1. A Long Obedience In the Same Direction A Long Obedience In the Same Direction 1 Peter 3

2. The Influence of the Bible in American History

3. At the Constitutional Convention of 1787, James Madison proposed the plan to divide the central government into three branches.

4. He discovered this model of government as he read Isaiah 33:22

5. “For the Lord is our Judge, the Lord is our Lawgiver, the Lord is our King; He will save us.”

6. “Perhaps the most amazing thing about Thomas Paine’s ‘Common Sense’, which is credited with being the catalyst…

7. …for the American Revolution, is how much Bible is in it!

8. He argues against the Rule of Kings and for the abolition of slavery, using vast amounts of scripture.

9. Abraham Lincolns’ famous words found in the ‘Gettysburg Address’

10. While Lincoln is often credited with creating the phrase ‘government of the people, by the people, for the people,’…

11. …it is actually centuries older than America.

12. An Introduction to an English translation of the Bible by John Wycliffe in 1384

13. “This Bible is for the Government of the People, by the People, and for the People.” John Wycliffe, 1384

14. The phrase also turns up in the 1850s in a book of sermons by abolitionist preacher Theodore Parker…

15. …a book which Lincoln received as a gift in the first months of the Civil War.

16. Nothing has fundamentally changed in the last few days, weeks, months, years, decades or centuries!

17. Our primary allegiance is first to our God! He still calls us to a ‘Long Obedience in the Same Direction!’

18. 1 Peter 3:14-17 “But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. ‘And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.’

19. …but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.

20. …having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.

21. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” 1 Peter 3:14-17

22. Experience Today’s Blessing! “...even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed.”

23. The day is clay, fully ready to be redeemed!

24. Do Not Let Fear Win! “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”

25. Yours is the Choice; Fear or Consecrated Love!

26. Strengthen God in Your Heart! “...sanctify the Lord God in your hearts...”

27. That God May Rule and that the Enemy be turned away!

28. Be Ready to Give a Christ-Centered Answer!

29. “...always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you...”

30. The Seeker will always be Seeking!

31. Faithfulness Leads to Vindication! “...those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.”

32. A Long Obedience in the Same Direction!

33. Ephesians 5:15- 17 “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

34. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

35. A Long Obedience In the Same Direction A Long Obedience In the Same Direction 1 Peter 3