Turning Point
(Sermon Notes)
By Warren Zehrung – November 17, 2011

Do we realize what has just happened in our nation?

Do we understand where we are in prophesied end-time events?

The thing we feared most has now put our nation in dreadful peril.

Never before has this happened in this land.

And if the situation is not quickly rectified America will be no more.

Whether or not we realize it, our nation has just passed a momentous Turning Point.

We must set things right before God – or it is all over for our nation.

If there is not an immediate reversal of what we have just done – all will be lost that is America.

There will be no going back.

Exodus 19

I have chosen the title, Turning Point, because it is a double entendre. 

A double entendre is a figure of speech in which a phrase is devised to be understood in either of two ways.

In this case we’ve [America] reached a wrong turning point and must immediately choose another.

We have no choice but to back track and choose a different Turning Point.

By a vote of the American people, we have broken our covenant promise to our God.

We are the American generation that has filled up the cup of God’s indignation and wrath.

God has given us the leader our nation deserves.

It was bad enough when President Obama began to set this nation on its ear by breaking every ordinance of our Creator God, but now the American people have spoken a new pledge to the Lord, …

“All that you have spoken, we shall not do.”

We have reached a mortal turning point in our history.  We have made a deadly decision.

Let’s look at the overall picture of God’s working relationship with us – the Israelitish people.

Many generations ago our forefathers took a great oath and entered into a sacred marriage covenant with the Lord.

Exodus 19:3  And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; [that’s our forefathers]

Exodus 19:4  Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself.

God had spared, protected, and delivered Israel from pagan bondage, slavery and the captivity in Egypt.

The name “Jesus” means the One who Delivers.

It was God who gave our forefathers their freedom.

Exodus 19:5  Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar [very special] treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:

Notice the required condition of obedience to God.

Our forefathers were to obey and do [keep] what God had said.

Exodus 19:6  And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.

Holy nation means that we would be set apart in a category all our own.  [the Israelitish people are in a category of their own]

Exodus 19:7  And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him.

As our forefathers beheld all these words of life - and with the pledge on their lips, all the people answered in unity,

Exodus 19:8  … and said, All that the LORD hath spokenwe will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.

A covenant vow was made.

The leaders – the Elders of Israel - spoke for all the people.

 “All that the Lord hath spoken we will do.”

But such a great covenant should be brought before ALL the people that they might give their voice on the matter.

Turn over a few pages…

Exodus 24

We retain this very concept in our modern wedding ceremony wherein the bride and groom reply in their marriage covenant vow by saying, “I do.”

[All that the LORD hath spoken we will do.]

We are reading the events of the marriage covenant of our forefathers with the Lord.

Exodus 24:1  And he said unto Moses, Come up unto the LORD, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off.

Exodus 24:2  And Moses alone shall come near the LORD: but they shall not come nigh; neither shall the people go up with him.

No one could come near to God without special protection and God’s intervention.

Moses was the mediator between God and man – a picture and type of Jesus Christ being our mediator between us – His Church and God the Father.

Exodus 24:3  And Moses came and told the people all the words [10 words = 10 Commandments] of the LORD, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said will we do.

the people answered with one voice = the people ratified – agreed and swore to the covenant that the elders had previously accepted.

All that the LORD hath spoken we will do = All ratified the covenant.  [one voice]

What took place here???

Now the Israelitish people had absolute ownership of the covenant agreement with God.

It was their Covenant with the Lord.

It was Israel’s Covenant with the Lord.

This was such an important covenant that there was a legal document prepared in writing – for the record.

Exodus 24:4  And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and built an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel.

Drop down a few verses..

Moses took the legal document that he had formalized and written and read every word to the Israelites.

Exodus 24:7  And he [Moses] took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said , All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient.  [again]

We know the history of our forefathers.   They failed to keep their word.

They were disobedient.

They broke the Sabbath.

The established idols in the land.

They sacrificed their infants to Idols.

They broke their covenant with God by disobedience.

But they did something worse – they formally and authoritatively rescinded their covenant relationship with God.

1 Samuel 8

The Scriptures contain a record of all the people of Israel – coming together – and abrogating – repealing – doing away with God’s rule over them – as we Americans have just done.

What the people decide on and establish makes a big difference to God.

1 Samuel 8:1  And it came to pass, when Samuel [the prophet] was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.

1 Samuel 8:2  Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba.

They were Evil sons.

1 Samuel 8:3  And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.

A lot like judges today -> up to the Supreme Court.

1 Samuel 8:4  Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,

1 Samuel 8:5  And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.

Israel wanted to be like the rest of the world.

They wanted physical representation – not God.

They wanted a leader they could see.

Like America, they would not have God rule over them.

1 Samuel 8:6  But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.

It displeased Samuel because Samuel knew that it displeased God.

Notice: The voice of the people is important to take notice of in this next verse.

**1 Samuel 8:7  And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.

They have rejected me…

Israel went into brutal, tortuous captivity after they rejected God.

It has just happened again, here in America God has been rejected!

We have rejected God and it will all be over soon for America.

Psalm 127

With God’s help and bountiful blessings - In a few generations we were able to build the greatest nation ever.

Psalm 127:1  Unless the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman wakes but in vain.

Because God has withdrawn His protection – we are now defenseless.  Our weapons of defense are freely given over to our enemies.  Our doors of protection are now open to those who will consume us.

This is God’s perspective – this is how God looks at it.

The challenges this nation faces are grave:

Unsustainable retirement and social entitlement programs,

A reduced military force facing menacingly increasing threats from rival nations and terrorists,

An ever increasingly polarized political situation,

Terrible inflation in food stuffs and personal items,

Higher and higher unemployment and especially under-employment,

The greatest debt America has ever had as a nation – Soon to be $20 trillion dollars and counting…

Ancient Israel officially, formally and authoritatively broke their Covenant with God.  (1 Samuel 8  “they have rejected Me.”)

Brethren, let’s understand….

We have come to this exact same turning point in our history.

We have said to God that we will no longer follow His ways, His Laws, His Truth, or obey His Commandments.

We’ve never been here before.

**On Nov 6th 2012 the people of the United States of America formally and purposely rejected God.

I received an email in regard to this week’s “The Countdown to the Return of Jesus Christ.”

“I would only add that instead of “Turning Point” [Title] it might be called Tipping Point another double entendre but perhaps a bit more descriptive of what is likely to happen next.

 “I am beginning to believe that over 51% of our nation’s population is in truth against God and His ways even in the limited way that the nation sees God. That is the “tipping point” where God says enough is enough. It’s been gradual with warning to this point but now we begin a serious slide into the morass of the Great Tribulation.”

1 Samuel 8:8  According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee.

“This day” = a certain breaking point.

1 Samuel 8:9  Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and show them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.

God told Samuel to protest solemnly unto them

Brethren, that is what I am doing to you – I’m protesting solemnly unto you.

1 Samuel 8:10  And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king.

Saying, “This is how it is going to be …”

1 Samuel 8:11  And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots.

The king is going to bust up the status quo.

1 Samuel 8:12  And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear [plant] his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots.

1 Samuel 8:13  And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers.

Even Eminent Domain… to take your land and homes…

1 Samuel 8:14  And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants.

1 Samuel 8:15  And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants.

1 Samuel 8:16  And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.

1 Samuel 8:17  He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants. [the king’s slaves.]

1 Samuel 8:18  And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day.

God says, “I will not hear you then.”

Brethren, we have come to this point.

1 Samuel 8:19  Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;

1 Samuel 8:20 That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.

1 Samuel 8:21 And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the LORD.

The LORD said -  give them what they want.

1 Samuel 8:22  And the LORD said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city.

1 Samuel 10:17  And Samuel called the people together unto the LORD to Mizpeh;

1 Samuel 10:18  And said unto the children of Israel, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all kingdoms, and of them that oppressed you:

The LORD said – I have taken good care of you.

1 Samuel 10:19  And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto him, Nay, but set a king over us.

Brethren, 2520 years later we were granted by God – a new land – a mighty land, with law, honor, work ethic, virtue, love, a justice system, protection from our enemies, rich resources and most productive farms and orchards on earth.

God gave us this!

All this was in fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham to make of him Great and powerful nations.

God’s Word is true.

As a nation we have come full circle.

We have arrived in the same place Israel was in when they rejected God.

**For the first time in history, the American people have voted against God and in favor of homosexuality, same-sex marriage and taxpayer-funded abortions.

According to God, marriage is a covenant between a man and a woman.

God made us male and female, He is the Author of marriage.

Marriage is a type of the sacred relationship between Christ and the Church  (Ephesians 5:22-33).

It is an abomination to pervert it.

God says, "Choose life," but the American people didn't, they chose death instead.

Yes, there are two sides - and our nation voted against God's side.

Up to now US citizens could place the blame on our leaders and our courts - but not any more, the sin is now theirs.

This nation has been going down for a long time.

The hearts of Americans did not just become corrupt… It has been in existence for a VERY long time…

It doesn't matter whether Democrat or Republican - that is not what we are  looking at.

My point is that in the past the American people had not voted to reject God - now they have.

This nation is headed for the Great Tribulation.

This nation will be going into the tribulation and terrible slavery and captivity for their own sins.

The sin is now on their head.

Only we in the Church, God's people, understand that we are to come out of the world and be separate.

We always choose God's side, not Satan's side.

We have no choice but to be biased toward God's side.

Heretofore, President Obama has pushed through legislation favoring homosexuality, same-sex marriage and taxpayer-funded abortions.

That was President Obama’s agenda.

Yes – the sin was on his back – he was guilty of breaking God’s precious law to preserve and chose life.

But understand this:

The sin is no longer President Obama’s alone – the American people have now declared their desire to be complicit in the guilt.

**We have said to God. “You will not reign over us.”

We have exchanged truth for lies.

We have yielded our blessings for curses.

Proverbs 29:2  When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked bear rule [we are here now], the people mourn.

We are about to mourn as never before.

We had better wake up – we are about to mourn as never before.

It will be the time of Jacob’s Trouble.

Luke 21

Jacob – that’s Israel – that’s us.

God’s judgment is coming upon us.

Pain and torment as never before.

Have you seen the people in the streets crying out to a disinterested, non empathetic government – Where is our electricity?  [After a hurricane – Sandy or Katrina]

“You ain’t seen nothing yet!”

God’s judgment is coming upon this nation for rejecting Him.

Notice the words of Jesus…

Luke 21:23  But woe unto them that are with child [pregnant and nursing], and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.

Terrible war is coming upon us – get ready…

Luke 21:24  And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times (plural) of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

captive into all nations -> China, Asia, Europe, Russia…

The tumult of war and the resulting tsunamis will cause the earth to wobble on its axis…

Luke 21:25  And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

America does not see God’s judgment descending upon us because our nation is willingly ignorant.

Americans say, “It ain’t gonna happen…”

But Brethren, we know that it is going to happen, don’t we?

God says in ” Hosea 4:6  My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, … seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.”

America has chosen bondage where we had freedom.

We have thrown away security for momentary gratification.

We have destroyed our future for greed and lust.

America reached a momentous, earth-shattering turning point On Nov 6th 2012.  [The national elections in which the American people ratified the sins of President Obama.]

For the first time, America has voted to ratify President Obama’s immoral dissipation and sin against Almighty God.

[Definition of “immoral dissipation:”  intemperance, dissolute indulgence in sinful pleasure, supporting ungodly sexual conduct.

Now, we have chosen this immoral way for ourselves.

The American people can no longer blame the sin on our leaders, judges or congress.

Up until now the American people were once removed from the national sin of Abortion – they could blame it on the Supreme Court and Roe v. Wade.

But no longer can the American blame our national sins on our leaders.

America has now approved of their sins.

America has now confirmed their sins.

America has now authorized their sins.

America has now consented to their sins for the first time.

America has now endorsed their sins.  We choose abortion – more than a million murders a year.  Tens of millions over the years.

America has now voted in favor of rejecting God’s rule over them.

Brethren, do you realize how serious this is?

Knowing full well the evil intents of President Obama’s heart, America voted him in once again – and make no mistake about this – it is because he is the expression of what lies inside our wicked hearts.

(let me repeat this)

The sin is no longer President Obama’s alone – we have now declared our desire to be complicit in the guilt.

“We want the guilt to be on us,” America says.

Heretofore, the President has pushed through legislation favoring homosexuality, same-sex marriage and taxpayer-funded abortions.

Now, America has now authorized President Obama’s sins.

This national vote means that all Americas now share – have ownership – fully agree to the killing of these babies; their blood is upon all of us.

The United States of America has ratified President Obama sins.

God has blessed us with abundant offspring – many children – it is a blessing from the Lord.

Killing off millions and millions of babies - our next generation of citizens - is a sure fire way to bring about the demise of a nation.

The exact same result is accomplished with same-sex marriages – they produce no offspring to sustain our population and national growth.

We have chosen for ourselves to go our way without God – exactly as our Israelitish forefathers did.

Our country has spoken, “We will not have God rule over us.”

In so doing, we as a nation have decided to break our covenant with the Lord.

Instead of saying, “All that the Lord has said, we will do,” as a nation we have declared that we will not do what the Lord has said.

We have told God that we do not need or want Him.

The winning Democrat political party is so anti-God as to have had every mention of God removed from their national platform.

They said, “At our National Convention – there will be no prayer – there will be no mention of God – there will be no quotes from the Bible – nothing to do with God.

Thumbing their collective noses at God in that way is about as haughty and arrogant as you can get.

That is the height of conceit.

Of course that did not play well politically – and the President’s party was coerced into some token religious platitudes.

Brethren – never assume that God is pleased and satisfied with His name being penciled in unwillingly by politicians.

God will have complete and wholehearted desire for Him and His word.

God has not found that among Americans.

Americans voted for President Obama.

We need to consider the ramifications from God’s point of view.

We are officially no longer, One Nation Under God.

We have discarded His rule over us. 

Psalm 14

Will we ever again say, In God We Trust?

A new day has arisen – one in which we are on our own.

That is scary!

We have said, “We’ll take our chances without God.”

Neither Congress nor the Supreme Court can change that.

Psalm 14:3  “They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”

Brethren, - God has not slammed the door shut on us --- yet!

Our problems are not insurmountable.

Jeremiah 4

Jeremiah 4 holds the key to the survival of our nation.

Our problems are spiritual in nature.

What can we do to surmount this obstacle?

Only a return to God and His principles can save America now.

Unless there is true national repentance – a collective rejection of this unrighteousness – America’s demise is certain.

The truth is that the problems America faces are fundamentally spiritual in nature.

America has rejected our Creator God.

America’s problems cannot be solved by bi-partisan economic agreement.

Our problem is not economic.

God has asserted that there is only one way forward for a prosperous and peaceful Land of the Brave and home of the Free:

There is only one way we can be saved now – it is by heartfelt national repentance.

Jeremiah 4:1  “If thou [USA] wilt return, O Israel, saith the Lord, return unto Me [in repentance]: and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of My sight, then shalt thou not remove [that means -be utterly removed from existence].

Brethren, make your own list of abominations – using the Bible as your guide.

What does God say are abominations in His sight?

Then notice how many of these abominations ome acceptable to America.

If we do not turn around and accept God’s way of life – we are doomed.  “put away thine abominations out of My sight”

Jeremiah 4:2And thou shalt swear [to turn from these abominations – in repentance], The Lord lives, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in Him, and in Him shall they glory.”

Without a national repentance, do we have any idea what a perilous road lies ahead for our people?

Unless we repent as a nation without delay we will not long endure.    We will not be here very long!

We have become a generation who does not know our forefathers (Exodus 1:8).

Because we will not heed the lessons of our history – we are bound to repeat them – read about how the Egyptians forgot how God blessed and saved them through Joseph – and as a result – Egypt was thoroughly destroyed by the Death Angel.

2 Chronicles 7

We Americans have failed to learn who we were meant to be.

A special people – a holy people.

Never apologize for American exceptionalism – it is a Gift of God.

God’s intent is that we be a holy nation.  (but we have become the opposite.)

2 Chronicles 7:14  If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin, and I will heal their land.

Ezekiel 33

We did not lose the election.  No.  We have lost our country, our home, our heritage, our future.

This is the turning point we must choose:

Ezekiel 33:11  “… As I live, saith the Lord GOD [God lives eternally], I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn [turning point= repent] from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?”

“…for why will ye die, America?”

***

Sermon:  "Turning Point"

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