America – Land of the Free & Home of the Brave

1. Introduction
   1. I’m giving this message in regards to my own thinking of what America means to me.
   2. When you’re young, you don’t really think about anything but playing and having a good time.
   3. But as you get older, you begin to see the reality as you mature in grace and knowledge, how things really are.
   4. I would hear stories throughout the years, in fact, horror stories about how other countries live, and how they had to just survive.
   5. In our country we’ve had just about anything that anyone could ever want or need, and I feel it has been taken for granted.
   6. When I became a Christian, it became more prevalent to me as the pastors in different churches would preach about their mission trips abroad, and how thankful they were, to be a part of America.
   7. The lifestyle of a third world country is so different than where we are here today. Everything there is survival in countries like Iran, Pakistan and the Middle Eastern countries.
   8. Women are considered 2^nd class citizens, not even allowed to sit while 2 men are speaking.
   9. Their only point is to have children and teach them but never really having a voice. Especially in the fundamental regimes.
   10. For example, in 3^rd world countries and middle Eastern countries, if you take a woman from another man, they’ll behead you in the streets in front of everyone to set an example. These are extremists.
   11. If you’re stealing, they’ll cut your fingers off. If you steal a second time they’ll cut your hands off.
   12. I remember years ago, around 1986, the US was building an airport in Israel and there was a fellow I had worked with who signed up to go to work on the new base in Israel.
   13. He had taken up with another man’s wife not knowing the culture, and they set a precedent to kill him. He was immediately shipped home. Otherwise that would’ve been the end.
   14. We don’t know how lucky and fortunate we are to live in America, where we can vote, we can have freedom to speak, and to do pretty much anything we want to.
   15. The time has come when you and I now live in what the bible talks about, the Laodicean Church Age where America is challenged within and almost is being destroyed from within.
   16. Our country has had the strongest military ever known to man but the leadership is destroying the very existence of our own lives.
   17. If things don’t change in America, you and I will become like a 3^rd world country as we’re on our way there now.
   18. I’m beleiving that things will change, only in regards to stabilization. Our country is on a moral and spiritual decline etc.
   19. You and I need to take our rightful place as Christians so we don’t lose our freedom that the men and women in uniform have paid the ultimate price for.
   20. Freedom comes with a price. Pay it, or lose it. Now let us look into our study America – Land of the Free & Home of the Brave

 

2. What does America mean to you?
   1. America is a place where we have freedom to live for God, and worship Him. Isaiah 61:1: The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; This is the scripture Jesus read in the temple.

It was Jesus that Isaiah was writing about, and Jesus came to bring liberty, and this is what America is all about.

1. America is a country where we can speak freely about how our leaders govern. Ephesians 6:13-14: Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; We live in a country where it is still safe to speak out when our leaders govern in a way that is ungodly. We need to stand up for the freedoms, and the values this country was based upon while we still can. This means voting, and taking an interest in who represents us in government.
2. America is a place that was set apart by God to worship and serve Him. Psalm 4:3: But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him. America was established with Christian values.

 

3. When was America discovered, and who discovered it? (Information is from allthatsinteresting.com/who-discovered-america)

 

 

1. Though we’re taught that Christopher Columbus discovered America in 1492, the real story of who actually discovered North America first is far more complicated.
2. While many schoolchildren are taught that Christopher Columbus was responsible for the discovery of America in 1492, the true history of the land’s exploration stretches back long before Columbus was even born.
3. But did Christopher Columbus discover America before other Europeans? Modern research has suggested that wasn’t even the case.
4. Perhaps most famously, a group of Icelandic Norse explorers led by Leif Erikson likely beat Columbus to the punch by around 500 years.
5. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that Erikson was the first explorer who discovered America.
6. People from Asia, Africa, and even Europe may have reached American shores before him.
7. There’s even a story about a band of Irish monks who made it to America in the sixth century.

 

4. Why do we celebrate Independence Day? When was it established?
   1870. Congress passed a law making Independence Day a federal holiday on June 28, 1870. We celebrate the Declaration of Independence for two reasons.
   1871. It represents an official severing of ties between the original 13 colonies and the rule of Great Britain.
   1872. It also represents the core of our beliefs, the very makeup of our identity as citizens of the U.S.
   1873. Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independence, combined a rich history of ideas and eloquently presented them to the then King of Great Britain along with a list of grievances.
   1874. For those who already deeply love the United States, and for those who are struggling with the idea, the Declaration of Independence can be a guidepost.
   1875. It is an unassailable document that embodies what it means to be an American, and everything we hold dear.
   1876. Although written in a different time with different social norms and commonly accepted philosophies, the U.S. has made consistent strides to truly embody the words, “we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…”
   1877. This idea has emboldened us to forge our own paths as individuals and as a nation.
   1878. At great risk Americans have stood up to many forms of tyranny and oppression, and however long it takes, liberty prevails.

 

5. Freedom comes with a price. Are you willing to stand and pay the price for what you believe?
   1. Though salvation is a free gift, there are 2 scriptures that we can look to that show us the cost of true freedom.
   2. If you want to have true freedom in Christ, there are three things Jesus asks of us. Luke 9:23: And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Are you denying yourself? Do you put God’s will and purposes ahead of your own agenda? Do you seek to follow Him with everything you do? That is the cost of true Christian freedom.
   3. Jesus says it more boldly and plainly in this verse. Luke 14:27: And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. You can say that you are a Christian, but we know you by your fruit. Are you picking up your cross and following Him? Many give their lives for our freedom as Americans. You may not be called to do this, but to give your life as a living sacrifice to God.
6. Will you be a Peter, when everything was going good and right, until he was challenged with his life, he then denied the Lord, and was crucified upside down.
   1. First, a time when Peter was on the right track and things were going good. Jesus had just asked Peter who he thought Jesus was. Matthew 16:16-17: And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. Peter had heard from God and knew exactly who Jesus was. Watch though what happens next.
   2. Jesus had just been telling His Disciples about how He would be crucified and die for us, and then rise again. Matthew 16:22-23: Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. Within a few short minutes, Peter went from a high point, to actually rebuking the Lord!
   3. At the Last Supper, Jesus tells Peter that he will deny him 3 times. Matthew 26:34: Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Sure enough, after Jesus is arrested, when confronted, Peter did deny he knew the Lord. He was later restored and became one of the leaders of the early church.
   4. Peter was crucified upside-down because he did not feel worthy of being crucied right-side-up like his Lord and Savior. Jesus talks about the end of Peter’s life in this verse. John 21:18: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.” Peter made a lot of mistakes along the way, but did pay the ultimate price, and was martyred for his faith.

 

7. What is America defined as in the bible?
   1. In Daniel 7, verses 4 to 6, we see a glimpse of the kingdoms that will be in power just before antichrist takes over. Daniel 7: 4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man’s heart was given to it. What Daniel is describing here are 4 beasts which are kingdoms.
   2. The first is like a lion. This is England, and the British Empire. The eagle’s wings represent the United States, which was originally a part of the British Empire.
   3. Our verse talks about the wings being plucked. America separated from Britain, so the eagle’s wings were plucked as the verse says.

 

8. Who defined the country with the symbol of the eagle?
   1. The bald eagle has been the national bird of the United States since 1782, when it was placed with outspread wings on the Great Seal of our country.
   2. It appears in many government institutions and on official documents, making it the most pictured bird in all of America.
   3. The eagle appears on the president’s flag, the mace of the House of Representatives, military insignia, and billions of one-dollar bills.
   4. The bald eagle first appeared as an American symbol on a Massachusetts copper cent coined in 1776.
   5. Since then it has appeared on the reverse side of many U.S. coins, notably the silver dollar, half dollar and quarter, as well as the gold coins which were christened the eagle, half eagle, quarter eagle, and double eagle.
   6. For 6 years, the members of Congress held a bitter dispute over what the national emblem should be.
   7. It wasn’t until 1789 that the bald eagle was finally chosen to represent the new nation.

 

9. Who in the bible paid the ultimate price for freedom? (4)
   1. Jesus gives an example of a prophet who was sent by God and was martyred. Zechariah: (Matthew 23:34-35: Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. Zachariah was sent by God, and ultimately gave his life for freedom.
   2. Turning to the New Testament, John the Baptist was a bold preacher of the truth that sets us free, and he also gave his life. Matthew 14:1-12:3-4 and 8-9: For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife. For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her. And she, being before instructed of her mother, said,

Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger. And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her. John was beheaded for boldly speaking the truth of God’s Word that would have made them free if they had listened.

1. Stephen was boldly preaching the gospel of Christ. Instead of receiving Christ and being set free, the Jews got upset with him and stoned him. Acts 7:57-59: Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Stephen gave his life for the sake of the gospel of Christ which leads to true freedom.
2. James, the brother of John, one of the 3 that were closest to Jesus, also gave his life for the gospel. Acts 12:1-3: Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)

James paid the ultimate price for freedom, but Peter would later be set free from prison and continue his ministry.

 

10. Story –Stories about some of our Founding Fathers You May Not Know.
    1. They are rightfully placed among the most influential people in American history. The story of America begins with our Founding Fathers.
    2. They brought us the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights,and the Constitution. They are the framers of American history.
    3. We are all familiar with the many famous quotes from the Founding Fathers, but not nearly enough time is spent diving into who these people actually were.
    4. Patrick Henry: His immortal words still ring out today. “I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”
    5. Yet Patrick Henry’s path to that moment was paved with two failed business ventures, several career changes and the horrible, tragic death of his beloved wife, Sarah.
    6. Patrick Henry’s life teaches us that success often comes after failure. The moral to the story: never give up.
    7. John Adams: He was the 2nd President of the United States and helped draft the Declaration of Independence.
    8. A highly educated man whose ideas strongly shaped the governmental structure of our republic.
    9. He was a direct descendent of the founding generation of Puritans who established colonial presence in America.
    10. Benjamin Franklin: Everyone knows Benjamin Franklin. He is one of America’s most enduring and beloved figures.
    11. His inventions and innovations are all over the blueprints of modern history. His life was monumental to the future of America.
    12. Despite being commonly addressed as “Doctor,” Benjamin Franklin had but a 2nd grade education. His life shows that intelligence without traditional education can still equal success, if good character and hard work are evident.
    13. Thomas Jefferson: Thomas Jefferson is the author of the Declaration of Independence and the 3rd President of the United States.
    14. Like John Adams, his ideas and influence strongly shape our lives today.
    15. Even though it looks like Mr. Jefferson’s life was one of success after success, a notable failure is that he entered a contest to choose the architect to design the White House and lost.
    16. Even the most successful people suffer setbacks.
    17. George Washington: The Father of our Country and America’s 1st President, George Washington, stands tall above all others in the history of our Founders.
    18. He never did actually chop down that cherry tree though. That story was concocted by a biographer years after his death.
    19. He did, however, almost meet an early death on many occasions that would have prevented his ascent. He had bullets graze him and nearly drowned in an icy river after falling off a raft.
    20. He also suffered with and survived malaria, smallpox, pleurisy and dysentery. George Washington was a man destined to lead the birth of what would become the world’s greatest nation.
    21. And his greatest act? Leaving office peacefully (and joyfully) after his term. America is what it is today because Washington was who he was.

 

11. Conclusion
    1. We’ve become a very lazy country in work, in morality, in strength, in wisdom, in leadership.
    2. We must be the voice and we must stand for all of the things that God taught us to stand for through His Word.
    3. He destroyed the world through flood. He destroyed Sodom and Gomorra through immorality. Saints, we must do the right things.
    4. We must take our rightful place.  America is our home. The land that we walk on is precious, and our freedom is at stake.
    5. I have 3 questions for you.
    6. Are you pressing forward as the bible says in this time that we live in where our country is in moral decline, spiritual decline, and the lights are off in leadership?
    7. Are you a voice? Do you want to be a voice, or do you just not care?
    8. If America means as much to you as it does to me, then take your rightful place. Stand firm on the foundation. Tell as many souls as you can about the saving knowledge of Christ. It’s all we have, and it’s all we can take. In this Laodicean church age, the Gospel is all that becomes our freedom. R