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                Who is Guarding the Front Door of Your House

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By David Wilkerson
February 7, 2000
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          America's children today are a lost generation. No
          other generation in history has been so plagued by sex,
          drugs, alcohol, greed and murder at such a young age.
          My question is, who is to blame?

          Everyone knows something terrible has happened in our
          nation's schools. Crime and violence have become so
          common, many school buildings now have metal detectors.
          Seventh-grade boys are able to obtain guns and mow down
          their classmates with no sorrow at all.

          Our educational system itself has become vile and
          perverted. Teachers are introducing students to
          atheism, evolution, homosexual lifestyles, permissive
          sexual attitudes, anti-religious bigotry. A teacher
          can't place a Bible on his desk - but he can display
          literature on subjects ranging from communism to
          pornography.

          Ever since our judicial system shut God out of our
          schools, Satan has taken them over. Yet I am convinced
          it is not our corrupt school system that is damning our
          children.

          Our entire society is experiencing a moral collapse.
          Cultural programs and art exhibits have become filthy
          and vulgar, making profanity commonplace. Even
          respected leaders in government and business positions
          use vile language freely. They curse Christ and damn
          God's name without even thinking about it.

          America's moral collapse has become so urgent, even
          liberal atheists acknowledge that our foundations are
          being threatened. Yet it is not our corrupt society
          that is damning our children.

          The entire media today appears to be demon-controlled.
          MTV is the devil's private network, with Satan himself
          presiding as CEO. Music videos have become nothing more
          than lewd pornography with wicked, demoralizing lyrics.

          You have to wonder what kind of demon-possessed minds
          could push such perversion on an entire generation of
          youth. The sellers of this hellish filth obviously have
          wrecked their own lives, and now they'll settle for
          nothing less than ruining the next generation. Yet even
          the wicked music scene isn't responsible for damning
          our youth.

          In advertising, sex sells everything. No sexual act is
          considered sinful anymore. Anything goes, so that with
          every passing hour America sinks deeper into
          debauchery. And it's all being promoted by a media in
          collusion with the powers of hell. Yet as bad as
          advertising companies have become, they aren't to blame
          for damning our youth.

          You may wonder about the influence of a dead,
          compromising church that brings worldly filth into
          God's house. Many pastors now routinely deny the
          existence of heaven, hell and the virgin birth. Their
          churches have become empty shells, having a form of
          godliness but no power. And their services have become
          so bland that the youth leave in droves. Young people
          are left thinking Christianity is totally irrelevant to
          their lives.

          Many worship leaders have replaced hymns with MTV-style
          rock music that mentions Jesus only in passing. Instead
          of offering holy worship, churches now stage
          body-slamming punk-rock concerts, where menacing,
          tattooed, body-pierced band members gyrate wildly,
          polluting God's house with the music of angry
          rebellion.

          Yet as dry and worldly as the compromising church has
          become, it is not the primary force that is damning our
          children.

          Many parents - including Christians - blame all of
          these things for the loss of our youth. When their
          children stray, turning to drugs or alcohol, these
          parents rage against schools, the government, the
          media, the church, their kids' peers. Some end up
          removing their children from public schools and
          enrolling them in Christian schools. But too often
          their kids' rebellion only grows worse.

          Even unconverted parents take such action with their
          kids. They want nothing to do with religion - yet they
          send their children to Sunday school hoping it will
          instill in them some positive principles. They expect
          that in just an hour each week the teachers will
          magically transform their young rebels into angels. But
          when it doesn't happen, those parents blame the church
          for the chaos their child still brings to their home.

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                          Who Is to Blame for the
                           Loss of Our Children?

                      -------------------------------

          All of the forces I have named do play a part in the
          disintegration of our youth. But neither schools,
          culture, media, wicked music nor backslidden churches
          alone are causing all the ruin. The truth is, the
          responsibility for this generation of youth rests
          primarily with parents. The home is where most seeds of
          rebellion and wickedness are being sown.

          I have to ask parents: Do you know where your children
          are while you're going about, seeking a blessing? Are
          you losing your kids in the process? You may testify
          that God has changed and revived you - but if your home
          is in disarray, with your children still showing signs
          of rebellion, you have missed God's best.

          Did the fresh touch of God give you a renewed burden
          for your children? If not, how could you sit in God's
          house selfishly enjoying his presence and then go home
          unconcerned about the darkness in your house?

          Please don't misunderstand - I am not putting down
          revival meetings or divine manifestations. I have
          experienced genuine spiritual awakenings and Holy Ghost
          stirrings myself. As a minister of the gospel, I know
          that the Spirit manifests in our flesh to break our
          pride, expose our spiritual apathy and renew our
          spirit. Nor am I blaming all youth rebellion on
          parents. There are other causes of their worldliness.

          Now let me give you a definition of true revival: It
          happens when the walls and gates guarding God's house
          are restored. And those walls include the doors of
          every Christian home. Let me explain.

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                        The Book of Nehemiah Offers
                          A Vivid Picture of What
                          Happens to the Church in
                        Times of Ruin and Apostasy.

                      -------------------------------

          When Nehemiah and 43,000 other Jewish patriots returned
          to Jerusalem, they found the city lying in total ruin.
          The walls were torn down and the gates removed, so the
          inhabitants had no protection from their enemies. And a
          whole parade of antagonists were plundering the city as
          they pleased: Sanballat, Ammonites, criminals, thieves.

          These enemies had been given total dominion because of
          Israel's backsliding and disobedience to God's word.
          Nehemiah wrote, "...because of our sins: also they [our
          enemies] have dominion over our bodies, and over our
          cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in great
          distress" (Nehemiah 9:37).

          Jerusalem here is a type of the church of Jesus Christ
          today. Like the Israelites, many Christians are under
          sin's total dominion. And the iniquity in God's house
          has brought on distress and bondage, spreading poison
          throughout the body of Christ.

          How has this happened? The walls of truth have been
          torn down - those protective barriers that are erected
          when believers stand on God's word. Because of our sin
          and compromise, those protective gates are falling,
          leaving multitudes of Christians open to Satan's power.

          Yet Nehemiah here represents God's plan of restoration.
          This man knew that for any true revival to take place,
          there had to be a safe, protective wall of truth
          surrounding God's people.

          So, did Nehemiah stride into the wall-less city calling
          for a revival of supernatural manifestations? No. The
          only manifestations seen after Nehemiah's arrival were
          men and women with picks and shovels in their hands.
          They were doing the hard work of rebuilding the city's
          walls and restoring its gates. And Nehemiah was leading
          it all.

          This work of restoration began the moment Nehemiah took
          on the Lord's burden over the ruin in his house. When
          Nehemiah saw the affliction and reproach God's people
          were suffering, he fell to his knees crying, "The wall
          of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof
          are burned with fire" (Nehemiah 1:3).

          What did Nehemiah do next? He fasted and prayed night
          and day, confessing Israel's sins. "It came to pass,
          when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and
          mourn-ed certain days, and fasted, and prayed before
          the God of heaven" (verse 4).

          This is the beginning of true revival - when a godly
          Nehemiah company takes on the Lord's burden for a
          church trapped in sin. This godly company fasts and
          prays, pleading with God to begin rebuilding the walls
          and gates that will protect his people from every
          enemy.

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                           Once Jerusalem's Walls
                         Were Rebuilt and Its Gates
                          Set Up, Gatekeepers and
                          Watchmen Were Appointed
                              To Every House.

                      -------------------------------

          Walls and gates are no good without gatekeepers who
          know what can or can't be allowed in. Thus, Nehemiah
          says, "It came to pass, when the wall was built, and I
          had set up the doors, and the porters and the singers
          and the Levites were appointed" (Nehemiah 7:1).

          Notice that these gatekeepers were not strictly
          priests. They were laypeople - musicians, porters,
          people from all walks of life. And they were
          instructed: "Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened
          until the sun be hot; and while they stand by, let them
          shut the doors, and bar them" (verse 3).

          God was saying to his people, "My house is going to be
          a place of light, with no darkness allowed in. Let
          everyone and everything that enters here be an open
          book, subject to the light of my word."

          I learned recently of a tragic story involving the
          minister of a very large church. This man was well
          known in his area, and he was exposed for committing
          adultery and misusing church funds. Some godly pastors
          in the area grew concerned and approached the elders of
          the minister's church. They suggested that the minister
          be given six months off. Then they offered to gather
          around him to provide support, discipline, ministry and
          restoration - all according to scripture.

          But the elders rejected the offer. They decided instead
          to keep their minister, with no discipline whatsoever.
          They told the pastors, "We don't want to miss our
          minister's sermons. He's such an eloquent speaker. And
          besides, he's really a good man deep down, a real buddy
          to us in the church. You know, we all have our
          weaknesses."

          A woman in the congregation agreed, saying, "I don't
          care what our pastor did. His preaching is the only way
          I can get my unsaved husband to go to church with me. I
          vote for him to stay."

          These people all had a clear charge from God to act as
          gatekeepers. But they refused to close their gates to
          darkness. Sadly, they allowed themselves to be bribed
          by a human bond.

          I say to every elder who is reading this message,
          including the elders at Times Square Church: Don't ever
          allow yourself to be blinded to God's word by your
          close ties to any minister. You have been appointed by
          God to be a keeper at the gates of his house. And if
          anyone brings a gospel into your church that isn't
          according to scripture, it is your duty to lovingly
          tell that preacher he is wrong.

          I am not advocating that elders be bossy and
          controlling. I once experienced the horror of being
          abused by such a group in my very first pastorate. The
          tight-fisted elders in that church had driven off every
          pastor they'd had in the previous thirty years.

          I was only nineteen when I began pastoring the church,
          and any nineteen-year-old is going to make mistakes.
          But one day four of the elders called me aside, sat me
          down in a room and accused me of being a dictator. They
          went on and on with their accusations, not allowing me
          to get a word in. It was the worst experience of my
          young life.

          When it was over, all I could reply was, "God's word
          says not to touch his anointed. So, if you believe the
          Lord has anointed me to pastor this church, then you're
          wrong to accuse me this way. I'll leave you for God to
          judge." Sadly, all four of those men received the
          Lord's judgment in some way thereafter.

          As gatekeepers, we are to guard the doors of God's
          house in humility - through fasting, prayer and loving
          concern expressed through the fear of God.

                      -------------------------------

                          Nehemiah Said, "Appoint
                       Watches of the Inhabitants of
                        Jerusalem, Every One in His
                         Watch, and Every One to Be
                          Over Against His House"
                              (Nehemiah 7:3).

                      -------------------------------

          According to Nehemiah, guardians were to be appointed
          not just to the gates of the holy city, but to every
          home as well. In short, the heads of every household -
          that is, the parents - were responsible for everything
          that came into their home.

          God's message here is crystal clear: Fathers and
          mothers, you are charged to guard your home from every
          demonic enemy that tries to enter. This means you are
          responsible for every book, every record, every friend
          your child brings through the door. You are also
          responsible for every influence within your home,
          whether it's TV, videos or the Internet.

          I sincerely believe that parents today need more wisdom
          and discernment than at any time in history. Satan has
          many more wicked inventions and subtle disguises to use
          against God's people. And only through daily, diligent
          prayer and immersion in God's word will we have power
          against him as guardians over our homes.

          Before I go any further, I want to encourage all single
          parents: God knows your struggle to be both a father
          and a mother to your children. Yet his charge to you
          remains the same: You are the appointed guardian over
          your house. You can't wait for a mate to come in and do
          the job for you. The Lord promises to provide all grace
          and strength to you if you will stand up for his word
          in your home.

          As I think of the two boys in Colorado who killed their
          classmates and themselves, I wonder: Where were their
          parents? Those boys were making pipe bombs in the
          family garage. And their rooms were full of clues about
          what they were up to: hate material, threatening notes,
          black coats and hats. Didn't their fathers check up on
          them occasionally? Didn't their mothers ever go into
          their rooms to clean up, and notice all the demonic
          paraphernalia? Apparently, there was no guard at their
          door.

          Today, whenever I see teenagers with pierced tongues,
          demonic symbols and spiked hair, I recognize these as
          mere symptoms. Such kids are crying out, "Mom, Dad,
          you're neglecting me. You're too busy - you don't even
          notice I exist."

          One day we're all going to stand before the judgment
          seat and answer to the Lord for how we raised our
          children. And in that moment, none of us will be able
          to offer excuses or blame anyone else. Therefore, we
          have to examine ourselves today, asking: Have we
          brought up our children in the fear and admonition of
          the Lord? Have we modeled for them a life of love and
          reverence for God?

          I remember playing outside as a boy and hearing my
          mother pray for me from the third floor of our house.
          Her example remains vivid in my memory. Later, when
          Gwen and I were raising our children, we did the same,
          praying for our kids according to Proverbs: "Lord, make
          our sons as oaks beside the waters of life. And make
          our daughters as polished stones in your palace. Keep
          them all from the schemes of the wicked one."

          Every Christian parent has high hopes for his child. I
          see this regularly in our congregation, as parents
          bring their children forward to be dedicated to the
          Lord. Our pastoral staff prays for God's love and
          protection over these little ones. Then we anoint them
          with oil and ask the Holy Ghost to put a wall of fire
          around them.

          But occasionally, I can't help wondering: How many of
          those precious children are going to end up in the
          devil's clutches - on drugs, into crime - because their
          mom or dad got careless about the spiritual atmosphere
          in their home? Will they end up in ruin because their
          parents were wrapped up in their own problems, never
          giving them attention or proper discipline?

          Maybe you're a parent who hurts because your grown son
          or daughter no longer serves the Lord. Or, perhaps
          you're heartbroken because your youngster is hooked on
          drugs or alcohol. You've seen your once-tender child
          grow bitter, hard and lost.

          This message is not meant to condemn you. No one can
          take back his or her past. But I do have a question for
          you. As you look back on your parenting years, ask
          yourself: Were you a true guardian over your home? Did
          you bathe your children in prayer daily? Or were you
          too busy? Did you allow your kids to intimidate you?

          That is all in the past now. Yet there remains
          something you can do: You still have a calling as a
          watchman to pray diligently for your child's salvation.
          That's right - you can make up in prayer today what you
          might have missed in past years. You can still seek
          God's face, bathe your loved one in prayer, and call
          down Holy Ghost conviction on him to bring him to the
          cross.

          I must warn you, however - if your kids are backslidden
          or unsaved, you must not preach at them. Simply pray
          for them. You can't nag anyone into the kingdom of
          heaven. Addict after addict has told me, "My ears still
          ring from my mother's screaming. I could hear her all
          the way down the block."

          There is no real power in raising your voice, because
          all power rests with the Holy Spirit. Therefore, be
          empowered by your respect for God's word. When someone
          walks through your front door, they should sense God's
          authority in your home right away, without a word being
          mentioned. And until your children become adults, you
          are the guardian in charge who has authority to set
          down all the rules.

          Scripture makes it very clear that if you raise your
          children on the authority of God's word, they won't
          depart from that training in their later years. They
          may veer away from it for a while, even for years - but
          ultimately it will bring them back to truth.

                      -------------------------------

                             The Bible Offers a
                            Word of Hope to All
                             Parents Who Grieve
                         Over a Backslidden Child.

                      -------------------------------

          Here is a covenant promise that every parent should
          memorize. It applies both to children who have been
          lost and to those presently under your care:

          "Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I
          have chosen: Thus saith the Lord that made thee, and
          formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear
          not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I
          have chosen.

          "For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and
          floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon
          thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: and
          they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by
          the water courses" (Isaiah 44:1-4).

          This word of promise to Israel is also meant for us
          today. Its words of comfort are given to all who are
          chosen (see verse 1) - meaning, all who are in Christ.

          The Lord begins by telling us in verses 1-2, "I am the
          Lord who made you, and I know your pain. I am going to
          help you now. You don't have to fear." The word for
          Jesurun in this verse means righteous one. In other
          words, God makes these promises to his righteous ones -
          glorious, binding, covenant promises. The promises are:

             * God will provide water to satisfy our thirst: "I
               will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and
               floods upon the dry ground" (verse 3). Has the
               Lord brought you his thirst-quenching word? Has he
               come to you in your dry spells and flooded you
               with his Spirit? Are you drinking the pure water
               of his word?

          If so, you are ready to claim another covenant promise:

             * "I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my
               blessing upon thine offspring: and they shall
               spring up as among the grass, as willows by the
               water courses" (verses 3-4).

          As you may know, willow trees grow fast and tall and
          they spread wide. You often see them growing beside
          streams or bodies of water. God is saying here,
          "Because you are my chosen, I'm going to pour my Spirit
          out on your children. And I will cause them to grow
          tall and strong in the Lord."

          As you read and reread these verses, I urge you to fill
          in your lost child's name. Claim God's promise to you
          by praying, "Lord, you said you would pour your Spirit
          on my child. Now, bless my child, Michael. Pour out
          your Spirit on my young one, Susan. Cause both of them
          to thirst for your living water."

             * Finally, God says your children will testify, "I
               am the Lord's" (verse 5). What an incredible
               promise.

          Yet these promises are not for everyone who merely
          says, "I am of Christ." They are only for hungering,
          thirsting parents - those who drink in God's word
          daily, praying regularly, asking the Spirit to pour out
          on them his power and presence.

          If this describes you, then plead God's promises. Claim
          them as yours, and hold the Lord to them in your
          intercession. Then bathe your family in prayer - and
          watch the enemy flee.

          ---
          Used with permission granted by World Challenge, P. O.
          Box 260, Lindale, TX 75771, USA.

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