Noah Walked With God In Days Of Spiritual Adversity

Temple Baptist Church - 7-16-2017

Genesis 6:1-9

Introduction:

A.  Several weeks ago, I preached on Enoch, a man who walked with God in Consistency. 

1.  The phrase “walked with God” is found twice in Genesis 5:22, 24.  Those were hard spiritual times that rival the days in which we live.  For 300 years, this man walked in agreement with his Lord.  There can be no walking with God without such agreement. 

2.  In our day, so many professing “Christians” walk (as Bro. Richard Rawls would have said) at a “guilty distance” from God.  I believe that the crux of the problem is that they are attempting to make God agree with their sinful lifestyle instead of agreeing with His life of holiness.  “Be not deceived, God is not mocked.”

B.  This morning, I want to look at the third instance where the actual phrase “walked with God” is found. 

1.  In the 700 years between the time of Enoch’s “going home” and the Flood, things spiritually continued in decline.  The ungodly line of Cain became the “rule” while the Godly line of Seth “became the “exception.”  Notice verse 4.

Genesis 6:4  There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.  (The offspring of the ungodly union of the sons of God with the daughters of men produced men who were mighty men and men of renown.  This verse amplifies the thought that as God’s people became weaker—less known—and less followed, the children of the world became—mighty—better known—and the role models of the world.  Notice their offspring were not giants as some would suggest as the giants were before these children were born.)

2.  Holiness became unpopular among the people of God and they now walked in the ways of the world in spiritual comfort.  In our day, holiness is no longer preached to the modern churches because of its unpopularity with the masses of Christendom so-called.  The sinful now sit in churches with no conviction and impunity! 

3.  We see the disapproval of God shown with the spiritual condition and sinfulness of the masses of people.  God had been striving with man but His efforts were being rejected.

Genesis 6:3-6  And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.  (4)  There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.  (5)  And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.  (6)  And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

C.  Walking with God was not easy in Noah’s day and is not easy in our day as the world tries its best to entice the child of God to comply with its standards.  Noah walked with God in spiritual adversity.  Let’s look at just a few of the things that surrounded Noah’s walk with God and make some spiritual applications to our day.

1.  Noah walked with God in days of spiritual decline.  The advancement of the ungodly “sons of God!”  “And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them.” 

a.  This statement constitutes an oxymoron: a rhetorical statement.  A combination of words that have the opposite or very different meanings.  “Ungodly” and “sons of God” are “mirror images” or exact opposites.

b.  From Adam and Eve, which I believe to be possibly the godliest couple in the world. 

1)  NOT because they started as the only couple in the world, but because—after the fall—there is no further mention of sinfulness.

2)  In the process of time, they had two sons—one lost and one saved with the elder son, Cain, killing the younger son, Abel.

3)  In chapter 4 of Genesis, we find the genealogy of the wicked line of Cain followed by the godly line of Seth.  These two lines of people were contemporary with each other. 

4)  In chapter 5, we found Enoch walked with God.  I believe this statement carries two thoughts, one spoken and one unspoken.  There is nothing said about walking with God until Noah’s day which implies spiritual decline that made Enoch stand out.

5)  In chapter 6, we see the wickedness of the spiritually destitute sons of God!

c.  The ungodly line of Cain was greatly multiplied as they introduced polygamy in Genesis 4:19. In Genesis 6:1, the Bible says that men (the ungodly line of Cain) multiplied.  More children were born to lost families than to saved ones. Noah’s family was greatly outnumbered and the godly line of Seth was becoming a minority.

Genesis 4:19  And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.

d.  In our day, we have adopted the worldly philosophy that we can no longer afford to have more than one or two children while the world is having multitudes of children out of wedlock.  The unsaved population is growing at an astronomical rate while the children born to godly parents is in decline. 

e.  Because our quiver has become smaller and the world’s larger, sin has escalated.

2 Timothy 3:1  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 Timothy 3:13  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

Matthew 7:13-14  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many (the unsaved) there be which go in thereat:  (14)  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few (the saved) there be that find it.

2.  Noah walked amid a sin filled world.  “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” 

a.  Noah walked in days of great temptation.  Sin had become so common place that God’s people no longer saw its sinfulness until they suffered its result.  Sin had escalated to the point that it sickened God to the point of destroying mankind. 

Genesis 6:6-7  And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.  (7)  And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.

b.  In our day, we are surrounded by sinfulness as fornication, drinking, nudity, sodomy, etc. and “Christianity” no longer sees sin as God sees sin.  Sin is no longer preached against because the churches are filled with it.  People who profess Christ as Lord and Savior seemingly live very comfortably in such a wicked world.

1 Thessalonians 5:22  Abstain from all appearance of evil.

3.  Noah walked with God under great peer pressure.  “ That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.” 

a.  These “sons of God” were of the godly line of Seth (not some Angel Theory).  Noah watched as the people of God drifted from their spiritual moorings and became more like the world.  No doubt there was great pressure from his peers to “let his hair down” and join the crowd. 

b.  I am relatively sure that the sons of God let Noah, also one of the sons of God, know that he was the “odd ball out!”  I can hear them now:  “We are the sons of God and find nothing wrong with worldliness.  You must be a fanatic or something.”  When people get out of the will of God, they want others to do the same so they won’t look bad spiritually. No doubt the peer pressure was there.

b.  In our day, people, who claim to be saved, live in worldliness and sin instead of purity and godliness.  The peer pressure is: we are save and see nothing wrong with being more like the world than like Christ so what is wrong with you?  I guess you are “holier than thou” or a member of some old fashioned cult.

1 Peter 4:4  Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

4.  Therefore, Noah walked with God in loneliness.  “Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.” 

a.  Noah chose a path that led him away from the world but toward God.  No one got on the Ark but Noah and his family.  Though there were multitudes of people on earth, there was no spiritual agreement or fellowship for Noah’s family.  The “sons of God” thought Noah’s way was too straight and Noah thought their way was too sinful. 

John 6:66  From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

Hebrews 13:13  Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

Titus 2:14  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

b.  Today, God’s people are maligned by the very people who claim to know God.  We have become cultic, legalistic, and too straight laced for this world.  We sing the little chorus “I Have Decided To Follow Jesus.”  One verse says, “Though none go with me, still I will follow.”

Luke 6:22-23  Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.  (23)  Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

5.  Noah walked with God in ridicule.  “My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.” 

a.  Never had it rained and yet Noah was building an Ark.  Not a little pontoon boat but a boat of great dimensions.  For 120 years, he and his family labored.  For 120 years, Noah preached the judgment of God.  Possibly this became known as Noah’s Folly in those days as men walked past and, more than likely, ridiculed his family.  The world does not like people who are different!

2 Peter 2:5  And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

b.  God’s men still preach the Second Advent!  That our Lord is coming to take His people home and the judgment of God will begin.  The world ridicules such preaching as the predictions of men have failed.  We know not the day nor the hour of His coming but we do know that He is coming again.

John 14:3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

1 John 3:3  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

6.  Noah walked with God in safety.  “And Noah did according unto all that the LORD commanded him.  (6)  And Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters was upon the earth.  (7)  And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood.”  (Genesis 7:5-7) 

a.  The flood came!  The prophesied judgement of God became a fearful reality.  Noah’s family was safe while the world perished.

Hebrews 11:7  By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

b.  Thank God that we will one day be forever with the Lord.  We walk safely in this world and will one day walk eternally safely in heaven.

Conclusion:  Noah walked with God in Spiritual Adversity and so will we IF we also walk with God.

Ok, Husband, It’s Your Time!

Temple Baptist Church - 7-5-2017

1 Peter 3:7

Introduction:

A.  Last week, we looked at the word “Likewise” as be began chapter 3.  That word shows that the context is tied with the preceding chapters.  The context of 1 Peter is how to maintain a Christian testimony while suffering as a child of God. 

B.  We looked at the Christian woman whose husband was either unsaved or saved and unfaithful to God.  A place of quiet, godly submission.

C.  Tonight, I want to call you attention to the work “likewise” in verse 7.  Nothing has changed in the context.  One of the problems of these last days is that of men who profess to be saved not living a faithful, Christian life!  For whatever reason, many men have taken a spiritual “back seat” in both the home and the local church.  My prayer is: “Dear Lord, give us some men with a spiritual backbone who are willing to serve and lead in our homes an churches.

D.  Verse 7 is a clear command to us men who are married and have families.  God has placed us men in a place of authority and leadership in the marriage!  It is the man who will give an account for the home.

E.  Let us break this verse down almost word by word.

1.  “Likewise!” 

a.  As men, our responsibility is linked to that of our wives.  As they are to be submissive to authority, we are to be submissive to authority.  We cannot expect our wives to submit to an authority that does not submit to God’s authority. 

b.  Though the ladies are mentioned first and command to be submissive to their head, in 1 Corinthians, the Bible reverses the order.  Why?  Because in 1 Corinthians, God is giving the proper Chain of Command and, in 1 Peter, Peter is dealing with an improper one: men who are not right with God.

1 Corinthians 11:3  But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

2.  “Husbands.”  The first mention of the word “husband” is found in Genesis 3.  It spoke of “her husband.” 

a.  A man who belongs to one woman.

Genesis 3:6  And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husbandwith her; and he did eat.

b.  A man who “rules” over a wife.

Genesis 3:16  Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

c.  A man who is worthy of the wife’s submission.  Husband defined: A good man, a great man, a champion.  It also means a kind man and a worthy man.

3.  “Dwell with them according to knowledge … as unto the weaker vessel”  A residence of continuance.

a.  Understanding his position of power and authority with love.  He is to be a loving husband, not a tyrant.

Ephesians 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

b.  Understanding her needs as the weaker vessel.

1)  Understanding her need of Security.

2)  Understanding her need of Strength.

3)  Understanding her need of Shelter.

4)  Understanding her need of Stability.

5)  Understanding her need of Spiritual Leadership.

4.  “Giving honour unto the wife.” 

a.  “Giving” means to bestow.  Proverbs 31:28  Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

b.  “Honour” means dignity, esteem, great value.  Proverbs 18:22  Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

5.  “As being heirs together of the grace of life”

a.  One with each other.  “Cleave” is to be joined or to adhere.  Genesis 2:24  Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

b.  One in this life.  All that I have belongs to Barbara and all that Barbara has belongs to me.  Our hopes and our dreams are the same.  “Heirs together” reminds me of Harold and Carroll Smith.  When the Smith children became heirs to their father’s estate, each of the children got a tract of land but Bro. Harold and Bro. Carroll got 85 acres together!

6.  “That your prayers be not hindered.”  Men, if you are not right with your wives, you are not right with God and prayers go unanswered!

Paul, An Apostle

Temple Baptist Church - 7-2-2017

Romans 1:1

Introduction:

A.  Paul’s Attitude, A Servant of Jesus Christ (first and foremost).  God’s men will never rule until they first serve.  God will not call men who are not busy in the work of the Lord.  Paul got busy before God called him. 

1.  We saw that Paul began to serve the day he got saved.  Acts 9:19-22  And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.  (20)  And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.  (21)  But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?  (22)  But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

2.  Because Paul was a servant, he met his divine appointments.  1 Timothy 1:12  And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

B.  Paul’s Authority, Called To Be An Apostle.  The Apostle Paul spent much time vindicating his apostleship.  People were familiar with the original twelve because they had been with Jesus.  There were the 12 original apostles but Judas, a lost man, lost his bishopric.  God called Paul to take the place of Judas.

1.  In the time of this epistle’s writing, though transitional and passing, the gift of apostles was still viable. 

Ephesians 4:11-12  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  (12)  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  (God, because “that which is perfect”—the completed canon of Scripture—had not come, gave prophets—to speak and write inspired Scripture from God and apostles to represent God to man.  These were both passing gifts.  In the New Testament and Church Age, God gave evangelists—missionaries, and the “pastor and teacher,” to the local church.)

2.  The apostles were to be 12 in number according to the Book of Revelation.

Revelation 4:4  And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.  (12 representing the tribes of Israel and 12 representing the Apostles.)

Revelation 21:14  And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

3.  The failure of Judas Iscariot and the replacement of Paul by God.

John 6:70-71  Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?  (71)  He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.

Acts 1:15-26  And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)  (16)  Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.  (17)  For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.  (18)  Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.  (19)  And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.  (20)  For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.  (21)  Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,  (22)  Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.  (23)  And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.  (24)  And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,  (25)  That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.  (26)  And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.  (Appointing apostles was to be a choice by God, not by man.  Though this was well intended, it was not God’s choice.)

1 Corinthians 15:3-11  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;  (4)  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:  (5)  And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:  (6)  After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.  (7)  After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.  (8)  And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.  (9)  For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.  (10)  But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowedupon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.  (11)  Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.  (Paul was God’s choice.  Paul vindicated his apostleship because he was not numbered with the original 12 but was chosen by God for replacement of Judas.)

2 Timothy 1:1  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

2 Timothy 1:11  Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

C.  They Had A Special Position.

1.  They Were Chosen Special - Luke 6:13  And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;

2.  They Were Chosen Specific – Matthew 10:2-4  Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;  Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

3.  Divinely Commissioned (with the Gospel)  Mark 16:14-15  Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.   And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

D.  They Had A Special Privilege

1.  Their Communion With Christ -  Luke 22:14-16  And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.  And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:  For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.

2.  Their Comfort By Christ - Luke 24:30-36  And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.  And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.  And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?  And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,  Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.  And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.  And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

E.  They Had A Special Power

1.  Their Powerful Works - Mark 16:17-18  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;  They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

2 Corinthians 12:12  Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

Acts 2:43  And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

Matthew 10:8  Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

Luke 9:51-54  And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,  And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.  And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.  And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

2.  Their Powerful Witness - Acts 4:33  And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

Acts 2:14  But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:

Acts 4:5-8  And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,  And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?  Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

F.  They Had A Special Purpose

            1.  To Confirm The Promises To Israel

a)  As A Witness To Israel - Matthew 10:5-7  These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:  But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

b)  As A Witness Against Israel - Luke 11:47-51  Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.  Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.  Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:  That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;  From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.

2.  To Carry The Promise Of Salvation To The Gentiles

Ephesians 3:1-9  For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,  If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:  How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,  Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)  Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;  That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:  Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.  Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;  And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

Getting Back To The Basics

Temple Baptist Church - 7-2-2017

Psalm 33:12

Introduction: 

A.  Tuesday will be America’s 241st Birthday.  Our 200th Birthday, in 1976, seems like yesterday and it was a half of a lifetime ago.  Compared to many other nations, America is very young.  Yet, America is the Utopia of the world.  America is the greatest nation on the face of the earth.

B.  Our nation’s liberty was paid for at great price; our nation’s constitution was written by some of the wisest men on earth.  Our freedom is great, our natural resources are great, our bounty is great, our opportunities are great, our responsibilities are great.

C.  You and I have inherited a nation that was paid for by others.  It is a privilege to be called an American and it is a joy to have been born and lived here.

D.  I fear for our nation this morning.  In my lifetime, I have seen a dramatic shift in the direction that our nation has chosen.  From the “happy days,” the safe days of my youth to a dangerous day, a day that is perilous. 

2 Timothy 3:1  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

E.  Our nation was founded by men and their families who left England, Europe, as well as other nations in search of a utopia which was framed in their minds.  They had little but expected much as they came to the “New World” in search of freedom and prosperity.  They carved out for us the greatest nation on the face of the earth.  Righteousness exalteth a nation!  America was once known for its integrity.

F.  We are so blessed and should be so thankful for the sacrifices of these pilgrims!  God bless the memories of those who made these blessings possible for us.  As we honor our parents for bringing us with integrity, may we honor our nation for giving to us what the rest of the world can only long for.

G.  America needs to get back to the basics that made America a great nation!

1.  The Principles Upon Which America Was Founded – Liberty and justice for all. 

a.  Men who could never be free left their homes and families that they might find freedom and liberty on foreign soil.  They bought and paid for our liberty through their foresight and sacrifice.  These are freedoms our Constitution upholds today for its citizens.  Now, let me say that these liberties do not belong to illegal migrants who refuse to honor our laws and come to America in the right way.

b.  We have liberty to worship; liberty of speech; liberty to travel; liberty to personally excel in life; liberty to be all that we can be.  We are free, praise the Lord, we are free!  “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty!”  Never let anyone take our freedom from us or our children.

2.  The Values That Our Forefathers Bore – They were honest and principled. 

a.  They were men of integrity and their word was their bond.  Their values were Bible based, even those who were not saved.  We call it “Old School” but its precepts are anchored deeply in biblical principles.  Our people were honest and hard working with no time for deadbeats.  Welfare, food stamps, etc. are for those who cannot word or have lost their jobs and was only intended to help while they were looking for another one!  No work, no right to eat!

b.  They had character instead of being characters.  They loved their families, their church, and their nation.  They were Americans and they were proud of it.  They stood, removed their hats, and placed their hands over their hearts when the National Anthem was played.

3.  The Courage Of Our Military To Die And Our People To Sacrifice – “Give me liberty or give me death” has been the motto of every American fighting man in all wars. 

a.  Countless millions have served in our nation’s military.  They lay behind the bodies of their dead brothers while the bullets whizzed past their heads and returned fire.  They still join up; they still fight; and they still die.  Their crosses are around the world from Normandy to the South Pacific to North Africa to Arlington National Cemetery where the Tomb of the Unknowns (also known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier) are engraved with these words:  “HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY AN AMERICAN SOLDIER KNOWN BUT TO GOD.” 

b.  The willingness of our nation to sacrifice – families have sacrificed their sons and daughters; they have sacrificed their moneys and possessions; they have sacrificed their personal desires for the betterment of the nation.  God bless and protect our military and law enforcement!

4.  The Diversity Of America’s People – The greatness of America is in its diversity! 

a.  We are not all the same but we all have the same rights.  We are not all the same but we accept and love those who are not like us.  Diverse cultures and ethnic backgrounds and yet united.  We are of every race and every creed; we are from every country on the face of the earth.  We do not look the same or act the same, but we all love the same!  We love America and are willing to both die and live for her.

b.  Immigrants who come to make something of their lives and better out nation are welcome.  Unless you are a native American, your people migrated to America and made it a better place to live.

5.  The Natural Resources That God Gave – God has given to our nation the capability to both be and remain self-sufficient. 

a.  From shore to shore and border to border, our nation is the most beautiful and blessed of all nations.  We are indebted to others because of greed, ignorance, and socialism.

b.  America is truly a nation flowing with milk and honey.  America has the capability to be self-sufficient.  We have all and abound!  We are blessed!

6.  The Benevolence Of America – In natural disasters as well as war and genocide, the United States of America is the first to respond. 

a.  We get relief and medical aid to other countries while other governments are thinking about it.  America gives many times what all the other nations give combined.  God blesses benevolence!  “It is more blessed to give than to receive” has always been America’s motto.

b.  America has become the protector of the world.  Our military has fought for the liberty of nations that could not protect themselves. 

7.  The System Of Government That We Have – America was founded as a republic, not a democracy! 

a.  Three branches of government set up with checks and balances that keep us both safe and directed.  Every two years we have elections to correct the mistakes that we made in the last elections.  Both veto power and the power to overcome veto! 

b.  A democracy is mob rule while a republic protects the rights of all people including minorities.  The men who set up our government had divine foresight.  What a magnificent piece of legislative work our Constitution is!  Wise men made sure that we remain both free and prosperous.

8.  The Love Of America For Israel – “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” 

a.  God still blesses those who bless Israel and He still curses those who curse Israel.  To this point, we have stood with God’s covenant people and God has blessed us for it. 

b.  There is a large anti-Semitic movement across this land.  I love Irael and pray for God’s covenant people.  To America I say, “Hang on to Israel’s coat tails, America, hang on!”

9.  The Possibility Of Impossibility – Young man, young lady, you can be anything that you want to be. 

a.  You can be a doctor, a lawyer, a business owner, or any other thing that you wish.  You can excel both in school and the work place.  You can go to college, work in the career of your choice, start your own business, and be the president of the United States of America. 

b.  You are limited only by the limitations that you place on yourself!  Have pride in a right way.  Dream your dreams.  America was built by dreamers.  Dream your dreams, plan your dreams, they work out your dreams.

10.  The God Who Gave Her Birth – America is blessed because “In God We Trust” is still on our money and in the hearts of most. 

a.  The blessed gospel is allowed to be preached and missionaries are being sent around the world.  Psalms 33:12says,  “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.” 

b.  May God bless our nation!  May we bless God for His blessings upon us!