Text: Deuteronomy 8:11–20
Topic: How our country has forgotten its moral and spiritual roots.

Introduction:

• Halverson calls the preamble to the U.S. Constitution "one of the most remarkable paragraphs ever conceived."
• He hopes the bicentennial of the Constitution will draw America back to its legal, political, moral and spiritual roots.

What happens when we cut ourselves off from our roots?

Illustration: In this brief illustration, Halverson notes that when he buys his wife an orchid corsage, she works hard to keep it alive as long as possible. Still, she knows it will  soon die because it's been cut off from its roots.

• When we, as a nation, strive in vain to preserve the beauty of our national life, forgetting our biblical roots, we are doomed.

To the extent that our government becomes godless, human rights go out the window.

• "We, the people … do ordain and establish [the] constitution …" has its origins in Genesis; God created a perfect world, making humans  stewards over all.
• The Declaration of Independence implies a sovereign people, not a sovereign government.
• If you take God out of the equation, the whole thing collapses.

If we disconnect from our roots, our destruction is absolutely certain.

• Moses: "Take care lest you forget the Lord and fail to keep his commandments."

Deut. 8:11–20

• Also: "Beware prosperity, lest your heart grow haughty and you forget the Lord."

Deut. 8:11–20

There's nothing wrong with wealth. The problem is, wealth replaces God.

Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters."

• Revelation also says we must choose, because God hates a lukewarm church.
• The greatest danger we face in America is the casual Christian.

Four quotations emphasize our country's dire need for God:

• A 1949 Life magazine editorial: The greatest threat to civilization is godlessness.
• A 1956 U.S. News & World Report item: The power of God alone is permanent.
• Gen. Douglas MacArthur: "It must be of the spirit, if we are to save the flesh."
• In 1863, Lincoln called the nation to fasting and prayer in order to be blessed.

"We have grown in numbers, wealth and power … but have forgotten God."

Conclusion:

• Thomas Jefferson said, "God, who gave us life, gave us liberty."