The Challenge to the American Church - Come Out of Babylon

Today, the American church faces the seduction of complacency and the deception of the SPECTATOR THEOLOGY, which has muddled the true message of the Gospel of God's Grace.

Matthew 3:2 "“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

We are COMMANDED to come out of Babylon and BE HIS IMAGE BEARERS in a dark world desperate for God's LIGHT.

Matthew 25:14-30 "For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, 'Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, 'Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave; you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.' But his master answered and said to him, 'You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.' For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

The focus of the local church shifted from self-sacrificial living and RADICAL GENEROSITY to pushing a spectator's gospel for self-absorbed people in search of comfort and consumerism.

Revelation 2:21 "I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality."

This shift is a stark departure from the life Christ called us to—THE CROSS. Jesus called us to a life marked by Grace and Kingdom-focused.

Revelation 2:23 "And I will kill her children with pestilence, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds."

Our life is to reflect Christ, the Father's image, as He is transforming us into His image.

Hebrews 1:3 "And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,"

Always remember, our lives are all about fulfilling HIS will, HIS pleasure, and HIS Glory.

Ephesians 4:24 "and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth."

THE Mandate

Christ’s commission for us is unequivocal: go and make disciples of all nations--it's been predestined for us to walk in the Father's good works.

Romans 8:29 "For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;"

This mandate is about more than conversion; it’s about cultivating deep, transformative relationships where we teach and adhere to everything Jesus commanded.

1 Corinthians 15:49 "Just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly."

It’s a call to live out and extend the Kingdom through everyday acts of humility, obedience, and surrender to the Father's perfect will.

Isaiah 32:1 "Behold, a king will reign righteously, and princes will rule justly."

The essence of our journey with Christ is encapsulated in our response to His grace. It’s not enough to receive Grace passively; we must become conduits of this Grace, impacting our spheres of influence through radical acts of generosity and selfless service.

Mark 2:22 "No one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost and the skins as well; but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins.”

This transformative journey is not solitary; it requires community, accountability, and a shared commitment to Christ’s mission.

Colossians 3:10 "and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him—"

In a world where many believers are led astray by the allure of materialism and self-sufficiency, we are ALL called to come out of Babylon, to reject the idols of our time, and to live in holy expectancy of Christ’s return as we disciple the nations by Grace working through love. There's much work to do (by Grace). The Bride of Christ must not only be awake but actively preparing, filling her lamp with the oil of readiness and the Spirit.

Revelation 2:19-20 "‘I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first. But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality."

A New Vision for the Church

As we face the end of the age, our vision for the church must be as radical as the gospel we profess. We are called to foster communities of faith that are not bound by the traditional structures but are vibrant, decentralized networks of Christ-centered discipleship and selfless love. Our communities should focus on deep Spiritual Formation and embody the love and humility of Christ in every interaction.

Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”

This message is not just a reflection but a divine summons to each believer to reconsider our walk with Christ. Are you living in anticipation of His coming? Are you investing your talents and resources in His Kingdom, or are you burying them in the ground out of fear, comfort seeking, and complacency? The time to act is now. Let us respond with a heart fully surrendered to the God and Father of ALL GOODNESS, embracing His gift of Grace, and as citizens of Heaven and Ambassadors of Christ zealously advancing His Kingdom on earth.

Ephesians 5:14 "For this reason it says, 'Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.'"

As we continue to navigate through these tumultuous times, let the words of Ephesians 5:14 resonate deeply: "Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you." Let this awakening spur us into action, to live authentically and urgently in the light of Christ’s imminent return. Thank you, Jesus! Thank you! Praise the Lord!