Michael Cotten. Prophet
Antioch Ministries

I read the newspaper each morning (I know, totally analog) and this week I have seen sermons jumping off the page.

First Item (Thursday, June 25):

“Mauritania -- Al-Qaida says it killed American -- NOUAKCHOTT -- Al-Qaida’s North African branch has claimed responsibility for the killing of an American aid worker shot dead in Mauritania’s capital, Al-Jazeera TV reported Thursday.
An audio statement by Al-Qaida of the Islamic Maghreb spokesman Salah Abu Mohammed said the group killed 39-year-old Christopher Ervin Leggett on Tuesday because he was allegedly trying to convert Muslims to Christianity.”

This was not one of our GCI people, but it easily could have been. It’s a stark reminder that we as Christians are in a death struggle with Satan. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12 ESV) Every time we go out our door, whether to the mall or to a foreign country, we enter into that struggle.

Second Item (Thursday, June 25)

GOP leaders want Sanford to step down -- THE DISGRACED POLITICIAN IS FINDING LITTLE SUPPORT AFTER HE ADMITS CHEATING ON HIS WIFE”

The Governor of South Carolina, who proclaimed his evangelicalism, has been caught in as torrid affair with an Argentinean lover. It seems astonishing that anyone would throw family and successful political career away for a fling. My morning reading took me here: “People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his appetite when he is hungry, but if he is caught, he will pay sevenfold; he will give all the goods of his house. He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself. He will get wounds and dishonor, and his disgrace will not be wiped away.” (Proverbs 6:30-33 ESV)

I see more and more of these sad affairs being aired. So often I am asked to have a part in the restoration of fallen leaders. It’s certainly possible, but the problem becomes the wreckage left in the wake of these affairs. That wreckage is human and hurting, and failed leaders bear responsibility for that before God.

“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” (James 3:1 ESV)

Third Item -- From Twitter (Yeah, digital) Saturday, June 27

“RT@JohnPiper Elizabeth Taylor on Michael Jackson: ‘He will live in my heart forever but it’s not enough. My life feels so empty.’ Pray.” We see people living life with so much effort trying to achieve significance, and whatever they do it’s never enough. So, they try to find heroes they can believe in and worship. But that's not enough either.

Here’s the real stuff -- “Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”” (Genesis 12:1-3 ESV)

God will make you a great nation and give you a great name and bless you and make you a blessing for the world. Go for that.

Michael Cotten, Prophet
Antioch Ministries