Sacred Duty- Our Founding pt 2 // Sunday, October 25, 2020
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Sunday, October 25, 2020
Sacred Duty – Our Founding (Part 2)
John Adams
As the safety and prosperity of nations ultimately and essentially depend on the protection and blessing of almighty God; and the national acknowledgment of this truth is not only an indispensable duty which the people owe to Him, but a duty whose natural influence is favorable to the promotion of that morality and piety without which social happiness cannot exist, nor the blessings of a free government enjoyed… especially in seasons of difficulty of danger.
Exodus 18: 21 (ESV) Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.
Where did these ideas come from?
Rev John Wise:
· Consent of the governed
· Taxation without representation
1926 President Calvin Coolidge
The Origins of the American Constitution:
1. Charles Montesquieu: Political Philosopher 8.3%
2. William Blackstone: Legal Scholar 7.9%
3. John Locke: 2.9% Two Treatises of Government
4. The Bible: 34%
Three Branches of Government:
Isaiah 33: 22 (NASB) For the Lord is our judge, (Judicial)
The Lord is our lawgiver, (Legislative) The Lord is our king; (Executive) He will save us—
Separation of Powers:
Jeremiah 17: 9 (NASB) The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; Who can understand it?
Tax Exemption of Churches:
Ezra 7: 24 (NASB) We also inform you that it is not allowed to Impose tax, tribute or toll on any of the priests, Levites, singers, doorkeepers, Nethinim or servants of this house of God.
John Francis Mercer
It is a great mistake to suppose that the paper we are to propose will govern the United States. It is the men it will bring into government and interest (they have) in maintaining it that are to govern them. The paper will only mark out the mode and the form. Men are the substance and must do the business.
Proverbs 29: 2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when wicked man rules, the people groan.
President James Garfield
Now, more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of the congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave and pure it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature. If the next centennial does not find us a great nation it will be because those who represent the enterprise the culture and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces.
John Hancock
“I urge you by all that is dear, by all that is honorable, by all that is sacred, not only that ye pray but that ye act.”