WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.560 Thank you, Wes. 00:00:07.400 --> 00:00:10.000 When he sang, I saw the light, 00:00:11.560 --> 00:00:16.660 I could almost picture Hank Williams with his white hat on singing. 00:00:18.879 --> 00:00:21.740 I was teasing him about that at the 8 o'clock service. 00:00:21.739 --> 00:00:30.719 But Fred Stone and I have been friends since before both of us were married. 00:00:31.960 --> 00:00:35.039 And over the years, talked and carried on. 00:00:35.239 --> 00:00:40.159 And you heard him say something last Sunday about my attire, didn't you? 00:00:41.480 --> 00:00:43.700 Pray that I wear the proper attire. 00:00:45.320 --> 00:00:47.899 So we email back and forth this week 00:00:47.899 --> 00:00:50.700 and doing the things that we typically do. 00:00:50.700 --> 00:00:54.120 But I've got a photograph I need to show you. 00:00:54.859 --> 00:00:55.540 Or you have it. 00:01:04.460 --> 00:01:07.900 Now he says he's not fond of bow ties, 00:01:08.180 --> 00:01:11.520 but a picture is worth a thousand words. 00:01:16.020 --> 00:01:17.620 And after having done that, 00:01:17.620 --> 00:01:19.420 I'll probably be my last Sunday here. 00:01:20.700 --> 00:01:29.520 I do want to share with you something this morning 00:01:29.520 --> 00:01:32.280 that's really important, I think. 00:01:34.200 --> 00:01:36.780 And I don't know what to call it, 00:01:36.820 --> 00:01:39.120 so I just call it America the Beautiful. 00:01:40.620 --> 00:01:43.359 And we have been blessed 00:01:43.359 --> 00:01:47.060 within the confines of our borders. 00:01:47.060 --> 00:01:50.180 But the question is, 00:01:50.180 --> 00:01:53.579 why are we the beautiful? 00:01:53.739 --> 00:01:55.519 Why have we been blessed? 00:01:56.519 --> 00:02:00.120 And it's not because we're just special. 00:02:01.120 --> 00:02:03.719 It's not because we work hard. 00:02:04.180 --> 00:02:06.079 It's not because we fought. 00:02:06.079 --> 00:02:12.180 But it's because God in his infinite wisdom 00:02:12.180 --> 00:02:17.280 decided to show us his faith. 00:02:18.280 --> 00:02:19.639 And so he's blessed. 00:02:20.780 --> 00:02:24.400 So I want you to look in Acts chapter 17. 00:02:24.400 --> 00:02:30.599 I believe there is such a thing as a proper patriotism 00:02:30.599 --> 00:02:32.900 where you love your country, 00:02:33.040 --> 00:02:34.159 but you don't worship it. 00:02:34.860 --> 00:02:36.020 You worship God. 00:02:37.080 --> 00:02:39.340 And if you can see in your country, 00:02:39.439 --> 00:02:40.860 whatever country that is, 00:02:42.159 --> 00:02:43.439 the blessings of God, 00:02:44.060 --> 00:02:47.080 then that should attract our attention. 00:02:47.080 --> 00:02:52.520 Over 20 years ago, 00:02:52.640 --> 00:02:55.560 when we went to Utica Baptist Church in Seneca, 00:02:56.120 --> 00:02:58.100 we brought a practice with us 00:02:58.100 --> 00:03:00.040 that we had started in Spartanburg, 00:03:00.460 --> 00:03:02.340 and we would have an annual 00:03:02.340 --> 00:03:04.820 God in Country celebration. 00:03:05.900 --> 00:03:08.080 And it just grew to the place 00:03:08.080 --> 00:03:09.260 that we had to have two services. 00:03:09.560 --> 00:03:10.360 And at one time, 00:03:10.439 --> 00:03:12.320 we had over 1,000 people coming to it. 00:03:12.500 --> 00:03:15.400 And especially had a lot of people coming to it 00:03:15.400 --> 00:03:17.300 when you gave away free barbecue. 00:03:19.599 --> 00:03:21.520 But it was one of those flag-waving things. 00:03:21.580 --> 00:03:22.460 But here's what it did. 00:03:23.140 --> 00:03:24.700 We had all of these people coming 00:03:24.700 --> 00:03:26.360 and packing the place out, 00:03:27.640 --> 00:03:30.500 singing patriotic songs, 00:03:31.020 --> 00:03:32.439 but we transitioned, 00:03:33.480 --> 00:03:34.920 and the second half of the program, 00:03:35.379 --> 00:03:36.520 we presented the gospel. 00:03:37.620 --> 00:03:38.939 And some of those people 00:03:38.939 --> 00:03:42.200 might not have ever given us a hearing 00:03:42.199 --> 00:03:45.500 if we hadn't had that for them. 00:03:46.819 --> 00:03:49.799 But I want you to look in Acts 17. 00:03:51.239 --> 00:03:52.719 Paul is in Athens. 00:03:53.280 --> 00:03:54.039 That's important. 00:03:54.699 --> 00:03:57.959 He's doing his sermon on Mars Hill. 00:03:59.199 --> 00:04:02.319 He's talking to a group of philosophers 00:04:02.319 --> 00:04:03.819 and intellectuals 00:04:03.819 --> 00:04:05.459 who wanted to debate issues 00:04:05.459 --> 00:04:07.280 just for the sake of debating issues. 00:04:08.099 --> 00:04:09.599 They weren't interested necessarily 00:04:09.599 --> 00:04:11.379 in anything life-changing. 00:04:11.379 --> 00:04:13.859 They just wanted to talk about different things. 00:04:14.759 --> 00:04:16.800 So if you look in verse 24, 00:04:17.480 --> 00:04:18.519 well, back in verse 23, 00:04:18.659 --> 00:04:21.540 he says to these Athenians, 00:04:21.899 --> 00:04:24.740 he notices that there's pictures of God, 00:04:24.839 --> 00:04:26.560 statues of God all around in the city. 00:04:26.939 --> 00:04:28.100 And he said in verse 4, 00:04:28.459 --> 00:04:29.579 you even have an inscription 00:04:29.579 --> 00:04:31.360 at one altar to an unknown God. 00:04:32.199 --> 00:04:34.379 So there are all kinds of gods and goddesses 00:04:34.959 --> 00:04:36.319 they worship in Athens. 00:04:37.360 --> 00:04:38.800 And then just to make sure 00:04:38.800 --> 00:04:40.219 they covered all the bases, 00:04:40.220 --> 00:04:43.140 they had one that said altar to an unknown God. 00:04:43.940 --> 00:04:45.920 But when you look in verse 24, 00:04:46.640 --> 00:04:49.780 the God who made the world and all things in it, 00:04:49.900 --> 00:04:51.500 since he is Lord of heaven and earth, 00:04:51.980 --> 00:04:54.620 does not dwell in temples made with hands, 00:04:55.180 --> 00:04:57.300 nor is he served by human hands 00:04:57.300 --> 00:04:58.560 as though he needed anything, 00:04:58.560 --> 00:05:02.740 since he himself gives to all people 00:05:02.740 --> 00:05:06.280 life and breath and all things. 00:05:06.279 --> 00:05:08.719 Now in verse 24 and 25, 00:05:08.839 --> 00:05:11.339 this is what Paul is preaching. 00:05:11.739 --> 00:05:15.839 God is the creator of people of the earth. 00:05:15.919 --> 00:05:17.019 God is the creator. 00:05:17.279 --> 00:05:19.119 So he does not live in temples 00:05:19.119 --> 00:05:20.879 that we could make for him, 00:05:21.000 --> 00:05:23.839 and he does not need our help. 00:05:23.919 --> 00:05:25.599 He's not served by human hands. 00:05:26.500 --> 00:05:27.899 Now sometimes the question will come, 00:05:27.979 --> 00:05:29.219 people will ask this question, 00:05:29.220 --> 00:05:32.180 why did God create people? 00:05:32.780 --> 00:05:34.320 And the answer will come back, 00:05:34.740 --> 00:05:36.380 because God was lonely. 00:05:37.460 --> 00:05:38.760 Well, that's not true. 00:05:39.580 --> 00:05:41.920 Well, because God needed us 00:05:41.920 --> 00:05:43.460 to accomplish his purpose. 00:05:44.140 --> 00:05:45.660 Well, that's not true either. 00:05:47.140 --> 00:05:49.900 God created people for the same reason 00:05:49.900 --> 00:05:52.760 that God created the rest of creation, 00:05:52.759 --> 00:05:56.180 and that was for his glory. 00:05:57.719 --> 00:06:01.500 But we're made to honor God. 00:06:03.259 --> 00:06:06.120 Well, in verses 26 and 27, 00:06:06.259 --> 00:06:08.180 that's the center of Paul's message 00:06:08.180 --> 00:06:09.959 in the Sermon on the Mount. 00:06:11.719 --> 00:06:13.819 God is sovereign over humanity, 00:06:14.300 --> 00:06:16.759 and man is responsible to God. 00:06:16.759 --> 00:06:21.259 That God in his sovereignty over humanity 00:06:21.259 --> 00:06:24.019 gives good gifts to people. 00:06:24.719 --> 00:06:27.060 James 1.17 said, 00:06:27.599 --> 00:06:28.519 every good and perfect gift 00:06:28.519 --> 00:06:30.000 comes from the Father, 00:06:30.800 --> 00:06:32.939 from which there's no variable or light, 00:06:33.039 --> 00:06:34.060 or changing light. 00:06:34.959 --> 00:06:38.039 God is a giver of all good gifts. 00:06:39.120 --> 00:06:41.019 Then you come in verse 26, 00:06:41.500 --> 00:06:42.180 and it says, 00:06:42.319 --> 00:06:44.219 and this is the verse I want to camp out in 00:06:44.219 --> 00:06:45.300 for a minute this morning. 00:06:45.300 --> 00:06:47.960 And he made from one man 00:06:47.960 --> 00:06:49.819 every nation of mankind 00:06:49.819 --> 00:06:51.500 to live on all the face of the earth, 00:06:51.800 --> 00:06:54.819 having determined their appointed times 00:06:54.819 --> 00:06:58.020 and the boundaries of their habitation. 00:07:00.639 --> 00:07:03.639 The Greeks considered themselves 00:07:03.639 --> 00:07:06.560 to be superior people. 00:07:07.420 --> 00:07:10.139 They thought they were better 00:07:10.139 --> 00:07:12.120 than the other races 00:07:12.120 --> 00:07:13.720 and the other people. 00:07:13.720 --> 00:07:17.340 They thought highly of themselves. 00:07:18.560 --> 00:07:20.780 Now realize that when Paul is preaching 00:07:20.780 --> 00:07:23.140 this sermon at Mars Hill, 00:07:23.660 --> 00:07:25.720 these are the people that he's talking to. 00:07:26.120 --> 00:07:28.000 This is the attitude they have. 00:07:29.780 --> 00:07:32.100 They're thinking they're superior. 00:07:33.040 --> 00:07:35.300 And what Paul basically says is, 00:07:35.300 --> 00:07:42.160 there is no room for racial prejudice at all. 00:07:42.939 --> 00:07:43.540 Why? 00:07:45.060 --> 00:07:47.259 Well, I look out among all of us today 00:07:47.259 --> 00:07:50.080 and we're pretty much the same. 00:07:51.860 --> 00:07:54.060 But every one of us 00:07:54.060 --> 00:07:57.259 comes from a common ancestry. 00:07:57.259 --> 00:08:00.420 Let me ask you a question. 00:08:00.539 --> 00:08:01.079 In the beginning, 00:08:01.219 --> 00:08:01.980 God made, 00:08:02.420 --> 00:08:03.659 when he made people, 00:08:03.920 --> 00:08:04.459 who did he make? 00:08:05.959 --> 00:08:06.360 Adam, 00:08:06.699 --> 00:08:07.259 and then he made... 00:08:08.980 --> 00:08:10.860 So if those are the first two people, 00:08:11.659 --> 00:08:12.740 then where did we come from? 00:08:14.759 --> 00:08:15.680 But we all, 00:08:15.800 --> 00:08:17.199 today we look so different. 00:08:17.240 --> 00:08:17.860 We're very different, 00:08:17.939 --> 00:08:19.319 but we have a common ancestry. 00:08:19.800 --> 00:08:21.319 And if we have a common ancestry, 00:08:21.519 --> 00:08:22.740 and God is the creator, 00:08:23.039 --> 00:08:24.099 and God is the one 00:08:24.100 --> 00:08:25.379 that created humanity, 00:08:25.640 --> 00:08:27.080 then there is no room 00:08:27.080 --> 00:08:30.700 for this racial indifference 00:08:30.700 --> 00:08:32.220 of any kind. 00:08:33.740 --> 00:08:35.259 Well, as G. Campbell Morgan says, 00:08:35.320 --> 00:08:36.180 in Acts 17, 00:08:36.779 --> 00:08:38.820 Paul is standing at a great moment 00:08:38.820 --> 00:08:40.720 and a great location. 00:08:41.320 --> 00:08:42.879 As he stood to preach that day, 00:08:43.100 --> 00:08:44.580 he would have looked to his right, 00:08:44.620 --> 00:08:46.440 and to his right was the Acropolis. 00:08:46.879 --> 00:08:48.360 And in the Acropolis 00:08:48.360 --> 00:08:50.279 was the Parthenon. 00:08:50.600 --> 00:08:52.920 And the Parthenon was that place 00:08:52.919 --> 00:08:54.599 primarily for the worship 00:08:54.599 --> 00:08:55.479 of Athena, 00:08:56.079 --> 00:08:57.139 the goddess. 00:08:58.139 --> 00:08:59.120 And they would, 00:08:59.860 --> 00:09:01.000 some of the population 00:09:01.000 --> 00:09:02.419 would worship her. 00:09:02.919 --> 00:09:04.479 Some would worship other gods. 00:09:05.120 --> 00:09:07.059 Some would worship themselves. 00:09:07.879 --> 00:09:09.059 Some would worship nature. 00:09:11.039 --> 00:09:12.319 And what Paul is writing, 00:09:13.299 --> 00:09:14.639 he's wanting them to know 00:09:14.639 --> 00:09:16.599 that the reason they even exist 00:09:16.599 --> 00:09:18.839 is because of God. 00:09:18.840 --> 00:09:22.720 Paul reminds them 00:09:22.720 --> 00:09:23.980 they were not living in Athens 00:09:23.980 --> 00:09:26.379 because they studied hard, 00:09:26.980 --> 00:09:28.680 because they were smart, 00:09:29.340 --> 00:09:31.240 because they worked hard, 00:09:31.440 --> 00:09:33.080 or just they were the recipients 00:09:33.080 --> 00:09:35.280 of some favorable accident. 00:09:36.280 --> 00:09:38.440 They were able to live in Athens 00:09:38.440 --> 00:09:40.720 that some have called 00:09:40.720 --> 00:09:42.000 the cradle of philosophy 00:09:42.000 --> 00:09:44.660 because of the grace of God. 00:09:44.659 --> 00:09:47.539 We live in America today 00:09:47.539 --> 00:09:49.179 with all of its blessings 00:09:49.179 --> 00:09:52.679 because of the grace of God. 00:09:53.919 --> 00:09:55.159 So I want you to look at 00:09:55.159 --> 00:09:57.779 just a few things about America. 00:09:58.339 --> 00:09:59.819 First, at the first 00:09:59.819 --> 00:10:01.339 Constitutional Convention, 00:10:02.120 --> 00:10:04.120 Ben Franklin was 81 years old. 00:10:05.379 --> 00:10:06.620 During the course of that meeting, 00:10:06.719 --> 00:10:08.120 when things got rather heated, 00:10:08.579 --> 00:10:10.220 he stood up and said this, 00:10:10.220 --> 00:10:12.820 I have lived a long time, sir, 00:10:12.899 --> 00:10:13.779 and the longer I live, 00:10:13.840 --> 00:10:14.860 the more convincing proof 00:10:14.860 --> 00:10:15.899 I see of this truth 00:10:15.899 --> 00:10:17.379 that God governs 00:10:17.379 --> 00:10:18.440 in the affairs of men. 00:10:19.200 --> 00:10:20.580 If a sparrow cannot fall 00:10:20.580 --> 00:10:21.960 to the ground without his notice, 00:10:22.220 --> 00:10:23.940 is it probable that an empire 00:10:23.940 --> 00:10:26.460 can rise without his aid? 00:10:27.220 --> 00:10:27.860 Did you know that 00:10:27.860 --> 00:10:28.980 when the pilgrims came 00:10:28.980 --> 00:10:29.800 to this country, 00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:31.519 they had a purpose statement 00:10:31.519 --> 00:10:32.320 for their mission? 00:10:32.940 --> 00:10:33.800 They came here 00:10:33.800 --> 00:10:34.879 with a purpose statement. 00:10:34.879 --> 00:10:36.080 It is recorded 00:10:36.080 --> 00:10:37.879 in the Mayflower Compact, 00:10:37.879 --> 00:10:40.060 which was written in 1620. 00:10:40.220 --> 00:10:41.320 Here's their purpose statement. 00:10:41.820 --> 00:10:42.720 Having undertaken 00:10:42.720 --> 00:10:44.580 for the glory of God 00:10:44.580 --> 00:10:45.720 and the advancement 00:10:45.720 --> 00:10:47.420 of the Christian faith. 00:10:48.120 --> 00:10:49.040 There's no doubt 00:10:49.040 --> 00:10:49.840 why they came here. 00:10:50.080 --> 00:10:51.040 That's why they came here. 00:10:52.580 --> 00:10:53.820 We live in America 00:10:53.820 --> 00:10:55.019 not by mistake, 00:10:55.560 --> 00:10:58.200 but through the providence of God. 00:10:59.460 --> 00:11:01.220 Every nation's boundaries 00:11:01.220 --> 00:11:04.420 are determined by God. 00:11:05.040 --> 00:11:05.720 A.T. Robertson, 00:11:05.759 --> 00:11:08.000 the great Greek Southern Baptist 00:11:08.000 --> 00:11:09.200 teacher and theologian, 00:11:09.300 --> 00:11:09.540 said, 00:11:09.539 --> 00:11:11.459 nations rise and fall, 00:11:11.639 --> 00:11:13.379 but it is not blind chance 00:11:13.379 --> 00:11:15.139 or hard faith. 00:11:15.939 --> 00:11:16.779 Behind it 00:11:16.779 --> 00:11:18.419 is the movement of God. 00:11:19.159 --> 00:11:20.019 So I want you to look 00:11:20.019 --> 00:11:21.299 at five things real quickly 00:11:21.299 --> 00:11:23.139 about America the Beautiful. 00:11:23.139 --> 00:11:24.179 The first one is 00:11:24.179 --> 00:11:25.219 our land. 00:11:26.079 --> 00:11:27.419 We have 50 states, 00:11:27.959 --> 00:11:29.199 50 state government, 00:11:29.899 --> 00:11:33.139 12,383 miles of coastline 00:11:33.759 --> 00:11:35.159 where the waves of both 00:11:35.159 --> 00:11:37.099 the Atlantic and the Pacific 00:11:37.100 --> 00:11:38.240 touch us, 00:11:38.899 --> 00:11:40.279 four different time zones, 00:11:40.420 --> 00:11:41.800 three divisions of the equator. 00:11:41.800 --> 00:11:43.779 We have marvelous works 00:11:43.779 --> 00:11:44.820 of God in nature, 00:11:45.259 --> 00:11:47.120 Yellowstone Park and Old Faithful, 00:11:47.639 --> 00:11:48.600 Mount McKinney, Alaska, 00:11:48.779 --> 00:11:50.920 20,000 feet above sea level, 00:11:51.000 --> 00:11:52.340 and Death Valley, California, 00:11:52.840 --> 00:11:55.320 282 feet below sea level. 00:11:55.320 --> 00:11:57.300 We have mountains and deserts 00:11:57.300 --> 00:11:58.720 and plains and lush valleys 00:11:58.720 --> 00:12:00.740 and water from stream to springs 00:12:00.740 --> 00:12:02.120 and everything else in between. 00:12:02.660 --> 00:12:03.540 Niagara Falls, 00:12:03.660 --> 00:12:04.480 the Mississippi River, 00:12:04.580 --> 00:12:05.420 the Shenandoah Valley, 00:12:05.520 --> 00:12:06.680 the San Joaquin Valley, 00:12:07.480 --> 00:12:08.760 the Redwood Forest, 00:12:08.840 --> 00:12:09.780 the Petrified Forest, 00:12:09.860 --> 00:12:10.580 the Rocky Mountains 00:12:10.580 --> 00:12:12.040 with its Grand Teton Range, 00:12:12.120 --> 00:12:12.800 the Pocono Mountains, 00:12:12.879 --> 00:12:13.900 the Great Smoky Mountains, 00:12:14.379 --> 00:12:15.000 the Great Lakes, 00:12:15.060 --> 00:12:15.660 the Grand Canyon, 00:12:15.780 --> 00:12:16.700 the Florida Everglades, 00:12:16.800 --> 00:12:17.500 the Great Plains, 00:12:17.500 --> 00:12:18.720 the Frozen Tundra of Alaska, 00:12:18.720 --> 00:12:20.580 the Tropical Paradise of Hawaii, 00:12:20.899 --> 00:12:22.799 and South Carolina. 00:12:26.200 --> 00:12:28.720 We are blessed naturally 00:12:29.320 --> 00:12:32.919 by this land that God has given us 00:12:32.919 --> 00:12:34.220 in our boundaries. 00:12:34.379 --> 00:12:35.440 But make no mistake, 00:12:37.039 --> 00:12:37.720 Acts 17, 26, 00:12:38.500 --> 00:12:40.080 He made from one man every nation 00:12:40.080 --> 00:12:41.919 of mankind to live on all 00:12:41.919 --> 00:12:42.620 the face of the earth, 00:12:42.740 --> 00:12:43.620 having determined 00:12:43.620 --> 00:12:45.600 their appointed times 00:12:45.600 --> 00:12:46.399 and the boundaries 00:12:46.399 --> 00:12:48.360 of their habitation. 00:12:48.540 --> 00:12:49.740 And God has given us 00:12:49.740 --> 00:12:53.279 3.7 million square miles 00:12:53.279 --> 00:12:56.300 of land full of treasures. 00:12:57.460 --> 00:12:58.240 Did you know that 00:12:58.240 --> 00:12:59.519 following World War II, 00:13:00.240 --> 00:13:03.399 America produced twice as much oil 00:13:03.399 --> 00:13:05.779 as the rest of the world combined? 00:13:09.139 --> 00:13:11.899 We have a great land 00:13:11.899 --> 00:13:13.820 that God has given us. 00:13:13.820 --> 00:13:15.740 The second thing is our heritage. 00:13:16.879 --> 00:13:18.600 Now, it would be dangerous 00:13:18.600 --> 00:13:19.800 to say that America 00:13:19.800 --> 00:13:21.080 is a Christian nation. 00:13:21.180 --> 00:13:22.340 In fact, it would be a lie 00:13:22.340 --> 00:13:23.680 to say America 00:13:23.680 --> 00:13:24.300 is a great, 00:13:24.520 --> 00:13:26.020 is a Christian nation today. 00:13:27.320 --> 00:13:28.580 And not everyone 00:13:28.580 --> 00:13:29.940 that lived in America 00:13:29.940 --> 00:13:31.040 from the very beginning 00:13:31.040 --> 00:13:31.879 was a Christian. 00:13:32.460 --> 00:13:34.660 But America could be called 00:13:34.660 --> 00:13:36.300 a Christian nation 00:13:36.300 --> 00:13:37.300 in its beginning. 00:13:38.060 --> 00:13:39.040 And here's why. 00:13:40.000 --> 00:13:41.560 Because about 95% 00:13:41.560 --> 00:13:42.540 of the Founding Fathers 00:13:42.539 --> 00:13:43.399 were Christians. 00:13:43.799 --> 00:13:44.819 Some people go so far 00:13:44.819 --> 00:13:45.079 to say, 00:13:45.139 --> 00:13:45.980 some scholars say, 00:13:46.319 --> 00:13:47.959 that maybe 90% 00:13:47.959 --> 00:13:49.319 of those were not just Christians, 00:13:49.620 --> 00:13:50.719 they were Calvinists. 00:13:51.519 --> 00:13:53.759 They were hardcore believers 00:13:53.759 --> 00:13:55.159 in the sovereignty of God. 00:13:55.759 --> 00:13:57.719 But God was at the core 00:13:57.719 --> 00:13:58.519 of the thinking 00:13:58.519 --> 00:13:59.299 of the Founders. 00:13:59.339 --> 00:13:59.819 Now, what difference 00:13:59.819 --> 00:14:00.360 does that make? 00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:01.419 Well, when they begin 00:14:01.419 --> 00:14:02.399 to write something like 00:14:02.399 --> 00:14:03.519 the Declaration of Independence 00:14:03.519 --> 00:14:04.839 or the Constitution, 00:14:05.179 --> 00:14:05.919 the Bill of Rights, 00:14:05.959 --> 00:14:07.000 when they begin to pen 00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:07.839 all of these things, 00:14:08.079 --> 00:14:09.039 in their thinking 00:14:09.039 --> 00:14:10.399 is the influence 00:14:10.399 --> 00:14:12.379 of God's Word of Truth 00:14:12.379 --> 00:14:13.399 in what they wrote. 00:14:13.899 --> 00:14:14.439 And so in those 00:14:14.439 --> 00:14:15.299 founding documents, 00:14:15.439 --> 00:14:16.399 we have a reflection 00:14:16.399 --> 00:14:18.059 of those values 00:14:18.059 --> 00:14:19.279 and those ethics, 00:14:19.919 --> 00:14:21.480 the documents 00:14:21.480 --> 00:14:22.319 that they gave them. 00:14:24.819 --> 00:14:25.719 Patrick Henry, 00:14:25.959 --> 00:14:26.360 did you know 00:14:26.360 --> 00:14:27.099 that he was a Baptist? 00:14:27.959 --> 00:14:28.759 How many of you knew 00:14:28.759 --> 00:14:29.399 Patrick Henry 00:14:29.399 --> 00:14:29.980 was a Baptist? 00:14:32.860 --> 00:14:33.379 Oh, 00:14:33.719 --> 00:14:34.679 somebody knew that. 00:14:34.679 --> 00:14:36.000 Patrick Henry 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:37.299 was a Baptist 00:14:37.299 --> 00:14:39.699 and he said this, 00:14:40.299 --> 00:14:41.500 America was not founded 00:14:41.500 --> 00:14:42.539 by religionists 00:14:42.539 --> 00:14:43.599 but directly 00:14:43.599 --> 00:14:44.819 on the gospel 00:14:44.819 --> 00:14:45.799 of Jesus Christ. 00:14:46.120 --> 00:14:46.679 John Adams, 00:14:46.759 --> 00:14:47.539 our second president, 00:14:47.620 --> 00:14:48.059 said this, 00:14:48.439 --> 00:14:49.120 Our Constitution 00:14:49.120 --> 00:14:50.679 was designed only 00:14:50.679 --> 00:14:51.979 for a moral 00:14:51.979 --> 00:14:53.259 and religious people. 00:14:53.659 --> 00:14:55.039 It is wholly inadequate 00:14:55.039 --> 00:14:56.099 for the government 00:14:56.099 --> 00:14:58.159 of any other. 00:14:59.279 --> 00:15:01.899 52 of the 55 signers 00:15:01.899 --> 00:15:02.819 of the Declaration 00:15:02.819 --> 00:15:03.620 of Independence 00:15:03.620 --> 00:15:05.100 were Christians. 00:15:05.980 --> 00:15:07.039 George Washington, 00:15:07.220 --> 00:15:08.259 our first president, 00:15:08.419 --> 00:15:08.700 said, 00:15:09.139 --> 00:15:09.940 It is impossible 00:15:09.940 --> 00:15:11.500 to govern the world 00:15:11.500 --> 00:15:12.779 without God 00:15:12.779 --> 00:15:13.299 and the Bible. 00:15:13.480 --> 00:15:14.600 Reason and experience 00:15:14.600 --> 00:15:15.899 both forbid us 00:15:15.899 --> 00:15:16.600 to expect 00:15:16.600 --> 00:15:18.480 that our national morality 00:15:18.480 --> 00:15:19.299 can prevail 00:15:19.299 --> 00:15:20.519 in the exclusion 00:15:20.519 --> 00:15:22.480 of religious principles. 00:15:22.980 --> 00:15:23.600 And John Jay, 00:15:23.700 --> 00:15:24.259 who was a member 00:15:24.259 --> 00:15:25.080 of the very first 00:15:25.080 --> 00:15:25.700 Supreme Court, 00:15:25.799 --> 00:15:26.320 said this, 00:15:26.940 --> 00:15:28.039 Providence has given 00:15:28.039 --> 00:15:28.759 to our people 00:15:28.759 --> 00:15:29.419 the choice 00:15:29.419 --> 00:15:30.080 of their rulers. 00:15:30.600 --> 00:15:31.399 It is the duty 00:15:31.399 --> 00:15:32.840 as well as the privilege 00:15:32.840 --> 00:15:33.500 and interest 00:15:33.500 --> 00:15:35.100 of our Christian nation 00:15:35.100 --> 00:15:36.600 to secure, 00:15:37.320 --> 00:15:37.840 select, 00:15:38.419 --> 00:15:39.860 and prefer Christians 00:15:39.860 --> 00:15:41.279 as their rulers. 00:15:42.820 --> 00:15:43.960 In 1782, 00:15:44.639 --> 00:15:45.519 the Congress 00:15:45.519 --> 00:15:47.399 of the United States 00:15:47.399 --> 00:15:48.820 passed a resolution 00:15:48.820 --> 00:15:50.680 and this is what it says. 00:15:51.440 --> 00:15:52.180 We recommend 00:15:52.180 --> 00:15:53.740 and approve 00:15:53.740 --> 00:15:55.240 the Holy Bible 00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:56.400 for use 00:15:56.400 --> 00:15:58.140 in all schools. 00:15:59.640 --> 00:16:01.060 We've come a long way 00:16:01.060 --> 00:16:01.600 since then 00:16:01.600 --> 00:16:03.879 because now 00:16:03.879 --> 00:16:05.460 the Gideons 00:16:05.460 --> 00:16:06.760 have nothing like 00:16:06.760 --> 00:16:07.260 the freedom 00:16:07.260 --> 00:16:08.140 they used to have 00:16:08.140 --> 00:16:09.300 just to pass out 00:16:09.300 --> 00:16:09.800 these Christians. 00:16:10.900 --> 00:16:12.320 And in very many places 00:16:12.320 --> 00:16:13.100 they can't go 00:16:13.100 --> 00:16:13.740 on the property 00:16:13.740 --> 00:16:14.420 and have to stand 00:16:14.420 --> 00:16:14.960 on the sidewalk. 00:16:14.960 --> 00:16:16.519 But it wasn't 00:16:16.519 --> 00:16:17.480 always that way 00:16:17.480 --> 00:16:18.080 and we had 00:16:18.080 --> 00:16:19.879 a congressional resolution 00:16:19.879 --> 00:16:20.320 that said 00:16:20.320 --> 00:16:21.360 they wanted the Bible, 00:16:21.700 --> 00:16:22.100 thought it was 00:16:22.100 --> 00:16:22.680 a good thing 00:16:22.680 --> 00:16:23.240 to teach 00:16:23.240 --> 00:16:24.680 in schools. 00:16:26.560 --> 00:16:27.160 Of the first 00:16:27.160 --> 00:16:28.460 108 colleges 00:16:28.460 --> 00:16:29.620 founded in America, 00:16:30.100 --> 00:16:31.560 106 00:16:32.360 --> 00:16:33.400 were Christians. 00:16:34.060 --> 00:16:35.300 James Madison, 00:16:35.820 --> 00:16:36.460 who you might have 00:16:36.460 --> 00:16:37.060 read from history, 00:16:37.180 --> 00:16:37.560 is regarded 00:16:37.560 --> 00:16:38.139 as the father 00:16:38.139 --> 00:16:38.940 of the Constitution, 00:16:39.100 --> 00:16:39.500 said this, 00:16:39.500 --> 00:16:40.519 We have staked 00:16:40.519 --> 00:16:41.220 the whole future 00:16:41.220 --> 00:16:42.019 of our new nation, 00:16:42.259 --> 00:16:43.120 not upon the power 00:16:43.120 --> 00:16:43.700 of government 00:16:43.700 --> 00:16:44.539 far from it. 00:16:45.019 --> 00:16:45.700 We have staked 00:16:45.700 --> 00:16:46.139 the future 00:16:46.139 --> 00:16:46.700 of all our 00:16:46.700 --> 00:16:47.940 political constitutions 00:16:47.940 --> 00:16:48.899 upon the capacity 00:16:48.899 --> 00:16:50.360 of each of ourselves 00:16:50.360 --> 00:16:51.700 to govern ourselves 00:16:51.700 --> 00:16:52.500 according to the 00:16:52.500 --> 00:16:53.440 moral principles 00:16:53.440 --> 00:16:55.639 of the Ten Commandments. 00:16:57.120 --> 00:16:58.860 If any people 00:16:58.860 --> 00:17:00.960 just took 00:17:00.960 --> 00:17:01.980 the Ten Commandments, 00:17:03.120 --> 00:17:04.740 the moral teachings 00:17:04.740 --> 00:17:05.859 of the Ten Commandments, 00:17:06.140 --> 00:17:06.700 and they said 00:17:06.700 --> 00:17:07.680 this will be the basis 00:17:07.680 --> 00:17:08.539 for our laws, 00:17:08.539 --> 00:17:09.500 that nation 00:17:09.500 --> 00:17:10.480 would automatically 00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:12.519 become a better nation 00:17:12.519 --> 00:17:13.279 as they followed 00:17:13.279 --> 00:17:13.819 those laws. 00:17:18.680 --> 00:17:19.619 The Bible says 00:17:19.619 --> 00:17:20.759 in Psalm 33 00:17:20.759 --> 00:17:21.519 and verse 12, 00:17:21.659 --> 00:17:22.500 Blessed is the nation 00:17:22.500 --> 00:17:23.599 whose God is the Lord, 00:17:23.819 --> 00:17:24.339 the people 00:17:24.339 --> 00:17:25.399 whom he has chosen 00:17:25.399 --> 00:17:27.700 for his own inheritance. 00:17:27.819 --> 00:17:28.240 Now remember 00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:30.539 speaking to the Athenians, 00:17:30.680 --> 00:17:31.119 the Greeks, 00:17:31.720 --> 00:17:31.960 he said, 00:17:32.079 --> 00:17:33.420 Blessed is the nation 00:17:33.420 --> 00:17:34.579 whose God is the Lord, 00:17:34.960 --> 00:17:35.799 but their gods 00:17:35.799 --> 00:17:36.619 were not the Lord. 00:17:37.440 --> 00:17:38.420 They're all kind of gods, 00:17:38.420 --> 00:17:39.400 but they did not have 00:17:39.400 --> 00:17:40.539 a God that was the Lord 00:17:40.539 --> 00:17:41.900 and Paul is teaching 00:17:41.900 --> 00:17:42.860 to them about 00:17:42.860 --> 00:17:44.440 the one true God, 00:17:45.180 --> 00:17:45.759 the Lord. 00:17:46.080 --> 00:17:46.680 And so that's what 00:17:46.680 --> 00:17:47.920 Psalm is talking about. 00:17:48.820 --> 00:17:49.960 We have a great land, 00:17:50.180 --> 00:17:51.380 we have a heritage, 00:17:51.380 --> 00:17:52.400 but we also have 00:17:52.400 --> 00:17:53.080 a great history. 00:17:53.960 --> 00:17:55.560 Our history is filled 00:17:55.560 --> 00:17:57.660 with stories of God's providence 00:17:57.660 --> 00:17:58.980 and man's faith 00:17:58.980 --> 00:17:59.040 and man's faith 00:17:59.040 --> 00:18:01.180 in a sovereign God. 00:18:02.279 --> 00:18:03.580 The revisionists 00:18:03.580 --> 00:18:04.840 have, 00:18:06.840 --> 00:18:07.820 in later years, 00:18:08.340 --> 00:18:09.279 tried to 00:18:09.279 --> 00:18:10.580 take away 00:18:10.580 --> 00:18:11.740 references 00:18:11.740 --> 00:18:12.660 to God 00:18:12.660 --> 00:18:13.720 or to the Christian faith 00:18:13.720 --> 00:18:14.740 or the Christian values 00:18:14.740 --> 00:18:16.080 from history books. 00:18:16.279 --> 00:18:16.720 And you say, 00:18:16.960 --> 00:18:17.180 Oh, 00:18:17.259 --> 00:18:18.960 are you a conspiracy theorist? 00:18:19.140 --> 00:18:20.180 Where are you going with this? 00:18:20.240 --> 00:18:20.360 Well, 00:18:20.380 --> 00:18:21.160 let me give you an example. 00:18:21.779 --> 00:18:22.620 There was a best-selling 00:18:22.620 --> 00:18:23.759 American history text 00:18:23.759 --> 00:18:24.559 by Kenneth Davis. 00:18:25.240 --> 00:18:25.720 It was, 00:18:26.359 --> 00:18:27.119 and still is used 00:18:27.119 --> 00:18:28.079 widely in schools. 00:18:28.859 --> 00:18:29.339 In there, 00:18:29.420 --> 00:18:30.680 he quotes Patrick Henry 00:18:30.680 --> 00:18:33.119 in a 1775 speech. 00:18:33.359 --> 00:18:34.379 This is what he quotes. 00:18:35.379 --> 00:18:36.440 Is life so dear 00:18:36.440 --> 00:18:37.460 or peace so sweet 00:18:37.460 --> 00:18:38.259 as to be purchased 00:18:38.259 --> 00:18:39.539 at the price of change 00:18:39.539 --> 00:18:40.379 and slavery? 00:18:40.759 --> 00:18:42.000 I know not what course 00:18:42.000 --> 00:18:42.879 others may take, 00:18:42.940 --> 00:18:43.559 but as for me, 00:18:43.819 --> 00:18:44.460 give me liberty 00:18:44.460 --> 00:18:45.579 or give me death. 00:18:46.460 --> 00:18:47.440 That's what he said, 00:18:47.599 --> 00:18:48.579 Patrick Henry said. 00:18:48.579 --> 00:18:50.740 But we know 00:18:50.740 --> 00:18:52.319 that's not exactly 00:18:52.319 --> 00:18:54.039 what Patrick Henry said. 00:18:54.740 --> 00:18:56.059 Here's what Patrick Henry 00:18:56.059 --> 00:18:57.319 actually said. 00:18:59.000 --> 00:18:59.939 Is life so dear 00:18:59.939 --> 00:19:00.960 or peace so sweet 00:19:00.960 --> 00:19:01.980 as to be purchased 00:19:01.980 --> 00:19:03.339 at the price of change 00:19:03.339 --> 00:19:04.099 and slavery? 00:19:04.659 --> 00:19:05.559 Forbid it, 00:19:06.500 --> 00:19:07.460 Almighty God. 00:19:08.519 --> 00:19:10.679 Why did somebody feel 00:19:10.679 --> 00:19:12.980 inspired to take out 00:19:12.980 --> 00:19:14.039 that phrase, 00:19:14.460 --> 00:19:15.000 forbid it, 00:19:15.059 --> 00:19:15.859 Almighty God? 00:19:15.859 --> 00:19:18.240 except to try to remove 00:19:18.240 --> 00:19:20.059 references of God 00:19:20.059 --> 00:19:21.759 from the fabric 00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:22.899 of our history. 00:19:24.599 --> 00:19:25.679 One of the things 00:19:25.679 --> 00:19:27.579 that has baffled people 00:19:27.579 --> 00:19:28.579 throughout the ages 00:19:28.579 --> 00:19:30.479 has been how America, 00:19:30.679 --> 00:19:32.419 which was made up 00:19:32.419 --> 00:19:34.179 of farmers 00:19:34.179 --> 00:19:35.519 and merchants 00:19:35.519 --> 00:19:37.219 and others 00:19:37.219 --> 00:19:38.039 like the French 00:19:38.039 --> 00:19:38.740 that helped us, 00:19:39.079 --> 00:19:40.559 how could they come together 00:19:40.559 --> 00:19:41.759 on this vast 00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:43.199 piece of property 00:19:43.199 --> 00:19:45.579 and actually defeat 00:19:45.579 --> 00:19:48.639 the world's superpower 00:19:48.639 --> 00:19:49.579 of the time? 00:19:50.339 --> 00:19:51.159 And the only answer 00:19:51.159 --> 00:19:51.480 for that, 00:19:51.639 --> 00:19:52.220 and as you read 00:19:52.220 --> 00:19:53.179 some of the history books 00:19:53.179 --> 00:19:54.359 like Collins, 00:19:54.460 --> 00:19:54.879 for example, 00:19:54.939 --> 00:19:55.939 has written a series 00:19:55.939 --> 00:19:56.699 of history books, 00:19:56.919 --> 00:19:57.899 God in American History 00:19:57.899 --> 00:19:58.720 and things like this. 00:19:59.179 --> 00:20:01.000 But the only answer 00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:01.799 for that is because 00:20:01.799 --> 00:20:02.720 of the grace of God. 00:20:03.679 --> 00:20:04.759 We were outgunned. 00:20:04.819 --> 00:20:05.559 We were outmanned. 00:20:05.839 --> 00:20:06.899 They had greater supplies. 00:20:07.039 --> 00:20:07.939 They had greater logistics. 00:20:08.199 --> 00:20:09.359 They had better training. 00:20:09.659 --> 00:20:10.720 They had everything else. 00:20:10.819 --> 00:20:12.299 The British should have 00:20:12.299 --> 00:20:13.359 destroyed us, 00:20:13.480 --> 00:20:14.399 but they couldn't. 00:20:14.400 --> 00:20:15.440 They could, 00:20:15.640 --> 00:20:16.180 but they didn't. 00:20:17.380 --> 00:20:18.259 So what happened? 00:20:19.900 --> 00:20:20.560 How could 00:20:20.560 --> 00:20:22.759 a government 00:20:22.759 --> 00:20:24.820 in a new land 00:20:24.820 --> 00:20:25.940 be established 00:20:25.940 --> 00:20:27.200 so quickly, 00:20:27.620 --> 00:20:29.040 rise so rapidly, 00:20:29.460 --> 00:20:30.320 and then, 00:20:30.460 --> 00:20:31.680 in just a short period 00:20:31.680 --> 00:20:32.340 of time, 00:20:32.660 --> 00:20:33.600 actually become 00:20:33.600 --> 00:20:34.680 the envy of the world? 00:20:35.560 --> 00:20:36.840 What some historians 00:20:36.840 --> 00:20:37.560 have called 00:20:37.560 --> 00:20:39.720 this experiment 00:20:39.720 --> 00:20:40.680 in democracy 00:20:40.680 --> 00:20:42.180 that actually worked? 00:20:43.820 --> 00:20:44.920 How could that happen? 00:20:46.740 --> 00:20:47.140 Only, 00:20:47.320 --> 00:20:47.720 only, 00:20:48.420 --> 00:20:49.820 by the grace of God. 00:20:51.560 --> 00:20:52.840 Remember what Paul said 00:20:52.840 --> 00:20:53.580 in Mars Hill. 00:20:56.039 --> 00:20:56.920 Acts 17, 00:20:57.000 --> 00:20:57.799 verse 26, 00:20:57.880 --> 00:20:58.799 He made from one man 00:20:58.799 --> 00:21:00.039 every nation of mankind 00:21:00.039 --> 00:21:00.820 to live on all 00:21:00.820 --> 00:21:01.519 the face of the earth, 00:21:01.779 --> 00:21:02.640 having determined 00:21:02.640 --> 00:21:04.060 their appointed times 00:21:04.060 --> 00:21:04.720 and the boundaries 00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:06.640 of their habitation. 00:21:06.640 --> 00:21:09.040 when James Smith, 00:21:09.120 --> 00:21:09.600 the founder of 00:21:09.600 --> 00:21:10.120 Jamestown, 00:21:10.220 --> 00:21:10.600 Virginia, 00:21:11.300 --> 00:21:12.300 1607, 00:21:12.759 --> 00:21:13.660 came to this country 00:21:13.660 --> 00:21:14.580 and looked at the land 00:21:14.580 --> 00:21:15.240 where he was going 00:21:15.240 --> 00:21:16.060 to build a settlement. 00:21:16.540 --> 00:21:17.240 He said this, 00:21:17.680 --> 00:21:18.480 Heaven and earth 00:21:18.480 --> 00:21:20.040 never agree 00:21:20.040 --> 00:21:21.600 to a better frame, 00:21:21.960 --> 00:21:22.940 to better frame 00:21:22.940 --> 00:21:23.540 a place 00:21:23.540 --> 00:21:25.280 for man's habitation 00:21:25.280 --> 00:21:26.180 than here. 00:21:26.560 --> 00:21:27.780 He looked at the land 00:21:27.780 --> 00:21:28.360 and he said 00:21:28.360 --> 00:21:30.680 what Dr. Kelly, 00:21:30.880 --> 00:21:31.160 the president 00:21:31.160 --> 00:21:31.880 of the New Orleans Seminary, 00:21:31.880 --> 00:21:32.640 used to say, 00:21:33.400 --> 00:21:34.380 an old Hebrew word. 00:21:34.780 --> 00:21:35.180 Wow! 00:21:36.660 --> 00:21:37.340 He said, 00:21:37.400 --> 00:21:38.180 This is great. 00:21:39.380 --> 00:21:40.780 He was carried away 00:21:40.780 --> 00:21:42.220 by the beauty, 00:21:42.960 --> 00:21:43.940 by what the land 00:21:43.940 --> 00:21:45.120 had to offer. 00:21:45.820 --> 00:21:46.960 And then something stunning, 00:21:47.060 --> 00:21:47.759 in the course 00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:48.860 of the revolution, 00:21:49.560 --> 00:21:50.420 and some of you I know 00:21:50.420 --> 00:21:50.960 have studied 00:21:50.960 --> 00:21:51.740 some of the details 00:21:51.740 --> 00:21:52.060 of that, 00:21:52.240 --> 00:21:52.840 but in the course 00:21:52.840 --> 00:21:53.480 of the revolution, 00:21:53.740 --> 00:21:54.820 there are so many stories 00:21:54.820 --> 00:21:55.900 that never get told 00:21:55.900 --> 00:21:56.860 that happen 00:21:56.860 --> 00:21:58.200 in the revolution 00:21:58.200 --> 00:21:59.380 that have no explanation 00:21:59.380 --> 00:22:00.280 other than God. 00:22:01.080 --> 00:22:02.160 There was a stunning thing 00:22:02.160 --> 00:22:02.600 that happened 00:22:02.600 --> 00:22:03.380 at Valley Forge. 00:22:03.960 --> 00:22:04.940 It was what some 00:22:04.940 --> 00:22:05.279 have called 00:22:05.279 --> 00:22:06.100 the Gethsemane 00:22:06.100 --> 00:22:07.060 of our struggle 00:22:07.060 --> 00:22:07.720 for independence. 00:22:08.720 --> 00:22:09.620 And one of the famous 00:22:09.620 --> 00:22:10.779 paintings of that day 00:22:10.779 --> 00:22:12.259 was George Washington. 00:22:13.180 --> 00:22:14.340 And whether that painting 00:22:14.340 --> 00:22:16.060 was actually him doing that 00:22:16.060 --> 00:22:17.300 or somebody just thought 00:22:17.300 --> 00:22:18.320 that's what they should paint, 00:22:18.580 --> 00:22:19.360 there is a painting 00:22:19.360 --> 00:22:20.340 of George Washington 00:22:20.340 --> 00:22:21.580 kneeling and praying 00:22:21.580 --> 00:22:22.360 in the snow. 00:22:23.360 --> 00:22:24.240 But in this 00:22:24.240 --> 00:22:28.200 battle that was fought 00:22:28.200 --> 00:22:29.140 at Valley Forge, 00:22:29.140 --> 00:22:32.380 Washington decided 00:22:32.380 --> 00:22:33.840 to take his troops 00:22:33.840 --> 00:22:35.240 across a partially frozen 00:22:35.240 --> 00:22:36.259 Delaware River 00:22:36.259 --> 00:22:37.640 and lead a surprise 00:22:37.640 --> 00:22:38.400 against the British 00:22:38.400 --> 00:22:39.220 at Fort Trenton. 00:22:39.560 --> 00:22:40.200 The British were not 00:22:40.200 --> 00:22:40.900 expecting that. 00:22:40.980 --> 00:22:41.140 In fact, 00:22:41.180 --> 00:22:41.860 that was the last thing 00:22:41.860 --> 00:22:42.420 from their mind 00:22:42.420 --> 00:22:43.240 that somebody would do 00:22:43.240 --> 00:22:44.140 something so foolish 00:22:44.140 --> 00:22:44.560 as that. 00:22:45.120 --> 00:22:45.800 And Washington, 00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:46.460 it is said, 00:22:46.620 --> 00:22:47.660 being led by what 00:22:47.660 --> 00:22:48.780 he believed was God 00:22:48.780 --> 00:22:49.740 did that 00:22:49.740 --> 00:22:51.940 and defeated the British. 00:22:52.980 --> 00:22:54.420 One person recorded 00:22:54.420 --> 00:22:55.200 that, 00:22:55.500 --> 00:22:56.759 recorded his thoughts, 00:22:56.820 --> 00:22:57.180 and he said, 00:22:57.180 --> 00:22:58.000 until that hour, 00:22:59.000 --> 00:23:00.140 the life of the U.S. 00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:01.580 flickered like a dying flame, 00:23:01.620 --> 00:23:02.360 but the Lord of hosts 00:23:02.360 --> 00:23:02.980 heard the cries 00:23:02.980 --> 00:23:03.700 of their distress 00:23:03.700 --> 00:23:04.340 and said, 00:23:04.400 --> 00:23:06.120 an angel for their deliverance. 00:23:06.200 --> 00:23:07.180 A British soldier 00:23:07.180 --> 00:23:08.400 wrote in his diary 00:23:08.400 --> 00:23:09.120 these words, 00:23:09.380 --> 00:23:10.480 the hand of God 00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:11.900 is against us. 00:23:12.720 --> 00:23:14.279 Our history is filled 00:23:14.279 --> 00:23:15.480 with his providence. 00:23:15.820 --> 00:23:17.200 The stuff that he prepared 00:23:17.200 --> 00:23:17.840 beforehand 00:23:17.840 --> 00:23:20.019 that we should walk in. 00:23:20.360 --> 00:23:20.840 Providence. 00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:21.880 God preparing 00:23:21.880 --> 00:23:22.180 beforehand. 00:23:23.779 --> 00:23:24.320 And then there's 00:23:24.320 --> 00:23:24.799 our freedom. 00:23:24.799 --> 00:23:27.279 Sometimes if you ask 00:23:27.279 --> 00:23:28.319 an American today, 00:23:28.740 --> 00:23:29.759 what does America 00:23:29.759 --> 00:23:30.299 mean to you? 00:23:30.359 --> 00:23:31.159 You might get the answer 00:23:31.159 --> 00:23:31.740 that means freedom. 00:23:32.399 --> 00:23:33.319 But what does freedom mean? 00:23:33.379 --> 00:23:34.319 You might get this answer. 00:23:34.639 --> 00:23:35.659 Well, it's the right 00:23:35.659 --> 00:23:36.500 to do as you please. 00:23:37.519 --> 00:23:38.539 And that's somebody 00:23:38.539 --> 00:23:39.240 that does not 00:23:39.240 --> 00:23:40.500 understand freedom. 00:23:41.379 --> 00:23:42.059 Freedom is not 00:23:42.059 --> 00:23:42.779 the right to do 00:23:42.779 --> 00:23:43.359 as you please. 00:23:43.480 --> 00:23:44.379 It is the power 00:23:44.379 --> 00:23:45.819 to do what is right. 00:23:47.279 --> 00:23:48.740 And so our freedom 00:23:48.740 --> 00:23:50.299 is based on a simple 00:23:50.299 --> 00:23:51.799 and yet profound concept 00:23:51.799 --> 00:23:53.319 that God is the author 00:23:53.319 --> 00:23:54.159 of real freedom. 00:23:54.839 --> 00:23:55.919 In John 8, 32, 00:23:56.079 --> 00:23:56.639 Jesus said, 00:23:56.720 --> 00:23:57.439 you will know the truth 00:23:57.439 --> 00:23:58.759 and the truth will make you 00:23:58.759 --> 00:24:01.179 so you can't have freedom 00:24:01.179 --> 00:24:02.159 apart from truth. 00:24:03.200 --> 00:24:04.379 So freedom is 00:24:04.379 --> 00:24:06.220 knowing 00:24:06.220 --> 00:24:09.839 the right thing 00:24:09.839 --> 00:24:10.759 to do. 00:24:12.359 --> 00:24:13.679 In recent years, 00:24:13.680 --> 00:24:18.740 the ACLU has established 00:24:18.740 --> 00:24:20.700 itself as pretty much 00:24:20.700 --> 00:24:22.539 an enemy of the church, 00:24:22.880 --> 00:24:23.840 of the Christian faith. 00:24:24.779 --> 00:24:27.160 And especially for some reason, 00:24:27.259 --> 00:24:28.019 the Ten Commandments. 00:24:28.700 --> 00:24:29.820 I don't know if you remember it, 00:24:29.860 --> 00:24:30.759 but when Roy Moore 00:24:30.759 --> 00:24:31.799 was the Chief Justice 00:24:31.799 --> 00:24:33.140 of the Alabama Supreme Court, 00:24:33.200 --> 00:24:34.660 anybody remember that saga 00:24:34.660 --> 00:24:35.980 that happened down in Alabama? 00:24:35.980 --> 00:24:36.579 Yeah, 00:24:36.579 --> 00:24:38.400 and he takes, 00:24:38.480 --> 00:24:39.940 he brings into the 00:24:39.940 --> 00:24:40.980 judicial, 00:24:41.160 --> 00:24:42.299 state judicial building 00:24:42.299 --> 00:24:43.240 a monument 00:24:43.240 --> 00:24:44.440 of the Ten Commandments 00:24:44.440 --> 00:24:45.420 that weighed 00:24:45.420 --> 00:24:47.579 5,280 pounds. 00:24:48.700 --> 00:24:50.319 You talk about boldness, 00:24:50.380 --> 00:24:51.559 this guy had that thing 00:24:51.559 --> 00:24:52.000 delivered 00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:53.039 and set up 00:24:53.039 --> 00:24:54.339 in the judicial building. 00:24:55.319 --> 00:24:56.860 And the media 00:24:56.860 --> 00:24:57.920 went bonkers 00:24:57.920 --> 00:24:59.299 and the ACLU 00:24:59.299 --> 00:24:59.980 went ballistic. 00:25:01.019 --> 00:25:02.380 They were firmly 00:25:02.380 --> 00:25:03.180 against that. 00:25:03.180 --> 00:25:04.560 And they fought 00:25:04.560 --> 00:25:05.240 and they fought 00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:06.000 and they fought 00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:06.880 and they claimed 00:25:06.880 --> 00:25:07.600 that Roy Moore 00:25:07.600 --> 00:25:08.860 was just this weird, 00:25:08.960 --> 00:25:09.320 eccentric, 00:25:09.660 --> 00:25:10.340 and they got 00:25:10.340 --> 00:25:11.279 the Ten Commandments 00:25:11.279 --> 00:25:11.779 removed. 00:25:13.299 --> 00:25:14.460 But another question, 00:25:14.560 --> 00:25:15.460 and maybe a better question, 00:25:15.580 --> 00:25:16.259 is what about 00:25:16.259 --> 00:25:17.620 all of those references 00:25:17.620 --> 00:25:18.519 to God 00:25:18.519 --> 00:25:20.279 in Washington, D.C. 00:25:20.400 --> 00:25:21.799 in all the federal buildings? 00:25:21.900 --> 00:25:22.360 What are we going 00:25:22.360 --> 00:25:23.000 to do about that? 00:25:25.539 --> 00:25:27.120 You cannot remove. 00:25:27.680 --> 00:25:28.920 You might remove 00:25:28.920 --> 00:25:29.440 commandments, 00:25:29.660 --> 00:25:30.519 you might remove 00:25:30.519 --> 00:25:31.019 statues, 00:25:31.320 --> 00:25:32.039 you might remove 00:25:32.039 --> 00:25:32.680 photographs, 00:25:32.680 --> 00:25:33.740 you might remove 00:25:33.740 --> 00:25:34.299 statements, 00:25:34.660 --> 00:25:35.940 but you cannot remove 00:25:35.940 --> 00:25:36.620 the fact 00:25:36.620 --> 00:25:37.799 that God 00:25:37.799 --> 00:25:39.220 in His providence 00:25:39.220 --> 00:25:41.240 gave us this land, 00:25:41.460 --> 00:25:42.519 saw that it came 00:25:42.519 --> 00:25:44.240 to a good birth 00:25:44.240 --> 00:25:45.660 and a good growth 00:25:45.660 --> 00:25:46.720 and even into 00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:47.299 good blessings. 00:25:48.160 --> 00:25:49.220 It was all 00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:50.320 by the grace of God. 00:25:50.580 --> 00:25:50.759 Well, 00:25:51.840 --> 00:25:53.200 in 1987, 00:25:54.960 --> 00:25:55.660 Ted Koppel, 00:25:55.779 --> 00:25:56.700 does anybody remember 00:25:56.700 --> 00:25:57.940 who Ted Koppel was? 00:25:59.160 --> 00:26:00.380 He was at ABC News, 00:26:00.380 --> 00:26:01.760 he was a sort of 00:26:01.760 --> 00:26:02.340 an intellectual 00:26:02.340 --> 00:26:03.280 commentator, 00:26:03.360 --> 00:26:03.740 I guess. 00:26:04.320 --> 00:26:04.500 Well, 00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:05.260 this is what he was 00:26:05.260 --> 00:26:06.760 speaking at commencement 00:26:06.760 --> 00:26:07.820 at Duke University. 00:26:08.660 --> 00:26:08.900 Now, 00:26:09.020 --> 00:26:10.040 I think you know 00:26:10.040 --> 00:26:11.120 that Duke University 00:26:11.120 --> 00:26:12.460 is not the citadel 00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:13.660 of fundamentalism. 00:26:15.560 --> 00:26:16.600 It is not. 00:26:17.060 --> 00:26:18.000 And he was there 00:26:18.000 --> 00:26:19.120 speaking at commencement, 00:26:19.120 --> 00:26:19.840 and this is part 00:26:19.840 --> 00:26:20.500 of what he said 00:26:20.500 --> 00:26:21.780 to the students. 00:26:21.779 --> 00:26:24.759 What Moses brought down 00:26:24.759 --> 00:26:25.879 from Mount Sinai 00:26:25.879 --> 00:26:26.639 were not 00:26:26.639 --> 00:26:27.799 the ten suggestions. 00:26:29.500 --> 00:26:30.839 They are commandments, 00:26:31.839 --> 00:26:32.240 are, 00:26:32.500 --> 00:26:33.539 not were. 00:26:34.099 --> 00:26:35.339 The sheer brilliance 00:26:35.339 --> 00:26:36.480 of the ten commandments 00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:37.740 is that they codify 00:26:37.740 --> 00:26:39.180 in a handful of words 00:26:39.180 --> 00:26:40.960 acceptable human behavior, 00:26:41.240 --> 00:26:42.240 not just for then 00:26:42.240 --> 00:26:42.960 or now, 00:26:43.700 --> 00:26:44.879 but for all times. 00:26:45.759 --> 00:26:46.660 Language evolves. 00:26:47.519 --> 00:26:48.200 Power shifts 00:26:48.200 --> 00:26:48.960 from one nation 00:26:48.960 --> 00:26:49.519 to another. 00:26:49.519 --> 00:26:51.279 Messages are transmitted 00:26:51.279 --> 00:26:52.759 with the speed of light. 00:26:53.059 --> 00:26:53.720 Man erases 00:26:53.720 --> 00:26:54.619 one frontier 00:26:54.619 --> 00:26:55.579 after another. 00:26:55.960 --> 00:26:56.460 And yet, 00:26:57.379 --> 00:26:58.420 we and our behavior 00:26:58.420 --> 00:26:59.299 and the commandments 00:26:59.299 --> 00:27:00.779 governing that behavior 00:27:00.779 --> 00:27:02.359 remain the same. 00:27:03.339 --> 00:27:04.700 Because no matter 00:27:04.700 --> 00:27:06.059 how technologically 00:27:06.059 --> 00:27:07.500 advanced we become, 00:27:07.819 --> 00:27:08.779 there are certain 00:27:08.779 --> 00:27:10.019 moral principles 00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:10.920 encoded 00:27:10.920 --> 00:27:12.220 in the ten commandments 00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:13.639 that will always 00:27:13.639 --> 00:27:14.680 be helpful 00:27:14.680 --> 00:27:15.460 to mankind. 00:27:15.460 --> 00:27:20.079 our national freedom, 00:27:20.720 --> 00:27:21.319 our freedom 00:27:21.319 --> 00:27:21.579 is 00:27:21.579 --> 00:27:23.299 the envy 00:27:23.299 --> 00:27:23.720 of the rest 00:27:23.720 --> 00:27:24.200 of the world. 00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:26.380 But we've got 00:27:26.380 --> 00:27:27.059 to understand 00:27:27.059 --> 00:27:28.039 what our freedom is. 00:27:28.680 --> 00:27:29.319 And it is not 00:27:29.319 --> 00:27:30.079 the power to do 00:27:30.079 --> 00:27:30.740 as we please. 00:27:33.420 --> 00:27:34.220 It's to know 00:27:34.220 --> 00:27:34.819 the truth. 00:27:36.019 --> 00:27:36.680 It's the power 00:27:36.680 --> 00:27:37.620 to do what's right. 00:27:38.480 --> 00:27:39.319 That's our freedom. 00:27:39.519 --> 00:27:40.279 But our freedom, 00:27:40.559 --> 00:27:41.259 all those freedoms 00:27:41.259 --> 00:27:41.600 we have 00:27:41.600 --> 00:27:42.759 will not 00:27:42.759 --> 00:27:44.839 be able, 00:27:45.000 --> 00:27:45.599 will not have 00:27:45.599 --> 00:27:46.220 the strength, 00:27:46.299 --> 00:27:46.720 will not have 00:27:46.720 --> 00:27:47.180 the power 00:27:47.180 --> 00:27:48.099 to endure 00:27:48.099 --> 00:27:49.900 unless those freedoms 00:27:49.900 --> 00:27:50.619 are anchored 00:27:50.619 --> 00:27:51.420 in God 00:27:51.420 --> 00:27:52.359 and His Word. 00:27:52.900 --> 00:27:54.019 Because that's 00:27:54.019 --> 00:27:54.720 where those freedoms 00:27:54.720 --> 00:27:55.599 come from. 00:27:56.599 --> 00:27:57.640 Well, the last thing 00:27:57.640 --> 00:27:58.339 I want you to see 00:27:58.339 --> 00:27:59.720 is our opportunity. 00:28:01.299 --> 00:28:02.779 Our opportunities 00:28:02.779 --> 00:28:04.440 today are vast. 00:28:04.759 --> 00:28:05.079 But, 00:28:05.079 --> 00:28:07.000 I'm over here 00:28:07.000 --> 00:28:07.500 in the darkness 00:28:07.500 --> 00:28:07.980 now 00:28:07.980 --> 00:28:11.240 because I escape 00:28:11.240 --> 00:28:11.759 from the light 00:28:11.759 --> 00:28:12.199 sometimes 00:28:12.199 --> 00:28:13.179 just for a brief 00:28:13.179 --> 00:28:13.720 reprieve. 00:28:16.319 --> 00:28:17.460 Our opportunities 00:28:17.460 --> 00:28:18.019 are like 00:28:18.019 --> 00:28:19.159 this great treasure 00:28:19.159 --> 00:28:19.819 that's out there. 00:28:20.379 --> 00:28:21.199 If we go looking 00:28:21.199 --> 00:28:21.539 for them, 00:28:21.579 --> 00:28:22.279 we'll find them. 00:28:23.859 --> 00:28:25.159 There's so many 00:28:25.159 --> 00:28:25.779 things. 00:28:26.519 --> 00:28:27.339 What can we do? 00:28:28.299 --> 00:28:28.579 Well, 00:28:28.819 --> 00:28:29.599 here's what we can do. 00:28:29.659 --> 00:28:30.299 We can vote. 00:28:31.639 --> 00:28:32.480 We can vote. 00:28:32.559 --> 00:28:33.259 We can put people 00:28:33.259 --> 00:28:33.980 in the office 00:28:33.980 --> 00:28:35.700 that are not going 00:28:35.700 --> 00:28:36.980 to be self-perpetuating 00:28:36.980 --> 00:28:37.740 but are not going 00:28:37.740 --> 00:28:38.259 to be looking out 00:28:38.259 --> 00:28:38.920 for their interests 00:28:38.920 --> 00:28:39.519 or not going 00:28:39.519 --> 00:28:40.059 to be bought off 00:28:40.059 --> 00:28:40.660 by lobbyists 00:28:40.660 --> 00:28:41.480 but we can put people 00:28:41.480 --> 00:28:42.039 into office 00:28:42.039 --> 00:28:43.299 that really believe 00:28:43.299 --> 00:28:44.420 in moral principles. 00:28:46.140 --> 00:28:47.859 We can protest. 00:28:49.299 --> 00:28:50.700 We can write letters. 00:28:52.539 --> 00:28:52.980 Why, 00:28:53.059 --> 00:28:54.200 you could even get a blog 00:28:54.200 --> 00:28:56.420 and 10 to 15 people 00:28:56.420 --> 00:28:57.220 would listen to you. 00:29:01.140 --> 00:29:02.579 But most of all, 00:29:02.579 --> 00:29:04.039 what we have the freedom 00:29:04.039 --> 00:29:04.819 and the opportunity 00:29:04.819 --> 00:29:05.339 to do, 00:29:05.519 --> 00:29:06.740 what we have the obligation 00:29:06.740 --> 00:29:09.240 to do is to seek God. 00:29:09.480 --> 00:29:11.460 Why did God establish us 00:29:11.460 --> 00:29:12.199 and why did He put 00:29:12.199 --> 00:29:12.799 these boundaries 00:29:12.799 --> 00:29:13.379 where He did? 00:29:13.500 --> 00:29:14.699 Look in verse 27. 00:29:15.000 --> 00:29:15.559 It begins, 00:29:15.899 --> 00:29:17.519 that they would seek God. 00:29:19.539 --> 00:29:21.500 Jesus said in Matthew 6, 33, 00:29:21.779 --> 00:29:24.079 seek first His kingdom 00:29:24.079 --> 00:29:25.139 and His righteousness 00:29:25.139 --> 00:29:27.259 and all these other things 00:29:27.259 --> 00:29:29.139 will be added to you. 00:29:29.140 --> 00:29:31.500 Where does that start? 00:29:33.280 --> 00:29:34.200 What is this? 00:29:35.720 --> 00:29:37.920 Taking our country 00:29:37.920 --> 00:29:38.880 for what it is. 00:29:39.480 --> 00:29:40.540 A gift from God, 00:29:40.620 --> 00:29:41.400 by God's grace. 00:29:41.820 --> 00:29:42.620 And we live in it. 00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:43.280 But what are we going 00:29:43.280 --> 00:29:43.880 to do with it? 00:29:44.700 --> 00:29:46.140 Do you know that still today 00:29:46.140 --> 00:29:47.980 the greatest potential 00:29:47.980 --> 00:29:49.920 for reaching the world 00:29:49.920 --> 00:29:51.600 for Jesus Christ 00:29:51.599 --> 00:29:53.539 is in the United States? 00:29:54.159 --> 00:29:55.639 We have the resources, 00:29:56.059 --> 00:29:57.219 we have the wherewithal, 00:29:57.439 --> 00:29:58.599 we have all the things 00:29:58.599 --> 00:30:00.219 that God has in His providence 00:30:00.219 --> 00:30:01.439 provided for us 00:30:01.439 --> 00:30:02.179 to reach the world. 00:30:03.579 --> 00:30:04.379 And yet, 00:30:04.639 --> 00:30:06.019 we are so fragmented 00:30:06.019 --> 00:30:08.720 and we are so distorted 00:30:08.720 --> 00:30:10.220 and we're so disagreeable 00:30:10.220 --> 00:30:12.000 among ourselves 00:30:12.000 --> 00:30:13.420 that we're not able 00:30:13.420 --> 00:30:14.259 to accomplish it. 00:30:18.000 --> 00:30:19.460 Do you think that the answer 00:30:19.460 --> 00:30:21.180 for America's woes 00:30:21.180 --> 00:30:22.359 in the current time 00:30:22.359 --> 00:30:23.480 is going to come 00:30:23.480 --> 00:30:25.019 from Washington, D.C.? 00:30:25.019 --> 00:30:28.900 I know I'm in the 00:30:28.900 --> 00:30:31.180 magazine business now, 00:30:31.220 --> 00:30:32.599 so I've got a news flash 00:30:32.599 --> 00:30:33.480 for you this morning. 00:30:33.480 --> 00:30:35.980 Washington, D.C. is broken. 00:30:38.440 --> 00:30:39.599 And even though Trump 00:30:39.599 --> 00:30:40.660 came in to clean out 00:30:40.660 --> 00:30:41.099 the swamp 00:30:41.099 --> 00:30:42.279 and make America great, 00:30:42.500 --> 00:30:43.460 it's still broken. 00:30:45.620 --> 00:30:46.720 What about Columbia? 00:30:46.799 --> 00:30:47.660 I see Davey Hyatt 00:30:47.660 --> 00:30:48.279 sitting back there 00:30:48.279 --> 00:30:49.299 and he works in Columbia. 00:30:49.839 --> 00:30:51.059 And I hate to say this, 00:30:51.180 --> 00:30:53.180 but I hope he'll agree with me 00:30:53.180 --> 00:30:54.180 that Columbia 00:30:54.180 --> 00:30:55.380 is pretty much broken too. 00:30:57.759 --> 00:30:59.180 Washington is not the answer. 00:30:59.700 --> 00:31:00.900 Columbia is not the answer. 00:31:00.900 --> 00:31:04.180 God in Jesus Christ 00:31:04.180 --> 00:31:04.940 is the answer 00:31:04.940 --> 00:31:05.960 and his church 00:31:05.960 --> 00:31:06.920 is the biggest one. 00:31:07.759 --> 00:31:08.920 If the churches 00:31:08.920 --> 00:31:10.320 across this land 00:31:10.320 --> 00:31:11.900 rose up together 00:31:12.440 --> 00:31:14.440 on these moral principles, 00:31:14.820 --> 00:31:16.160 carried them into the streets, 00:31:16.600 --> 00:31:17.120 carried them into 00:31:17.120 --> 00:31:18.100 the halls of government, 00:31:18.540 --> 00:31:19.560 carried them across 00:31:19.560 --> 00:31:20.300 this nation, 00:31:20.840 --> 00:31:22.060 permeated society 00:31:22.060 --> 00:31:23.400 with this freedom, 00:31:23.540 --> 00:31:24.560 with this truth, 00:31:24.920 --> 00:31:26.840 we would see a difference 00:31:26.840 --> 00:31:28.140 in America 00:31:28.140 --> 00:31:29.960 that would be 00:31:29.960 --> 00:31:32.300 not a long time 00:31:32.300 --> 00:31:33.180 in developing. 00:31:34.020 --> 00:31:34.700 It could be, 00:31:34.780 --> 00:31:35.620 it might be 00:31:35.620 --> 00:31:37.640 just like the beginning 00:31:37.640 --> 00:31:38.860 when a nation 00:31:38.860 --> 00:31:39.900 rose so rapidly 00:31:39.900 --> 00:31:41.240 it mystified 00:31:41.240 --> 00:31:42.120 the rest of the world. 00:31:43.440 --> 00:31:44.240 Maybe it could be 00:31:44.240 --> 00:31:44.980 when the church, 00:31:45.500 --> 00:31:46.320 when the church 00:31:46.320 --> 00:31:47.040 comes together, 00:31:47.580 --> 00:31:48.160 when the church 00:31:48.160 --> 00:31:48.940 gets strong, 00:31:49.020 --> 00:31:49.580 when the church 00:31:49.580 --> 00:31:50.380 goes out 00:31:50.380 --> 00:31:52.780 to be salt and light, 00:31:53.720 --> 00:31:54.440 that the world 00:31:54.440 --> 00:31:55.400 would see a different 00:31:55.400 --> 00:31:56.280 picture of America. 00:31:56.279 --> 00:31:59.359 Well, 00:31:59.660 --> 00:32:02.240 I love America. 00:32:03.240 --> 00:32:04.339 I really do. 00:32:05.160 --> 00:32:06.579 But it's not my God. 00:32:07.779 --> 00:32:09.700 My God gave us America 00:32:09.700 --> 00:32:11.660 and he wants us 00:32:11.660 --> 00:32:12.539 to worship him 00:32:12.539 --> 00:32:14.899 and use the place 00:32:14.899 --> 00:32:16.440 that he's given us 00:32:16.440 --> 00:32:17.879 for his glory. 00:32:18.819 --> 00:32:20.299 So I just ask you today 00:32:20.299 --> 00:32:21.160 as I close this, 00:32:22.299 --> 00:32:23.059 when Jesus said, 00:32:23.299 --> 00:32:23.740 seek first 00:32:23.740 --> 00:32:25.440 the priority 00:32:25.440 --> 00:32:26.420 above all priorities, 00:32:26.559 --> 00:32:27.039 seek first 00:32:27.039 --> 00:32:27.900 his kingdom, 00:32:28.240 --> 00:32:28.859 his righteousness. 00:32:30.799 --> 00:32:32.000 Are we doing it? 00:32:33.299 --> 00:32:34.539 Are we doing it? 00:32:34.740 --> 00:32:36.200 Are we seeking first 00:32:36.200 --> 00:32:37.960 his kingdom, 00:32:38.279 --> 00:32:38.859 his values, 00:32:38.980 --> 00:32:39.460 his principles, 00:32:40.160 --> 00:32:40.799 and his righteousness? 00:32:41.640 --> 00:32:42.519 And if we're not, 00:32:43.700 --> 00:32:44.880 just a moment 00:32:44.880 --> 00:32:45.960 when we bow our heads 00:32:45.960 --> 00:32:46.880 and close our eyes, 00:32:47.660 --> 00:32:48.279 it might be 00:32:48.279 --> 00:32:48.960 that God would 00:32:48.960 --> 00:32:49.940 nudge your heart 00:32:49.940 --> 00:32:51.620 just to say a prayer 00:32:51.619 --> 00:32:52.359 to him and say, 00:32:52.439 --> 00:32:52.679 you know, 00:32:53.039 --> 00:32:53.799 that's what I want 00:32:53.799 --> 00:32:54.119 to be. 00:32:54.539 --> 00:32:55.359 I want to be somebody 00:32:55.359 --> 00:32:56.299 that seeks first 00:32:56.299 --> 00:32:56.779 your kingdom 00:32:56.779 --> 00:32:57.479 and your righteousness. 00:32:57.899 --> 00:33:00.439 And I want to make 00:33:00.439 --> 00:33:01.119 a difference 00:33:01.119 --> 00:33:03.199 in this country 00:33:03.199 --> 00:33:03.839 which I live. 00:33:05.839 --> 00:33:06.779 Would you pray with me? 00:33:06.779 --> 00:33:11.180 Father, thank you. 00:33:16.220 --> 00:33:17.680 Thank you for your grace 00:33:17.680 --> 00:33:18.539 and your wisdom 00:33:18.539 --> 00:33:19.920 and your great power 00:33:19.920 --> 00:33:21.359 that has been displayed 00:33:21.359 --> 00:33:22.339 in the way you have 00:33:22.339 --> 00:33:23.680 worked through the ages 00:33:23.680 --> 00:33:25.059 and the rise and fall 00:33:25.059 --> 00:33:26.359 of many nations. 00:33:27.599 --> 00:33:28.460 And thank you 00:33:28.460 --> 00:33:29.059 that today 00:33:29.059 --> 00:33:31.500 we have the privilege 00:33:31.500 --> 00:33:32.940 to be living 00:33:32.940 --> 00:33:33.519 in a nation 00:33:33.519 --> 00:33:34.960 that has been so blessed 00:33:34.960 --> 00:33:36.259 by your grace. 00:33:36.779 --> 00:33:38.000 Give us eyes 00:33:38.000 --> 00:33:38.720 to see 00:33:38.720 --> 00:33:40.319 the origin 00:33:40.319 --> 00:33:42.680 of our land, 00:33:42.779 --> 00:33:43.460 of our country 00:33:43.460 --> 00:33:44.680 and give us 00:33:44.680 --> 00:33:45.299 the strength 00:33:45.299 --> 00:33:47.480 to be people 00:33:47.480 --> 00:33:49.680 who seek first 00:33:49.680 --> 00:33:50.879 your kingdom 00:33:50.879 --> 00:33:51.899 and your righteousness 00:33:51.899 --> 00:33:53.559 as the priority 00:33:53.559 --> 00:33:55.059 of our life. 00:33:56.839 --> 00:33:57.379 Bless us, 00:33:57.519 --> 00:33:58.299 bless the church 00:33:58.299 --> 00:33:59.740 that we might in turn 00:33:59.740 --> 00:34:01.019 become a blessing, 00:34:03.019 --> 00:34:04.240 a leader 00:34:04.240 --> 00:34:06.639 for our country. 00:34:06.779 --> 00:34:10.519 with our heads bowed 00:34:10.519 --> 00:34:11.179 and eyes closed 00:34:11.179 --> 00:34:11.960 if you'd like to 00:34:11.960 --> 00:34:13.219 spend a moment 00:34:13.219 --> 00:34:14.199 and pray to God 00:34:14.199 --> 00:34:15.480 make a commitment 00:34:15.480 --> 00:34:15.940 to Him 00:34:15.940 --> 00:34:17.500 something along those lines 00:34:17.500 --> 00:34:18.719 I hope you will. 00:34:19.779 --> 00:34:20.820 Musicians are going to play 00:34:20.820 --> 00:34:22.380 and as they play 00:34:22.380 --> 00:34:23.559 if you have a decision 00:34:23.559 --> 00:34:24.000 to make 00:34:24.000 --> 00:34:25.099 if you have a commitment 00:34:25.099 --> 00:34:26.559 that you want to make 00:34:26.559 --> 00:34:27.119 if you have something 00:34:27.119 --> 00:34:27.719 you want to share 00:34:27.719 --> 00:34:29.099 Mike's going to be here 00:34:29.099 --> 00:34:30.519 would invite you to turn 00:34:30.519 --> 00:34:30.900 to join. 00:34:30.900 --> 00:34:31.779 Thank you.