Anaconda 4th of July sermon
Between God and The Country
The title of the message illustrates the dynamic that we live between Christians who Love God and also Serve their Country. There is this Great Country Called America that we see and The Eternal Kingdom of God
Psalm 33 draws a picture of a Patriotic people, that put their trust in God
1. Between God and the Country He is Faithful in All He Does
1 Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
2 Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten‑stringed lyre.
3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.
4 For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.
From the Great Awakening to Independence, From Civil War to the Pentecostal Outpouring, From Depression and World Wars to the Baby Boom, from Civil Unrest to Civil Rights, from the Cold War Pessimism to Wall Street Optimism, and from Sept. 11 to the Present
GOD IS FAITHFUL IN ALL HE DOES
Abraham Lincoln commented
I am confident that the Almighty has His plans, and will work them out; and, whether we see it or not, they will be the best for us
2. Between God and The Country the Lord Can Bless a Nation
5 The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.
6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.
7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses.
8 Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him.
9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.
10 The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
11 But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.
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.@
George Washington
AIt is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible@
3. Between God and The Country There is Hope for Divine Protection
13 From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind;
14 from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth‑‑
15 he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.
16 No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength.
17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save.
18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
19 to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.
Prov 14:34
34Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
20 We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.
22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.(NIV)
George Washington
ADirect my thoughts, words and work. Wash away my sins in the immaculate blood of the Lamb, and purge my heart by the Holy Spirit...Daily frame me more and more into the likeness of Thy Son Jesus Christ@
2 Chr 7:14
14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Irving Berlin captured the heart of a Patriot Saint,
GOD BLESS AMERICA
LAND THAT I LOVE
STAND BESIDE HER
AND GUIDE HER
THROUGH THE NIGHT
WITH THE LIGHT
FROM ABOVE
FROM THE MOUNTAINS
TO THE PRARIES
TO THE OCEANS
WHITE WITH FOAM
GOD BLESS AMERICA
MY HOME SWEET HOME
LORD, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS COUNTRY, FOR THE HERITAGE OF THOSE WHO’VE FOUGHT FOR US AND SECURED OUR CONTINUED DEPENDENCE ON YOU, WE ASK YOU TO MOVE IN OUR COUNTRY, START CHURCHES, BLESS AND PROTECT THIS NATION,
Today is Communion Sunday,
Would the ushers take their places. We set aside the first Sunday of the Month to Commemorate what Christ has done for us in His death, burial and resurrection. The only way to put hope in God is to put hope in His Son. As the Worship Team sings, I ask you to come and take the elements, return to your seat, continuing in worship and examining your heart, When everyone has been served we will pray and partake of the elements.
COMMUNION
I Corinthians 11:23
1 Cor 11:23‑30
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread,
24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me."
25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me."
SING THE SONG AGAIN
LORD, THANK YOU FOR THESE MEMBERS, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORSHIP YOU ON THIS INDEPENDENCE DAY, BLESS OUR COMING AND OUR GOING, BLESS OUR NATION, GO WITH US NOWAND PROTECT US BY YOUR MIGHTY HAND, IN THE NAME THAT IS ABOVE EVERY NAME, THE NAME OF JESUS WE PRAY
AMEN