"LEARNING TO BE A MODEL PARENT"

''RENEWING AMERICA'' Psalm 33 Selected INTRODUCTION a. Today throughout our land churches everywhere will celebrate freedom and especially Religious Freedom b. Many will do just as we have done, say the pledge, sing the patriotic songs, and thank God for freedom c. We hear a great deal about "Renewing America" 1. Some would have us go back to the "good old days" 2. Others look back and see the Great Depression 3. Some would go back to the "Old West Justice" 4. Others see armed citizens in the streets 5. Some call for a Government that is Christian 6. Others see the Religious Tyranny of the past d. Although we may not agree on specific solutions most would agree that America needs to be Renewed I. WHEN AMERICA WAS NEW a. At first our land was seen as a remote prison where undesirables and convicts could be sent b. Soon it was the destination of those seeking religious freedom and fleeing oppression 1. They braved the elements and seas on small boats for a taste of freedom 2. Many died on the journey and yet they came - by the 1000's c. Why - seeking Freedom d. Little did England realize what she had created and the flame she had lit - a flame that would finally burn all oppressive ties with America e. Our ancestors fought the tyranny of oppression and won Freedom for all of us f. A Freedom That came from deep spiritual convictions that declared: When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed g. This Freedom was again declared and guaranteed when Madison penned the Bill of Rights and The FIRST AMENDMENT: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances h. What powerful words and we seem to have lost their meaning I. I must admit that those words still stir me - The idea of freedom still excites me and yet I see so many that will quickly give up freedom in order to feel safe and secure 1. We write more and more laws (giving power to the state) in order to feel safe 2. Some people want the Preacher to tell them what the Bible says rather than to wrestle with it themselves - Give up freedom to interpret j. We need a Renewal of Freedom and it is evident II. RENEWING AMERICA a. To renew America is a SPIRITUAL task not a governmental one 1. Government by its very nature is coercive and uses force to get its way - Law and Consequence - Crime and Punishment 2. Spiritual things can never be brought about in that way - It is time that we stopped trying to make Christianity our officially approved government sponsored religion and began the task of sharing Christ with a lost and dying world b. Renewal of real freedom will come to America when we begin to understand and live four words: 1. Aretha Franklin has given us some great music and she gave emphasis to the first word in a song - R-E-S-P-E-C-T a. Respect is a word that seems to be lost in our society today - There seems to be NO respect for authority, people, things b. Freedom is found in respect - It alters behavior and allows for orderly exchanges c. When you respect someone or something you will not tarnish, pollute, or destroy it for your own purposes 1. Young people and singles - Respect will wait til marriage - Married folks - respect keeps you true to your spouse d. Freedom is found in respect for yourself and others 2. The second word is RESPONSIBILITY a. Freedom comes in acting responsibly and accepting responsibility b. The 60's brought America - "free love" and a drug culture c. Timothy Leary encouraged us to "tune in - turn on - and drop out" - He dropped out permanently recently d. Look what this irresponsible behavior brought us: 1. Devastating diseases that kill thousands 2. A generation of "ME's" rather than "US's" Family values are not understood 3. Rising crime and poverty 4. And we do not yet know the full effect of this on the "children of divorce" 5. Free love surely wasn't free 3. The third word is COURAGE a. This word is tied with another called INTEGRITY b. Freedom requires courage and integrity - It never come free and only the courageous find and secure it c. We are only free to do what is right and good - It takes courage to stand and do what is right when those around you want you to do what is wrong 1. Remember your possessions can be taken from you but your name and reputation is something you must give away - and it really is the only thing of real value you have. 4. The fourth word is SACRIFICE a. No freedom was ever secured apart from sacrifice 1. Today we enjoy freedom because some brave Americans gave their lives in the fight for freedom - From the Revolutionary War through the Civil War and WWI and WWII and Korea and Vietnam, to Desert Storm and today to those who stand watch for us - 2. The blood of Americans runs in the ground of every continent of earth - shed so that we might be free 3. Freedom never comes without sacrifice III. SPIRITUAL RENEWAL a. All this talk about freedom and renewal is useless if we are in spiritual bondage b. Renewal will not come until we are each one individually renewed c. This renewal comes only in Jesus Christ - He is the Only One who can free us from the bondage we are in and set us truly free 1. Jesus gave His life that we might be free to know God and experience fullness of life in Him 2. You can be free today and be Renewing America tomorrow 3. Will you follow Christ Today BOW WITH ME IN PRAYER HYMN # 447 "SWEET BY AND BY"




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