How To Make An Impact On America
by Pastor Wayne Harper
Most of the time Titus2
posts articles written by our staff or contributing authors in
full text format. In this case I am submitting an outline. It is
my desire that you not only read the material but that you take
the material, meditate and pray about the content, then prove it
and make it your own conviction. ~ Teddi Neevel
How To Make An Impact On
America
by Pastor Wayne Harper
Introduction:
IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States
of America
"When in the Course of human
events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the
political bands which have connected them with another and to
assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal
station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle
them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that
they should declare the causes which impel them to the
separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created
equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain
unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the
pursuit of Happiness...
...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."
The signers of the Declaration of Independence believed the
country and freedoms they were willing to fight for were founded,
blessed and preserved by God. Their beliefs cost each of the 56
signers jointly and personally. Nine of the fifty-six gave their
lives for their conviction of the right to freedom.
Two hundred and thirty-eight years
later our obligation as Christians should be more than just
taking a holiday and having a cook-out and fireworks on the 4th
of July.
Main Text: Matthew 22:15-21
"Then went the Pharisees, and took
counsel how they might entangle him in [his] talk.
And they sent out unto him their disciples
with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art
true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest
thou for any [man]: for thou regardest not the person of men.
Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is
it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and
said, Why tempt ye me, [ye] hypocrites?
Shew me the tribute money. And they brought
unto him a penny.
And he saith unto them, Whose [is] this
image and superscription?
They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he
unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are
Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's."
I. Seek God for Our Government
A. Prayer Results in Peace and Salvation. I
Timothy 2:1-4
B. Greatest Need Is For Church Members to
Humbly Pray. II Chronicles 7:14
II. Support Our Government
A. Pay Our Taxes. Matthew17:24-27; Romans
13:5-6
B. Respect for the Government. Romans 13:7;
Psalms 137: 5-6
III. Submit To Our Government
A. Government is the Rule of Law for Order
in Society. I Peter 2:13-14
B. Roman Emperior Nero Ruled When I Peter
2:17 was written
IV. Stand Up To Our Government
A. Peacefully Oppose non-Biblical Laws.
Exodus 1:16-20; Daniel 6; Acts 5:29
B. Vote for Biblical Truth. Matthew 5:13-16
V. Select Our Leaders By Your Participation
A. Register to Vote. (According ot U.S.
Census Bureau reports for the year 2000, only 70% of the
people who were elegible to vote were registered to vote. Of
those who registered 86% actually voted.)
B. Vote in Every Election.
C. Vote Based on Bible Values not Party
Affliliation. Psalm 119:89; Deuteronomy 4:2; Luke 4:4
D. Stand on Core Issues.
1.Human Life Is a Gift of God That We
Must Protect. Genesis 2:7; Psalm 139:15-16; Proverbs
24:11-12 (Abortion, Cloning, Stem Cell Research,
Euthanasia)
2. God Designed and Instituted Marriage
Between One Man and One Woman. Genesis 2:18; Genesis
2:21-25; Genesis 1:28
3. The Need for Freedom of Religion, not
Freedom from Religion. Exodus 20:3; Mark 12:30
Conclusion:
On December 15, 1791, the Congress of the
United States ratified the first ten amendments making them part
of our Federal Constitution. Since that time these first
amendments have been called the "Bill of Rights". The
1st Amendment was written and ratified to insure all Americans,
among other things, the right to worship.
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise
thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press;
or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to
petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
"Nothing is politically correct that
is morally wrong." ~ Daniel O'Connell 1775-1847
"Bad politicians are elected by good
people who don't vote." ~ Evangelist Billy Graham
"Let each citizen remember at the
moment he is offering his vote . . . that he is executing one of
the most solemn trusts in human society for which he is
accountable to God and his country." ~ Samuel
Adams 1722-1803
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