Morning Message................alot of stuff, use what you can ! Mike
Measuring The Greatness Of A Nation
Deut. 4:7-9
Deut 4:7-9 For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for ? And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I have set before you this day ? Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons;
This text is part of a sermon begin in chapter one which Moses delivers to the nation of Israel. It has been forty years since their deliverance from Egyptian bondage. They stand in Moab on the border of the promised land. They must enter in and battle against the mighty Canaanites. Moses does not lay out military strategy, but instead reminds them of what has brought them success, and what will continue to produce greatness in them ! Our country is continually described as being a great nation. Yet, how do we define or measure greatness in a country. Some would suggest that America is great because of it’s................
1. Material Possessions.
America has truly been blessed in material things. The poorest of our poor fair much better than those in other countries. But does God measure greatness in material possessions ?
Some would suggest that America is great because of it’s......
2. Military Power.
The power of our military force is a source of great pride in our country...and no doubt we have one of the most powerful militaries in the world, but is that the way that God measures greatness in a nation.
Some would suggest that America is great because of it’s......
3. Medical Practices.
God has given much wisdom in our land as far as medicine goes. Thousands of foreign students come to our country to be trained in our medical schools, and hospitals. People from other countries come here to be treated. We are truly blessed in the field of medicine.....but does God measure greatness in this manner ?
Some would suggest that America is great because of it’s.....
4. Man Made Policy.
We are blessed as Americans to have rights. We have great freedoms ! We must never take these for granted. Others wish that they lived in such a place. We have the right to choose those who represent us in government. We have the right to freedom of speech, and the freedom of religion. Our court system assumes the innocence of a man and guarantees that the accused receive a fair trial. Yet, freedom comes with much responsibility ! Though I am thankful for the American way ! God’s way is much more important, and I don’t believe that God measures success and greatness upon our politics, and policies.
5. Modern Progression.
We are a modern nation with all the up to date technology, and conveniences known to man. We are a country that pushes for education, and advancement. We want our children to be the best educated in the world. Some of the greatest universities, and colleges make their home here in our country, and most anyone who has a serious desire to be educated can receive a education in our country. Yet, does our modernness and our progression mean that we are great in the sight of God ?
Illust. The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less. We buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness. We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life. We’ve added years to life not life to years! We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We’ve done larger things, but not better things. We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We’ve conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait.
We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less. (unknown)
I don’t believe that any of the aforementioned items can be used to measure greatness........at least not in God’s sight. Don’t get me wrong. I am thankful for those things, and I count them as blessings from God. But I do not believe that the achievement of those things or the possession of them guarantee greatness in God’s sight.
I believe that we can find out how God measures success from our text. Join me as we look at it, and I share three ways in which we can measure the greatness of a nation.
I. A Great Nation Is One Who Discerns The Presence Of God. V7
For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them,
Moses reminds the children of Israel that they are great because the Lord is nigh unto them. He discerned, and acknowledged the presence of God in their greatness as a nation. I believe that one of the reasons for the blessings of God upon America has been in her past acknowledgment ,and commitment to God. If we are to be a great people we must acknowledge God.
Those who first settled at Plymouth Rock in 1620 came here so that they might be able to worship God freely without government interference. They wanted to be able to live according to the scripture. Those first settlers were people who acknowledged, and sought the presence and blessing of God.
Our forefathers who fought during the revolutionary war, those who took part in the writing of the Declaration of Independence and risked all that they had by signing their name to it. Those who helped to govern during the early days of America were people who acknowledged the presence of God ! It is said that 52 of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were devout Christians. It has further been stated that ninety-four percent of the founding fathers quotes were based on the Bible--34 percent directly from its pages and 60 percent from men who had used the Bible to arrive at their conclusions. Let me share something with you. The liberals, and secular humanists can’t stand these kind of statements, and they want acknowledge that it is the truth.....but our founding fathers desired not that America be a religious nation........but a "Christian nation". Listen to these quotes.........George Washington in his inaugural address said the following ...........
"It would be improper to omit, in this first official act, my fervent supplication to that Almighty Being. . . . No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand which conducts the affairs of men more than people of the United States. . . . We ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven cannot be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself has ordained."
Sounds to me like George gave credit to the God of heaven for the birth of this great land.
After signing the Declaration of Independence, Samuel Adams, who was called the firebrand of the American Revolution, affirmed his obedience to God by stating, "We have this day restored the Sovereign to whom alone men ought to be obedient. From the rising to the setting of the sun may His kingdom come."
Doctor John Witherspoon, signer of the Declaration of independence, member of the Continental Congress, described as the "man who shaped the man that shaped America" said, "God grant that in America true religion and civil liberty may be inseparable . . . ." Reverend Witherspoon was also responsible for publishing two American editions of the Bible.
Benjamin Franklin, who signed the Declaration delivered his most famous speech on June 28, 1787, at the age of eighty-one. He said, "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 man. 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 labor in vain that build it."
Patrick Henry, a Christian patriot, golden tongued orator of the Revolutionary period, and the only U.S. Governor to be elected and reelected five times said in a celebrated speech before the Revolutionary War, "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!" Henry also said, "It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospels of Jesus Christ."
This country was fought for, and founded by people who acknowledged, discerned, and sought the presence and blessing of God upon America.
One of the great slogans of the American Revolution was "No King but King Jesus!"
We must heed the warning of the scripture..........."The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all nations that forget God !"
Listen to the words of the great statesman Daniel Webster who said......."If we in our prosperity neglect religious instruction and authority...no man can tell how sudden a castastrophe shall overwhelm us." Webster later said at the 200th anniversary of the pilgrims landing......."Lest we forget the religious character of our origin. Our fathers brought hither their high veneration of the Christian religion !
God has blessed America for over 225 years because we have been a people who have acknowledged the presence of God, but for the last 40 years we have been a nation on a downward spiral. God forbid that we forget God ! Yet, look at the following !
a. Our Courts Are Forgetting God !
Listen to the words of some early Justices.......James Wilson, George Washington’s appointment to the Supreme Court stated, "Christianity is part of the common-law."
Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story (appointed by President James Madison) called America a "Christian country."
Thomas McKean, the man responsible for the first legal commentary on the constitution of the United States. Pennsylvania’s Chief Justice, a founding father, said to a man sentenced to die for treason, "It behooves you most seriously to reflect upon your conduct, to repent of your evil deeds, to be incessant in prayers to the great and merciful God to forgive you your . . . sins."
The justices that once occupied our courts were once men who acknowledged the presence of God not only in their personal lives, but in this country. They were people of conviction, and without compromise. But many of those who now render judgment are corrupt, and cowards who have no backbone, but give into the wishes of the few.
Example: Judge Roy Moore fought a long battle to keep the 10 Commandments displayed in his courtroom, but had them removed when the Alabama Supreme Court ruled it unconstituional. This past week the Supreme Court of America ruled that the child protection act which would protect our children from accessibility to on-line pornography was unconstitutional. In other words......it is wrong to post the 10 commandments in a courthouse, but it’s alright for the pornographers to spread their smut ! What really shocked me was that Conservative Judge Clarence Thomas was one of the ones who voted that it was unconstitutional. It’s wrong to protect our children ? Is it any wonder really though..........when our treatment of the unborn says that life is unimportant.
In a few weeks, our nations senate will be voting on the Federal Marriage Ammendment. This ammendment if approved will confirm that marriage is a institution reserved for a man and woman. Who would have ever thought that our nation would need such an ammendment ? Liberal politicans and judges have caved in under the pressure of the gay lobby to the point that marriage is being redefined ! However, the word of God clearly speaks on the sinfulness of sodomy, and the holiness of the institution of marriage !
b. Our Children Are Forgetting God ! V9
In verse nine, Moses commands that the people teach the word of God to their children.
We’re raising up generations of children without the presence of God. Parents are teaching their children to forget God because they have forgotten him. I look at folks whose names appear upon our church roll.........they have small children.....those who are at the age where they desperately nead to be taught the word of God....they are at that impressionable age where they need truth, and conviction instilled in them. Their parents profess to be Christians. They would tell you that God is important to them....that church is important to them. Yet, they never darken the door of the house of God.
For over 40 years we have said to the children that prayer has no place in the classroom. We have relegated prayer to a "moment of silence" In some school systems students are being taught that homosexual behavior is completely appropriate, and acceptable, but don’t mention the word of God.
Our children have been taught that creation is for those who are ignorant, and that no intelligent person believes in the creation story. They have been taught that evolution is fact. They are being treated as animals with behavior that they cannot control so they need to "protect" themselves !
We’ve taught our children that faith is something that should remain silent. Our children have been taught that life doesn’t matter......that the unborn are nothing more than human tissue which can be disposed of. We’ve made games out of violence, and our children are acting them out ! And parents listen to me.........."We’ve taught them that marriage, and family are no longer important concepts........because we don’t keep our wedding vows ! Our children are growing up without God, and we are the reason ! If we want to make a difference in the lives of our children.......we better let God get ahold on us and make a change in our own lives !
c. Our Churches Are Forgetting God !
1. We’re forgetting God by compromising scriptural principles
2. We’re forgetting God by corrupting sacred pledges.
3. We’re forgetting God by condoning sinful practices.
Remember the condition of the church of Laodicea. God on the outside looking in !
God have mercy on our souls when the churches themselves will not only not stand for what is right, but will actually endorse that which is wrong.
Ex. Liberals denying the scriptures, and the deity of Christ. The ordination of gays, and the acceptance, and endorsement of homosexual marriage !
Isa. 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter.
1 Pet 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God ?
II. A Great Nation Is One That Depends Upon Prayers To God. V.7
........ "as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for "?
Moses reminded the children of Israel that they had a God that was nigh unto them, and who heard them when they prayed.
The first settlers in the land as well as our forefathers were people who believed in the power of prayer !
One of the most beautiful, and most touching paintings is the one of George Washington on his knees at Valley Forge.
Illust. Man who witnessed Washington praying at Valley Forge
"I was riding with Mr. Potts near to the Valley Forge where the army lay during the war of ye Revolution, when Mr. Potts said, ’Do you see that woods & that plain? There laid the army of Washington. It was a most distressing time of ye war, and all were for giving up the Ship but that great and good man. In that woods (pointing to a close in view) I heard a plaintive sound as of a man at prayer. I tied my horse to a sapling & went quietly into the woods. To my astonishment I saw the great George Washington on his knees alone, with his sword on one side and his cocked hat on the other. He was at Prayer to the God of the Armies, beseeching to interpose with his Divine aid, as it was ye Crisis & the cause of the country, of humanity & of the world. Such a prayer I never heard from the lips of man. I left him alone praying. I went home & told my wife. We never thought a man could be a soldier & a Christian, but if there is one in the world, it is Washington. We thought it was the cause of God & America could prevail."
On October 3rd 1789 Washington would proclaim the first National Day of Prayer.
We need to return to being a nation dependent upon the God who answers prayers !
2 Chron. 7:14 2Ch 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
a. God’s people need to pray ! "Shall humble themselves and pray......."
b. God’s people need to pursue ! ", and seek my face"
c. God’s people need to purify ! "....turn from their wicked ways;"
III. A Great Nation Is One That Is Dedicated To The Principles Of God ! V 8
Deu 4:8 And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?
Illust. In the early 1830s, a Frenchman named Alexis deTocqueville came to America to examine its civil institutions. His studies were spelled out in the classic work "Democracy in America". In it, he wrote, "I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers, and it was not there; in her fertile fields and boundless prairies, and it was not there; in her rich mines and her vast world commerce, and it was not there. Not until I went to the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame 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."
de Tocqueville who was also the author of "Democracy in America" in 1835, wrote, "There is no country in the world where the Christian religion retains a greater influence over the souls of men than in America."
God has blessed America because she is a nation that was founded upon the principles of the word of God, but let us heed the warning of the scripture in Pro. 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is reproach to any people.
If America does not repent, and return to the principles of the word of God, we will go the way of those that lie in ruins ! Don’t think that God want judge America ! Don’t be foolish enough, and proud enough to think that God will wink at our sin ! I believe that we are a nation hanging by a thread. Only God’s patience restrains his hand of judgment.
Whether or not our grandchildren, and great grandchildren enjoy the freedoms that we now enjoy may very well be dependent upon what we do now !
As we sing our song of invitation, the altars are open for those who would come and pray.
