Independence Day 2014
Light has come
into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds
were evil. John 3:19
Do not be surprised,
my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. 1 John 3:13
I urge, then,
first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made
for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful
and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God
our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the
truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4
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Last
year, the president of Chick-fil-A stated he believes marriage should be
between a man and a woman.
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The
mayor of Chicago, Rohm Emmanuel, called that hate speech and said Chick-fil-A
would not receive business permits for any new restaurants in Chicago.
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President
Obama, using his daughter as hypothetical example, has said he supports
abortion because no one should be punished with a baby because of what he calls
a mistake.
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We’ve
all heard the recent news stories about increasing official opposition to
evangelical Christianity in the United States military. One Army training
course calls evangelical Christians an extremist group.
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Many
believe the United States is no longer a nation that subscribes to Christian
values.
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But
as we approach American Independence Day later this week, I want us to remember
that Christian principles are basis for our form of government & founding
fathers’ vision for moral and ethical values.
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Nation
first settled by people wanting religious freedom.
- The pilgrims,
Plymouth Rock, established New England colony.
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Mayflower
Compact 1620: “In the name of God, amen. Having undertaken for the glory of God
and for the advancement of the Christian faith, we do solemnly and mutually in
the presence of God, covenant and combine ourselves together…We came here for
the glory of God and for the advancement of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
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1643,
more settlers, New England Confederation, 1st written constitution
in America: “Whereas we all came into these parts with one and the same end and
aim, namely to advance the kingdom of our lord Jesus Christ, and to enjoy the
liberties of the gospel in purity and peace…”
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Century
& a half later, First Continental Congress unable to agree. Ben Franklin
rose to speak: “Gentlemen, if it is true that not one single petal frfom any
flower falls to the ground without escaping Go’s attention, will the distress
of this nation go unheeded? Let us therefore determine to seek His face.”
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All
56 went to prayer and seek the wisdom of God in the wording of the Declaration
of Independence.
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Patrick
Henry: “It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation
was founded not by religionists but by Christians, not on religion but on the
gospel of Jesus Christ.”
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John
Quincy Adams in 1821: “From the time of the Declaration of Independence, the
American people were bound by the laws of God and the laws of the gospel of
Jesus Christ, which they all acknowledge at the root of their conduct. We all came
together to obey the word of God.”
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Jefferson
often is quoted as advocating a wall of separation between church and state.
But today only part of his statement usually gets quoted. The entire quotation:
“The 1st amendment has created a wall of separation between church
and state, but that wall is a one directional wall; it keeps the government
from running the church, but it makes sure that Christian principles will
always stay in government.
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Declaration
of Indep.—human beings “entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
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Inalienable
rights (inherently bestowed rights from God the Creator)—freedom of thought and
action, freedom to pursue happiness; that is, to pursue occupations and be
successful & freedom from the bonds of class distinctions.
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From
the beginning, government & God connected; Christian values
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1830s,
when the republican form of government was struggling in France, French
government assigned a diplomat, Alexis de Tocqueville, to travel in U.S. & determine
why the government in the U.S. worked so well.
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De
Tocqueville described in his 2-vol. work, Democracy
in America, that American values were at the heart of America’s success. He
wrote: “America is great because America is good. If America ceases to be good,
she will cease to be great.”
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He
added that U.S. followed Romans 13—leadership that promoted good and punished
evil.
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Today…
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2
Americas…richer/poor…continuing racial division…culture that does not value the
sanctity of life and kills more than a million of its unborn today for
convenience and birth control…a culture flirting with euthanasia…leaders who
seem to put their own political interests above the interests of the people.
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Influence
of strong and wealthy—20 lobbyists for every Senator and Representative, plus
100,000 lobbyists support staff. They control hundreds of millions of dollars
in campaign contributions.
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And
if you want to find a local church in the U.S. that promotes promiscuous and
homosexual behavior…well, there’s a website for that called gaychurch.org.
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And
our nation’s leadership—in Congress, the Presidency, and the Judiciary,
regularly support these trends.
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By
contrast, I want to speak today about our Lord’s views of qualities of leaders…
I.
Example
of ancient Israel
A. Culture unjust,
governors do evil and not good, people oppressed
B.
Many
prophets sent—government must be just
1.
Message:
nation should be characterized by justice
2.
Hosea
(ref to leaders): “Now they sin more and more and have made for themselves molded
images, idols of silver” (13:2)
3.
Amos:
“Behold I am weighted down by you, yet you have not returned to me” (2:13, 4:6);
For the transgressions of Israel, I will not turn away its punishment” (2:6).
4.
Micah:
“The faithful have been swept from the land;” (7:2); and “He has shown you, O
mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and
to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (6:8).
5.
Ezekiel
put it simply, “Then I saw she—that is Judah—was defiled” (23:13).
6.
Micah
adds, “Listen, you leaders of Jacob, you rulers of Israel. Should you not
embrace justice, you who hate good and love evil?” (3:1-2).
C.
Harsh
words from the prophets for a nation that had turned away from its God.
1.
And
God judged Judah and Israel in His mercy preserving a remnant that exists to this
day
D. That brings me
to a question…What is God’s will for a nation that was established to follow
Him?
II.God’s will
for our nation and its leadership
A. Rightousness
1.
Proverbs
29:2— “When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the
people groan.”
2.
Proverbs
14:34—“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.”
3.
Proverbs
16:12—“It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness; for a throne is
established by righteousness.”
4.
Righteousness
means a government that focuses less on political expendiencies and more on
morality and ethics.
B.
Wisdom
1.
Proverbs
8:12-13—“ “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and
discretion. To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil
behavior and perverse speech.
2.
Wisdom
isn’t just knowledge…but knowledge plus judgment plus moral and ethical good.
Wisdom hates what is evil.
C.
Honesty
1.
Proverbs
17:7—“ Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool—how much worse lying lips
to a ruler!”
2.
God
says honesty is a basic characteristic of any ruler.
D. Advocate for the
weak and the poor
1.
Proverbs
31:8-9—“ Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of
all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor
and needy.
2.
A
just government advocates for all its citizens, including those who have no
power…the poor, the needy, the weak, the handicapped…a just government defends
those who cannot defend themselves, including the unborn.
Conclusion
1
Timothy 2:1-4—
I urge, then,
first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made
for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live
peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and
pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a
knowledge of the truth.
1.
Respect
leaders and pray for their salvation
2.
Pray
that they will live and lead with humility and godliness
3.
Pray
that God will reveal His will to them and give them the wisdom to follow
God's
ideal for our nation's leadership is not that they be politically astute, not
that they possess superior knowledge and high IQ, and not that they have the
highest credentials from the best universities . . . God's ideal is that any
nation's leadership will turn to him and reflect His character and wisdom.
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