Download... July 3, 2011. Sunday Morning Service. Bro. Dave Goble.
Thank God for joy,liberties, opportunities, and of course Salvation! The liberty to be delivered from sin, and follow God in this temporal life on earth.
TEXT: PSALMS 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,..whom He has chosen! We are His inheritance and beneficiary,..the chosen for His promises.
Today is the day before our nation’s birthday. We are grateful that there are some who still patriotically celebrate our nation’s birth. A nation that is blessed, ...is blessed because their God has been the Lord! Our nation’s everyday life is intertwined and connected with the gospel in a theological base for our national foundation,.. at least in the past. Lately you might get the impression that our nation is discouraged, from having forgotten that God is supposed to be our Lord. The premise for the nation’s origins, and the Christian life,...goes hand in hand. One of the problems has been, that people too often do not operate hand in hand with God,... as Lord of our nation. God would have all to be spiritually saved. Some will not, because they will not make God their Lord. They allow their self interests to be first in their life, above God. Because of their “actions” ... they are not the chosen. The chosen consist only of those that truly make God first in their life,..as Lord of all! They love, and do meditate on those blessings.
It has been 235 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It is amazing to read, for it was signed by dedicated and serious men although they were of course,... imperfect humans. Their signing of this significant historical document took place during very radical times, in order to preserve the precious commodity of human liberty. The “ideas” that are written into this document are helpful to any that will “cleave” to it. Consistently, in that day, society had been “soaked” in the influence of Christianity. One, in that time, would have been able to observe all around them,.. the fruits of Christianity.
So it should not be surprising to one who knows history, to acknowledge the foundational “fruits” of our American Constitution. Americans in these latter times need to continue to appeal to The Supreme Judge of this world. In those beginning times of this nation, the majority showed more care, in recognizing God as their Lord. There were exceptions though, in the signers of our constitution, such as Thomas Jefferson who was known as a deist, which of course is one who acknowledges the existence of a “higher power” ...but fails (amongst other things) to recognize Jesus as their “Lord.” An entire paragraph written by Thomas Jefferson was taken out because of it’s unacceptable influence on this historical document.
American Christians of today, are well aware of the many problems in politics, and otherwise, but choose not to meditate on all the “doom and gloom.” They realize their “power” is in God as their Lord of life, therefore also their substance of joy and hope,... in spite of their temporal circumstances. Here in America, many seem to want to be president,..to lead. No doubt there are those also, who would have more to offer, though they are not being pressed,... to being willing to “rule .”
1776 began the time when a number of England citizens left the rule of the King of England, whom they had perceived, to be a tyrant. They desired to be delivered through the radical revolution, that then took place. This was to enable them in newness to be liberated, to be their own free nation. Similarly, Salvation breaks our spiritual shackles, to free us from the bondage of sin. A spiritual revolution. Some may “claim” to understand what we are saying here, yet don’t really grasp it.
There were many in this revolutionary time nationally, that were loyalists to the King of England. Those (as the revolution progressed) generally left to go back, others thought “If I can’t beat them, I’ll join them.” Spiritually, we don’t want to go back! The spiritual revolution is one that frees the soul, from the bondage of this sinful world. A new life, just as in the natural, our constitutional revolution mutually pledged to each other their lives, fortune, etc., ...for the cause of it. In a spiritual resolve also, we need to make certain Satan knows,..”I changed sides!” We will become “enemies” to those who were once friends, while becoming loyal to God and our new place in His family. For the enemies of God are now also... our spiritual enemies. Any spirit that would oppose God’s pure and holy way, is obviously an enemy to Him.
In that same concept, also, any friend of God is also a friend to our soul’s benefit and life. That holy friendship is sealed when we pledge all our strength, and also our life without reservation, for the furtherance of God’s nation/kingdom. Likewise those that left England for liberty, pledged their loyalty and lives to those fighting for the common cause. They realized they would be so much more prosperous in unity, with God as their Lord! Yet many years later,..we see how a nation that forgets God, returns to the "tyranny" they once escaped.
For those discontent English citizens to leave their country of birth and known circumstances...it took some risks, ...just as any soul that spiritually surrenders their life, are risking their fleshly reputation for what God can provide. Similarly, if you own your own business, you are at greater risk than if you simply accepted employment from someone else. Interestingly, in this country, it would seem the thought of having wealth is evil. Yet that concept leaves that one deceived, if accepting that assessment, on all that possess it. It takes wealth to create jobs for the larger good in a society. Too often if that subject is addressed, it is done so with a true misperception in the bigger picture of created opportunities for maintaining a “livelihood,”for a society. This is a good illustration to understand also in the spiritual, how we need to have a new birth for a revolution ….bringing us spiritual wealth. For we must be willing to “risk” our flesh, to have that opportunity to become spiritually rich! To not risk our flesh for spiritual purposes, is to presume we are safe in that more serious subject of our soul.
Britain desired a reconciliation in order not to lose the incoming material gains. But if they had accomplished that, they would not have escaped the tyranny. The revolutionaries had to resist and take the risk for liberty just as spiritually we must pledge our life for God, in order to be freed from the bondage of sin. The revolutionaries were considered traitors as the public enemy number one, and could have executed. But they pledged their lives, one to another, ...and to God. Taking great risk by their actions, lives, etc.
Today people rebel against God’s exhortations for their “dress,” liberties, etc., in a godly way. (Just as the national revolution that took place in that era, took great risk to resist to defer against the tyranny of England’s rule.) Today in spiritual matters, many resist to risk their fleshly ideas of outward appearance and conduct, ..for the pure and holy ways of God. They often will rebel against the "spiritual judgment" against watching worldly movies, dress according to the worldly (immodest) fashions, etc. It amounts to what are, (with those concerned), what they are “trading their souls for.” In those temporal (fleshly) times of the revolution, again they had to take great risk, to resist in deferring to the tyranny of England. Nationally then, and spiritually now, there is a great responsibility to pledge our lives or lose everything, for the spiritual life God would give us. This is of course similar to the revolutionaries risking their lives to obtain national liberty.
Initially at that historical time, nine voted for independence, and four did not. Later all were united to fight for their liberty from England. When they were united, there were saying “yes” as a body,..no one could hold back in order to liberated. In our current times many are with good reason afraid of national conditions and security, and where it continues to go. Spiritually also, we must be united with God, His word, and people, within our soul, to have independence from the sinfulness of this world.
Hebrews 10:30-32, 35, 36, 39 30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; 35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
I would rather (though fearful) fall in the hands of our living and fair God, than mercilessly into the hands of the enemy. When it is it fearful? To be ununited with God's holiness. God will not tolerate dishonesty, hypocrisy, etc., Verse 32 Call to remembrance of how God gave you victory over the bondage of your former life of sin,..to the loss of your fleshly agendas,.. for a better and spiritual inheritance in God! Verse 35 Cast not away your spiritual confidence for the beggarly things of the flesh. Where do you put your confidence? In a temporal dream, hope, etc.? There must be a radical change in your soul’s allegiance for the great reward and confidence placed in the Supreme Judge of this world. If you cast away your spiritual confidence, you lose the great rewards God has supplied for His own. If you have patience, the rewards will come to fruition,..of His given promises. Verse 39 We are not of those that draw back into the sinful elements of this world, but of them that in faith obtain the soul’s Salvation.
Job 1:21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
This must be our attitude, that we came into the world with nothing, and whether we have, or have not, blessed be the name of the Lord. Too often people’s attitude is that the “grass is greener on the other side.” Philosophically, the grass is not greener on the other side. Logically, maybe, “less brown.” Realistically too many are always looking for “greener pastures” as evidenced by the many transitions of choice in their humanity. It shows in the taking of different jobs, etc., unnecessarily, and in general unsettled decisions of their human choices in life. Where sometimes necessity requires many changes, contentment in what God provides, goes a long way in establishing your confidence in Him. It will cost you something (honesty,etc.) Thankfully though, it will pay off to the benefit of your soul. It is prudent to remember, that fleshly investments of this life can lead away from their liberation, spiritually. It will become the “gods” of their everyday interests, effectively selling their Salvation for the “cheap” riches of this life.
In a marriage union, it generally has the marriage participants reciting the oft heard, “For richer or poorer, in sickness and in health,”..etc. Will you make that pledge to Christ? Some have left their Christ received liberties, for a fleshly religion that truly frees no one from sinful bondage. Our society as a whole has become more predominately anti-Christ, many even godless. There needs to be another revolution , morally, and spiritually. For even an extension in national strength, a moral revolution is vital. People cannot continue to do business in the downward direction many are heading. We need to all be counted against the downward moral revolution that is taking over our nation. God wants to see everyone saved. Fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters. The greatest promise you can leave your children is dedication of perseverance, in our service to God as our Lord.
Hebrews 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. There is great recompense of blessing,.. with God as our Lord!
