AMERICAN IDOLS | TRAVIS GREENE | FORWARD CITY CHURCH

Hey family, thank you so much for checking out this week's message here at Forward City Church. Hey man, I'm excited. We've been in a series called God plus and today I'm preaching a message called American ((music playing)) idols. There's six thrones that I believe here in our country that we have placed around the throne of God.

Remember he says ((music playing)) in Exodus chapter 20 verse 3 that you shall have no other God before him. It does not mean have another God above him or ahead of him. It also means not to have any other gods around him. We're going deep in this message, so buckle up.

But I believe this message is liberating. Remember Jesus said that it's the truth that will set you free. So lean in, invite someone to watch with you, like, share, comment, all the ((music playing)) things. Let me know where you're watching from. I'd love to know that as well. I love you.

I'll see you at the end. Grab your Bibles for me. We're in the book of Galatians today. I feel the prayers of the saints. Galatians chapter 5. Galatians chapter 5. It's in the New Testament. If you're in the Old Testament, you're you're too far to the left. Go on over to the right a little more.

It's Paul writing ((music playing)) to the church of Galatia while he is in Ephesus in his third missionary journey. And he's correcting some things. The book in its entirety is really coming against um spiritual elitism and um legalism because in Paul's absence there were false teachers trying to present another gospel and another doctrine.

Mhm. And when there is false doctrine, there will be compromise. >> [laughter] >> Galatians chapter 5. Just a few verses. We're going to start at verse 16. So I say, "Walk by the spirit. If you do this, you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." Hey hey Forward City, you can't just read the Bible.

Got to read the Bible. He didn't say you won't feel the desires of the flesh. He said you won't gratify them. FOR THE FLESH DESIRES WHAT IS CONTRARY TO THE SPIRIT. And the spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are not friends. THEY AREN'T PEN PALS. They aren't buddies.

They're not second cousins. They are IN CONFLICT WITH THEY ARE AT WAR WITH EACH OTHER. SO THAT YOU ARE NOT TO DO WHATEVER you want. But if you are led by the spirit, you are not under the law. So powerful. The acts of the flesh highlight this with some lip gloss.

The acts of the flesh are obvious. Ain't that powerful? >> [laughter] >> That word obvious means you won't have an excuse. I feel like preaching a little bit. >> [screaming] >> That word obvious mean if one day you have an epiphany, be like, "I don't think God likes this." God is like, "Duh.

You think?" >> [laughter] >> The acts OF THE FLESH ARE OBVIOUS. YOU KNOW THEM. SEXUAL IMMORALITY, IMPURITY AND DEBAUCHERY, ADULTERY and witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy, DRUNKENNESS, ORGIES, and the like. I don't even know what that the like mean, but I thought he done said everything needed to be said.

I warn YOU AS I DID BEFORE THAT THOSE UNDERLINE this that live like this not those who slip into this. Not those who who make a mistake. The You live like this. MEANING YOU COME TO CHURCH WITH PLANS to go back. No no, you live like this. You left here sleep on the couch and You live like this. >> ((music playing)) >> You still got the subscription.

You live like this. He says, "I have warned you THAT THOSE WHO LIVE LIKE THIS WILL NOT INHERIT the kingdom of God." Don't be surprised when you don't get in cuz I warned you. Then he goes through the fruit of the spirit, but I want to jump down to verse 24.

He says, "Those who belong to Christ Jesus." My God. How I know you belong to him? Because you have crucified the flesh. You have terminated that nasty part of you that desires the obvious sinful acts. You've crucified it with its passions and its desires. You didn't just come in here and say, "Take everything and give me you."

Cuz it's cute to sing, but it's bloody to live out. I don't know. I just feel like if the Lord was going to sing a song today. I don't even know who this song was by. It was one of them boy bands. "Quit playing games with my heart.

With my heart." Remember that? I It was one of them boy bands. We have gotten in the rhythm of playing games with God. The Bible teach us he's no one to play with. THERE WILL COME A DAY, CHURCH, FOR THE SAINTS AND THE SINNERS WHERE YOU WILL HAVE TO STAND BEFORE his throne.

AND THE QUESTION WILL BE ASKED, "WHAT OTHER THRONES What other God pluses have you entertained?" He said he said, "Ayo, I made it obvious to you that I wasn't cool with it and you ignored me." So today I want to preach a message simply entitled American idols. Turn to three people and tell them, "Beware of the American idols.

Beware of the American idols." Lord Jesus, send a wind. When you walk into the room, everything change. Mhm. So Father, we open our hearts. We won't bring to you pride because the Bible says you resist the proud. But you give grace to the humble, so we come to you in humility saying we need thee, oh we need thee.

Breathe. Move. Do what only you can do. I decrease, you increase. Do a new thing. Do an old thing. I surrender. Prepare me to be a sanctuary in Jesus name. Amen. If you're excited for the word of God, give them a great praise on your way to your seat. >> ((applause)) >> American idols.

The goal, ladies and gentlemen, is not just to to expose these extra thrones that are in our lives. The goal is to call us back to under binded devotion. Something has happened over the past several weeks. The Lord has literally sent the wind and taken these messages um across the world and he went beyond the four walls of this building.

I want to take a moment and really thank um the leaders here and the prayer warriors here. Um those who have been praying for uh myself and my wife and our children and our church because um the enemy is very upset when we stop playing church and stop playing games and we started exposing some of his tactics.

Now it rubs our flesh the wrong way because our flesh loves idols. I'mma get there in a second. But I thought given all of the feedback and some of the hate mail that I should take a moment and reintroduce myself. And I would like to use as a premise how Paul begins this book of Galatians.

Chapter 1 verse 1. He said, "Paul, an apostle, sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead. For those of you who don't know who I am, I like to just let you know that like Paul, my calling was not man's idea.

It was God's idea. Me moving to Columbia, South Carolina was not a good idea. It was God's idea. Me preaching about idols was not a marketing strategy or scheme. It was God's idea. And because I work for God, I cannot be bought. >> ((cheering)) >> In other words, >> ((applause)) >> in other words, my soul is not for sale.

What you don't know are the deals and contracts that were offered to me. Some revoked, some I rejected because I would not bend on my conviction. And so, I have made a decision. The cross before me, the world behind me. And if me preaching what I believe to be the heart of God will stop you from coming and even from giving.

If the whole church leave and we have to shut this building down, you will find me on the corner still preaching this word from God. Because I have counted the cost. What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and to I just need to reintroduce myself.

I'm not here >> ((applause)) >> to be accepted by man. >> ((cheering)) >> Not only can I not be bought, I cannot be bullied out of my conviction. >> ((cheering)) >> Nehemiah told his accusers, "I am doing a great work and I can't come down." I love that. The Lord told me a few months ago.

He said, "Travis, you care for my people, you'll be great." He said, "But when you stop caring about their opinions, you'll be dangerous." And God is looking for dangerous people who won't conform to the ways of this world, to the patterns. But be you transformed by the renewing of your mind.

God is looking for an army that will stand up, that will cry aloud and spare not, that will announce that judgment is on the way if we don't turn back to him. It was Jesus who said in Matthew 10:28. I'm going to read this verse. HE SAYS, "DO NOT BE afraid of those who can kill the body, BUT CANNOT KILL THE SOUL.

RATHER BE AFRAID. If you're going to be scared, be afraid of the one who CAN DESTROY BOTH BODY and soul in hell." So, I've made a decision, ladies and gentlemen. I will preach the unadulterated truth of God until the God who called me decides to retire me. Now, with that being said, let's preach.

God plus volume three. You will find in the book of Exodus, chapter 20, verse 3. God gives this warning. He says, "You shall have no other gods, plural, before me. Not just above me, not just ahead of me." He said, "I don't want any other gods around me."

God does not share space with idols. God plus nothing equals God. But God plus anything equals adultery. Listen, the enemy's not just after first place. He's after shared space. This is so important for you to remember. Hosea 4:6 is a very powerful verse. It says, "My people are destroyed from a lack of knowledge."

It says, "My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge." And it dawned on me that many people choose these idols not just based off of rebellion. This is what the Lord told me. He says, "Travis, people are choosing idols not just because they're rebellious, but because of ignorance.

Because they don't know that this is a trap of the enemy because the enemy is a legalist. And so, he needs your agreement." Through that agreement, the enemy gains access. The Lord told me to tell you, "Neither ignorance nor intent excuses adultery." I'm going to say that again.

I'm going to say that again. "Neither ignorance nor intent excuses adultery." Why? Because it's obvious. Proverbs 14:12 is a a scary verse. I remember one of my mentors taught me this verse. He said, "This is the scariest verse in the Bible." It says, "There is a way that appears to be right, intent, but in the end leads to death, leads to destruction.

You so right. You so right. You so right. You know what convinced you that you so right? Pride. And there's a way that you can think is right and is leading to your death. In the dream about this series, I told you in week one, I didn't even want to preach it.

Cuz the Lord showed me a vision in the dream of this right here. He showed me a vision of He said, "Travis, there are a lot of small thrones that have gathered around my big throne." And he said He said, "TELL MY PEOPLE IT'S NOT THAT they've removed me."

See, the people in this room got to see something that the people online didn't get to see. People online was watching a video, but the people in this room, y'all got to see the production hands coming move all this stuff up here. And what you saw was that the small thrones were more easy to manage. >> ((cheering)) >> SO, YOUR PROBLEM IS NOT THAT YOU HAVE REMOVED THIS.

THE PROBLEM IS THAT YOU'VE JUST PLACED OTHER THRONES AROUND HIM. IT'S THE God pluses. I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU A SCRIPTURE THAT THE LORD GAVE ME. And when he gave it to me, I said, "Uh-oh. I don't think people know this verse." It's found in Ezekiel 14, verse 3.

It's a powerful verse. IT SAYS, "SON OF MAN, THESE MEN HAVE SET UP IDOLS WHERE? Not at the nail shop. Not Not at your your restaurants. No, no, no. He said, "The idols you got to be aware of are the ones you set up in your hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks Keep asking why you're tripping.

Because of what's in your heart. Before their faces. Should I let them inquire of me at all? Verse 6. If you're going to get a tattoo, GET THIS ONE. THEREFORE, SAY TO THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL, "THIS IS WHAT THE SOVEREIGN Lord says. Repent." Once again, to repent does not mean remorse, it means redirection.

It means to turn or return. He said, "Tell the people repent." Watch it. "Turn from your idols and uh-oh. Uh-oh. Wait a minute. My eyes got blurry. "Renounce all your detestable practices." Revival is not random. It is a response to our surrender. You ready? Adultery is not random.

It is a response to our sinful nature. Anywhere the flesh rules, false thrones will be present. Let me give you a lot of scripture today. Galatians 5:17, once again. It says, "For the flesh desires what is contrary to the spirit, and spirit what is contrary to the flesh.

They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want." Paul tells the Galatian church, ladies and gentlemen, he says, "Hey, man, there's a war going ON, YO. AND THIS WAR IS BETWEEN FLESH AND SPIRIT." PLEASE SEE THIS. He says, "THEY'RE BOTH FIGHTING.

THERE IS NO NEUTRAL GROUND. THEY'RE BOTH FIGHTING FOR CONTROL." AND HE SAYS, "BEWARE BECAUSE YOUR FLESH NATURALLY drifts to idols. It's natural. It naturally drifts." Write this down. Your heart is a throne room. Your heart is a throne room. In that throne ROOM, THERE SHOULD ONLY BE ONE THRONE.

BUT THE PROBLEM IS, AMERICA, THE PROBLEM IS, children of God, that idols need thrones. Talking slow because I don't want you to miss anything that the Lord gave me. Idols need thrones. THRONES ARE ESTABLISHED by altars. What is an altar? An altar is where we bow, is where we commit, IS WHERE WE CONFESS, IS WHERE WE PLEDGE.

An altar is where we decide who and what matters most in our life. It is THE ALTAR THAT VALIDATES THE THRONE. AND SO, IDOLS DON'T JUST WANT TO BE IN THE MIX. THEY ALSO WANT YOUR ALLEGIANCE. MM. Thrones and altars. Thrones and altars. Thrones and altars. Thrones and altars.

Thrones and altars. Thrones and altars. Oh, this is why Gideon had to go to his dad's house and destroy not just the idols, but the altars. Idols are carried. Altars validate their existence in your life. And every idol need a throne, and every throne needs an altar. And every idol, every throne, every altar needs a high place to protect it.

The Lord told me to talk today, ladies and gentlemen. I need your prayers if you're saved. About six thrones are fighting for control of your heart. Six idols. Are you ready? Idol number one, appetite. What you consume determines what you're consumed by. This is why Paul writes in Galatians 5:24.

Those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified You crucified your appetite. What are you consuming? Man. And this is important because demons travel through portals. They need a gate. They need a door. You want to know where your portals are, where the doors are, the gates? What you listen to.

What you watch. What you confess. That is how they have access. Mhm. I heard this this doctor, she's a theologian from Africa. She was speaking, and she said this. She said She said, "Actually, there's more witchcraft in America than probably any other country." Because we've been desensitized to it.

Ah. We like our We like our you know, we like the Bible, but we also like Harry Potter. We've been desensitized. You know, we You know, you know, we think Sabrina the Teenage Witch is cute. We've been desensitized. We think Buffy the Vampire Slayer is romantic. We've been desensitized.

AND SO NOW, WE'VE INVITED and welcomed darkness. Oh, we're going there today. Y'all might as well go ahead and put your seatbelt on. I'mma ask I'mma ask for no one to leave because every toe in the room may get stepped on. And it's equal ground for offense. What are you consuming?

Movies, TV shows, uh music. Music. Uh-oh. Pornography. And we wonder why our vision is so blurred. I went outside the other day, I got in my Jeep. It's my Jeep. We kicked my Jeep out of the garage. So, we kicked it out. And I went to get in my Jeep.

And this time of year always gets to me and my son Jace cuz we got allergies. I got to take Claritin year round cuz I'm allergic to everything. I went in my Jeep. And the whole windshield was covered in pollen. And I thought, "That's just like sin." That when we just embrace everything.

No, no, no, because we You think it's cute to dress your 3-year-old like a devil on Halloween. You think it's cute until they get possessed. Listen, it's equal ground. This is equal offense. It's cute. And then we wonder why we can't see clearly. It's because we've embraced all this stuff that can blur.

What are you consuming? Your appetite. Your distraction. I got to move quick. You're just scrolling. You're just fantasizing. You're just wasting time. The Lord told me to tell you that idols love idle time. What are you What are you consuming? Your future is worth your focus. That's the first one.

Let's keep moving. For every one of these, I'mma keep going until I see that you're getting delivered. American idols. Misplaced hope in flawed systems and people. Here's a verse for you to write down. Psalm 146:3. I'mma give you the Bible. You can fuss with the Bible. Don't fuss with me.

If you want to send an email, send it to god@bible.com. DON'T PUT YOUR CONFIDENCE IN POWERFUL PEOPLE. >> ((cheering)) >> THERE IS NO >> [screaming] >> HELP FOR YOU THERE. >> ((cheering)) ((applause)) >> It troubles ME HOW THERE'S SO MUCH DIVISION in the I'm not worried about the people on THE OUTSIDE.

THE BODY OF CHRIST during election time. Y'all ever notice? There's so much DIVISION IN THE BODY I WORKED AT A WHITE CHURCH. Big big white church. Big big big white church. And I was working there. It's crispy white. I mean, crispy. And I was working there. And uh and I was one of the the only few only black employees there.

And so, you know, and because, you know, I could change my voice. Hello, brother John. It's good to see you today. Hey, man. I'm just I'm just glad to be saved. Amen. On top of the dirt. The dirt's not on top of me. You have yourself a good one, all right?

And because I acclimated and fit in, people got comfortable. And they got so comfortable, they started calling President Barack Obama the Antichrist. I remember when he got elected. I'll never forget. We went to California Pizza, and some of the staff was depressed. Like, "Oh God, judgment is coming.

The Antichrist." And then I was around black folks WHEN PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP GOT ELECTED. It's equal. I'm telling you, I'm coming for everybody. >> ((cheering)) ((applause)) >> And my white FRIENDS WAS LIKE, "BEHOLD THE LAMB." >> ((cheering)) >> FINALLY. And my black friends was like, "The Antichrist." The idol of politics.

Now, listen. I don't want to be misquoted. I'm telling you, do your civil duty. Vote. Stand for justice and righteousness. That's all great. But don't forget, we belong to a kingdom that IS GREATER THAN WHAT'S DOWN HERE ON EARTH. AND OUR KING WAS NOT VOTED IN, AND HE CANNOT BE VETOED OUT.

WHY ARE YOUR EMOTIONS GOING UP AND DOWN WITH WHAT CNN AND FOX ARE SHOWING YOU? THEY'RE SELLING YOU FEAR IN ORDER TO TAKE YOU OUT OF YOUR SECRET place of prayer. >> ((applause)) >> David wrote Psalm 20:7. Some trust in horses. Some trust in chariots. Some trust in nuclear bombs.

Some trust in the military. Some trust in Obama. Some trust in Trump. But we trust in the name. I feel the Holy Ghost. We trust in the name of the Lord our God. And now I I got a question for my favorite service, 9:00. What's his name? What's his name?

At the name of Jesus, EVERY KNEE WILL BOW. AT THE NAME of Jesus, darkness backs up. AT THE NAME OF JESUS, NATIONS TREMBLE. AT THE NAME THAT'S ABOVE EVERY NAME. >> ((music playing)) >> His name is Jesus. >> ((cheering)) >> Oh, I knew that would wake you up. >> [cheering and applause] >> We're coming after these American idols.

Sex is God's idea. Sex is God's idea. Now, it's taboo to talk about in church, but you wouldn't be here if it weren't for sex. Somebody Somebody Galatians 5:19. 19. want to this part, but I want to reread it in the New Living Bible version. Watch what the Bible says.

The things Galatians 5:19. Start at verse 19, please. It says, "THE THINGS YOUR SINFUL old self wants to do are sex sins, SINFUL DESIRES, WILD LIVING, WORSHIPPING FALSE GODS, WITCHCRAFT, HATING, FIGHTING, BEING JEALOUS, BEING ANGRY, ARGUING, HERE WE GO, POLITICS. DIVIDED INTO LITTLE GROUPS. THAT'S what factions mean.

And thinking THE OTHER GROUPS ARE WRONG. It's your Bible. god@bible.com False teaching, wanting something someone else has, killing other people, using strong drink, wild parties, and all things like these. I told you before, and I am telling you again, that those who do these things will have no place in the holy nation of God.

I found it interesting THAT AT THE TOP OF PAUL'S LIST, THE VERY FIRST THING THAT HE TALKS ABOUT, are these sexual sins. Because perversion is not new. Ladies and gentlemen, don't forget. He's not writing this to MTV. He's not writing this to the Oscars. He's not writing this to the Grammys.

He's writing this to the church. And he's saying, "We got some some some some some some righteous and ratchet in the church." He says, "Beware of this perverse woo generation." It It's one of the enemy's greatest trap for people. Ain't it funny that it's felt this way in every TV show?

When I was growing up, we couldn't watch The Simpsons. Cuz you know, Simpsons just get down with everything. But now, ANY CARTOON. I'D BE LIKE, "MICKEY!" Every commercial, every ad, sex sex sex sex sex sex. BUT IT'S GOD'S IDEA. IT IS DESIGNED BY GOD FOR THE ENJOYMENT of married folk.

Husband, male, and wife, female. It's how God designed it. ANYTHING OUTSIDE OF GOD'S design is a sin. I had one mentor tell me. He told me, he was an older white guy mentoring me. He told me this one time. He's super super conservative. I couldn't even believe he was talking like this.

Cuz everything, you know, he's very he's very very very just by the book. Love him. He told me this. He said, "Travis." I said, "Yes, sir." He said, "It's all in your pants." I said, "Hey, yo." He said, uh >> [laughter] >> He said, "If you can control your pants, you'll be unstoppable."

He said, "Your pockets and your zipper." He said, "If you can stay away from greed and lust, you'll be unstoppable." >> ((applause)) >> Have you noticed the trend? Have you noticed? I'm talking to the church. That mighty men and women of God consistently fall because it's all either greed or lust, and the enemy knows it.

Single people, I don't know why God wanted me to take this pivot right here. Just call me real quick. I'm out. Single people, meaning if you're not married. Did you know that that if you're engaged, you're still single? Boy, a quiet spirit back here. I mean, that mug got soul.

It just swept through there. I was like, "Mhm." >> ((cheering)) [laughter] >> If you unmarried, STAY AWAY FROM ANYTHING that even remotely entertain or support those desires that are reserved for the marriage bedroom. Here's where Paul said it. 1 Corinthians 6:18. Run. >> ((applause)) >> RUN FROM SEXUAL SIN. LITERALLY. LITERALLY.

YOU WALK IN YOUR DORM, THEY IN THERE, THEN GO RUNNING DOWN THE HALL. >> [screaming] >> NELLY. NELLY. RUN FROM SEXUAL SIN BECAUSE NO OTHER SIN SO CLEARLY AFFECTS THE BODY AS THIS ONE DOES. Sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. And it's one of the American idols.

Let's eat up. Autonomy. This is the the demonic thought that it's my body, so it's my choice. I like her. Her eyes just got big. She was like, "Uh-oh." 1 Corinthians 6:19. Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit? He said, "You can't belong to God and belong to you at the same time."

You're the temple of the HOLY SPIRIT WHO LIVES in you and was given to you by God. Here we go. VERY EXPLICIT. YOU DON'T BELONG TO YOURSELF. YOU WERE bought with a price. So you must honor God with your body. You were bought with a price. You were bought I want you to do me a favor.

When you leave church today, go to TJ Maxx. Get whatever you want. Tell them I sent you. Okay? And just walk out of the store without paying for it. You'll be fine. I got a key to the city. You'll be fine. You'll be fine. But do not call me when you get arrested.

Hey. Hey. Taking something you didn't pay for has consequences. You were bought with a price. Don't No, no, no. Don't find yourself in trouble, then trying to claim that he has ownership. You were bought with a price. This American idol. Listen. It has found its way into the church.

There are people sitting in the church right now. There are people who are going to be on my Instagram stories. The team will delete it before I even see it, but they'll be like, "See? See?" How is this even a conversation? It's a pagan MINDSET THAT YOU BOUGHT INTO BECAUSE SOMEBODY WHO LOOKED LIKE YOU MADE A TIKTOK VIDEO.

And you was like, "It must be right." But there's A WAY THAT SEEMS RIGHT. LISTEN. I'm just going to repeat what Paul said. Your body is not yours. And if your body's not yours, you you don't get to decide. You didn't decide your fingerprint. You didn't decide your race.

You didn't decide your gender. It was all decided for you. And we are in a day and time. I'm walking heavy today. Where we as the church are trying to be affirming and tolerant to things that God ain't even affirming and tolerant for. >> ((cheering)) ((applause)) >> I invited somebody to church.

True story. At a restaurant, the first question she asked, "Are you guys um are you guys affirming to, you know, my lifestyle?" I said, "Huh?" I I said, "What? Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait." I said, "What we not going to do is be mean to you. You You This is a safe environment.

I want you to come." I said I said, "But one thing you just need to know, I unapologetically preach the Bible." >> ((applause)) >> I IN OTHER WORDS, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO. I don't customize this SO THAT YOU'LL COME BACK. I I I preach THE WORD OF GOD CUZ I WANT YOU TO MAKE IT IN. >> ((cheering)) >> UH SO EVEN IF YOU DON'T COME HERE, I STILL WANT TO SEE YOU THERE.

SO I'M GOING TO PREACH THE WHOLE TRUTH, NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH, SO HELP ME GOD. AND YOUR BIBLE SAYS JESUS CAME FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH. LET ME GIVE A WARNING TO ALL WEAK BACK PASTORS >> ((cheering)) >> WHO ARE AFRAID TO PREACH THE TRUTH OF GOD. >> ((cheering)) >> I AIN'T TALKING ABOUT THIS CHEAP AMERICAN GOSPEL THAT THAT LIVE RECKLESSLY, YOU STILL MAKE IT TO THE PEARLY LEAGUE THAT AIN'T WHAT YOUR BIBLE SAYS.

THE BIBLE SAYS PRESENT YOUR BODY AS A LIVING SACRIFICE. YOU NEED THE TRUTH. >> ((cheering)) ((applause)) >> AND WE'VE BEEN PACIFYING PEOPLE. WE SOLD THEM JAMAL ON THE HYPE OF GRACE. THE HYPE OF GRACE SAYS COME AS YOU ARE. BUT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF TRUTH SAYS DON'T STAY THE WAY YOU ARE.

AND THERE IS A GOD WHO HAS REAL POWER THAT CAN TRANSFORM YOU. IT'S NOT CONDEMNATION, BUT IT SHOULD BE CONVICTION. YOU SHOULD be uncomfortable. Here's what Jesus said about truth. We're on one there. John chapter 8 verse 31. He says, "You are truly my disciples." HEY, YOU DON'T GET TO DEFINE THE TERMS.

GOD SAYS, "I CALL YOU MY REAL DISCIPLE IF YOU REMAIN FAITHFUL TO MY TEACHINGS." YOU'RE NOT MY DISCIPLE BECAUSE YOU SING MAVERICK CITY SONGS. YOU'RE NOT MY DISCIPLE BECAUSE YOU GO TO CHURCH AND GIVE $20. YOU'RE MY DISCIPLE WHEN YOU OBEY MY WORD. WATCH THIS. WATCH THIS IN VERSE 32.

This is part that's been misquoted. "And you will know the truth, AND THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE." PLEASE UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE WAS NOT WRITTEN IN VERSES. It was WRITTEN IN IDEAS, CONCEPTS, NOT EVEN IN CHAPTERS. THESE ARE FULL THOUGHTS. HE SAID, "YOU'LL KNOW THE TRUTH AND THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE."

WHAT TRUTH? MY WORD. THAT IS THE TRUTH. STOP LIVING BY YOUR OWN TRUTH. THAT is demonic. I'm just living my truth. Your truth will take you to hell. He said the truth HE SAID, "MY TRUTH IS WHAT SETS YOU FREE." Good God. HE SAID, "MY WORD IS WHAT SETS you free."

This does NOT DIMINISH THE VALUE OF GRACE. GRACE SAVES. BUT TRUTH LIBERATES. SO THIS IS WHY THERE ARE A LOT OF SAVED AND BOUND PEOPLE. DO YOU hear what I'm telling you? You're saved. I'M NOT QUESTIONING YOUR SALVATION. BUT YOU'RE STILL BOUND BECAUSE YOU HAVEN'T EMBRACED HIS WHOLE TRUTH.

THE TRUTH IS God loves you. But God hates your idols. The truth is your body is not yours. Autonomy. Autonomy. Autonomy defends this demonic strategy, ploy, and plot, which Jesse Jackson one time called genocide to the black race. Abortion. And it has been normalized not only on the outside, but in the church.

There are people who claim to love God and defend killing babies. I'M NOT MINCING MY WORDS. AND THEN WE USE ARGUMENTS ABOUT WHAT ABOUT THOSE WHO ARE RAPED? DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT THAT ARGUMENT IS FOR LESS than 1%? It's not Listen, I'm not I'm not trying to be insensitive.

I'M SAYING THIS IS SATANIC, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. WHY DOES THE enemy love abortion? You ready? HE LOVES ABORTION BECAUSE HE LOVES innocent blood. Read your Bible. READ YOUR BIBLE. READ YOUR BIBLE. IF YOU WANT to send an email, send it to god@bible.com. HE LOVES INNOCENT BLOOD. THIS IS WHY in the in the Bible, especially the Old Testament, THERE WAS SO MUCH CHILD SACRIFICE.

And it's illegal for us to BURN BABIES ON BELT'S ALTAR, SO WE REBRANDED BELT'S ALTAR the clinic. And we renamed Belt pro-choice. >> ((cheering)) >> Listen. Listen. Listen. Listen. Listen. Travis, why are you talking like that? Cuz it's not your choice to decide WHO LIVES AND WHO DIES. GOD IS THE GIVER OF LIFE.

I DON'T CARE IF YOU GOT PREGNANT BY A MISTAKE. IT'S NOT a mistake to God. THAT LISTEN. LISTEN. THE ARGUMENT FOR ABORTION AND JEREMIAH 1 ARE AT CONFLICT. BECAUSE JEREMIAH 1 SAYS, "BEFORE I FORMED YOU IN YOUR MOTHER'S WOMB, I KNEW YOU." THIS IS YOUR BIBLE. "I SET YOU APART AND I APPOINTED YOU A PROPHET TO THE NATIONS."

SO HOW CAN GOD KNOW SOMEBODY, HAS A PLAN FOR SOMEBODY, AND SINCE IT'S YOUR BODY, YOU DECIDE THAT THEY DON'T DESERVE to live? Keep it moving. ((cheering)) >> ((cheering)) >> I didn't ask to preach this, by the way. Racism. Racism, injustice, discrimination are all sins. In the year of 1860, on December 17th, there was a vote for the South to separate from the North because the South wanted to keep the economic flow coming through this thing called slavery.

Ladies and gentlemen, this vote happened about 5 mi up the street at First Baptist Church. Did you hear what I just said? The vote for the South to secede, separate from the North, happened at a church. This led to 2 months later the first shot being fired for the Civil War, the bloodiest war America has ever been in.

It started in Columbia, South Carolina, at a church. A church packed with white people worshipping a Jewish savior who spent time as a refugee in Africa. Make that make sense. And our country is equal, everybody. Our country has created high places, systems, and structures to continually oppress people groups.

This is truth. Racism works its best, ladies and gentlemen, not when it's loud, but when it's systemic. This This is how This is how Listen to me. And I'm not one to excuse responsibility, but you cannot ignore what the enemy is up to. This is how black people make up 14% of America and 30% of the prison.

Make that make sense. And I HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THIS AMERICAN IDOL BECAUSE BELIEVE IT OR NOT, I've been racially profiled more times than I can count. Racism is real. But it should not shape our theology more than the gospel. >> ((applause)) >> Did you know ((cheering)) this idea of injustice is not new?

This existed in Jesus' time. As a matter of fact, there were many people who were hoping and believing that their Messiah would come in on a horse and rid them of Roman oppression. Instead, he rode in on a donkey and allowed Roman soldiers to crucify him. Did you know that the thing that was motivating Judas wasn't just greed?

How do you know that, Travis? Cuz you tried to get the money back. What was motivating Judas was that he thought THAT IF JESUS WAS PRESSURED ENOUGH, he would be the Messiah HE WANTED. WHICH WOULD BE ONE THAT WOULD AVENGE, vindicate Jewish people from Roman oppression. AND HERE COMES JESUS.

HE OFFENDED THEM THE MOST BECAUSE HE CARED MORE ABOUT THEIR SOUL CONDITION than their social conditions. Preach, Travis. I'M NOT TELLING YOU NOT TO BE PROUD OF WHERE YOU'RE FROM AND HOW GOD CREATED YOU. BUT YOU SHOULD NEVER BE MORE LOYAL TO YOUR COLOR THAN YOUR CONVICTION. >> ((cheering)) >> YEAH.

((applause)) MY IDENTITY in Christ matters the most. For if any MAN BE IN CHRIST, HE IS A NEW CREATION. That means that my commitment is to the one who saved me, not just the ones who raised me. Travis, why do you keep talking about this? Why last week you you went in on black people and told them, you know, to be careful and this and that.

I'm talking about this because you'll find yourself defending causes. You'll find yourself defending people that you have commonality with. AND YOU'LL FIND yourself trying to justify adultery. This is it. Allegiance. Allegiance. Ladies and gentlemen, what you don't know about me is that my original name, my first birth certificate, is Willie Ernest Green the Third.

It's my actual name. From now on, I'd like to be called P.W. It's my name. My parents changed it three times. They landed with Travis. Let down. Willie. My dad was Willie Ernest Green, Jr. It's on his tombstone. My grandfather, Willie Ernest Green, Sr. It's on his tombstone.

My grandfather, ladies and gentlemen, I love him. I miss him. He's a great man, patriarch, provided for his family. Good man. Good man. But my grandfather was a Freemason. And it is very tempting to water down because of my loyalty, because of my ethnicity, because of my connection, because of my identity.

I mean, it's my It's my actual first name. It's tempting to water down the fact that Freemasonry is witchcraft. And the higher you go in degrees, the darker the rituals become. Ladies and gentlemen, we're talking about blood. We're talking about skulls. We're talking about satanic rituals. This information wasn't given to me by YouTube.

This information was given to me because I had the privilege of praying for a 32nd degree Freemason. I had the privilege of using prayer oil to remove his Mason ring. I had the privilege of helping him renounce the pledges he made. The soul ties. Mhm. BUT TRAVIS, BUT TRAVIS, BUT TRAVIS, MY MY GRANDFATHER IS A GOOD MAN.

BUT BUT TRAVIS, BUT TRAVIS, BUT TRAVIS, BUT TRAVIS, MY MY DP IS A GOOD MAN. BUT TRAVIS, BUT TRAVIS, BUT TRAVIS, MY UNCLE IS A GOOD MAN. BEING GOOD AND BEING FREE AIN'T THE SAME THING. >> ((applause)) >> THE IDOL OF ALLEGIANCE. The idol of Do you know that those who choose Those who choose this path, they're not searching for evil.

I don't believe my grandfather ever one day was like, "You know what? I want to go do some evil stuff." I don't believe that. I think it was curiosity. I think, you know, he he was a fish. He was in the military. I think someone just rolled up on him and was like, "Hey, man, you should come check this out for brotherhood."

And many people join these organizations. Freemason, Eastern Star, Divine Nine. We join it for brotherhood, for sisterhood. But here Here's the question. How are brothers formed? You ready? Brothers are formed through soul ties. Sisters are formed through spiritual connections. So, then ask the question, "Who's the father?" And this is how it's difficult and why it's difficult to turn because it's personal.

Each fraternity, every one of them, Alpha, Sigma, Omega, Kappa, all of them. Omega, did I say them? All of them. Alpha. Every fraternity, do your research, had founders within them that were Freemasons. High-ranking Freemasons. It is unwise for you to think they were involved in witchcraft and did not bring that influence into that organization.

God, I'm going to be very, very clear, is not the author of secret societies. Let me just be very clear. God is not the author of hell nights. Make it make sense for me. God is not the author of these rituals. And if you take the time and study, ladies and gentlemen, I encourage you to inspect.

That's what this is about. I'm not casting stones. I'm not I want you to inspect. This is from a compassionate heart because I really want you to be free. I want you to be free so that you don't make the mistake and have your sons do the thing that you did because you did it out of curiosity and forgot.

Many of the things we even did in pledging were a direct mockery to the Bible. Burning sands is a mockery to holy ground. I can go on and on and on and on and on and on, but that's I don't want to belabor the point. I want you to inspect.

And many people have pure intentions. It's because of community service. It's because of leadership. It's because of connecting. It's It's because of networking. And and the reasons are natural, BUT THE PATH IS SPIRITUAL. AND YOU GOT TO KNOW THIS. IN 2 CORINTHIANS 11:14, it says that the Satan, he masquerades himself as an angel of light.

The Lord told me to tell you neither ignorance nor intent excuses adultery. I'm done with this. And this is the truth what I'm going to say. To get any Greek letters, you must pass an altar. Listen, it's not optional. It's not optional. You can't tell me, "I did it."

Okay? It's not optional. What happens for many of us who've gone through the process, especially if you're a believer, I found this to be synonymous with most believers who cross, we all, for some reason, get amnesia about the official ritual ceremony. I'm not talking about the hazing and getting beat up and stuff.

Yeah, whatever. All right. I'm not even talking about that. I'm talking about the Everyone has to go to an official ritual ceremony. And it's in this room, it's in this gathering that many of us can't remember what happened there. I encourage you. AND IT'S NOT PUBLIC INFORMATION. YOU CAN'T EVEN FIND IT UNLESS you dig for it.

Why? Because the enemy wants to keep it a secret. AND JUST BECAUSE YOU DON'T REMEMBER does not mean you're delivered. I actually believe the enemy don't want you to remember the altars and the candles and the ungodly commitments so that he can maintain access. And your Bible says in it, Ezekiel 14:6, "Therefore, say to the people of Israel, this is what the sovereign Lord says."

Not Travis. "Repent. Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices." God bless anything is idolatry. Exodus 23, "You shall have no other gods, no other thrones before me." My prayer is simple, ladies and gentlemen, that you would encourage. Don't bring him pride. He resists that. But he gives grace to the humble.

This is a personal work. All I can do is give you the word of God. But it's the spirit of God who corrects. That brings you to a place of submission. That brings you to a place of repentance that says, "God, you have permission. Search me. I'm not GOING TO BE TOO PRIDEFUL TO GIVE YOU ACCESS AND SAY, 'MAN, search me.

I know I love this. I know I love the brothers. I know I love the girls. I know I know I love this. I know I love what my my grandfather.' BUT GOD, IF IF IT'S WRONG, it's wrong. No matter if we got the same name." And the Lord's Prayer says this powerful line.

He says, "And deliver us from evil." I mean, that's powerful because the only way to turn from evil, you got to be delivered. But his power in his blood is strong enough. Would you stand with me, church? What a move of God. I pray that something was ((music playing)) done that would at least allow you to invite the Holy Spirit to inspect the areas of your life.

Perhaps there's something attached to you, around you, on you, in you that he didn't place ((music playing)) there. So, I want you to be completely free so that you can be all that God created you to be. If that's you and you're ready to pray this prayer, do with me right now.

Say, "Lord Jesus, I receive you as my personal savior. >> ((music playing)) >> Come into my heart. Change me from the inside out. Purify me. I believe you died on the cross for my sins, and I believe you got up so I don't have to stay down. ((music playing)) I receive you today as my Lord and my savior in Jesus' name.

Amen." If you prayed that prayer, please comment below. Let us know. If you feel compelled to give, please, you will help us take this message ((music playing)) above and beyond even the scope of our ability. I love you so much. I can't wait to see you next week. ((music playing)) Remember, your past is gone.

Your future's waiting. Move forward.