Does Mankind Have the Capacity for Self-Government?
Notes
Transcript
This morning, I would like to take the time to, in a way, give you a history lesson; a history lesson to show that the foundation of our country rests solidly upon the Word of God.
This will be a history lesson which you will not hear from our news media;
This is a history lesson which you will not hear via social media;
This is even a history lesson which you will not hear coming from our public schools
I would go so far as to state that our news media outlets, social media, and our public schools are seeking to eliminate - not just re-write - our nations history.
We see this evidently being done as protesters around the country try to pull down statues and as local governments remove statues.
So, here we go...
James Madison, the Founding Father of the American Constitution, wrote, in The Federalist papers, the following:
“It is evident that no other form would be reconcilable with the genius of the people of America; with the fundamental principles of the Revolution; or with that honorable determination which animates every votary of freedom: To rest all our political experiments on the capacity of mankind for self-government.”
Verna M. Hall and Rosalie Slater, two Christian American Historians, wrote:
“This famous phrase of Madison has echoed down two centuries of American History. What is it that produces mankind’s capacity or ability to be self-governed? History shows that mankind’s ability to govern itself is in direct proportion to the relationship of the individual to God, to Christ.”
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
There are three questions that we will consider this morning as we go through this history lesson. The first one is...
Do you have a relationship with Jesus Christ?
Do you have a relationship with Jesus Christ?
There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
When Nicodemus came to Jesus, Jesus got straight to the point: Ye must be born again! Later, Jesus spoke these words:
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
This morning, do you have a relationship with Jesus Christ?
The second question is simply:
How is your relationship with Jesus Christ?
How is your relationship with Jesus Christ?
If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If you have a relationship with Jesus Christ, are you “walking in the light, as He is in the light,” or are you living in sin?
Ladies and Gentlemen, our world not only needs individuals who have a relationship with Jesus Christ but who also have a right relationship with Him!
The last question that we will consider in this history lesson this morning is simply:
How is your relationship with God’s Word?
How is your relationship with God’s Word?
Robert C. Winthrop, after whom Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC is named, wrote:
“All societies of men must be governed in some way or other. The less they may have of stringent State Government, the more they must have of individual self-government. The less they rely on public law or physical force, the more they must rely on private moral restraint. Men, in a word, must necessarily be controlled, either by a power within them, or by a power without them; either by the Word of God, or by the strong arm of man; either by the Bible or the bayonet.”
“It may do for other countries and other governments to talk about the State supporting religion. Here, under our own free institutions, it is Religion which must support the State.”
While our capacity for self-government is in direct proportion to our relationship with Jesus Christ; our relationship with Jesus Christ is in direct proportion to our relationship with God’s Word - the Bible - because it is from God’s Word that we learn how to have a relationship with Jesus Christ!
Here, this July 4th weekend, it would also be good for us to be reminded of the truth that the Bible - God’s Word - was and is a vital part of the foundation of the United States of America!
When the skyscrapers are built in uptown Charlotte, there is a lot of concrete that is used. However, there is another item that is just as needed in the construction of those skyscrapers: rebar. That is why the concrete is called reinforced concrete. Without the added steel, the concrete would crumble and the buildings would not/could not stand!
The same can be said of God’s Word and the foundation of the United States of America! Once the Bible is removed, the foundation will crumble and fall!
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
If the foundations be destroyed, What can the righteous do?
Noah Webster, who has been called the “Father of American Scholarship and Education,” wrote:
The Bible and the Constitution of the United States of America America and the Bible
“It is extremely important to our nation, in a political as well as religious view, that all possible authority and influence should be given to the scriptures; for these furnish the best principles of civil liberty, and the most effectual support of republican government.
In 1982 there was a joint congressional resolution asking that President Ronald Reagan declare 1983 to be the Year of the Bible. On October 4, 1982, President Ronald Reagan signed that resolution into public law.
That resolution stated:
The Bible and the Constitution of the United States of America Joint Congressional Resolutions Declaring 1983 as The Year of the Bible
Whereas the Bible, the Word of God, has made a unique contribution in shaping the United States as a distinctive and blessed nation and people;
Whereas deeply held religious convictions springing from the Holy Scriptures led to the early settlement of our Nation;
Whereas Biblical teachings inspired concepts of civil government that are contained in our Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States;
Whereas many of our great national leaders—among them Presidents Washington, Jackson, Lincoln, and Wilson—paid tribute to the surpassing influence of the Bible in our country’s development, as in the words of President Jackson that the Bible is “the rock on which our Republic rests”;
Whereas the history of our Nation clearly illustrates the value of voluntarily applying the teachings of the Scriptures in the lives of individuals, families, and societies;
Whereas this Nation now faces great challenges that will test this Nation as it has never been tested before; and
Whereas that renewing our knowledge of and faith in God through Holy Scripture can strengthen us as a nation and a people: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President is authorized and requested to designate 1983 as a national “Year of the Bible” in recognition of both the formative influence the Bible has been for our Nation, and our national need to study and apply the teachings of the Holy Scriptures.
The Bible has made a unique contribution in shaping the United States as a distinctive and blessed nation and people!
So, I ask again...
How is your relationship with God’s Word?
How is your relationship with God’s Word?
John Quincy Adams, George Washington’s vice-president and our second president, wrote to his son:
The Bible and the Constitution of the United States of America John Quincy Adams
“My custom is, to read four to five chapters every morning immediately after rising from my bed. It employs about an hour of my time.”
He went on to write:
The Bible and the Constitution of the United States of America John Quincy Adams
“It is essential, my son, in order that you may go through life with comfort to yourself, and usefulness to your fellow-creatures, that you should form and adopt certain rules or principles, for the government of your own conduct and temper.…
“It is in the Bible, you must learn them, and from the Bible how to practice them. Those duties are to God, to your fellow-creatures, and to your self. ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all they mind, and with all thy strength, and thy neighbour as thyself.’ On these two commandments, Jesus Christ expressly says, ‘hang all the law and the prophets’; that is to say, the whole purpose of Divine Revelation is to inculcate them efficaciously upon the minds of men.”()
I believe that John Quincy Adams would agree with Job when he wrote:
Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
Does that verse, in any way, describe your relationship with God’s Word? Do you esteem it - value it - more than your necessary food?
As you, this morning, consider your relationship to God’s Word, keep in mind these truths:
God’s Word is profitable.
God’s Word is profitable.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
God’s Word provides guidance.
God’s Word provides guidance.
NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.
God’s Word should be our delight.
God’s Word should be our delight.
Blessed is the man That walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord; And in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Do you have a relationship with Jesus Christ? How is your relationship with Jesus Christ? How is your relationship with God’s Word?
Late in 1864, President Lincoln spoke these words:
“In regard to this Great Book, I have but to say, it is the best gift God has given to man.
“All the good the Saviour gave to the world was communicated through this book. But for it we could not know right from wrong. All things most desirable for man’s welfare, here and hereafter, are to be found portrayed in it.
“To you I return my most sincere thanks for the very elegant copy of the great Book of God which you present.”
Few people have likely heard those words of Lincoln. However, even fewer likely know the occasion for which he uttered those words.
I will allow the New York Times to fill in the details for us. They reported the following:
“Yesterday afternoon (September 7, 1864) a Bible was presented, on behalf of the loyal colored residents of Baltimore, by Revs. A. W. Wayman, S. W. Chase, and W. H. Brown, and Mr. William H. Francis, to President Lincoln. The members of the committee were introduced by Mr. S. Mathews, of Maryland, and individually welcomed by the President. This ceremony having been concluded, Rev. S. W. Chase addressed the President as follows:
“MR. PRESIDENT: The loyal colored people of Baltimore have entrusted us with authority to present this Bible as a testimonial of their appreciation of your humane conduct towards the people of our race. While all others of this nation are offering their tribute of respect to you, we cannot omit suitable manifestation of ours. Since our incorporation into the American family we have been true and loyal, and we are now ready to aid in defending the country, to be armed and trained in military matters, in order to assist in protecting and defending the star-spangled banner.
“Towards you, sir, our hearts will ever be warm with gratitude. We come to present to you this copy of the Holy Scriptures, as a token of respect for your active participation in furtherance of the cause of the emancipation of our race. This great event will be a matter of history. Hereafter, when our children shall ask what mean these tokens, they will be told of your worthy deeds, and will rise up and call you blessed.
“The loyal colored people of this country everywhere will remember you at the Throne of Divine Grace. May the King Eternal, an all-wise. Providence protect and keep you, and when you pass from this world to that of eternity, may you be borne to the bosom of your Saviour and your God.”
Going back to the original question which was posed by Does mankind have the capacity for self-government? History has proven that mankind’s ability to govern itself is in direct proportion to the relationship of the individual to God, to Christ, which is in direct proportion to God’s Word.
Ladies and Gentlemen, today, God - specifically Jesus Christ - has been left out of our society; God’s Word is being attacked; and the rightful history of the United States is being destroyed. As Christians, we must live lives that demonstrate to the world that there is a God; we must stand unashamedly upon the firm foundation of God’s Word realizing that, without , the United States of America will crumble into oblivion!