MARK ANDERSON MINISTRIES

The Gospel and Politics

By Mark R. Anderson

(Cover say:  The Gospel and Politics: Mark’s thoughts on the recent election)

The day after the elections the Lord greatly encouraged me about what He wants to do in this nation. Many Christians may believe that the results of the election will take the USA down a path of destruction and a recipient of God’s judgment.

According to God’s word and what I sense Jesus Christ is ready to do on this earth I beg to differ! First, God poured out His judgment 2,000 years ago at Calvary, when Jesus hung on the cross. Secondly, the move of God is not based on who is in control politically. Perfect examples of this are present-day China and India. The political climate in China and India is abusive to Christians. Yet, in spite of the political opposition to Christ and Christians in these countries, 25,000 to 40,000 people a day are coming to Christ in China and 17,000 a day coming to Christ in India. Let us not forget how the Church flourished and grew even as crazed Nero was throwing Christians to the lions and burning them as human torches.  The political situation cannot stop the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ unless we allow it to by focusing on the doom and gloom.

The primary reason the move of God is not quenched in India and China is clearly stated in Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…. What is the Gospel? IT IS THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST! The good news of Jesus Christ is the POWER OF GOD UNTO SLAVATION. The word salvation means forgiveness, physical healing, deliverance, protection and prosperity. The good news of Jesus Christ is going forth in these countries, and millions are turning to Christ as a result. It could be the same in the USA if believers were to focus on sharing the Gospel.

We have ministered in areas where militant Hindus were on a killing rampage. All we did was share the Gospel. We experienced that the greater the opposition, the greater the display of miracles, signs and wonders by the all-powerful One, Jesus Christ. It is all in the message of sharing the Gospel and staying focused on Jesus Christ.

My focus and heart is not on the bad, or immoral political decisions that can be made, but on Jesus Christ and spreading His good news. There is enough doom and gloom in this world. We Christians, as followers of Christ, and especially our leaders, should not add to it. The Gospel (good news) of Jesus is the only hope of bringing TRUE REPENTANCE to this hurting sinful world and our nation.

Romans 2:4 says Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? This was the Apostle Paul’s message: The good news of Jesus Christ! It is in sharing and demonstrating the good news of Jesus Christ that will turn our nation and world to Jesus, not focusing in on all the negatives. If followers of Jesus spread doom and gloom and veer from the Gospel message, then our country could very well spiral downward. If we offer no hope to the hopeless, His power will be quenched by a religious spirit. The greatest opposition to the Gospel does not come from the lost, it comes from a religious spirit within the church.

The President, Congress, Senate, Republicans or Democrats are not our saviors. Many Christians act as though they are our saviors. With this mindset we believers become spiritually lazy rather than rising up to do our part.  Jesus and His Gospel alone is our help in any situation.

The lost in this world need an alternative for the lifestyle they are living. If all the Church offers is bad news, a religious spirit, not the spirit of Jesus Christ then we offer them NOTHING TO CHANGE THEIR LIVES. If we get good at sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ than the world sees the alternative to the lifestyle they are living. If we get good at sharing the Gospel it is like a seed that has power to produce forgiveness of sin, physical healing, deliverance from demonic torment, supernatural protection, abundant life and God’s prosperity. If all we do is focus on the negatives as followers of Jesus Christ, we reduce His Message to something that has no power to change anything or anyone.

Referring to End times, Paul makes this statement in 2 Timothy 3:5 He said many having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! Does the message you present about God have the power of God to change lives? Paul also says in 1Thessalonians 1:5, “ For our Gospel (good news) did come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit…”  Paul said he was not ashamed of the good news of Jesus Christ because it has the power to set captives free, to give a lost world healing, an alternative for hopelessness, and so much more.

Romans 15:18-19 says For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. What has Christ accomplished in you? Good things! James 1:17 says Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. That is what we should be sharing with the lost. Paul stuck to sharing the Gospel or good news. HE FULLY PREACHED THE GOSPEL (GOOD NEWS) OF CHRIST. Signs and wonders were a regular part of his ministry, as well as that of many other followers of Jesus in the early church because they had one message: the Gospel.

I am greatly encouraged right here, right now by what the Holy Spirit is about to do in this nation and throughout the world. My excitement has nothing to do with the political landscape of our country. It has everything to do with what He will do as we share the Gospel (good news, not bad news) of Jesus Christ with the lost. These are the most exciting days to be followers of Jesus Christ and to share the Gospel. It can change our nation from the inside out.

Do not let your faith be based on or moved by who is in control of this country. Rather let it be based on how big our Jesus really is. He is much bigger that any government. He spoke the universe into existence and has named each star.  Governments are but dust to our HUGE GOD. He is the omnipotent, all powerful One and is ready to do something big with those who realize who they are in Christ; but in themselves they are “Nothing”.

BECOMING NOTHING SO HE CAN BE EVERYTHING

Phillipians 2:5-7 says Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. Verse 7 in the NIV says that Jesus made Himself nothing. Now He is exalted to the highest place (see Phil. 2:9-11). Jesus is looking for “Nothings” so that He can be everything in them. I have never in my life felt so much like a “nothing or nobody” as I do now and it feels great. I have never felt so strong and had so much expectancy for miracles, signs and wonders.  Speaking of the last days, Daniel 11:32 says…But the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.

I look back in amazement at all that He has accomplished through this nobody. It is because He is everything. He is life itself. Apart from Him there is no life at all. John 1:4 says, “in Him was life and the life was the light of men.” He is what our nation needs, not doom and gloom and more hopelessness. We are the light of the world or the hope to this world (see Matthew 5:14-16). We carry Jesus Christ and His good news within us.

1 John 2:8 says the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.

RIGHTEOUSNESS EXALTS A NATION

Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people. How do you perceive this verse? From the perspective of someone who knows who they are in Christ, or from the political landscape we see around us? The way we perceive this verse makes all the difference in our lives.

I use this verse to decide for whom I should vote. But the results are not always the way I voted. Maybe the politicians do not live a righteous life, but as followers of Jesus we should, and that will put a nation over. We need to know who we are in Christ. We are the salt of the earth (see. Matthew 5:13), not the politicians. We, His followers preserve this nation by our walk with Christ and pursuing Him wholeheartedly despite what goes on around us.

Proverbs 21:1 says The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes. Do you think heaven is shaken by the political landscape in various countries? No! In fact Jesus knew before the foundation of the earth who would lead each nation and at what time. Our job as believers here in the USA is found in 1 Timothy 2:1-3 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior. As believers our job is to back our President Bush and President Elect Obama in prayer so that our God can influence their decisions. Whining and complaining about our politicians will never further the cause of Jesus Christ.

DON’T LIMIT GOD

Don’t permit the political landscape to put limits on our limitless God. Psalm 78:41- 42 says Yes, again and again they tempted God, And limited the Holy One of Israel. They did not remember His power: The day when He redeemed them from the enemy. We tempt God with our unbelief when we say that He can only move in our nation when godly men and women are in power. We need to constantly remember all that He has done, and share His goodness with those around us. As we do so we plant seed for a harvest of miracles. As we share the testimonies of our great God we set an atmosphere for the miraculous to be repeated time and time again.

Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. When people hear the Word of God and that God has healed or delivered somebody then that seed of faith has been planted for their miracle. Acts 10:34 In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. If God does it for one person then He will do it for anybody. Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Everyday can be a bright and beautiful day with Jesus residing within us. A bright and beautiful day is not based on weather or politics, but on who resides within us. If Jesus is the focus and center of our lives then it will always be bright and beautiful, regardless of  outward circumstances.

PROMOTION COMES FROM GOD

Psalm 75:6-7 says For exaltation comes neither from the east (Washington, DC) Nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, And exalts another. Despite the circumstances you can be put over by God if you understand how promotion in His kingdom works.

Do you desire to know whom He exalts and whom He puts down? Psalm 138:6 tells us Though the LORD is on high, Yet He regards the lowly; But the proud He knows from afar. James 4:6, 8, 10 says But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “ God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

(James 4:6, 8, &10).   We need to draw near to our God in order to tap into His power, grace and blessing. How do you draw near to Him? Remain humble and He will promote you. The truly humble will carry His nature and anointing to a lost world. Pride and arrogance will drive the lost further away from our humble Savior. If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14). The onus of a moral vibrant country therefore depends on us, the believers.

Regardless of the political landscape, promotion comes from God as we remain humble and just get good at sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Daniel 2:21-22 And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him

The Gospel and Politics 2

by Mark Anderson

This article is a continuation of our last article. Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…. What is the Gospel? IT IS THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST! The good news of Jesus Christ is the POWER OF GOD UNTO SLAVATION. In the Greek the word salvation means forgiveness, physical healing, deliverance, protection, to be made whole, and prosperity.

As mentioned in part one many believers focus on the negative in our country and base where they see our nation going by what happens in Washington DC, thereby not allowing the gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ to go forth and produce positive results. From my travels all over the world I have come to the conclusion that at times the greatest obstacle standing in the way of the Church of Jesus Christ reaching the lost in this world is the Church itself. Hindus, Muslims, Satanists, the New Age movement are not our greatest hindrance. It is the religious spirit!

Jesus faced the most opposition from the religious leaders of His day. It is no different today! He addresses that obstacle in Mark 7:1-15. My book “The Progression of the Religious Spirit” deals with this as well.

In the short time that President Obama has taken office we can see that things are spinning out of control in the USA as well as the rest of the world. It is leading to increased hopelessness, despair and fear. President Obama recently chose not to host the National Day of Prayer. As far as the government is concerned there is less dependence on God.

Many are looking to the government to bail them out of the difficulties they find themselves in. This leads to more government control and less dependence on God as our source. This will lead to laziness and apathy. I have seen this firsthand in my travels to former communist countries. This can lead to many difficulties in our nation. We as believers need to keep our focus on the gospel of Jesus Christ and God as our source as many around us have become fearful of the future and have no hope. In the days to come many will be searching for answers. Our government is driving them towards that.

My question is; will we the followers of Christ present the answers to the world’s dilemmas or will we add to the problems with messages of doom and gloom? During these extremely difficult times will this nation or the world even glance our way for answers if we are not presenting THE FULL GOSPEL (GOOD NEWS) OF JESUS CHRIST and walking in victory ourselves?

WHERE IS THE FOCUS?

Focus! This is crucial, if we desire to see a lasting move of God and reap the end-time harvest of souls. The early church had their focus on a BIG RESURRECTED JESUS. Even after being beaten and threatened their focus never shifted. And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ (Acts 5:40-42).

They focused on Jesus, His words and actions. Today, somehow that focus has shifted for many Christians. Many focus on what God has not done, or their problems or what the enemy (Satan or demons) is doing more than what Christ has done. When our focus is centered on what He has not done then the fruit of that focus becomes very obvious. It breeds unbelief and offense within the church that literally can stop the move of God (see Mark 6:1-6). Many problems develop in an environment like this.

Jesus talks about these last days in Luke 21:26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. As believers in Christ we need to keep our focus on Christ and place our expectations in Him (see Hebrews 12:2-3).

In John 5:1-16 Jesus healed a man who had been crippled for 38 years. He was the only one healed by the pool of Bethesda among all the sick and crippled who were laid there. Also in Luke 5:17, “and the power of the Lord was present to heal THEM.” Them always implies more than one. Yet only one crippled man was healed in Luke 5:17-26. As we read on, one can see that the religious leaders reasoned and were offended with Jesus (vs. 21). Could that have hindered Christ’s miracle power?

When similar miracles occur today you can be sure that the media and many Christians as well will zero in on those who were not healed as opposed to rejoicing over the ones who were healed. Why do believers act this way? Because of a distorted focus! There were those in the gospel accounts who were not healed. But the gospel accounts zero in on those who received their healings more than ones who did not. Why? Because when we get GOOD AT THE GOSPEL, sharing the good news or testimonies of our GREAT BIG GOD it becomes the seed that reproduces miracles time and time again.

Many Christians permit the media or negative circumstances to be the lens through which they perceive God. Later when they require a miracle from God they wonder why they don’t receive their miracle. They have lost track of what God has done and focus on what He has not done. Some get offended with God or His ministers (Greek-servants).

Many years ago the Lord showed me that if I was offended or critical with a ministry or a certain emphasis in the Body of Christ then I would not be able to receive from them or the anointing on them unless I repented. I have seen the media and believers get easily offended with people like Benny Hinn for example. They zero in on a small

flaw in his life or someone not healed under his ministry, ignoring the many who were.

The enemy knows that if we keep our mouths shut about what God has done then there will be no reproduction of those miracles. Isaiah 62:6 says You who make mention of the LORD, do not keep silent. The enemy loves to silence believers and keep them from sharing the testimonies of our great God. He wants us to focus on what he and his demons do more than what God does so he has an environment to keep working his destructive power. Sad to say many believers fall prey to these tactics.

When our focus is on what God has done Romans 10:17 says, So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Faith and the power to act come into our hearts when we hear what God has done or is doing. It activates faith! It is sad that in many Christian circles there is no mention of the miracles Christ is doing, or pressing in for these miracles He longs to do in our midst. It breeds unbelief and reliance on natural abilities instead of faith in God which can activate His miracle working power.

If we act according to the Bible and focus on what God has done and is continuing to do it will get the momentum going for what He desires to do in the future. It’s like getting on a long moving train. Once it starts moving one does not want to stop it or get in its way. Just keep that momentum building!

If we focus on the good things God is doing then that becomes the lens through which we see; or one could say it becomes our belief system. It becomes the way we perceive God and what He can and will do continually.

PREACHING ONLY A ‘HEARD GOSPEL’

The Great Commission was never meant to only be preached but to also be demonstrated with miracles, signs and wonders (see Mark 16:15-20). Words may draw some to Christ but unless many see the actual manifestation or visible power of God apathy can set in. Some may even turn from the faith. We need God’s manifest presence in our midst and not excuses why His presence isn’t manifesting in our midst.

In these last days much of Christianity has become content with just a heard Gospel. In the days of the early church the preaching was always followed by miracles, signs and wonders, a HEARD AND SEEN GOSPEL. The early church when being persecuted said For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard (Acts 4:20). They kept the testimonies of what Jesus was doing fresh in their hearts and minds and shared them over and over.

Look at Phillip in Acts 8:4-8 Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and SEEING the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city. Notice the words hearing and SEEING the miracles! The early church was not just talk! I frequently share Acts 8 in our India campaigns to let Hindus and Moslems know what happens when Jesus Christ comes to their city. I also share what He did in the Bible, and in other campaigns we have held in India. I tell them He will be doing the same in their city. Sure enough the same miracles flow strongly from the first night onward and great joy comes to these cities.

1 Corinthians 2:4-5 says And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. Paul said he came demonstrating the gospel. His emphasis was God confirming the word he preached. The emphasis was more on seeing God move rather than eloquent words. Notice his mention of words of human wisdom and wisdom of men. Much emphasis today in the Body of Christ has been on what comes naturally to us. If our walk with Christ has become that way (predictable) we need to cry out to God and learn to depend upon Him even more to accomplish things way beyond our natural abilities. Jesus said I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing (John 15:5). If our dependence is on Him we will be brought out of our comfort zone and see a move of God that will attract the unsaved.

The scriptures below show us it is not based on abilities with God as much as it is based on availability. Jesus is looking for available mud. For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence (1 Corinthians 1:26-29). If we want to see an awakening that will shake this nation then we need to understand it has to be all Him! It is not about us. It is all in the power that comes from remembering, sharing and living the gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ.

2 Timothy 3:5 says having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! Have we learned to rely too much on natural ability and that is keeping us from seeing God’s manifest presence in our midst? The early church preached the gospel of Jesus Christ that truly was good news to those living in hopelessness and despair. Was it politically correct? No! Many died as martyrs for their belief in and testimony of Jesus Christ. It did not prevent the early church from moving forward. They kept their focus on the GOSPEL (good news) of Jesus Christ. In spite of great opposition they turned their world upside down with a gospel message that was not only preached or heard but was seen as well. Acts 17:6 says… These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.

Irrespective of what goes on in our nation’s capital we will see a move of God if we keep our focus centered on Jesus Christ and His gospel. Don’t be influenced or blinded by the liberal media, or the bad things going on in Washington DC, or by cold dead religion. Keep your eyes on Jesus Christ, His gospel, and what He is doing. Keep the testimony of our great God before you so that will be the lens you see through and the seed to reproduce the miracles of Jesus Christ in your corner of the world.

If you would like to know more about how to deal with the religious spirit in the Church and stay free from it order THE PROGRESSION OF THE RELIGIOUS SPIRIT. Available for $8usd/ $10cdn includes shipping.