Dr. Tom Hover
July 4, 2021
Proverbs 14:34
God's Birthday Message to America on Sunday July 4th, 2021
Proverbs 14:34
“Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”
God's Birthday Message to America on Sunday July 4th, 2021
Dear Heavenly Father, We the people of Eastside Missionary Baptist church located in the United States of America come together in prayer for our nation. We thank You for inspiring our forefathers to establish our nation with You as our head. Stir our hearts to repentance and help us to restore Your values in our families, our government, and our nation. We pray for Truth to prevail, for our children to turn from Satan, and wisdom for our leaders; that they will make decisions based on what Your Son, Christ Jesus taught us. We believe in Your words: that if we pray for our nation, humble ourselves, and turn from our wicked ways; You will hear from heaven, forgive our sins, and heal our land. (II Chronicles 7:14) In Jesus Name We Pray, Amen
God’s Birthday Message to America Today Comes from Proverbs 14:34 “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”
Introduction: Some of America’s Godly History: Mayflower Compact states why they came to America. “In ye (the) name of God Amen” “Having undertaken, for ye (the) Glory of God, and Advancement of ye (the) Christian Faith.” They came to be Christian missionaries. The Declaration of Independence says, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” After signing the Declaration of Independence, Sam Adams said, “We have this day restored the Sovereign to Whom alone ought men to be obedient. He reigns in Heaven, and from the rising to the setting of the sun, may His Kingdom come.” The Liberty Bell has written on it (Leviticus 25:10 “Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all thee inhabitants thereof”) Verses from God’s Holy Word (the Bible not the Koran) is woven throughout our history. George Washington said, “You do well to wish to learn our arts and ways of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ. These will make you a greater and happier people than you are.” Proverbs 14:34 “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. “These truths hold true for any nation today. History is littered with the echoes of failed nations. Nineveh, the Egyptian Dynasty, Greece, the Roman Empire.... Today, the United States is a proof text for this verse! Psalm 20:7
I. The Righteousness of a Nation "Righteousness..." The first word of our verse is "righteousness." It is a word seldom uttered outside of conservative churches today.
1. It Implies Sovereignty. If there is such a thing as righteousness, then Someone sovereign must determine what it is. God is an authority on righteousness. Psalm 71:19, 98:2
2. It Implies a Standard. Society today does not want a standard; they will not even acknowledge that one exists. Psalm 119:40, Psalm 119:142
3. It Implies a Straightness. It is one thing to admit that there is a standard, it is quite another to make that standard your own. The word in our text intimates a personal righteousness, a personal morality. Deuteronomy 4:4-9
II. The Reward of a Nation "...exalteth a nation..." Who can doubt that America has been exalted among the nations? Proverbs 14:34, Psalm 9:17 Let us examine the word "exalteth" a little more closely to determine just what God means in this most glorious promise: "Righteousness exalteth a nation...!"
1. The Exalted Nation is Set-Apart. One of the meanings of the word "exalt" is "to be lifted up, to be made high." (Wilson's Word Studies, pg. 151) Psalm 46:10, Psalm 37:34
2. The Exalted Nation is Safe. Another sub-meaning of the word "exalt" is "to raise high as an inaccessible fortress, out of the reach of danger." Psalm 32:7, Psalm 119:114 America celebrates her 245th birthday today July 4th. What a testament to God's protection and preservation!
3. The Exalted Nation is Strong. Another shade of meaning of the word "exalt" is "to triumph over enemies." A mere glance at the history of America will reveal the hand of God's protection watching over us in war and in peace. Psalm 144:1
III. The Revolt of a Nation "...but sin..." We now come to the depressing aspects of God's promise to "any nation." As surely as righteous- ness exalts a nation, sin destroys it. God says so in the very same verse! Today, many people want a "buffet-style" religion. They want a God who is merciful, loving and kind. The God of Christianity fulfills that desire. But the God of mercy and love is also the God of judgment and damnation. To understand this truth, let us examine the meaning of the word "sin."
1. Sin is an Undisciplined Aim. To “sin” is "to miss the mark, as an archer misses his target." (Wilson's Word Studies, pg. 395) Psalm 2:1-4,Isaiah 5:20
2. Sin is an Unwise Assurance. Another meaning of "sin" is "to stumble, to err from the path." Psalm 59:12
3. Sin is Ungrateful Actions. The final meaning of "sin" is "an outright transgression, rebellion." Daniel 9:11, I John 3:4
IV. The Reproach of a Nation "...is a reproach..." The first mention of the word "reproach" in our English Bible can be found in Genesis 30:23: "And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach:" Eve had borne a son whom she expected to be the promised Messiah. Her "reproach" was the curse that God placed on her because of Adam's sin. Sin brings a reproach, whether it is in the life of the individual or in the timeline of a nation.
1. Disgraced. One definition of “reproach” is "to be brought low, to go from the heights to the depths." (Wilson's Word Studies, pg. 350) Nehemiah 1:3
2. Dishonored. Another definition of "reproach" is "to be ridiculed, to rail on, to revile." I Samuel 17:26
3. Defeated. The final definition of "reproach" means "to pluck or strip away all that is good." Our culture is in the process of doing just that. Our defeat has not come at the hands of a foreign invader. Note the Danger that God Word warned Israel about: Psalm 80:12 -16 A. External Danger Psalm 80:12 “Plucked Up” B. Internal Danger Psalm 80:13 “Rooted Up” Psalm 79:1 Benjamin Franklin: “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to Purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Freedom.” “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death! “The historic conclusion of Patrick Henry's address in 1775 at Richmond, Virginia rings true to us living today. He concluded, "Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me – give me liberty or give me death!" There Are Only Two Choices In the reality of human existence, there are indeed only two choices for each of us – liberty or death. Those of us who have attained personal accountability, stand condemned before God because of our sins. Freedom in Christ or Bondage in Sin? Which will it be? C. Eternal Danger Psalm 80:12 “Why hast Thou then broken down her hedges?” Psalm 80:15-17 (16) “Burned Up” Psalm 9:17, Psalm 33:12 God is America’s only hope and America’s biggest threat! Conclusion: America has been great because of God. If we fall, it will be because of our failure to honor God as our Sovereign Authority and Lord. Let us pray for our land and resolve to do our best to make America great again. If we achieve anything, it is God which must accomplish it! Although we have a God of Judgment and Wrath, He is likewise a God of Grace and Mercy, where there is true repentance, there is forgiveness, blessing and favor. On July 4,1776 our nation was born. Now on July 4, 2021 - 245 years later, our nation needs to be Born Again, and it begins with individuals like you and me. We must Look up, confess up, speak up, and stand up! Matthew 11:28, Revelation 22:17 One Nation Under God is the only way the go! Proverbs 14:34 “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”
TOM HOVER QUOTES
July the Fourth is a day we celebrate our independence from other nations. Thanksgiving Day is a day we Celebrate of our Dependence Upon God.
Freedom for the Christian is not the freedom to do whatever they want, but the freedom to do as they ought.
I Peter 2:16, I Thessalonians 4:1, I John 2:6
Freedom is life controlled by truth & motivated by love. Bondage is life controlled by lies & motivated by selfishness.
John 8:32, Galatians 4:3, 9, 5:1
Note: A Bible believing, Bible reading, born again, Spirit-filled Christian knows real freedom & can never be mentally & socially enslaved. John 8:32, John14:6
It is True! Freedom is never free!
It costs the blood of many thousands. For our freedom to remain, it takes perpetual vigilance, or it will be lost!
Freedom is easier kept than regained. It takes perpetual vigilance & diligence to keep it, but blood & lives to regain it.
John 3:18, 36, John 14:6
