PLUS

Acts 14:19-22 ”And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, Confirming the souls of the disciples and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”

Acts 5:27-29 “And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, Saying, Did not we straightly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”

I Samuel 17:32-33 “And David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of him; they servant will go and fight with this Philistine. And Saul said to David, thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.”

In last week’s opener to this 3-part mini-series, we honored those whose service caused them to pay the ultimate price on 9/11 on the behalf of their communities and all of us. In doing so, we described heroes such as Police Officer John Perry, Fire Chief Orio Palmer, and EMT Yamel Merino. Each of them ran towards danger to serve others. Their stories reflect the bravery and courage of the 415 first responders who paid the ultimate sacrifice on that day.

They are not alone. Heroes of the faith have similarly sprinted forward into imminent danger.

Among those was Paul. Though he had been stoned and left for dead by those in Lystra who had been enraged by his preaching, he was undeterred. He returned back to that city the same day, and continued preaching throughout the region. Tribulation did not stop him.

Also among those were Peter and the other disciples. They had been given clear direction from the authorities to “not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.” (Acts 4:18). They did so anyways, boldly proclaiming the preeminence of their Ultimate Authority.

Additional among those was David. Though young, he was willing to take a bold stand for the Lord that dwarfed the courage of the most seasoned soldiers in Saul’s army. His heart did not fail because he understood the righteousness of their cause.

PLEASE PRAY FOR AMERICAN CHRISTIANS TO USE THE BRAVE ACTIONS OF OUR FOREFATHERS IN THE FAITH TO MOTIVATE US TO COURAGEOUSLY SERVE TODAY. After all, there is a cause!

John 15:11-13 “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

I Peter 4:10 “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

Matthew 20:26-28 “But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

Matthew 22:36-40 “Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

Galatians 6:2 “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

This week marks the 22^nd anniversary of the tragedy of 9/11. As a result, please consider the 3-part mini-series that follows as a way to honor those whose service prompted them to run towards danger.

Nearly 3,000 people perished on that September day. Among them were 415 first responders – firefighters, police offices, EMTs and paramedics. Their courageous acts on that day in rushing to the aid of those who were facing perilous danger helped save over 25,000 people.

Among those was Police Officer John Perry, who had plans to attend law school at NYU. This gifted man was in the midst of turning in his retirement papers and handing in his badge when he answered the call to rush to lower Manhattan. He was last seen helping a lady out of the South Tower, using his abundant gifts to minister to others!

Also among those was Fire Chief Orio Palmer, an esteemed firefighter known for his athletic prowess and bold leadership in high-rise fires. His last radio call came from the 78^th floor of the South Tower – he and his crew were knocking down fires at that location. He was truly a chief among us!

Additionally among those was EMT Yamel Merino. Though young, she was a highly decorated professional who exhibited a positive attitude and a stunning compassion for others. She last seen aiding evacuees at the base of the South Tower when it collapsed. She loved her neighbor as herself!

PLEASE PRAY FOR AMERICAN CHRISTIANS TO USE THE BRAVE ACTIONS OF THOSE WHO PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE FOR THEIR SERVICE ON 9/11 TO MOTIVATE US TO SERVE FAITHFULLY TODAY. May we bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Exodus 5:1 “And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness.”

Exodus 9:1 “Then the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.”

Exodus 13:21-22 “And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.”

As I close out this series on the spiritual basis of our Declaration of Independence, there is a closely-related historical element that is worth mentioning. On July 4^th, 1776, in addition to unanimously adopting the Declaration, the Continental Congress formed a committee consisting of Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams to design the seal of our newly declared independent nation. Their designs were ultimately tabled, with a completely new design finally adopted in 1782.

Yet, their drafts are powerfully revealing as to the Biblically-minded thoughts that dominated the founder’s motivations and perspectives about independence.

Franklin’s draft displayed images of Moses and God’s people in safety on the far side of the Red Sea, with Pharaoh and his men being overwhelmed by the waters. A pillar of fire is central to this design, designating the source of power and strength for God’s people. His recommended motto: Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God.

Jefferson created a draft with a similar theme, displaying the children of Israel in the Wilderness. In his depiction, they were led by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.

Our founders saw their departure from British rule as an analogue to the Israelites flight from Egypt. Their deliverance and ultimate success would be guided by God’s direction, day and night. It was their ultimate source of wisdom and power.

Our ultimate success today depends upon the same!

PLEASE PRAY FOR AMERICAN CHRISTIANS TO FOLLOW GOD’S PILLARS OF GUIDANCE AT ALL TIMES. Our founders trusted the Lord’s leadership in the creation of our great nation. Their power in rebellion must be ours in every element of our public and private activity – obedience to God. It is the pillar of our success!

I Peter 5:6-7 “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

Matthew 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded unto you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

Jeremiah 9:23-24 “Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.”

I John 4:4 “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

Our founders finished the Declaration of Independence with these powerfully-practical and spiritually-astute words: “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”

These were educated, experienced, courageous, and competent men. They had wisdom, might and riches. Yet, they firmly relied upon one thing as they signed that glorious revolutionary document that would be seen as a public declaration of treason in the eyes of British authorities. The firmly relied upon the Lord!

They knew that they could cast all their care upon Him, because He cared for them. They were witting that their great commission came from the One with all power and who would be with them at all times. They knew that He was greater than the powers of this world.

In their trying times, they covenanted and committed to bold action by trusting in Him, relying upon Him, humbling themselves to Him, and beseeching Him. In all our activities, so must we!

PLEASE PRAY FOR AMERICAN CHRISTIANS TO BOLDLY LIVE IN OUR TRYING TIMES WITH A FIRM RELIANCE ON THE PROTECTION OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE. Our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor hang in the balance!

II Samuel 2:10 “The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of the heaven shall he thunder upon them:  the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.”

Psalm 98:9 “For he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.”

Hebrews 10:30 “For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.”

Luke 12:48 “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required”

After outlining a comprehensive list grievances, the founders wrote the following as they prepared to close out the brilliant prose of the Declaration of Independence:

“We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do.”

They knew that He was the “righteous judge” (II Timothy 4:8) and realized that their most poignant appeal would be to The Powerful Arbiter and The Perfect Authority.

Interestingly, however, we have forgotten that the same Judge who created the purest of liberties will judge our use of those same liberties. President Lincoln reminded his fellow countrymen of the costliness of this important truth in his second inaugural address.

Speaking of the Civil War and slavery, Lincoln quotes Matthew 18:7: “Woe unto the world because of offenses! for it must needs be that offenses come; but woe to the man by whom the offense cometh.” Of God’s judgment, Lincoln goes on to state the following as he incorporates Psalm 19:9: “Fondly do we hope – fervently do we pray – that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman’s two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as we said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said: ‘the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.’”

All-in-all, the Civil War cost the United States over $170 billion. More importantly, it cost over 750,000 lives, about one in four who fought.

May we never forget that the Supreme Judge’s authority is characterized by righteousness, equity, and surety.

PLEASE PRAY FOR AMERICANS TO NEVER FORGET THAT THE LORD WILL ENACT COSTLY PENALTIES FOR MISUSED LIBERTIES. He is The Supreme Judge!