How Can We Help Our Nation?

Pastor David L. Brown, Ph.D.
Sermon Delivered 6/29/03

I just returned from Washington D.C. where I preached a message titled The Christian Roots of Our Republic. In that message I shared 5 passages of Scripture that are associated with the founding of our nation… 2 Thessalonians 3:10; Psalm 100; Psalm 35; Psalm 127:1; and Deuteronomy 28.

I have come to believe that our Country is blessed today not primarily because of what we are now, but because of what it was in those early days when a band of believers framed the foundation of this nation with the overriding purpose of worshipping God and spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Why? Because of what I read in Deuteronomy 7:9 "Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;" God will bless even the remote descendents of a godly people.

That being said, I also believe that slowly but surely God is withdrawing his hand of protection from this nation as a warning to return to God or prepare for judgment.

While I cannot speak for everyone, I would be willing to speculate that those reading this message desire the blessings of God rather than the judgments of God. In this message, I will share four things that will help this nation to be on the blessing end of God’s mercy.

• Be An Informed Individual
• Be A Discerning Disciple
• Be A Praying Patriot
• Be A Spiritual Saint

Let’s look at the first point…  

• Be An Informed Individual

1 Chronicles 12:32 "And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment."

God has forever reserved a place of honor in His Holy Word for the men of Issachar. Why? It is because these men understood the religious and political situation of their nation. They were willing to side with David, a more spiritually suitable leader than Saul, though it could have cost them dearly.

So, how does that apply to us today? We must remember that we are citizens of two kingdoms, the Kingdom of God (John 18:36-37) and the Kingdom of Caesar (Mark 12:16). As believers we are called upon to align ourselves with leaders who will best further the cause of righteousness, and speak up concerning our convictions. Jude 1:3 calls believers to "…earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints."

Being an informed individual and standing for righteousness will help this nation be on the blessing end of God’s mercy.

• Be A Discerning Disciple

Matthew 16:1-4 "The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would show them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. 3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? 4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed."

In this passage, Christ criticizes the religious leaders of his day, and indirectly his own disciples, because of their inability to discern the signs of the times. They should have seen that Jesus was the promised Messiah. He was of the family of David. He was born of a virgin, a d he was born in Bethlehem. He clearly fulfilled these and other commonly known prophecies.

Our generation is in the same boat as the Scribes, Pharisee’s and disciples. They are not paying attention to the signs of the times. Many have the attitude that Peter wrote about it in 2 Peter 3:3-4 "Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation."

I believe that the signs are clearly pointing out that we are living in the climax of the Church Age. The Rapture is imminent. So, what are we to do? Romans 13:11-12 gives us the answer "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light."

A discerning disciple recognizes the lateness of the hour and instead of becoming careless he follows the directive of Paul in Ephesians 5:15-17 "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is."

Living the life of a discerning disciple will help this nation be on the blessing end of God’s mercy.

• Be A Praying Patriot

1 Timothy 2:1-2 "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."

This verse makes it clear that prayer is to be a priority in a believer’s life. First there is general prayer. Next, specific prayers are to be made for local, state, and national leaders. We need to be diligent to pray for America.

There’s more. Not only should we be praying patriots, but we should also be a praising patriots. That is indicated by the phrase "giving of thanks." While there is a lot wrong with America, I praise that I am an American. I have seen first hand what Communism does to a people. I lived in a third world country run by a dictator and seen the results. And who of us here has not seen the travesties of the former Saddam Hussein régime. I thank God for the blessings He has bestowed on this Nation. I would not want to live in any other nation on earth. Therefore, I urge you to be a praying patriot and a praising patriot.

I believe that prayer counts! If you will be a praying patriot, it will help this nation be on the blessing end of God’s mercy.

• Be A Spiritual Saint

Proverbs 14:34 "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people."

I remind you that personal righteousness comes through a right relationship with Jesus Christ. When a person trusts Jesus Christ as his Savior, his sins are removed and based on the merits of Christ God declares the sinner righteous. The believer needs to transform that positional righteousness into personal righteousness.

Now, let’s apply that. Since righteousness exalts a nation, it follows that the more righteousness individuals there are in a nation the greater God’s blessing will be on that nation.

I submit that we need to be busy preaching, promoting and publishing the Gospel, because when people get genuinely saved positional righteousness translates into personal righteousness and God blesses righteousness.