How Can America Keep Going Psa
How Can America Keep Going Psa. 33:18-22
EBC 7/05/09
America, what can I say about you? We are a nation that has been blessed beyond measure. The hand of the Lord has been upon us since our inception.
American is a great Nation with a great history. In the early years a French philosopher visited our shores to learn the secret which enabled a handful of people to defeat the mighty British Empire. He traveled across our vast land from shore to shore, looking for greatness in our harbors and rivers, in fertile fields and boundless forests. He studied our schools, our military, our Congress, our Constitution—but still he could not find the secret. It was not until he went into our churches and heard our pulpits “aflame with righteousness” that he found the answer. When he returned to Europe, he wrote this warning: “America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great”.
Someone wrote- “American you are great because you’re the most generous nation upon the earth- giving millions to 3rd world countries and sending missionaries to feed the starving souls of the world. You are great because you still side with the little people against the bullies of the world. You are great because you have found out that greatness is who you are- not what you possess.
What has God allowed us to do?
*Break the bonds of British shackles
*Survive a civil war that cost us dearly
*Stood against aggression in Korea and VietNam
*Kicked some sand in a dictators face
*Fought and won two wars not on our soil
In recent years, American has lost some of her greatness because she has lost some of her goodness.
How can we get back that greatness?
I. Return to our Reverance for God (18)
A. Today in American culture we have gone from reverence to disrespect to outright blasphemy.
1. It is open season today on the character of God. In our TV programs we make fun of God and those who represent God. The world makes fun of those who take a stand for God and many Christians make light of it.
2. This is going on because the church allows it. Even many churches have lost their reverence for God.
a. The Bible says that God is the Alpha and Omega (the beginning and the end) the El-Shaddi – the Almighty one.
B. Benjamin Franklin- 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." These men did something that would cause many legal challenges today. They immediately put down their pens and all got on their knees in prayer. When they got back on their feet, the slogan ‘E Pluribus Unum’ was born.
C. George Washington – "It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible”
D. 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 religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ”.
E. 1 Peter 3:12-
F. Psa. 33:14-
1. Looketh- to gaze intently. Not only does God see the actions of the body but he also sees the intents of the heart
2. 2 Chron. 16:9-
E. A young girl wrote this note to her friend who had invited her to Church: I attended your church yesterday. Although you had invited me, you were not there. I looked for you, hoping to sit with you. I sat alone. A stranger, I wanted to sit near the back of the church but those rows were all packed with regular attenders. An usher took me to the front. I felt as though I was on parade. During the singing of the hymns I was surprised to note that some of the church people weren’t singing. Between their sighs and yawns, they just stared into space. Three of the kids that I had respected on campus were whispering to one another throughout the whole service. Another girl was giggling. I really didn’t expect that in your church. The pastor’s sermon was very interesting, although some members of the choir didn’t seem to think so. They looked bored and restless. One kept smiling at someone in the congregation. There were several people who left and then came back during the sermon. I thought, “How rude!” I could hear the constant shuffling of feet and doors opening and closing. The pastor spoke about the reality of faith. The message got to me and I made up my mind to speak to someone about it after the service. But utter chaos reigned after the benediction. I said good morning to one couple, but their response was less than cordial. I looked for some teens with whom I could discuss the sermon, but they were all huddled in a corner talking about the newest music group. My parents don’t go to church. I came alone yesterday hoping to find a place to truly worship and feel some love. I’m sorry, but I didn’t find it in your church. I won’t be back.
II. Return to our Dependence upon God (20-21)
A. 2 Kings 19:15-19- God’s people were in dire circumstances- the enemy had surrounded Jerusalem. Each day the enemies generals shouted insults at God’s people. Hezekiah torn his clothes and covered himself with Sackcloth as a sign of grief and humility and began this prayer.
1. Isn’t that a great picture the Devil beating on the door and Hezekiah stops to praise the Lord and tell of his mighty power.
B. Isa. 37:6-7, 37-38-
1. May America do the same thing. We have two enemies- one internal and the other external. Out internal enemy is slowly eroding our righteousness:
a. The U.S is #1 in the world in:
1. Violent Crime
2. Divorce
3. Teen pregnancies (in the industrialized world)
4. Abortions
5. Drug Abuse
C. 2 Chron. 7:14- if my people ……….
Happy Birthday America may you never forget that you are a creation of God