In God We Trust Series

IN GOD WE TRUST

Matthew 12:15-21

(The second in a sermon series from Matthew 12 called “Words We Live By”)*

Sermon Objective: The only way America will ever once again be defined by the words “In God We Trust” is for the people of God to choose to live out their Biblical Faith in society -- in front of other people.

Supporting Scripture: Matthew 5:13; Mathew 6:9-13; Isaiah 42:1-9;

Preface

We are continuing a sermon series from Matthew 12 called “Words We Live By.” Many creeds, pledges, and mottoes have shaped our country, as well as its individual citizens. In many instances the words convey uplifting and presumably timeless messages. They play an important role in creating a national identity -- in shaping a national consciousness – an ethos. They operate behind the scenes as a moral compass and a driving force.

In our last sermon we looked at the statement on the Statue of Liberty: “GIVE ME YOUR TIRED, YOUR POOR, YOUR HUDDLED MASSES YEARNING TO BREATHE FREE, THE WRETCHED REFUSE OF YOUR TEEMING SHORE. SEND THESE, THE HOMELESS, TEMPEST-TOST TO ME, I LIFT MY LAMP BESIDE THE GOLDEN DOOR!” We saw that the Church embodies those words in our spirit of mercy and compassion just as Jesus suggested in Matthew 12:7; “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.”

You are familiar with these “Words We Live By.” They are found on monuments, federal buildings, official documents, and currency the nation over. Some, which we will not be able to look at are:

• “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” (The Preamble of the Declaration of Independence)

• “I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, and for the people; . . . a democracy and a republic; a sovereign nation of many sovereign states; a perfect union, … established on the principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes. (The American Creed. Adopted by the House of Representatives On April 3, 1918)

• “The salvation of the state is the watchfulness of the people.” (The Nebraska State Capitol)

There are others I’ll mention in coming weeks.

Speaking of coming weeks. Two that give light to the words of Jesus in Matthew 12, and which we will look at in the next two weeks are:

• “Till Death Do Us Part” (vv. 33-37 )

• “E Pluribus Unum” (vv. 46-50 )

All of these are “Words We Live By” which can illuminate the “WORDS we live by” -- namely Jesus Christ’s.

Today we will find “Words We Live By” from Matthew 12:15-21.

The Text

15 Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Many followed him, and he healed all their sick,

16 warning them not to tell who he was.

17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

18 “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.

19 He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets.

20 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory.

21 In his name the nations will put their hope.”

Sermon

If you were to look at any of the paper or coined money you just threw into the offering plate you would no doubt see the words, “In God We Trust” – our national motto.

“In God We Trust” did not appear on paper money until long after it appeared on coins. It wasn’t until the 1950’s when a wave of religious fervor swept the country in response to communism that it began to find a place on paper currency. In 1953 while attending a church service Sir Matthew Rothert, Sr. realized that it was our paper currency which circulated globally and it was only our paper currency which could effectively spread this important message/motto and thus define the American people. So, in 84th congress the bill was passed and President Eisenhower signed it into law in July of 1955. It was during this same era (1954) that the Pledge of Allegiance was amended and the words “under God” were added.

One small step for a country -- one giant illustration of God’s desire for every country.

 18 he will proclaim justice to the nations.

 20 he leads justice to victory.

 21 In his name the nations will put their hope.”

• “In God We Trust”