I never met a man who was ashamed to say, “In God we trust,” but our nation is rapidly changing.  Our country’s new motto has become: In God we no longer trust.  Our nation has come full circle from the days of our origins and founding fathers when we based our law and Constitution on God and His word.  Because of our national sins, God has given us the leadership that we warrant.  Is there no one today who will take a stand for God and country?

On Wednesday, September 9, 2014 the United States Air Force joined the remainder of America’s military services including the Army, Navy and Marine Corp in declaring that we can go it alone without God’s help.  The Air Force says airmen will now be allowed to omit the words “so help me God” from its enlistment oath.  It is another one of many politically correct steps toward rejecting God altogether.  The Department of Defense General Counsel, issued its opinion saying the language could be left out if airman preferred to do so.

God is beginning to remove the wonderful blessings of power, wealth, protection and greatness that He bestowed upon our nation.  It is not our military power that is broken – it is the pride of our power that has become broken and ineffective (Leviticus 26:19).  We are losing the ability to use our power to defend our country’s citizens.  God tells us that we have built up our military and defenses in vain – for they will no longer protect us (Leviticus 26:20).

After receiving great blessings, Israel has had the proclivity to reject God’s rule over them.  In Samuel’s day the people rejected God’s rule in favor of a king they could see.  Thus said the Lord:  “You have this day rejected your God, who Himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations.”  (1 Samuel 10:19)

“The Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.”  (1 Samuel 8:7)

Brethren, this nation cannot stand without God.  As we witness the prophesied fall of our nation, what should we be doing?  Should we shrink back and hide in the shadows.  No!  We do not find that example portrayed in the Scriptures.  And God is not yet asking us to seek the spotlight of center stage.  That time will come soon enough.  We should realize that these end-time events portend and pave the way for the soon coming salvation of the Lord.  God tells us to take a stand for our faith and the principles of our faith and God’s way of life.  When we stand for what is right – God will fight our battles for us.

Moses’ advice in Exodus 14:13, some 3,500 years ago, is still perfectly valid today.  “Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand forth, and see the salvation of the Lord…”

Because it is not God’s will that any of us should perish, He insists that each and every one acquire the courage to take a stand for what is right – even if everyone else is turning a blind eye; even if we must stand alone and trust in God.

Is there no one today in God’s Church who will take a stand for God and His truth?  No member of the Church of God is exempt when it comes to taking a stand to support and defend God’s high standards.  We have no choice but to take a stand.  We all need a nudge in the right direction sometimes.  Whatever the situation, you and I cannot ever close our eyes to harmful and sinful ways, or approve of, or support wrongdoing.  Closing our eyes to a sinful problem is an inexcusable act of cowardice – it is not Christian love.  When humbly approached, a true Christian should be able to accept Godly correction.

"Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he which converts [turns him around] the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death...” (James 5:19-20)

For anyone to side-step this clear, Christian obligation is tantamount to rejecting Godly authority over his or her life.  Are we easily swayed, or are we defenders of the faith down to the last man or woman?  As Christians, are we strong enough to be able to live and to stand for our true faith?  Godly love is helping one another into the Kingdom of God.  Non-intervention on our part is the same as approving of people’s sin, and it ensures that they will not inherit the better resurrection.  Some people will justify their inaction by saying, “We are supposed to be peacemakers, and not busy bodies.”

We interact with brethren who trust and forgive each other, and who share the same hope of eternal life.  We are to congregate with those who put their Christianity into practice in the things that they say and in the things that they do and in the way that they look out for each other.  Is iron sharpening iron?  Do they constitute a true Christian congregation?  Do they cry together, laugh together and pray together?  We interact with each other in a real and substantive way when we consider one another’s spiritual and physical needs.  We must make sure that we are in good stead with God, and with His saints.  We are to be faithful to the Body of Christ, the Church of God, the called out ones.

“Whosoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother have need, and shuts up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwells the love of God in him?  My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”  (1 John 3:17-18)

We are not as on-target, as we should be.  We know that God’s plan is coming to fruition.  God through His Spirit is bringing it about.  We know that it is going to be worked out – but will we personally meet Christ’s standard of loving one another?  “This commandment have we from Him, That he who loves God love his brother also.”  (1 John 4:21)

We must be willing to stand alone, be tested alone, and be tried alone.  We learn collectively, but we are tested individually.  Notice how this scripture says it so clearly, “…for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ… so then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”  (Romans 14:10, 12)

Do we ever take a stand for God’s righteousness today, or do we close our eyes?  Are we crowd-pleasers, preferring not to rock the boat or make waves?  Are we willing to stand alone?  When we “put it all on the line” for God’s Truth, it is likely to cost us a great deal.  We must be willing to pay a big price.  Sometimes the prophets would say, “Even if God does not deliver me, I am going to stand in faith.”  That is what we have to say; we must be willing to lay down our lives.  Christ says we cannot even be His disciples until we make that commitment, till we make that decision.  Are we too fearful to make a decision for righteousness?  We will not go into the Kingdom of God until God knows that we will always take a positive stand for Him.

Standing alone will not make you popular with the majority of people.  Will you excuse yourself and follow along with the crowd, being a part of what is clearly wrong in God’s eyes simply because no one else is willing to stand with you?  Or, will you stand on your own two feet and follow Christ no matter what?

We do not have the option of whether or not to take a stand.  We must take a stand.  No one qualifies for the Kingdom of God without standing strong.  We must prove ourselves and qualify.  We must overcome.  We have to stand up and be counted.

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Sermon:

"So Help Me God"