Rockport Sermon

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Celebrating Independance DAy

My country, 'tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims' pride,
From every mountainside
Let freedom ring!
Our father’s God to Thee,
Author of liberty,
To Thee we sing;
Long may our land be bright,
With freedom’s holy light
Protect us by Thy might,
Great God Our King

There is a special joy and pride (the good kind) that comes from knowing that we live in a nation with a long and godly heritage. No, I’m not one of those who imagines that every one of the Founding Fathers was a committed Christian. It’s clear they weren’t. But many of them were. And what’s more, it’s just as clear that the original Pilgrims who came to this land seeking religious freedom were indeed faithful and committed (not to mention reformed!) followers of Jesus Christ.

For that reason, when we as biblical Christians celebrate our nation’s Independence Day, we can never look at it as just another secular holiday. It is for us a time of thanksgiving and joy for all the good God has done in and through this nation over these many years. And sure, we’ll be the first to recognize that America is not (nor has it ever been) a perfect heaven on earth. She has her flaws and indeed, her many sins (abortion certainly comes to mind). Yet God has been pleased thus far to use this nation in a very special way in this world. And for that we are grateful.

How long will God’s special providence last for this country? I really couldn’t tell you. But I believe it will be as long as there are Christ-exalting believers who faithfully ‘tread the old paths’ and preach the Gospel of ‘grace through faith in Christ alone’ and who are committed to using their many advantages as citizens of this nation to spread the Saving Gospel to the ends of the earth so all will hear and know there is a Savior in Christ. Will you be one of these Gospel-sharers? May God make it so! And may future generations still continue to sing, “God bless America”


Seeking Him by faith alone, because of Christ Alone,

Pastor S. Scott Lee, Patriot

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Come Thou Fount...from Sunday

Some have wondered about the "extra" verse that we sang on Sunday during the morning service. What we sang was not indeed a "new" verse, but actually it was a slight revision of one of the verses that most modern hymnals leave out. I have included it below. I pray that this might be of great use for you during family worship and during your c groups, and all those other times!

Oh That Day When Free from Sinning
I'll shall see Thy lovely Face
Clothed in radiant, blood-washed linen
How I'll sing thy Sovereign Grace
Come my Lord no longer tarry
Bring thy promises to pass
For I know thy power will keep me
'Til I'm home with Thee at last