Will God Continue to Bless America? Prov. 14:34 & Psalm 33:12
INTRO.: We Americans complain a lot, but we live in the greatest nation on earth. We complain about the cost of gasoline but many in this world can’t afford a car. We gripe about real estate taxes, and in much of the world it is impossible to own land or houses. We complain if a steak is tough. Millions search for food in dumps and go to bed hungry. We cry if the roof leaks while others have had their shacks destroyed by bombs and fires of war. If it rains or we have company we stay away from worship but in some lands Christians risk their lives to gather for prayer. We expect police to catch and prosecute robbers. In some countries, the police are the robbers. We have it pretty good in the U.S.. Most of us will not deny this.
I believe all the good things we enjoy in this country come as blessings from Almighty God. Not everyone believes that. Recently, one American, Michael Newdow, filed suit against his daughter’s school district in order to have the words "under God" removed from the pledge of allegiance to the flag. He won his case in the Ninth Circuit court but was reversed by the US Supreme Court.
You may remember, this is not the first time. Two years ago, the Ninth US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the reciting of the pledge in public schools is unconstitutional because of that phrase. Another California atheist had filed suit against his daughter’s school. No one I have read thinks the recent Supreme Court ruling will be the end of this foolishness. It will happen again and again because there are those who deny the spiritual heritage of America.
As we see challenge after challenge to our faith and as revisionists attempt to change history and deny we are a nation established on Christian principles, we must wonder how long God will continue to bless America. I want to make some suggestions today.
I. As long as we continue to be a giving people.
A. Americans are the most charitable people in the world.
1. Last year we gave 240.72 billion to charity, 2.2% of the nation’s gross domestic product. In 2002- 234.09 billion NY Times
2. We saw a tremendous outpouring after the 9/11/2001 terrorist attack. People from all over the country donated time & labor as well as money.
3. In time of natural disasters, Americans rush to the rescue of people in other lands.
B. Our nation has a history of working for the benefit of others.
1. After WWII, we helped rebuild England, Italy, France, Germany, Japan.
2. We had no stake in Korea or Viet Nam except to rescue oppressed people from Communism.
3. Now we are engaged in an effort to deliver ourselves and the world from the threat of terrorism. For all this, we get little thanks.
4. Billions of our dollars are being spent all around the world to fight AIDS and other epidemic diseases.
C. God will bless us as we bless others.
1. Giving unselfishly is the Christian thing to do. It’s what Jesus did.
2. Jesus said, "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39). And the apostle Paul told us, "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink" (Romans 12:20).
3. Luke 6:35: we receive God’s blessing when we imitate His goodness.
II. As long as we stand for the right
A. We began our history as underdogs who had nothing on our side but right.
1. In 1776, America was a nation of farmers up against the mightiest army and navy in the world.
2. America had no navy and no army except militia scattered through the colonies. Few weapons and no manufacturing infrastructure to make more.
3. But, our forefathers knew they were right and they were confident of victory because they believed right makes might. Terrorists believe the opposite.
B. We’ve always tried to stand up for what is right:
1. We have come to the rescue of oppressed people all over the world.
2. We make excessive efforts to allow criminals every opportunity to prove themselves innocent.
3. Even terrorists taken prisoner during wartime have access to our courts and are provided legal defense.
4. I believe most Americans are still willing to stand up and be counted when it comes to confronting evil in our world.
C. This is a godly principle: God wants us to stand up for what is right:
1. ILLUS.: II Chronicles 7:14 - God’s promise to Israel.
2. ILLUS.: Acts 4:19 & 20 - the commitment of Peter and John before the Sanhedrine.
3. I believe America is willing to stand up for the right. Unfortunately, we are sadly divided as to what is right on almost every issue.
4. We need to return to the Word of the Living God and make it our standard.
III. As long as we try to spread the Gospel:
A. The American Church has been the primary sender of missionaries all over the world.
1. From the very beginning of our history, settlers tried to reach out to Indians and others with the Gospel.
2. Since WW II, about 600,000 missionaries have gone from America all over the world with the Gospel.
3. They have established hospitals, orphanages, schools, and universities.
4. Some have given their lives for the faith.
B. The present "war on terror" is a spiritual war.
1. The atrocities committed by Muslim idolaters do not originate in the minds of men. They are demonic.
2. While they claim they are waging a war against immorality, their real fear is the spread of the Gospel.
3. The conflict is a part of a timeless struggle between God and Satan.
C. God wants His message to go forth to all the world. Matt. 28:18-20
1. We are promised the ultimate victory when Jesus returns at the head of His heavenly army.
2. A selfish Church, concerned only with meeting its own needs, is not a part of the Body of Christ. We are in this world with a mission.
3. God’s greatest blessings will come to any Church or nation as we commit our selves to carry out His mission.
4. If we are not fulfilling God’s purpose of reaching the world for Christ, He has no reason to keep us aroundWill God Continue to Bless America? Prov. 14:34 & Psalm 33:12
INTRO.: We Americans complain a lot, but we live in the greatest nation on earth. We complain about the cost of gasoline but many in this world can’t afford a car. We gripe about real estate taxes, and in much of the world it is impossible to own land or houses. We complain if a steak is tough. Millions search for food in dumps and go to bed hungry. We cry if the roof leaks while others have had their shacks destroyed by bombs and fires of war. If it rains or we have company we stay away from worship but in some lands Christians risk their lives to gather for prayer. We expect police to catch and prosecute robbers. In some countries, the police are the robbers. We have it pretty good in the U.S.. Most of us will not deny this.
I believe all the good things we enjoy in this country come as blessings from Almighty God. Not everyone believes that. Recently, one American, Michael Newdow, filed suit against his daughter’s school district in order to have the words "under God" removed from the pledge of allegiance to the flag. He won his case in the Ninth Circuit court but was reversed by the US Supreme Court.
You may remember, this is not the first time. Two years ago, the Ninth US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the reciting of the pledge in public schools is unconstitutional because of that phrase. Another California atheist had filed suit against his daughter’s school. No one I have read thinks the recent Supreme Court ruling will be the end of this foolishness. It will happen again and again because there are those who deny the spiritual heritage of America.
As we see challenge after challenge to our faith and as revisionists attempt to change history and deny we are a nation established on Christian principles, we must wonder how long God will continue to bless America. I want to make some suggestions today.
I. As long as we continue to be a giving people.
A. Americans are the most charitable people in the world.
1. Last year we gave 240.72 billion to charity, 2.2% of the nation’s gross domestic product. In 2002- 234.09 billion NY Times
2. We saw a tremendous outpouring after the 9/11/2001 terrorist attack. People from all over the country donated time & labor as well as money.
3. In time of natural disasters, Americans rush to the rescue of people in other lands.
B. Our nation has a history of working for the benefit of others.
1. After WWII, we helped rebuild England, Italy, France, Germany, Japan.
2. We had no stake in Korea or Viet Nam except to rescue oppressed people from Communism.
3. Now we are engaged in an effort to deliver ourselves and the world from the threat of terrorism. For all this, we get little thanks.
4. Billions of our dollars are being spent all around the world to fight AIDS and other epidemic diseases.
C. God will bless us as we bless others.
1. Giving unselfishly is the Christian thing to do. It’s what Jesus did.
2. Jesus said, "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39). And the apostle Paul told us, "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink" (Romans 12:20).
3. Luke 6:35: we receive God’s blessing when we imitate His goodness.
II. As long as we stand for the right
A. We began our history as underdogs who had nothing on our side but right.
1. In 1776, America was a nation of farmers up against the mightiest army and navy in the world.
2. America had no navy and no army except militia scattered through the colonies. Few weapons and no manufacturing infrastructure to make more.
3. But, our forefathers knew they were right and they were confident of victory because they believed right makes might. Terrorists believe the opposite.
B. We’ve always tried to stand up for what is right:
1. We have come to the rescue of oppressed people all over the world.
2. We make excessive efforts to allow criminals every opportunity to prove themselves innocent.
3. Even terrorists taken prisoner during wartime have access to our courts and are provided legal defense.
4. I believe most Americans are still willing to stand up and be counted when it comes to confronting evil in our world.
C. This is a godly principle: God wants us to stand up for what is right:
1. ILLUS.: II Chronicles 7:14 - God’s promise to Israel.
2. ILLUS.: Acts 4:19 & 20 - the commitment of Peter and John before the Sanhedrine.
3. I believe America is willing to stand up for the right. Unfortunately, we are sadly divided as to what is right on almost every issue.
4. We need to return to the Word of the Living God and make it our standard.
III. As long as we try to spread the Gospel:
A. The American Church has been the primary sender of missionaries all over the world.
1. From the very beginning of our history, settlers tried to reach out to Indians and others with the Gospel.
2. Since WW II, about 600,000 missionaries have gone from America all over the world with the Gospel.
3. They have established hospitals, orphanages, schools, and universities.
4. Some have given their lives for the faith.
B. The present "war on terror" is a spiritual war.
1. The atrocities committed by Muslim idolaters do not originate in the minds of men. They are demonic.
2. While they claim they are waging a war against immorality, their real fear is the spread of the Gospel.
3. The conflict is a part of a timeless struggle between God and Satan.
C. God wants His message to go forth to all the world. Matt. 28:18-20
1. We are promised the ultimate victory when Jesus returns at the head of His heavenly army.
2. A selfish Church, concerned only with meeting its own needs, is not a part of the Body of Christ. We are in this world with a mission.
3. God’s greatest blessings will come to any Church or nation as we commit our selves to carry out His mission.
4. If we are not fulfilling God’s purpose of reaching the world for Christ, He has no reason to keep us around.
CONC.: We can easily see why the Church is so important to the future of our country. The Church is the world’s largest benevolent institution. No single organization spends as much for the benefit of others. No other institution teaches truth and justice. No other organization in our land is responsible for sending the Gospel into the entire world.
God will continue to bless America as long as His people are faithful to Him.
