Why Is It Raining On Our Parade(July 4th Sermon)

America is the greatest country that has ever existed on this earth. I say this

not in arrogance, THAT IS A FACT!

The only nation that can be considered to be equal to America’s greatness would be the nation of Israel.

God blessed them in ways that no other nation can boast. For example they are the only nation that can say that:

• God opened the Red Sea up for them

• God sent Manna from heaven to feed them

• God led them by a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night.

• God supernaturally gave them victory after victory in battle

But they even have current miracles, such as . . .

1. THE MIRACLE OF IMMIGRATION.

Because of sin God scattered them around the world. But God promise them He would bring them back according to Isaiah 43:5-6.

Jews from the four points of the compass heard the call to come home on May 14, 1948, stated that Israel "…will be open to the immigration of Jews from all countries of their dispersion."

• During the first three years of statehood, the average reached 18,000 a month and in some months the figure exceeded 30,000.

• Between May 15, 1948, and June 30, 1953, the Jewish population of the country doubled.

• By the end of 1956, Israel’s population had nearly tripled, reaching 1,667,000.

• In 1984 - 1985 and again in 1991 airlifts brought Ethiopian Jews from utter despair to a Land of hope.

• Finally, the long-expected prophetic fulfillment of Jews from Russia began in 1991.

• By 1998 over 800,000 had returned from the former Soviet Republics and they are still coming. Over a million are expected.

• Israel’s population increased from 650,000 in 1948 to nearly 6,000,000 in 1998.

This was the THE MIRACLE OF IMMIGRATION.

But also we remember…

2. THE MIRACLE OF THE ’67 WAR.

• The Arabs boasted that they would destroy Israel.

• However, in six days, Israel overran the combined forces of Syria, Jordan, Egypt and took the Golan Heights, East Jerusalem, the West Bank (Samaria and Judea), and the Sinai -- one of the greatest military feats in history.

But overall, God blessed America in ways He did not even bless Israel.

Of all the countries that have ever existed, never has a nation been so blessed with:

• Food,

• Clothing,

• Houses,

• Cars,

• And military strength as this great nation.

This country is the envy of the world.

And today much of the opposition we face from other nations is no more than jealousy for the way God has blessed this country.

We often sing, “God Bless America,” and He certainly has.

But in all honesty, we must confess that some of the opposition that we face today is ALSO from the way we have received the blessings of God on this nation.

• God has richly blessed this nation, but we have not received these blessings WITH GRATITUDE AND HUMILITY BUT WITH ARROGANCE and INGRATITUDE.

• As a nation, we have the reputation around the world as one of the most proud and arrogant people on the face of this earth.

Illus: For a good example of arrogance in this country, all we have to do is take a look at Hollywood and actors and actresses.

These people make their living pretending to be something they are not.

BUT HERE IS THE SAD NEWS! What Hollywood is, America has become!

As we read the history of the birth of this Nation, it is certain that we are not the nation that our forefathers intended for us to become.

To celebrate the occasion:

• Families will come together and have family reunions

• Businesses will close down for several days

• The highways will be filled with cars as people travel from state to state

• There will be parades and picnics

• Fantastic fireworks shows will be displayed all over America

One of the things we do in preparation for this celebration of July 4th we look at the weather report to see if it is going to be raining because much of our celebration is on the outside.

One of the ways we celebrate July 4 is having parades.

But one thing that can really make it difficult for a parade is RAIN!!!

We do not know if it will be raining on the 4th physically but spiritually in this nation it is RAINING ON OUR CELEBRATION.

I want to ask this question, WHY IS IT RAINING ON OUR PARADE SPIRITUALLY IN THIS NATION

July 4th is a great day in America, and it should be! What a tremendous thing it is, that God has chosen to bless this nation in the way He has. WE ARE SO BLESSED AS A NATION!