Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, July 07, 2002, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.
CAN AMERICA BE SAVED?
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 2:4-10
Text: 2 Peter 2:6
2 Peter 2:6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;
Introduction: In a few days I will be 49 years old. I am nearing the half century mark. Last week our country turned 226 years old, just over a quarter over a millennium.
I often tell people I’m in the best shape of my life. That’s only partially true. At this point in my life, in spite of my regular workouts at the gym and shifting my diet through the years,
I’m losing my hair,
I’m losing my teeth,
I’m losing my patience,
and I’m losing my mind (memory). 🙂
There are some ways in which our country is the best it’s ever been. We have access to more information through computers and the Internet than ever before. We can leave today, get on a jet, and be in another country this afternoon. We can watch two television programs at once and control them both from a recliner. We can make telephone calls from the car, from the grocery store, and from Wal-mart on a phone we carry in our pocket.
Yet, I’m not impressed. I am very negative about this. When it comes to what is important in this country, I do not believe we are improving. I do not believe we are evolving. I believe that we are degenerating.
Too many Americans
- Can’t read
- Can’t write
- Don’t know English, the language of America
- Won’t work
- Won’t marry
- Won’t take care of their children
- Won’t take care of their elderly
- Won’t pay their bills
- Won’t honor their contracts
- Won’t tell the truth
- Won’t stand for righteousness
- Won’t read and live by the Bible
- Won’t honor the LORD!
The Bible says,
Psalms 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
America is headed for hell! Will America be saved? I don’t know.
The title of this message is Can America Be Saved?
CAN AMERICA BE SAVED?
I. NOT WITHOUT PRAYER
Isaiah 64:6-7 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. 7 And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.
A. Fervent prayer
B. Faithful prayer
C. Family prayer
II. NOT WITHOUT PROPHETS
Ezekiel 22:30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
A. Who will preach against sin
B. Who will protect by standing
III. NOT WITHOUT PURITY
Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
A. In legislation
B. In leadership
C. In lifestyles
IV. NOT WITHOUT PUTTING THE LORD FIRST
Psalms 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
Psalms 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
A. In recognition
- Of His blessings
B. In reverence
C. In repentance
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.