"One Nation Under God?"

“One Nation Under God?”

Pre-service Clip -- Patriotic Countdown: ‘Happy 4th of July” From sermonspice.com

Opening Illustration: “America” - Movie Clip from sermonspice.com

Thesis: The United States was founded as “One Nation Under God” and in the past we really did “Trust in God” as our money states.

Scripture Text:

Romans 1:16, 17:

16I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

2 Timothy 1:3-14:

3I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

8So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, 9who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.

13What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

Introduction:

I open this message this morning reflecting on the above Scripture Texts. It’s important to hear the heartbeat of Paul. He is making a statement to the recipients of these two letters and also to us today in America. He makes it clear that he is not ashamed of the message of the Gospel. He also in a indirect way asks the question, ‘Are you ashamed of the Gospel which has saved you?” He then would respond, “Don’t be! Because it is the power of God which led us to salvation!” “Don’t be! Because it is that which brings life or death to a person’s life!” I read Paul’s declaration and I can feel his passion for the Gospel because within it is found right standing with God, within it is found a personal relationship with God Almighty. Remember Paul is writing to the Christians in Rome which at this point in history it still a heathen city filled with every type of sin and vice imaginable. He tells the Christians “Don’t be ashamed of the Gospel!” Stand up and be the witness that Jesus wants you to be, “Saints of God live the life of faith to those around you and do not be ashamed that you are living for the Savior!” Wow what a challenge for this church to hear and to respond too! By the way remember that this group of believers does go on to impact this city and eventually the whole Roman Empire and it eventually does become a Christian nation.

Paul makes a similar plea in 2 Timothy to a young minister. It’s important to note were and why he writing this letter to Timothy. These words are from a dying man who sees into his future and beholds his imminent death. He is giving advice to one of his protégé’s because he knows with in a short time he will be martyred for because of the Gospel. So he writes carefully and pointedly to this young minister and offers him great insight and wisdom. His dying word’s are, “Timothy remember your Christian Heritage from your ancestors and fan into a flame the gift God which He has bestowed upon you.” In other words Paul is saying, “Timothy let the Fire of Heaven ignite you for God and use His gifts which are in you to change the world!” He goes on to say to this young man that the Gospel is to be presented with boldness and fierceness to this lost and dying of world. He reminds this young man that the Gospel is not a weak and timid message but a message filled with the power to bring life and death to its hearers.