Sermon Central
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One Nation Under God
Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jul 7, 2008 (message contributor)
Summary: The founding fathers of America were men of faith in God and God’s Word. America was founded on Biblical truths.
One Nation Under God
I pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.
The founding fathers of America were men of faith in God and God’s Word. America was founded on Biblical truths.
The Declaration of Independence declares that all people “are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
George Washington, the first president of the United States, said, “It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God and to obey His will.”
Thomas Jefferson, the third president, said, “God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?”
Calvin Coolidge, thirteenth president, said, “The foundations of our society and our government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings would cease to be practically universal in our country.”
Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth president, said, “I am profitably engaged in reading the Bible. Take all of this book upon reason that you can, and the balance by faith, and you will lived and die a better man.”
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, thirty second president prayed, “O Lord, give us faith. Give us faith in Thee; faith in our sons; faith in each other; faith in our united crusade…Thy will be done, Almighty God. Amen.”
David Joseph Brewer, Supreme Court Justice from 1889 to 1910 said, “The American nation from its first settlement at Jamestown to this hour is based upon and permeated by the principles of the Bible.” From Discovering God in America, by Newt Gingrich
Ronald Reagan, fortieth president, aboard U.S.S. John F. Kennedy, New York Harbor, July 4, 1986, said:
“And so tonight we reaffirm that Jew and gentile, we are one nation under God; that black and white, we are one nation indivisible; that Republican and Democrat, we are all Americans. Tonight, with heart and hand, through whatever trial and travail, we pledge ourselves to each other and to the cause of human freedom, the cause that has given light to this land and hope to the world.”
In 1776, 11 of the 13 colonies required that one had to be a Christian to be eligible to “run for political office.” In 1777, the Continental Congress voted to spend $300,000 to purchase Bible for distribution in the nation.
Romans 13:1-7 The Apostle Paul gives clear teaching that followers of Jesus are to be respected citizens. God calls us to be responsible Christians in a dark - pagan world.
When Paul wrote the Christians in Roman to be good citizens and obey the Roman government and pay their taxes and obey the laws of the land, the Roman authorities were out to punish followers of Jesus for their strange faith.
Christ followers were accused of being atheists because they did not pray to a visible god. They were accused of being anti-government because they met in secret meetings. When Nero set fire to Rome he blamed the Christians.
The government often goes over the edge with some of their laws. Congress the past year passed a bill that is to take effect in 2014 that all light bulbs must be florescent. The florescent bulbs if broken the room must have all windows raised and vacated for 15 minutes. The glass swept up and put in a glass jar with a metal lid. Bulbs must be taken to a recycling center. Why? Because the florescent bulbs contain mercury.
An Idaho sheep rancher: was approached one day by a stranger in a suit. He said, “If I can guess how many sheep you’ve got, may I have one?” Thinking this to be impossible the rancher agreed. “You have 1,795 sheep.” Stunned by the correct answer the rancher told him to choose his sheep. The man selected an animal and slung it over his shoulder and started to walk away. The rancher said, “Hey if I can tell you who your work for can I have that animal back?” OK “You work for the government. How did you figure that out?” Well, put my dog down and I will tell you.
When I apply the teachings of Paul in Romans 13 my views are influenced by the fact that I believe the Bible and Scriptures are the authority of God. I believe God’s Word is our guide and road map for life. I’m very conservative in my views both Biblically and politically.
I believe that God’s moral laws transcend man’s secular laws that cannot be backed by scripture.
