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The Christian Roots Of Our Republic
Pastor David L. Brown, Ph.D.
Sermon Delivered 7/6/03 The Bible and prayer have played an important role in our nation’s history. Not many current day history books inform their readers of this fact or that this nation was founded upon what has been called the Judeo-Christian Ethic. And, if I were to walk up to people and ask them what the Judeo-Christian Ethic was, I would be surprised if I got a correct answer. For the record, the Judeo-Christian Ethic refers to the teachings and principles of the Old (Judeo) and New (Christian) Testaments. I believe that America has been blessed because our nation was founded upon the teachings and principles of the Old and New Testaments. The Lord promises in Psalms 33:12 "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance." In this mornings message I will be sharing with you a few of the true stories that show the Christian Roots of Our Republic.
The Importance Of DiligenceI must tell you that one of the things that has made America great is the work ethic of her people. Even before man’s fall into sin, he was charged with dressing and keeping God’s Garden. There are three verses that I want to share with your about the importance of working diligently. Ecclesiastes 9:10 "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might..." Colossians 3:23 "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;" Proverbs 14:23 "In all labour there is profit…" God blesses honest, diligent work! Laziness and irresponsibility bring poverty. We read in Proverbs 13:4 "The soul of the sluggard [idle; lazy person] desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat [prosperous]." If you will be successful, be diligent in all of your undertakings. Employers are looking for diligent workers!
On September 16, 1620 the Mayflower departed for the New World overloaded with 102 Pilgrims. Finally after more than 60 grueling days at sea, at 7 a.m. on November 19th the "Land-Ho" came from the crow’s nest. All the Pilgrims gathered on deck and William Brewster led in the singing of Psalm 100 in meter. They prayed and thanked God for seeing them through the arduous voyage.
The words of the doxology are a good reminder for us… "Praise God from who all blessings flow." If you ever get a chance, when you are in Washington D.C., to go to the Capitol; In the Rotunda area you can see the mural commemorating the Pilgrims coming to the New World. The Importance ThankfulnessThe Pilgrims knew what it was to be thankful to the Lord! Despite their hardships, they knew the truth of 1 Thessalonians 5:18 "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." We need to follow the example of the Pilgrims and make known our thankfulness to the Lord.
We have see that 2 Thessalonians 3:10 and Psalm 100 a part of our national heritage. But there is another Psalm that played an important part in the founding of our nation – Psalm 35. In September of 1774 the First Continental Congress was meeting at Carpenter’s Hall in Philadelphia. They had invited Rev. Douche to open the session with a Scripture reading and then prayer. Below is a portion of that Psalm. Remember as you read the words that the colonies were in a struggle with Great Britain and moving closer to war by the day.
John Adams wrote to his wife, "It seemed if Heaven had ordained that Psalm to be read on that morning." Further, when Rev. Douche lead in prayer the historian says it brought tears to the eyes of every man present. May I make an observation? Our forefathers wanted God’s aid and blessing on this nation! I believe that we as Americans should follow the pattern of our Founding Fathers and regularly read the Bible and pray to our Lord for Wisdom, Guidance and Protection.
I would be surprised if there was anyone here who did not know of the Liberty Bell. It was purchased in 1751 to commemorate the 50th Anniversery of William Penn’s 1701 Charter of privileges. Pennsylvania’s original Constitution speaks of the rights and freedoms valued by people all over the world. Inscribed on that bell are words from Leviticus 25:10 "Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof." How fitting it was for the Liberty Bell to be rung on July 8th, 1776 from the tower of the Pennsylvania State House, summoning citizens to hear the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence.
"We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings that ‘except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.’ I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political undertaking no better than the builders of Babel." The Bible passage Franklin quoted was Psalm 127:1 Our Founding Fathers knew the importance of reading the Bible, following its principles and praying for the Lord’s wisdom, guidance and protection. The final example that I offer you in this message is…
On April 30, 1789 the first President of the United States, George Washington took the oath of office. He asked that the Bible be opened to Deuteronomy 28. Do you know that content of that chapter? God promises blessings for obeying his Word, and cursing or judgment if God’s Word is disobeyed. I for one, want to see God’s blessing continue on our Nation and I am therefore resolved to incorporate the Bible, its teachings and Prayer into my daily life to give Him a reason to bless me, my family and our nation. Let me review the Scriptures that have had a part in the foundation of our nation…
Saint Paul said, "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 3:11 Is your life founded on Jesus Christ? J John 3:16-18 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." If you have never received Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, I would urge you to call on his name this very moment and ask Him to forgive your sins and save your soul.
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