Sermon for Sunday July 4th, 2004

"Keeping America Great" by Ray Scott

1 Timothy 2:1-2:4

“Keeping America Great”
1 Timothy 2:1-4

(NOTE: Several sermons on SermonCentral were helpful in the writing of this message. Thanks!)

INTRODUCTION: Today is the 4th of July … Independence Day! Isn’t America a great place to live … AMEN? While it’s not a perfect place (like Heaven will be!), it’s a lot better than most other nations in the world today.

America is a crazy place. Here’s what somebody wrote … “Only In America”:

• Only in America can pizza get to your house faster than an ambulance.
• Only in America are there handicap parking places in front of a skating rink.
• Only in America do drug stores make the sick walk all the way in the back to get their prescriptions … while healthy people can buy suntan lotion up front.
• Only in America do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and a DIET coke.
• Only in America do we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in the driveway, and fill our garages with junk.
• Only in America do we use answering machines to screen calls, and have call waiting, so we won’t miss a call from someone we didn’t want to talk to in the first place.
• Only in America do we buy hotdogs in packages of 10, and buns in packages of 8.
• Only in America do we have Braille on drive up ATM machines.

I still believe that America is the greatest nation in the world. I feel blessed by God to have been born and raised in the good ‘ol U.S. of A. AMEN?

The Apostle Paul gives us several things we can do to KEEP America great. Turn to 1 Timothy 2:1-4

I. PRAY FOR AMERICA – 2:1-2a

The GROUNDWORK for the freedom we enjoy, has been laid over the past 228 years. We enjoy our freedom today, because of what our founding fathers, our fathers, our brothers & sisters, our sons & daughters, have done to get and preserve this freedom.

Our freedom didn’t come cheap. The patriots fought and died to give us our “freedom of religion”. There are those today who are trying to tell us that the intention of our founding fathers was to give us “freedom FROM religion”. There’s a difference between “freedom OF religion”, and “freedom FROM religion”.

Are we a Christian nation today? Probably not. Was this nation founded on Christian principles? Absolutely!

The first settlers of America came here to express their religious faith … for freedom of worship. The Pilgrims who came to Plymouth Rock on the Mayflower, wrote the Mayflower Compact in 1620. Listen to what they said: “In the name of God. Amen. Having undertaken for the glory of God and for the advancement of the Christian faith, do solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God, covenant and combine ourselves together.”

23 years later, the New England Confederation was written. Listen to what our founding fathers wrote: “Whereas 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.”

What do we have today? A group of people who are trying to eliminate and exterminate not only the word “God” from public view, but also to obliterate the very idea of God.

This is a much different idea than our founding fathers had. LISTEN to what the framers of our Constitution wrote in 1776 – “We therefore, the representatives of the United States of America in general congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World for the rectitude of our intentions…. “And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence … we mutually pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”

When the first Continental Congress met, and were debating about how the Declaration of Independence should be written, Ben Franklin got up and said – “Gentlemen, if it is true that not one single petal from any flower falls to the ground without escaping God’s attention, will the distress of this nation go unheeded? Let us therefore determine to seek His face.” After having said that, 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence went to their knees and began to pray and seek God’s wisdom. Can you imagine what would happen if that were to happen in our Congress and Supreme Court today and they said: “Almighty God, what do You want for this nation?”.

56 brave men signed our Declaration of Independence. Do you realize the PRICE that they paid for YOUR independence and the freedoms YOU enjoy?

• 5 were captured and tortured by the British before they died.
• 12 had their homes ransacked and burned to the ground.
• 2 lost their sons in the American Revolution.
• 1 had 2 sons captured in the war for your independence.
• 9 fought and died from wounds of the Revolutionary War.
• Carter Braxton, a wealthy Virginia trader, saw his ship destroyed, and had to sell his home to pay his debts … he died in poverty.
• Thomas McKean had to constantly move his family because of British harassment … he served in Congress without pay, and died in poverty.
• Thomas Nelson urged General Washington to destroy his home, when it was taken over by the British and used as a command post … he died bankrupt.
Your freedom and independence came to you at a COST.

Our founding fathers were COMMITTED to, not only obtaining freedom for future generations … they were COMMITTED to Christian principles. LISTEN to what some of them had to say:

• John Quincy Adams – the 2nd President, speaking of the Declaration of Independence – “From the time of the Declaration of Independence, the American people were bound by the laws of God, and the laws of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which they all acknowledge as the root of their conduct. We all came together to obey the Word of God.”

• George Washington, in his farewell address – “Do not let anyone claim tribute of American patriotism if they even attempt to remove religion from politics.”

• Patrick Henry – “It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians, not on religion, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

• Thomas Jefferson – “The 1st Amendment has created a wall of separation between church and state, but that wall is a one directional wall; it keeps government from running the church, but it makes sure that Christian principles will always stay in government.”

These men, and hundreds more, paid a price to give us a nation built upon the principles of God, and the foundation of Jesus Christ. The foundation has been laid. Can we do any less than to PRAY for America?

If we are going to see good come from America, we … the church, the called of God, God’s people … need to PRAY for America and our leaders – 2:1-2a.

Hoe effective is your prayers? James 5:16 - “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Satan’s chief concern is to keep Christians, like you & me, from praying. Someone once said, “The Devil trembles, when he sees the weakest Christian on his knees.”

How can we KEEP America great? PRAY!

II. LIVE RIGHTEOUS LIVES – 2:2b

If we want to change the way America is headed, we need to live our lives “in all godliness and honesty”. How do we do this? By living according to the standards set forth in God’s Word.

Do you realize that the very framework of our nation’s government was patterned after the Bible? We have 3 branches of our government … Executive, Legislative, and Judicial. This was a new concept for national government in the world in which they lived. Where did they get this idea?

They went to Isaiah 33:22 – “For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; he will save us.”
• “judge” – that’s the judicial branch.
• “lawgiver” – that’s the legislative branch.
• “king” – that’s the executive branch.

Our founding fathers looked to the Word of God to organize the government of our nation. They laid the foundation … we are to build upon it.

NOW … I realize that our nation has strayed away from God’s Word … and the original intent of our founding fathers. Many of our leaders are trying to take … not only God out of our nation … BUT … the very MENTION of God.

• Some want to take “in God we trust” off our money.
• Some are trying to take “under God” out of the pledge of allegiance of the American flag.
• Some are trying to take the 10 Commandments out of public view.

Some are trying to eliminate even the MENTION of God. The WWII monument was dedicated in Washington DC just a few weeks ago. On the monument is a quote from President Franklin D. Roosevelt, used to announce the attack on Pearl Harbor. BUT … they left out a part … the last 4 words … on purpose … “So help us God!”

There’s not a lot I can do about the movement to eliminate even the mere mention of God in our Government. BUT … there is something we can do to keep sin from DISHONORING His name … and our nation. Proverbs 14:34 - “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”

Sin has disgraced God’s name … AND … our nation. Just take a look at:
• Marriages and the divorce rate – 50% - even among Christians.
• Teenage pregnancies … ½ of which end up in abortions.
• 60% of 12-18 year olds, who claim to be Christians, are sexually active.
• Since 1976, child abuse is up 240%.
• Pornography … sexual abuse … broken homes … abuse of power …

Sin has disgraced our nation. That’s something we can do something about. 1 Tim. 2:2 – “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”

How can we KEEP America great? Pray … Live righteous lives …

III. SHARE CHRIST – 2:3-4

The unbelieving world is shouting out it’s message:

• The gays & lesbians are speaking out … gay marriages are being performed … AND … our leaders are listening to them.
• The abortionists are speaking out … abortion is still legal and on the increase … AND … our leaders are listening to them.
• The liberals are speaking out … family values has become a laughing stock … AND … our leaders are listening to them.

The sad truth is … the Christians in America are the majority … BUT … we are doing very little to speak out as a witness for the Lord. We are content to sit in our homes and shake our heads at the direction our country is headed. We are content to sit IN church and say “Amen” to the sermon … BUT … do very little OUTSIDE the church to be a witness for the Lord.

God expects us to use the freedom that our founding fathers made possible … to be a witness for Christ in this sinful world we live.

STORY – One Sunday, as they drove home from church, little Susie turned to her mother and said, “Mommy, there’s something the preacher said this morning that I don’t understand.” “What’s that, honey?” “Well, he said that God is bigger than we are. He said that God’s so big that He could hold the whole world in his hand. Is that true?”

The mother replied, “Yes, honey, that’s true.” “But mommy, he also said that God comes to live inside us when we trust Jesus to be our Lord and Savior. Is that true, too?” The mother assured little Susie that what the pastor had said was true.

With a puzzled look on her face, Susie then asked, “If God is bigger than us, and He lives in us, wouldn’t He show through?”

Susie had it right, didn’t she? If God lives in you … He ought to show through … and the lost and dying world around us out to see Him in us. The only hope for America is Jesus … AMEN? If you believe that, listen to what Jesus said - Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

CONCLUSION: Listen to Psalm 33:12 – “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord:” When our nation, including those who call themselves Christians, cease to look to God … we cease to be blessed by God.

Our forefathers CLAIMED this nation for God. We need to RE-CLAIM it for God … AMEN? How can we do this? 1 Timothy 2:1-4

1.- Pray for America and our leaders.
2.- As a Christian, live righteous lives, standing on the principles and values of God’s Word.
3.- Shine forth the light of Christ, Who lives within you … let Jesus show through. Let others see that Jesus is the only hope for America … the only hope for an eternity in Heaven.


OUTLINE FOR HANDOUT:

“Keeping America Great”
1 Timothy 2:1-4

INTRODUCTION:
- In 1 Timothy 2:1-4, we find several things Paul says we can do to keep America great:

I. PRAY FOR AMERICA – 2:1-2a
- Our founding fathers laid the groundwork for the freedom that we enjoy today.
- Our freedom didn’t come cheap.
- There’s a difference between “freedom OF religion” and “freedom FROM religion”.
- Unlike our founding fathers, there are those today who want to obliterate the very idea of God from America.
- The foundation was laid 228 years ago … CAN WE DO ANYTHING LESS THAN PRAY FOR AMERICA?
- Your prayers are effective – James 5:16

III. LIVE RIGHTEOUS LIVES – 2:2b
- America’s government was patterned after the Bible - Isaiah 33:22 – “For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; he will save us.”
- Sin has disgraced God’s name and our nation.
- We can do something about it – 2:2

III. SHARE CHRIST – 2:3-4
- The unbelieving world is shouting out its message.
- As Christians, we need to speak out as well.
- If God lives in you, He ought to show through, so a lost and dying world can see God in us – Matthew 5:16

CONCLUSION:
- Psalm 33:12 – “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord:”
- When our nation, and Christians, cease to look to Jesus as Lord, we will cease to be blessed by God.
- Our forefathers claimed this nation for God … we need to re-claim it for God.