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“Are America's Glory Days Behind Her?”
Psalm 33:12-22
IPC, July 5, 2009

I trust that you are having a wonderful July 4^th Weekend.  I, and several others from Ingleside, pounded the pavement with 55,000 of our closest friends yesterday at the Peachtree Road Race.  I did well.  As usual, I finished just behind the Kenyans…just WAAAAY behind the Kenyans.  And the day is not complete without fireworks. 

We often think of cookouts, outdoor activities and firework shows around the 4^th, but we know that this date marked the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which started the American colonies’ quest for freedom from British rule in 1776.  And, in spite of her faults, I believe that America is the greatest place on earth to live!  However, are the “glory days” of this Republic becoming a thing of the past? 

I hear one of the cell phone companies brag about their 3 G network, which I understand stands for the 3^rd generation of hardware technology.  I just know that my cell company boasts the most bars anywhere and the fewest dropped calls.  Ha!  If that is true, I would hate to be a subscriber to the company with the most dropped calls.  I have a 3 “G” message this morning that occupy the main blanks on your outline.  I’ll go ahead and give them to you now, so as not to interrupt your sleep in a few minutes.  First of all, I want to talk about America’s Greatness, secondly, her God, but, finally, her Guilt. 

1. American's Greatness.

On the way home from church, mom was asking her young son what his Sunday School lesson was about.  He was told the story of Adam and Eve and how God had taken a rib from the man’s side and made a wife for him.  After lunch mom finds her son doubled over in pain and asked him what was wrong.  He replied, “My side hurts, Mommy.  I think I’m having a wife.” 

It’s often amusing how kids apply what they learn.  There is a real trend in our country for anti-Americanism and anti-patriotism.  I have been disappointed by our President’s international travels of late, which I call “America’s Apology Tour.”  Revisionist history is rampant and our kids are exposed to it in many areas of their education.  Revisionist historians rewrite history to undermine the character and integrity of our founding fathers, claiming that they were motivated by property instead of principle, that they were prompted by greed and the desire for wealth.  If you look at the signers of the Declaration of Independence, you will find that is simply NOT true.  They had much more to lose than to gain.  Most were very wealthy already.  Twenty-four were attorneys, nine were rich landowners and farmers, eleven were merchants, and the others were doctors, ministers and politicians.  All but two who signed had families.  They were educated men of standing in their communities.  They knew security and prosperity, but they felt there was something more important than security… they wanted freedom.  They knew that the penalty for treason was death by hanging, but still they signed. 

John Hancock, who signed his name twice the size of any other signers said, “Now his Majesty can read my name without his spectacles.”  Stephen Hopkins was older and had a form of palsy. His hand shook as he signed but he looked up and said, “Gentlemen, my hand trembles, but my heart does not.”  Benjamin Franklin remarked, “Indeed we must all hang together, otherwise we shall most assuredly hang separately.”  Fat Benjamin Harrison of Virginia told tiny Elleridge Gerry of Massachusetts about hanging: “With me, it will be over in a minute but you—you will be dancing on air an hour after I’m gone.” The four delegates from New York were particularly wealthy and the British ships were already anchored in the New York harbor. Most of New York had already evacuated, when the signers convened in Philadelphia.   

All of these 56 men were the objects of massive manhunts.  Nine died during the war, five were captured and imprisoned.  All of them were driven from their homes and seventeen lost everything they owned. 

Over the past two centuries, men and women have sacrificed their lives to protect our freedom…and many have given their lives for the freedom of others around the world.

Folks, when we see the red bars on our American flag, we need to remember that they are bars of blood, a price paid for us to be free…for us to worship here this morning without fear of reprisal.  America is great for her freedoms.  However, over the past forty-five years, we have been gradually losing these freedoms.  Our politicians seem bent on controlling more aspects of our lives.  With the recent economic bailout, more government intrusion is filtering into businesses and companies and into our private lives. 

I love to be able to point to the greatness of America, but I want to talk about America’s God.  Please stand with me as we responsively read from Psalm 33:12-22:

Pastor: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!”

Cong.:  “The Lord looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man; from where he sits enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth, he who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds.”

Pastor:  “The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.”

Cong.:  “The war horse is a false hope for salvation and by its great might it cannot rescue.”

Pastor: “Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine.”

Cong.: “Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.”

Pastor: “For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.”

Cong.: “Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.”

2. America's God

Those revising history also want to undermine our godly heritage.  They try to tell us that America wasn’t really founded upon God.  Why can’t some Americans accept their roots?  Even a South American president years ago said, “People came to my continent looking for gold, but those who came to America were looking for God!” 

In 1620 the first pilgrims arrived on a 26’ x 113’ sailboat.  Beneath a swinging lantern in the cabin of their ship they signed the Mayflower Compact, proclaiming that they were coming to the new world for “the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith.”  Forty four died in the first five months and 58 survived.  In the fall of 1621, they reaped their first harvest from 21 acres of corn.  Their immediate response was to thank God.  On December 13^th of that year, those 58 pilgrims gathered with 80 friendly Indians and celebrated three days of thanksgiving—3 days of preaching, praying, singing and eating.  If you check your kids’ textbooks, most of them now say that the pilgrims and Indians met to thank each other—not to thank God. 

When President Lincoln proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving, he said, “We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown.” 

I am fearful that we have forgotten God.  President Obama recently said, “We are not a Christian nation; at least, not just.”  We now have Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Wiccans, Spiritualists, Catholics, Protestants and atheists.  However, 75% of Americans still identify themselves as Christian. 

As believers, many of us have become intimidated about this separation of church and state phrase that is tossed around so much.  That phrase never appeared in our Constitution, however, you can find it in Karl Marx’s “Communist Manifesto.”  The phrase was coined by Thomas Jefferson during his presidency when he wrote to the Danbury Baptist Association assuring them that he would keep the government out of the church—not the church out of the government.  He told them there would never be a government-sponsored church like they had under British rule, where everyone was forced to attend and support.  Our first amendment says, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”  If there IS such a thing as separation of church and state, it is intended as a one-way street. 

In 1776, 11 of the 13 colonies required that one had to be a Christian to run for political office.  The next year, the Continental Congress appropriated $300,000 to purchase Bibles for distribution to all our citizens.  Ninety-four percent of the writings of the founding fathers contained Scripture quotes.  The state constitutions of all fifty states mention God.  Our famous Liberty Bell has Leviticus 25:10 inscribed on it: “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” 

Our first President, George Washington, took the oath of office while placing his hand on the Bible.  His first official act as President was to kiss the Bible and subsequently held a two hour praise and worship session in Congress.  Washington said, “It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible.  Of all dispositions and habits that lead to political prosperity, our religion and morality are indispensable supporters.”  Patriot Patrick Henry said, “It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded NOT by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”  President Teddy Roosevelt wrote: “In this actual world, a churchless community, a community where men have abandoned and scoffed at, or ignored their religious needs, is a community on a rapid down-grade.”  Woodrow Wilson said, “America was born a Christian nation.  America was born to exemplify that devotion to the elements of righteousness which are derived from the revelations of the Holy Scripture.”  President Ronald Reagan said, “If we ever forget that we are ‘One nation under God,’ then we will be one nation gone under.”  When our most recent former President, George W. Bush was asked to name the philosopher that had the greatest influence on his life he said, “Jesus Christ, because He changed my heart.” 

It is not time for America to wake up and smell the roses.  It is time for America to wake up and smell themselves and realize that their warped attitude stinks and is inaccurate to the facts.  The greatness of America is her freedoms and the God of America is the only true and living God, the Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

3. America's Guilt.

The guilt of our country lies in the indifference and complacency of God’s people.  Eighteenth Century Irish statesman, Edmund Burke said, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”   

If you look at the Book of Judges, you will find that God would rather forgive and restore than judge His people.  Over and over Israel would turn their back on their godly heritage.  But, they would repent, and God would forgive and restore them, but it was always conditional. 

2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves & pray & seek my face & turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven & will forgive their sin & heal their land.”  I heard one preacher recently say, “The solution for the state of America is not in the White House or the state house or the court house, but it lies in God’s house and your house and my house.” 

Jessie Alberta Silvernail wrote this poem:

So long as there are homes where fires burn, & there is bread.
So long as there are homes where lamps are lit; And prayers are said;
Although people falter through the dark & nations grope;
With God himself behind these homes, we still have hope.

I read an article by Baptist pastor Jerry Shirley, giving five things that we can do as Christians for our country: 

Five Things Believers Can Do for Our Country:

• We must PAY for government.

Jesus told us to in Matthew 22:21 “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, & to God the things are God’s.”  When He was on earth, Jesus apparently paid His taxes and so should we.  I hear, “But they are unfair,” and I agree.  “And they are wasted and used unwisely,” and I agree.  We truly need tax reform, but until then, we are bound to pay our taxes. 

• We must PRAY for government.

I Tim. 2:1-2 “I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions & thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings & all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful & quiet life, godly & dignified in every way.”  Prov. 21:1 “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.” 

• We must PRAISE our government.

Despite our problems, the United States is still the greatest nation on earth.  We need to revive patriotism in this land. 

• We must PARTICIPATE in government.

It is our Christian duty to get informed and vote.  We shouldn’t pledge our allegiance to a political party instead of to principles.  We need to pledge ourselves to the biblical principles on which our country was founded. 

• We must PERSUADE our government.

You may wonder how you can make a difference.  Public policy is often shaped by public opinion.  And the primary way we can impact public opinion is to get the Word of God into the hearts of people. 

I’ve talked about political freedom today, but more important than that is our spiritual freedom that we experience in Jesus Christ.  John 8:32 “And you will know the truth & the truth will set you free.”  Jesus Christ holds the keys to that freedom in Rom. 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Rom. 10:13 “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 

The signers of the New England Confederation in 1643 stated, “We all came into these parts with one and the same end and aim, namely to advance the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ and to enjoy the liberties of the gospel in purity and peace.”  Would that our country would seek those same ends!  We like to sing, as we will in just a moment, God Bless America.  Well, folks, He has—immeasurably and generously.  America, we should bless God.  Let’s pray. 

Please visit us at our next worship service.

We offer "An Unchanging Word To A Changing World"

In Christ,
Bill Bratley - Pastor