A silent pulpit produces a silent pew.
Acts 4:16–18 (NKJV)
“What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.” So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus."
The enemy has tried to silence the church from the very beginning. He knows that if he can keep Christians timid, shy, inward, fearful and quiet then he can work his plan to kill, steal and destroy as much as possible.
The main reason that "the pulpit" (ministers) has been silent is due to the fear of losing the "tax-exempt" status.
Back in 1954 then Senator Lyndon B Johnson proposed a restriction as an amendment to a tax overhaul bill as a way to silence those opposing his Senate reelection bid. It was passed and even though it was not his intention that churches and ministers should be affected, they were. The Johnson Amendment of 1954 has effectively been used as a scare tactic of the enemy to silence ministers in the areas of politics and current issues in our society.
In recent years, some private groups have sent letters to churches around election time, warning churches not to speak about the election. These letters are sent to intimidate churches and pastors into silence. One group that frequently sends such letters is Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AU). AU’s letters are usually full of legal inaccuracies and are designed to scare pastors and churches.
The First Amendment of our Constitution, also called, our First Freedom has been under constant and radical attack in this last decade. [For explicit examples download http://firstliberty.org/rights/undeniable-the-survey-of-hostility-to-religion-in-america/]
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
America was founded by our forefathers in order to worship God freely without being oppressed by the government or being forced to belong to a "national church". This foundational purpose of our nation is critical to our continuance as a godly nation.
Unless we begin to exercise our faith and freedom of expression we will end up as a godless nation. The more that we stay silent the more we are bowing our knee to our enemy.
I refuse to keep silent in the pulpit on issues that the Bible clearly addresses. God's people deserve to hear the full counsel of God's word.
Ask yourself this...
Can I agree with the statement "the enemy's plan has always been to silence the church"?
Would I rather hear my pastor preach the word or popular opinion?
When was the last time that I prayed for my pastor and other ministers to speak the word of God boldly?
Acts 4:16–18 (NKJV)
“What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.” So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus."
The enemy has tried to silence the church from the very beginning. He knows that if he can keep Christians timid, shy, inward, fearful and quiet then he can work his plan to kill, steal and destroy as much as possible.
The main reason that "the pulpit" (ministers) has been silent is due to the fear of losing the "tax-exempt" status.
Back in 1954 then Senator Lyndon B Johnson proposed a restriction as an amendment to a tax overhaul bill as a way to silence those opposing his Senate reelection bid. It was passed and even though it was not his intention that churches and ministers should be affected, they were. The Johnson Amendment of 1954 has effectively been used as a scare tactic of the enemy to silence ministers in the areas of politics and current issues in our society.
In recent years, some private groups have sent letters to churches around election time, warning churches not to speak about the election. These letters are sent to intimidate churches and pastors into silence. One group that frequently sends such letters is Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AU). AU’s letters are usually full of legal inaccuracies and are designed to scare pastors and churches.
The First Amendment of our Constitution, also called, our First Freedom has been under constant and radical attack in this last decade. [For explicit examples download http://firstliberty.org/rights/undeniable-the-survey-of-hostility-to-religion-in-america/]
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
America was founded by our forefathers in order to worship God freely without being oppressed by the government or being forced to belong to a "national church". This foundational purpose of our nation is critical to our continuance as a godly nation.
Unless we begin to exercise our faith and freedom of expression we will end up as a godless nation. The more that we stay silent the more we are bowing our knee to our enemy.
I refuse to keep silent in the pulpit on issues that the Bible clearly addresses. God's people deserve to hear the full counsel of God's word.
Ask yourself this...
Can I agree with the statement "the enemy's plan has always been to silence the church"?
Would I rather hear my pastor preach the word or popular opinion?
When was the last time that I prayed for my pastor and other ministers to speak the word of God boldly?
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