How to Destroy A Nation
September 7, 2014 Evening Service
Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK
Rick Boyne
Message Point: We must learn from Israel’s mistakes and follow after God.
Focus Passage: 2 Kings 17:6-18 (Pew Bible page 443)
Supplemental Passage: "For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed, from now on you will surely have wars." (2 Chronicles 16:9 NASB)
Introduction: French writer Alexis de Tocqueville, after visiting America in 1831, said, "I sought for the greatness of the United States in her commodious harbors, her ample rivers, her fertile fields, and boundless forests--and it was not there. I sought for it in her rich mines, her vast world commerce, her public school system, and in her institutions of higher learning--and it was not there. I looked for it in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution--and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great!" Alexis de Tocqueville
I. Sin by Idolatry
a. Israelites had set up idols of Baal and Asherim and altars in the high places
b. America worships almost anything BUT God (money, celebrities, sports, expensive cars, etc)
c. America has set up altars of worship (status, football stadiums, concert venues, false teachers, etc)
II. Sin by Murdering their Children
a. Israelites made their children pass through fire (as a worship to Baal)
b. Americans legalized abortion in 1973
c. Americans have murdered more than 56 million children (as a worship to self)
III. Sin by Doing what is Evil in the Sight of God
a. The Israelites did not listen to God and “stiffened their necks” against Him
b. America has shunned God’s word and removed it from their schools and official places
c. America has legalized and is legalizing what is evil in the sight of the Lord (abortion, homosexuality, gambling, drinking, drugs, etc)
d. What’s worse, American Christians have embraced many of these evil things and finds no problem with them
Application/Invitation: Repent and be holy for God is holy!
[NOTE* Be sensitive to women in the congregation who may have had an abortion. Reaffirm God's love and forgiveness.]
