One Nation under God

*Luke 4:18-19

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are downtrodden, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord".

The second paragraph of the United States Declaration of Independence reads;

"We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unaliable rights that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness"

Because of this declaration we can truly call ourselves a great nation.\

1. The Bible's influence is evident in this declaration not surprisingly since it is said that at least half of the men that contributed to this article were Christian and two of them were pastors.

-         It declares that all men are created equal and all have the right to a good life. John 3:16 says; "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten so that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life".

-         The declares that; "We were created in His likeness and image".

-          

-         Both the Bible and the declaration of independence acknowledge God almighty as the giver of life, liberty and happiness.

2. Since we have declared this as a nation it places a great responsibility on us.

-         Jesus said; "He has appointed me". We also in a way have said that in our nation's Declaration Of Independence.

-         Our duty as a Christian nation is to prepare others for the Lord's coming.

-         To prepare the rest of the world for the Lord's coming. The Bible declares that; "This Gospel will be preached to the world and then the end will come".

-         He does this through the church.

-         The church is the light of the world.

-         The church is the salt of the earth.

-         Paul declares in 2 Corinthians 5:19-20 that; "Jesus has committed to us the word of reconciliation. There fore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God Himself was entreating and asking".

3. Jesus said; "He has appointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor".

-         We have become the nation with the most missionaries. (God has heard our declaration)

-         The church in America has invested millions of dollars for the cause of the Gospel. (God has truly blessed us)

-         Even as a nation we have given millions and millions of dollars and humanitarian aid. (Just for the sake of helping) God has seen our efforts and they are not in vain!

4. "He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives"..recovery of sight to the blind and to set free those that are downtrodden".

-         To those that are oppressed on board and in other countries.

-         Many in Iraq and other parts of the Middle East have heard the Gospel because we have accepted the call as a nation.

5. "To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord".

• Colossians 4:6 says; "Let your speech always be with Grace".

• Inspite of everything that has happened in Iraq. Our record speaks for itself. While we are fighting for rights of prisoners from other countries others are beheading our young men and others.

• Proclaim Gods favor

• Forgive others that have caused us harm.

• * Heb. 4:16, "Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of Grace, that we may receive mercy and may find Grace to help in time of need"