Canada 150--"God Keep Our Land"

So, in case you’re new here or weren’t here in the last couple weeks, we’re talking/preaching about Canada this morning in anticipation of Canada 150 this Saturday.

Ok, let’s start with a little fun….I’ve made a list of things that I love about Canada and I’ve got a slide for each one….

1. Natural beauty

2. Diversity

3. Bilingualism

4. First Nations and Inuit Culture

5. We are an accepting nation (i.e. different people, immigration)

6. Canadian musicians

7. Canadian comedians

8. Best looking prime minister in the world

9. Beer

10. Hockey

11. Unique Canadian foods (i.e. poutine, beaver tails, etc.)

12. Our money (i.e. loonie, toonie, colorful bills)

13. Canadian politeness

14. Medical system (we are NOT the U.S.)

15. A government that actually works

Indeed, there is a lot to celebrate and be thankful for in Canada. And, we’re going to be doing a lot of that in the coming week. But, we’re in church, and so I want to hook things up for you spiritually as well. Here’s my question this morning. On Canada’s 150th birthday, what is God’s word to this nation.

In fact, let me get at it this way. As many of you know, there is a particular speech given by the Governor General of Canada at the beginning of a new parliamentary session called, “The Speech From The Throne”. The purpose of this speech is to outline the government agenda for the coming session of parliament—what priorities they will have, what bills they want to pass, and so on.

Well, followers of Jesus Christ recognise another throne. A higher throne. In the book of Revelation, chapter 4, the apostle John who has been exiled to the island of Patmos has a vision. And this is what he writes,

"After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this." At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits[a] of God. 6Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.

In the centre, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." Whenever the living creatures give glory, honour and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

"You are worthy, our Lord and God,

to receive glory and honour and power,

for you created all things,

and by your will they were created

and have their being."

Whatever you may have heard friends. Whatever power the capitals and governments of this world may appear to hold. Whatever military might they possess. Whatever political sceptre they might be holding, there is no throne like this throne. There is no power like this power. This throne is the centre of everything. It is the fulcrum of human history, from it all things were created, because of it all things hold to together, without nothing that is would be. On it depends the existence of the universe, its redemption and its future. It will endure beyond anything this world knows, and sooner or later every knee in heaven and earth, willingly or unwillingly, will bow to it’s authority. Amen?

And I’m wondering this morning, if there was a speech from THAT throne, what would it sound like. More specifically, on Canada’s 150th birthday, what would the One who sits on that throne say to Canada, to us its citizens.

Well, we don’t have to imagine. We don’t have to make something up. Because God has spoken. In His Word. This morning, let me give you three words that I think God would say to Canada…the first is this…