TEXT; Topical, 4th of July, 2021
INTRO: Is America the greatest nation on earth, or much less? What makes it great?
A
I. GOD GIVES COMMON BLESSINGS TO ALL HUMANITY.
A.America is blessed mightily, but God is generous to all people.
II. AMERICA’S PEOPLE ARE NOT INHERENTLY GREATER THAN OTHER PEOPLE.
Other nations have had great individuals, gifted leaders and talented artists. But, all nations are included in Rom. 3:23, “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”,
A. IT IS NOT SOME OBVIOUS ACTS OF NATURE. Yes, we have some of the most
beautiful and productive geography in the world:, but so does other nations. Some are beautiful and some productive. We may be especially blessed, but others have natural blessings as well.
B. INDUSTRIAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES HAVE COME FROM MANY NATIONS. We have all benefited from the social advances from all nationsI Are really “a shining city on a hill?”
C, WHAT HAS MADE AMERICA STAND OUT?
Three important matters.
D. A GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHED FOR THE GOOD OF THE PEOPLE.
Romans 13:3, “For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.”
Gettysburg Address, Abe Lincoln,: “government of the people, by the people, and for the people.” Monarchies, oligarchies, and Marist governments promote elitists who want to control others for their own benefit.
The Colonies could understood the “all people are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.” The good of the citizens were the reason for government to exist and not vice versa.
James Madison: {They are subject to] the turbulency and weakness of unruly passion.”
The US chose to be a “REPUBLIC” where officials are “elected’ by the whole to have a more balanced government that gave consideration of the minority as well as the majority. Thus, all people had fair representation and open compromise.
E. A CULTURE OF VICTORY THAT IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.
Phil. 2:3-4, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself, do not look out merely for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” This is a culture for all.
The Declaration of Independence, “all men are created equal and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Americans had such hope that all could succeed if they worked together. And, slowly but surely, they have tried.
III.THE INFLUENCE OF GRACE AND TRUTH OF GOD.
Is America Christian? Some say no, but evidence indicates otherwise. Well known American patriots, indicated through writings and speeches, their belief that Christianity held great power in influencing the foundation of this nation.
A. In 1787, Northwest Ordinance :“Religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged.”
B. George Washington wrote, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and morality are indispensable supports.” Washington was Christian.
C. John Jay, first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court said, “The BIble is the best of all books, for it is the word of God . . . . continue to read it and regulate your life by its precepts.” ; Justice David Brewer in 1905, “The U.S. is Christian in a cultural sense, not a legal one.”
D. Thomas Paine wrote, “It is the will of the Almighty, that there should be a diversity of religious opinions among us: it affords a larger field for our Christian kindness.” Paine was not a Christian, but saw it as the dominant influence of the nation.
CONCLUSION
THE USA certainly holds at least equal rank with the world in the character and contributions of its people. Its greatness is further evidenced in its form of government to benefit all people, its national sense of identity and culture cultural outlook is full of optimism and the belief that better lives can be obtained for all people. Its struggle for ethical and moral strength was centered around Jesus Christ and the Bible., Ps. 33:12, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” was originally written about Israel, but stands true for any nation that seeks to know and honor God.