Message: “One Nation Under God” from Rev. Dr. Rick Armstrong

Abraham Lincoln, in his address delivered at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, concluded with these inspiring words: “It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us…that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” These days it might seem convenient to ask, “How united are we as one nation—and what would be the basis for that unity?” But the starting place for us as people of God—people who have been united to Christ—would be to ask, “What does it mean for us to live ‘under God?’” Imagine: if every child of God were to fully and authentically live out what it means to be “under God,” how might that effect change in our nation, in our communities, and in our homes? This Independence Day, God invites us to recognize first who He has declared us to be: beloved children of God made righteous through the power of Christ. With that comes great responsibility and power: the power of the Spirit to live in Christ’s love and allow Him to use us to transform our communities. In this way, His all surpassing power and love is made manifest in our nation.

Scripture References: Ephesians 6:10-18, Mark 12:13-17

More Messages from Rev. Dr. Rick Armstrong

From Series: "The Power of One"

With Pentecost and the weeks that follow, we have a number of themes that touch on the word, “One.” We are One in the Spirit. Together we worship the One True God, who has revealed Himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the living and eternal God. We are a part of One Family of Faith, privileged to call God our Heavenly Father. We are reminded that we are One in Faith as we learn about the Augsburg Confession, one of the foundational doctrinal statements of the Protestant Reformation (1530). The nexus of the unity we share is that our God has drawn us to His Son, the One who gave Himself on the cross to make us one forgiven and redeemed people of God, living and thriving within the grace He has showered upon us.