Saturday, December 06, 2008

A Call to America

I'm taking this transition in my life very, very seriously. They tell me that the Search program reaches every corner of America and even to the world. It airs via 84 markets, 4 satellites, 130 cable stations, radio, and internet. This program has been our brotherhood's national voice. We must keep it so and must walk worthy of the name of Jesus Christ.

Several people have said "congratulations" to me, and it is a great honor to speak on one of the three largest religious television programs in America. But, I am also very humbled to think of the awesome responsibility and the need to preach the gospel truth with love. Mack Lyon's shoes are indeed difficult to fill; but the Lord, the Edmond elders, and Mack have entrusted me with this great task. I'm beginning it with prayer, knowing I will need God now more than ever to guide, to strengthen, and to help me. I am not sufficient on my own. My sufficiency is from the Lord (2 Cor. 3:5), and I am praying the Lord will graciously supply all the things I yet lack on my own.

Now I need your prayers and ask your continued financial support for the Search program. My first program on Search will air February 1, and I'm preparing the script now. My prayer is that God will be honored and that I can have a good start with millions of people who don't know me. (The actual audience is about 60 million weekly.) If I am to be a minister and an ambassador for God, then I too must know nothing but Christ and him crucified (1 Cor. 2:2). I must be true to God, honest with the faith, and loving to people.

My task is to point people to Jesus. Like the people who heard Paul at Mar's Hill, America is full of "confliction" (yes I know this is not a word) and confusion. Our country has told God to hush to its own harm. God must not be silenced by cultural bullies. We believe it is high time to start listening to God, to seek out His Way. Jesus always pleased God (Jn. 8:29), and Paul sought to be "fully pleasing to him" (Col. 1:10). So should we. We need to be utterly grateful for God's grace by responding in faith and in repentance. The message of Jesus and Paul to the masses was "repent" (Mt. 4:17; Acts 17:30-31). Repentance is the gift America needs most. People can change, and the need for them to change in the way that pleases God is as great now as at any time.

Please devote yourselves to prayer that God will open doors for the Word (Col. 4:2-4).

With love,
Phil

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am looking forward to studying with you on this "new" ministry you have taken on. I will pray for you as a teacher
Sonny Owens

Anonymous said...

"Repentance is the gift America needs most."

Phil, what a brilliant statement. It needs to be used in every bulletin across the country.

God bless.

Anonymous said...

I hope all goes well with the transition. Just stay humble and God will really be able to use you. Start looking at yourself better than you actually are and you will surely have problems. Blessings,

Matt

Anonymous said...

As I looked back at my comment I thought I better clarify that I didn't mean that in a negative way or to presume that you would think more highly of yourself than you ought to! I just have seen it happen so many times and later wished someone had heard that. Blessings,

Matt

Phil Sanders said...

Matt,
I took no offense. I want never to be arrogant or presumptuous. If I ever do that, please let me know. I will thank you for it.

phil

Beth said...

The Del City Church prayer group and the singles class has been lifting you up for several weeks now.
I may be prejudice, but I am personally looking forward to having back here closer to us

Your loving little sister

Anonymous said...

I watched part of the program last week, "why we dont celebrate christmas" I thought thats the religious group i would want to be with. I wonder if we should dress down the angels and wise men for their example of celebration of the birth of this child.

Phil Sanders said...

The celebration of the birth of Jesus and the modern ritual of Christmas have only a few things in common. The Scriptures are our basis of faith, and we do not "dress down" the truth about the birth of Jesus. What we reject is the modern way some celebrate that birth. We don't even know for sure what day of the year Jesus was born.

Christmas is a human celebration. The birth of Jesus is not.

phil