RIGHTEOUSNESS EXALTS A NATION
TXT: Prov 14:32-34 The wicked is banished in his wickedness, but the righteous has a refuge in his death. 33 Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding, but what is in the heart of fools is made known. 34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.
INTRO: May 2013 Gosnell Trial. Hid by media except Foxnews & very few other news sources. Gosnel was abortionist at abortion clinic dubbed a “House of Horrors”. Horrible what went on there. He was found guilty of three counts of first-degree murder and one count of third-degree murder, as well as “211 counts of failing to comply with a state law that requires a 24-hour waiting period before an abortion is performed.” The facts read more like a demon’s resume than a description of a man sworn to heal. One former worker testified that she saw “a late-term baby who survived an abortion ‘swimming’ in a toilet and ‘trying to get out.’” Another child reportedly was big enough “that Gosnell joked it could have walked to the bus.” Child after child had life ended as scissors snipped spinal cords, decapitating them. This story was given only 51 sec in one news report and only after 56 days of the trial going on b/c abortion is the media darling, they will go through any length to circle the wagons to support a woman’s right to murder her own children.
May 2012 a bill that would ban sex-selective abortions failed to muster enough support to pass the House Thursday following a contentious debate. The final vote was 246-168. Though a majority voted in favor of the bill, this particular proposal required a two-thirds majority to pass -- supporters of the bill fell 30 votes short. The proposal would have made it a federal crime to carry out an abortion based on the gender of the fetus. The measure takes aim at the aborting of female fetuses, a practice more common to countries such India and China, where there is a strong preference for sons, but which is also thought to take place in the U.S. Bill never made it to Senate.
I. AMERICA’S NATIONAL SIN
1. National sin of America = abortion
a. This makes us a reproach & cries out for judgment
b. We are critical arrows in God’s hand at this time
2. God’s judgment in the past
a. Sodom & Gomorrah
Destruction was so complete that there is absolutely no sign it even existed – on tours to Israel only an empty plain there
b. Chorazin & Bethsaida
MT 11:20-22 Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent: 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you.
Illus. He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands song
3. God really does have the whole world in His hands
a. The rise & fall of nations is based on their relationship with God
Is 2:4 He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people;
Micah 4:3 He shall judge between many peoples, and rebuke strong nations afar off;
I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers - and it was not there . . . in her fertile fields and boundless forests and it was not there . . . in her rich mines and her vast world commerce - and it was not there . . . in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution - and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great. -Alexis de Tocqueville
b. Judah & Israel serve as object lessons for us today. Israel & Judah’s national sin = idolatry.
c. Everything about nation building is spiritual and linked to a nation’s relationship w/God
4. A nation w/ no relationship w/ God – heathens. America is becoming a heathen nation.
5. The solution is not being open-minded to different belief systems. Answer is not to become spiritual. only solution =Jesus.
II. DEALING WITH NATIONAL SIN
Illus. Over 53 million babies killed by abortion in U.S. from 1973 – present. Population of Burma 54million, S. Korea 48.9 million, South Africa 48.8 million.
1. Genocide: the deliberate killing of people who belong to a particular group. Abortion=genocide of unborn
MT 7:6 Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.
2. Jesus says you do not give that which is precious to those who disdain & appreciate the sacrifice & time it takes to produce pearls
a. America does not hold life precious as it once did. Proof: euthanasia, abortion, suicide rates
3. America’s national sin will backfire on the nation and hurt greatly
a. Publicly promoted sin – in media & publications
b. Sin defended by laws & legislation in contradiction to the Bible
• When the Bible has already settled in regards to an issue & country makes laws against it woe to that nation
4. Difference between personal sins & national sins
a. You can repent of personal sins. National sins cannot be handled the same way
b. O.T. when a nation sinned the King repented publicly – before God & the people
Scripture – Jericho – Jonah, Nehemiah, other kings
c. When a leader & nation refuse to repent publicly the judgment falls on the whole nation, not just the guilty
• We must call on leader at every level of authority to repent & turn to God
• This is our message!
• Media & music stars are evangelists for devil & Hell. In interviews w/ “stars” they mention “message” of movie/song. They have a message they are preaching!
• Devil laughs while the church compromises
Illus. Prime Minister of Jamaica had illegitimate child in 1970’s it did not come to light until 1980’s great pressure on him – public outrage & shame – called him “that dirty man”. At the time people there held national morals higher than politics. Jamaica very prosperous, filled w/ good solid Christian churches. Prime minister held a press conference and told the nation that there were no longer any bastards in Jamaica. He refused to repent or acknowledge his sin. He legitimized it instead. Historians mark a great decline in the moral climate of Jamaica from then on that continues to this day. Everything started coming undone – illegitimacy laws abolished [no longer did illegitimate child have to have father’s last name] - incest ran rampant as no way to identify who was who. Meteoric rise in birth defects & mental retardation. Finances deteriorated – now Jamaica is a 4th world country – only took 30 yrs.
Interview w/ Prince Charles – asked when crowned what he wanted to be known as. His answer; I do not want to be known as the defender of the faith but defender of the faiths. In past wherever British Empire was Christianity & missions went with it. Change made all the difference. IN UK Mohammed #1 name of all boys. Prince Charles’s statement – idolatry national sin of UK. In 2 places Sharia Law, not law of UK rules.
Bill Clinton & Monica Lewinsky. Parents across US had to explain to kids about certain sexual practice b/c they were reading and hearing about it. Clinton tried to re-define what was/was not sex. Stats of youth involved in sexual immorality skyrocketed since then. Now new trend of “sexting”
III. NEED FOR REVIVAL
Ps 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance.
1. Stages of National Decline
Stage 1. Moves from bondage to spiritual faith.
Stage 2. Moves from spiritual faith to great courage.
Stage 3. moves from great courage to liberty.
Stage 4. moves from liberty to abundance.
Stage 5 moves from abundance to selfishness.
Stage 6 moves from selfishness to complacency.
Stage 7 moves from complacency to apathy.
Stage 8 moves from apathy to moral decay.
Stage 9 moves from moral decay to dependence
Stage 10. moves from dependence to bondage.
a. Apart from God's intervention, nations will decline and eventually pass off the scene.
2. We are in a state of Civil unrest right now and desperately need a national revival!
• More than ever before America needs churches active & preaching
Acts 1:8 …you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth
• If the church fails there is no hope for America.
3. We need to be same kind of church found in the Book of Acts
• Kind of church the government & Hollywood mock
• Need a church that is consecrated not compromised
• Need to preach against sin once again
1 Cor 6:9-10 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
• Not afraid to preach vs. evil and unrighteousness
• Problem: too many in the church are still involved in sin so they refuse to preach against it. Instead of loving Jesus enough to repent and be free of sin, they stay comfortable in it.
Illus. May 10th National Press Conference Obama states he supports same sex marriage and announced the DoJ will no longer defend DOMA. DOMA part of law of land but he, highest elected executive official, is choosing not to follow or enforce the law. At present same sex marriage legal in 13 states.
4. Just b/c something is legal does not make it right! If a law vs. Bible, vs. what God says it is wrong!
5. The Bible is 100% true! If we do not have a national revival our nation will be judged! If God judged His own Chosen people – Israel, He will not hold back from judging America too! As Sodom & Gomorrah was destroyed we will too
6. We need to push back. This causes God to intervene and miracles to happen.
• Holy Spirit will always flow through God’s remnant. God’s remnant that stands against the great & mighty will have the victory each & every time.
• Do not fear worldly authority or shrink at the threat of prison bars
CONCLUSION
Oct 2012 Ugandan President repents of national & personal sins. President Yoweri Museveni celebrated Uganda’s 50th anniversary of independence from Britain at the National Jubilee Prayers event by publicly repenting of his personal sin and the sins of the nation.
“I stand here today to close the evil past, and especially in the last 50 years of our national leadership history and at the threshold of a new dispensation in the life of this nation. I stand here on my own behalf and on behalf of my predecessors to repent. We ask for your forgiveness,” Museveni prayed.
“We confess these sins, which have greatly hampered our national cohesion and delayed our political, social and economic transformation. We confess sins of idolatry and witchcraft which are rampant in our land. We confess sins of shedding innocent blood, sins of political hypocrisy, dishonesty, intrigue and betrayal,” Museveni said.
“Forgive us of sins of pride, tribalism and sectarianism; sins of laziness, indifference and irresponsibility; sins of corruption and bribery that have eroded our national resources; sins of sexual immorality, drunkenness and debauchery; sins of unforgiveness, bitterness, hatred and revenge; sins of injustice, oppression and exploitation; sins of rebellion, insubordination, strife and conflict,” Museveni prayed.
Next, the president dedicated Uganda to God: “We want to dedicate this nation to you so that you will be our God and guide. We want Uganda to be known as a nation that fears God and as a nation whose foundations are firmly rooted in righteousness and justice to fulfill what the Bible says in Psalm 33:12: Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. A people you have chosen as your own,” Museveni prayed.
Ever hear of the tyrannical despot Idi Amin? President of Uganda 1971-1979. Amin's rule was characterized by human rights abuse, political repression, ethnic persecution, extrajudicial killings, nepotism, corruption, and gross economic mismanagement. The number of people killed as a result of his regime is estimated by international observers and human rights groups to range from 100,000 to 500,000. In 1972 Amin ruined Uganda’s economy by expelling 50k – 70k Ugandan citizens that were Asian. Manufacturing, agriculture and commerce came to a screeching halt without the appropriate resources to support them. Uganda became friendly with terrorist nations & organizations and the USSR.
That was Uganda’s history, yet today it is totally different. There is still hope for America but the answer lies in:
2Chron 7:14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
