a nation-loving people

2-17-23

• Evangelist Billy Sunday said, "Christianity and Patriotismare synonymous terms, and hell and traitors are synonymous."

Psalm 2:8Psalm 33:12Romans 13:1

• Scripture is not silent about nations. We learn that God is greater than all nations, that nations come and go, that God uses nations as part of His plans, and that people from all nations will be part of His Kingdom.

Nehemiah 1 and 2

HOW CAN OUR LOVE FOR OUR NATION MAKE

An Impact?

1.I NFORMATION

• “What you don’t know can’t hurt you,” says the old adage; but is it true?

•Some people prefer not to know what’s going on, because information might bring obligation.

Nehemiah 1:1-3

• When we truly care, we want the facts, no matter how painful they may be.

•Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.

2. INTERCESSION

•Prayer ever demands action which is in harmony with its desires. (Neh. 1:4-6)

•Prayer is always practical, for it reaches and apprehends the actual and final forces.

George Washington said, "Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits,and humbly imploreHis protection andfavor…"

Abraham Lincoln – "It is the duty of nations, as well of men, to own their dependence upon God and to recognize the sublime truth announced in the Holy Scriptures & proven by all history,that those nationsonly are blessedwhose God is theLord."

3. I NVOLVEMENT • We may be on the right track,

but we won't get anywhere if we just sit there.

• Nehemiah 2:2-6

“A church that keeps quiet when things are wrong, when social issues are serious, when human rights are under siege, when people are starving, when the poor are being taxed more…when freedom of speech is being curtailed and when the truth is being covered – I don’twant that church.You can have it.”

- Archbishop Oscar Cruz

“If you don’t stand for something, you fall for anything.”

- Rick Warren

Psalm 33v. 13-15 – A people who know that they are accountable to the Lord -He watches them and considers everything they do.

•In God's service, our greatest ability is our availability

•Love for God is best exemplified through our wholehearted devotion and dedicated service to Him and our nation.