Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, July 06, 2003, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.
SYMPTOMS OF MEMORY LOSS IN A NATION
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 8:10-20
Text: Deuteronomy 8:11
Deuteronomy 8:11 Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day:
Introduction: God warned Israel NOT to forget God! Let me say, however, that EVERY nation needs to remember God. The Bible says of ALL nations:
Psalms 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
One of the main things that causes people to forget God is prosperity. When people have a full belly, they forget their need of God. We are a very prosperous people, and we have allowed that prosperity to dull our memory!
On our country’s 227th birthday, I want to use what little influence God gives me to jog the memory of Americans who will listen, especially American believers. Our land is showing definite signs of memory loss.
What are they? I list a few tonight:
I. LOSS OF PRAISE
Deuteronomy 8:17 And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.
The fact that Americans do not praise God shows that we have forgotten:
A. The Source of our prosperity
B. The Source of our power
C. The Source of our protection
“In God We Trust” has changed to “Our Diversity is Our Strength.” What a lie! Strength doesn’t come from diversity; strength comes from a united dependence upon GOD!
II. LOSS OF PURITY
Deuteronomy 8:11 Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day:
We show we have forgotten God by losing our purity:
A. In our laws
B. In our leadership
C. In our lifestyle
- Divorce
- Debt
- Death – murder, abortion
- Deceit
- Debauchery and defilement
III. LOSS OF PRAYER
2 Chronicles 32:20 And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven.
It is evident to me that our loss of prayer shows that we have forgotten God, as
A. We have forgotten the profit of prayer
B. We have forsaken the power of prayer
C. We have even forbidden the practice of prayer! God have mercy on us!
IV. LOSS OF PEACE
Isaiah 48:22 There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.
The fact that we have forgotten God is evident in that there is no peace
A. Of conscience and hearts
- Drugs, anti-depressants
- Kids on prescribed drugs
- Psychiatrists
B. In communities and homes
- Homes are unstable
- Unstable homes produce unstable communities
C. In children and our houses for learning (schools)
- Murders
- Suicides
- Teen pregnancies
- Drugs
- Fear
D. In churches and houses of worship
- Splits are common
- Angry “saints” at business meetings
V. LOSS OF PERCEPTION
Deuteronomy 8:18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.
A. About our past experiences
B. About our present condition
C. About our prospects for the future
America has become a mental institution run by the inmates!
Wake up, America!
Look up, church! (Titus 2:13)