God bless America With a Prophetic Witness!
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Psalm 128 / Ezekiel 2:1-10
America is NOT New Israel
America is NOT New Israel
John Witherspoon (Scottish-American Presbyterian minister and a signature of the Declaration of Independence) May 17, 1776
God grant that in America true religion and civil liberty may be inseparable and that the unjust attempts to destroy the one, may in the issue tend to the support and establishment of both.
1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
Jesus, Peter, and Paul -
1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
There has never been but ONE nation in Covenant with God, Old Testament Israel, and that nation no longer exists; not even the modern state of Israel is the fulfillment or continuation of that covenant.
This world, much less this nation, is not our home for all who are in Christ, but while we’re just a passing through, let us follow God’s guidance as given through Jeremiah:
7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.
God bless America, land that I love!
We are NOT responsible for outcomes
We are NOT responsible for outcomes
In Evangelism
In Evangelism
1 He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 2 And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4 And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.”
Claiming authority not our own:
13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.”
15 But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” 16 And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
Letting God be God:
8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
In changing society
In changing society
Our Experience:
3 Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us, for we have had more than enough of contempt. 4 Our soul has had more than enough of the scorn of those who are at ease, of the contempt of the proud.
Our Expectation:
6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.
Our actual calling:
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
There is no text in the New Testament that gives the church the calling primarily of changing the world; that’s above our pay grade.
We ARE called to a prophetic witness
We ARE called to a prophetic witness
5 And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them.
Intentional Witness
Intentional Witness
This means choice; not happenstance!
30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
GO! it is the first word in Matt 28:19. Action is required to follow God’s commands to His people; to His church.
God is always on mission; and we are sent by our Lord on mission for the Kingdom!
Consistent Witness
Consistent Witness
46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Brennan Manning
The single The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians
Who acknowledge Jesus with their lips
And walk out the door
And deny him by their lifestyle
That is what an unbelieving world, simply finds unbelievable
We tear our own message down more than anyone outside us ever could.
Want to tear down marriage and home? Attend a church that teaches faithfulness and integrity, but do not live by it; don’t hold the marriage bed as holy and undefiled.
Want to tear down the importance of the local church as instituted by Christ Himself? Continue to prioritize other activities and relationships above regular attendance and participation.
Want to tear down the message of God’s coming wrath and Jesus as the only savior? Don’t keep you or your family under the sound of gospel preaching or provide as many distractions as possible rather than keeping the gospel and soul salvation in front of them in church and at home.
We will all stumble, but an intentional and consistent witness for Christ will NOT go unnoticed; while not all will follow, they will not be able to deny that the prophetic presence of true believers, of a true church have been in their midst.
Witness to Glory and Grace
What is it to be a witness, but to tell what you know?
The more we learn about God, esp from His Word and lived out faith in a community of believers (a local church family) the more we are able to share, but everyone saved can share about Jesus.
Those who preach grace ought to have some!
We must seek to be like Christ. He was harsh against those who openly and militantly, defied Him; religious hypocrites. Yet He was gentle to those who were broken; who were looking for answers. We should endeavor to do the same.
Our American forefathers pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to build a nation that has been mightily used by God in spite of her sins and failures. Our calling as believers is to be faithful as individuals, families, and churches to the Kingdom of God. The single greatest act of patriotism is to be a faithful Christian; be a witness for Christ, and trust God with the fate of all the nations, including our own. True revival comes from God, not political action.