Culture wars are real. I’m speaking of the battles that continually pursue between those who hold to traditional values and those who are opposed. My friend, the gospel is greater than any force that comes against it. When we preach the pure Word of God, amazing results follow. Please allow me to give you an example.
The governor of Alabama once invited me and several of my evangelist friends to a historic meeting. It was a Saturday afternoon rally in support of keeping the Ten Commandments posted at the State Supreme Court.
Upon arrival we were shocked to see more than 25,000 people gathered together on the front lawn of the governor’s mansion. Surrounding the crowd were all the major media networks broadcasting this historic event.
I remember asking the governor what he wanted me to say at this secular rally. His response was crystal clear: “Preach the gospel and give an altar call.”
I replied, “Governor, these people haven’t come to hear the gospel.”
He repeated, “Steve, preach the gospel and give an altar call.”
Many state officials and special invited guests spoke and shared their views. I quickly realized that the Lord had placed me in the center of a potentially volatile situation.
The crowd had obviously gathered for a reason. It was as if they knew they were a part of history in the making. The atmosphere was intense. The battle lines had been drawn.
I’ll never forget being introduced as the evangelist, Steve Hill. After all, what was a Pentecostal preacher doing standing behind the podium of a major political event?
I remember asking the Lord to put His words in my mouth. He did just that. This was my first statement:
“Many of you are here because you can’t stand the idea of the Ten Commandments being taken off the wall of the courthouse, but you’ve already taken them off the walls of your heart.”
The response was a complete surprise. Immediately you could hear moaning and groaning everywhere. I went on to preach for several minutes about sin and the purpose of the cross. As Jesus was lifted up it seemed as if everyone was drawn toward Him.
An open altar call was given. I pleaded for all to publicly repent of their sins. Thousands responded by falling to their knees on the lawn and the streets.
Tears filled my eyes as the Sinner’s Prayer was repeated by men, women and children from all walks of life. Even cameramen posted atop massive tractor-trailers knelt down to pray.
This is just a sample of how the gospel of Jesus Christ penetrates every heart. On that day, the culture war was won at Calvary.
It is time for Christians in every nation to lift up their voice and preach the truth. We are not called to make friends with the world. Our mandate is to introduce the world to Jesus.
We will be held accountable on that final day for our words and our actions. Could you imagine if millions of Christians would lift up their voice as a trumpet? We would turn this nation and the world around.
Steve Hill is the founder of Heartland Church in Las Colinas, Texas. He is perhaps best known as the evangelist for the Brownsville revival in Pensacola, Fla.You can reach him online at Steve Hill Ministries or check out Front Lines TV.
