7/19/2015
The Christian Heritage Of America–Pt. 3
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD…
America is a Nation that is of Christian Origin. India is considered a Hindu Nation, Saudi Arabia is called a Muslim Kingdom, Spain & Italy are called Catholic Countries, & Many Asian Countries are called Buddhist. There are many in America who are of other religious & non-religious persuasion, but it was Primarily Protestant Thought that Birthed American Freedoms.
The Essence of the Protestant Reformation of the Church was that it brought the Bible to the common people. For the first time in History they were able to read the Word of God for themselves, not having to depend on someone else’s interpretations or teachings. It Empowered people to know the truth that set them free from manmade rules in religion and in politic.
Gods Wisdom Is Intended To Be KNOWN By All Peoples
Ephesians 3:8-11 I am the least of all the Lord’s people, but this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, Who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to His eternal purpose that He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Spiritual Warfare Requires Spiritual Strategies
Ephesians 6:10-12 …be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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.
Christian Belief Is Intended To Confront Political Power
Luke 21:12-15 …they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, all on account of My Name, in this way you will bear testimony to Me. Make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
Jesus Positioned Paul before Caesar
Acts 27:23 Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar.
Historical Examples Instruct Future Generations
1st Corinthians 10:1-5 I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.
Historical Warnings Advise Us In Morals & Ethics
1st Corinthians 10:6-11 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; it is written: They sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry. Don’t commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel. These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come.
Leadership Determines The Span of Existence
Matthew 5:13-14 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
We Are On Mission To Transform Culture
Matthew 5:13-14 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.