The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God:  Psalm 10:4

As we get ready to celebrate July 4^th, a day that used to mean a celebration of our freedom, and this great country I ask you; What is wrong in our country?  Something awful is happening in America, and I wonder, have you even noticed it?

Our country is not like it was when I was growing up. We could leave our doors unlocked and the keys in the car. We seldom ever saw anyone drunk.   We never heard of anyone on drugs. Crime was not always in the news, and divorce was rare.   I never heard of anyone living together without marriage. Police were respected and most people were attending church somewhere.

WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO OUR COUNTRY?

What has brought about this great change?  I can tell you what our problem is, WE HAVE REJECTED GOD.  Do you ever think about this? Does it concern you? The Apostle Paul made this prediction in 2 Timothy 3:1-5;

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  Without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  Traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

The same thing’s happening to us that happened to Israel, God’s ancient people. Like Israel we were once a God-fearing people, but like Israel, we have forsaken the Lord our God. Let’s not forget, this country was built upon the principles of God’s Word.

One of the things still with us today that shows us we were once a God-fearing people is our money. Folks, it says, “In God we trust,” our money! Our Pledge of Allegiance states, “Liberty and Justice for all,” but none of this is true anymore.

My friend, we need to HEED these scriptures;

The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.  Psalm 37:13

I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; Proverbs 1:26

Let’s look at what’s happened in our country since the seventies;

1. We allowed one woman to take prayer out of our schools. We did not have school shootings until after this happened.
2. We took the Bible, the only truth on how to live, out of our schools. Look at the illiterate students the schools are producing now.
3. We have allowed gambling to be legal, when God says we are to work for a living.
4. We have made gay marriage legal, but God said marriage is only between a man and a woman.
5. We have accepted homosexuality as a different lifestyle. God says it is an abomination.
6. We allow couples to live together unmarried. When God says such will go to hell.
7. Years ago, we used to have real teachers who cared for our students. Now we have teachers who care more about their pay and retirement.
8. We have made it legal to murder babies in the mother’s womb, and recently, even after they’re out of the mother’s womb. God has already pronounced judgement on killing the innocent, and this is of the WORST kind.

Let’s face it, we have forgotten God and we do not want to hear his Word.  We live in modern times and think we can do just fine without God or his instructions. We are a nation of people failing to understand God will have the last word.

Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?... He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.  Psalm 2:1

Israel thought she could do just fine following her other gods, but the Almighty put her out of his land. Israel thought she was ok with her Jewish religion, but it didn’t save her. In 586 BC Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and the temple.  In 722 BC the Assyrians took Israel into captivity.  In 70 AD the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the temple again and enslaved them.  God is this same God today!

That principle is just as true for us today as it was for Israel. God warns and God warns, but finally God lowers the boom on nations and people.

The Bible says in Luke 17:26;

And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.

Today, people scoff, and laugh at the idea that God will judge them or our country. God is going to judge the wicked & He’s warning us with the problems we have;

*Over twenty-two trillion dollars in debt.

*Over 22 million illegal people in the country.

*Unwise and godless leaders.

*False ministers & “religion” in too many churches.   

*A population raised on Darwinism and evolution.

There is only one hope for this country and only one; Jesus, Jesus!!!  There is no short cut to remedy the problems we have as a nation of people.

If the Church of professing believers in Jesus Christ does not repent of her many sins, God will judge us, and harshly. It is the church that has failed God.  Too many people are not committed to the Lord. It is the church that has stopped preaching the gospel in too many places and has all kinds of programs to attract people and make them feel comfortable. It is the church with a pastor who does not offend anyone with his message, or a church who thinks they are pleasing God without God. The Apostle Peter tells us;

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 1Peter 4:17

As we said, the ONLY hope for this country is a spiritual awakening or revival, particularly in our churches! You can tell the temperature of the church by how many are at prayer meeting.

People expect Godless leaders to act like they do, but Christians are supposed to act like they have been saved by the grace of God.

Jeremiah 18:8 If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.

Jonah 3:9 Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?

God does not like to judge nations or people. But God judges to get nations and people to repent. To the church at Laodicea, Jesus said;

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see.  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.   Revelation 3:14-17

Jesus told five of the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3 to repent. They needed to straighten up. Do we? Folks JESUS HIMSELF says to repent! Churches need to repent and get to doing what Jesus told them to do.                                                             

AS CHURCH PEOPLE WE ARE TO CARE FOR THE LOST

The church of Jesus has been given a mandate to get out the gospel.

We might be shocked to know how many churches have no mission program, prayer meeting or Bible study. No matter how small the number of church members, there should be some interest in sharing Jesus with others who are not committed to the Lord.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:19-20

This is repeated in all four of the gospels and the book of Acts. Let’s get back to the cross and look upon the One who suffered and died for our sins. Maybe then, there will be hope in America once again.

Father, we are so undeserving of your mercy and favor to us.  Our sins glare in your holy face.  Send a spiritual awakening to the churches of our nation.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

“Loving the Savior” Preacher