Sermon – “Cry Out America I”

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Faith Temple Church – Sioux Falls, S.D.

Pastor Jeff Hayes

Title: “Cry Out America I”

Scriptures: Several

Introduction: 1. “Cry Out America” - 911 September 11th, noon – 1 p.m.

2.  At the Minnehaha County Courthouse Plaza Sioux Falls, S.D.

3.  Cry Out America States: “The present condition of our nation demands united, decisive action. We need more than one positive election, more than one court decision, more than one good series of sermons, and more than one significant local church revival. We must experience a new national awakening.

4.  Calling On All Christians! Followers Of Jesus Christ!

5.  Late 1960 - Labeled as America’s Fourth Great Awakening, the Jesus Movement invigorated the Charismatic Movement and eventually impacted both Pentecostal and many mainline denominations. Today Pentecostal and Charismatic adherents number more than a half billion throughout the world and comprise the fastest-growing segment within Christianity.

6.  Everyone Needs To Participate..... Lutherans, Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodist, Reformed Churches, Church of God, Evangelical Covenant, Catholics, Episcopalians, Anglicans... Interdenominational Churches

7.  Our Christian Faith Needs To Impact Our Culture! Rather Than Our Culture Impacting Our Christian Faith!

8.  It is said that 86% of Americans believe in God. Therefore, it is very hard to understand why there is such a mess about having the Ten Commandments on display or "In God We Trust" on our money and having God in the Pledge of Allegiance. Andy Rooney’s Suggestion???Why don't we just tell the other 14% to Sit Down and SHUT UP!!!

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“Cry Out America I!”

I.  Cry Out America Because We Have An Obligation And It’s Not To The Sinful Nature!

A.  Romans 8:12 – “Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation – but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it.”

B.  “America is incrementally and systematically Rejecting God. As a result, our nation is experiencing unparalleled moral decay. National immorality flourishes when the hearts of a nation's citizens reject God and His principles. Simply stated, "Spiritual decline leads to moral decay!"

C.  A Storm of Wickedness is Raging Across America

D.  Alcoholism, drug abuse, teen pregnancy, abortion, homosexuality, school violence, child abuse, pornography, rape, robbery and murder pervade our nation. America is drowning in wickedness and immorality. By all measures, this storm threatens to erode the moral and political foundations of America.

E.  As God And His principles continue to be systematically and incrementally removed from America, our nation and individuals will continue to experience even greater moral decay.

F.  George Washington wisely warned, "... Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail to the exclusion of religious principle."

G.  George Mason, the Father of the Bill of Rights, said, "As nations cannot be rewarded or punished in the next world, so they must be in this. By an inevitable chain of causes and effects, Providence punishes national sins by national calamities."

H.  There is good news, even in the face of such moral degradation. Many are seeking answers. Many are yearning for relief and peace in dyer circumstances. Only God's people can make a difference by pointing individuals and our nation back to God.

I.  South Dakotans – A Red State...Proud To Be One Of Few States That Promotes Values, Morals Decency!

J.  Cry Out America Because We Have An Obligation And It’s Not To The Sinful Nature!

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II.  Cry Out America Because We Have An Obligation Not To Be In “LaLa Land!”

A.  Psalm 33:12 – Blessed It the nation whose God is the Lord...”

B.  Proverbs 11:14 – “For lack of guidance a nation falls...”

C.  Proverbs 14:34 – “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.”

D.  “CRY OUT AMERICA BECAUSE WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION NOT TO BE IN “LALA Land.”

E.  My Kids laugh at me when I tell the Story of when My sister and I had some teeth pulled by an oral surgeon. I was about 12 and she 14 yrs. old

F.  Sodium Penathal... “Truth Serum Drug “

G.  I went first...Going in before they gave me the drug... I was a rock, asked about the dental instruments etc.

H.  Gave me the Sodium Penathal... and I was screaming and crying. Apparently the truth came out that I was scared.

I.  My sister in the waiting room heard me screaming and began to cry.

J.  Probably had to drag her in to have her teeth pulled after hearing me.

K.  They give her the “truth serum” and she becomes calm and together.

L.  Both of us were in “Lala Land”

M.  When You have your teeth pulled, or have surgery, you need to be!

N.  But not in this world, day to day life.... Don’t Be In “LaLa Land!

O.  Ephesians 5:14b – 18 – “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. vs. 15 Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Vs. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

P.  If We Are In “LaLa” Land ...

Q.  History Can Be Rewritten!!!

Page 4 (II. Cry Out America Because We have An Obligation Not To Be

In “LaLa Land!” Continued. )

911 Terrorist Attack on Our Nation... “America: Pathways to the Present, by Andrew Cayton et al., says in its 2005 edition that the "prime suspect" in the attacks was Osama bin Laden, but he is described only as "a wealthy Saudi dissident." "Saudi dissident" is hardly the right term--a student might get the impression he was fighting for Saudi women's rights. The book goes on to say that bin Laden had been granted sanctuary by the Taliban in Afghanistan, but the Taliban are described only as a "group" that "sought to set up their version of a pure Islamic state, banning such things as television and music." From the perspective of an American tenth grader, this is typical of tyrants everywhere--starting with their own parents, punishing them for bad grades.

R.  If We Are In “LaLa Land” Not Only Can History Be Rewritten But God Can Be Forgotten!

S.  Psalm 33:12 – Blessed It the nation whose God is the Lord...”

T.  Proverbs 11:14 – “For lack of guidance a nation falls...”

U.  Proverbs 14:34 – “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.”

V.  MORE THAN 100 YEARS AGO, Alexis de Toqueville, a famous French political philosopher, visited our nation to uncover the secret of our greatness. He traveled from town to town, talking with people, asking questions, examining every facet of our society.
Returning to France, he wrote these amazing words, "I sought for America’s greatness. I found it not in her fields & forests. I found it not in her mines & factories. I found it not in her Congress & great tribunals."
"It was only when I entered her churches & heard her pulpits thundering against sin & preaching righteousness that I discovered the secret of her greatness." Then he added, "America is great because America is good. If America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great."
The soul of America is God. O beware, America, lest we lose our soul!

W.  DID YOU KNOW? Patrick Henry, that patriot and Founding Father of our country said: "It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists but by Christians, not on religions but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ".

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I.  Cry Out America Because We Have An Obligation And It’s Not To The Sinful Nature!

II.  Cry Out America Because We Have An Obligation Not To Be In “LaLa Land!”

III.  Cry Out America Because We Are Enjoying The Benefits Of Life, Liberty And The Pursuit Of Happiness But Have Forgotten “Men Were Endowed By Their Creator”

A.  A father was talking with his rather rebellious son one day & said, "Every person who lives in the United States is a privileged person." The boy answered, "I disagree." And the father replied, "That’s the privilege."
We have the privilege to disagree. We have the privilege to speak our mind. We have freedom of religion, of speech, of the press, and the right of petition. We have the freedom to hope & dream & pursue our dreams.

B.  Life, Liberty And The Pursuit Of Happiness without conscience becomes a cruel & ruthless form of life where competition & success & greed & materialism corrupt & we lose our concern for others, including the unborn.

C.  When our forefathers came to this country & founded our system of government, they were convinced that there was a Higher Power who was involved in the destinies of men & nations. They believed that men were endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights - & that among these were life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

D.  This was evident in the way they wrote, the way they lived, & the way our nation developed. There was a moral fiber, a moral strength in our nation.

E.  But today our society is so caught up in greed & materialism that we’re only interested in ourselves. It is survival of the fittest, & all we’re concerned about is making more & more. The result is increased crime, increased drug addiction, increased immorality.

F.  ILL. A man sent a letter to Ann Landers. He wrote, "This is for the woman who was distressed about her son. I would like to ask her some questions about the boy. Is he disrespectful? Has he been arrested for drunk driving? Has he been kicked out of college for cheating? Has he made his girl friend pregnant? Does he get failing

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grades? Does he steal money from your purse?"
"If you can answer `No’ to all these questions, stop complaining. You have a great kid." It was signed, "Ralph N., Oakland, CA."

G.  Ann Landers, replied, "Your letter showed just how much times have changed. You said that if a kid today isn’t on drugs, doesn’t get failing grades, hasn’t been arrested for drunk driving, or kicked out of college for cheating, hasn’t made his girl friend pregnant, or stolen from your purse, that he’s great. But you make no mention of achievement. There’s not a word about integrity, a sense of responsibility, decency, morality or service to others."

H.  Then she went on to add, "What a sad commentary on our times. Good Lord, where is our nation headed, & who is going to lead us there?"

CONCLUSION:

1.  Cry Out America Because We Have An Obligation And It’s Not To The Sinful Nature!

2.  Cry Out America Because We Have An Obligation Not To Be In “LaLa Land!”

3.  Cry Out America Because We Are Enjoying The Benefits Of Life, Liberty And The Pursuit Of Happiness But Have Forgotten “Men Were Endowed By Their Creator”

A.  How About Having Jesus Lead Us????

B.  How About Having The Holy Spirit Be Our Guide???

C.  John 16:13 – “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.”

D.  Did you know? Every session of Congress begins with a prayer by a paid preacher, whose salary has been paid by the taxpayer since 1777.

E.  As George Washington Was Inaugurated as First President.of the U.S. Immediately following The Chaplain Prayed For “Divine Providence Over America....His Purpose Has Continued To Be

“Cry Out For America”