1. Grace Baptist Church 5/25/2014 AM COME BACK, AMERICA

2.  America is changing.  America has had a strong Christian heritage.  America had held to God’s Word and was good.  America has grown strong and prosperous.  America, in her prosperity has forgotten the God that made her great.  America is fast becoming a pagan society.  America is more and more pagan because another religion has absolute authority in her classrooms - atheistic secular humanism. WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT…

3.  America is ignoring her rule of law, respect for federalism, and adherence to the constitution  She has lost a respect for God and His Law.  We all want a safe and successful homeland, but the cure for America’s ills is not found in a stronger economy, a better education, or a change in leadership.  America’s problem is moral and spiritual. The cure for the nation must begin in the family – in fact, within the individual.  The cure is the good news of the cross.  The cure is the fear of God.  The cure is repentance and regeneration through the work of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. THAT’S NOT ALL…

4.  America is not Israel – We are not the Promised Land – We are not the modern reconstruction of the Kingdom of God in this world. So we must be careful not to apply all blessings meant for Israel to us.  We believe however that a nation made up of individuals, families and communities that honor God and His Law will experience blessing. Principles of blessing apply to us because God honors His Word and blesses righteousness.  Read these passages with me this morning and sense the obvious reverence for the Law of God and His instruction.  Deuteronomy 6:1-9  Proverbs 2  Psalm 19:7-10  Psalm 1 ARE WE MISSING GOD’S BLESSING?

5.  Remember to:  Respond with good citizenship. Romans 13  Respect and honor those who have served in our branches of service.  As much as we love America and would love to live in freedom and peace, we have a mission mapped out for us in the New Testament.  It is obedience to the call of:  Personal faith in Christ. Romans 6:23; 10:13  Holy living. Romans 6:12,13 and 12:1,2  The Great Commission. Romans 1:13-17  Personal humility, submission, resistance (of the devil), cleansing, purity, sorrow for sin,... James 4:6-10  Prayer Matt. 6:9-13; pay special attention to I Timothy 2:1-8. SO WHAT SHOULD I DO?

6.  1 Timothy 2:1-8 ¶ First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanks be offered on behalf of all people, 2 even for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 Such prayer for all is good and welcomed before God our Savior, 4 since he wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one intermediary between God and humanity, Christ Jesus, himself human, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, revealing God's purpose at his appointed time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and apostle– I am telling the truth; I am not lying– and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. 8 ¶ So I want the men to pray in every place, lifting up holy hands without anger or dispute. WHAT DOES AMERICA NEED THIS MEMORIAL DAY?