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Series: Signs of the Times. May 29, 2011 Today’s Message: “Land of the Free” Joshua 4:1-9. Land of the Free. Remembering how greatly God has blessed America 10 evidences and concerns about God’s hand upon America. Ten Evidences and Concerns. 1. In Washington D.C.-
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Series: Signs of the Times May 29, 2011 Today’s Message: “Land of the Free” Joshua 4:1-9
Land of the Free • Remembering how greatly God has blessed America • 10 evidences and concerns about God’s hand upon America
Ten Evidences and Concerns • 1. In Washington D.C.- • 555 foot Washington Monument • Capstone, eastern side: Inscription- “Laus Deo” “Praise be to God” • Recognition of our nation’s acknowledgement of God in our founding and in our continuance
Ten Evidences and Concerns • 2. Did God have a special plan for America? • President Ronald Reagan: • Fitting for us to reflect upon America…Bible and Israel • Psalm 33:12 • Proverbs 14:34
Ten Evidences and Concerns • 3. Our founders • Journal of Columbus • Exploration to take the message of salvation to an unknown land • George Washington kneeling at Valley Forge • Continental congress on knees
Ten Evidences and Concerns • 3. Our founders • Abraham Lincoln praying • Woodrow Wilson reading the Bible late at night
Ten Evidences and Concerns • 4. Our blessings • .5% of world population • 50% of resources and wealth • Reason= Genesis 12:1-3 • 75% of all world Christian missionaries are from the USA • 95% of languages in world have scriptures
Ten Evidences and Concerns • 4. Our blessings • Since W.W. II, Americans have started 1800 missionary agencies and have sent out over 350,000 missionaries • Acts 1:8 • This is the great commission
Ten Evidences and Concerns • 5. Why has America been blessed? • Because we are friends to the Jewish people • Genesis 12:1-3 • Israel today • An officially authorized nation (1948)
Ten Evidences and Concerns • 5. Why has America been blessed? • Not occupying their land • Small in size • Small in numbers • Huge in impact
Ten Evidences and Concerns • 5. Why has America been blessed? • Because of our commitment to freedom • John 8:32 • 2007 freedom house survey: • In the world, 3 billion people live in at least a partially free nation (46%) • 54% live under tyranny • The world-wide curse of terrorism
Ten Evidences and Concerns • 5. Why has America been blessed? • Because America has been founded upon God’s Word- • George Washington- “It is impossible to rightly govern our country without God and the Bible.” • Abraham Lincoln- “…It is my constant anxiety and prayer that both myself and this nation shall be on the Lord’s side.”
Ten Evidences and Concerns • 5. Why has America been blessed? • Benjamin Franklin- “God governs in the affairs of men. Without His aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel.” • Henry Wilson • President Woodrow Wilson • July 2, 1776- Washington • Nov. 19, 1963- Lincoln • Calvin Coolidge
Ten Evidences and Concerns • 6. The U.S. is hated by many nations • Radical Islamic Jihadists • North Korea is defiant • Iran is threatening • Others are belligerent
Ten Evidences and Concerns • 7. America’s moral decay is astounding: • Symptoms of decay in values • Disregard for life • Disintegration of the family • Rebellion against authority and parents • Acceptance of perversion • Widespread Hedonism and narcissism
Ten Evidences and Concerns • 7. America’s moral decay is astounding: • Defamation of past national heroes • Unexplainable brutality • America once welcomed God in • Now America is pushing God out
Ten Evidences and Concerns • 8. As this trend continues, God’s judgments will follow • 1. Consequences will result in severe discipline • Galatians 6:7 • 2. Continued ignoring of God and rebellion results in abandonment • Romans 1:24-32
Ten Evidences and Concerns • 8. As this trend continues, God’s judgments will follow • 3. Another form of God’s judgment upon sin is catastrophism • Examples- the flood worldwide • Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah • Sometimes, not always, God catastrophes are caused by sin
Ten Evidences and Concerns • 9. The rapture of the church will devastate America • 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 • All true believers will suddenly vanish • America will lose 50-75 million people • All children will be gone • No babies or toddlers will be left behind • The salt and light will be gone
Ten Evidences and Concerns • 9. The rapture of the church will devastate America • Only those who have rejected Jesus will be here • Rampant will be vandalism, looting, crime • All law enforcement will be overwhelmed • All healthy cells are removed • Cancer of values will consume society
Ten Evidences and Concerns • 10. Our trust has never been in governments, civilizations, or cultures • These institutions will all be swept away by the winds of history • Our trust is in our eternal God • Philippians 3:20