.
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William wilberforce was a remarkable man.
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He was a man that had a few outstanding gifts.
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And one of those was his ability to speak.
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He worked at it, diligently, indefatigably for many years.
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He worked at learning how to speak.
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He was, no doubt, gifted some way in that direction, but
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He felt that it was something that he needed to work on,
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So he worked on it everyday.
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He was blessed, his father left him a fortune, his uncle...
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His grandfather left him a fortune,
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His uncle left him another one.
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He was one of the most wealthy people in england.
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He hobnobbed in his younger years with all of the greats.
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He was an intimate friend of the prime minister.
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He was very worldly, charming, witty,
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A friendly kind of young man.
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Then one day, his mother said that she would like to
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Spend the summer on a tour of europe.
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And wilberforce invited one of his old school teachers,
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When he was in school, to go with him.
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And they read philip doddridge's wonderful devotional book
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All the way as their as their carriage
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Wended it's way through the countries of europe.
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And he came back it had a big impact on him,
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But he thought about becoming a christian,
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But he said if he did,
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He would probably lose all of his invitations
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To the best parties in england, so he didn't.
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But the next summer,
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He decided to take another trip by himself without his mother,
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Who watched over him very carefully,
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Because she was concerned for his well-being.
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She did not want him to become too religious
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For similar reasons, no doubt
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His standing in the elite community of great britain.
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But he did invite doddridge to go again,
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And this time doddridge decided what they would do is read
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The bible on their trip through england.
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And of course, they would read as every halfway
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Educated englishmen at the time could do,
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They would read the greek new testament.
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I trust that's what all of you read, isn't it,
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Read the greek new testament?
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Well, it's very interesting, i highly recommend it.
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I've read it almost everyday for 50 years.
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I commend it to you.
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So, they were going along reading the bible.
00:13:08.114 --> 00:13:10.517
Now, this was the very word of god
00:13:10.517 --> 00:13:12.152
And it pierced this young man's heart,
00:13:12.152 --> 00:13:14.321
And he was converted to christ.
00:13:14.321 --> 00:13:16.489
When he came back, it caused a great shock.
00:13:16.489 --> 00:13:19.826
And his friends said that he had lost his mind,
00:13:19.826 --> 00:13:24.231
He had become mad, he was melancholy.
00:13:24.231 --> 00:13:26.800
But when they that was the rumor,
00:13:26.800 --> 00:13:29.035
But when they saw him, he was the least melancholy man
00:13:29.035 --> 00:13:31.171
They'd ever seen in in their lives.
00:13:31.171 --> 00:13:33.306
He was filled with joy and, also,
00:13:33.306 --> 00:13:36.710
He was even more considerate and compassionate and loving.
00:13:36.710 --> 00:13:41.181
In fact, they said he was the most compassionate
00:13:41.181 --> 00:13:43.216
And loving man in all of england.
00:13:43.216 --> 00:13:45.352
They couldn't figure out what had happened to him.
00:13:45.352 --> 00:13:47.988
And he decided he'd have to leave
00:13:47.988 --> 00:13:49.856
His position in parliament,
00:13:49.856 --> 00:13:52.259
Which, by the way, he ran for office,
00:13:52.259 --> 00:13:55.028
This giant of a man at the age of 21, and was elected.
00:13:55.028 --> 00:14:02.669
4 years later, he was elected to the largest county in england,
00:14:02.669 --> 00:14:08.108
Because of his enormous speaking ability.
00:14:08.108 --> 00:14:11.544
He didn't know, he thought he ought to quit that
00:14:11.544 --> 00:14:13.680
And do something uh...
00:14:13.680 --> 00:14:15.315
Less secular and more religious.
00:14:15.315 --> 00:14:18.551
And he went to see john newton, because there was something
00:14:18.551 --> 00:14:21.288
That he was really concerned about, and that was slavery.
00:14:21.288 --> 00:14:24.758
And he thought newton ought to know something about it,
00:14:24.758 --> 00:14:27.627
Since he had been a slave trader in his unconverted days.
00:14:27.627 --> 00:14:31.398
And he said, “do not leave your position in parliament.
00:14:31.398 --> 00:14:36.369
You would be deserting the calling
00:14:36.369 --> 00:14:39.706
That god has called you to.” and so, he decided to stay.
00:14:39.706 --> 00:14:43.777
And he decided, also, that he would find
00:14:43.777 --> 00:14:47.847
The greatest cause that he knew about,
00:14:47.847 --> 00:14:50.383
And he would give his life to that cause.
00:14:50.383 --> 00:14:53.019
And the cause he chose was the end of slavery in great britain.
00:14:53.019 --> 00:14:57.223
But there was hardly any part of english business
00:14:57.223 --> 00:15:01.428
That wasn't wrapped around slavery in some way or another.
00:15:01.428 --> 00:15:06.099
So, what did he do?
00:15:06.099 --> 00:15:08.001
He decided he'd give a talk.
00:15:08.001 --> 00:15:09.135
He spent two years studying to give that talk.
00:15:09.135 --> 00:15:15.208
When he finally stood up in parliament and spoke,
00:15:15.208 --> 00:15:18.878
And he was by this time, probably,
00:15:18.878 --> 00:15:22.015
The greatest speaker in parliament,
00:15:22.015 --> 00:15:25.719
He spoke for four and a half hours.
00:15:25.719 --> 00:15:28.088
He made his motion to end the slave trade in great britain.
00:15:28.088 --> 00:15:35.328
The motion was defeated, roundly defeated.
00:15:35.328 --> 00:15:40.166
Well, he did not give up.
00:15:40.166 --> 00:15:43.303
Came back the next year, gave another speech,
00:15:43.303 --> 00:15:45.839
Another motion defeated,
00:15:45.839 --> 00:15:47.707
Next year, defeated, the next year, defeated.
00:15:47.707 --> 00:15:50.176
He gave up the next year, came back the following year,
00:15:50.176 --> 00:15:54.014
And gave another speech, and another and another and another
00:15:54.014 --> 00:15:58.385
And another and another and another
00:15:58.385 --> 00:16:00.453
And another and another and another and another.
00:16:00.453 --> 00:16:05.692
Finally, the vote was positive
00:16:05.692 --> 00:16:10.530
And the british slave trade ended.
00:16:10.530 --> 00:16:14.000
But that was only half of his goal.
00:16:14.000 --> 00:16:16.936
It was to end slavery in all of the british colonies,
00:16:16.936 --> 00:16:21.441
So he set himself to that.
00:16:21.441 --> 00:16:22.842
Again, 25 more years, now, he is an elderly man
00:16:22.842 --> 00:16:29.049
And there's still hundreds of thousands
00:16:29.049 --> 00:16:32.485
Of slaves in british ownings,
00:16:32.485 --> 00:16:35.955
But he continued to pray and to work.
00:16:35.955 --> 00:16:40.994
As he grew older and older, he continued to persist
00:16:40.994 --> 00:16:45.298
Every year a speech,
00:16:45.298 --> 00:16:47.100
Every year another vote, every year defeat.
00:16:47.100 --> 00:16:49.936
Finally, he was unable to continue for health reasons.
00:16:49.936 --> 00:16:55.075
He retired to his home in london.
00:16:55.075 --> 00:16:58.845
And in that session they had a great discussion of the subject,
00:16:58.845 --> 00:17:04.818
A vote, a motion was made to end slavery
00:17:04.818 --> 00:17:09.823
In all of the colonies of great britain around the world.
00:17:09.823 --> 00:17:13.993
The motion passed.
00:17:13.993 --> 00:17:16.629
There was a great outcry of joy among all of those that
00:17:16.629 --> 00:17:22.869
Had worked with him for so long to end that.
00:17:22.869 --> 00:17:25.939
And they sent a runner to his home to help...
00:17:25.939 --> 00:17:31.211
To tell him before he died that, at last,
00:17:31.211 --> 00:17:36.616
His great cause had been won and the victory came.
00:17:36.616 --> 00:17:43.790
And of course, he rejoiced in the lord that this had happened
00:17:43.790 --> 00:17:48.895
And that a lifetime of effort had succeeded.
00:17:48.895 --> 00:17:53.867
May i point out to you this:
00:17:53.867 --> 00:17:55.768
Great britain ended slavery without a civil war.
00:17:55.768 --> 00:18:02.475
What difference does christianity make?
00:18:02.475 --> 00:18:06.579
The eloquence of his christian life
00:18:06.579 --> 00:18:09.883
Was credited with changing england.
00:18:09.883 --> 00:18:14.621
That was william wilberforce who changed the world.
00:18:14.621 --> 00:18:42.882
Hi, i'm jennifer kennedy cassidy.
00:18:43.650 --> 00:18:46.286
William wilberforce is one of the greatest examples of a
00:18:46.286 --> 00:18:49.856
Christian who brought his faith into the public square for good,
00:18:49.856 --> 00:18:53.560
And my dad wanted to see god raise up
00:18:53.560 --> 00:18:55.929
More like wilberforce in our own day.
00:18:55.929 --> 00:18:58.932
Unfortunately, far too many christians have been taught that
00:18:58.932 --> 00:19:02.735
Our faith is only individual and personal
00:19:02.735 --> 00:19:05.438
That it's between god and us,
00:19:05.438 --> 00:19:07.407
And has nothing to do with the world around us.
00:19:07.407 --> 00:19:09.876
There's no question that jesus christ's atoning work
00:19:09.876 --> 00:19:13.546
Is at the center of everything.
00:19:13.546 --> 00:19:16.082
But as jesus himself taught us, our saving faith has
00:19:16.082 --> 00:19:19.519
An outward dimension that makes a difference around us.
00:19:19.519 --> 00:19:23.556
Jesus is lord of all, and his kingdom encompasses science,
00:19:23.556 --> 00:19:27.760
Education, art, family, and government.
00:19:27.760 --> 00:19:31.197
That's why my dad loved to study history,
00:19:31.197 --> 00:19:33.967
And especially how the christian faith impacted the world.
00:19:33.967 --> 00:19:37.704
That was certainly true in america,
00:19:37.704 --> 00:19:40.006
Where christianity has played a decisive role.
00:19:40.006 --> 00:19:43.276
Find out more in his booklet, what they believed:
00:19:43.276 --> 00:19:46.179
The faith of washington, jefferson, and lincoln,
00:19:46.179 --> 00:19:48.815
Which we'll send you as our thanks for your generous
00:19:48.815 --> 00:19:51.684
Donation to the ongoing work of this ministry.
00:19:51.684 --> 00:19:54.420
Like wilberforce, each of these three great presidents
00:19:54.420 --> 00:19:58.258
Looked to the truth of god as they built this nation
00:19:58.258 --> 00:20:01.394
And saw her through crises.
00:20:01.394 --> 00:20:03.663
Their views on christ and christianity have often
00:20:03.663 --> 00:20:06.866
Been misrepresented by historians and professors,
00:20:06.866 --> 00:20:10.236
But you can find the true story here.
00:20:10.236 --> 00:20:13.039
Understanding how important the pillar of christianity was to
00:20:13.039 --> 00:20:16.743
America is a key to rebuilding this nation to greatness.
00:20:16.743 --> 00:20:20.780
That's also why my father founded
00:20:20.780 --> 00:20:24.817
In washington, d.c. its work continues today under
00:20:25.952 --> 00:20:29.656
Dr. rob pacienza and executive director william russell,
00:20:29.656 --> 00:20:33.459
And recently we honored missouri senator josh hawley with
00:20:33.459 --> 00:20:37.230
Our distinguished christian statesman award.
00:20:37.230 --> 00:20:39.732
As thanks for your generous donation of $40 or more,
00:20:39.732 --> 00:20:43.036
We'll send you an exclusive dvd of that event, entitled
00:20:43.036 --> 00:20:46.739
How dare we be quiet,
00:20:46.739 --> 00:20:49.142
Which includes an eye-opening interview between
00:20:49.142 --> 00:20:51.444
Dr. pacienza and senator hawley, as well as an interview with
00:20:51.444 --> 00:20:55.515
Historian stephen mansfield, and other bonus features.
00:20:55.515 --> 00:20:59.185
Josh hawley is one of the most outspoken
00:20:59.185 --> 00:21:01.888
Christians in our government,
00:21:01.888 --> 00:21:03.456
And you'll be inspired and challenged by his words
00:21:03.456 --> 00:21:06.526
In this special dvd program, how dare we be quiet.
00:21:06.526 --> 00:21:10.530
We'll send it to you, along with the booklet
00:21:10.530 --> 00:21:12.899
What they believed:
00:21:12.899 --> 00:21:14.267
The faith of washington, jefferson, and lincoln
00:21:14.267 --> 00:21:16.602
By d. james kennedy, as thanks for your gift of $40 or more.
00:21:16.602 --> 00:21:21.040
When you donate, you are helping to spread the gospel
00:21:21.040 --> 00:21:24.344
And promote the biblical worldview through tv,
00:21:24.344 --> 00:21:27.180
Radio, podcasts, print, social media,
00:21:27.180 --> 00:21:30.083
Our center for christian statesmanship on capitol hill,
00:21:30.083 --> 00:21:32.819
The providence forum, which defends and advances
00:21:32.819 --> 00:21:35.755
America's christian heritage, and more.
00:21:35.755 --> 00:21:38.491
So please, partner with us at this
00:21:38.491 --> 00:21:40.960
Pivotal moment in american history.
00:21:40.960 --> 00:21:43.029
Simply write to us at coral ridge ministries:
00:21:43.029 --> 00:21:50.303
Or call toll free:
00:21:50.837 --> 00:21:55.775
Or go online to:
00:21:56.242 --> 00:22:01.547
Last month i had the honor of attending
00:22:02.482 --> 00:22:04.650
The national prayer service at the national cathedral
00:22:04.650 --> 00:22:07.887
In washington d.c.
00:22:07.887 --> 00:22:09.255
Just following president trump's inauguration.
00:22:09.255 --> 00:22:11.858
Perhaps you heard about the service,
00:22:11.858 --> 00:22:13.993
Since it became notorious in the days following.
00:22:13.993 --> 00:22:17.296
As i sat in the cathedral's historic pews,
00:22:17.296 --> 00:22:20.299
I watched an ancient tradition
00:22:20.299 --> 00:22:22.769
Of seeking god's blessing on our nation
00:22:22.769 --> 00:22:25.304
Transform into a platform for promoting progressive politics.
00:22:25.304 --> 00:22:29.409
What should have been a moment of national unity
00:22:29.409 --> 00:22:32.612
And spiritual reflection devolved
00:22:32.612 --> 00:22:35.148
Into a progressive lecture aimed at president trump.
00:22:35.148 --> 00:22:38.785
Since 1933, the national prayer service has served
00:22:38.785 --> 00:22:42.822
As a sacred moment when americans,
00:22:42.822 --> 00:22:45.291
Regardless of political affiliation, come together
00:22:45.291 --> 00:22:48.928
To seek divine guidance for our nation's leadership.
00:22:48.928 --> 00:22:52.031
Historically, these services have emphasized
00:22:52.031 --> 00:22:56.135
Our shared spiritual heritage
00:22:56.135 --> 00:22:57.703
And the transcendent truths that unite us.
00:22:57.703 --> 00:23:00.673
Presidents of both parties have participated
00:23:00.673 --> 00:23:03.609
In this solemn tradition,
00:23:03.609 --> 00:23:05.678
Recognizing that true national unity must be grounded
00:23:05.678 --> 00:23:09.148
In something higher than partisan politics.
00:23:09.148 --> 00:23:11.751
But episcopal bishop mariann budde, who presided,
00:23:11.751 --> 00:23:15.188
Took a rather different approach.
00:23:15.188 --> 00:23:17.056
Instead of offering spiritual wisdom or
00:23:17.056 --> 00:23:19.792
Seeking god's blessing on our nation,
00:23:19.792 --> 00:23:21.794
She used the pulpit to deliver pointed political criticism
00:23:21.794 --> 00:23:25.765
Of the president seated before her.
00:23:25.765 --> 00:23:28.134
She made the extraordinary claim that trump's policies
00:23:28.134 --> 00:23:31.804
Are causing lgbtq+ children to “fear for their lives”
00:23:31.804 --> 00:23:36.576
An unsubstantiated accusation.
00:23:36.576 --> 00:23:39.111
She suggested that enforcing immigration law
00:23:39.111 --> 00:23:42.448
Is inherently unmerciful--seemingly forgetting
00:23:42.448 --> 00:23:46.085
That upholding the rule of law
00:23:46.085 --> 00:23:47.787
Is a biblical principle and a presidential duty.
00:23:47.787 --> 00:23:50.790
Needless to say, this minister of dubious qualification
00:23:50.790 --> 00:23:55.528
Received fawning praise in the mainstream media
00:23:55.528 --> 00:23:58.297
For her embarrassing display of leftist propaganda.
00:23:58.297 --> 00:24:01.634
She was invited to come on the view,
00:24:01.634 --> 00:24:03.202
And rachel maddow's show, among others.
00:24:03.202 --> 00:24:06.005
But besides being self-serving and
00:24:06.005 --> 00:24:08.174
Inappropriate to the occasion,
00:24:08.174 --> 00:24:10.042
The bishop's sermon reflected a deeper problem
00:24:10.042 --> 00:24:13.045
In mainline protestantism:
00:24:13.045 --> 00:24:15.014
The substitution of biblical truth with woke ideology.
00:24:15.014 --> 00:24:18.718
Instead of drawing from scripture's rich teachings
00:24:18.718 --> 00:24:21.487
About justice, mercy, and governmental authority,
00:24:21.487 --> 00:24:25.291
She presented a secular worldview
00:24:25.291 --> 00:24:27.393
Dressed in religious language.
00:24:27.393 --> 00:24:29.195
This approach assumes that unity comes from embracing
00:24:29.195 --> 00:24:32.932
Current cultural trends rather than timeless divine truth.
00:24:32.932 --> 00:24:37.670
That's how someone like budde professes to be a christian
00:24:37.670 --> 00:24:41.107
Yet supports gay marriage and abortion,
00:24:41.107 --> 00:24:43.409
And ignores the bible's clear teaching.
00:24:43.409 --> 00:24:45.878
It's why she uses euphemisms like “reproductive health”
00:24:45.878 --> 00:24:49.749
To refer to the slaughter of unborn children.
00:24:49.749 --> 00:24:52.919
Growing numbers of mainline denominations have abandoned
00:24:52.919 --> 00:24:56.489
Biblical truth in the name of relevance.
00:24:56.489 --> 00:24:59.158
But ironically, their churches have declined into irrelevance,
00:24:59.158 --> 00:25:03.696
Because merely regurgitating the wisdom of the lost world
00:25:03.696 --> 00:25:07.366
Does not provide hope.
00:25:07.366 --> 00:25:09.035
As in the israel of eli, the glory of the lord has departed.
00:25:09.035 --> 00:25:12.705
A national prayer service should
00:25:12.705 --> 00:25:14.640
Point us toward transcendent truth,
00:25:14.640 --> 00:25:17.343
Not lecture us about contemporary political positions
00:25:17.343 --> 00:25:20.580
Drawn from a god-rejecting culture.
00:25:20.580 --> 00:25:23.449
In these divided times, we need more than ever to be reminded of
00:25:23.449 --> 00:25:28.754
The transcendent truths that can unite us across political lines.
00:25:28.754 --> 00:25:32.725
Only by turning to god's unchanging truth,
00:25:32.725 --> 00:25:35.962
Not the shifting winds of cultural fashion,
00:25:35.962 --> 00:25:38.464
Can we find the unity our nation so desperately needs.
00:25:38.464 --> 00:25:43.269
Coral ridge ministries is
00:25:43.269 --> 00:25:44.837
Contending for the faith and proclaiming hope to the nation.
00:25:44.837 --> 00:25:48.240
Many join us each week from around the country
00:25:48.240 --> 00:25:51.277
Through this television program, but i'd like to invite you
00:25:51.277 --> 00:25:55.014
To a special in-person gathering of like-minded christians,
00:25:55.014 --> 00:25:58.584
Here in fort lauderdale
00:25:58.584 --> 00:26:00.319
At coral ridge presbyterian church.
00:26:00.319 --> 00:26:02.321
It's the 2025 kingdom come conference,
00:26:02.321 --> 00:26:05.157
On april 4th through the 6th this spring.
00:26:05.157 --> 00:26:08.427
The winds of culture are blowing fiercely,
00:26:08.427 --> 00:26:11.263
And we need to be anchored to the truth.
00:26:11.263 --> 00:26:13.532
You'll be edified and encouraged by speakers like riley gaines,
00:26:13.532 --> 00:26:17.570
Who has stood up for women against trans madness,
00:26:17.570 --> 00:26:20.873
Rosaria butterfield, who came out of the lgbtq movement
00:26:20.873 --> 00:26:25.144
And is one of the most perceptive defenders
00:26:25.144 --> 00:26:27.546
Of the christian faith in america,
00:26:27.546 --> 00:26:29.015
Dr. erwin lutzer, and many more.
00:26:29.015 --> 00:26:31.784
We need to think about all of life with the mind of christ.
00:26:31.784 --> 00:26:35.287
Only then can we faithfully navigate this secular age. go to
00:26:35.287 --> 00:26:41.894
To discover more and to reserve your spot today.
00:26:42.962 --> 00:26:46.232
And i look forward to seeing you here
00:26:46.232 --> 00:26:48.100
In beautiful fort lauderdale at kingdom come 2025.
00:26:48.100 --> 00:26:52.138
Now here's a look at the next truths that transform!
00:26:52.138 --> 00:26:56.809
Christians have an option to shy away from politics
00:26:56.909 --> 00:26:59.712
Or they can engage.
00:26:59.712 --> 00:27:01.914
I believe that it's critically important for us to be involved
00:27:01.914 --> 00:27:05.451
In all spheres of culture, including politics.
00:27:05.451 --> 00:27:09.422
That's next week
00:27:09.889 --> 00:27:13.459
This has been a production of coral ridge ministries
00:27:14.627 --> 00:27:14.627

D. James Kennedy - A True Christian Statesman

February 17, 2025 | S25:E7

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