America Past, Present, and Future
Psalms 33:12
Introduction
As we celebrate our Independence today, we often think about fireworks, picnics, maybe going to the lake, or just spending some quality time with family. But today I want you to focus in on what God has done and is continuing to do for us to bring about this independence that we celebrate.
Today I want to have a little history/prophecy lesson on America. I want for us to understand that we must never forget what God has done in the past for America. Yet also remind you that we have to keep our eyes opened to see what God is doing for America in the present. Then we must realize what God will do to America in the future.
I. WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR AMERICA
A. God Birthed America.
• We sing, “My County Tis of Thee”
1. In the first colonies at Jamestown, VA. The first community building built there was a church, which is the only building still standing.
2. The Puritans first act at Plymouth Rock, was to kneel and praise and dedicate the new colony.
3. Roger Williams, a Baptist Minister established Rhode Island.
4. Lord Baltimore held church service in establishing Maryland.
5. William Penn, a Quaker established Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, Connecticut, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.
• When you read their writings you see no doubt that God birthed America.
6. Will Penn in writing government policies for Pennsylvania made sure “all treasurers, judges, and all elected officials professed faith in Christ.”
• The U.S. Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals agreed in 2003 with a Federal trial court that the Ten Commandments memorial placed in the rotunda of
The Alabama Judicial Building by state Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore must be removed.
• Judge Moore authorized the memorial as a reminder that the biblical laws stand as the moral groundwork of American law.
• Our Founding Fathers consistently spoke of the need for utilizing the Bible and Judeo-Christian values in defining and preserving this nation:
• Twelve of the original 13 colonies incorporated the entire Ten Commandments into their civil and criminal codes.
• President John Adams stated, "The law given from Sinai was a civil and municipal code as well as a moral and religious code. These are laws essential to the existence of men in society and most of which have been enacted by every Nation which ever professed any code of laws. Vain indeed would be the search among the writings of secular history to find so broad, so complete and so solid a basis of morality as the Ten Commandments lay down."
• The American Bible Society was started by an act of Congress and John Adams, our second president, served as its first leader.
• Our laws are based on 10 commandments and Bible.
• Supreme Court bldg - built 1935 – has a carving on the front of the building of Moses and Ten Commandments.
• In the House of Representatives - across from the speaker of the house’ seat – is a sculpture of Moses.
• President George Washington said, "It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible. Of all dispositions and habits that lead to political prosperity, our religion and morality are indispensable supporters."
• In 1782, the U.S. Congress voted in favor of a resolution recommending and approving the Bible for use in the schools.
• Henry Laurens, fourth president of the Continental Congress, stated, "I had the honor of being one who framed the Constitution. In order effectually to accomplish these great constitutional ends, it is especially the duty of those who bear rule to promote and encourage respect for God and virtue."
• Patrick Henry, first governor of Virginia and a member of the Continental Congress, stated, "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."
7. The U.S. Constitution’s ending words are: “in the year of our Lord.”
8. The Nation’s motto: “In God we trust”
9. Our Pledge “One nation under God”
• God birthed America but…
B. God has Blessed America
• The history of America, has tons of stories of God’s miraculous intervention.
• But most history books written today deliberately keep true facts out of textbooks.
At the beginning of the American Revoluntary War, British commander William Howe in 1776 was moving 30,000 Veteran British soldiers to take New York. Gen. George Washington only had 18,000 inexperienced troops. The British troops quickly outflanked Washington and he lost 1,000 men and 2 top Generals. Washington’s troops were completely discouraged, but without any reason the British halted their troops. If they had kept pressing on into New York they would have destroyed Washington and his troops. Yet Washington and his troops were still trapped on Long Island. The only route of escape was the treacherous East river. The weather very bad and crossing the river seemed impossible.
Washington called for a prayer meeting to ask for God’s guidance and help. Washington then decided to attempt to cross the river. It was storming like crazy, then suddenly at 11 pm the wind died and the rain stopped. The river was as smooth as glass. Washington and his men started crossing the East River and a gentle breeze came up behind them to push them along. But even with this miracle, it would still be impossible to get all the troops across to Manhattan Island before daybreak. Just before daybreak, a thick fog draped over them and hide them from British troops. When the fog lifted the British commander Howe was shocked. Washington’s troop had escaped. Washington and his men recognized God’s blessings on America, on that day.
• What about more recent proof of God’s blessing on America.
• Operation Iraqi Freedom
• The only answer for why so few casualties took place that day, is that God answered the prayers of people.
• More were killed in crimes here in US than during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
• Don’t take our freedom for granted though.
• We have not all paid the same price.
• Allen Star of Arkansas erected a monument to the 241 servicemen killed in bombing of the Marine headquarters in Lebanon. With $2000 and used bricks he built a 8x4 foot monument with a bronze plaque that says, “Lest we forget that peace has a price.”
• Your freedom is not free – just ask any veteran of one of our many wars.
• Ask a child who lost a father.
• Ask a man who lost a leg, arm, or was injured for life.
• What has God done? He Birthed and Blessed America.
II. WHAT GOD IS DOING FOR AMERICA
• Presently = God is beholding America. He sees how far we have come since our birth in 1776.
• In God’s eyes are we better to Him or bitter to Him [to look upon]? How long will God’s blessings still come to America?
• Authorities say servicemen in Iraq were safer there, than our own citizens walking thru streets of our major cities.
• The FBI paints this grim picture. There’s a Murder every 24 minutes, forcible rape = 7 min. Robbery = 68 seconds, Aggravated assault = 51 sec. Violent crime = 27 sec.
• All this means a major crime is committed every 3 seconds in America.
• Religion is not the answer.
• Today there are more churches than ever.
• More corruption, hypocrisy in government and churches than ever.
• Where is the living God in all this?
• In Jesus’ day the world was not unlike ours.
• Governments and churches were corrupt.
• One day in midst of Jewish holiday among crowds in the street Jesus stood up and shouted, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life…”
• Today amid our confused world those words are still echoing.
• What does it mean?
o Jesus is the Way
Of all religions in world how do we know Jesus is the Way?
When it comes to Eternal life, Confucius is dead, Mohammed is dead, only Jesus claimed and proved victory over sin, death, hell, and the grave.
If your life is lost without direction or purpose then follow Jesus because He is the Way.
o Jesus is the Truth – speaking to the educated people.
The world teaches no absolutes.
Jesus says there is.
The big lie today is that It does not matter what you believe about God as long as it helps you.
Your belief does not create truth.
Truth is true whether you believe it or not.
What you must do is check out your belief and see that it is the truth.
o Jesus is the Life. – Speaking to Longing people.
The bottom line is – people are looking for something worth living for.
I Jn 5:12 “He that hath the Son hath Life…”
Why are people lost? – because they have not come to the Way = Jesus
Why are people not finding truth?
Why are people not living a real life and just existing?
• America is the land where anyone can hear the gospel.
o You are greatly privileged.
o God is beholding you with all your privileges.
o What will you do with Jesus?
III. What God Will Do to America…
o The history highways is filled with the wreckage of nations that have forgotten God.
o Rom. 14:12 “So then every one of us must give an account.”
o We have already kicked him out of our schools.
o They are trying to remove ever mention of God from our government buildings
o Americans have kicked God out of there homes.
o If you were standing before God right now and He ask you “why should I let you into heaven?” What would your answer be?
o If I was to take a survey asking people on the street and in this church, “How many plan to burn in hell forever?”
o No one with any sense, will say yes.
o If I ask how many of you know without a shadow of a doubt that you are born again?
o Not all hands will be raised.
o So the question then is, “When are you planning on getting right with God? “
o God says in 2 Cor. 6:2- … now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
Closing
Heb. 2:3 “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation.” This is your day of liberation or a day you will be forever be judged for rejecting Jesus Christ. Which one will you choose.
