The Desired Result of Revival: Rejoicing

 Temple Baptist Church - 9-7-2025

Psalms 85:6

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  Revival is so necessary in these days of bombardment by the wickedness and sorrow of this present world.  These are physically “fat” days but spiritually “lean” ones. 

 

1.  There is so much out there to distract, defile, disappoint, and discourage the believer that “reviving” becomes a moment-by-moment necessity!

 

2.  We must keep our hearts revived today.  The world will not revive us as it is so out of touch with God.

 

3.  We must also continue to be faithful to the house of God and to each other in these last days. 

 

B.  Thus, the importance of revival.  Revival is a church thing, but even more importantly, revival is a very personal thing! 

 

1.  “That thy people” The message can certainly be applied to the entire church congregation; however, the Psalmist is talking to individuals.

 

2.  Therefore, “That thy people” refers to the individual as well as the whole because it is the individuals that make up the whole.  If either you or I get revived, we bring that revival to the whole as we exhort one another!

 

3.  Revive – to revive, to repair, to restore.  Because of the weakness of our humanity, rejoicing is usually an on-again, off-again thing.  Up high in April and shot down in May! 

 

4.  We become caught up in what is happening instead of what has happened. The issue lies in the distinction between the laughter of happiness and the rejoicing of joy.

 

C.  The word “rejoice” is found 258x in your Bible (rejoice, rejoiced, rejoicing).  It is a word of great importance to God’s children because of the sorrow and hardships of this present evil world.

 

D.  In Psalm 85, we find the Psalmist asking God to revive His people spiritually, not physically.

 

1.  Revival is not singing, shouting, and praising God, though they can certainly be results.

 

2.  Revival is not stewardship or soul winning, though they can also be results of revival.

 

3.  Revival is not the reviving of our spiritual belief in and walk with the Lord, though these are results of revival!

 

E.  “Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?”  Revival is rejoicing in the Lord!

 

1.  Rejoicing In The Lord in the Instance - Philippians 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.  (The word “always” is one instance at a time: good times, bad times, encouraging times, discouraging times, fat times, and lean times.)

 

2.  Rejoicing In The Lord in the Distance - 1 Thessalonians 5:16  Rejoice evermore.  (The word “evermore” speaks of a continuance for the duration of time.)

 

F.  Here is the gist of Psalm 85:5.  Because of our humanity, we allow our circumstances to dictate our rejoicing in the Lord.  We know that God can do anything, anytime, and anywhere, but we allow our flesh to cause our rejoicing in God to wane.

 

1.  God’s People Rejoiced in Poverty - Rejoicing is not always found in our circumstances - 2 Corinthians 6:10  As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

 

2.  God’s People Rejoiced in Persecution - Matthew 5:11-12  Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.  (12)  Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

 

3.  God’s People Rejoiced in Prison - Acts 16:25  And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

 

4.  A lack of revival brings about a lack of rejoicing which is contrary to:  Philippians 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

 

G.  Rejoicing in the Lord:

 

1.  We can rejoice because of the Lord’s Propitiation.  If we cannot rejoice in salvation, then we will rejoice I nothing else.  Keeping our salvation fresh is such an essential part of our thankfulness.

 

Christ Jesus took our place and forgave us all our sins.  ALL OUR SINS!  Not just part of them. 

 

1 John 2:2  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.  (The act of delivering from sin!  Atonement: the final, eternal covering!)

 

Romans 5:10-11  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.  (11)  And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.  (Atonement is an Old Testament truth as the animal sacrifices were a covering until the Lamb of God would come to take away our sin.  This is the only place in the New Testament were the word “atonement” is used and it is preceded by the definite article “the” which means one of a kind!  Salvation is not “do,” it is “done!”)

 

Luke 10:20  Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

 

2.  We can rejoice because of the Lord’s Presence.  Matthew 28:20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, (lo means to behold, see, or understand) I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 

I have someone with me to bear my heavy load. What load are we carrying that we need rest from? I rejoice in the fact that God is not only here with me, He is here for me, He is on my side.

 

Matthew 11:25  At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

 

3.  We can rejoice because of the Lord’s Providence.  Job 1:10  Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

 

I do not know what tomorrow will bring but I know Who holds tomorrow and Who holds my hand! 

 

Psalms 23:5-6  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.  (6)  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

 

4.  We can rejoice because of the Lord’s Provision.  Philippians 4:19  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 

I have a roof up above me, clothes on my back, food on my table, and everything I need and most of what I desire.  God has been so good to Barbara and me.  We have no complaints!

 

Matthew 6:31-33  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?  (32)  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.  (33)  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

 

5.  We can rejoice because of the Lord’s Protection.  Psalms 4:8  I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

 

How many times has God protected you?  How many times could you have been killed in an automobile wreck. 

 

2 Timothy 3:1  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  (And now are here.)

 

6.  We can rejoice because of the Lord’s Promises.  2 Peter 1:3-4  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:  (4)  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

 

There are many different numbers given by scholars concerning the number of promises in the Bible.  Everett R. Storms, a Canadian schoolteacher, did a careful count over many years and recorded 8,810 promises in the Bible of which 7,487 promises are from God to man.

 

The old song says, “Standing on the promises of God!”

 

7.  We can rejoice because of the Lord’s Peace.  Isaiah 26:3-4  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.  (4)  Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

 

I thank God tonight that I have peace with God through His Son’s finished work of the Gospel.  But, I also have the peace of God in my heart.  Do you have that available peace tonight.

 

John 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

 

Conclusion:  Our spiritual state has much to do with our mental state, and our mental state has as much to do with our general outlook on life.  As a “merry heart” doeth good like a medicine, a positive state of mind makes our outlook on life positive.  God STILL controls everything, and He ALWAYS loves His children!

Why Would God Not Revive Us Again?

 Temple Baptist Church - 7-20-2025

Psalms 85 

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  I will preach from this Psalm again when we get to it on a Sunday night.  As I thought upon this verse, I saw it in a different light.  There can be more than one answer to this question in verse 6: “Wilt thou not revive us again?”

 

B.  The word “Again” indicates that this is not the first time God’s people are revived, but another renewal. Otherwise, the Psalmist would have asked, “Wilt thou not revive us?” In verses 1-3, we find God's past goodness to His people in the context of revival.

 

1.  Verse 1 – God was favorable to the land.  God loves the nation of Israel and turned back the captivity of the land to the people.

 

2  Verse 2 – God was favorable to the people.  He forgave their iniquity and covered their sin.

 

3  Verse 3 – God turned from His wrath and alleviated His judgment. 

 

4.  Therefore, we see the need for continual revival among God's people. We might have experienced a revival last year and still need it again this year. We could have had a revival last week, but we require it again this week. We may have experienced a revival yesterday or earlier this morning, and we still need it right now.

 

C.  Now, the question asked can be looked at in another way.  “Wilt thou not revive us again?”  The question is: “Wilt Thou not?”  Why would God not revive them again? 

 

1.  “Wilt thou not” indicates there may be a reason that He does not choose to revive His people.  If the will of God is the revival (to make alive again, stimulation, restoration, revitalization) for His people, then our question should be:  “Dear LORD, why will revival not come?”

 

2.  I believe that the answer to “why not” is found in verses 4-5.  “Turn us!”  Israel had refused to turn back to God, and the Psalm pleaded with God to turn them!

 

D.  Leonard Ravenhill wrote a book, "Why Revival Tarries." The focus of his book was on the state of the people's hearts.  This is the gist of his reasoning on “Why Revival Tarries.”

 

1.  A superficial spirituality.  Laodicean to the hilt. 

 

2.  Materialism.  Love of things and mammon. 

 

3.  Sinfulness.  Failure to address sin that hinders God's movement in the church. 

 

4.  Prayerlessness.  Revival is delayed due to a decline in prayer.

 

5.  Preoccupation.  Focused on the things that the world offers instead of what God promises.  A lack of “spiritual fire.”

 

E.  This morning, the question is: “Do we want Revival?”  God will not revive those who do not want and seek revival.  It is as simple as that. Let me focus on this question:

 

1.  “Do I want Revival?”

 

2.  To make it a bit more personal, I’ll ask, “Do you want Revival?”

 

F.  If Bro. Tommy Holbrooks comes here to preach a few times, and when he leaves, we return to the same way of living and serving; we will have wasted our time, money, and effort.  Revival is a very personal thing.

 

1.   If we want revival, we need to attend each service if at all possible. 

 

2.  If we want revival, we will be focused and purposeful in each service. 

 

3.  If we want revival, we need to want more from God than we have ever had before.

 

G.  It needs to be understood that:

 

1.  Revival cannot be brought.  Bro. Tommy will preach, but he will not bring revival with him when he comes.

 

2.  Revival cannot be bought.  No amount of giving of tithes and offerings can bring about revival.

 

3.  Revival cannot even be taught.  I thank the Lord for the great men of God that I have been privileged to sit under for the past 49 years, but their preaching and teaching cannot bring revival.

 

4.  Revival MUST be sought.  Verse 6 asks the question, “Wilt thou not revive us again?”  Now the question: “Why would God not revive us again?”  Revival is individual; revival is up to each of us; revival is life! 

 

H.  I would love to see a stirring of God’s people.  Laodicea has affected us all to some degree as we are “comfortable” where we are and, therefore resist being stirred.  The word “revive” is an Old Testament word: 7x.  The word “revival” is not mentioned in the Bible.  “Revive” is an action while “revival” is a state.  God’s people need to act before revival can occur in a church.

 

J.  Look at verses 1-6 and we will see that a lack of life of revival in a local church brings about some real problems:

 

1.  We lose the blessings of God – vs. 1  “favor

 

2.  We become a slave to the sin of complacency – vs. 1  “captivity”

 

3.  We incur the chastening of the Lord – vs. 2-3  “wrath … anger”

 

4.  We will bring judgment upon our children – vs. 5  “all generations”

 

5.  We will lose the joy of our salvation – vs. 6  “rejoice in thee”

 

K.  What is or is not revival?

 

1.  Some Think That Revival Is Shouting – This is a result of revival, not revival itself.

 

2.  Some Think That Revival Is Soul Winning – This is a result of revival, not revival itself.

 

3.  Some Think That Revival Is Sanctification – This is a result of revival, not revival itself.

 

4.  Some Think That Revival Is Service – This is a result of revival, not revival itself.

 

5.  Revival Is Simply Getting Personally Right With God!  Revive means to make alive.  God has quickened us in salvation and yet we have a continual problem with leaving our “first love” and settling upon our lees.

 

L.  When do we need revival?  First, let me say that we need revival all of the time.  Psalms 85:6  Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?  (Again, and again and again and again!)

 

1.  We need revival when we do not love Him as we once did.

 

2.  We need revival when earthly interests are more important to us than eternal ones.

 

3.  We need revival when we would rather watch TV than read the Bible and pray.

 

4.  We need revival when church dinners are better attended than prayer meetings.

 

5.  We need revival when we have little or no desire to pray.

 

6.  We need revival when we would rather make money than give money.

 

7.  We need revival when our Christianity is joyless and passionless.

 

8.  We need revival when we know the truth in our heads that we are not practicing in our lives.

 

9.  We need revival when we make little effort to witness to the lost.

 

10. We need revival when we have time for sports, recreation, and entertainment, but not for Bible study and prayer.

 

11.  We need revival when we do not tremble at the Word of God.

 

12.  We need revival when we seldom think of thoughts of eternity.

 

13.  We need revival when God’s people are more concerned about their jobs and their careers, than about the Kingdom of Christ and the salvation of the lost.

 

14.  We need revival when church services are predictable and “business as usual.”

 

15.  We need revival when believers can be at odds with each other and not feel compelled to pursue reconciliation.

 

16.  We need revival when Christian husbands and wives are not praying together  r.

 

17.  We need revival when our marriages are co-existing rather than full of the love of Christ.

 

18. We need revival when our children are growing up to adopt worldly values, secular philosophies, and ungodly lifestyles.

 

19. We need revival when we are more concerned about our children’s education and their athletic activities than about the church and the condition of their souls.

 

20.  We need revival when we tolerate “little” sins of gossip, a critical spirit, and lack of love.

 

21.  We need revival when our singing is half-hearted and our worship lifeless.

 

22.  We need revival when our prayers are empty words designed to impress others.

 

23.  We need revival when our prayers lack fervency.

 

24.  We need revival when our hearts are cold, and our eyes are dry.

 

25.  We need revival when we aren’t seeing regular evidence of the supernatural power of God.

 

26.  We need revival when we have ceased to weep and mourn and grieve over our own sin more than the sins of others.

 

27. We need revival when we are content with explainable, ordinary Christianity and church services.

 

28.  We need revival when we are bored with worship.

 

29.  We need revival when people have to be entertained to be drawn to church.

 

30.  We need revival when our music and dress become patterned after the world.

 

31.  We need revival when we start fitting into and adapting to the world, rather than calling the world to adjust to God’s standard of holiness.

 

32.  We need revival when we don’t long for the company and fellowship of God’s people.

 

33.  We need revival when people have to be begged to give and to serve in the church.

 

34. We need revival when our giving is measured and calculated, rather than extravagant and sacrificial.

 

35.  We need revival when we aren’t exercising faith and believing God for the impossible.

 

36.  We need revival when we are more concerned about what others think about us than what God thinks about us.

 

37.  We need revival when we are unmoved by the fact that over 2.5 billion people in the world have never heard the name of Jesus.

 

38.  We need revival when we are unmoved by the thought of neighbors, business associates, and acquaintances who are lost and without Christ.

 

39.  We need revival when the lost world around us doesn’t know or care that we exist.

 

40.  We need revival when the fire has gone out in our hearts, our marriages and the church.

 

41.  We need revival when we are blind to the extent of our need and don’t think we need it.

 

M.   Why do we need revival?

 

1.  We need revival to increase our zeal for the Lord.

 

2.  We need revival to increase our soul-winning efforts.

 

3.  We need revival to increase our sacrificial giving.

 

4.  We need revival to increase our love for one another.

 

5.  We need revival to increase our joy.

 

6.  We need revival to increase our praise and worship of the Lord.

 

N.  When we fail to have revival:

 

1.  We lose the freshness of salvation – the excitement and wonder is gone.

 

2.  We lose our burning love for a wonderful Savior.

 

3.  We lose our desire for service – we become mechanical and go through the motions.

 

Psalms 85:6  Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?

 

1.  There Needs To Be A Discernment Of Need. “Wilt” (Notice the personal pronouns in these verses.  Revival is personal.  We cannot expect others to get it right, but we must make sure that we are perfectly right.  It is so easy to judge others while walking at a guilty distance from God yourself.)

 

Psalms 51:1-13  Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.  Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.  For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.  Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.  Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.  Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.  Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.  Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.  Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.   Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.   Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

 

2.  There Needs To Be A Direction Of Help.  “Thou” (Life comes from the Lord, and revival comes from Him also.)

 

Acts 3:19  Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

 

Ezra 9:8  And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.

 

John 15:5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

 

3.  There Needs To Be A Desire For Change.  “Revive” (As long as we are satisfied with our spirituality and life, we are not even a candidate for revival.)

 

Psalms 121:1-2  I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.  My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

 

Psalms 34:14  Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

 

Psalms 27:4  One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

 

4.  There Needs To Be A Determination To Achieve.  “Again” (Revival is a constant need of God’s people and does not exist in a simple 3-7 day meeting.  Revival needs to be daily and perpetual.)

 

Philippians 1:20-21  According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Lest We Forget

 Temple Baptist Church - 7-14-2024

Deuteronomy 6:10-12

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  I did not get to preach this last week because of Revival services so I want to go back to Independence Day this morning.  I love America and only desire the best for our country.  “This man was born there” is found more than once in your Bible.  I love the song, “This is MY country.” 

 

1.  We live in perilous last days as we see prophecy in the Bible fulfilled around the world.

 

2.   Danger because the major “actors” nationally (Russia, China, Iran specifically) in the end times are so prominent and powerful.  Godless nations of the last days.

 

3.  The perpetual decline of America over the past 100 years.  From morality to immorality.  From the intended Republic, which protects the minorities to a democracy that is mob rule. 

 

4.  I am not politicking, but everyone deeds to go to the polls in November, do their best to make a difference in our nation.

 

5.  The list could go on and on but most of us see the decline that has been so evident in our lifetime.  Our children will never know the America that we old people grew up in.

 

B.  This morning, I want to take a text out of the Book of Deuteronomy that are familiar to us.

 

C.  Deuteronomy means “second giving of the law.”  The Jews refer to Deuteronomy as  "Mishneh Torah:" the repetition of the law. 

 

D.  In Sunday School, we are in the Book of Deuteronomy.  God is about to give Israel the Land of Canaan.

 

E.  In verse 12, God admonishes Israel not to forget some things:

 

1.  God brought Israel out of Egypt with a high hand.

 

2.  God sustained Israel in the desert for 40 years where they did not thirst, hunger, nor did their raiment was old. 

 

3.  God would give them cities they did not build, houses filled with that which they did not bring, wells they did not dig, as well as vineyards and olive trees which they did not plant.

 

F.  They would inherit the land through the blessings and promises of God.  Here they are!  They are leaving the wilderness for the Promised Land which is truly a land flowing with “milk and honey.”  Now, the Lord warns them against forgetting the Lord when they take the land and begin to enjoy the blessings.

 

G.  We just celebrated the Fourth of July a few days ago and I believe that we can make some tremendous applications in these verses to America and the blessings that the Lord has bestowed upon us.

 

2 Peter 1:1-3  Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: 2  Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

 

H.  We have so much while so many have so little.  The lesson is for us as well as Israel: “Beware lest thou forget!” 

 

1.  The danger here is evident within the context.  A time will come when war is over, inheritance is secure, blessings not paid for by the following generation will cause a forgetting of the price paid and an attitude of entitlement.

 

2.  A possibility of forgetting will become a probability of forgetting.

 

J.  Here we now sit! A Possibility to everyone here and a Probability to many.  This generation has paid no price for the blessings given them by the ones who paid the price.   NEVER FORGET!

 

1.  “Beware Lest We Forget!”  Let Us Not Forget Our National Blessings! 

 

a.  America Is A Good Land!  We live in the greatest nation in the world!  There is none like it anywhere!  I have been overseas to industrialized nations and they cannot compare to America.  I have been to third world countries, and they certainly cannot come close to this great land.  Thank you, Lord, for America!

 

b.  America Is A Beautiful Land!  Many people fly around the world to see the great sights, but none can compare to the beauty and glory of America.  From the mountains with their majesty to the plains with their flowing wheat and grain; from the national parks such as Yellowstone, Yosemite, The Great Smoky Mountains, Sequoia National Park, Great Sur, Niagara Falls, the hills and valleys to the costal plains, America is a land of great beauty!

 

c.  America Is A Fruitful Land!  America is a land of plenty!  America is looked upon by the entire world as a “Utopia” filled with filthy rich people.  We have to build fences to keep them out, not to keep them in!

 

d.  America Is A Free Land!  America enjoys the freedom of travel, speech, religion, and the pursuit of happiness!  You can go where you want to go, say what you want to say, worship or not worship, and be what you want to be.  America is a free land!

 

Beware lest we forget our National Blessings!

 

2.  “Beware, Lest We Forget!”  Let Us Not Forget Our Personal, Physical Blessings! 

 

a.  We Have Homes In Which To Live!  We live in houses while the world lives in huts!  We have central heat and air while they do not even have glass windows or wooden doors.  We are rich beyond their comprehension.

 

b.  We Have Clothing To Wear!  Our closets are full of clothes and shoes.  You women worry about wearing the same outfit two weeks in a row!  Our children do not have to run around naked in the streets.  Our closets are full.  We are blessed!

 

c.  We Have Plenty To Eat!  We eat like no other people in the world!  Restaurants on every street corner; grocery stores all over town; cabinets and pantries full!  When is the last time that we have prayed for our “daily bread?”  We fight obesity instead of starvation!  We are blessed!

 

d.  We Have Money To Spend!  We may not all be millionaires, but we have more than enough!  Bro. Loyal Kuykendall used to say, “I had rather have two rocks in my pocket than a dollar bill that I have no where to spend.”  We waste more money on soft drinks than the world has to live on.  We are blessed!

 

e.  We Have Safety To Dwell In Peace!  We do not worry about car bombs, suicide bombers, Gestapo Police, or soldiers doing us harm.  When was the last time you have been personally attacked?  In many nations, these are normal occurrences.  We live in safety and are blessed!

 

3.  “Beware, Lest We Forget!”  Let Us Not Forget Our Spiritual Blessings! 

 

a.  We Have The Gospel Preached!  We have heard all of our lives—numerous times—the gospel that the world has never heard once!  Dr. Harold Sightler once said, “No man has the right to hear the gospel twice until the whole world has heard it once.”

 

b.  We Have Salvation Through The Blood Of Christ!  We are saved by His precious blood!  His blood is on the Mercy Seat in Heaven and my sins are gone!  We are saved eternally! 

 

c.  We Have The Lord As Our God!  He walks with me and talks with me!  He never leaves nor forsakes; He meets my every need; He controls my circumstances and my life; He is my Lord and My God!

 

d.  We Have His Perfect Word!  The King James Bible!  We have it and know what it is.  We can read it and study it as much as we desire.  We find salvation, comfort, rest, guidance, and hope within its blessed covers.  We are blessed!  Most of the world does not know what a Bible looks like because they have never seen one.

 

e.  All This And Heaven Too!  We will leave the “heaven” of America for the Heaven of God one day and live in eternal happiness with the Lord.

 

4.  “Beware, Lest We Forget!”  Let Us Not Forget Our Spiritual Heritage! 

 

a.  To Remember Where God Brought Us From!  He saved us from a life of destruction!  He has saved us from sin!

 

b.  To Remember What God Has Brought Us Through!  He has cared for us and carried us all of our saved lives!  He will carry us home to be with Him one day and we will say, “The Lord is always good!”

 

c.  To Remember What God Has Done For Us!  He led, He fed, He watered, He clothed, He protected!

 

d.  To Remember What God Is Going To Do For Us!  Vs. 16 – “To do thee good at they latter end!”

 

e.  To Remember That We Are To Share Christ With Others!  Then they can know!  Then the can be saved!’  Then they can go to Heaven!

 

5.  Beware lest we forget our Spiritual Obligations! 

 

a.  We need to Pray for our Nation.

 

b.  We need to Pray for our Leaders.

 

c.  We need to be Proactive in our Politics.  Every vote counts.

 

Conclusion:  We have been greatly blessed to be born in America with all of its physical and spiritual benefits but there is a danger of forgetting!  America needs to bless God!  You and I need to bless God!