One Nation Under God
(Oct 26, 2008)
Our Msg last wk was titled "God & Government"
& as I said - it was NOT a TOPICAL msg
it was simply the next Vs's in our study of ROM's
Well - our Msg today IS a TOPICAL Msg
& the TOPIC for today is
the Godly Heritage of this Great Country we live in
I need to give full credit to WALLBUILDERS.COM
for both the concept, & information
I encourage you to go to their website - & get involved
April 19, 1775 - The morning after Paul Revere's Ride
70 men lined up on the Lexington Green in the MASS Colony
Not a trained army - but primarily a Pastor
& the men & boys in his congregation (the Minutemen)
ready to stand for Freedom - against 6 Co's of the British military
(800 trained soldiers) who were in position just 150 ft away
Capt. Parker - walked up & down the line of the 70 - & he said
"Do not fire unless fired upon. But if they mean to have war,
then let it begin HERE."
then let it begin HERE."
& then - the shot "heard round the world" was fired
& the fight for FREEDOM in this country began
& in the following 8 ½ years
the greatly outmanned & out-gunned American soldiers
miraculously defeated the far larger & far better equipped
British Army & Navy
& it was DURING this war - the Declaration of Independence
was ADOPTED by the Colonial Congress - on July 4, 1776
Ultimately making the Colonies of America
ONE NATION UNDER GOD
That was 1776 - but this country had been in the
creation & foundation stage for 150 years prior to that
& it was in those crucial years - that the foundation
for this Country was actually forged
& what many today would like to ERASE
is the Crucial & Fundamental Role that God & God's Word played
in Forging the Foundation of this ONE NATION UNDER GOD
So our purpose today
is to briefly review how God & God's Word
gave Clear Direction & a Strong Foundation
for the birth of this Great Country
Let's Pray
Contrary to much of what we see today
this country's forefathers made the Bible
the actual, practical CENTER of their lives - & decision making
Our forefathers saw the Bible NOT just as a spiritual guide,
but as a practical guide for every day of life
& so (naturally) the Bible was sown into the fabric
of HOW the people of this new country should live
The great Patriot Patrick Henry who's famous
"Give me Liberty or give me death" speech
was delivered in a Virginia Church in 1775
wrote this; The Bible is a book worth more than all the other books that were ever printed
The famous educator Noah Webster
(Webster's Dictionary - 1st Published in 1806);
wrote this; The Bible is the chief moral cause of all that is good, & the best corrector of all that is evil in human society.
Another webster (not related) Daniel Webster - A great legal
Defender of the Constitution & Secretary of State;
Defender of the Constitution & Secretary of State;
wrote this; To the free & universal reading of the Bible, men are much indebted for right views of civil liberty. The Bible is a book which teaches man his own individual responsibility, his own dignity, and his equality with his fellow man
THAT - is how CENTRAL the Bible was
to lives of our forefathers
But let's take a minute to go back to the real beginning
Where did our Founding Fathers get
their commitment to God & God's Word
They were HEIRS to a Godly heritage
that began in this land 150 years earlier
In the 1620's - the Pilgrims & Puritans really began arriving
on our shores (130 years after Columbus)
& they came here with One Primary Book - THE BIBLE
In fact - their love for the Bible - & commitment to the Reformation
was a huge part of what drove them here
was a huge part of what drove them here
& one of their primary purposes in coming to The New World
was to form a society BUILT on God's WORD
in 1647 - the settlers began arriving in huge numbers
& education became a real need
& in one of the earliest Public Education Laws in the Colonies
was the Code of 1650
it stated - the Purpose of the Public Education System was
to FIRST insure that all students had a thorough knowledge of
the Scriptures
the Scriptures
& 40 yrs later - still concerned about Public Education
the 1690 CONN illiteracy law - states, as its purpose
This Legislature observing, not withstanding our former orders made for the education of Children, there are many persons unable to read the English tongue, and thereby incapable of reading the Holy Word of God, or the good laws of this state.
in that same year (1690)
the 1st text book was printed in the American Colonies
it was called, "The New England Primer"
& it was the primary text book for American Education
for over 200 yrs - Until the early 1900's
It started off with Phonics - then came the Rhyming alphabet
To help the students memorize - there was a picture depicting
a BIBILCAL EVENT placed by each letter
& then a Rhyme for the student to learn - For Example;
A - (pic of the Garden, &) In Adam's fall, we sinned ALL
B - (pic of the Bible, &) Heaven to find, the BIBLE Mind
C - (pic of the Cross. &) CHRIST crucified, for sinners died
& EVERY single letter had with it
a Bible Picture, & a Bible Rhyme
& in the back of this first American textbook were 170 questions
to test Grammar school students
MOST of which - had to do with God's Word
An example from the 1st Grade test section;
What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow
from Justification, Adoption, and Sanctification?
from Justification, Adoption, and Sanctification?
for 200 of our very first years - this was THE textbook in America
& you can STILL buy this textbook today
from WALLBUILDERS.COM - (I read some of it online)
from WALLBUILDERS.COM - (I read some of it online)
jump ahead 84 years to SEPT 6, 1774
The opening session of the Colonial Congress - the 1st meeting
The record of this session can easily be found & read today
& if you do read it - you will find that the men
of the 1st Colonial Congress - in their 1st meeting
PRAYED for THREE HOURS & did a Bible study on PSALM 35
all of which are clearly recorded in the Records of Congress
Just stop & think about that for a minute !!
jump to 1776
when the Congress appointed a Committee to draft
the Declaration of Independence
56 men were appointed to draft the Declaration
that would literally change the history of this world
But pls listen carefully - 24 of the 56 signers of the
Declaration of Independence - had full seminary degrees
Nearly ONE-HALF of the signers of the document
that birthed this Nation - were Ordained Ministers & Pastors
& most of the others were leaders in their churches
They believed in Divine Moral Absolutes
& they clearly wrote those Divine Absolutes
right into our Declaration of Independence
And WHERE (technically) did these men find
the ideas that made the Declaration of Independence
like NO OTHER Governing document in the world
We know from the signers themselves
that many of the concepts used for the Declaration of Independence
came from a writing by JOHN LOCKE
called "Two Treatises of Government"
in which the Bible is mentioned no less than 1500 times
in less than 400 pages - - (can still get this today)
& here's another incredible proof of the Faith of our Founding Fathers
Prior to the Declaration of Independence
England (church of England) had made it illegal
to publish an English Bible
But as soon as the Declaration of Independence was signed
one of the signers - Benjamin Rush - started the
1st Bible Society in this country - to spread the Word of God
& within 8 yrs the same men who SIGNED our
Declaration of Independence had started 121 Bible Societies
for the SOLE PURPOSE of getting God's Word
into the hands of the people in this country
One of those Bible Societies - the American Bible Society
still distributes millions of Bibles around the world - every year
Let me say that AGAIN
The VERY SAME men who signed the Declaration of Independence
Started 121 Bible Societies in the following 8 years
to Get God's Word to FLOOD this new Country
Benjamin Rush wrote about the signing of the Declaration
he said they sat in silence in the room
knowing that hanging would be their probable end
& Benjamin Rush wrote - "I sat next to John Adams in Congress, and upon my whispering to him and asking him if he thought we should succeed in our struggle with Great Britain. He replied
'Yes, if we fear God and repent of our sins.' "
Imagine that room - As 56 Prominent Leaders of the Colonies
signed in essence - their own Death Warrant
for Treason against the King of England
& as they sat in silence - the Declaration was laid out
with two silver pens & two ink wells
& the Secretary would call these men 1 by 1
to the front of the room
to sign the most important GOV'T document
in the history of the world
Many of these 56 men watched their homes be burned
watched their sons die in the war
gave up ALL their material fortunes
& many were killed before our freedom was won
& did you know, that not long ago in TX - the ACLU filed a lawsuit
saying that it is Unconstitutional to require public schools
saying that it is Unconstitutional to require public schools
to study the Declaration of Independence - because
it mentions God too often - - (fortunately, they lost)
moving ahead to 1781 - the end of the American Revolution
& the miraculous defeat of the British army
In that same year a plan was advanced - IN CONGRESS
to print & distribute America's 1st English language Bible
The FIRST English language Bible printed in AMERICA
was printed BY CONGRESS - with TAX Money
it was called the Bible of the Revolution
& there are only 26 left in the world today
On SEPT 12, 1782 the FULL Congress approved this Bible
& the Records of Congress surrounding this Bible state;
It is a needed addition of the Holy Scriptures,
for the use of our SCHOOLS
for the use of our SCHOOLS
Moving ahead to 1787 - & the Constitutional Convention
where the work of the Delegates from each Colony
produced a Brand New Gov't document called
The United States Constitution
One of the longest speeches at that Constitutional Convention,
was delivered by Benjamin Franklin, who was 81 yrs old,
& one of only 6 men who signed BOTH the
Declaration of Independence (11 yrs ealier) AND the Constitution,
& BTW - Benjamin Franklin was definitely
one of the LEAST Religious of all the Founding Fathers
& on JUNE 28, 1787 - during a very difficult time of the convention -
He addressed the president of the Convention George Washington
Remember - this is 6 years AFTER
the end of the war with Great Britain
Benjamin Franklin;
"In the beginning of the contest with Great Britain when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayer in this room for the Divine Protection.
Our prayers were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending Providence in our favor. And have we now forgotten this powerful Friend? or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance?
I have lived, sir, a long time, and the longer I live the more convincing proofs I see of this truth; That God governs in the affairs of men. If a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise, without His aide?
We have been assured in the Sacred writings, that unless the Lord build a house, they labor in vain that build it. I firmly believe this. And I also believe, that without His concurring aide, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel.
I therefore beg leave to move, that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven and its blessings on our deliberation, be held in this assembly every morning before we proceed to business."
& THAT was the day - & THAT was the speech
that BEGAN the institution of Congressional PRAYER
which still stands TODAY, over 200 yrs later
& despite the relentless efforts of Anti-God & Anti-American
organizations like the ACLU
organizations like the ACLU
to remove prayer from all public events & Gov't activities
We know that our Founding Fathers would NEVER address
the Governing of this Country
without first beseeching God's Blessings in prayer
Now - Maybe you've heard the "mind controlling" media
say that our Founding Fathers were not Christians
that they were Atheists, Agnostics & Deist's
& not only the Godless media,
but also the Godless higher education system
is relentlessly indoctrinating the next generations with these lies
But here is the TRUTH
there are about 250 men considered the Founding Fathers
10 or 12 of them (5%) were Atheists or Agnostics
In fact Thomas Jefferson who is called a Diest
actually claimed to be a Christian
but he didn’t believe in the Deity of Christ
& so - the Media & Education focuses on the 5%
who were not Christians
& totally disregards the 95% of the Founding Fathers
who built this Country as ONE NATION UNDER GOD
We could easily quote a hundred examples PROVING the
Commitment of our Founding Fathers - to God & to the Bible
Commitment of our Founding Fathers - to God & to the Bible
but let me just quote a few
Founding father John Adams;
The general principles on which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. Now I will avow that I then believed and now believe, that those general principals of Christianity are as eternal & immutable as the existence and attributes of God"
They say George Washington was an Atheist - yet MOST
of the paintings & statues we have of George Washington
Show him Praying !!
Gouverneur Morris - Signer of the Constitution
spoke 173 times (the most) in the Constitutional Convention
AND - he was the penman - he wrote the constitution
He said - Religion is the only solid basis of good morals. Therefore, education should teach the precepts of religion and the duties of man toward God"
He said - Religion is the only solid basis of good morals. Therefore, education should teach the precepts of religion and the duties of man toward God"
James Wilson - Signer of the Constitution
spoke 168 times (2nd most) at the Constitutional Convention
He STARTED our Law School system
he wrote the 1st legal argument for the Constitution
AND - he was our FIRST Supreme Court Justice (not chief)
He said - "Human law must rest its authority ultimately upon the authority of that law which is divine.
Far from being rivals or enemies, religion and law are twin sisters, friends, and mutual assistants."
THAT - is a Quote from our FIRST appointed Supreme Court Justice
These quotes - or 100 more that I could put up
SURE Don’t sound like what they're screaming in the Press today
as SEPARATION OF CHURCH & STATE
But did you know - the phrase "Separation of Church & State"
appears NO-WHERE in the Constitution
or the 1st Amendment
or any other original governing document
in fact, in the only mention of religion in the 1st amendment says; "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of
religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"
religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"
The writer's purpose for that phrase in the 1st Amendment
was to prevent the Gov't from establishing
a Mandatory Religion, such as the Church of England
The phrase 1st appeared in a private letter
by our 3rd president - Thomas Jefferson
he was writing to a group of Baptist churches
& he was reassuring them
That the Gov't would NEVER interfere with their
public religious expressions or activities (like the church of England)
But guys - Thomas Jefferson was NOT even AT the
Constitutional Convention
& he had no part in writing the 1st Amendment - he was in EUROPE
he was not even a member of Congress
when the Bill of Rights was adopted
& when Thomas Jefferson was in charge
of the WASH D.C. schools
he required only TWO books MUST be used
in the public schools - The BIBLE & the Watts Hymnal
YET - the courts have now taken that little phrase
from a private letter by Jefferson
insuring the Gov't would never STOP public expression of religion
& they have used it to STOP public expression of religion
which is the exact opposite of the purpose for which it was written
& now - this misapplied phrase - has become the Wrecking Ball
to TRY remove God from the Fabric of this Nation
Consider this - SINCE 1962
when Prayer & Biblical Absolutes were taken out of the classroom
We've had a 694% increase in violent crime
WHY? - because we've taught our children there are
NO Biblical Absolutes set down by THE CREATOR
We've taught them there are NO Absolutes at all
& so they can grow up & do whatever they want
& it's not only Violent Crime but also skyrocketing in our country
since that time are
DIVORCE, Out of Wedlock BIRTHS, & ABORTIONS
because our courts have decided it's unconstitutional
to teach Biblical Values & Moral Absolutes to our children
But guys - Abraham Lincoln was RIGHT when he said;
"The Philosophy of the schoolroom in one generation will be
the philosophy of government in the next"
the philosophy of government in the next"
THAT is why the Enemies of God - are removing Biblical Absolutes
& replacing them with "Jim & John get Married"
& replacing them with "Jim & John get Married"
Make no mistake - this is a Spiritual battle for our children
& for the FUTURE of our Country
& there are only 2 Spiritual Powers
Only ONE of which would want
Godly & Moral Absolutes removed from our Society
& BTW - How DID Thomas Jefferson
(who wrote that misused quote about Church & State)
HOW did he really feel about God in America
Thomas Jefferson (wrote in 1782)
"Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction on the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God?
"Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction on the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God?
That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever"
This country has been the greatest Country in the World
BECAUSE we are ONE NATION UNDER GOD
But if that covering of GOD is removed
then I would ECHO the words of Thomas Jefferson;
Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever"
What is at stake is our Godly Heritage - & our Covering of God
It IS primarily a Spiritual War
& it must be fought 1st on Spiritual Ground
But the question is - ARE we (as Christians) Engaged in the Battle?
Are we doing our part ?
Are we doing our part ?
Are we upholding God's Righteousness?
Are we VOTING for Righteousness? . . . Are we VOTING at all ?
Are we VOTING for Righteousness? . . . Are we VOTING at all ?
Charles Finney - the Famous Evangelist
who sparked the Great Revival of the 1800's said this;
"The church must take right ground in regard to politics. Politics are a part of a religion in a country as this, and Christians must do their duty to their country as a part of their duty to God.
God will bless or curse this nation according to the course Christians take in politics."
THAT was a serious statement in the 1800's
How much more serious is it now?
This Country was Conceived, & Founded,
as ONE NATION UNDER GOD
& we - as Christians - Must do ALL we can - to uphold the
Righteousness of God - that this country was built on
Righteousness of God - that this country was built on
We MUST Pray - 1st & Foremost - AND we must do all we can to ACT
John Hancock; - 1st Signer of the Declaration;
"I urge you, by all that is dear, by all that is honorable, by all that is sacred, not only to pray but to act."
We're called to be SALT & LIGHT - in an increasingly Ungodly society
Let's do all we can - to CALL this Nation - BACK to God
I'd like to close with 2 Chron 7:14
14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Let's Pray
2Chron 7:14
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