Building People of Substance for Works of Power
January 19, 2026
But in keeping with God’s promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, as you anticipate these things, make every effort to be found at peace—spotless and blameless in His sight. 2 Peter 3:13-14 BSB
On the last Sunday of 2025, I was in church, just enjoying the presence of the Lord, when the Holy Spirit spoke softly within me:
“Dark clouds on the horizon, the glory cloud in the church. Live in the light!”
I was reminded of a series of messages from 2015 called “Changing Challenges for the Church.” In that series, I warned of the continued rise of Islamic conquest, the downward trajectory of sexual morality, and some areas of doctrinal division in the church.
The first Sunday in January I spoke at Goodness Family Church. After sharing what the Lord had said to me, I noted the connection to the “dark clouds” from ten years ago, then added a new one. Here is a brief overview of those “clouds.”
- Islam is making huge inroads into western civilization.
- Not all Muslims are committed to ruling the world. As with all religions, factions develop and vary over time. Since 600 A.D., however, the mission of evangelism by subjugation has driven military conquest and, more recently, the strategy of targeted immigration and procreation. Much of Europe has already fallen.
- In the strange union of Islam and godless Communism, we now have what we call Progressivism. The only thing they have in common is contempt for Christianity and absolute hatred for Israel. After the trigger moment of October 7, 2023, we have seen the mainstreaming of this hatred in our country. There is an open and vocal core group dedicated to the overthrow of Western Civilization and the Judeo-Christian values that underpin it.
- The downhill slide of sexual mores has continued.
- In 2015 we were still awfulizing about homosexual marriage. That train has left the station. Now we are debating whether children who are working through sexual identity issues should be mutilated instead of parented. In addition, thanks to the wonder of the Internet, most children are exposed to horrifying levels of perversion before they reach second grade.
- The mixing of these missionaries of sexual license with the Islamists and Communists creates a truly bizarre army of purple hair, nose rings, black masks, and hijabs ready to do violence in our streets. There seems to be a stirring among our younger folks at the moment that is causing many to look for something of substance on which to base their lives. I pray that it grows.
- Doctrinal debates in the church are nothing new.
- I still see two major camps on the issue of grace. One camp believes that grace means you can do whatever you want and still be saved. The other group believes that if you forget to say grace at lunch, you lose your salvation. I think they’re both wrong, but I know it’s wrong to hate one another over it. If Jesus is your Lord, you’re my family whether you like it or not.
- The other big issue concerns the gifts and manifestations of the Holy Spirit. For some, it’s not church if nobody shouts or runs the aisles or falls prostrate to the floor. For others, the test of salvation is rigid rules, rituals, and a King James Bible. The Holy Spirit may be a great doctrine, but they are convinced that these things passed away when the Bible was written. Wherever you fall in the spectrum between the extremes, if Jesus is your Lord, you’re still my family. Get over it!
- Here’s the new cloud on the list: the tech revolution.
- I know it’s been around for a while. The cell phone and the Internet have disrupted the way we communicate, the way we perceive the world around us, and the way we do church. Now we have the advent of artificial intelligence, and it poses some big problems.
- Very soon there will be AI-generated videos with speakers that look just like your favorite preacher or teacher. They will prophesy and teach things that simply aren’t true, but because you think it’s good old brother so-and-so, you’ll believe it. This is already happening in advertising with fake ads using the faces and voices of reputable people, but which are actually computer-generated likenesses.
Enough about the darkness! The message didn’t stop with the darkness. It went on to tell us where to turn. God always provides a refuge for His people in times of danger. In this present darkness, the glory is in the Church! It’s in the light of His glory that security and wisdom can be found. Live in the light.
Here’s the point: The Bible has answers for every one of these issues. These “clouds” are spiritual, not political. As Christians, we should be active, engaged citizens. Know what you believe and why, then speak up. But never think politics can address the core issue. Every one of these things is directed at stopping the spread of the Gospel and discouraging or deceiving the saints. Politicians reflect the nature of the people who elect and tolerate them. Until the people change, the government won’t. The answer lies in changing people. So what do we do?
- Overcome the impulse to hate those who hate you. For the communist, the Muslim, and the lady with the purple hair, Jesus really is the answer. These people are the reason we are here. Find a church that will help you love the unlovable and prepare you to win the lost. That should include knowing your identity in Christ and the power of Spirit. This is demon-driven blindness. You need to know what you’re talking about. Above all, love people, share the gospel, and let God change hearts.
- Recommit to upholding our moral values. It’s hard to influence the world when they see a church that lives just like they do. We are supposed to be different. Sexual contact outside of the marital covenant is wrong. Period. Step one, get in a church that preaches biblical purity, welcomes those who still struggle, and teaches folks how to overcome the flesh. Step two, clean up your own act. Step 3, be a witness not a nag.
- Learn to love other believers. You don’t have to agree on everything. In fact, you can love people who don’t even think you are a Christian. When disagreements arise, it’s important to know what you believe and why you believe it. God ordained the local church to be a place where you can ask questions and have serious discussions about faith, doctrine, and tradition. He also commanded us to love one another (other believers). This means being respectful by not putting them down with our words and working together in the areas where we agree.
- Inoculate yourself against AI deception. Paul said to know those who labor among you. He encouraged the churches to emulate the faith of their leaders, to know their manner of life, and to treat them with respect. You can’t do that with someone you only know on the Internet. The growth of artificial intelligence makes it more important than ever to have a local church. Being around real people who are striving to follow Jesus allows us to develop relationships that challenge us to grow. We need each other.
Paul said of the church that Christ would, “present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless” (Ephesians 5:27) The glory is in the Church, and that glory will increase daily as the world grows darker.
We have a choice. We can live in fear, stumbling alone in the dark, or we can be a part of the final glory of the church. Though she seems blemished, stained and occasionally wrinkled, she is the chosen vessel of God’s glory. Be a part of the process as we move on toward holy and blameless. Live in the light!
Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure.” For the fine linen she wears is the righteous acts of the saints. Revelation 19:7-8
Pastor Virgil
3141 W. Ironwood Hill Dr.
Tucson, AZ 85741
pastorvirgil.com 