Christianity that is offensive....

Today at City of Refuge church, we had Craig Whitlock, Executive Director, The Forge for Families which is located in Houston's 3rd ward., preach from Heb 5:11 - 6:10. Prince Couisnard, Program Director for The Forge for Families was also in attendance and briefly gave his testimony to how the transforming power of God has changed his life. If you have ever visited, lived in, drove through, or heard reports about Houstons 3rd ward, you will know that it is like most inner cities today. Tough neighborhood to say the least. It can be a war zone with all the darkness and despair, sin and depravity. The Forge for Families is a beacon of light and hope in the midst of that darkness and despair. These 2 men, are committed to advancing the kingdom of God in practical ways to families who are in the midst of a battle zone. I thank God for their work. http://www.forgeforfamilies.org/

Craig has a military background, having enlisted 6 years and 7 years as a US Army officer before resigning his commission as a Captain in the Ranger Training Brigade. It shows in his preaching of Gods word. The part of his sermon that gripped me was his explanation of how Christianity is not meant to be passive. As Christians, we are not suppose to be on the defensive, but on the offensive. Jesus said:
Mat 11:12From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.

I read that 78% of Americans in 2009 claim to be Christians, according to a Gallup poll.  By that survey, we should see a whole lotta folks on the offensive for the glory of God, advancing His kingdom. But there is a problem with these numbers. It seems there are only a "few good men" in the battlefield and on the front lines advancing the good to the glory of God. Why do we still see all the injustices and moral degradation, crime and corruption, destruction of families and eroding of values in America more and more if 78% claim to be soldiers or servants or at least followers of the Most High God? Where are all the rest of the Christian soldiers pressing forward advancing the light and repelling the darkness?

Jesus told Peter:

Mat 16:18And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Notice, he didnt tell Peter that the gates of heaven would keep heaven from being stormed by the enemy. He told him the opposite. That His church, would break down the strongholds of hell! That hell wont be able to stop the mission, purpose, and power that God would give those who would enlist on His side. That just as the troops in the 2nd Gulf war broke down the walls of Sadam Hussiens kingdom, so to will Christians perform raids on Satans kingdom and set captives free!

It is the mission of Gadara to be on the OFFENSIVE! My brother and friend, Founder Nicholas Thornton, did not sit back and wait for all the stars to align, the wind to blow just right, the capital to be raised, all the programs to be in place, and buildings built to begin fighting to take ground. He began working on the vision God gave him to make disciples, to effect the lives of the formerly incarcerated by doing just that, ministering to the needs of the formerly incarcerated right where he was. He also recruited me to join with him in the fight, one that we are both intimately familiar with. I thank God for Nicholas who is both an inspiration and a freind, one I can count on to be with me in the battle as he can I. So, we are looking to take ground for Jesus sake. Our call is to the frontlines, to those who the enemy has wounded but not defeated. To come alongside them to "fight the good fight of faith" 1Tim 6:12.

You may not be called to the same "battlefield", but one thing is for sure, we all are called to the same fight.  The enemy is real.

The Apostle Peter said:
1Pe 5:8Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.


So, my question is, are we all engaging the enemy in battle? Is your Christianity offensive? Or do you think that there is no war to fight?

Let us not be found MIA or AWOL when our Commander in Chief appears.....