Temple Baptist Church - 7-6-2025
Psalm 33:12
Introduction:
Psalms 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
A. This past week was the week of the Fourth of July.
1. A time of reflection and celebration for having the privilege, the joy, the peace, the prosperity, the protection, to live in the greatest nation on earth! I believe that God founded this nation 249 years ago with a purpose: to ensure religious freedom, allowing God’s people to carry the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to the world.
2. We live in the end times and have no country to “pass the torch” of the Gospel to. It all comes to an end here for the age of the Church.
B. The United States of America is drifting from its moorings and will become one of the nations turned into hell if it forgets God. Let not the voice of God through the Word of God go silent in our day!
C. I'd like to read some to you this morning that will help us remember how this nation was born.
1. The Mayflower Compact, the first government, was a document signed aboard the Mayflower on November 21, 1620, by 41 adult male passengers. It established a "civil body politic" for the newly formed Plymouth Colony, aiming to create a government and laws for the common good. The compact was not a constitution, but rather a temporary agreement for self-governance until the colonists could obtain a formal patent or charter.
“In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread sovereign Lord, King James, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith ... having undertaken for the glory of God, and the advancement of the Christian faith ... a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents, solemnly and mutually in the presence of God, and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic.”
2. In Congress, July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed by 56 men who pledged their lives and their fortunes to the cause.
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.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States.
This was followed by 27 Petitions, indicting the King of England, which I will not take time to read. The following was the last portion of this great Declaration of Independence.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
3. It was during this time of conflict that Patrick Henry, the fiery politician from Virginia, gave his famous speech before the Virginia Provincial Convention...Here is how he concluded it:
"3 million people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the Destiny of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battle for us. Battle sir, is not to the strong alone, it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.…. it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat, but in submission and slavery. Our chains are forged. There clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable -- and let it come. I repeat it, sir let it come!…..Gentleman may cry peace, peace, but there is no peace. The war has actually begun! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle?…..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."
D. We are blessed above all nations. Kate Smith introduced America to the song “God Bless America.” The song was written during WWI, in 1918, by Erving Berlin, and revised by him in 1938, just before WWII. God has truly blessed America, the United States, is every way.
1. We are blessed with Liberty. Free to choose our Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.
a) Freedom of Movement. Go where you want; Go when you want; Go with who you want.
b) Freedom of Speech. Say what you like; Say when you like; Say to whom you like.
c) Freedom of Religion. Worship Who you like; Worship when you like; Worship where you like; Worship how you like.
2. We are blessed with Wealth.
a) We have Great Provision. Our cabinets are full of food; Our cities are full of grocery and convenient stores; our land is full of restaurants and Wal*Marts; Our homes are warm, cool, and dry.
b) We have Great Possessions. Nice Homes; Nice Cars; Nice Toys.
c) We have Great Potential. You can be what you want to be! You want to go to college? Scholarships and loans are available. You are limited by your ambition and dreams!
3. We are blessed With Peace.
a) National Protection. Global positioning and military posturing. Our enemies have a hard time reaching us (We take war to them); Our enemies fear our might (Attack and you pay); Our enemies fear our resolve (War and we will not give up).
b) Personal Protection (Law enforcement). We live in safety; We move in safety; We sleep in safety.
4. We are blessed With The Magnitude of our Resources. The inward ability to supply all our needs. Reliance upon self in place of servitude to others.
5. The Greatness of our Opportunities. Opportunities that cross racial, ethnic, and cultural lines. The American Dream, the Utopia of the World, and we call it home.
6. The Greatness of our Republic. The Great Experiment. A nation governed by the people, not the politicians and not the government. Of the people, by the people, and for the people!
E. Though we have gained so much, we have lost more. Our great beginning and wonderful goodness are now expected and taken for granted by several generations that are lazy and unappreciative.
1. America has lost its relationship with the God of Israel. Psalms 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
2. America has lost its moral compass. Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
3. America has lost the younger generation. Proverbs 30:11-14 There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother. (12) There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness. (13) There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up. (14) There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.
4. America has lost its appreciation. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
5. America has lost its work ethic. 2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
6. America is losing its personal freedom. John 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; (32) And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
F. For God to continue to bless America, things must happen.
1. America needs to Remember. Proverbs 22:28 Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
2. America needs to Reverence God. Psalms 33:8 Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
3. America needs to have a Revival. Psalms 85:6 Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?
GOD BLESS AMERICA!
By Pastor George Mills
“Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.” (Psa 90:1)
AMERICA, my home, may forever you be,
The Home of the brave,
And the land of the free.
May tyranny crumble, and turn into dust,
And all weapons against us,
Be turned into rust.
From ocean to ocean, from mountain to plain,
May all hearts be united,
In single refrain,
In seeking the Face of our Great God above,
Who has showered this nation,
With His Wonderful Love.
God is our help in all ages past,
God is our refuge,
From the enemy’s blast.
And may it be known by opposing nations,
That God is our help,
In all generations.
May our Flag ever fly, and may Freedom ring,
And peace and joy,
Fill each heart as we sing,
And give Praises to God, the Builder of nations
And tell of His help,
Through all generations.
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