WASHINGTON – The Rev. Franklin Graham told a large gathering of pastors on Thursday to address controversial issues from the pulpit, declaring that "God hates cowards."Graham, president and CEO of Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, based his remarks on Revelation 21:8, wherein God lists eight groups of people who will be "in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."Of groups like murderers, idolaters, unbelievers, and others, the first group of persons listed were the cowardly. It was this first group that Graham focused on for his speech, titled "Standing Strong on the Controversial Issues," at the Thursday evening session for the 2014 Watchmen on the Wall National Briefing."The definition of a coward: a coward will not confront an issue that needs to be confronted due to fear. That is a coward," said Graham."God hates cowards. And the cowards that the Lord is referring to are the men and women who know the truth but refuse to speak it."In his remarks at the dinner session, Graham spoke about the need for churches to speak out against abortion and homosexuality, declaring that "you're not going to shut me up.""We have a responsibility to speak on the moral issues. Abortion, homosexuality, these are moral issues. This is a free country, you can do what you want to do but I want you to know it's a sin against God. This is a sin," said Graham.Graham mentioned how he has "friends who are pastors" who say they want to preach the Gospel and not "become targets.""Well don't you think the Lord Jesus Christ was a target?" asked Graham. "Could we get our heads chopped off? We could, maybe one day. So what? Chop it off!"from: http://www.christianpost.com/news/franklin-graham-calls-on-pastors-to-speak-out-on-abortion-homosexuality-says-god-hates-cowards-120265/
_________________SI Moderator - Greg Gordon
Short 1 minute clip:RWW News: Graham Says Pastors Must Be Willing To 'Get Our Heads Chopped Off'https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgkPOFATvN0Short 1 minute clip:Anne Graham Lotz: The End Times Are Coming And God's Judgment Has Already Begunhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjWwFfhoQkAFranklin Graham at Watchmen on the Wall 2014https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNZj9NjDt34
In all due respects Franklin Graham is missing it. We as believers are called to speak out one thing. And that one thing is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.The grievous sins of this nation and the church stem from a corrupt and uwicked heart. The answer to a wicked heart is the redeeming work of Jesus Christ for sinners on the cross.Franklin Graham does a grievous injustice to pastors who are faithfully preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ by calling them cowards. One would wonder if he had his own father on.mind because this was what Billy Graham.did. Preached a relationship with Jesus Christ. Billy Graham preached the cross of Christ to save sinners. If anything Billy Graham was criticised because he did not speak out against the social evils of his day such as racism and the Vietnam war. And these were evil sins. But his focus was on a personal relationship with Christ what could change a sinners heart.I.notice that there is an ugly spirit prevailing among evangelicals who excoriate those who do not agree with their agenda. If you do not get on their bandwagon of speaking out against th he sins of the nation such as homosexuality or abortion then you do not believe in repentance. Such people generally have no.love for the sinner and miss the truth of Jesus Christ. His truth that can set the sinner free.If they are going to cut our heads off then let it be we are speaking forth the truth of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For this is what we are called to. To proclaim and if necessary die for Jesus Christ and His gospel. Not for our stand for or against moral issues.My thoughts.Blaine Scigin
Pastors should address issues but that should not be the MAIN issue that one is addressing. We are not doing social justice or political campaigns. For ex, racism is a hurtful thing but that shouldn't be the main issue that a Pastor preaches. We don't pick and choose the sins we are not doing so we feel better about ourselves. There should be team correction as in ALL sinners not just the homosexuals or those guilty of abortions. WE ALL have fallen short of the glory of God. The gospel should be the main message, I absolutely agree: "The grievous sins of this nation and the church stem from a corrupt and wicked heart. The answer to a wicked heart is the redeeming work of Jesus Christ for sinners on the cross." People do consider the gospel of Christ as hate speech and cowardice is increasing. We are humans so we fall short in not having that boldness and fearlessness as the apostles had. We fear loss. We fear losing money, friends, loyalty, attention, etc. Especially in a rich culture as America, we fear losing the possessions and riches that we have (though all these things are important). Yet at the same time, I absolutely agree that the main message should be "the truth of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ".
brother, you wrote:
Franklin Graham does a grievous injustice to pastors who are faithfully preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ by calling them cowards. One would wonder if he had his own father on.mind because this was what Billy Graham.did. Preached a relationship with Jesus Christ. Billy Graham preached the cross of Christ to save sinners. If anything Billy Graham was criticised because he did not speak out against the social evils of his day such as racism and the Vietnam war. And these were evil sins. But his focus was on a personal relationship with Christ what could change a sinners heart.I.notice that there is an ugly spirit prevailing among evangelicals who excoriate those who do not agree with their agenda. If you do not get on their bandwagon of speaking out against th he sins of the nation such as homosexuality or abortion then you do not believe in repentance. Such people generally have no.love for the sinner and miss the truth of Jesus Christ. His truth that can set the sinner free.If they are going to cut our heads off then let it be we are speaking forth the truth of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For this is what we are called to. To proclaim and if necessary die for Jesus Christ and His gospel. Not for our stand for or against moral issues.
In all due respects Franklin Graham is missing it. We as believers are called to speak out one thing. And that one thing is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.The grievous sins of this nation and the church stem from a corrupt and uwicked heart. The answer to a wicked heart is the redeeming work of Jesus Christ for sinners on the cross.
So refreshing to see and hear this bold stance from Franklin Graham and Anne Graham Lots. "The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil."-John 7:7Our Lord preached against specific sins in the most powerful sermon recorded in the Bible and through His ministry.John the Baptist was beheaded for confronting Herod's adulterous affair.Paul warned the governor Felix about his sin and the coming judgment. "Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, "Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you."-Acts 24:25 Part of the full gospel message is the bad news of man's sinful condition before a holy God to whom we must give an account. Preaching against sin is part of the gospel."Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth--to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people-- 7 saying with a loud voice, "Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water."-Revelation 14:6-7Franklin Graham is not saying we should focus on those sins. He makes it clear that Christ crucified and resurrected is the main focus. If we leave out the bad news it is not a full gospel message, it is a watered down one and we will be held accountable for watering down His gospel.As Franklin points out, there is too much compromise and fear of men in the pulpits today and overall. Many do not have any backbone. May God raise up more bold men and women who will stand for the truth of His Word.
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Brethren I ask what has speaking out against national sins got us. There were well meaning, God fearing men who spoke out against the evil sin of slavery in the 19th century. The result was a 4 year bloody war that resulted in the death of a half million Americans on both sides. We still have the evil of racism.There were those God fearing people that spoke against the evils of alcoholism in the 19th and early 20th century. So the sale of alcohol was banned at the Federal level via a Constutional amendment. Giving rise to what? The gangsters and illegal sale of booxe. The effort failed. The Costutional amendment failed. And you still have the problem of alcoholism.You can cry out against national sins all you want. It is easy to say homosexuality and abortion are sin. Even an abomination to God. For this is what Westboro Baptist Church is doing. Even the church in Wells TX.It takes far more courage to preach a gospel that saves sinners. And definitely far more courage to love these sinners as God loves them.Again the issue is the evil depraved heart of man. The answer to this evil heart is the glorious transforming work of the gospel of Jesus Christ on such a heart.Blaine Scogin
It takes far more courage to preach a gospel that saves sinners. And definitely far more courage to love these sinners as God loves them.Again the issue is the evil depraved heart of man. The answer to this evil heart is the glorious transforming work of the gospel of Jesus Christ on such a heart.
I absolutely agree: "Should there be preaching against sins in our day like homosexuality, pornography, over-eating, neglect of the poor, sure!" All sins not respect to some sins and not others! Some people have favorite sins that they do or don't preach/warn about. Proverbs 11:1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight. Proverbs 16:11 A just weight and balance are the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag are his work. Proverbs 20:10 Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD. Proverbs 20:23 Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good. Colossians 3:25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. James 2:1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. James 2:9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. I absolutely agree that Christ's gospel should remain the center! I absolutely agree that the main message should be "the truth of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ". Would the church of the past recognize the church of today? Would the New Testament Church recognize today's modernistic humanistic church?