In God’s Eyes
Proverb 14:34
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.
OPENING REMARKS:
A. HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY:
1. Independence Day
Most just call it the Fourth of July
Never taking time to find out why.
They take for granted this summer holiday
Only looking forward to a fireworks display.
Our independence came at a great cost
Many a brave man and woman were lost.
The 56 signers of that document were assured
Of many a great hardship to soon be endured.
Most lost everything they had in this life
Including their land, jobs, children, and wife.
The strength of these people stands through the years
They gave to us great victory, overcoming all fears.
“When in the course of human events,” they agreed
“We hold these truths to be self-evident,” our creed.
“Endowed by their Creator with certain rights,” are we,
“These united colonies are, and are of right to be free.”
So let’s say thanks to our Founding Fathers today
Remember those brave patriots of an earlier day
Let’s celebrate our freedom and always pray
That Americans will forever honor Independence Day!
--- TUP, Independence Day, Pekin, IN: The Good News Monthly, July 2007, Issue 24, Sec. A, p. 1 ---
2. July 4, 2007 – this Wednesday – it will be 231 years ago that we as a nation sounded forth our Declaration of Independence.
In Congress, July 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
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. …
B. LOVE of COUNTRY
I love my country.
I am proud to be an American, and I make no apology for being this way.
I am of the opinion that this is one of the greatest nations that has ever been in existence.
I honor our country’s flag – I salute it – I am not ashamed to proclaim the Pledge of Allegiance.
I am extremely proud of those who willingly give of themselves to protect our nation.
-- All gave some – some gave all --
I am thankful of our Judeo-Christian heritage and I am convinced that due to its influence our Founding Fathers established and provided this nation with its many freedoms.
I enjoy these freedoms – especially the freedom of being able to worship the Lord without any fear or hindrance – a privilege many in the world do not share.
C. CONCERN for COUNTRY
1. As much as I love my country – I am concerned about the direction she is headed.
The United States has many enemies.
One such enemy today is that of terrorism.
I am of the opinion that terrorism is very real and that it threatens to destroy the United States of America – if we leave terrorism unchecked it will ultimately destroy this nation and our freedoms as we know them today. The attempted attacks over the last two days in London and at the Glasgow Airport in Scotland are testimonies to this fact.
2. However,
As dreadful of a threat that terrorism is today –
I am of the opinion that we as a nation | people are in a greater danger than what any harm a terrorist could ever impose upon us as a nation – I think this country’s greatest threat comes not from any outside enemy – but it comes from within and it seems that it comes from ourselves. We as a nation are our own enemy and I do not think that God is pleased with us as a nation.
3. We as a people in this nation are very independent.
We do not like it when anyone tells us what to do, how to do it, when to do it, or where to do it.
We are a stubborn lot of people.
We are like Israel of old – we do what is right in our own eyes.
Judges 21:25
In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
D. POST-MODERN AGE
This is the age where there is no absolute truth.
There is no set standard.
No guide by which to judge what is right and wrong.
Everyone is entitled to his own truth.
Everyone is expected to be tolerant of others except when one opposes our own opinions.
We as a nation have declared ourselves not only independent from earthly tyranny but we have also declared ourselves independent of God.- everyone now does what is right in his | her own eyes!
Worship who you want – it does not matter – all gods are equal
Worship what you want – it does not matter – all holy books are equal
Worship how you want – it does not matter – all faiths are equal
TEXT
I. Righteousness
A. Exalts a nation
1. Righteousness – biblically implies: a right relationship with God that produces righteous behavior.
--- T. Michael Crews, Proverbs 14:34: Making Our Nation Great, January 22, 2001, www.SermonCentral.com ---
2. Where has the United States righteous behavior gone?
The 60’s Revolution:
Sexual Addiction –
a. Abortions – over 40 million since Roe vs. Wade
b. Fornication prevalent among our young people today – let’s live together instead of being married c. Adultery among our older people today – marital vows are of no consequence anymore
d. Homosexuality becoming the norm – once considered deviant – now a hate-crime to speak against e. Child-pornography – okay to molest children, less time in punishment than one who drinks | drive
Gambling Addiction –
a. The national answer to all of our financial woes. Gambling is nothing but a get-rich-quick-scheme- it is the sin of greed in disguise.
b. The only one’s who get rich are the gambling houses.
National Addiction –
a. Corrupt politicians – our leaders are out-of-touch with the populace
b. Compromising preachers – the gospel | truth are of little importance today
c. Complacent people – nobody cares | as long as my world is not disturbed | everything is ok!
Reality –
82% of the American people claim to be Christian – what is wrong with this percentage – when you consider that:
(1) our politicians are out of touch with reality
(2) our preachers are not proclaiming reality
(3) our people are not living in reality.
B. Exalts a nation
Psalms 1:1-2
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.
1. Individually – you must come to Christ. When you are changed, then you will begin to change.
When you begin to change – others will see this change and inquire as to why you have changed and then you have the opportunity to tell them of the Saviour – that they too MAY CHANGE!
2. Church (collectively) – The church must be filled with redeemed individuals – revival will not come about among dead hearts.
3. National – A dead church cannot reach out to others to bring about an Awakening when they need to be made alive themselves.
II. Sin (missing the mark) is a reproach –
A. Reproach
Hebrew: A twofold stage (1) the state one finds himself in [despised, rejected], (2) the occasion for the disgrace received by the words spoken against one
--- Vine’s Expository Dictionary of OT/NT Words, 202 ---
1. Are we a nation that has forgotten God?
Psalm 9:17
The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
2. Are we a nation that is a disgrace? – cf. Romans 1:18-32.
Proverbs 14:12
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. [KJV]
The United States is a nation that is made up of respectable people. The people of this nation are good-hearted. There is very little that we as a nation would not do to help an individual, a nation, or at times our enemy in meeting their humanitarian needs. – If there is a disaster – the USA is there.
Because of these good efforts
Because we are a very religious people
We believe that God will bless us no matter how we live.
There is a way that seems right to man – but the end results in death!
B. Reproach
The United States –
Once a nation of foreign missionaries – now a mission field of foreign missionaries
The Western World today needs another Macedonian Call – “Come over … and help us” (Acts 16:10) to be made again!
CONCLUSION:
I have painted a terrible looking picture concerning our nation today.
Here we are going to be celebrating our nation’s 231st B-Day on Wednesday and from all appearances we may ask – why should we?
The answer:
Because of freedom - we have the right to do so.
As long as we have the freedom to voice what is wrong, there is always the opportunity to make it right.
Remember In God’s Eyes –
Righteousness exalts a nation …
With that hope in mind - Exercise your freedom!
Live for the Glory of God!
INVITATION
Our freedom as Americans has been declared in the Declaration of Independence – and paid for by the shed blood of our fellow Americans.
Our true freedom as individuals has been declared in the Holy Bible – and paid for by the shed blood of God’s Son – the Lord Jesus Christ – John 8: 30-36.
Are you free?
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?
Do not be deceived.
Neither fornicators,
nor idolaters,
nor adulterers,
nor homosexuals,
nor sodomites,
nor thieves,
nor covetous,
nor drunkards,
nor revilers,
nor extortioners
will inherit the kingdom of God.
And such were some of you.
But you were washed,
but you were sanctified,
but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
What of you?
Are you free today?
The Declaration of Independence declares you free from the tyranny of others.
God’s Word declares you can be free from the penalty of your sins.
Lost –
Take a moment to examine yourself.
Ask yourself - Have I ever trusted in Christ for salvation?
If your answer to that question is No!
I urge you - look to Jesus at the cross. He died that men could be reconciled with God. – 2 Cor. 5:21.
Why don’t you call on His name today?
Look to Him – God forgives sinners when they repent and turn to the crucified and resurrected Christ. Place your faith in Jesus and God will show you mercy.
Believer/Church –
If your answer to that question is Yes!
I urge you now to consider how you are living your life.
Are you living in a righteous way – a way that exalts a nation?
Are you living in a shameful way – a way that brings reproach to a nation?
You need to answer those questions for yourself – your answer will determine how you approach our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Come Worship The Lord
Our Invitation is open to all –
Come to Christ
Come if you need to pray
Come be a part of us
Come share with us what the Lord would have you to do
Bruce Allen
Underwood Baptist Church
bea0210@hotmail.com
July 1, 2007
