Can a Nation Be Saved? June 29, 2008
NHOP Sunday
Can a nation be changed?
Can a nation be saved?
Can a nation be turned back to you?
Let this nation be changed,
Let this nation be saved.
Let this nation be turned back to you.
We’re on our knees,
We’re on our knees again.
We’re on our knees,
We’re on our knees again.
We’re on our knees,
We’re on our knees again.
We’re on our knees,
We’re on our knees again.
As Evangelical Christians we have had an emphasis on individual salvation – and we have often read the scriptures with blinders to the times that God is speaking to groups of people and nations. But God has hopes for nations, just as he does for individuals
Matthew 25 – Judgment of the nations
Isaiah’s Prophesies against the nations
Chapter 13 – against Babylon – an empire
Chapter 15 – against Moab – a Nation
Chapter 17 – against Damascus – a capital city
Chapter 18 – against Cush – a country
Chapter 19 – against Egypt – a country
If a nation can be judged, then a nation can be saved!
What does salvation look like for a nation? More Christians? – yes, but more than that
Thy Kingdom come…
God’s Dream for Canada
A “godly” nation is one that feeds the hungry, gives clean water to the thirsty, welcomes the stranger, clothes the needy, cares for the sick and visits its prisoners.’
Service – leaves for the healing of the nations
Revelation 22
1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.
Isaiah 65:17-25
Unity/reconciliation – Jesus’ cry for unity in the church applies to the world
Quebec
West, center, east
Natives
The importance of repentance in personal salvation – the importance of repentance in national salvation
Daniel 9:1-23a
Representational Repentance – when one person stands for a nation
Daniel is a leader and a prophet – and a servant of God
The timing is God’s
Natives – Prime minister’s Apology – key moment – show news clip
Elaine Share
Break into groups to pray in agreement with the Prime Minister
Agree with apology
Ask for wisdom and mercy for how to truly repent
Ask for God’s Kingdom to come to Canada
Listen for God’s ways
How do we get to the Kingdom in Canada?
Revival? – not just more Christians – we are often looking for the one thing that will turn it around – we use words like just and only…
Social evil and Revival - Finney
“Finney, who believed strongly that salvation came through grace alone by faith, saw “works”—the way people act in the world, including, in his case, adamant opposition to the abomination of slavery—as evidence of faith. He wrote, “When I first went to New York, I had made up my mind on the question of slavery, and was exceedingly anxious to arouse public attention to the subject. ... in my prayers and preaching, I so often alluded to slavery, and denounced it, that a considerable excitement came to exist among the people.”
He later commented that acceptance of slavery in the South seemed to block the religious awakening that was happening elsewhere. “A divine influence seemed to pervade the whole land,” Finney wrote. “Slavery seemed to shut it out from the South. The people there were in such a state of irritation, of vexation, and of committal to their peculiar institution, which had come to be assailed on every side, that the Spirit of God seemed to be grieved away from them. There seemed to be no place found for him in the hearts of the Southern people at that time.”
- The Roots of Justice Revival. by Jim Rice. Sojourners Magazine, April 2008 (Vol. 37, No. 4, pp. 28-31). Features.
Pray for your rulers
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:1-4 (TNIV).
Get people to go and pray for a politician.
