Sermon Tone Analysis

*Happy Birthday America!

*

Happy Birthday America!

\\ Psalm 33 \\ \\ HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

You will be 225 years old this Wednesday.

That’s a long time for a nation to remain free.

But, when you take the long, historical view, you’re just a CHILD among the nations.

Egypt, China, Japan, Rome, or Greece—they all had much longer histories, not so free.

\\ \\ HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

You have a rich, spiritual history that continues to influence us today.

\\ § My County, ‘Tis of Thee was written by a Baptist minister, Samuel Francis Smith.

\\ § The Pledge of Allegience was written in 1892 by a Baptist minister, Francis Bellamy.

\\ § The words “In God We Trust” are traced to the efforts of Rev. W.R. Watkinson.

\\ § Rev. John Witherspoon, a Presbyterian minister was a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

\\ \\ \\ HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

You’re entire history has spanned only 4 generations.

When Thomas Jefferson died, Abraham Lincoln was a young man of 17.

When Lincoln was assassinated, Woodrow Wilson was a boy of 8.

By the time the nation mourned the death of President Wilson, Ronald Reagan was a boy of 12. \\ \\ But even though you have a short history, God has richly blessed you.

You are the RICHEST nation in the world.

Your natural resources are still the greatest of all nations.

\\ \\ \\ \\ \\ HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

You have learned your lessons well.

\\ § Began by breaking free from British shackles \\ § Survived a civil war that nearly cost you your national soul.

\\ § Fought and won against two foreign enemies on soil not your own \\ § Stood against aggression in Korea and Viet Nam \\ § Kicked some desert sand in the face of a two-bit dictator in the Middle East \\ \\ HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

You are a great nation with a great history.

When you were very young, the famous French political philosopher, Alexis deToucqueville visited your shores to learn the secret which enabled a handful of people to defeat the mighty British Empire.

\\ He traveled across your vast land from shore to shore, looking for greatness in your harbors and rivers, your fertile fields and boundless forests.

He studied your schools, your military, your Congress, your Constitution—but still he could not find the secret.

It was not until he went into your churches and heard your pulpits “aflame with righteousness” that he found the answer.

When he returned to Europe, he wrote this warning: “America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.”

\\ \\ HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

You are great because you are good!

You are good because you are still opening your doors to those of other lands, remembering that you are made up of those who came to these shores searching for freedom and opportunity.

\\ \\ You are great because you are still the most GENEROUS of all nations—giving untold millions in aid to 3rd-world countries—sending our missionaries to feed the hungry and starving souls of our world.

\\ \\ You are great because you allow your fellows the freedom to choose Who and where they WORSHIP.

\\ \\ You are great because you still take the side of the LITTLE GUYS against the bullies of this world.

\\ \\ \\ HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

You have learned that greatness is not measured in silver and gold, rivers and forests, or even in bombs and missiles.

Greatness is an inner quality found in what we ARE rather than what we POSSESS.

\\ \\ HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

The noble lady in New York harbor stands proudly with her flame lifted up for all to see—a gift from the French, she still inspires even those of us who were born here.

\\ \\ \\ \\ HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

Your flag waves proudly in the free air—a symbol of all that makes you great.

Whether at a ball game, political rally, concert, or worship service, she still sends a chill up and down our spine.

\\ \\ HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

Your currency still carries the motto, “IN GOD WE TRUST.”

May we learn to transfer this motto from our coins to our hearts!

\\ \\ May I suggest to you as we prepare to celebrate “Independence Day” that no nation on earth will long endure that does not depend on God.

How can we transfer this motto on our coins and get it into our hearts?

I think the answer lies in Psalm 33.

I see some principles that we would do well to observe if we are to survive as a free people, blessed of God.

\\ \\ \\ 1. Reverence for God \\ \\ Look at verse 18: “But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him (who hold Him in awe; who respect and revere Him; who see Him as the Holy One, high and lifted up).” \\ \\ The word “fear” in the Bible means “to tremble.”

It is used in connection with 3 experiences: \\ (1) To tremble with the thought of being punished by a holy God for our sins.

\\ (2) To tremble at the sight of the mighty acts of God.

\\ (3) To tremble with joy at the knowledge that people were being saved.

\\ \\ Our nation desperately needs more respect, more reverence for God.

Prov.15:16 says, “Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble.”

\\ \\ \\ \\ Today, in our American culture, we have crossed the line from disrespect to outright blasphemy!

God’s holiness is mocked.

It is open season on the character of God.

For example, movies and plays depicting Jesus as a homosexual.

\\ \\ Even our churches are often filled with a lack of reverence.

Is there no place that is sacred?

I’ve been in some churches where you can’t tell the difference between them and a bowling alley!

\\ \\ Who is this God that we say we trust in?

\\ § The Man upstairs?

\\ § The Big guy in the sky? \\ \\ The Bible says He is the Holy One—El Shaddi (Almighty One)—Alpha and Omega—Creator of the Universe—Everlasting Father—Rock of Ages.

\\ \\ Jude reverenced God.

He closed his short letter with these powerful words: “To the only God and Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forever more!

Amen.” \\ \\ \\ Did you know that native Americans did not swear oaths or take the name of God in vain until Europeans introduced it to them?

They did not have this kind of vocabulary in their language.

But the French and English taught them how to curse in God’s name.

\\ \\ The Hebrews would not even pronounce the name of their God, but in our culture it is common for folks to drag God’s name through the mud.

For example, the phrase, “Oh my God” is used constantly by pagans and Christians.

\\ \\ A high school girl wrote the following letter to a friend: \\ \\ I attended your church yesterday.

Although you had invited me, you were not there.

I looked for you, hoping to sit with you.

I sat alone.

A stranger, I wanted to sit near the back of the church but those rows were all packed with regular attenders.

An usher took me to the front.

I felt as though I was on parade.

\\ During the singing of the hymns I was surprised to note that some of the church people weren’t singing.

Between their sighs and yawns, they just stared into space.

Three of the kids that I had respected on campus were whispering to one another throughout the whole service.

Another girl was giggling.

I really didn’t expect that in your church.

The pastor’s sermon was very interesting, although some members of the choir didn’t seem to think so.

They looked bored and restless.

One kept smiling at someone in the congregation.

There were several people who left and then came back during the sermon.

I thought, “How rude!”

I could hear the constant shuffling of feet and doors opening and closing.

The pastor spoke about the reality of faith.

The message got to me and I made up my mind to speak to someone about it after the service.

But utter chaos reigned after the benediction.

I said good morning to one couple, but their response was less than cordial.

I looked for some teens with whom I could discuss the sermon, but they were all huddled in a corner talking about the newest music group.

My parents don’t go to church.

I came alone yesterday hoping to find a place to truly worship and feel some love.

I’m sorry, but I didn’t find it in your church.