• Proverbs 14:34
  • Definition of a true patriot
  • Man’s way of exalting a nation
  • God’s way of exalting a nation
  • Righteousness lifts up a nation
    • Righteousness - Titus 2:12
    • Righteousness as concerns internal life
      • No nation is more or less righteous than the people who make it up. John 1:46
      • Among the magistrates - it will cause them to so rule as to gain a good reputation and be respected.
      • Among the subjects
        • It causes them to be obedient to government
  • But sin is a reproach to any people
    • Reproach - Leviticus 20:17
    • Sin as concerns internal life shames any people.
      • The Cretans - Titus 1:10-13
      • Among the magistrates - Nixon and Watergate; Clinton’ Charles and Diana
      • David and Bathsheba - II Samuel 12:14
      • Among the subjects (Romans 1:26-32 - Consider what sin produces in them. Such is a reproach to any people.
  • What is God’s role relative to the righteousness or sin of a nation?
    • What role did He have in the Old Testament?
      • Isaiah 10:5-7- Assyria used to punish Israel
      • Jeremiah 25:12- Babylon punished at the hand of God
      • Daniel 2:20-21- God has power to remove and establish kings. God controlled and used the nations.
    • What about in the New Testament?
      • There is still no power but of God. Romans 13:1-6
      • I Timothy 2:1-4 in the affairs of earthly kingdoms, then why this admonition to pray? What good would it do?
  • Conclusion
    • God’s Son still controls (by natural means) the earth and all therein - Colossians 1:16-17
    • Let us be a true patriot and put our faith in God. Consider Psalm 33.
  • Are you a true patriot? (Acts 10:34-35