Sermon Central
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Humble Hearts, Healing Nation Series
Contributed by Duane Wente on Oct 14, 2024 (message contributor)
Summary: Humility is the key to fostering unity and healing. Drawing from the example of Jesus in Philippians 2 and warnings about pride from Proverbs, humility dismantles pride and invites healing, not only in our relationships but in our nation as well.
Humility comes when we surrender our wants and desires to Him. Humility comes when we realize that we do not have the answers, only God can supply the answers.
There was a time when Jesus’ disciples were arguing about who would be the first in the Kingdom. Jesus made two statements: the first will be the last and the last will be the first, and then He said we need to have the faith of a child.
In order to live out those statements in our lives, we have to trust God — putting Him first above all else.
This morning, may we stop and reflect on our lives. Where does our trust lie? Are we putting our hope in people? In political solutions? In the government? Or are we humbling ourselves before God, trusting in His ultimate authority?
### **3. Humility invites healing in a divided nation.**
A Bankrupt Nation
By Sermon Central
From a sermon by Gerald Flury, A Bankrupt Nation, 8/9/2011
Copied from Sermon Central
John MacArthur in his book “Can God Bless America” states that "America wants God's blessing but not God. Our nation has systematically pushed Him out of the national consciousness — rejecting biblical morality, ignoring His Word, and relying on the political and entertainment arenas for moral guidance."
The result is that we have become a sick nation. We are bankrupt — financially, morally, and spiritually. We are divided, with the chasm getting wider and larger.
The sickness in our country is a cancer that is spreading faster and faster, with what appears to be no treatment in sight. It takes many forms. No longer do we care for each other, we look out for ourselves. Pride rules. We isolate. We tear others down. We find more and more ways to hurt each other, instead of helping each other.
Our communities are divided by race, ethnic origin, skin color and money.
We segregate by scientific theories.
We put up barriers and walls to protect ourselves, rather than gathering together to encourage and support.
Watch TV and it seems like everyone has a remedy — politicians, economists, sociologists.
Yet, none of the solutions have worked. The cancer keeps spreading wider and further. We drift further and further from any kind of moral clarity and absolute truth.
But God does have an answer. The prescription for healing is found in His Word.
In 2 Chronicles 7, Solomon is dedicating the newly completed Temple in Jerusalem to God. Years have passed. The work is finally over. And now, it was time to celebrate this great accomplishment.
After the celebrations, God appears to Solomon and had these words to say:
13 When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locus to devour the land or send a plague among My people, 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 will heal their land. 15 Now My eyes will be open and || My ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. (2 Chronicles 7, NIV1984)
