Continuing our Wednesday
night Small Group Bible Study on the establishment of America as a Christian
nation by God. Pastor Kennedy resumes his recount of the historical event that
lead to this country’s formation to “one nation under God”.
In the 600’s Anno Domini (A.D.), Islam rose, sweeping across and
conquering north Africa, then in the 700’s A.D. attacked westward across
Europe, through Spain and into France to the region of Tours. In an attack on
October 10, 732, a rumor started that the Muslim’s plundered booty was being
stolen behind them, so some Islamic brigades turned back to defend. The other
brigades saw and assumed a retreat, so the entire Muslim army turned back. The Frankish and Burundian
forces under Charles Martel overtook the invading army and were
victorious. The Islamic effort to convert all of Europe to Islam failed. But,
next the Muslim’s invaded and conquered Turkey, through Central Europe and into
Germany where they were defeated again. Then, Islamic forces sent a fleet of
ships to conquer Rome, but a great storm rose and sank the whole fleet outside
the river mouth. Another Islamic fleet sailed across the Mediterranean Sea
towards America, but a great storm rose again and sank that entire fleet also.
We, as a nation, do not speak Arabic or worship Allah because the God of the
Bible had ordained that this would be a Christian nation; even an evangelical
Christian nation.
The Christian population in
America in the 1990’s was growing at over 1% per year. Biblical morality,
values, ethics and godliness were reflected in the nations citizens influence
on society and election of their godly Civic representatives. God, of course, also
wants that kind of a church where the gospel of Jesus Christ is clearly taught,
the gospel of the pure grace of God is clearly proclaimed, and where the gospel
would not only be witnessed here, but go around the world. What the Pilgrim’s
had done (advancing the Kingdom of Jesus Christ), Christian Americans continue
to do. It's by God's design.
In 1588, Spain’s fleet
attacked England, but a storm sank most of the Spanish fleet and the remainder of
the invading ships mistakenly landed in Ireland. We are not speaking Spanish in
America. In 1606, a France Canadian fleet set sail to colonize New England, but
torrential weather stopped them. We do not speak French in America. In 1620,
the Pilgrim sailed to America. God, who controls all things, guided them to
where He wanted them to go. Seeing that they made land north of their desired
destination in Cape Cod, They turned the ships south and headed for Virginia, but
storms blew them back north. This was because Indian tribes were massacring settlers along the east coast at the time,
except where God led the Pilgrims that we would have a strong evangelical
Christian nation to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth. God,
our Commander-in-Chief, had so arranged His providence to bring this to pass.
It is a magnificent story.
In 1787 at the Federal Convention in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at a critical juncture in the writing of the U.S.
Constitution, Benjamin Franklin addressed the President of the Convention:
"I have lived, Sir, a long time; and the longer I live, the more convincing
proofs I see of this truth, That God governs in the affairs of
men!" America’s first President
wrote: “Anyone who cannot see the conspicuous providence of God in all these things (in the
formation and establishment of America) is worse than an infidel and more than
wicked, because they will not show their gratitude to Almighty God.” A lot of
people have a great deal of trouble saying “Thank you”, or particularly “Thank
you God for what you have done”. Therefore, it is far easier to deny God exists
or deny that He has done anything for you. In that case, you do not have to be
thankful. That is wickedness in the eyes of God. Known under God are the purposes
of God from the very beginning, that there would be a Christian nation, and
that the Christian nation of Christ would be here in America and thrive. In God We Trust.
John 3:16-17 “For
God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever
believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For
God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the
world through Him might be saved.”
Pastor Kennedy asks: Are you
a part of it? Has God touched your heart and changed your life? Has father God
causes you to become a new person in Christ? Has God invited and brought you
into His kingdom? Have you experienced the certainty of life eternal? Do you
know that all of your sins are forgiven at the foot of the Cross and that you
will be with the Lord forever in Heaven?
John 3:36 “He who
believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son
shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” If you have
not surrendered your heart to Christ, then as far as you are personally
concerned, all of the providential effort of God was in vain. 1
John 5:11-13 says, “God has given
us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life;
he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I
have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may
know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe
in the name of the Son of God.”
In Christ, Brian
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