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Truths That Transform

Rob Pacienza - Citizens of the City of God

February 10, 2025 | S25:E6

Rob Pacienza - Citizens of the City of God
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.
#Faith #TrustGod #WalkwithGod #ChildofGod #Children #RelationshipwithGod #Religion #inActive #D.JamesKennedy #HeavenlyFather #RobPacienza

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Truths That Transform | Rob Pacienza - Citizens of the City of God | February 10, 2025
  • Should christians be political, or should they be spiritual?
  • 00:00:05.475 --> 00:00:08.878
  • It's a question that many have asked in recent decades
  • 00:00:08.878 --> 00:00:12.015
  • But it's a false dilemma.
  • 00:00:12.015 --> 00:00:13.850
  • Should christians be spiritual? yes.
  • 00:00:13.850 --> 00:00:16.619
  • Should christians be political? yes!
  • 00:00:16.619 --> 00:00:19.522
  • Find out more, on today's truths that transform!
  • 00:00:19.522 --> 00:00:45.815
  • Welcome to truths that transform,
  • 00:00:46.649 --> 00:00:49.085
  • A production of coral ridge ministries, where we are
  • 00:00:49.085 --> 00:00:54.457
  • I'm pastor rob pacienza.
  • 00:00:55.058 --> 00:00:56.860
  • It's hard to believe here in 2025,
  • 00:00:56.860 --> 00:00:59.963
  • But there was a time into the 20th century
  • 00:00:59.963 --> 00:01:03.099
  • When the only interaction you might have with
  • 00:01:03.099 --> 00:01:05.835
  • The federal government on a regular basis
  • 00:01:05.835 --> 00:01:08.304
  • Was through the post office.
  • 00:01:08.304 --> 00:01:09.906
  • After the federal income tax was established in 1913
  • 00:01:09.906 --> 00:01:13.810
  • And the government began to grow to fit its income,
  • 00:01:13.810 --> 00:01:17.280
  • We began to look to washington d.c. for more and more.
  • 00:01:17.280 --> 00:01:20.617
  • Now the doings of the federal government are almost entirely
  • 00:01:20.617 --> 00:01:25.021
  • What we pay attention to.
  • 00:01:25.021 --> 00:01:26.556
  • With government so much larger and more powerful,
  • 00:01:26.556 --> 00:01:29.726
  • It's never been more important to raise up christian statesmen.
  • 00:01:29.726 --> 00:01:34.063
  • A bit later in today's program, we'll see how you and i
  • 00:01:34.063 --> 00:01:37.567
  • Should live as christians in this current cultural moment.
  • 00:01:37.567 --> 00:01:41.271
  • And we begin with a trip to the seat of power
  • 00:01:41.271 --> 00:01:43.907
  • In washington d.c., where our
  • 00:01:43.907 --> 00:01:45.742
  • D. james kennedy center for christian statesmanship,
  • 00:01:45.742 --> 00:01:48.678
  • Based on capitol hill, is encouraging and
  • 00:01:48.678 --> 00:01:51.548
  • Mentoring the future william wilberforce's and
  • 00:01:51.548 --> 00:01:54.350
  • Abraham kuyper's that our nation needs.
  • 00:01:54.350 --> 00:01:57.353
  • Here's david wright with more.
  • 00:01:57.353 --> 00:02:03.459
  • Founded in 1995,
  • 00:02:03.927 --> 00:02:05.428
  • The d. james kennedy center for christian statesmanship
  • 00:02:05.428 --> 00:02:08.565
  • Has impacted thousands of lives by bringing a gospel witness,
  • 00:02:08.565 --> 00:02:12.602
  • Christian discipleship, and a vision for
  • 00:02:12.602 --> 00:02:15.471
  • Christian statesmanship to leaders in washington d.c.
  • 00:02:15.471 --> 00:02:19.209
  • The d. james kennedy center for christian statesmanship
  • 00:02:19.209 --> 00:02:23.146
  • Is working to make a difference.
  • 00:02:23.146 --> 00:02:25.648
  • The d. james kennedy center for christian statesmanship
  • 00:02:25.648 --> 00:02:28.284
  • Has been the product of a visionary leader in
  • 00:02:28.284 --> 00:02:31.020
  • D. james kennedy himself, who understood that
  • 00:02:31.020 --> 00:02:33.323
  • In order for the body of christ in america,
  • 00:02:33.323 --> 00:02:35.592
  • To serve the purposes of our god
  • 00:02:35.592 --> 00:02:37.493
  • And execute in the great commission,
  • 00:02:37.493 --> 00:02:38.728
  • We needed to have a light
  • 00:02:38.728 --> 00:02:40.263
  • In the capital city, washington, dc.
  • 00:02:40.263 --> 00:02:42.599
  • And so the fruit that has been born from that ministry has been
  • 00:02:42.599 --> 00:02:45.368
  • An indelible impact on our society's fabric,
  • 00:02:45.368 --> 00:02:48.137
  • On our social fabric and on people like me understanding
  • 00:02:48.137 --> 00:02:51.407
  • How we need to combine our commitment to christ
  • 00:02:51.407 --> 00:02:54.244
  • And our commitment to civic engagement
  • 00:02:54.244 --> 00:02:56.145
  • There are a lot of christian statesmen
  • 00:02:56.145 --> 00:02:58.181
  • That have come through this country,
  • 00:02:58.181 --> 00:03:00.516
  • And i'm very thankful for that.
  • 00:03:00.516 --> 00:03:02.385
  • The problem that we have right now is
  • 00:03:02.385 --> 00:03:05.722
  • Outside forces who are applying direct pressure
  • 00:03:05.722 --> 00:03:08.825
  • To the christian community and suppressing voices,
  • 00:03:08.825 --> 00:03:11.728
  • It's difficult for members and staff
  • 00:03:11.728 --> 00:03:16.599
  • To kind of poke their heads up and say,
  • 00:03:16.599 --> 00:03:18.568
  • Well, i'm part of that group.
  • 00:03:18.568 --> 00:03:20.069
  • There's a lot of threats.
  • 00:03:20.069 --> 00:03:22.205
  • And i think that that is the reason why.
  • 00:03:22.205 --> 00:03:24.974
  • One of the biggest reasons why existing here being present,
  • 00:03:24.974 --> 00:03:28.745
  • Someone else to say, we're with you on this.
  • 00:03:28.745 --> 00:03:32.782
  • We're walking with you.
  • 00:03:32.782 --> 00:03:34.117
  • The center's executive director, william russell,
  • 00:03:34.117 --> 00:03:36.853
  • Has a wealth of experience working on capitol hill,
  • 00:03:36.853 --> 00:03:39.889
  • Working for both the legislative and the executive branch.
  • 00:03:39.889 --> 00:03:43.459
  • And that looked like first joining
  • 00:03:43.459 --> 00:03:46.396
  • Senator thad cochrane's office as an intern.
  • 00:03:46.396 --> 00:03:49.899
  • He was a congressman from mississippi,
  • 00:03:49.899 --> 00:03:52.268
  • The senior senator for mississippi.
  • 00:03:52.268 --> 00:03:53.836
  • So he came with a lot of established,
  • 00:03:53.836 --> 00:03:55.738
  • A lot of established reputation, a lot of connections,
  • 00:03:55.738 --> 00:03:59.342
  • And i used that to catapult myself into a role
  • 00:03:59.342 --> 00:04:03.046
  • With congressman allen nunley
  • 00:04:03.046 --> 00:04:04.614
  • In the first district of mississippi on the house side.
  • 00:04:04.614 --> 00:04:07.717
  • So it's nice to have that balance of both the house and
  • 00:04:07.717 --> 00:04:12.188
  • The senate to understand how both of these chambers work
  • 00:04:12.188 --> 00:04:15.858
  • And to understand the kind of different dynamics,
  • 00:04:15.858 --> 00:04:18.194
  • Not just with the members and themselves,
  • 00:04:18.194 --> 00:04:20.063
  • But the staffers being able to work with them on a daily basis
  • 00:04:20.063 --> 00:04:23.700
  • And understand their train of thought.
  • 00:04:23.700 --> 00:04:25.468
  • I started my work with donald trump
  • 00:04:25.468 --> 00:04:28.438
  • In 2016 from february, 2016.
  • 00:04:28.438 --> 00:04:30.940
  • I was traveling ahead of him, setting up the rallies,
  • 00:04:30.940 --> 00:04:34.077
  • A lot of operational work around the structure of the campaign.
  • 00:04:34.077 --> 00:04:38.915
  • I did that through 2016.
  • 00:04:38.915 --> 00:04:41.651
  • He won and after he took office in january of 2017
  • 00:04:41.651 --> 00:04:46.789
  • I went as the trip director,
  • 00:04:46.789 --> 00:04:49.158
  • To a lot of places around the world.
  • 00:04:49.158 --> 00:04:51.060
  • So anytime that he would leave the white house,
  • 00:04:51.060 --> 00:04:53.196
  • I was standing right beside him
  • 00:04:53.196 --> 00:04:55.164
  • As the who, what, where, when, why guy
  • 00:04:55.164 --> 00:04:56.899
  • Being able to feed him any information that he needed.
  • 00:04:56.899 --> 00:05:00.636
  • And that's where that relationship with the president
  • 00:05:00.636 --> 00:05:03.072
  • Really, really began to take root
  • 00:05:03.072 --> 00:05:05.608
  • This year, ccs will celebrate its 30th anniversary
  • 00:05:05.608 --> 00:05:09.712
  • As a ministry serving our nations leaders on capitol hill.
  • 00:05:09.712 --> 00:05:13.483
  • You think about the 30 year legacy
  • 00:05:13.483 --> 00:05:16.219
  • Of the center for christian statesmanship.
  • 00:05:16.219 --> 00:05:18.721
  • And as many people have often told me,
  • 00:05:18.721 --> 00:05:20.890
  • If we needed ccs in 1995,
  • 00:05:20.890 --> 00:05:23.926
  • How much more do we need it now in the 21st century?
  • 00:05:23.926 --> 00:05:27.096
  • So grateful for its legacy,
  • 00:05:27.096 --> 00:05:29.565
  • Grateful for the work that has been done
  • 00:05:29.565 --> 00:05:31.801
  • And excited to see what god has in store
  • 00:05:31.801 --> 00:05:34.837
  • For this new season of ministry as we continue to be light
  • 00:05:34.837 --> 00:05:39.542
  • In modern day rome and raising up the next generation
  • 00:05:39.542 --> 00:05:42.612
  • Of christian statesmen for the sake of the kingdom.
  • 00:05:42.612 --> 00:05:45.581
  • Ccs's responsibility here is to fight back
  • 00:05:45.581 --> 00:05:50.486
  • Against the cultural marxism and against those
  • 00:05:50.486 --> 00:05:54.624
  • Who want to see christianity die out,
  • 00:05:54.624 --> 00:05:58.194
  • Who want to remove biblical principles from our daily lives,
  • 00:05:58.194 --> 00:06:01.364
  • Whether it be removing in god we trust
  • 00:06:01.364 --> 00:06:03.433
  • Or not pledging our allegiance to the american flag
  • 00:06:03.433 --> 00:06:08.004
  • Because one nation under god is offensive.
  • 00:06:08.004 --> 00:06:10.773
  • To men being in women's sports,
  • 00:06:10.773 --> 00:06:14.577
  • To the religious freedom that we're talking about,
  • 00:06:14.577 --> 00:06:18.915
  • The ability to pray in a public space,
  • 00:06:18.915 --> 00:06:22.051
  • That's what ccs is at the end of the day.
  • 00:06:22.051 --> 00:06:25.021
  • Each year, the center confers an annual award
  • 00:06:25.021 --> 00:06:28.524
  • The distinguished christian statesman award
  • 00:06:28.524 --> 00:06:31.160
  • Upon a man or woman who has set themselves apart
  • 00:06:31.160 --> 00:06:34.230
  • In the political arena through outstanding
  • 00:06:34.230 --> 00:06:36.699
  • Service as a christian statesman.
  • 00:06:36.699 --> 00:06:38.835
  • God cares about government because god cares about people
  • 00:06:38.835 --> 00:06:42.705
  • And god cares about how people are treated,
  • 00:06:42.705 --> 00:06:46.843
  • Justice in the society.
  • 00:06:46.843 --> 00:06:48.744
  • And we see it throughout scripture.
  • 00:06:48.744 --> 00:06:51.414
  • How important is it to have
  • 00:06:51.414 --> 00:06:52.682
  • The d. james kennedy center for christian statesmanship?
  • 00:06:52.682 --> 00:06:56.652
  • Incredibly important.
  • 00:06:56.652 --> 00:06:58.521
  • You have to have an organization based on biblical principles,
  • 00:06:58.521 --> 00:07:02.391
  • Whose goal is to share the gospel
  • 00:07:02.391 --> 00:07:06.429
  • And help equip leaders with the word of god.
  • 00:07:06.429 --> 00:07:10.900
  • Being a christian means that
  • 00:07:10.900 --> 00:07:13.035
  • You have embraced jesus christ as your lord and savior,
  • 00:07:13.035 --> 00:07:15.972
  • That you believe that jesus christ is
  • 00:07:15.972 --> 00:07:18.708
  • The lord of your life and all of life.
  • 00:07:18.708 --> 00:07:22.211
  • A statesman is someone who operates
  • 00:07:22.211 --> 00:07:24.113
  • Not according to partisan politics,
  • 00:07:24.113 --> 00:07:26.449
  • But according to principles and values.
  • 00:07:26.449 --> 00:07:28.751
  • So when you combine those two words together,
  • 00:07:28.751 --> 00:07:30.453
  • A christian statesman,
  • 00:07:30.453 --> 00:07:31.921
  • It's somebody that understands how the lordship of christ
  • 00:07:31.921 --> 00:07:35.024
  • Influences our virtues, our values, particularly when it
  • 00:07:35.024 --> 00:07:39.595
  • Comes to policymaking and how we operate in the public square.
  • 00:07:39.595 --> 00:07:43.666
  • In 2024, the center honored senator josh hawley
  • 00:07:43.666 --> 00:07:47.937
  • With their distinguished christian statesman award
  • 00:07:47.937 --> 00:07:50.473
  • So when i think of josh hawley, i think of somebody who
  • 00:07:50.473 --> 00:07:53.509
  • Pledges his first allegiance to christ and his kingdom
  • 00:07:53.509 --> 00:07:57.013
  • And then understands that his role as a statesman
  • 00:07:57.013 --> 00:08:00.049
  • Is a sacred calling that as a senator,
  • 00:08:00.049 --> 00:08:03.452
  • He is thinking about public policy.
  • 00:08:03.452 --> 00:08:05.855
  • He's thinking about the virtues and values of our nation
  • 00:08:05.855 --> 00:08:08.925
  • Through the lens of god's infallible word.
  • 00:08:08.925 --> 00:08:11.427
  • His devotion to his family is incredible.
  • 00:08:11.427 --> 00:08:16.799
  • To watch the kind of sacrifices that he would make
  • 00:08:16.799 --> 00:08:20.169
  • From a professional front
  • 00:08:20.169 --> 00:08:21.904
  • To ensure that his family is taken care of,
  • 00:08:21.904 --> 00:08:24.674
  • That's a man that has the priorities in order,
  • 00:08:24.674 --> 00:08:26.809
  • That is a mark of a christian statesman.
  • 00:08:26.809 --> 00:08:29.979
  • Not to mention the fact that he has famously talked
  • 00:08:29.979 --> 00:08:35.318
  • About the rights that we receive from god.
  • 00:08:35.318 --> 00:08:39.488
  • Well, where are those rights laid out?
  • 00:08:39.488 --> 00:08:40.990
  • They're given to us through the bible.
  • 00:08:40.990 --> 00:08:43.125
  • The center will continue to train and equip present and
  • 00:08:43.125 --> 00:08:46.195
  • Future political leaders with a biblical worldview in order
  • 00:08:46.195 --> 00:08:49.498
  • To maintain a strong christian presence in washington d.c.
  • 00:08:49.498 --> 00:08:53.202
  • When you have a presence of leaders
  • 00:08:53.202 --> 00:08:56.472
  • That realize that america is special,
  • 00:08:56.472 --> 00:08:59.141
  • That we have in america,
  • 00:08:59.141 --> 00:09:01.410
  • The individual right to conscience,
  • 00:09:01.410 --> 00:09:03.412
  • Rights from a creator, individual choice,
  • 00:09:03.412 --> 00:09:05.815
  • These are freedoms that america has, they need to be passed on
  • 00:09:05.815 --> 00:09:08.918
  • And the center for christian statesmanship teaches this
  • 00:09:08.918 --> 00:09:11.621
  • And acts as a positive influence in
  • 00:09:11.621 --> 00:09:14.991
  • The most powerful city on the planet, washington, dc.
  • 00:09:14.991 --> 00:09:18.527
  • It is such an incredible time to make an investment and
  • 00:09:19.729 --> 00:09:22.632
  • To partner with the center for christian statesmanship in
  • 00:09:22.632 --> 00:09:25.801
  • Washington dc if we want to see transformation in this nation,
  • 00:09:25.801 --> 00:09:29.505
  • We need to be sending men and women of god
  • 00:09:29.505 --> 00:09:31.540
  • Who love the righteousness of god
  • 00:09:31.540 --> 00:09:33.943
  • And understand how that applies to public policy.
  • 00:09:33.943 --> 00:09:36.445
  • So, we desire men and women that would partner with us,
  • 00:09:36.445 --> 00:09:39.482
  • Men and women that understand that
  • 00:09:39.482 --> 00:09:41.517
  • Righteousness exalts a nation,
  • 00:09:41.517 --> 00:09:43.419
  • That we need righteousness being proclaimed in the public square.
  • 00:09:43.419 --> 00:09:47.990
  • And that public policy needs to reflect
  • 00:09:47.990 --> 00:09:50.926
  • The righteousness as god defines it.
  • 00:09:50.926 --> 00:09:54.230
  • That we are rejecting evil and understanding that
  • 00:09:54.230 --> 00:09:57.333
  • The soul of the nation is what hangs in the balance
  • 00:09:57.333 --> 00:10:04.540
  • As christians, we are called to be
  • 00:10:05.408 --> 00:10:07.043
  • Salt and light in our culture.
  • 00:10:07.043 --> 00:10:09.512
  • While it's possible to get swallowed up by the worries
  • 00:10:09.512 --> 00:10:12.014
  • Of the world and be too focused on temporal matters,
  • 00:10:12.014 --> 00:10:15.584
  • It's also possible to be negligent in our calling
  • 00:10:15.584 --> 00:10:18.621
  • By ignoring them altogether.
  • 00:10:18.621 --> 00:10:20.923
  • We don't need more christians retreating
  • 00:10:20.923 --> 00:10:23.426
  • Behind the safety of the four walls of the church.
  • 00:10:23.426 --> 00:10:26.829
  • We need christians with the courage
  • 00:10:26.829 --> 00:10:29.198
  • To stand for their biblical convictions
  • 00:10:29.198 --> 00:10:31.634
  • As representatives of king jesus christ.
  • 00:10:31.634 --> 00:10:34.370
  • An outstanding example is the biblical figure daniel.
  • 00:10:34.370 --> 00:10:38.541
  • The pagan king nebuchadnezzar besieged jerusalem,
  • 00:10:38.541 --> 00:10:42.244
  • And drafted daniel into his service.
  • 00:10:42.244 --> 00:10:44.680
  • But daniel would not compromise god's word
  • 00:10:44.680 --> 00:10:47.817
  • In order to maintain favor with the king.
  • 00:10:47.817 --> 00:10:50.519
  • I recently shared more about him in a message with
  • 00:10:50.519 --> 00:10:54.223
  • Our congregation here at coral ridge presbyterian church to
  • 00:10:54.223 --> 00:10:57.693
  • Help us understand how to live as christians in a secular age.
  • 00:10:57.693 --> 00:11:02.031
  • The message is entitled, “citizens in the city of god.”
  • 00:11:02.031 --> 00:11:05.935
  • Daniel 1 gives us a blueprint and a template,
  • 00:11:06.969 --> 00:11:10.806
  • A handbook for what it looks like for christians
  • 00:11:10.806 --> 00:11:15.077
  • Who find themselves in a culture whose values have shifted
  • 00:11:15.077 --> 00:11:21.250
  • A church in captivity.
  • 00:11:21.250 --> 00:11:24.587
  • Now, what i mean by a church in captivity
  • 00:11:24.587 --> 00:11:27.790
  • Is that we exist in what some would call a post-christian era.
  • 00:11:27.790 --> 00:11:33.696
  • What does that mean?
  • 00:11:33.696 --> 00:11:35.164
  • That means we live in a society that no longer sees
  • 00:11:35.164 --> 00:11:39.235
  • The judeo-christian worldview as the predominant worldview.
  • 00:11:39.235 --> 00:11:43.939
  • Worldviews that are guided more by a secular ideology
  • 00:11:43.939 --> 00:11:49.145
  • Are governing and informing our culture and our society.
  • 00:11:49.145 --> 00:11:56.152
  • And so, we find ourselves in the 21st century trying to live out
  • 00:11:56.152 --> 00:12:02.191
  • Our virtues and our values and our worldview
  • 00:12:02.191 --> 00:12:05.227
  • As it's informed by the word of god
  • 00:12:05.227 --> 00:12:07.329
  • In a society that is predominantly hostile
  • 00:12:07.329 --> 00:12:11.567
  • To our worldview and particularly hostile
  • 00:12:11.567 --> 00:12:15.838
  • To our understanding of the sanctity of human life.
  • 00:12:15.838 --> 00:12:20.910
  • And so what do we do?
  • 00:12:20.910 --> 00:12:22.545
  • What do we do in such a culture?
  • 00:12:22.545 --> 00:12:25.147
  • Thanks be to god, in daniel 1, we are given a template,
  • 00:12:25.147 --> 00:12:30.252
  • A blueprint of what it looks like to live
  • 00:12:30.252 --> 00:12:34.890
  • Faithfully in a culture that opposes us
  • 00:12:34.890 --> 00:12:39.862
  • I briefly just want to divide daniel 1 into two sections:
  • 00:12:39.862 --> 00:12:44.233
  • 1. the spirit of babylon,
  • 00:12:44.233 --> 00:12:47.303
  • And 2. the response and the mission of god's people.
  • 00:12:47.303 --> 00:12:52.474
  • First, the spirit of babylon.
  • 00:12:52.474 --> 00:12:54.643
  • Now, i don't think that there is a real physical babylon.
  • 00:12:54.643 --> 00:13:00.182
  • That territory is modern day iraq but make no mistake,
  • 00:13:00.182 --> 00:13:05.621
  • The spirit of babylon is alive and well.
  • 00:13:05.621 --> 00:13:11.393
  • Babylon in the bible is more than just a physical territory.
  • 00:13:11.393 --> 00:13:15.998
  • It has symbolically always stood from the old testament to
  • 00:13:15.998 --> 00:13:20.736
  • The new testament all the way through revelation
  • 00:13:20.736 --> 00:13:23.639
  • Symbolic as the kingdom of unrighteousness,
  • 00:13:23.639 --> 00:13:28.010
  • Opposed to the kingdom of righteousness.
  • 00:13:28.010 --> 00:13:30.679
  • Babylon has figuratively stood as the city of man
  • 00:13:30.679 --> 00:13:35.718
  • In opposition to the city of god.
  • 00:13:35.718 --> 00:13:37.786
  • So as i said make no mistake
  • 00:13:37.786 --> 00:13:39.889
  • That the spirit of babylon in our nation is alive and well.
  • 00:13:39.889 --> 00:13:45.961
  • What are the characteristics of the spirit of babylon that
  • 00:13:45.961 --> 00:13:49.999
  • We can see continuing in our day here in daniel chapter 1?
  • 00:13:49.999 --> 00:13:55.271
  • Well, the first marker, the characteristic of the
  • 00:13:55.271 --> 00:13:57.840
  • Spirit of babylon is to deconstruct vocabulary,
  • 00:13:57.840 --> 00:14:02.778
  • Deconstruct vocabulary to give words new meaning.
  • 00:14:02.778 --> 00:14:08.450
  • We see that in verse 3 and 4 of daniel chapter 1.
  • 00:14:08.450 --> 00:14:12.288
  • It says that the babylonians took youth from the kingdom
  • 00:14:12.288 --> 00:14:17.526
  • Of israel and from the nobility and brought them in,
  • 00:14:17.526 --> 00:14:22.965
  • It says to reeducate them.
  • 00:14:22.965 --> 00:14:25.668
  • With what?
  • 00:14:25.668 --> 00:14:27.636
  • The literature and the language of the chaldeans,
  • 00:14:27.636 --> 00:14:30.339
  • The literature and the language of the chaldeans was
  • 00:14:30.339 --> 00:14:32.207
  • The literature and the language of the babylonians.
  • 00:14:32.207 --> 00:14:35.110
  • You see the purpose of reeducation and deconstructing
  • 00:14:35.110 --> 00:14:39.381
  • Their vocabulary in daniel 1 was not to teach them about babylon,
  • 00:14:39.381 --> 00:14:44.119
  • But it was to teach them how to be like a babylonian,
  • 00:14:44.119 --> 00:14:47.089
  • To reject the virtues and the values of yahweh
  • 00:14:47.089 --> 00:14:49.725
  • And to embrace the virtues and the values of babylon.
  • 00:14:49.725 --> 00:14:55.631
  • It says in daniel 1 that they did it in three years.
  • 00:14:55.631 --> 00:14:58.901
  • In america, we do it in four.
  • 00:14:58.901 --> 00:15:01.904
  • We raise up our children with a biblical worldview,
  • 00:15:01.904 --> 00:15:05.140
  • With the language of yahweh,
  • 00:15:05.140 --> 00:15:07.343
  • And then we send them off to college.
  • 00:15:07.343 --> 00:15:10.980
  • And unfortunately, so many of our colleges in this country
  • 00:15:10.980 --> 00:15:14.950
  • Spend four years systematically deconstructing their vocabulary,
  • 00:15:14.950 --> 00:15:21.323
  • Deconstructing the literature and the language
  • 00:15:21.323 --> 00:15:24.426
  • That your children were raised with,
  • 00:15:24.426 --> 00:15:27.296
  • And they replace it with the literature
  • 00:15:27.296 --> 00:15:30.099
  • And the language of the babylonians.
  • 00:15:30.099 --> 00:15:33.469
  • But not only do we see the deconstruction of vocabulary
  • 00:15:33.469 --> 00:15:36.338
  • Through indoctrination in daniel chapter 1
  • 00:15:36.338 --> 00:15:39.241
  • But we also see the spirit of babylon in redefining identity.
  • 00:15:39.241 --> 00:15:43.946
  • In verse 6, we are introduced to these four young men,
  • 00:15:43.946 --> 00:15:49.852
  • Daniel, hananiah, mishael, and azariah,
  • 00:15:49.852 --> 00:15:52.921
  • Who we're told are from the tribe of judah.
  • 00:15:52.921 --> 00:15:55.758
  • And all four of these young men have names that identify them
  • 00:15:55.758 --> 00:16:00.229
  • As children of yahweh so that they would understand
  • 00:16:00.229 --> 00:16:05.134
  • That their identity is not found in what they do
  • 00:16:05.134 --> 00:16:09.338
  • But their identity is found
  • 00:16:09.338 --> 00:16:10.773
  • In who they are as image bearers of the most high god,
  • 00:16:10.773 --> 00:16:16.578
  • That they would understand that their identity is grounded
  • 00:16:16.578 --> 00:16:19.415
  • And rooted in the creator god.
  • 00:16:19.415 --> 00:16:22.951
  • But we're told in verse 7 that they're given new names,
  • 00:16:22.951 --> 00:16:27.623
  • That the government comes in and says, no longer
  • 00:16:27.623 --> 00:16:31.493
  • Will you be identified by your names that come from yahweh,
  • 00:16:31.493 --> 00:16:35.998
  • But instead we will give you names like
  • 00:16:35.998 --> 00:16:37.766
  • Belteshazzar, and shadrach, and meshach and abednego,
  • 00:16:37.766 --> 00:16:43.038
  • Which were all names that referred to the babylonian gods.
  • 00:16:43.038 --> 00:16:47.309
  • Can you imagine what happens to a culture when god no longer
  • 00:16:47.309 --> 00:16:53.348
  • Defines identity but the government does?
  • 00:16:53.348 --> 00:16:57.953
  • What kind of culture exists when the government defines identity
  • 00:16:57.953 --> 00:17:03.759
  • And no longer god defining identity?
  • 00:17:03.759 --> 00:17:08.730
  • Complete and moral chaos.
  • 00:17:08.730 --> 00:17:12.768
  • But this is what happens in this culture,
  • 00:17:12.768 --> 00:17:16.772
  • Redefining their identity so that they would be
  • 00:17:16.772 --> 00:17:19.875
  • Defined as children of the babylonian gods
  • 00:17:19.875 --> 00:17:24.012
  • And no longer children of yahweh.
  • 00:17:24.012 --> 00:17:27.015
  • And this is an as assault on god and on his word
  • 00:17:27.015 --> 00:17:32.588
  • Because we are told in his word that only god
  • 00:17:32.588 --> 00:17:35.891
  • Has the right to define our identity.
  • 00:17:35.891 --> 00:17:38.460
  • We're told in the opening pages of scripture
  • 00:17:38.460 --> 00:17:40.529
  • In genesis chapter 1 verse 27,
  • 00:17:40.529 --> 00:17:51.473
  • This is called the imago dei,
  • 00:17:52.207 --> 00:17:54.676
  • The doctrine of the image of god,
  • 00:17:54.676 --> 00:17:57.079
  • Which has served as the foundational doctrine
  • 00:17:57.079 --> 00:18:00.015
  • For understanding where our identity comes from,
  • 00:18:00.015 --> 00:18:03.986
  • That the world does not define us,
  • 00:18:03.986 --> 00:18:06.455
  • That we're not defined by what we do or by what we don't do.
  • 00:18:06.455 --> 00:18:09.992
  • But god alone has the right to define us.
  • 00:18:09.992 --> 00:18:12.728
  • What is the mission of god's people
  • 00:18:12.728 --> 00:18:14.830
  • In a culture of opposition?
  • 00:18:14.830 --> 00:18:17.266
  • What is the mission of god's people
  • 00:18:17.266 --> 00:18:19.067
  • Concerning the sanctity of human life?
  • 00:18:19.067 --> 00:18:21.670
  • Look at verse 8.
  • 00:18:21.670 --> 00:18:23.639
  • But daniel, but daniel in the face of opposition,
  • 00:18:23.639 --> 00:18:28.110
  • But daniel in a culture and a society
  • 00:18:28.110 --> 00:18:31.213
  • That did not value life, that redefined identity,
  • 00:18:31.213 --> 00:18:37.019
  • That reconstructed identity,
  • 00:18:37.019 --> 00:18:39.054
  • But daniel resolved that he would
  • 00:18:39.054 --> 00:18:42.291
  • Not be defiled with the king's food,
  • 00:18:42.291 --> 00:18:44.626
  • That he would not be defiled with what the king drank.
  • 00:18:44.626 --> 00:18:49.131
  • Daniel was a man that was set apart. why?
  • 00:18:49.131 --> 00:18:52.634
  • Because he was grounded and informed by the word of god and
  • 00:18:52.634 --> 00:18:56.138
  • Had such a firm foundation that in the face of opposition,
  • 00:18:56.138 --> 00:19:00.008
  • He was unshakable.
  • 00:19:00.008 --> 00:19:02.678
  • This is what it means to be faithful
  • 00:19:02.678 --> 00:19:04.513
  • In the midst of opposition.
  • 00:19:04.513 --> 00:19:06.415
  • And my question for you this morning,
  • 00:19:06.415 --> 00:19:08.116
  • What are we doing as a church in the 21st century
  • 00:19:08.116 --> 00:19:11.787
  • To raise up modern day daniel's and
  • 00:19:11.787 --> 00:19:15.123
  • In the face of cultural opposition they might stand.
  • 00:19:15.123 --> 00:19:20.162
  • Will we turn the blind eye to violence
  • 00:19:20.162 --> 00:19:22.664
  • Because we value our convenience even more?
  • 00:19:22.664 --> 00:19:25.133
  • Or will we be the people that god has called us to be
  • 00:19:25.133 --> 00:19:28.370
  • Defending the cause for those who cannot defend themselves?
  • 00:19:28.370 --> 00:19:34.676
  • Hi, i'm jennifer kennedy cassidy.
  • 00:19:35.444 --> 00:19:37.746
  • Dr. pacienza's question is an important one.
  • 00:19:37.746 --> 00:19:41.283
  • He has put himself and this ministry behind the commitment
  • 00:19:41.283 --> 00:19:44.586
  • To raise up modern daniel's in an unbelieving culture.
  • 00:19:44.586 --> 00:19:48.223
  • One key way we do that, continuing the vision
  • 00:19:48.223 --> 00:19:51.226
  • Established by my father, is through
  • 00:19:51.226 --> 00:19:55.764
  • Based on capitol hill.
  • 00:19:56.365 --> 00:19:58.033
  • As you saw a little earlier in this program,
  • 00:19:58.033 --> 00:20:00.402
  • That ministry, which is headed by
  • 00:20:00.402 --> 00:20:02.638
  • Former trump presidential adviser william russell,
  • 00:20:02.638 --> 00:20:05.574
  • Is discipling members of congress and their staffs
  • 00:20:05.574 --> 00:20:08.477
  • In the gospel and the biblical worldview.
  • 00:20:08.477 --> 00:20:11.046
  • Just recently, the center for christian statesmanship
  • 00:20:11.046 --> 00:20:13.815
  • Presented missouri senator josh hawley
  • 00:20:13.815 --> 00:20:16.184
  • With the distinguished christian statesman award.
  • 00:20:16.184 --> 00:20:18.920
  • And if you're able to give a generous donation of $40 or more
  • 00:20:18.920 --> 00:20:22.524
  • To help us continue that vital work,
  • 00:20:22.524 --> 00:20:24.826
  • As well as our television, radio, and digital outreaches,
  • 00:20:24.826 --> 00:20:28.196
  • Among many other initiatives,
  • 00:20:28.196 --> 00:20:29.798
  • We'll send you our brand-new, exclusive dvd program,
  • 00:20:29.798 --> 00:20:33.535
  • How dare we be quiet?
  • 00:20:33.535 --> 00:20:35.437
  • This video features the awards ceremony
  • 00:20:35.437 --> 00:20:38.006
  • And an enlightening and encouraging interview,
  • 00:20:38.006 --> 00:20:40.509
  • From that presentation,
  • 00:20:40.509 --> 00:20:42.344
  • Between dr. rob pacienza and senator hawley.
  • 00:20:42.344 --> 00:20:45.213
  • As you know, senator hawley has been a fiery and confrontational
  • 00:20:45.213 --> 00:20:48.984
  • Advocate for commonsense, conservative, christian
  • 00:20:48.984 --> 00:20:52.454
  • Principles who is boldly living out his christian faith
  • 00:20:52.454 --> 00:20:55.457
  • In the united states senate.
  • 00:20:55.457 --> 00:20:57.159
  • Hear from him as well as from historian stephen mansfield,
  • 00:20:57.159 --> 00:21:00.696
  • Plus other special features in this special dvd program.
  • 00:21:00.696 --> 00:21:04.633
  • Also included as thanks for your donation,
  • 00:21:04.633 --> 00:21:07.703
  • We'll include my father's eye-opening booklet,
  • 00:21:07.703 --> 00:21:10.405
  • What they believed:
  • 00:21:10.405 --> 00:21:11.940
  • The faith of washington, jefferson, and lincoln.
  • 00:21:11.940 --> 00:21:14.943
  • If we're going to make america great again,
  • 00:21:14.943 --> 00:21:17.479
  • We'll need to recapture that truths it was founded upon.
  • 00:21:17.479 --> 00:21:21.650
  • Those who want to remake america in their own secular image
  • 00:21:21.650 --> 00:21:24.953
  • Have distorted the truth about these great men
  • 00:21:24.953 --> 00:21:27.689
  • And the principles by which they governed america.
  • 00:21:27.689 --> 00:21:30.492
  • But my father was a dedicated student of the true history,
  • 00:21:30.492 --> 00:21:34.129
  • And he shares it here in this vital booklet.
  • 00:21:34.129 --> 00:21:37.799
  • With your help,
  • 00:21:37.799 --> 00:21:39.034
  • We will continue to share biblical truth on these issues
  • 00:21:39.034 --> 00:21:41.436
  • That are so vital at this point in american history.
  • 00:21:41.436 --> 00:21:44.706
  • Please, consider giving a generous gift today so that
  • 00:21:44.706 --> 00:21:48.076
  • The heritage left to us by men like george washington
  • 00:21:48.076 --> 00:21:51.113
  • Will still be there for your children and grandchildren.
  • 00:21:51.113 --> 00:21:54.082
  • We'll send you the dvd program
  • 00:21:54.082 --> 00:21:56.017
  • How dare we be quiet?
  • 00:21:56.017 --> 00:21:57.619
  • Featuring senator josh hawley, plus the important booklet,
  • 00:21:57.619 --> 00:22:00.989
  • What they believed:
  • 00:22:00.989 --> 00:22:02.424
  • The faith of washington, jefferson, and lincoln,
  • 00:22:02.424 --> 00:22:04.559
  • By dr. d. james kennedy,
  • 00:22:04.559 --> 00:22:06.361
  • As thanks for your generous gift of $40 or more.
  • 00:22:06.361 --> 00:22:09.798
  • Or we'll send you just the booklet
  • 00:22:09.798 --> 00:22:11.533
  • As thanks for your generous donation.
  • 00:22:11.533 --> 00:22:13.769
  • One of our dear partners, robert from edinburg, texas,
  • 00:22:13.769 --> 00:22:17.606
  • Writes to us,
  • 00:22:17.606 --> 00:22:21.676
  • We appreciate that robert
  • 00:22:22.310 --> 00:22:24.112
  • And all that we do is enabled by the
  • 00:22:24.112 --> 00:22:26.348
  • Grace of god and generous supporters like you.
  • 00:22:26.348 --> 00:22:28.984
  • Simply write to us at coral ridge ministries:
  • 00:22:28.984 --> 00:22:36.158
  • Or call toll free:
  • 00:22:36.691 --> 00:22:41.496
  • Or go online to:
  • 00:22:41.963 --> 00:22:47.302
  • There are many who believe that civil government
  • 00:22:48.403 --> 00:22:50.605
  • Should not be the concern of the christian.
  • 00:22:50.605 --> 00:22:53.074
  • More than one well-beloved bible teacher has claimed that
  • 00:22:53.074 --> 00:22:56.745
  • The political realm is a waste of time,
  • 00:22:56.745 --> 00:22:59.014
  • And that it's a distraction from the spiritual things
  • 00:22:59.014 --> 00:23:01.950
  • A christian should be truly concerned about.
  • 00:23:01.950 --> 00:23:04.152
  • Among many of these influential teachers
  • 00:23:04.152 --> 00:23:06.555
  • There's a naïve idea about the american revolution.
  • 00:23:06.555 --> 00:23:10.058
  • In this view, the bible says
  • 00:23:10.058 --> 00:23:12.427
  • We are to be submissive to the authorities,
  • 00:23:12.427 --> 00:23:14.796
  • And thus the war for independence
  • 00:23:14.796 --> 00:23:16.698
  • Was illegitimate and unbiblical.
  • 00:23:16.698 --> 00:23:19.367
  • And the fact that many christians have been
  • 00:23:19.367 --> 00:23:21.536
  • At a loss to answer that criticism goes a long way
  • 00:23:21.536 --> 00:23:24.973
  • Toward explaining our current cultural problems.
  • 00:23:24.973 --> 00:23:27.809
  • The bible does not only tell us to be submissive to authorities.
  • 00:23:27.809 --> 00:23:31.580
  • It also lays out the role of government,
  • 00:23:31.580 --> 00:23:33.882
  • Such as in romans 13.
  • 00:23:33.882 --> 00:23:36.351
  • In the medieval and early-modern era,
  • 00:23:36.351 --> 00:23:38.587
  • They believed in what was called “the divine right of kings".
  • 00:23:38.587 --> 00:23:42.824
  • The king is the king, god put him there,
  • 00:23:42.824 --> 00:23:45.894
  • And you have nothing to say about it.
  • 00:23:45.894 --> 00:23:48.096
  • Many monarchs used that understanding
  • 00:23:48.096 --> 00:23:50.365
  • To carry out tyranny over their people.
  • 00:23:50.365 --> 00:23:53.401
  • The protestant reformers recaptured a more fully
  • 00:23:53.401 --> 00:23:57.105
  • Biblical doctrine of the civil government.
  • 00:23:57.105 --> 00:23:59.741
  • In the book of first kings, king ahab decides that
  • 00:23:59.741 --> 00:24:03.678
  • He wants to take the vineyard belonging to naboth.
  • 00:24:03.678 --> 00:24:06.948
  • So, should naboth simply obey the authority?
  • 00:24:06.948 --> 00:24:10.085
  • No, because the king has no authority to steal his land.
  • 00:24:10.085 --> 00:24:14.890
  • So naboth refuses, and ahab has him killed
  • 00:24:14.890 --> 00:24:18.827
  • And takes away the land.
  • 00:24:18.827 --> 00:24:20.629
  • The lord brings condemnation to king ahab and his family
  • 00:24:20.629 --> 00:24:24.533
  • Because of this act of governmental theft and murder.
  • 00:24:24.533 --> 00:24:27.702
  • The fact that ahab was the king didn't give him
  • 00:24:27.702 --> 00:24:30.906
  • The authority to do whatever he wanted.
  • 00:24:30.906 --> 00:24:33.041
  • The protestant reformers sought to harmonize everything
  • 00:24:33.041 --> 00:24:36.011
  • The bible says about our relationship to government,
  • 00:24:36.011 --> 00:24:38.713
  • Rather than just grabbing a couple of selective proof-texts.
  • 00:24:38.713 --> 00:24:42.884
  • When a king is violating his own nation's constitution and
  • 00:24:42.884 --> 00:24:46.888
  • Refusing to carry out his lawful duties to his people,
  • 00:24:46.888 --> 00:24:50.392
  • Is his authority still legitimate?
  • 00:24:50.392 --> 00:24:52.694
  • That was exactly the question faced by the colonial americans.
  • 00:24:52.694 --> 00:24:56.631
  • The ranks of the men who opposed the king and eventually gave us
  • 00:24:56.631 --> 00:25:00.535
  • The american constitution were filled with christian statesmen.
  • 00:25:00.535 --> 00:25:04.906
  • George washington, patrick henry, john witherspoon,
  • 00:25:04.906 --> 00:25:08.777
  • James madison, john jay, samuel adams,
  • 00:25:08.777 --> 00:25:11.413
  • And dozens more devout bible readers and church-goers.
  • 00:25:11.413 --> 00:25:15.650
  • Others, like john adams, thomas jefferson, and benjamin franklin
  • 00:25:15.650 --> 00:25:19.654
  • Were not entirely orthodox in their beliefs,
  • 00:25:19.654 --> 00:25:22.390
  • But still operated from a christian framework
  • 00:25:22.390 --> 00:25:25.427
  • And looked to the bible to judge their cause.
  • 00:25:25.427 --> 00:25:28.363
  • In fact, the american position was so identifiable with
  • 00:25:28.363 --> 00:25:32.901
  • The colonial churches that king george the third referred
  • 00:25:32.901 --> 00:25:36.371
  • To the war as “a presbyterian rebellion.”
  • 00:25:36.371 --> 00:25:39.374
  • The great protestant tradition has always recognized
  • 00:25:39.374 --> 00:25:42.510
  • That god created and governs this world.
  • 00:25:42.510 --> 00:25:45.747
  • And though the world has fallen into the curse of sin and death,
  • 00:25:45.747 --> 00:25:48.984
  • Christians are channels of god's activity here on earth,
  • 00:25:48.984 --> 00:25:52.621
  • And while we must wait for the future return of christ
  • 00:25:52.621 --> 00:25:55.624
  • For the final removal of evil and death,
  • 00:25:55.624 --> 00:25:58.560
  • We exhibit the kingdom of god
  • 00:25:58.560 --> 00:26:00.695
  • When we bring about justice and flourishing
  • 00:26:00.695 --> 00:26:03.164
  • And goodness and health and shalom here and now.
  • 00:26:03.164 --> 00:26:07.602
  • The need of our day is not christians
  • 00:26:07.602 --> 00:26:10.672
  • Who ignore the current world.
  • 00:26:10.672 --> 00:26:12.173
  • The need of our day is true christian statesmen who say,
  • 00:26:12.173 --> 00:26:16.044
  • As the lord prayed,
  • 00:26:16.044 --> 00:26:17.412
  • “thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
  • 00:26:17.412 --> 00:26:19.981
  • On earth as it is in heaven.”
  • 00:26:19.981 --> 00:26:22.183
  • Coral ridge ministries is
  • 00:26:22.183 --> 00:26:26.988
  • If you're ever in south florida,
  • 00:26:27.722 --> 00:26:29.524
  • We welcome you to join us for worship sunday mornings here at
  • 00:26:29.524 --> 00:26:33.061
  • Coral ridge presbyterian church,
  • 00:26:33.061 --> 00:26:34.929
  • Or you can always join us via livestream at:
  • 00:26:34.929 --> 00:26:39.567
  • We'd love for you to connect
  • 00:26:40.268 --> 00:26:41.870
  • With us on social media at:
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  • And check out our vast library of video resources at:
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  • Thank you so much for joining us,
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  • And here's a look at the next truths that transform.
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  • I think that the center for christian statesmanship
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  • Is more needed than ever,
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  • Part of it because of our eternal work,
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  • But also because in this moment there is a hunger,
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  • An exhaustion and a desperation for final truth.
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  • That's next week
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  • This has been a production of coral ridge ministries
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