It's OK to Love America
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I. Introduction
I. Introduction
I have a question for us to consider this morning: Do you love your country?
Better yet: Is it OK to love your country?
In 2019 Woke Pastor Shane Claiborne wrote: “The problem with patriotism is that it's just too small. God invites us to love bigger than biology or nationality. The Bible does't say "For God so loved America" but it says "For God so loved the world." Our love doesn't stop at borders. No wall can hold it back.”
In 2021 the week before the Fourth of July, an Episcopal Priest named Tim Schenck wrote “Dreading the nationalistic heresy that will surely get preached in many churches next Sunday on the Fourth of July.”
That had become the standard here lately. Certain pastors consider themselves to be more evolved or intellectual than others because they reject any semblance of anything patriotic.
And unfortunately, that is becoming very common place. In 2011 a Pew Research poll was taken, it said that 48% of Americans believe the United States is the greatest country in the world and 42% believe it is one of the greatest countries in the world…but that was Americans as a whole…when the MIllennial generation was interviewed, the results were much different:
Just 32% of Millennials believe the U.S. is the greatest country in the world. That number progressively increases among the Gen X (48%), and Baby Boomers (50%).
In fact today, we see a generational gap in anything patriotic. Anything patriotic is now referred to as Christian Nationalism.
What are we doing? Where are we headed in a world that tells us now that America is a bad place....and that whether it is or isn’t, Christians have no place loving it?
Well I want to take us back to an old Hebrew hymn...
a. Scripture: Psalm 33
a. Scripture: Psalm 33
I’m going to ask you to stand with me, if you are able, as we read from God’s Holy, Perfect, Sufficient and inerrant Word.
Sing for joy in the Lord, O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming to the upright.
Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre;
Sing praises to Him with a harp of ten strings.
Sing to Him a new song;
Play skillfully with a shout of joy.
For the word of the Lord is upright,
And all His work is done in faithfulness.
He loves righteousness and justice;
The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the Lord.
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,
And by the breath of His mouth all their host.
He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap;
He lays up the deeps in storehouses.
Let all the earth fear the Lord;
Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.
For He spoke, and it was done;
He commanded, and it stood fast.
The Lord nullifies the counsel of the nations;
He frustrates the plans of the peoples.
The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
The plans of His heart from generation to generation.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.
The Lord looks from heaven;
He sees all the sons of men;
From His dwelling place He looks out
On all the inhabitants of the earth,
He who fashions the hearts of them all,
He who understands all their works.
The king is not saved by a mighty army;
A warrior is not delivered by great strength.
A horse is a false hope for victory;
Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength.
Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope for His lovingkindness,
To deliver their soul from death
And to keep them alive in famine.
Our soul waits for the Lord;
He is our help and our shield.
For our heart rejoices in Him,
Because we trust in His holy name.
Let Your lovingkindness, O Lord, be upon us,
According as we have hoped in You.
<Pray>
Thank you, and you may be seated.
The world tells us that we shouldn’t even have this flag up here on the stage....that it is idolatry and state worship to have a love for your country....that it is somehow a distraction from the Gospel....Well Morningside, I want to tell you this morning a few reasons why it is perfectly OK to love America.
II. Major Points
II. Major Points
God Loves America
America Is Pretty Good
We are Instructed to
III. Point #1: God Loves America
III. Point #1: God Loves America
Explanation
Now I want to be clear here....God loves us. I’m not saying that He love sus anymore than He loves any other country, but He does love US. Period. That, in and of itself, is reason enough to celebrate this country.
Look, there have been times where God removed His favor from other countries because of their paganism, idolatry, and celebration of sin. While we aren’t perfect, and I’ll talk about that some more in a few minutes, we do have God’s love, and personally, I believe that God has blessed this country in so many ways.
What we read earlier in Psalms says “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord...” Now that verse gets thrown around a lot....so to be clear: The Psalmist isn’t specifically talking about America there....specifically, he is writing about Israel…THEY were the nation that worshipped the Lord. THEY were the chosen people…This was a Psalm of praise to their God. So as much as I’d like to say that verse is specifically about Israel, it just isn’t.
However…even though in context, that verse has nothing to do with the United States of Americs, there is an application there, none-the-less....and it is this: God DOES bless obedience…amen?
When people are obedient, God is faithful and blessings follow.
Jesus said as much in Luke 11:28
Luke 11:28 (NASB95)
“...blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”
I believe the statement is applicable in this way too: If people who are obedient invite God’s favor and blessing....and nations are made up of people....then NATIONS who obey God’s Word also invite God’s …what?....favor and blessing.
You see, we may not be Israel and that verse in Psalm 33 may not specifically be about us, but the application is still totally valid for us today?
So what does that mean for us today in America?
Illustration
Now look....we can sit here and talk about how evil the world is....we can talk about how evil our government is....how evil our culture has become....how wokeism, intersectionality, Critical Race Theory, and Post Modernism have made their way into our school text books and curriculum....but yall, I’m going to be really honest with you this morning: That....is cheap. The world, is going to be the world....that’s why when they do stuff like that, we call it “worldly.” It should not surprise us one bit that the world embraces evil. So you know what, the church can’t focus on what evil people do, because we can’t do much about it.
Oh yeah, we can vote certain ways and try to get people in office who make decisions that we believe would honor God. We can preach truth to the darkness....we can continue to try to reach out to the darkness....but the world is going to be the world....period. So standing up here hooping and hollering about the evil of the world isn’t very productive at all.
But what IS helpful is this:
Application
Instead of focusing on the evil of the world, let’s focus on the evil of the church. Oh you heard me right....the evil in the church....the disobedience in the church. Wait a minute Bro. Vic....”we’re supposed to talk about the bad guys”…well tell Jesus that! Jesus defended the protestitute, told her to turn from her sin, and then chewed out the religious folks! You know why? Because WE are supposed to know better.
If we want the Lord’s continued blessing on this country, there’s a whole lot the church can focus on itself beyond worrying about whether or not you can get an abortion in this state folks.
Listen....Roe v. Wade being overturned did NOT outlaw abortion....all it did was send it back to the states. That means that it’s going to be hard or impossible to get one in Georgia, and that’s great, but guess what? It’s going to be pretty easy to get one in New York.
So what CAN we do?
Here’s a few things we need to do inwardly:
We can be evangelistic....
but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
In Acts 1:8, Jesus commanded us to share the Gospel with all nations. Folks that wa s a COMMAND....not a suggestion. If we aren’t sharing the Gospel, we are being disobedient....why would the Lord bless a nation of people that won’t share Jesus…period?
So when I say that let me personalize it: You’re an American…when’s the last time YOU shared the Gospel? Look, it doesn’t start with Congress or the President....it starts with the church....and YOU are the church....so if you want this country to be blessed, get out there and share Jesus. Tell people they need a Savior and they can find Him in Christ....
2. We can be the church....listen folks, the second part of Acts 1:8 is that we make DISCIPLES of all nations....we share the Gospel…we get saved and we get them saved....but then we learn from Him. We do that together at church and in His Word. We seek holiness and try to live pure lives before God and the world.
Folks, people who used to go to church 3-4 times per month before COVID are half as likely to go as before COVID. People who only came occassionally (once per month or less), there is less than a 10% chance.....folks....how can we be disciples if we won’t show up?
We aren’t being obedient even in that in America....why would God bless us?
3. We can show love.....folks listen to me....I am totally against abortion. I am…no question about it. We say “oh those poor little babies”....and then we celebrated when Roe was overturned....but what about all those thousands of babies who will be born and abandoned?
You see that is the response of the liberals. They say “look at the Christians....they scream at the top of their lungs about the unborn....but they refuse to take care of the born.” So what can we do? I’ll tell you....we can adopt some of those kids....and you say “oh no…not me.” Let me tell you something....there were 213,964 in 2020. What are we doing about it? “Well I sure hope somebody ELSE steps up and takes care of those youngins”....that’s about it....and yall that’s pitiful.
Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
The church USED TO take care of folks....did you know in the early 1900s, 100% of the hospitals in America were either church owned or charity owned.....in 2021, only 30% are church or charity owned.... we have outsourced loving the world to the government and to corporations....and then we try to tell the world that Jesus loves them....but the church does little to help folks. Now I’m not saying everything should be free to everybody....but the church used to help people.
There are churches who take this commandment to love literally....I’ve seen it! Over in Claxton, Georgia....The Tattnall-Evans Baptist Association has 30 member churches....just a few more than the 24 churches in the Emanuel Baptist Association that we are members of here at Morningside…earlier this year they pooled their resources and opened a rural healthcare clinic. My cousin Wendy is a nurse and they hired her as the full time director....they provide FREE healthcare to people who can’t afford it....they provide FREE counseling services to people without insurance....they even provide FREE ultrasounds to women who are considering abortions and they try to give them resources…folks THAT is loving the world!
In 2010, David Platt’s church in Alabama loved the world in a big way....Pastor David called the local Department of Human Resources director in Shelby County Alabama where he was....he asked “ If we were going to take all children out of “the system” in Shelby county, how many families would you need to volunteer?” The director laughed and said “you’re joking right?” Pastor Platt said “no.” She rolled her eyes and said “It would take a miracle…we’d need about 150 FAMILIES willing to adopt a child.” Pastor David went to his church and told them they could literally wipe out this problem, at least for a short time in Shelby County…he said how many of you will come forward? He called them back the next day and said “I have 160 fmailies lined up to adopt children.”
You want to know why I’m so passionate about that Georgia Baptist Boys Home in Baxley? Because they are the “least of these” that Jesus talks about in Matthew Chapter 25.
If we can’t take care of orphans and widows…how dare we call ourselves the Body of Christ....
Folks I’m simply saying this: God loves America....To Shane Claiborn who I quote earlier: “For God so loved the world INCLUDES America.” If we want Him to continue to bless us....we, the church, need to start doing OUR part.....
But “Brother Vic, don’t we need to go vote for prolife candidates and protest the bad stuff and stand up for what’s right?” YES SIR. You do. But if that’s all you do you’re not being the church. We need to start doing what we’re supposed to do....shairng Jesus…being the church and being involved in the body of Christ....and sharing the love of Jesus....imagine what it would do to our culture if they church did simply that much and did its job?
God loves America....we need to start loving Him back. If we want our nation to be blessed....we need to not only make him the Lord of our nation....but the Lord of our church again....and it starts by making Him the Lord of our lives! it starts with YOU.
IV. Point #2: America Is Pretty Good
IV. Point #2: America Is Pretty Good
Explanation
Now hear me clearly this morning....America is NOT a perfect nation. If you think it is, you are sorely mistaken.
I’m not making that claim.
We have a past....often bloody....often sinful. I know many of us get tired of hearing it....but slavery is a part of our past that makes us imperfect....not something to dwell on now....not something you or I are responsible for today....but it was bad. Our country had to overcome…and thankfully we did.
In the past, our country has been unkind to Native Americans....they were forced off their lands....many times when they fought back, they were slaughtered. Our country....the United States did that. Again....not my fault....not your fault. We didn’t do it....but it is a part of our collective past....something that makes our country imperfect.
Our country has stuck its nose where it didn’t belong on occassion. John F. Kennedy had President Diem of South Vietnam assassinated....and South Vietnam was our ally. Not my fault or yours today....but it shows we are imperfect....
But I am saying....and I do believe that the Lord has blessed us....that we are pretty good.
Illustration
You know, I remember another guy who wasn’t perfect. He wasn’t a bad guy....certainly not perfect, but he was pretty good.
He tried to love the Lord....He tried to do the right thing…but it just wasm’t enough.
As a child he loved and trusted the Lord.....even stood up to a Philistine giant....he became a King....he was a man after God’s own heart....
But he also lusted....and stole another man’s wife…and then had that man killed.
No....he wasn’t perfect....he wasn’t awful either....but he tried…and he was pretty good....and He tried to be obedient…and he loved the Lord.
Application
America has tried....look back at the Puritans....they tried to start a God-fearing city on a hill....but they held religion higher than God and we got the Salem witch trials....
Great God-fearing men like Roger Williams were disgusted with how the Puritans treated Native Americans and other groups....so he started a place all Christians, even Indians, could feel welcome....Providence, Rhode Island....he started the first Baptist Church in America....
Has America always done the right thing....no…but we have tried to stick up for what is right. We have tried to stand up against the evil of tyranny.....terrorism....communism....
We are not totally just…we have issues....we still have poverty....we still have imperfections....
But you know what?
While we aren’t totally just, we are the MOST just nation in the world, as far as I can tell.
We are the MOST wealthy, but you know what? We are also the MOST generous nation on the planet....nobody gives more in foreign aid....not just from the government, but our PEOPLE give more in terms of charity than any other people on earth.
We are the MOST equitable.
We are the MOST free.
Our religious people have MORE rights than anywhere else.
We are the MOST consistent conuntry in the world.
If you want to make it here…no matter who you are…there is a way.
If you don’t believe that....please....I beg of you....go visit a third-world country....I’ve been there. I’ve seen places like Honduras up close....places where they don’t fight in debates....oh no....they shoot one another! Places with poverty everywhere....places where their money is inflated and worth nothing....there are places a whole lot worse than this one....we should be grateful, amen?
God has blessed America....and while we aren’t perfect....you know what....we’re pretty good, amen?
VI. Conclusion
VI. Conclusion
a. Let me ask you this morning: Maybe being “proud” to be an American isn’t the right thing to say....let let me ask it this way: “are you grateful to be an American this morning?” Amen....Me too.
b. Let’s Pray