2 Chronicles « Rev Bill’s Sermons

July 6, 2008

2 Chronicles 7:12-22

Filed under: 2 Chronicles — revbill @ 8:17 pm

God Bless America

2 Chronicles 7:12-22

July 6, 2008

Communion

God, bless America.

Land that I love.

Stand beside her – and guide her

Through the night with a light from above.

From the mountains

To the parries

To the oceans white with foam

God bless America, my home sweet home.

This song – written almost 100 years ago by Irving Berlin and famously sung by Kate Smith – is still a favorite of many people – including myself.

The song stirs up emotions of love and patriotism – as well as emotions of religion and feelings of longing for God to bless this great country of ours.

I love this country.

I love America.

I know that I am not alone here today in these feelings – for I know that all of us gathered here today love our country – and long for God to bless us – to bless our country.

We love America.

We pray for God to bless America – the land that we love.

God bless America

With July 4^th – the day we celebrate our independence as Americans – on Friday – many of us may have spent some time this weekend thinking about our country – and our desire for God to bless our country.

The song says, “God bless America, land that I love…” And I’m convinced that God has blessed America. But – - you know — the Bible teaches that to whom much is given, much is expected. If this is so, then God must expect a lot from America – and must expect a lot from us as Americans.

Let’s think for a moment about America’s past.

Let’s go even further back that 1776 – when America was born with the signing of the Declaration of Independence – even further back that 1770 when a Church named Hopewell Presbyterian was formed in this community.

Let’s go back to 1620 – when a group of Christians, who called themselves Pilgrims, made their way from England across the Atlantic Ocean to the shores of this land. They had received permission to settle in the northern part of the region known as Virginia to establish a colony and erect a church that they hoped would be free and independent of the Church of England. But late fall winds battered their little boat, pushing them northward. And when they finally sighted land it was at a place we now call Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The date was Nov. 21. They didn’t want to land there because it was a cold and forbidding wilderness — so they debated for a while. “Should we try to get to Virginia, or just go ahead & settle here?” Finally, they decided that their little boat would probably not make it to Virginia. So they came ashore at a place that we know as Plymouth Rock. But before they did, they wrote what is known today as “The Mayflower Compact.” It began with these words:

“In the name of God…, we whose names are underwritten… Having undertaken, for the glory of God, & advancement of the Christian faith…, a voyage to plant a first colony in the northern part of Virginia, do… solemnly & mutually in the presence of God, & one of another, covenant, & combine ourselves together…”

Did you catch those words?

“We have come here in the name of God.”

“We have come here to glorify God.”

“We have come here to advance the Christian faith.”

They were saying, “We are unashamedly Christians, & we search for a place where we can worship God the way we feel the Bible teaches us to worship Him.”

The earliest foundations of this new land were spiritual foundations. We are a nation built upon faith in God – and commitment to God.

That’s our past – our history.

But – is it our present?

Are you proud to be an American?

I am. You probably are also. Like me, you probably still get chills when you sing the “Star Spangled Banner.” Maybe you arte like me and still get tears in your eyes when you say the Pledge of Allegiance. I love this country, and I’m proud to be an American.
You probably are also.

There are so many things you can do in this and that you can’t do anywhere else in all the world.

Did you hear about the Lieutenant, the Private, & the beautiful young lady who were all sitting in the same compartment of a train? They didn’t know each other, and since Lieutenants don’t talk to Privates and Privates don’t talk to Lieutenants, they traveled in an awkward silence. They came to a tunnel and suddenly their compartment was engulfed in darkness, a darkness punctuated by 2 unmistakable sounds — the sound of a passionate kiss — followed by a loud slap.
When they came back into daylight, the Lieutenant had a very red mark on the side of his face, was thinking, “That lucky Private. He kissed the beautiful girl, and she tried to slap him. But instead of slapping him, she slapped me.” The young lady was thinking, “The Lieutenant must have tried to kiss me, but by mistake he kissed the Private and the Private hit him.” The Private sat there thinking, “Only in America can you kiss the back of your hand, slug a Lieutenant and get away with it.”

There are many wonderful things about our country that we could mention this morning.

But – I must admit – as proud as I am to be an American — I’m concerned about America.

Listen to this warning found in 2 Chronicles 7:19-22. God is speaking to Solomon and to the people of Israel and says:

19 “But if you turn away and forsake the decrees and commands I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, 20 then I will uproot Israel from my land, which I have given them, and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name. I will make it a byword and an object of ridicule among all peoples. 21 And though this temple is now so imposing, all who pass by will be appalled and say, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’ 22 People will answer, ‘Because they have forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers, who brought them out of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them—that is why he brought all this disaster on them.’

The Bible is very clearly about this — if we love God and obey Him, then He will bless us. But this passage teaches that if we forsake God, if we serve other gods and worship them, then God will remove His blessings. That’s what happened to Israel. And I think that’s what happening to America today.

Did you hear about the New York City elementary school teacher who was fired from her job? It was not because she was immoral, not because she abused the children, not because she used vulgar language, but because when one of her students died tragically, grieving classmates asked the teacher, “What happens when we die?”

She answered, “I think she’s gone to heaven. But if you want to talk about this, I’ll be glad to meet with you after school is over.” Twenty-nine of the kids met with her after school, and she told them about her faith in God and His Son, Jesus Christ. She told them she believed in heaven and that their classmate was with God now and happy for all eternity. Then she prayed with the students. But one of the kids in her class who had not stayed after school was upset with what she had done and went to the administrators. The teacher was fired immediately and told to clean out her desk. Before crying students she cleaned out her desk the next day and went out into the world of unemployment.

We have slid a long ways down that slippery slope from where we started, haven’t we? And if we don’t stop that slide, we’ll lose everything that God has given to us.

Now listen folks, if you believe that our politicians are primarily responsible for the moral decline of this country, you need to think again. We didn’t start down that slippery slope recently – it has been going on for awhile. When our government said, “You can’t pray in school,” many of us stood by and watched with folded arms. When we were told that we could no longer read the Bible or honor God in school, we stood by and didn’t say a word. When abortion was legalized we didn’t do anything. It’s our fault. It’s the fault of so many Christians who have not said a thing as our country has turned away from God. America is a great country. I believe that at her worst she is still better than any other country at its best. I love America, but America needs to repent.

God bless America.

We’re the most materially blessed people in all the world. In fact, if you’re at the poverty level in this country, you’re in the top 5% of the wealthy people of the world. God has blessed America – but what will happen if we do not bless and glorify and serve God?

What does God expect of us – as Christian Americans?

We have already said that God expects a lot.
What will America be in the future?

What does God really of us – as Christian Americans?

Listen to what Micah 6:8 says:

He has showed you, O man, 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.

Those are three pretty good things, don’t you think?

We need to take note of them.

First of all he says “to act justly,” which means to do what is right.

God expects us – as Christian Americans — to do what is right — to do the right thing even though the wrong thing is the easiest and maybe the most pleasant or even most popular thing to do. It means to take care of the poor and the elderly, to minister to the sick and protect them – and to tell the truth.

God bless America

Secondly, Micah says “to love mercy.”

That means to extend mercy & forgiveness to others. We have received it ourselves. We all know that we’re the recipients of God’s mercy. We have been forgiven by Him. We have done nothing to earn our salvation. God has saved us by His grace & by His mercy. Because of this, we are to share what we have received. We give back to the community — to the world – to the Church — the mercy, grace and forgiveness that God has given to us. In other words, we develop a deep compassion for those in need.

God bless America

Thirdly, Micah says “to walk humbly” with the Lord. Now that may be the most difficult of all because the natural tendency is to be proud and arrogant and overconfident. The Bible says that God mocks the proud but He gives grace to the humble.

With this year of Presidential elections I believe we have a challenge to listen to what the candidates say – and decide which one seems to be thinking about acting justly – loving mercy – and walking humbly with God. We won’t find one that is doing these things perfectly – but we have to prayerfully consider which one is closest to what we feel is the way God would have us to – and respect the decisions of those who may feel another candidate will do a better job.

God bless America

America – this great land that we love — needs to change.

A change will happen next January in the White House – but – friends – we need more than just a change in the White House – we need a change in your house – and a change in my house. and my house.

That is what will bring about the change in America.

God bless America

When we get our act together –

when we begin to act justly – love mercy – and walk humbly with God –

when we get back on track again and put God at the center of our lives — then America will change will become the country that God has always wanted America to be.

God bless America

I love this country – and I know that you do too.

I love the freedoms that we enjoy – and I know that you do too.

I am so appreciative of the price that has been paid for my freedom –and I know that you are too.

God bless America

Let’s do our part to pray for God’s blessings upon our great land – and live lives where we act justly – love mercy – and walk humbly with God.

Let’s do what we can – so that God will indeed bless America.

Indeed –

God bless America, my home sweet home.

Amen.

Comments (1)

July 1, 2007

2 Chronicles 7:11-22, Galations 5:1,13-25, Mark 12:13-17

Filed under: 2 Chronicles, Galations, Mark — revbill @ 9:09 pm

2 Chronicles 7: 11-22

Galatians 5:1, 13-25

Mark 12:13-17

“Praying For America”

July 1, 2007

(Communion)

Read Scripture

My country ‘tis of thee,

sweet land of liberty,

of thee I sing:

Land where my fathers died,

Land of the pilgrims’ pride

From every mountainside

Let freedom ring!

So are the words of the hymn we just sang.

The sentiment of this hymn is shared by most of us today. I am sure that all of us here today — especially as we begin this glorious week when we will celebrate the 231^st birthday of our great nation — are proud to be citizens of America — pray for God to bless America – and pray for freedom to ring throughout our land – indeed throughout the world. I know I am glad to live in this great country of ours — and I am sure all of you are, too! As Lee Greenwood once sang – I am proud to be an American – and I feel confident that you are, too.

I love history – and I can get overly sentimental about things like this – but it gives me chill bumps to be standing in the pulpit of this Church – so rich in history. This Church – which stood in this place – or across the street – before there was a United States of America. This Church – which has made such a contribution to our community, state, and country.

Yes – I am proud to be an American – and proud to be a part of the life of this Church.

But – as proud as I am to be an American – as proud as I am to be a part of this Church that is so rich in history – as proud as I am of my country and as carried away as I can get about July 4^th – I also have to remind myself – and I want to remind you in case you’re getting too wrapped up in patriotic ferver — that today is not just July 1 —

No — today is not only July 1 — it is Sunday, July 1.

Sunday — the day we gather together to worship and give praise to God.

Sunday — and on this particular Sunday we have gathered around the Lord’s Table to partake of the sacrament of Communion.

So — how do we combine our love for God – and commitment to God – with our love for our country?

How do we combine the two?

God, bless America.

Irving Berlin wrote.

God, bless America.

A great sentiment – one I hold – and I am sure one all of you hold.

God, bless America – our country – it’s people – us!

Yea – God bless us!

But – we have some questions we have to answer today:

How do we combine our love for God – and commitment to God – with our love for our country?

What does our relationship and loyalty to God ask of us?

What does our relationship and loyalty to our country ask of us?

How can we ask God to bless America?

Most importantly — what will Americans have to do for God to bless America?

I believe the real question is – what will we have to do for God to bless America?

What will you and I have to do for God to bless this great country of ours?

God, bless America.

The Scripture passages we looked at a few minutes ago give us no direct answers to these questions — but they give us some guidelines to follow – some ideas — of what we must do –what must be done – for God to bless America.

God, bless America.

“Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?

Should we pay or shouldn’t we?”

When asked a “trick” question — a question intended to force Him to make a statement that would either make the Roman government or the Jews mad — what does Jesus do?

Jesus does a very wise thing.

He asks for a denarius — the money used to pay the tax.

On it was a picture of Tiberius — the emperor — and an inscription bearing Tiberius’ name. Clearly — the coin — with the picture and inscription of Tiberius — belonged to Tiberius. So Jesus replies:

“ Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s,”

but — then He adds —

“give to God the things that are God’s.”

God, bless America.

But – we might wonder — what do we owe God – and what do we owe Caesar – or the country?

Sometimes we get a bit confused on this.

At times we might be so supportive of America – of our country – that we feel everything we do as a country is perfect in every way – and that God will indeed bless us just because of who we are – just because we are Americans — regardless of what we do.

God, bless America.

What will it take for God to bless America?

What must happen for God to bless America?

The passage from 2 Chronicles can help us understand the true relationship between God and country – and what must happen for God to bless America.

Here is King Solomon — King of Israel — a great king in his own right and son of King David – completing the magnificent Temple in Jerusalem. This was the Temple that King David had wanted to build — but it had been left up to Solomon to build this magnificent Temple for the Hebrew people to assemble in and worship God.

God speaks to Solomon after the Temple is completed — and tells Solomon that He approves of what Solomon has done — and will bless Solomon and his country – if they will follow in God’s ways.

But – here’s the catch — if they fail to follow in the way of the Lord — He will not bless them — but will curse them.

God, bless America.

God promises to bless Solomon and the people of Israel – but not just because of who they are. God promises to bless them if they remember who He is – and if they will follow Him.

if my people, who are called by my name, will 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.

However, God also promises a curse upon Solomon and the people of Israel if they fail to follow His way.

But if you turn away and forsake the decrees and commands I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, then I will uproot Israel from my land, which I have given them, and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name.

God, bless America.

The promises that God gave to Solomon centuries ago still hold true today.

God, bless America.

These are indeed great words — and the thought behind them extremely commendable — but — we have to ask ourselves –

What must happen for God to bless America?

What must Americans do for God to bless America?

What must we do for God to bless America?

What must you do – what must I do – for God to bless America?

Well, for God to bless America – Americans are going to have to follow God.

For God to bless America, we are going to have to follow God.

You want God to bless America?

Then you are going to have to follow God!

Listen again to what God says to Solomon:

God, bless America.

If we want God to bless America – then we as Americans are going to have to humble ourselves – pray – and seek God’s face.

If you and I want God to bless America, you and I are going to have to humble ourselves – pray – and seek God’s face.

If we seek for God to bless America — if we truly want America to receive God’s blessings — then we need to – as Jesus says — give to God the things that are God’s. That means that you and I are going to have to give our lives to God. This means you and I are going to have to follow God’s teachings and God’s ways.

God, bless America.

The great words of the Declaration of Independence give us a description of the freedoms we enjoy as Americans:

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 and liberty,
and the pursuit of happiness.

Great words.

But – the Apostle Paul reminds us in Galatians 5:13:

You, my brothers, were called to be free.

But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.

Freedom is a gift from God – but instead of meaning that we are free to live in any way we please – freedom means that we are free to live in the ways God has called us to live. It means being free to live in God’s ways – or as Paul says by “the fruits of the Spirit” —

the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control

As Americans, we have and we celebrate great freedoms. But – for God to bless America – we have to celebrate God’s freedoms – and live by the fruits of the Spirit – living in

love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control

God, bless America.

For that to happen – we as Americans must live in God’s ways.

For that to happen – you and I must live in God’s ways.

As God told Solomon:

But – as God also told Solomon:

God, bless America.

Many times we do not live in God’s ways – and when that happens we suffer – and America suffers. For God to bless America – we as Americans are going to have to repent – and begin following God. For God to bless America – you and I as Americans are going to have to repent – and begin following God.

Humble ourselves – as God tells Solomon

Humble ourselves — and pray.

Pray for God to forgive us of the times we follow our ways instead of God’s ways. Pray for God to forgive us for our hard headed, sinful ways – as individuals and as a country — and commit ourselves to living in God’s ways instead of our own – in God’s will instead of our wills.

This takes repentance.

This means confessing that we are wrong and that we need God in our lives and in our country.

God, bless America.

Repentance is never easy. Confessing sins is never easy. But – it is necessary.

But — repentance does not just mean saying we are sorry – it – also means living in new ways. You know — repentance is not basically a religious word. It comes from a culture where people were essentially nomadic and lived in a world with no maps or street signs. It’s easy to get lost walking through the desert. You become aware that the countryside is strange. You finally say to yourself, I’m going in the wrong direction.

That’s the first act of repentance.

The second act of repentance is to go in an alternate direction.

God, bless America.

This is going to take repentance.

Repentance on our part.

This is also going to take our finding new ways to live.

That’s what’s needed for God to bless us – for God to bless you – for God to bless me.

That’s what’s needed for God to bless America.

God, bless America.

America has been called a great nation. This is very true — America is a very great nation. However, America is only truly great if Americans have a truly great faith in God — truly give to God the things due God and to our country the things due our county — and live in God’s ways – sharing God’s love with all people – and working for God’s kingdom of love, justice and peace on earth. This means that I am going to have to have a truly great faith in God — that I am going to have to truly give to God the things due God and to my country the things due my county — and live in God’s ways – sharing God’s love with all people – and working for God’s kingdom of love, justice and peace on earth. This means that you are going to have to have a truly great faith in God — that you are going to have to truly give to God the things due God and to your country the things due your county — and live in God’s ways – sharing God’s love with all people – and working for God’s kingdom of love, justice and peace on earth

America is only as great as our faith in God – my faith in God – your faith in God.

God, bless America.

America has been called a Christian nation.

Indeed, our country was founded upon Christian principles — but we must return to those principles — truly give to God the things due to God — and deepen our faith in God.

America is only a Christian nation as long as we — Americans — are a Christian people. America is only a Christian nation as long as I am committed to following Christian ways – and as long as you are committed to living in Christian ways. Once we stop following God and Christ, we can no longer be considered a Christian nation. As a nation, America is only as Christian as we – you and I — it’s people — live out our faith and let our faith determine what we do as individuals — and as a country.

God, bless America.

America has been called a strong nation.

Once again, this statement is only true if we — as Americans — have a strong faith in God – a strong commitment to giving to God the things due to God and to our country the things due our country

Only if I am willing to let my faith in God be strong and my commitment to God be strong – and let my strong commitment to God determine what I do as an individual – can America be considered a strong nation.

Only if you are willing to let your faith in God be strong and your commitment to God be strong – and let your strong commitment to God determine what you do as an individual – can America be considered a strong nation.

Only if we are willing to let our faith in God be strong and our commitment to God be strong – and let our strong commitment to God determine what we do as individuals – as a community — as a Church — and as a nation — can America be considered a strong nation.

Only if we commit ourselves to acting on our faith – and working for God’s love and God’s will for a world filled with God’s love, justice, and peace – can America be considered a great nation.

America’s greatness, America’s virtue as a Christian nation, and America’s strength depends upon the depth of the faith of its people — the depth of its people’s commitment to give to God the things due to God.

America’s greatness, America’s virtue as a Christian nation, and America’s strength depends upon our ability to confess our sins – humble ourselves – and pray for God to forgive us – and find new ways to live.

America’s greatness, America’s virtue as a Christian nation, and America’s strength depends upon my ability and your ability to confess our sins – humble ourselves – and pray for God to forgive us – and find new ways to live.

Yes – God, bless America.

God, bless America with true blessings that come with working for Your will for justice and peace for all people.

Yes – God, bless America.

God, bless America with true blessings that come from our being humble before You – confessing our sins — and doing Your will.

God, bless America.

This will only happen when we as Americans confess our sins and begin again living in God’s ways.

God, bless America.

This will take prayer.

As God told Solomon:

Friends – for God to bless America – we have to pray.

You have to pray.

I have to pray.

We all have to pray.

We have to pray that we can turn back to God — and do what we can to bring our country back to God.

God, bless America.

I ask each of you to commit yourself again to giving to God the things that are God’s — your love, your life, your thoughts, your words, your actions.

I ask each of you to commit yourself to doing what you can to ensure these liberties we talk so much about are experienced by all.

I ask each of you to commit yourself again to repenting of your sins – and living in new ways.

This is what it will take for God to bless America.

Indeed –

My country ‘tis of thee,

sweet land of liberty,

of thee I sing:

Land where my fathers died,

Land of the pilgrims’ pride

From every mountainside

Let freedom ring!

Amen.

Comments (2)

July 2, 2006

2 Chronicles 7:12-22; Galatians 5:1, 13-25; Mark 12:13-37

Filed under: 2 Chronicles, Galations, Mark — revbill @ 12:48 am

II CHRONICLES 7: 12-22

GALATIANS 5:1, 13-25

MARK 12:13-17

“PRAYING FOR AMERICA”

JULY 2, 2006

COMMUNION

READ SCRIPTURE

GOD BLESS AMERICA

LAND THAT I LOVE

STAND BESIDE HER AND GUIDE HER

THROUGH THE NIGHT WITH A LIGHT FROM ABOVE.

FROM THE MOUNTAINS — TO THE PRAIRIE

TO THE OCEAN WHITE WITH FOAM —

GOD BLESS AMERICA — MY HOME SWEET HOME

GOD BLESS AMERICA — MY HOME SWEET HOME.

So are the words of this familiar patriotic song.

The sentiment of this popular song — written so many years ago — is shared by most of us today. I am sure that all of us here today — especially as we begin this glorious week when we will celebrate the 230th birthday of our great nation — are proud to be citizens of America — and we pray for God to bless America. I know I am glad to live in this great country of ours — and I am sure all of you are, too!

But — today is not only July 2 — it is Sunday, July 2.

Sunday — the day we gather together to worship and give praise to God.

Sunday — and on this particular Sunday we gather around the Lord’s Table to partake of the sacrament of Communion.

How do we combine our love for God and our love for our country?

GOD, BLESS AMERICA

What does our relationship and loyalty to God ask of us?

What does our relationship and loyalty to our country ask of us?

How can we ask God to bless America?

What will we have to do for God to bless America?

GOD, BLESS AMERICA

Our Gospel, Epistle, and Old Testament Lessons for today give us no direct answers — but they give us some guidance to the question of what we must do –what must be done – for God to bless America.

GOD, BLESS AMERICA

“Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?

Should we pay them — or should we not?”

When asked a “trick” question — a question intended to force Him to make a statement that would either make the Roman government or the Jews mad — what does Jesus do?

Jesus does a very wise thing.

He asks for a denarius — the money used to pay the tax.

“Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s,”

but — then He adds —

“give to God the things that are God’s.”

GOD, BLESS AMERICA

But – what do we owe God – and what do we owe the country?

Sometimes we get a bit confused on this.

GOD, BLESS AMERICA

At times we might be so supportive of America – of our country – that we feel everything we do is perfect in every way – and that God will indeed bless us just because of who we are – regardless of what we do.

GOD, BLESS AMERICA

What will it take for God to bless America?

What must happen for God to bless America?

Our Old Testament Lesson for today can help us understand the true relationship between God and country – and what must happen for God to bless America.

But — if they fail to follow in the way of the Lord — He will not bless them — but will curse them.

GOD, BLESS AMERICA

God promises to bless Solomon and the people of Israel if they will follow Him.

“if My people who are called by My name

humble themselves, pray, seek My face,

and turn from their wicked ways,

then I will hear from heaven,

and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

GOD, BLESS AMERICA

However, God also promises a curse upon Solomon and the people of Israel if they fail to follow His way.

“But if you turn aside and forsake my statutes and my commandments that I have set before you,

and go and serve other gods and worship them,

then I will pluck you up from the land that I have given you;”

GOD, BLESS AMERICA

The promises that God gave to Solomon centuries ago still hold true today.

GOD, BLESS AMERICA

These are indeed great words — and the thought behind them extremely commendable — but — we have to ask ourselves –

What must happen for God to bless America?

Well, for God to bless America – Americans are going to have to follow God.

Listen again to what God says to Solomon:

“if My people who are called by My name

humble themselves, pray, seek My face,

and turn from their wicked ways,

then I will hear from heaven,

and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

GOD, BLESS AMERICA

If we want God to bless America – then we as Americans are going to have to humble ourselves – pray – and seek God’s face.

If we seek for God to bless America — if we truly want America to receive God’s blessings — then we need to – as Jesus says — give to God the things that are God’s.

We need to give our lives to God.

We need to follow God’s teachings and God’s ways.

GOD, BLESS AMERICA

The great words of the Declaration of Independence give us a description of the freedoms we enjoy as Americans:

Great words.

But – the Apostle Paul reminds us in Galatians 5:13:

For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another.

Freedom is a gift from God – freedom means that we are free to live in the ways God has called us to live.

It means being free to live in God’s ways – or as Paul says by “the fruits of the Spirit” —

the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

So – we have and we celebrate great freedoms,

But – for God to bless America – we have to celebrate God’s freedoms – and live by the fruits of the Spirit – the gifts of

love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control

GOD, BLESS AMERICA

For that to happen – we as Americans must live in God’s ways.

As God told Solomon:

“if My people who are called by My name

humble themselves, pray, seek My face,

and turn from their wicked ways,

then I will hear from heaven,

and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

But – as God also told Solomon:

“But if you turn aside and forsake my statutes and my commandments that I have set before you,

and go and serve other gods and worship them,

then I will pluck you up from the land that I have given you;”

GOD, BLESS AMERICA

Many times we do not live in God’s ways – and we suffer – and America suffers.

For God to bless America – we as Americans are going to have to repent – and begin following God.

Humble ourselves – as God says – and pray.

Pray for God to forgive us of the times we follow our ways instead of God’s ways.

Pray for God to forgive us of our hard headed, sinful ways – as individuals and as a country — and commit ourselves to living in God’s ways instead of our own – in God’s will instead of our wills.

This takes repentance.

This means confessing that we are wrong and that we need God in our lives and in our country.

Repentance is never easy.

Confessing sins is never easy.

But – it is necessary.

But — repentance does not just mean saying we are sorry – it – also means living in new ways.

Repentance is not basically a religious word. It comes from a culture where people were essentially nomadic and lived in a world with no maps or street signs. It’s easy to get lost walking through the desert. You become aware that the countryside is strange. You finally say to yourself, I’m going in the wrong direction. That’s the first act of repentance.

The second act of repentance is to go in an alternate direction.

Repentance on our part.

Finding new ways to live.

That’s what’s needed for God to bless us – and for God to bless America.

GOD, BLESS AMERICA

Friends — America has been called a great nation.

This is very true — America is a very great nation.

However, America is only truly great if Americans have a truly great faith in God — truly give to God the things due God and to our country the things due our county — and live in God’s ways – sharing God’s love with all people – and working for God’s kingdom of love, justice and peace on earth.

America is only as great as our faith in God.

America has been called a Christian nation.

Indeed, our country was founded upon Christian principles — but we must return to those principles — truly give to God the things due to God — and deepen our faith in God.

But — America is only a Christian nation as long as we — Americans — are a Christian people. Once we stop following God and Christ, we can no longer be considered a Christian nation. As a nation, America is only as Christian as we — it’s people — live out our faith and let our faith determine what we do as individuals — and as a country.

America has been called a strong nation.

Only if we let our strong faith in God and our strong commitment to God determine what we do as individuals — as a community — as a Church — and as a nation can we be considered a strong nation.

Only if we commit ourselves to acting on our faith – and working for God’s love and God’s will a world filled with God’s love, justice, and peace – can we be considered a great nation.

GOD, BLESS AMERICA

Bless America with true blessings that come with working for God’s will for justice and peace for all people.

Bless America with true blessings that come from being humble before God – confessing our wrongs — and doing God’s will.

GOD, BLESS AMERICA

This will only happen when we as Americans confess our sins and begin again living in God’s ways.

GOD, BLESS AMERICA

This will take prayer.

As God told Solomon:

“if My people who are called by My name

humble themselves, pray, seek My face,

and turn from their wicked ways,

then I will hear from heaven,

and will forgive their sin and heal their land”

Friends – for God to bless America – we have to pray. We have to pray that we can turn back to God — and do what we can to bring our country back to God.

GOD, BLESS AMERICA

Come to the table — and commit yourself again to giving to God the things that are God’s — your love, your life, your thoughts, your words, your actions.

Commit yourself to doing what you can to ensure these liberties we talk so much about are experienced by all.

Commit yourself again to repenting of your sins – and living in new ways.

This is what it will take for God to bless America.

Indeed —

GOD BLESS AMERICA — MY HOME SWEET HOME

GOD BLESS AMERICA — MY HOME SWEET HOME.

AMEN

Comments (1)

July 2, 2005

2 Chronicles 7:12-22, Mark 12:13-37

Filed under: 2 Chronicles, Galations, Mark — revbill @ 8:56 pm

So are the words of this familiar patriotic song.
The sentiment of this popular song — written so many years ago — is shared by most of us today. I am sure that all of us here today — especially on this glorious weekend when we are celebrating the 229th birthday of our great nation — are proud to be citizens of America — and pray for God to bless America. I know I am glad to live in this great country of ours — and I am sure all of you are, too!
But — today is not only July 3 — it is Sunday, July 3.
Sunday — the day we gather together to worship and give praise to God.
Sunday — and on this particular Sunday we gather around the Lord’s Table to partake of the sacrament of Communion.
How do we combine our love for God and our love for our country?

What does our relationship and loyalty to God ask of us?
What does our relationship and loyalty to our country ask of us?

Our Gospel and Old Testament Lessons for today give us no direct answers — but they both give us some guidance to the question of responsibility and loyalty to God and country.

“

When asked a “trick” question — a question intended to force Him to make a statement that would either make the Roman government or the Jews mad — what does Jesus do?
Jesus does a very wise thing.
He asks for a denarius — the money used to pay the tax.
On it was a picture of Tiberius — the emperor — and an inscription bearing Tiberius’ name. Clearly — the coin — with the picture and inscription of Tiberius — belonged to Tiberius. So Jesus replies:

but — then He adds –

Sometimes the distinction between our loyalty and responsibility to God and our loyalty and responsibility to our county gets a bit confused.
On the one hand — we have a tendency to become overzealous in our patriotism and cheer for our country — particularly on this weekend — even when at times things are being done by our country and things happening within our country and — quite frankly — decisions made by our leaders that we — as Christians — should question instead of wholeheartedly support.
Or — on the other hand — we can sometimes become so “religious” that we feel that we can not be involved in such “worldly” matters as civic or national affairs.
But — the bottom line is — both of these attitudes about God and country are wrong.

Our Old Testament Lesson for today can help us understand the true relationship between God and country.
King Solomon — King of Israel — a great king in his own right and son of King David — has completed the magnificent Temple in Jerusalem. This was the Temple that King David had wanted to build — but it had been left up to Solomon to build this magnificent Temple for the Hebrew people to assemble in and worship God.
God speaks to Solomon after the Temple is completed — and tells Solomon that He approves of what Solomon has done — and will bless Solomon and his country if they will follow in God’s ways.
But — if they fail to follow in the way of the Lord — He will not bless them — but will curse them.

God promises to bless Solomon and the people of Israel if they will follow Him.

However, God also promises a curse upon Solomon and the people of Israel if they fail to follow His way.

The promises that God gave to Solomon centuries ago still hold true today.

These are indeed great words — and the thought behind them extremely commendable — but — we have to ask ourselves
What is it that we owe to God –
and what is it that we owe our country?
What are the things that involve our loyalty to our country?

What about our loyalty to God?
That involves

It is God who we are to love and obey above all others – even our country.
We are to give God — and the things of God — our ultimate support — not anything else — even our country.

If we seek God’s blessings upon America — if we truly want America to receive God’s blessings — then we need to give to God the things that are God’s.
We need to give our lives to God.
We need to follow God’s teachings and God’s ways.

Scripture gives us some basis for these blessings and freedoms we pray for and hold so dear. So do the words of that great document — The Declaration of Independence.
Listen to one of the most famous parts of that great document:

Great words.
But — 229 years later — have they truly become a reality?
Do we really believe that all people are created equal –
and have the same rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?
Or do we prefer to save these rights for a few — and forget about the rest?
As the rich continue to get richer by whatever means they can – and the poor are cast aside and not taken care of –
As people fight legal battles to ensure that people have the right to decide end of life questions and die with dignity – while every day people are dying with no one to consider their dignity –
As people fight to stop abortions – but at the same time fail to make sure that children have their basic needs met –
As we vow to fight terrorism – but refuse to let countries decide for themselves how they are to be ruled –
We have to question whether we truly believe that all people are created equal — and have the same rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
We have to wonder whether we truly believe in liberty and justice for all – as we say in our pledge of allegiance – or if it is really liberty and justice for some.
Friends — America has been called a great nation.
This is very true — America is a very great nation.
However, America is only truly great if Americans have a truly great faith in God — truly give to God the things due God and to our country the things due our county — and live in God’s ways – sharing God’s love with all people – and working for God’s kingdom of love, justice and peace on earth.
America is only as great as our faith in God.
America has been called a Christian nation.
Indeed, our country was founded upon Christian principles — but we must return to those principles — truly give to God the things due to God — and deepen our faith in God.
But — America is only a Christian nation as long as we — Americans — are a Christian people. Once we stop following God and Christ, we can no longer be considered a Christian nation. As a nation, America is only as Christian as we — it’s people — live out our faith and let our faith determine what we do as individuals — and as a country.
America has been called a strong nation.
Once again, this statement is only true if we — as Americans — have a strong faith in God – a strong commitment to giving to God the things due to God and to our country the things due our country
Only if we let our strong faith in God and our strong commitment to God determine what we do as individuals — as a community — as a Church — and as a nation can we be considered a strong nation.
Only if we commit ourselves to acting on our faith – and working for God’s love and God’s will a world filled with God’s love, justice, and peace – can we be considered a great nation.
America’s true strength is not a military strength — but the strength of our faith in God. As long as we — as Americans — have a strong, vibrant faith in God that helps us live in God’s ways — giving to God the things due to God and to our country the things due our country — a faith that helps us judge what God would have us do as individuals — a community — a Church — and a nation — America will be a strong, vibrant nation.
America’s greatness, America’s virtue as a Christian nation, and America’s strength depends upon the depth of the faith of its people — the depth of its people’s commitment to give to God the things due to God.
And that means my faith and my commitment — and your faith and your commitment.

Bless America with true blessings that come with working for God’s will for justice and peace for all people.
Bless America with true blessings that come from being humble before God — and doing God’s will.

This will only happen when we as Americans begin again truly following God — and making sure that the freedoms we hold dear are protected for everyone — and everyone has a right to experience the freedom God give us — as well as the freedoms we hold dear as Americans.

While Sally and I were at the beach last week I read the book Natural Law by Alberto Piedra. In it Piedra asserts that we need to return to a society built upon God’s will for what is right and what is wrong instead of having a society where right and wrong is determined by our own feelings.
As I read this book, I felt that I could not agree more.

I pray that we — and our country — do not miss out on any of the things God wants to bless us with.
I pray that we will turn back to God — and do what we can to bring our country back to God.
I pray that we will do all we can to ensure God’s will of peace, justice, love and compassion for all people.

Come to the table — and commit yourself again to giving to God the things that are God’s — your love, your life, your thoughts, your words, your actions. Commit yourself to doing what you can to ensure these liberties we talk so much about are experienced by all.
Indeed –