Quote - Ravenhill on Condtion of American Church, 1985
Leonard Ravenhill warns that America will suffer for the sin of the church, not just the nation's sin, and calls for a return to a genuine, Spirit-filled faith.
Leonard Ravenhill warns about the dire spiritual condition of the American church in 1985, emphasizing that the church's failure to rise above societal decay will lead to national judgment. He expresses concern over the rampant sin and moral decline, stating that God's patience is limited and that the church is complicit in the nation's iniquities. Ravenhill argues that the church's commercialization of the gospel and its desperate pleas for money reflect a deeper spiritual crisis. He believes that rather than the nation suffering for the church's sins, it is the church that will bear the consequences of America's moral failures. The urgency of repentance and revival is underscored as essential for the church's survival and the nation's hope.
Full Transcript
If the temperature doesn't ride in the church anymore than we have it now, America's going to go to hell in less than 10 years. We can't get more disease. We can't get more venereal disease.
We can't have more babies put down the john. We can't have more rebelling against God. He won't put up with it.
His spirit will not strive with men forever. He won't strive with individuals forever. He doesn't strive with nations forever.
And I believe we're tempting the Lord. Nobody is more mutilated and merchandise the gospel than America. Look what we do Sunday mornings, begging, screaming for money.
I said for so long, for years, that because of the mounting iniquity in the nation, the church is going to suffer for the sin of America. I don't believe that anymore. I mean, I believe America is going to suffer for the sin of the church.
Sermon Outline
- The Consequences of a Lukewarm Church
- America's Spiritual Decline
- The Church's Complicity in Sin
- The Dangers of Tempting God
Key Quotes
“If the temperature doesn't ride in the church anymore than we have it now, America's going to go to hell in less than 10 years.” — Leonard Ravenhill
“Nobody is more mutilated and merchandise the gospel than America.” — Leonard Ravenhill
“I believe America is going to suffer for the sin of the church.” — Leonard Ravenhill
Application Points
- The church must repent of its complicity in sin and return to a genuine, Spirit-filled faith.
- America's spiritual decline is a direct result of the church's failure to live out its faith.
- We must stop merchandising the gospel and start proclaiming the true message of salvation.