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Mike McInnis

Inhabiting a Holy Nation #832

Mike McInnis August, 10 2021 Audio
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In his sermon "Inhabiting a Holy Nation," Mike McInnis explores the nature of true citizenship in relation to God's kingdom versus earthly nations. He argues that while some see the United States as a Christian nation, the reality reflects a diverse set of beliefs among its founders and citizens, with a significant number holding humanistic or deistic views, as exemplified by Thomas Jefferson. Scripture is cited extensively, particularly 1 Peter 2:9, which describes believers as a "chosen generation" and "a holy nation." McInnis stresses that God's true kingdom cannot be equated with any earthly nation, emphasizing the Reformed belief in the unconditional election of believers and the importance of their spiritual identity over national identity. The practical significance of this teaching calls Christians to recognize their primary allegiance to God's kingdom, transcending cultural and societal affiliations that often dilute their witness.

Key Quotes

“There is no such thing spoken of in the Scriptures as a Christian nation.”

“All earthly nations rise and fall at the behest of Him who removeth kings and setteth up kings.”

“They are a royal priesthood... made free men, not subject to any law except the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.”

“God's people have different desires and a different way of thinking than the world does.”

Sermon Transcript

Auto-generated transcript • May contain errors

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Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. Many are convinced that
the U.S. is a Christian nation founded
on Christian principles by Christian men. The truth is that while
some of the nation's founders were indeed true believers, many
of them, if not most of them, were not. Humanists comprise
the majority with the leading man among them, Thomas Jefferson,
being a deist. Some of the great TV and radio
preachers of today try to stir men up over issues like getting
prayer back in the schools or keeping under God in our Pledge
of Allegiance. Taking in God we trust off of
our money is considered by them as some great crime. It seems
to me the height of hypocrisy that a nation that leads the
world in abortions, unwed mothers, and divorce should worry about
a meaningless slogan on their money. I'm confident that God
is not impressed with it any more than he is with same-sex
marriage or our winking at adultery and fornication. We are exporting
democracy while we are importing drugs. The United States has
been the recipient of multitudes of mercy and blessing, but like
every nation on earth which has forgotten God, we are now reaping
what we have sowed as the impending hammer of judgment begins to
fall. The rampant wickedness of our land is not going to be
the cause of judgment. It is the evidence of it already
begun. It is only in the folly of man's
imagination that any earthly nation could be termed a Christian
nation anyway. There is no such thing spoken
of in the Scriptures. The citizenship of an earthly
nation can perhaps be comprised mostly of Christian men and women,
but earthly nations will not and cannot be followers of Christ.
Jesus said, My kingdom is not of this world. All nations rise
and fall at the behest of Him who removeth kings and setteth
up kings. All earthly nations have already
been, or ultimately will be, destroyed, according to the Lord's
purpose. And others shall arise at His
bidding to take their place until the day of judgment. when all
shall flee from his presence. This is why the children of God
confess that we have here no continuing city. We are strangers
and sojourners in this world, and we look for a city which
hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Peter describes
the nation of his people. They are a chosen generation.
The unconditional election of a people in Jesus Christ assures
that this nation will be populated. Those who hate this truth assume
that they would be glad to enter its gates and that they have
the ability to persuade others to come along with them, when
the scripture plainly indicates that if the Lord did not compel
men to come in, no one would dwell in this nation. The natural
man hates this city and often tries to tear it down, so how
could he ever be pleased to dwell there? The inhabitants of this
nation are a royal priesthood. They are descended not only from
a king, but from that great high priest who has neither beginning
of days nor end of life. He has made them kings and priests.
They are the Lord's free men and are not subject to any law
except the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. They
are sons and not hirelings and servants. The way into the Holy
of Holies is made open to them, and they can offer the sacrifices
of praise night and day, without the need of teachers, because
the Spirit of God is their guide into all truth. They are a holy
nation. That which is holy is that which
is set apart for a specific purpose. God has established this nation
to be a manifestation of His glory in the ages to come, that
they should show forth the praises of Him who has called us out
of darkness into His marvelous light. They are gathered together
as brethren in the Lord with one King and one law, a nation
set apart for His glory and their benefit. This is a kingdom where
love reigns, and the highest calling is to be the servant
of all. The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad
for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the runes. It shall blossom abundantly and
rejoice, even with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be
given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon. They shall
see the glory of the Lord and the excellency of our God." And
finally, that nation which is the Lord's people. or a peculiar
people. That which is peculiar does not
conform to acceptable standards set by the world. God's people
have different desires and a different way of thinking than the world
does. They have been made new creatures, and old things have
passed away. They are peculiar because they are His. For thou
art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen
thee to be a peculiar people unto Himself above all the nations
that are upon the earth. Are you a citizen of this holy
nation which Peter describes, or is your citizenship only in
a nation which shall be destroyed? For a free CD containing 15 of
these radio broadcasts, send an email to forthepoor at windstream.net.
Mike McInnis
About Mike McInnis
Mike McInnis is an elder at Grace Chapel in O'Brien Florida. He is also editor of the Grace Gazette.
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