Rev. David Holwick X FOURTH OF JULY
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
July 5, 1992
2 Chronicles 7:14
HEALING OUR NATION
I. The United States is in troubled times.
A. Our victories (USSR, Iraq) seem hollow.
1) Currently we are viewed as the sole superpower of the world.
2) Our system of democracy is spreading everywhere.
3) Yet we lack confidence in the direction we are going.
B. Our foundations are shaken, and we don't know which direction
to choose.
1) Throughout our history, we have even seen ourselves as a
special nation, an "almost chosen people" (A. Lincoln).
2) Today we are locking out that religious heritage: banning
of prayers at public events is almost total now.
C. Our problems are becoming overwhelming.
1) We are torn by violence.
a) 20,000+ murders a year.
b) Rodney King video.
2) Moral decline and disintegration of the family.
a) Not just in ghettos.
b) Involves every ethnic group and social class.
Ruth Graham:
"If God doesn't bring judgment on America soon, he will have
to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah." #142
II. The solution to our problems.
A. The right political leader.
1) Leaders can make a difference, but usually a small one.
2) They almost never attain what they promise.
B. Giving power to the people.
1) We already have input through voting, taxes, etc.
2) Problem is: we are the problem.
C. Editorial (1991) in Daily Record by David Boldt:
Problem with America is not so much in our systems, as in
ourselves.
Government has only so much power to force people to be good.
#1540
III. The teaching of 2 Chronicles 7:14.
A. In many presidential inaugurals, the swearing-in Bible is
opened to this passage. (Including both of Reagan's)
B. Context: dedication of Solomon's temple.
1) God describes his relationship to Israel - "my people."
2) God outlines a strong moral system: if they sin, he will
punish them.
3) If the nation repents, he will give them revival.
C. Limits on its application to America.
1) Contrary to how we may view ourselves, we are not God's
chosen nation. Only ancient Israel is.
2) Nevertheless, the "moral system" applies to all nations.
IV. What America needs to do.
A. Humble itself.
1) Being #1 isn't the goal of life, for people or nations.
2) We must realize there is a Higher Power than us.
3) Unless we really believe we need God, we won't find him.
B. Pray and truly seek God.
1) Often given lip service, especially on a national level.
2) Revival always starts with heartfelt prayer.
C. Repent - turn from evil ways.
1) Nations don't repent, people do.
2) It's not enough to moan about what's wrong, we have to do
something.
V. What God will do.
A. Hear.
1) Doesn't God hear every prayer? No.
2) Repentance opens God's ears.
B. Forgive and heal.
1) Soon after the America's Revolution, France had one.
It was marked by incredible violence and anti-religious
feeling.
Many historians feel the violence would have spread to
England as well, but was thwarted by the Methodist revival.
The preaching of John Wesley so challenged the country that
moral conditions and social conditions both changed.
2) The same revival is needed in America.
Copyright © 2024 by Rev. David Holwick
Created with the Freeware Edition of HelpNDoc: Free CHM Help documentation generator