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?
We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings, that "except the Lord build the House they labour in vain that build it." I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better, than the Builders of Babel: We shall be divided by our little partial local interests; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach and bye word down to future ages. And what is worse, mankind may hereafter from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing Governments by Human wisdom and leave it to chance, war and conquest.
I therefore beg leave to move-that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the Clergy of this City be requested to officiate in that Service.
• Groping in the Dark – Job 12:25
• Father of Lights – James 1:17
• Illuminate Understanding – James 1:5
• Sparrow falling to the ground – Matthew 10:29; Luke 12:6
• Empire rising with His aid – Psalm 75:7; Daniel 4:17
• Except the LORD builds the house – Psalm 127:1
• Babel – Genesis 11:1
• Reproach and Byword – Deuteronomy 28:37; 1 Kings 9:7; 2 Chronicles 7:20; Psalm 44:14
B. Patrick Henry’s Liberty or Death Speech
Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations; and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.
It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace, but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
• Not Fight Battles Alone – 2 Chronicles 32:8
• A just God – Deuteronomy 32:4; 2 Thessalonians 1:6
• Presides Over Nations’ Destinies – Psalm 75:7; Daniel 4:17
• Battle Is Not to the Strong Alone – Ecclesiastes 9:11
• Peace, Peace When there is No Peace – Jeremiah 6:14; 8:11
• Clash and Resounding Arms – Jeremiah 50:22
• Stand Idle – Matthew 20:6
• As for Me – Joshua 24:15
1. John Q. Adams: “With regard to the history contained in the Bible … it is not so much praiseworthy to be acquainted with it as it is shameful to be ignorant of it.” (We could add American History)
2. Our ancestors left a great legacy
• Liberty – Preamble “to ourselves and our posterity”
• Independence and Self-Government (individuals and collective)
• Claiming Unalienable Rights – “Among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Hint: others are taxed or require licenses (a form of tax).
• Knowing God and His word, connecting the dots.
o John Adams – Let the pulpit resound with the doctrines and sentiments of religious liberty. Let us hear the dangers of thralldom [bondage, slavery] to our consciences from ignorance, extreme poverty, and dependence; in short, from civil and political slavery. Let us see delineated before us the true map of man.
o Samuel Adams – Is it not High Time for the People of this Country explicitly to declare, whether they will be Freemen or Slaves? It is an important Question which ought to be decided. It concerns us more than any Thing in this Life. The Salvation of our Souls is interested in the Event: For wherever Tyranny is establish'd, Immorality of every Kind comes in like a Torrent. It is in the Interest of Tyrants to reduce the People to Ignorance and Vice.
3. Concern for the gift of liberty today, little concern for the gift of the Liberator’s presence
4. Determine to follow God and His word – John 8:31-32
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
