"NATIONAL SICKNESS - ITS CAUSE AND CURE"
Intro: Our nation is obviously sick. Democratic convention; racial strife;
riots; rising crime rates; extensive drug use; loosening or moral
standards; all are symptoms. Where were the peace marchers when
Czechoslovakia was invaded? When the strongest nation in the
world cannot pay its debts?
I. NATIONAL SICKNESS - ITS CAUSE.
A. Solomon's prayer of dedication.
1. Recognized sin as source of national sickness.
2. Righteousness exhalteth a nation but sin is a reproach
to any people. 3. "Lest sin should be your ruin."
B. The sin of forgetfulness - forget God.
1. Easy to forget what made us strong.
a. At turn of century 90% of public education
Bible related.
b. Today it is a crime to read Bible in public
classroom, or to pray to God . . . but not a
crime to blaspheme God.
2. Easy to forget secret of strength.
a. Not in armies and navies.
b. Not in production capacities. (both are
history's testimony)
c. God is our refuge and our strength.
C. The sin of neglect.
1. Neglect to worship Him.
2. Neglect to call upon HIm.
3. Neglect to serve Him.
D. Sin of rejection.
1. A step beyond neglect.
2. At this point another god enthroned = the national
God of pleasure, materialism, and Intellectualism.
II. NATIONAL SICKNESS - ITS CURE.
A. It is not the electing of & new president.
B. It does entail a return to God - 7:14.
C. Who? "My people, called by my name"
1. We are called "Christians"
2. Revival is not a term for world, only church.
D. What?
1. "Humble themselves"
a. Admit we're not no smart as to eliminate God.
b. Admit we're not so strong.
2. "And pray."
a. This is the acknowledgment of our need of help.
b. It's too big for me, I need help.
3. "And seek my face."
a. Seek His plan - His- approval.
4. "Turn from wicked ways."
a. Forgetfulness.
b. Neglect.
c. Rejection.
E. Result: then, not before, God.
a. Will hear.
b. Will forgive.
c. Will heal.
F. And what if they don't? The illness is fatal and the patient
will die.
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Chuck Smith (1927 - 2013)
Pastor Chuck was used in the Jesus People revival where he was used along with others to minister to the hippy young people. They saw a work of the Spirit where many were added to the church and discipled. He has raised up many pastors who are a part of the Calvary Chapel movement now and where he pastors the large Costa Mesa church in California.The Calvary Chapel movement is based of simple principles that Chuck Smith taught over the years such as: The priority of agape love, Simple fellowship amongst the saints, the breaking of bread, the teaching of God's word chapter by chapter and verse by verse. And lastly and most importantly the principle not by might nor by power but by my spirit saith the Lord.