2 Chronicles 7:14
Declaration of Independence and The Preamble to the Constitution acknowledge God. But our country has slipped away from these founding principles.
We have lost our way.
"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." Romans 13:1
Judgment may be coming. God doesn't want to bring down judgment.
"Do not move an ancient boundary stone
set up by your ancestors." Proverbs 22:28
We have moved the ancient boundaries that our founding fathers set up.
The Guttmancher Institute of 2014 found out that the women who had abortions were:
24% Catholic
17% mainline protestant
13% Evangelical protestant.
54% of the abortions performed in this country were on self-proclaiming Christians.
We the church have let our country down. This is not what God wants for us.
"Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?" Ezekiel 33:11
God doesn't want to pass judgment.
Judgment is not on civil government. The judgment mentioned in Revelation 2 and 3 is on the churches, not the world. Let him who has ears let him hear is the statement Jesus says to Believers.
The Future depends on the church.
Lukewarm -- no power, spit out of the mouth of God.
On Fire -- full of the power of God and combat all
During the spring when churches went virtual, 49% of church people said they didn't even attend virtual church (the ones that could). They just let it slide.
"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 I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14
There should be no surprise if we get judged.
Who is our fight with?
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12
Satan is having a field day in our country! He is playing ball big time. We let satan run amok. God says He has given us the ability to change our land.
What can we do today?
He is telling us Believers to:
1. Humble ourselves. We are responsible.
2. Pray (pray for our country). Pray that it returns, that we the church become what we need to be.
3. Seek God's face -- see what God wants us to do.
4. Turn from our wicked ways.
What can we do to change ourselves?
Examples for today
"These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come." 1 Corinthians 10:11
We are the culmination of the ages.
"The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”" Acts 2:39
This is a promise forever! What is the promise?
"And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved." Acts 2:21
Two Examples:
Sodom and Gomorrah vs. Ninevah. Which country will we be?
"Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?”" Genesis 18:32
10 righteous people were not found in Sodom and Gomorrah so they were destroyed! God couldn't find 10 people who lived for Him. God doesn't want to bring judgment. God can't tolerate sin -- He has done all He can for us. He sent Jesus! If we choose wickedness, we will get judgment.
"When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened." Jonah 3:10
Ninevah on the other hand, chose to repent! And they were saved.
If we as a country do not change we are going to crash and burn. We will be under the judgment of God. It is up to the Believers to bring our country to repentance.
7" If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, 8 and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned. 9 And if at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be built up and planted, 10 and if it does evil in my sight and does not obey me, then I will reconsider the good I had intended to do for it." Jeremiah 17:7-10
God is whispering the possibility of judgment in our ears. Will we listen? Will we Believers do what we need to do? We have been blessed. Will we choose blessing or judgment? We need to turn back to God.
The mantle falls on us
17" For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?" 1 Peter 4:17
"But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said:
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is." Ephesians 5:13-17
Therefore do not be foolish....