Our Forefathers' Legacy Of Abundance

1. Some years ago, a radio station invited people to call in and tell them the first thing they had said in the morning, and the third caller would win a cash prize. One guy said, "Do I smell coffee burning?" Another one said, "Oh no, I'm late for work." The winner that day: A woman confessed that her first words were, "Honey, did I remember to put the dog out last night?" You could hear a muffled curse in the background and a man growling, "No, you didn't." Another morning, the station phone rang and the perky DJ said, "Good morning, this is FM 106. You're on the air. What was the first thing you said when you rolled out of bed this morning?" A voice with a Bronx accent replied, "Hear oh Israel, the Lord our God is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength." There was a moment of embarrassed silence, then the announcer said, "Sorry, wrong number," and cut to a commercial.

Our words reveal something about us.

2. Our Forefathers left us a legacy of freedom, prosperity, and more. We see their hearts by their words.

3. We show our inside by our outside (words and actions) – Matthew 12:34-35 (NKJV) “34 Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.”

4. A Biblical Worldview that we can see in their words. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Daniel Webster (1782-1852): If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering and to prosper; but if we and our posterity neglect its instruction and authority, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury all our glory in profound obscurity.

5. Worldview Comparisons:

I. Our Contemporary Culture Views Itself as Superior Because of Technology, but Are We?

Show Our Hearts by Our Words:

Peter’s 3rd denial Matthew 26:73(NKJV) And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, “Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you….”

A. We are Good at Quoting Movie Lines and Song Lyrics Movies: (2 Slides)

• "May the Force be with you." - Star Wars (1977)

• "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse." - The Godfather (1972)

• "You can't handle the truth!" - A Few Good Men (1992)

Songs:

• "Hey Jude, don't make it bad, take a sad song and make it better." - The Beatles, Hey Jude (1968)

• "I can't get no satisfaction." - The Rolling Stones, (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction (1965)

• “This land is your land...” Woody Guthrie

B. Engagement in the Spiritual Battle for the Culture (or Lack of) – (Ephesians 6:10-20)

1. Turning out for causes and speaking out – Liberty Den; Moms for Liberty; OK2A; JBS; etc.

2. Sitting on the sidelines in silence: "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." (Attributed to Edmund Burke)

3. Prayer (reveals our hearts)

C. Morals or Lack – God gave them up (3 times in Romans 1)

1. Idols; 2. Homosex; 3. Various sinful activities

II. Imperfect Forefathers (and Mothers) Showed Their Hearts by Their Words and Deeds – Biblical W-V

A. B. Franklin’s Constitution Convention Speech (after 4-5 weeks of little progress)

In this situation of this Assembly, groping as it were in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented to us, how has it happened, Sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights to illuminate our understandings?

In the beginning of the Contest with G. Britain, when we were sensible of danger we had daily prayer in this room for the divine protection.-Our prayers, Sir, were heard, & they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending providence in our favor.

To that kind providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful friend? or do we imagine that we no longer need his assistance?

I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth that God Governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid?