HEALING GRACE FOR AMERICA
Pastor Dennis Clanton
Woodland Church
Sunday, July 17, 2022
(Romans 16:25–27, NLT) “Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong, just as my Good News says. This message about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time. But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him. All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen.”
Patriotism is the love of country.
Nationalism is about defining a country.
Christian nationalists believe that America is defined by Christianity and that the government should keep it that way, by force if necessary.
Christianity is focused on the person, life, and work of Jesus.
(Revelation 5:9, NLT) “For you [Jesus] were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.”
(Revelation 7:9, NLT) “After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands.”
God chose and empowered the Church to share the Good News of Christ and live in that freedom that He gives.
Christianity is political, in the sense that our faith challenges, affects and supersedes worldly loyalties.
(1 Peter 2:17, Message) “Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.”
1. REMAIN CLOSE TO JESUS.
(James 4:8, NLT) “Come close to God, and God will come close to you.”
(1 John 2:28, Message) “And now, children, stay with Christ. Live deeply in Christ. Then we’ll be ready for him when he appears, ready to receive him with open arms, with no cause for red-faced guilt or lame excuses when he arrives.”
2. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TROUBLE TO BECOME STRONGER IN CHRIST.
(James 1:3-4, PT) “You know that when your faith is tested it stirs up power within you to endure all things. And then as your endurance grows even stronger it will release perfection into evry part of your being until there is nothing missing and lacking.”
3. UPGRADE YOUR HABIT OF LOVING PEOPLE.
(James 2:8, NLT) “Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
a. Loving people will change you.
(Hosea 10:12b, NIrV) “Plant the seeds of doing what is right. Then you will harvest the fruit of your faithful love. It is time to turn to me. When you do, I will come and shower my blessings on you.”
b. Love practically.
(Luke 10:35, NIrV) “The next day he took out two silver coins. He gave them to the owner of the inn. ‘Take care of him,’ he said. ‘When I return, I will pay you back for any extra expense you may have.”
REMEMBER!
1. God’s blessings are infinite.
(Ephesians 3:8, CEV) “God was kind and chose me to tell the Gentiles that because of Christ there are blessings that cannot be measured.”
2. Strength comes from God’s grace in Christ.
(Hebrews 13:7–9, NLT) “Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace….”
“Jews and Christians live in many different nations, but each individual lives in one nation. While we should pray for all the nations of the world that they would come to know God, we should especially pray for the nation we live in. Paul exhorts his readers to pray “for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity” (1 Timothy 2:2). Those who live in America should seek the spiritual welfare of our nation. Solomon’s prayer is a wonderful guide to how we should pray for it.” –Eckstein, Y., & Longman, T., III.; The One Year Holy Land Moments Devotional