
Sunday, June 30, 2024 AM
INDEPENDENCE DAY: Keeping America Great
Mike Teel, Pastor
Focal Passages:
1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. —I Timothy 2:1-4
FOR AMERICA
1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority. —I Timothy 2:1-2a
The GROUNDWORK for the freedom we enjoy has been laid out over the past 248 years.
We enjoy our freedom today, because of what our founding fathers, our fathers, our brothers and sisters, our sons and daughters, have done to get and preserve this freedom.
1. FREEDOM “
” OR “
” RELIGION
–There is a big difference between “Freedom OF Religion”, and “Freedom FROM Religion”.
2. OUR
–Was this nation founded on Christian principles? Absolutely.
–The first settlers of America came to express their religious faith … for freedom of worship.
–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.
3. THE
PAID
–This is a much different idea than our founding fathers had.
–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 saying, “Almighty God, what do You want for this nation?
4. THEIR
FOR OUR FREEDOM
–56 brave men signed our Declaration of Independence (Declaration of War against Britain).
–Our freedom and independence came at a cost.
5. DRIVEN BY CHRISTIAN
–Our founding fathers were COMMITTED to, not only obtaining freedom for future generations – they were COMMITTED to Christian principles.
6. WE MUST
!
–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.
How can we keep America great? Pray!
LIVE
LIVES
2b that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. —I Timothy 2:2b
1.
OF OUR NATION’S GOVERNMENT
–Do you realize that the very framework of our nation’s government was patterned after the Bible?
–Our founding fathers looked to the Word of God to organize the government of our nation – they laid the foundation, and we are to build upon it.
2. MOVEMENT
FROM GOD
–We 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.
3. THE
OF GOD’S NAME
–There is 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.
34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people. —Proverbs 14:34
–Sin has disgraced our nation.
–We need to take control of our own lives and live it in the way Paul encouraged us.
2b that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. —I Timothy 2:2b
How can we KEEP America great? Pray and live righteous lives.
CHRIST
3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. —I Timothy 2:3-4
–The unbelieving is shouting out its message:
–The sad truth – the Christians in America are still a strong contingency – But we are doing very little to speak out as witness for the Lord.
–God expects us to use the freedom that our founding fathers made possible – to be witnesses for Christ in this sinful world.
–The only hope for America is Jesus!
LIVE IT OUT
–How can we reclaim this nation for God?
–Pray for America and our leaders.
–As believers – live righteous lives, standing on principles and values of God’s Word.
–Shine forth the light of Christ, who lives within you telling others about Jesus.