Grace Covenant Church of Vista
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    • Sermons 2019 (Click for Teasers) >
      • THINK BEFORE YOU FIGHT Ephesians 6:17 Pastor Dennis Bone 2-17-19 >
        • February 17, 2019 Notes
      • FAITH: GOD’S SHIELD AROUND US Ephesians 6:16 >
        • February 10, 2019 Notes
      • THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR FIGHTING Ephesians 6:15 >
        • February 3, 2019 Notes
      • DRESS FOR SUCCESS Ephesians 6:13-19 >
        • January 27, 2019 Notes
      • The Mystery of our Religion 1 Timothy 3:14-16
      • ARE YOU READY TO RUMBLE? Ephesians 6:10-12 >
        • January 13, 2019 Notes
      • THE WAR AGAINST THE TAPESTRY OF GRACE Selected Verses >
        • January 6, 2019 Notes
    • Sermons 2018 (Click for Teasers) >
      • THE TAPESTRY OF GRACE: POST ADVENT Titus 2:11-14 >
        • December 30, 2018 Notes
      • Christmas Eve Message 12/24/2018
      • THE TAPESTRY OF GRACE: ANGEL’S PEACE Selected Verses >
        • December 23, 2018 Notes
      • THE TAPESTRY OF GRACE: SHEPHERDS’ JOY Luke 2:8-17 >
        • December 16, 2018 Notes
      • THE TAPESTRY OF GRACE: BETHLEHEM’S FAITH Selected Verses >
        • December 9, 2018 Notes
      • THE TAPESTRY OF GRACE: PROPHECY’S HOPE Selected Verses >
        • December 2, 2018 Notes
      • A Proper Perspective on Thanksgiving Eph 5:19,20; 1 Thess 5:18
      • THE PATH TO MATURITY AND GLORY 2 Peter 3:14-18 >
        • November 18, 2018 Notes
      • GOD’S PERSPECTIVE ON JUDGMENT 2 Peter 3:8-13 Pastor Dennis Bone 11-11-18 >
        • November 11, 2018 Notes
      • PROMISES, PROMISES 2 Peter 3:1-8 >
        • November 4, 2018 Notes
      • The Images of False Teachers 2 Peter 2:10-22 >
        • October 28, 2018 Notes
      • SPIRITUAL TERRORISM 2 Peter 2:1-10 >
        • October 21, 2018 Notes
      • REMEMBER, REMEMBER, REMEMBER! 2 Peter 1:12-21 >
        • October 14, 2018 Notes
      • THE FRUIT OF ELECTION 2 Peter 1:5-11
      • THE POWER OF FAITH 2 Peter 1:3-9 >
        • September 30, 2018 Notes
      • OUR PRECIOUS FAITH 2 PETER 1:1, 2 >
        • September 16, 2018 Notes
      • The Staying Power of God's Grace 1 Peter 5:12-14 >
        • September 2, 2018 Notes
      • Do Not Feed the Lion 1 Peter 5:8-11 >
        • August 26, 2018 Notes
      • Humility Breeds Accountability 1 Peter 5:5-9 >
        • August 19, 2018 Notes
      • Accountability Partners 1 Peter 5:1-7 >
        • August 12, 2018 Notes
      • THE BEGINNING AND END OF JUDGEMENT 1 Peter 4:12-19 >
        • August 5, 2018 Notes
      • WHAT ARE WE SUFFERING FOR? 1 Peter 4:12-19
      • Live With The End In Mind 1 Peter 4:7-11 >
        • July 22, 2018 Notes
      • Living In the Light of the Gospel 1 Peter 4:1-6 >
        • July 15, 2018 Notes
      • The Victory of Christ 1 Peter 3:18-22 >
        • July 8, 2018 Notes
      • Sharing Our Hope In Christ 1 Peter 3:13-17 >
        • July 1, 2018 Notes
      • The Motive For Christ-like Character 1 Peter 3:10-12 >
        • June 24, 2018 Notes
      • Christ-Like Character on Display 1 Peter 3:8-12 >
        • June 17, 2018 Notes
      • The Beautiful Principle of Submission 1 Peter 3:1-7 >
        • June 10, 2018 Notes
      • The Cost of Christ-Like Service 1 Peter 2:18-25 >
        • June 3, 2018 Notes
      • Submission in Service to God 1 Peter 2:13-17 >
        • May 27, 2018 Notes
      • Our Identity 1 Peter 2:9-12 >
        • May 20, 2018 Notes
      • God's Building Project 1 Peter 2:1-8 >
        • May 13, 2018 Notes
      • Trials & Troubles: friend or foe James 1:1-4
      • Living In Holy Fear 1 Peter 1:17-25 >
        • April 22, 2018 Notes
      • Hope: Promised, Practiced and Perfected 1 Peter 1:10-16 >
        • April 15, 2018 Notes
      • Living In The Hope Of The Resurrection 1 Peter 1:3-9 >
        • April 8, 2018 Notes
      • There is No Plan B 1 Corinthians 15:17-28 >
        • April 1, 2018 Notes
      • The Procession of the King Psalm 24:1-10 >
        • March 25, 2018 Notes
      • Confronting Little "gods" Acts 17:16-34 >
        • March 18, 2018 Notes
      • As for Me, I will call upon the Lord. Principal scripture Psalm 55:22
      • Turned Of or Turned On Acts 17:1-15 >
        • March 4, 2018 Notes
      • Concessions Without Compromise Acts 15:19-35 >
        • February 25, 2018 Notes
      • The Dilemma of Grace Acts 15:1-18 >
        • February 18, 2018 Notes
      • The Model of God's Church at Work Acts 14:21-28 >
        • February 11, 2018 Notes
      • Election Is For Gentiles Too! Acts 13:38-52 >
        • February 4, 2018 Notes
      • The Spirit-Led Church Acts 13:1-12 >
        • January 28, 2018 Notes
      • What God's Church Should Look Like Acts 11:19-30 >
        • January 21, 2018 Notes
      • God Will Carry Us Through 2018 and Beyond Isaiah 46
      • Victory in Christ Psalm 98:1-9 >
        • January 7, 2018 Notes
    • Sermons 2017 (Click for Teasers) >
      • Yes! It's All Good!!! Psalm 73
      • What Love Is This? Psalm 89:1-4; 19-37 >
        • December 24, 2017 Notes
      • Advent: The Light of Joy Psalm 126:1-6 >
        • December 17, 2017 Notes
      • Christmas Story Psalm 85 and Matt. 1:18-25
      • Advent: The Light of Hope Psalm 80:1-7 >
        • December 3, 2027 Notes
      • Thanksgiving: By Faith Alone Selected Scripture Verses >
        • November 26, 2017 Notes
      • To God Be the Glory Alone Selected Scripture Verses >
        • November 19, 2017 Notes
      • Christ Alone 1 Timothy 2:5-6 >
        • November 12, 2017 Notes
      • Justification: The Way God Forgives the Guilty Romans 3:21-26 >
        • November 5, 2017 Notes
      • Sola Scriptura - the rallying cry Selected Scripture Verses
      • Confronting Hypocrisy in the Church Galatians 2:1-16 >
        • October 22, 2017 Notes
      • Grace Trumps Race Acts 10:1-23 >
        • October 15, 2017 Notes
      • God's Amazing Transition Plan Acts 9:10-31 >
        • October 8, 2017 Notes
      • God's Strategic Conversion Acts 9:1-9 >
        • October 1, 2017 Notes
      • The Process of Evangelism Acts 8:26-40 >
        • September 24, 2017 Notes
      • Philip: The First Evangelist Acts 8:1-25 >
        • September 17, 2017 Notes
      • Stephen: The First Dead Martyr Acts 7:1-60 >
        • September 10, 2017 Notes
      • Stephen: God's Servant Leader Acts 6:8-7:53 >
        • September 3, 2017 Notes
      • Pride the Greatest Sin and Humility the Greatest Healer Selected Scripture Verses
      • Wednesday Meeting, No Pie
      • The Model for Servant Leadership Acts 6:1-7 >
        • August 13, 2017 Notes
      • Man Proposes But God Disposes Proverbs 16:1-9 >
        • August 6, 2017 Notes
      • Truth or Consequences Acts 4:32-5:11 >
        • July 30, 2017 Notes
      • The Witness of Prayer Acts 4:23-37 >
        • July 23, 2017 Notes
      • The Irrationality of Unbelief Acts 4:1-14 >
        • July 16, 2017 Notes
      • The Healing Power of Jesus Acts 3:1-11 >
        • July 9, 2017 Notes
      • June 18, 2017 Notes
      • The Marks of Christ's Church Acts 2:42-47 >
        • July 2, 2017 Notes
      • No Other Option Acts 2:34-41 >
        • June 25, 2017 Notes
      • Jesus: The Resurrected and Exalted King Acts 2:24-33
      • The Message of Pentecost Acts 2:14-24 >
        • June 11, 2017 Notes
      • What A Feast Acts 2:1-13 >
        • June 4, 2017 Notes
      • The Work and Words of the Spirit John 16:5-15 >
        • May 28, 2017 Notes
      • Our Love/Hate Relationship John 15:18-27 >
        • May 21, 2017 Notes
      • Rooted In Christ's Love John 15,:9-17 >
        • May 14, 2017 Notes
      • The Purpose Driven Spirit John 15:1-8 >
        • May 7, 2017 Notes
      • The Spirit of Promise John 14:23-31 >
        • April 30, 2017 Notes
      • The Spirit of Truth John 14:15-24 >
        • April 23, 2017 Notes
      • Song That the Angels Can't Sing 1 Peter 1:3,4:10-12 >
        • April 16, 2017 Notes
      • Jesus' March to the Cross John 12:12-19 >
        • April 9, 2017 Notes
      • THE IMPACT OF WORSHIPPING JESUS JOHN 12:1-11 >
        • April 2, 2017 Notes
      • The Reactions to Jesus John 11:45-57 >
        • March 26, 2017 Notes
      • The Compassionate Power of Jesus John 11:28-44 >
        • March 19, 2017 Notes
      • What kind of Retaliation is Best??? Matthew 5:28-42
      • The Focus of Faith John 11:17-27 >
        • March 5, 2017 Notes
      • The Hope of God's Glory John 11:1-16 >
        • February 26, 2017 Notes
      • Soli Deo Gloria: The Glory of God Alone >
        • February 19, 2017 Notes
      • Solus Christos: Through Christ Alone Selected Scripture Verses >
        • February 12, 2017 Notes
      • Sola Gratia: By Grace Alone Selected Scripture Verses >
        • February 5, 2017 Notes
      • Sola Fidi: By Faith Alone Selected Scripture Verses >
        • January 29, 2017 Notes
      • Sola Scriptura: Why It Matters Selected Scripture Verses >
        • January 22, 2017 Notes
      • Doing What is Good Titus 3:8-15 >
        • January 15, 2017 Notes
      • The Quest for Wisdom Proverbs 4:5-9 >
        • January 8, 2017 Notes
      • REDEEM YOUR TIME Ephesians 5:15-21 >
        • January 1, 2017 Notes
    • Sermons 2016 (Click for Teasers) >
      • THE GLORY OF THE INCARNATION Galatians 4:4-7
      • THE ANGEL’S SONG OF PEACE Luke 2:8-14
      • Good News of Great Joy Luke 2:10 >
        • December 11, 2016 Notes
      • Do We Have Joseph's Faith?
      • A Panoramic View of Hope Romans 15:4-6;13 >
        • November 27, 2016 Notes
      • Who You Say We Are 1 John 3:1-3 >
        • November 20, 2016 Notes
      • Living Water John 4:1-42
      • Spiritual Oxygen in a Political Cesspool Titus 3:1-8 >
        • November 6, 2016 Notes
      • The Fruit of Justifying Faith Romans 5:1-11 >
        • October 30, 2016 Notes
      • Waiting for the Son Titus 2:11-15 >
        • October 23, 2016 Notes
      • Applying Sound Doctrine: Discipleship Titus 2:1-10 >
        • October 16, 2016 Notes
      • The Beauty of the Church Titus 2:1-10 >
        • October 9, 2016 Notes
      • Zero Tolerance: The Way of Sanctification Titus 1:9-2:1 >
        • October 2, 2016 Notes
      • BE FOR TRUTH AND AGAINST FALSEHOOD TITUS 1:5-16 >
        • September 25, 2016 Notes
      • The Way of Faith Titus 1:1-4 >
        • September 18, 2016 Notes
      • September 11, 2016 Notes
      • Remember What is Always Important 2 Timothy 4:9-22
      • Finishing Well 2 Timothy 4:5-8 >
        • September 4, 2016 Notes
      • THE PREACHING OF GOD’S WORD 2 Timothy 4:1-5 >
        • August 28, 2016 Notes
      • The Work of God's Word 2 Timothy 3:14-17 >
        • August 21, 2016 Notes
      • THE LOVE OF GOD’S WORD 2 Timothy 3:10-17 >
        • August 14, 2016 Notes
      • How long must the faithful live by sight? Habakkuk 2:4
      • RIVAL ATTRACTIONS 2 Timothy 3:6-17
      • Confronting Reality 2 Timothy 3:1-17 >
        • July 24, 2016 Notes
      • The Useful Christian 2 Timothy 2:20-26 >
        • July 17, 2016 Notes
      • Should I Stay or Should I Go Selected Scripture Verses
      • Resurrection Perspective 2 Timothy 2:10-19 >
        • July 3, 2015 Notes
      • Our Strong Stand for the Gospel 2 Timothy 2:1-10 >
        • June 26, 2016 Notes
      • Our Confidence in the Gospel 2 Timothy 1:13-18 >
        • June 19, 2016 Notes
      • Our Courage From the Gospel 2 Timothy 1:8-12 >
        • June 12, 2016 Notes
      • Use What God Gives You 2 Timothy 1:1-7 >
        • June 2, 2016 Notes
      • The Way of Godliness 1 Timothy 6:1-10 >
        • May 8, 2016 Notes
      • Be Good Stewards 1 Timothy 6:17-21 >
        • The Courage of Our Confession 1 Timothy 6:11-16 >
          • May 22, 2016 Notes
        • May 29, 2016 Notes
      • The Fight of Faith 1 Timothy 6:6-11 >
        • May 15, 2016 Notes
      • The Accountability to and of Elders 1 Timothy 5:17-25 >
        • May 1, 2016 Notes
      • Principles of Mercy Ministry - Part. 2 1 Timothy 5:1-8 >
        • April 24, 2016 Notes
      • Principles of Mercy Ministry 1 Timothy 5:1-8 >
        • Know Your Mission; Keep the Faith 1 Timothy 1:18-20 >
          • January 31, 2016 Notes
        • April 17, 2016 Notes
      • Spiritual Diligence 1 Timothy 4:9-16 >
        • April 10, 2016 Notes
      • THE EXERCISE OF TRUTH 1 Timothy 4:1-8 >
        • April 3, 2016, Notes
      • The Glory of the Cross Selected Scripture Verses >
        • March 27, 2016 Notes
      • The Triumphant Entry
      • The Conduct and Confession of the Church 1 Timothy 3:14-16 >
        • March 13, 2016 Notes
      • Qualifications for Leaders in God's Church 1 Timothy 3:1-13 >
        • March 6, 2016 Notes
      • Qualifications for Leaders in God's Church 1 Timothy 3:1-7 >
        • February 28, 2016 Notes
      • The Principle of Authority and Submissions 1 Timothy 2:11-15 >
        • February 21, 2016 Notes
      • The Worship Service: Regulative or Relative? 1 Timothy 2:7-15 >
        • February 14, 2016 Notes
      • The Worship of Prayer 1 Timothy 2:1-8 >
        • February 7, 2016 Notes
      • Know Yourself 1 Timothy 1:8-17 >
        • January 24, 2016 Notes
      • Contend For the Faith 1 Timothy 1:3-11 >
        • January 17, 2016 Notes
      • SPIRITUAL LEGACY 1 Timothy 1:1-2 >
        • January 10, 2016 Notes
      • God's Church: Old Truths for a New Year Selected Scripture Verses >
        • Audio - God's Church: Old Truths for a New Year
        • January 3, 2016 Notes
    • Sermons 2015 (Click for Teasers) >
      • For Christmas God wants…you! Selected Scripture Verses
      • PROMISES KEPT: LOVE 1 Corinthians 13:13
      • PROMISES KEPT: JOY Matthew 1:21 >
        • December 13, 2015 Notes
      • PROMISES KEPT: FAITH Romans 10:13-17 >
        • December 6, 2015 Notes
      • PROMISES KEPT: HOPE Selected Scripture Verses >
        • November 29, 2015 Notes
      • Change: Proactive or Reactive? Selected Scripture Verses >
        • November 22, 2015 Notes
      • REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS! Psalm 33 >
        • November 15, 2015 Notes
      • THE JOY OF FORGIVENESS Psalm 32 >
        • November 8, 2015 Notes
      • THE “C’S” OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE 2 Cor. 5:17 >
        • November 1, 2015 Notes
      • SOLA FIDE: BY FAITH ALONE Romans 1:16-17 >
        • October 25, 2015 Notes
      • OUR GOD REIGNS Psalm 24 >
        • October 18, 2015 Notes
      • THE GLORY OF GOD REVEALED Psalm 19 >
        • October 11, 2015 Notes
      • A LIFE OF FAITHFULNESS Psalm 16 >
        • October 4, 2015 Notes
      • RIGHTEOUS CHARACTER: A LIFE OF INTEGRITY Psalm 15 >
        • September 27, 2015 Notes
      • PERSUASIVE SANCTIFICATION 2 Timothy 2:20-26 >
        • September 20, 2015 Notes
      • WHAT CAN THE RIGHTEOUS DO? Psalm 11 >
        • September 13, 2015 Notes
      • A PRAYER FOR DIRECTION Psalm 5 >
        • September 6, 2015 Notes
      • THE RIGHTEOUS ONE: LIVING IN CHRIST Psalm 1 >
        • August 30, 2015 Notes
      • GOD’S FOREIGN POLICY Psalm 2 >
        • August 23, 2015 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN LIFE EVERLASTING Selected Scripture Verses >
        • August 16, 2015 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODY Selected Scripture Verses >
        • August 9, 2015 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS Selected Scripture Verses >
        • August 2, 2015 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN THE COMMUNION OF THE SAINTS Selected Scripture Verses >
        • July 26, 2015 Notes
      • THE COMMUNION OF THE SAINTS Selected Scripture Verses >
        • July 19, 2015 Notes
      • Does God watch the 5 o’clock news? Habakkuk 1:1-11
      • Still Trusting Selected Scripture Verses
      • I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH Selected Scripture Verses >
        • June 28, 2915 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT Selected Scripture Verses >
        • June 21, 2015 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST: HE WILL COME TO JUDGE THE LIVING AND THE DEAD Selected Scripture Verses >
        • June 14, 2015 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST: ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN AND SITS AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD Selected Scripture Verses >
        • June 7, 2015 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST: HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD Selected Scripture Verses >
        • May 31, 2015 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST: FIGHTING FOR OUR FREEDOM Selected Scripture Verses >
        • May 24, 2015 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST: SUFFERED UNDER PONTIUS PILATE; CRUCIFIED, DIED AND WAS BURIED Selected Scripture Verses >
        • May 17, 2015 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST: CONCEIVED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT; BORN OF THE VIRGIN MARY Selected Scripture Verses >
        • May 10, 2015 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST: GOD’S SON AND OUR LORD Romans 1:1-6 >
        • May 3, 2015 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN GOD: THE MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH Selected Scripture Verses >
        • April 26, 2015 Notes
      • I BELIEVE IN GOD: THE FATHER ALMIGHTY Selected Scripture Verses >
        • April 19. 2015 Notes
      • WE BELIEVE AND WE KNOW: THE APOSTLES CREED Selected Scripture Verses >
        • April 12, 2015 Notes
      • THE PUPROSE AND GLORY OF THE RESURRECTION Hebrews 13:20-21 >
        • April 5, 2015 Notes
      • THE ANGER OF PALM SUNDAY Matthew 21:1-13 >
        • March 29, 2015 Notes
      • THE BOOK OF HEBREWS REVISITED >
        • March 22, 2015 Notes
      • THE SACRIFICE OF PRAISE Hebrews 13:15-19 >
        • March 8, 2015 Notes
      • OUR UNCHANGEABLE SAVIOR Hebrews 13:7-14 >
        • March 1, 2015 Notes
      • THE PRACTICE OF TRUE WORSHIP Hebrews 13:1-6 >
        • February 22, 2015 Notes
      • THE WAY OF TRUE WORSHIP Hebrews 12:22-29 >
        • February 15, 2015 Notes
      • THE TALE OF TWO MOUNTAINS Hebrews 12:18-24 >
        • February 8, 2015 Notes
      • OUR RESPONSIBILITY IN THE RACE Hebrews 12:12-17 >
        • February 1, 2015 Notes
      • THE JOURNEY OF FAITH HEBREWS 12:1-11 >
        • January 25, 2015 Notes
      • Tolerance or is it Intolerance: the word(s) for our age
      • THE DISCIPLINE OF FAITH Hebrews 11:39-12:3 >
        • January 11, 2015 Notes
      • THE DIVINE CONTENTMENT OF GODLY ACTION Phil 4:11-14 >
        • January 4, 2015 Notes
    • Sermons 2014 (Click for Teasers) >
      • DESIGNED FOR IMPACT: GOD’S GOSPEL Romans 1:1-6; 16-17 >
        • December 28, 2014 Notes
      • DESIGNED FOR IMPACT: CHRIST Selected Scripture Verses
      • DESIGNED FOR IMPACT: ANGELS Selected Scripture Verses >
        • December 21, 2014 Notes
      • DESIGNED FOR IMPACT: SHEPHERDS Luke 2:8-20 >
        • December 14, 2014 Notes
      • DESIGNED FOR IMPACT: BETHLEHEM Selected Verses >
        • December 7, 2014 Notes
      • DESIGNED FOR IMPACT: PROPHECY Luke 2:25-35 >
        • November 30, 2014 Notes
      • FAITH TAKES A VISION Hebrews 11:32-39 >
        • November 23, 2014 Notes
      • THE CHOICES OF FAITH - Hebrews 11:17-31 >
        • November 16, 2014 Notes
      • THE UNCERTAIN CERTAINTY OF FAITH Hebrews 11:8-19 >
        • November 9, 2014 Notes
      • FAITH THAT PLEASES GOD Hebrews 11:1-7 >
        • November 2, 2014 Notes
      • DON’T STOP BELIEVING Hebrews 10:32-39 >
        • October 26, 2014 Notes
      • APPROACHING JUDGMENT Hebrews 10:25-31 >
        • October 19, 2014 Notes
      • “HOW TO” LIVE HOLY Hebrews 10:19-25 >
        • October 12, 2014 Notes
      • THE NEED FOR FORGIVENESS Hebrews 10:11-18 >
        • October 5, 2014 Notes
      • THE BODY OF CHRIST Hebrews 10:1-10 >
        • September 28, 2014 Notes
      • NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD OF JESUS Hebrews 9:15-28 >
        • September 21, 2014 Notes
      • THE REAL THING Hebrews 9:1-14 >
        • September 14, 2014 Notes
      • GOD’S COMMITMENT TO SAVE SINNERS Hebrews 8:1-13 >
        • September 7, 2014 Notes
      • Me and My Pain Selected Scripture Verses
      • ACCESS TO GOD Hebrews 7:20-8:6 >
        • August 24, 2014 Notes
      • THE PERFECT PRIEST MAKES US PERFECT Hebrews 7;11-22 >
        • August 17, 2014 Notes
      • THE NEW PRIESTHOOD Hebrews 7:1-11 >
        • August 10, 2014 Notes
      • THE CERTAINTY OF GOD'S PROMISE - Hebrews 6:13-20 >
        • August 3, 2014 Notes
      • DON’T STAY A BABY Hebrews 5:11-6:12 >
        • July 27, 2014 Notes
      • THE WAY TO ASSURANCE Hebrews 5:11 - 6:3 >
        • July 20, 2014 Notes
      • OUR EFFECTIVE HIGH PRIEST Hebrews 5:1-10 >
        • July 13, 2014 Notes
      • THE CONFIDENCE OF TRUE COMPASSION Hebrews 4:14-16 >
        • July 6,2014 Notes
      • OBEY GOD’S WORD Hebrews 4:12-16 >
        • June 29, 2014 Notes
      • RESTING IN CHRIST Hebrews 4:1-11 >
        • June 22, 2014 Notes
      • THE UNREST OF UNBELIEF Hebrews 3:7-19 >
        • June 15, 2014 Notes
      • OUR FAITHFUL AND PERFECT SERVANT Hebrews 3:1-6 >
        • June 8, 2014 Notes
      • JESUS STANDS FOR US AND WITH US Hebrews 2:14-18 >
        • June 1, 2014 Notes
      • THE PERFECT PERFECTS THE IMPERFECT Hebrews 2;10-18 >
        • May 25, 2014 Notes
      • THE DESTINY OF REDEMPTION - HEBREWS 2:5-9 >
        • May 18, 2014 Notes
      • LISTEN TO THE SON - Hebrews 1:10-2:4 >
        • May 11, 2014 Notes
      • JESUS: BEGOTTEN, NOT CREATED - Hebrews 1:1-9 >
        • May 4, 2014 Notes
      • THE SUPERIORITY OF CHRIST - Hebrews 1:1-4
      • HE IS RISEN - Matthew 28:1-20
      • Jesus Washes the Disciples's Feet - John 13:1-15
      • THE PURSUIT OF GREATNESS - Matthew 20:17-28
      • THE EQUALITY OF GOD’S GRACE - Matthew 20:1-15
      • Childlike Humility - Matthew 18:1-14
      • Job : A Man for our Times and all Times - Selected Verses from Job
      • A Hard but Happy Chain of Events - Romans 5:3-5
      • The Divine Confession - Matthew 17:1-13
      • The Reason for Discipleship - Matthew 16:13-28
      • The Blessed Confession - Matthew 16:13-20
      • The Food of Faith - John 6:22-29
      • Our Divine Focus - Matthew 14:22-33
      • Kingdom Patience - Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
      • A Sure Comfort - Psalm 91
      • Purpose Driven Parables - Matthew 13:10-17
      • Relevant Resolutions -- Philippians 3:12-14
    • Sermons 2013 (Click for Teasers) >
      • Our Savior Speaks At Advent - Hebrews 10:5-10
      • The Praise of Advent - Luke Chapter 2
      • The Peace of Advent - Micah 5:2-5
      • The Proclamation of Advent - Isaiah 12:1-6
      • The Preparation for Advent - Malachi 3:1-4
      • The Promise of Advent - Jeremiah 33:14 – 16
      • Jesus: The Servant Who Saves - Matthew 12:15-21
      • Kingdom Authority - Matthew 8:23-27
      • Jesus: Lord of the Sabbath - Matthew 12:1-14
      • Resting in the Truth - Matthew 11:28-30
      • Rest for the Repentant - Matthew 11:20-30
      • Standing Upon Grace Romans 5:1-2
      • Prospecting For Sinners - Matthew 9:1-13
      • It’s easier to Covet than be Content - Selected Scripture Verses
      • Moved by Compassion - Matthew 9:35-38
      • Feasting Not Fasting - Matthew 9:14-17
      • Testimony to God's Grace - 1 Timothy 1:12-17
      • The Case for Following Jesus - Mathew 8:14-22
      • Two Foundations - Matthew 7:21-29
      • The Danger of Deception - Matthew 7:15-23
      • Jesus' Call to Enter the Kingdom - Mathew 7:13-14
      • Influence or Influenced? - Matthew 5:13-16
      • The Golden Rule - Matthew 7:12
      • Persistent Prayer - Matthew 7:7-12
      • Right and Wrong Judgmens - Matthew 7:1-6
      • Freedom From Worry - Matthew 6:25-34
      • Choices of the Heart - Matthew 6:19-24
      • Biblical Fasting - Matthew 6:16-18
      • The Responsibility of Forgiveness - Matthew 6:12,14,15
      • The Priorities of Prayer - Matthew 6:9-13
      • The Priorities of Prayer - Matthew 6:9-13
      • The Content of Prayer - Matthew 6:9-13
      • The Approach to Prayer - Matthew 6:5-8
      • Bad Actors - Matthew 6:1-4
      • The Power and Shame of Divine Love - Matthew 5:38-48
      • Speak Truth - Matthew 5:33-37
      • Murdering Marriage - Matthew 5:27-32
      • The Indictment and Restitution of Anger - Matthew 5:21-26
      • Affirming God's Standards - - Matthew 5:17-20
      • The Happyness Quotient - Matthew 5:3-12
      • When Glory Meets Our Suffering - Isaiah 53:10-12
      • The Conundrum of Palm Sunday - Matthew 5:10-12
      • The Call and Challenge of Peacemaking - Matthew 5:9-10
      • Matter of the Heart - Matthew 5:8
      • The Way of Mercy - Matthew 5:7
      • The Pursuit of the Kingdom - Matthew 5:6
      • The Choice is Ours - Philippians 4:1-9
      • Be Meek, not Weak - Matthew 5:5
      • Kingdom Esteem - Matthew 5:3-5
      • A Sermon For the Ages - Matthew 5:1 - 7:29
      • Experiencing God's Kingdom - Matthew 4:12-25
      • You Said Yes, I Said No - Matthew 4:1-11
      • Salvation Through Sorrow - Matthew 2:13-16
    • Sermons 2012 (Click for Teasers) >
      • Standing Orders For A New Year - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
      • When Glory Meets My Suffering: The Glory of Advent - Selected Scripture Verses
      • When Glory Meets My Suffering: The Love of Advent - Selected Scripture Verses
      • When Glory Meets My Suffering: The Joy of Advent - Selected Scripture Verses
      • When Glory Meets My Sufferinng: The Peace of Advent - Selected Scripture Verses
      • When Glory Meets My Suffering: The Hope of Avent - Selected Scpriture Verses
      • Thanksgiving for God's Compassion - Psalm 103:6-19
      • Does God watch the 5 o’clock news? Habakkuk 1:1-11
      • We Proclaim Christ! - Colossians 1:28-29
      • Crazy Days and Crazy Doctrines - 1 Timothy 4:1-10
      • The Good Reaper vs. the Grim Reaper - Galatians 6:7-10
      • Fact of Fiction? - Selected Scripture Verses
      • Tangled up in Blue (or red) - 2 Timothy 2:4
      • Order or Ordo - Salutis - Selected Scripture Verses >
        • sermons 2009 (Click for Teasers) >
          • The Gospel of Peace - Luke 2
          • He is Peace: The Peace of Advent - Various Scripture Verses
          • He is the Lamb of God: The Lamb of Advent - John 1:29-36
          • He is the Purifier: The Purifier of Advent - Malachi 3:1-4
          • He is our Shepherd: The Shepherd of Advent - Various Scripture Verses
          • He is Light: The Light of Advent - Isaiah 9:1-7
          • An Anniversary Charge - 2 Timothy 4:1-8
          • Jars of Joy - John 2:1-11
          • Always Remember God's Word - Psalm 119:169-176
          • Reformation Reflections - Romans 1:16-17
          • A Strong Defense - Psalm 119:153-168
          • Getting Things Right - Psalm 119:137-152
          • Divine Intervention - Psalm 119:121-136
          • Am I a Credible Witness - II Corinthians 13:1-6
          • Our Primary Source - Psalm 119:105-120
          • A Passion for Perfection - Psalm 119:89-96
          • Deliver Us From Evil - Psalm 119:73-80
          • The Discipline of Contentment - Psalm 119:57-64
          • Blessed are the Bold - Psalm 119:41-56
          • Understanding and Accepting God's Ways - Psalm 119:25-40
          • The Strength of My Life - Psalm 119:9-24
          • A Tribute to the Word of God - Psalm 119:1-8
          • The Greatness of Our God - Psalm 48
          • Love One Another (Part. 2) - 1 John 4:7-21
          • Love One Another - 1 John 4:7-21
          • John Calvin: Servant of Christ and His Church - Various Scripture Verses
          • Live Free; Not Fake - Galatians 5:1-11
          • The Trouble With the Truth - Acts 17:1-15
          • The Glory Road - 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
          • The Work of the Word - I Thessalonians 2:10-16
          • Model Church: Motive and Manner - 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12
          • The Impact of Pentecost: Then and Now - I Thessalonians 1:2-10
          • Change You Can Really Believe In - Acts 2:37-41
          • The Accountability to and of Elders 1 Timothy 5:17-25
          • The Testimony of David - Acts 2:25 -36
          • The Explanation of Pentecost - Acts 2:14-24
          • The Spirit of Pentecost - Acts 2:1-13
          • Preparation for Impact - Acts 2:12-26
          • After the Resurrection - Acts 1:1-11
          • Hope That Never Disappoints - Romans 5:1-5
          • Passover: Revisited and Revised - Mark 14:12-26
          • Presence, Power and Persecution - Acts 5:17-41
          • Watch Out! - Mark 13:1-37
          • Close to the Kingdom - Mark 12:28-32
          • Greatness in God's Eyes - Matthew 20:17-27
          • The Wrong Side of Mercy - Mark 11:12-33
          • Making the Impossible Possible - Mark 10:17-22
          • Commitment, Not Convenience - Mark 10:1-16
          • The Sabbaath and the Superbowl - Isaiah 58:13-14
          • The Work of the Shepherd - John 10:1-21
          • Celebrating Life - Psalm 139:13-18
          • Jesus: Friend of Sinners - Mark 2:13-22
          • Pointing People to Christ - Mark 1:1-13
      • The Lord Reigns - Zechariah 14
      • The Lord Reigns - Zechariah 14
      • The Striking Blow For Sinner's Forgiveness - Zechariah 13
      • Two Types of Sorrow - Zechariah 11:12-13:1
      • A Crisis of Leadership - Zechariah 11
      • Sheep, Shepards and a Savior - Zechariah 10
      • War and Peace - Zechariah 9
      • Culture and You Today: How can we live? - Various Scripture Verses
      • You Can Count On God - Zechariah 8
      • A Deadly Substitute - Zechariah 7
      • Access to Peace - Zechariah 6:9-15
      • Vision Alignment - Zechariah 6:1-8
      • The Reality of Sin and Judgment - Zechariah 5
      • The Work of God's Gospel - Zechariah 4:1-13
      • A Cleansed Priesthood - Zechariah 3:1-10
      • Thy Kingdom Come - Zechariah 2:1-13
      • The Fruit of Repentance - Zechariah 1:7-21
      • Restoration Through Repentance - Zechariah 1:1-6
      • Caught In A Trap - John 8:1-11
      • Pentecost: A Feast Like No Other - Acts 2
      • Christ's Ascennsion: What Jesus Left Behind - Acts 1:1-11
      • The Equality of God's Grace - Matthew 20:1-16
      • The Source of Truth and Spiritual Growth - 2 Peter 3:15-18
      • Preparing For Our Future - 2 Peter 3:10-14
      • Time is on God's Side - 2 Peter 3:1-9
      • The Rejection of False Teachers - 2 Peter 3:4-22
      • The Presence, Practice and Punishment of False Teachers - 2 Peter 2:1-40
      • The Worst News Becomes the Best News - Acts 13:26-41
      • The Best and Worst Sunday in History - John 12:12-46
      • It's Not Fair! - Various Scripture Verses
      • The Certainty of the Gospel - 2 Peter: 19-21
      • Remembering God's Truth - 2 Peter 1:12-21
      • Blessed Assurance - 2 Peter 1:10-11
      • Our Faith: Irreplaceable and Active - 2 Peter 1-11
      • The Roar of Satan: Standing Frim in a Noisy World - 1 Peter 5:8-14
      • Living in the Joy of Humility - 1 Peter 5:5-9
      • The Strength of Humility - 1 Peter 5:1-7
      • Surprised by Suffering - 1 Peter 4:12-19
      • Practical Eschatology - 1 Peter 4:7-11
      • Done With Sin? - 1 Peter 4:1-6
      • Christ's Victory March - 1 Peter 3:18-22
      • Immanuel: God With Us - Selected Scripture Verses
    • Sermons 2011 (Click for Teasers) >
      • What Child Is This? - Selected Scripture Verses
      • God's Love Secured - Selected Scripture Verses
      • The Joy of Advent - Selected Scripture Verses
      • The Pieces of Peace - Selected Scripture Verses
      • Advent: The Renewal of Hope - Selected Scripture Verses
      • Celebrating Our Sue Hope in Christ - 1 Peter 3:15-18
      • Loving Life - 1 Peter 3:8-14
      • The Beauty and Strength of Submission - 1 Peter 3:1-7
      • The Sufficiency of Christ's Suffering - 1 Peter 2:24-25
      • The Suffering of Service - 1 Peter 2:21-25
      • The Service of Submission - 1 Peter 2:13-25
      • Significant Strangers - 1 Peter 2:9-12
      • A Stoned Church - 1 Peter 2:4-8
      • The Holiness Diet - 1 Peter 2:1-3
      • Redeemed Living - 1 Peter 1:17-35
      • When Towers Fall - Luke 13:1-5
      • The Focus of Our Hope - 1 Peter 1:10-16
      • The Joy of Hope Refined - 1 Peter 1:3-9
      • Holy Hope - 1 Peter 1:1-5
      • Our Covenent Connection - Hebrews 10:19-25
      • Our Spiritual Debt Crisis - Matthew 18:21-35
      • The Work of God's Word - Hebrews 4:12-16
      • No More Shame - Hebrews 2:10-18
      • We See Jesus - Hebrews 2:5-13
      • The Savior Seeks Sinners - Luke 19:1-10
      • Freedom: Automony or Theonomy - Luke 15:11-24
      • The Right Kind of King - Psalm 110
      • The Greatest Father's Day Ever - Hebrews 1:5-13
      • Jesus Christ: The End of the Story - Hebrews 1:1-6
      • Never Read a Bible Verse -- Selected Scripture Verses
      • A Life of Hope -- Romans 8:18-39
      • The Pride of the Gospel - Galatians 6:12-16
      • Don't Spoil the Fruit - Selected Scripture Verses
      • The Fruit of the Spirit in Action: Self-control - Selected Scripture Verses
      • Hannah: Obedience and Faithfulness - 1 Samuel 1 & 2
      • The Fruit of the Spirit: Faithfulness - Selected Scripture Verses
      • Surprised by the Obvious - Luke 24:1-8
      • The Fruit of the Spirit in Action: Meekness - Selected Scripture Verses
      • The Fruit of the Spirit in Action: Kindness and Goodness - Selected Scripture Verses
      • The Fruit of the Spirit in Action: Patience - Selected Scripture Verses
      • The Fruit of the Spirit: Peace - Selected Scripture Verses
      • The Fruit of the Spirit in Action - Joy - Selected Scripture Verses
      • The Fruit of the Spirit in Action - Love- Selected Scripture Verses
      • The Fruit of Freedom - Selected Scripture Verses
      • Advantage: Holy Spirit - Selected Scripture Verses
      • The Freedom of the Gospel - Selected Scripture Verses
      • Controversy Over the Grace of the Gospel - Selected Scripture Verses
      • Guarding the Gospel of Grace - Galatians 2:1-10
      • The Call of Grace - Galatians 1:11-24
      • Wisdom in Action - Proverbs 2 and James 3
      • Words Matter - Selected Proverbs
      • Wisdom: Found and Applied - Proverbs 3:13-35
      • Old Truths for a New Year - Proverbs 3:1-12
    • Sermons 2010 (Click for Teasers) >
      • The Day After - Matt 2:1-18
      • The Angel's Message to the Shepherds - Luke 2:10-14
      • The Angel's Message to Joseph - Matt 1:18-25
      • The Angel's Message to Mary - Luke 1:26-38
      • The Angelic Message of Preparation - Luke 1:11-21
      • Angels of Advent - Various Scripture Verses
      • Identity Crisis - 1 Peter 2:9-12
      • The Heart of Tradition - Mark 7:1-23
      • Who we are (or should be) as Christians - John 17:13-26
      • THE “TREAT” OF THE REFORMATION - Various Scripture Verses
      • Fatherly Guidance - Various Scripture Verses
      • Children of the Heavenly Father - Various Scripture Verses
      • God Keeps His Promises - Hebrews 6:13-20
      • Signs of God's Covenant Grace - Various Scripture Verses
      • Emotional Rescue - 3 John 2-4
      • Certain Truths for Uncertain Times - Various Scripture Verses
      • Two Words From God: Law and Gospel - Various Scripture Verses
      • Amazing Grace: Common and Saving - Various Scripture Verses
      • Philemon & Onesimus: What a Pair - Philemon 12-25
      • Philemon & Onesimus: What a Pair - Philemon 1-11
      • Methodology Matters - Various Scripture Verses
      • Pictures of Faithful Service - 2 Timothy 2:2-7
      • A Prayer of Faith - Habakkuk 3:1-19
      • Living by Faith - Habakkuk 2:4-20
      • Lessons on Faith - Habakkuk 2:2-4
      • The Struggle of Faith - Habakkuk 1 - 2:4
      • Battle Accessories - Ephesians 6:16-17
      • The Good News of the Battle - Ephesians 6:14-15
      • The Illusiveness of Truth - Ephesians 6:13-14
      • Prepared for the Battle - Ephesians 6:10-13
      • Authority that Liberates - Ephesians 6:1-9
      • The Model of Marriage - Ephesians 5:21-33
      • God's Design for Marriage - Ephesians 5:21-33
      • The Movement of Love - Ephesians 5:8-21
      • Imitator or Imitation? - Ephesians 5:1-7
      • Kindness in Action - Ephesians 4:29 - 5:2
      • Truth Exchange - Ephesians 4:25-29
      • Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ -- Romans 13
      • The Rejected, Yet Resurrected Savior - Acts 4:8-12
      • The "Off and On" Christian - Ephesians 4:20-24
      • Delivered From Depravity - Ephesians 4:17-24
      • God's Building Project - Ephesians 4:7-16
      • Theology is Practical - Ephesians 4:1-6
      • Prayer and Praise - Ephesians 3:14-21
      • God's Surprise Ending - Ephesians 3:1-13
      • Becoming a Legal Alien - Ephesians 2:14-22
      • Faith That Works - Ephesians 2:8-13
      • Our First Resurrection - Ephesians 2:1-10
      • Eye Opening Prayer - Ephesians 1:15-23
      • Our Inheritance in Christ - Ephesians 1:11-14
      • God's Eternal Resolution Accomplished - Ephesians 1:5-10
      • God's Eternal Resolution - Ephesians 1:1-6
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Still Trusting                            Selected Scripture Verses

Elder Ron Vess
​

July 5, 2015
 
That song we have just heard is courtesy of Diamond Rio, a country band formed back in 1989, I know… that long ago. It is entitled, “In God We Still Trust.” I’m not sure if the Band has survived but the song sure has and has growing meaning in todays United States, well to all Christians everywhere throughout the world.

In case you missed it the lyrics are appropriate for the 4th of July weekend and our celebrations thereof. 

You place your hand on His bible, and when you swear to tell the truth.
His name is on our greatest monuments and all our money too.
And when we pledge allegiance, there’s no doubt where we stand:
There’s no separation, we’re one nation under Him.

In God, we still trust here in America,
He’s the one we turn to every time the going gets tough.
He is the source of all our strength, the one who watches over us.

Here in America, in God, we still trust.

Now there are those among us,
Who wanna push Him out.
And erase his name from everything,
This country’s all about.
From the schoolhouse to the courthouse,
They’re silencing His word,
An’ now it’s time for all believers,
To make our voices heard.

In God, we still trust here in America,
He’s the one we turn to every time the goin’ gets tough.
He is the source of all our strength, the one who watches over us.
Here in America, in God, we still trust.


 From this song, let’s consider how we, individually and as a nation, still trust in God in America.
1- We still trust God to be our God
2- We still trust God to take care of us
3- We still trust God to save us

I. We still Trust God to be Our God.

Ps. 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.”

If we still honor Him as God then He will be our God. But we can get into some serious trouble when we don’t allow God to be our God. Can you imagine what this world would be like without God as God? Whew! It would be one hellish place…full of chaos…no law….no love, etc.  Similarities with today may be logically drawn at this point.

In God we trust. It’s on out money but is this true? Is this true for most of the American people? I fear not.  Surveys show that active participation at church services has dropped some 10% in the past decade. For most, God is not their God. Anything and everything has become the god of many Americans.  And it seems to be more erosion all the time.  All one need do is look in a magazine, and the television surely is a great example.

Rom. 1:18-25 “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. 24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised.”

Americans are worshippers, for sure, everything from Baseball Cards, to players, to cars, to…whatever. But they don’t worship what should be worshipped. Pastor Adrian Rogers of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, TN, said one time, “An idol is anything you love more, fear more, value more or serve more than you do Almighty God. Fill in the blank.”    We have heard this definition in slightly variant forms many times.


 Many years ago a preacher named John Greenlee wrote an article entitled, “Better Than Burning At the Stake.” It’s very convicting and somewhat humorous.  It’s a satire of one of Satan’s superiors writing to Lucifer Jr.  and yes…it will remind us of C.S. Lewis’ Screwtape Letters.  He wrote, “I am truly amazed at you. Your methods are so antiquated that I can scarcely believe it. You and your ridiculous talk of torturing Christians. Can’t you see that those things don’t work anymore? It just makes them mad and then you can’t do a thing with them.

“Listen, you Noodle Head, you’ve been hanging out in those caverns down in the earth so long that really you do have bats in your belfry. It’s not done that way at all anymore. Catch up, you bungler. There’s a whole new approach to getting Christians to denounce the faith. And it does work!

“It’s called Trial By Affluence, for lack of a better name. The point is, it gets results. We’ve never seen anything like it down here around the ol’ Fire Lake. The Boss came up with the original idea and we’ve each adjusted it a little to suit our needs. It’s so simple you wouldn’t believe it! Here’s what you do. You take a good, solid Christian family so you can make the best example of them. Now start pouring on the ‘the good life.’ 

“Give him a boat, a camper, a good car, a decent house, several color TV’s, and an income that provides for more than what is needed in life. Add to this a couple of days a week he doesn’t have to work. Better yet, give him a three-day weekend. Pour on the goodies. Now watch him crack! And if you really want to get your laughs, listen to what he says.  “Sooner or later you’ll hear him mention how God gave him all these good things. But while he is saying this, he’s hooking up the camper to be gone from church again. Or turning on the TV to sit paralyzed instead of thinking or doing anything. We find that each week we give him a shot of playtime; we’ve got him one step farther away from the tremendous power of our Enemy above.

“I don’t know why we didn’t think of this before. Just goes to show you that our Boss down here can adjust to the times and the situation. He claims that the newest arrival on the scene, America, is almost completely in his grasp. And it’s almost solely through this new method of his. You’ve got to give him credit, Luce, old buddy. He’s never lost a country yet. So get going. This weekend should be perfect for us. Signed, Your Sinister Superior.” Funny, it rings quite closely with Lewis’ Screwtape Letters.

I Pet. 5:8-9 “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…”

Folks, we must trust God to be our God and not anyone else or anything else. We must seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness if we expect Him to be our God.
In the same way the Forefathers did in the early days of America’s birth.  John Barton in the Wallbuilders Newsletter for summer 2006 said concerning the founding of the American state, some describe this remarkable achievement as “American Exceptionalism” – a term coined in 1831 by Alexis de Tocqueville, a famous French visitor to America who penned the classic, Democracy in America. As De Tocqueville expressed it:
The position of the Americans is quite exceptional, and it may be believed that no democratic people will ever be placed in a similar one.
However, such a description should never be a cause for any sense of American superiority. On the contrary, Psalm 75:6-7 indicates that such achievements are from the Lord and therefore should be a cause for an appreciative humility. As President John Adams rightly observed:
It must be felt that there is no national security but in the nation’s humble acknowledged dependence upon God and His overruling providence.
Understanding this truth, earlier generations frequently incorporated thankfulness to God as an integral component of Independence Day celebrations. In fact, on the original Independence Day in 1776, John Adams had recommended: [This day] ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.
 
America regularly celebrated Independence Day with a recognition of our gratitude to God Almighty. For example, on July 4, 1837, some sixty-one years after the Declaration of Independence was first issued, John Quincy Adams delivered an oration in which he noted that America’s two most popular holidays (Christmas and the Fourth of July) were inseparably intertwined:
In the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior. It forms a leading event in the progress of the Gospel dispensation. The Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer’s mission on Earth [and] laid the cornerstone of human government on the first precepts of Christianity.
Does the Declaration of Independence actually embody what Adams described as “the first precepts of Christianity” – does it truly incorporate Biblical principles?

To answer that question, consider the philosophy that undergirds the Declaration. Where did the signers find the ideas of God-given inalienable rights, religious freedoms, liberty of conscience, individualism, limited government, full republicanism, etc. – ideas that have now made the Declaration the most successful government document in the history of the world?

II. We Still Trust God To Take Care Of us

Ps. 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

Do we trust God to take care of us in life or do we try to go it alone, thinking we can handle everything by ourselves?

Many years ago a young mother went to see a pastor about some trouble she was having in life. Her father did not go to church anywhere. I don’t think he believed in church at all. She said, “Please don’t tell my father that I came to see you for help. He believes that a person should take care of themselves and not lean on anyone or anything.”

Where does that attitude and action get you?  Someday everybody who believes that way will come to the end of their rope and will begin to realize they are not all-sufficient. God allows such people to come to the end of their rope so they will realize that He is God and He alone can help them in life!

It’s like we’ve always heard it said that there are no atheists in foxholes. But it takes a mighty big foxhole of sorts for some people to wake up and look up and then fall down before God.  Are we in our foxholes these days?

James 4:8-10 “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

Can God take care of us in life and in death? What do you think? Where’s your faith? Do you believe Hebrews 11:6? 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.  Do you think those who came and fought to establish this new land had faith?


A preacher named James Brown once said, “There is no situation I can get into that God cannot get me out. Some years ago when I was learning to fly, my instructor told me to put the plane into a steep and extended dive. I was totally unprepared for what was about to happen”. 

“After a brief time the engine stalled, and the plane began to plunge out-of-control. It soon became evident that the instructor was not going to help me at all. After a few seconds, which seemed like eternity, my mind began to function again. I quickly corrected the situation.

“Immediately I turned to the instructor and began to vent my fearful frustrations on him. He very calmly said to me, ‘There is no position you can get this airplane into that I cannot get you out of. If you want to learn to fly, go up there and do it again.’ At that moment God seemed to be saying to me, ‘Remember this. As you serve Me, there is no situation you can get yourself into that I cannot get you out of. If you trust me, you will be all right.’ That lesson has been proven true in my ministry many times over the years.” 

Do we not see these very self-same principles at work in our lives?  And yes…even the life of this country?  If we still trust God as the only true, living God then He will take care of us. And He does…no?

III. We Still Trust In God To Save Us

One Chinese preacher wrote, “Almost fifty years ago, my family and I visited China. We had a relative in Canton, who was responsible for distribution of food. When we visited him, we were treated to the best in every way. In China, whether you think it is fair or not, relationship is everything. People are not always rewarded based on ability, but based on their connection to one another.”

That’s very interesting. Relationship is everything. Ability and money mean little. What matters is who you are and to whom you are related more than what you are or how much you are worth materially. And so with God!

Rom. 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Phil. 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

God gives to us certain blessings, and rewards. mainly because of our relationship with Jesus Christ. Because we are in Christ! And, of course, the greatest reward of all is eternal life! And we trust God to save us in Christ!

But how is it that we expect God to save us?  Do we expect Him to intervene in everything that we decide to do?  If we are busy chasing our own idols how can we expect God to do this?  God will be there with us every step of the way and the question is…are we willing to let go of our own dreams and be linked to Him in His dreams, if you will, for us?  What about us? What about you? We still trust God to saves us in Jesus, He is our Salvation.  But do we trust God to lead us?  Or is a foxhole theology sufficient?  Do we trust Him for the same in America?

Finally one more quick story about Old Uncle Oscar, I’m not sure if he knew James Brown of an earlier story. Anyway, Old Uncle Oscar was apprehensive about his first airplane ride. I’m sure there are those among us who are not fond of airplane rides even today. His friends, eager to hear how it went, asked if he enjoyed the flight. "Well,” he commented, "it wasn’t as bad as I thought it might be, but I’ll tell you this. I never did put all my weight down!"

That’s like many people when it comes to faith in Christ. They never do fully put their weight down. They never fully put their trust in Jesus. I doubt that this is any of us here today, but I think all too often we call out  to God only when in dire straits and as soon as the crisis has passed we seem to forget those promises that were hastily made. 

It is time for America to trust God and Jesus and we who believe must lead the way.  We must live our faith, bear witness to it, and celebrate holidays such as the one just past, the creation of this grand country based on sound Biblical principles.
Pastor Thomas Robbins, Chaplain of the 1st Infantry Regiment said in his address to the military companies in Hartford Connecticut on July 4, 1822.   Be entreated to be found faithful in all the duties of life; live for God, live for eternity, that so you may be enlisted under the holy Captain of our salvation.  He has long had a conflict with sin and death, but will be, in the end, a triumphant conqueror.  “They that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.”  He knows all the trials and conflicts to which we are called, in the vicissitudes of human life, and in the service of our Lord, and has given the gracious testimony, “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out.”
So, as our song has led us to the strong conclusion that God is Still Our God.  It is He who we trust and look to for our guidance and comfort in our lives, in good times and bad.  Now as then, In God we still Trust.

©You’re welcome to recycle these resources for your church free of charge. However, if you find them useful, please consider making a donation to the ministry of GCC. ​

 

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