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NOTES:

July 4, 1776 = Declaration of Independence
Why declare Independence?
Most would say "No taxation without representation"
Only 1 of 27 reasons
"No taxation without representation" was actually #17 on the list in the Declaration of Independence
It was a lesser grievance
Mentioned 11 times more often - Abuse of Representative Powers
Elites abusing the God-given rights to every person
Rights come from God not Government
Example - Colonies tried to Abolish Slavery denied by Great Britain
Religious Freedom was another big issue
Samuel Adams said he joined the American Revolution over Religious Freedom
The 13 colonies were founded for religious freedom and to spread the Gospel
Most believe people came to America in search for Gold
That is true but not the main reason
Virginia charter = Issue #24 - Gold
Issue #1 - Proclamation of the Gospel
Virginia the right for people to live in "Christian peace" and instructs the people to: "Propagate the Christian religion to such people who yet live in ignorance of the true knowledge and worship of God."
Delaware charter "To further propagate the Holy Gospel."
Rhoda island compact "We submit our persons, lives, and estates unto our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords."
Mayflower compact stated that they had come for "the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith."
Every charter of every colony was for the spreading of the Gospel
America was founded not just as a Christian nation in principle but practice as well
Does that mean everyone who helped give birth to America was a Christian?
No but listen to what the Legislature of the state of New York declared in 1838 "This is a Christian nation. Ninety-nine hundredths, if not a larger proportion, of our whole population, believe in the general doctrines of the Christian religion."
SCOTUS in 1892 declared that the United States was a Christian nation
President Woodrow Wilson said this "America was born a Christian nation. America was born to exemplify that devotion to the elements of righteousness which are derived from the revelations of Holy Scripture."
Christopher Columbus in 1504 said "I was led of the Holy Spirit to carry the message of the Gospel to undiscovered lands."
Founding Fathers
250 Founding Fathers
Founding Father = Substantial Impact on birth & establishment of America
Declaration of Independence - 56 signers
US Constitution - 55 signers
Bill of Rights - 90 signers
Others - 50
Of the 250 = 95% were strong Christians
2 of the least religious - Franklin & Jefferson
Ben Franklin wanted the Bible taught in all schools
Jefferson as POTUS allowed church in new Capitol building on 1800
Brought in the Military band for worship
But... Jefferson said, "Separation of Church & State"

America & The Bible
This nation was built upon and flourished because of the Bible
George Washington - "It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible."
John Adams - "The destiny of America is to carry the gospel of Jesus Christ to all men everywhere. We Recognize No Sovereign but God, and no King but Jesus! I have examined all religions, and the result is that the Bible is the best book in the world."
Benjamin Rush - "Without learning, men are incapable of knowing their rights. The Bible contains more knowledge necessary to man in his present state than any other book in the world."
Universities - Christian
Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Brown, Dartmouth, William & Mary, Columbia
Colonies wanted to abolish slavery but it was big money in the south
2nd Great Awakening
Charles Finney
Civil War
America led the way in the world and fought a war to set the captives free
Charles Finney
We need a national spiritual awakening
Psalm 33:12 says "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord."
We need churches and pastors to engage
How do we fight? Stand up and speak up
Pray and Participate
Judges 9:8-15 says, “One day the trees went out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, ‘Be our king.’ 9 “But the olive tree answered, ‘Should I give up my oil, by which both gods and humans are honored, to hold sway over the trees?’ 10 “Next, the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come and be our king.’ 11 “But the fig tree replied, ‘Should I give up my fruit, so good and sweet, to hold sway over the trees?’ 12 “Then the trees said to the vine, ‘Come and be our king.’ 13 “But the vine answered, ‘Should I give up my wine, which cheers both gods and humans, to hold sway over the trees?’ 14 “Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, ‘Come and be our king.’ 15 “The thornbush said to the trees, ‘If you really want to anoint me king over you, come and take refuge in my shade; but if not, then let fire come out of the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon!’”
God is not going to wave a magical wand over our country
He uses people to solve problems