Have We Received a Call to National Repentance?
--- title: "Have We Received a Call to National Repentance?" date: series: "Sermons 2001 Rewritten" text: "Exodus 15:1–21" speaker: Ed Rangel location: Waupaca Church of Christ bibleversion: NASB 1995 type: Topical status: draft tags:
sermon
sermons-2001-rewritten
national-repentance
pride
judgment
patriotism
cssclasses:
tpt-sermon
tpt-sermon-outline
tpt-mode-outline
---
Have We Received a Call to National Repentance?
Learning Objectives
Explain why national tragedy should drive people to sober reflection rather than blind speculation.
Distinguish patriotic grief from biblical repentance.
Show from Scripture that God has judged proud nations and can still humble any nation.
Apply the warnings against pride, self-sufficiency, idolatry, and moral decay to modern life.
Call Christians to be faithful salt and light while urging all people to humble themselves before God.
Thesis
When a nation is shaken, the greatest need is not merely revenge, military strength, or patriotic emotion, but humble repentance before the God who rules over all nations.
National tragedy exposes what men really trust. Some trust flags. Some trust armies. Some trust political speeches. Some trust revenge. Some trust the illusion that a nation is too strong to fall. But Scripture will not let us think that way. God has always ruled over nations, and no people can live forever on pride, power, and moral decay while pretending judgment belongs only to someone else.
Introduction.
America was shaken on September 11, 2001.
News reports filled the day with scenes of terror, smoke, rubble, grief, and death.
Rescue workers searched through destruction while families waited for news that would never come.
People donated money, food, clothing, and supplies, even for the rescue dogs.
Patriotism rose quickly because a wounded nation naturally reaches for symbols of strength.
One question kept rising from the ashes: “Why?”
Some religious people admitted they did not know why such things happen.
Others blamed God for the loss of life.
Some lost faith because tragedy exposed a shallow view of God.
Anger and confusion filled the nation.
Christians must be careful in moments like that.
Scripture does not give a direct prophecy naming America after the first century.
We must not pretend we know every secret purpose of God in every event.
We must not twist tragedy into careless prophecy.
We must still ask what Scripture teaches about nations, pride, judgment, repentance, and God’s rule.
Patriotism does not cancel biblical truth.
Christians should respect lawful authority.
Christians may love their country and honor its flag.
Romans 13 teaches that civil authority may punish evildoers.
Romans 12 forbids private vengeance, but Romans 13 recognizes government as God’s servant for justice.
The question is not whether we love our country.
The question is whether we love God enough to tell the truth.
A patriotic man can still call a nation to repentance.
A grateful citizen can still say that sin is destroying the people.
A Christian must never place the nation above the Lord.
I. God Rules Over Nations Whether Nations Acknowledge Him or Not.
Exodus 15 celebrates God’s rule over Egypt.
Israel sang after God delivered them through the Red Sea.
Pharaoh’s army had pursued them with confidence.
Egypt trusted its chariots, horsemen, and military strength.
God overthrew that strength in the sea.
Exodus 15:1 says, “I will sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted; the horse and its rider He has hurled into the sea.”
Egypt’s power did not intimidate God.
Pharaoh’s pride did not delay God.
Israel’s weakness did not limit God.
The song is not merely about Israel’s escape.
It is about God’s supremacy.
It is about the Lord judging arrogance.
It is about the Lord saving His people when human strength cannot.
Babylon had to learn that God rules.
Nebuchadnezzar thought his kingdom existed by his own power.
He saw himself as the builder and ruler of all before him.
Pride convinced him that greatness belonged to him.
God brought him low until he learned that heaven rules.
Daniel 4:17 says the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind.
God gives authority where He wills.
God removes men when He wills.
Kings are not ultimate.
Daniel 4:32 says Nebuchadnezzar would live like an animal until he recognized God’s rule.
His mind was humbled.
His glory was stripped.
His arrogance was exposed as madness before God.
Scripture shows that military strength is never enough.
Psalm 33:16 says, “The king is not saved by a mighty army.”
A large army may be necessary for civil defense.
A military may be used by God’s providence.
But military power is not God.
Psalm 33:17 says, “A horse is a false hope for victory.”
In the ancient world, the horse represented military advantage.
Today men may say the same thing about weapons, technology, intelligence systems, and alliances.
None of these can save a people who defy God.
Psalm 33:18 says the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him.
Fear of God is greater than national confidence.
Hope in God is greater than patriotic emotion.
Trust in God is greater than trusting in national machinery.
II. God Has Judged Proud Nations Before.
Babylon was judged for arrogance and self-exaltation.
Isaiah 14:11–15 describes the humiliation of a proud ruler.
His pomp is brought down.
His boast is exposed.
His imagined height ends in the pit.
Babylon lived as though no one could stop her.
She weakened nations.
She exalted herself.
She spoke as though she could rise above God.
God brought Babylon down.
Pride did not protect her.
Wealth did not protect her.
Power did not protect her.
Moab was judged for pride and boasting.
Isaiah 15:1–4 describes sudden grief in Moab.
Cities were devastated.
People wailed.
Soldiers trembled.
The nation learned that destruction can come in a night.
Isaiah 16:6 names the sin.
“We have heard of the pride of Moab.”
It was excessive pride.
It was arrogance, fury, and idle boasting.
Isaiah 16:12 shows Moab praying too late and wrongly.
Moab went to its high place.
Moab wearied itself in religious effort.
Moab did not prevail.
Pride blocks repentance.
A proud man may pray without surrendering.
A proud nation may hold ceremonies without changing its ways.
A proud people may ask for God’s help while refusing God’s rule.
Egypt was judged when its idols failed.
Isaiah 19:1 says the LORD was coming to Egypt in judgment.
The idols trembled.
The hearts of the Egyptians melted.
Their confidence collapsed.
Isaiah 19:2–4 describes internal breakdown.
Egyptian fought against Egyptian.
City fought against city.
Strategy was confused.
A cruel master would rule over them.
Egypt turned to false sources for help.
Idols failed.
Mediums failed.
Spiritists failed.
False religion could not save them.
A nation that trusts idols will eventually be ashamed of them.
Some idols are made of stone.
Some idols are political.
Some idols are economic.
Some idols are military.
Some idols are cultural pride.
Israel herself was not exempt.
Habakkuk was shocked that God would use the Chaldeans to discipline His people.
Habakkuk knew the Chaldeans were violent.
He knew they were arrogant.
He knew they were wicked.
Habakkuk 1:6 says God was raising up the Chaldeans.
God was not approving their wickedness.
God was using them as an instrument of judgment.
God would later judge them too.
Habakkuk 1:12 says God had appointed them to judge and established them to correct.
God’s people were not immune to correction.
Covenant language did not excuse rebellion.
Religious history did not cancel present sin.
A nation cannot assume God is on its side while refusing to be on God’s side.
That was true of Israel.
That was true of the nations around Israel.
It is still true now.
III. National Tragedy Should Humble a People, Not Merely Anger Them.
Anger alone is not repentance.
After tragedy, people often want someone to pay.
Justice may be necessary.
Civil authority may punish evildoers.
Romans 13 gives government that responsibility.
But revenge language can become spiritually dangerous.
A man can demand justice while ignoring his own sin.
A nation can mourn victims while refusing repentance.
People can say “God bless America” while despising the God whose blessing they request.
Romans 12:19 says, “Never take your own revenge, beloved.”
Private vengeance belongs to God.
Civil justice belongs to lawful authority.
Christians must not confuse grief with permission to sin.
A nation can wait too long to seek God.
Proverbs 1:24–31 warns of refused wisdom.
God called, but the people refused.
God stretched out His hand, but no one paid attention.
They hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD.
The warning is severe.
Calamity comes like a storm.
Distress and anguish come.
Then they call, but wisdom says they will not find her.
Ezekiel 20 shows Israel trying to inquire of God while still defiled by idols.
God would not be treated as an emergency tool.
God would not be consulted while they held to rebellion.
God would not accept inquiry without repentance.
James 4:6–10 gives the right posture.
God is opposed to the proud.
That is true for individuals.
That is true for rulers.
That is true for nations.
God gives grace to the humble.
Humility is not weakness.
Humility is surrender to God.
Humility admits sin and submits to the Lord.
James gives commands that cannot be reduced to sentiment.
Submit to God.
Resist the devil.
Draw near to God.
Cleanse your hands.
Purify your hearts.
Be miserable and mourn and weep.
Humble yourselves before the Lord.
A national prayer service without national humility is not repentance.
Tears are not repentance by themselves.
Patriotic songs are not repentance.
Religious speeches are not repentance.
Repentance turns from sin to God.
IV. America Needs More Than Patriotism; America Needs Righteousness.
No nation is indestructible.
Psalm 94:1–8 reminds us that God sees arrogance and violence.
The wicked pour forth words.
They speak arrogantly.
They afflict the vulnerable.
They say the LORD does not see.
God sees what nations excuse.
God sees pride.
God sees murder.
God sees injustice.
God sees moral corruption.
God sees religious hypocrisy.
A nation may survive one attack and still be dying from sin.
Buildings can be rebuilt.
Economies can recover.
Armies can respond.
But moral rot will destroy a people from the inside.
No nation is self-sufficient.
Proverbs 14:34 says, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.”
Righteousness lifts.
Sin disgraces.
This is not limited to one ancient nation.
America cannot sin its way into blessing.
We cannot mock God and demand His protection.
We cannot celebrate immorality and expect moral strength.
We cannot discard truth and expect stability.
A nation that forgets God eventually forgets what man is.
Life becomes cheap.
Marriage becomes negotiable.
Truth becomes political.
Worship becomes entertainment.
Children inherit confusion instead of conviction.
Christians must be salt and light in a shaken nation.
Matthew 5:13 calls disciples the salt of the earth.
Salt preserves.
Salt influences.
Salt must not lose its savor.
Matthew 5:14 calls disciples the light of the world.
Light must not hide.
Light must expose darkness.
Light must point men to the Father.
The church must not confuse patriotism with the gospel.
The flag is not the cross.
The nation is not the kingdom.
Political unity is not fellowship in Christ.
Military victory is not salvation.
Christians may love their country, but our highest loyalty belongs to Christ.
Christ is King now.
His kingdom is not earthly nationalism.
His word judges every nation.
His gospel is the only hope for sinners.
Application.
For the grieving citizen.
Grief is real, and the loss of innocent life is not small.
But grief must not harden into hatred that ignores God.
Let tragedy sober you, not merely anger you.
For the proud nation.
No nation is too great to fall.
No army is strong enough to replace righteousness.
No speech, ceremony, or anthem can cover unrepented sin.
For the Christian.
Respect lawful authority.
Pray for rulers.
Be thankful for freedom.
Refuse private vengeance.
Speak truth even when national emotion wants only comfort.
For parents and the next generation.
Teach children to love truth more than slogans.
Teach them that patriotism must bow to God.
Teach them that sin destroys people, homes, churches, and nations.
Teach them that the kingdom of Christ outlasts every earthly power.
Conclusion.
Exodus 15 teaches that God can overthrow the strongest enemy in a moment.
Egypt had horses and riders.
Pharaoh had power.
God hurled them into the sea.
Isaiah teaches that proud nations fall.
Babylon fell.
Moab wailed.
Egypt trembled.
Israel herself was corrected.
Habakkuk teaches that God may work in ways that shock us.
He used nations as instruments of judgment.
He did not excuse the instruments.
He still ruled over all of it.
America needs more than emotional religion after tragedy.
America needs humility.
America needs repentance.
America needs righteousness.
America needs God.
The church must not waste this moment.
When people are asking “Why?” we must point them to Scripture.
When people are afraid, we must point them to God.
When people are proud, we must call them to humility.
When people are lost, we must preach Christ.
Plan of Salvation
Hear the word.
Romans 10:17 says faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
A man cannot obey a gospel he has not heard.
Believe Christ.
John 8:24 warns that unless we believe Jesus is the Christ, we will die in our sins.
Faith is not national identity, family tradition, or emotional religion.
Repent.
Acts 17:30 says God commands all people everywhere to repent.
Repentance is not merely feeling bad after calamity.
Repentance turns from sin to God.
Confess Christ.
Romans 10:9–10 teaches confession with the mouth and belief in the heart.
Christ must be confessed as Lord, not merely admired as a religious figure.
Be baptized for the remission of sins.
Acts 2:38 commands repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins.
Baptism is not a national ceremony, a family tradition, or a symbol after salvation.
Scripture places forgiveness at obedient submission to Christ.
Live faithfully.
Revelation 2:10 calls Christians to be faithful until death.
The Lord does not call us to momentary religion in a moment of fear.
He calls us to faithful life under His rule.
Word Study.
| Word | Original | Meaning | Use in Text |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highly exalted | גָּאָה גָּאָה / ga’oh ga’ah | To triumph gloriously, to rise in majesty. | Exodus 15:1 emphasizes the LORD’s supreme victory over Egypt. |
| Hurled | רָמָה / ramah | To throw, cast, or hurl. | God cast Pharaoh’s horse and rider into the sea. |
| Proud | ὑπερήφανος / hyperēphanos | Arrogant, self-exalting, proud. | James 4:6 says God opposes the proud. |
| Humble | ταπεινός / tapeinos | Lowly, brought low, humble. | James 4:6 says God gives grace to the humble. |
| Righteousness | צְדָקָה / tsedaqah | Righteousness, justice, moral rightness. | Proverbs 14:34 shows what exalts a nation. |
| Sin | חַטָּאת / chatta’th | Sin, offense, guilt. | Proverbs 14:34 says sin is a disgrace to any people. |
|---|---|---|---| | Highly exalted | גָּאָה גָּאָה / ga’oh ga’ah | To triumph gloriously, to rise in majesty. | Exodus 15:1 emphasizes the LORD’s supreme victory over Egypt. | | Hurled | רָמָה / ramah | To throw, cast, or hurl. | God cast Pharaoh’s horse and rider into the sea. | | Proud | ὑπερήφανος / hyperēphanos | Arrogant, self-exalting, proud. | James 4:6 says God opposes the proud. | | Humble | ταπεινός / tapeinos | Lowly, brought low, humble. | James 4:6 says God gives grace to the humble. | | Righteousness | צְדָקָה / tsedaqah | Righteousness, justice, moral rightness. | Proverbs 14:34 shows what exalts a nation. | | Sin | חַטָּאת / chatta’th | Sin, offense, guilt. | Proverbs 14:34 says sin is a disgrace to any people. |
Scripture Interlock Table.
| Testament | Reference | Original Context | Connection to Main Text | Doctrinal Use | Sermon / Teaching Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Testament | Exodus 15:1–21 | Israel sings after God destroys Pharaoh’s army in the Red Sea. | Shows God ruling over nations and overthrowing proud power. | Establishes God’s supremacy over military strength. | Governs the sermon’s main burden. |
| Old Testament | Daniel 4:17, 32 | Nebuchadnezzar is humbled until he recognizes that heaven rules. | Shows God can humble arrogant rulers. | Refutes national or royal self-sufficiency. | Supports Point I. |
| Old Testament | Isaiah 14:11–15 | Babylon’s pride is brought down to Sheol. | Shows pride brings judgment. | Warns against self-exaltation before God. | Supports Point II. |
| Old Testament | Isaiah 16:6–12 | Moab’s pride and false boasting bring wailing and failed prayer. | Shows pride prevents true repentance. | Teaches that prayer without humility does not save. | Supports Point II. |
| Old Testament | Isaiah 19:1–4 | Egypt’s idols fail and internal collapse comes under God’s judgment. | Shows false security cannot protect a nation. | Exposes idolatry and misplaced trust. | Supports Point II. |
| Old Testament | Habakkuk 1:5–17 | God raises the Chaldeans to judge, though they too are wicked. | Shows God may use nations as instruments of judgment. | Guards against simplistic views of providence. | Supports Point II. |
| Old Testament | Psalm 33:16–22 | The psalm warns that armies and horses cannot save apart from God. | Shows military power is not ultimate security. | Calls for trust in God above human strength. | Supports Point I. |
| Old Testament | Proverbs 1:24–31 | Wisdom warns that refused correction leads to unanswered cries in calamity. | Shows delay in repentance is dangerous. | Warns against seeking God only after rejecting Him. | Supports Point III. |
| Old Testament | Proverbs 14:34 | Righteousness exalts a nation; sin disgraces any people. | Gives the moral principle for national life. | Shows sin destroys nations. | Supports Point IV. |
| New Testament | Romans 12:19 | Christians are forbidden to take personal revenge. | Distinguishes private vengeance from civil justice. | Corrects sinful anger after tragedy. | Supports Point III. |
| New Testament | Romans 13:1–7 | Civil authority is God’s servant to punish evildoers. | Shows government may act against lawbreakers. | Gives balance between justice and vengeance. | Supports Introduction and Point III. |
| New Testament | James 4:6–10 | James calls sinners to humility, cleansing, mourning, and submission. | Shows the posture required for repentance. | Defines humility before God. | Supports Point III. |
| New Testament | Matthew 5:13–16 | Jesus calls disciples salt and light. | Shows the church’s role in a dark and shaken world. | Calls Christians to faithful influence. | Supports Point IV. |
| New Testament | Acts 17:30 | God commands all people everywhere to repent. | Applies repentance universally. | Grounds the call to repentance beyond Israel. | Supports Plan of Salvation. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Old Testament | Exodus 15:1–21 | Israel sings after God destroys Pharaoh’s army in the Red Sea. | Shows God ruling over nations and overthrowing proud power. | Establishes God’s supremacy over military strength. | Governs the sermon’s main burden. | | Old Testament | Daniel 4:17, 32 | Nebuchadnezzar is humbled until he recognizes that heaven rules. | Shows God can humble arrogant rulers. | Refutes national or royal self-sufficiency. | Supports Point I. | | Old Testament | Isaiah 14:11–15 | Babylon’s pride is brought down to Sheol. | Shows pride brings judgment. | Warns against self-exaltation before God. | Supports Point II. | | Old Testament | Isaiah 16:6–12 | Moab’s pride and false boasting bring wailing and failed prayer. | Shows pride prevents true repentance. | Teaches that prayer without humility does not save. | Supports Point II. | | Old Testament | Isaiah 19:1–4 | Egypt’s idols fail and internal collapse comes under God’s judgment. | Shows false security cannot protect a nation. | Exposes idolatry and misplaced trust. | Supports Point II. | | Old Testament | Habakkuk 1:5–17 | God raises the Chaldeans to judge, though they too are wicked. | Shows God may use nations as instruments of judgment. | Guards against simplistic views of providence. | Supports Point II. | | Old Testament | Psalm 33:16–22 | The psalm warns that armies and horses cannot save apart from God. | Shows military power is not ultimate security. | Calls for trust in God above human strength. | Supports Point I. | | Old Testament | Proverbs 1:24–31 | Wisdom warns that refused correction leads to unanswered cries in calamity. | Shows delay in repentance is dangerous. | Warns against seeking God only after rejecting Him. | Supports Point III. | | Old Testament | Proverbs 14:34 | Righteousness exalts a nation; sin disgraces any people. | Gives the moral principle for national life. | Shows sin destroys nations. | Supports Point IV. | | New Testament | Romans 12:19 | Christians are forbidden to take personal revenge. | Distinguishes private vengeance from civil justice. | Corrects sinful anger after tragedy. | Supports Point III. | | New Testament | Romans 13:1–7 | Civil authority is God’s servant to punish evildoers. | Shows government may act against lawbreakers. | Gives balance between justice and vengeance. | Supports Introduction and Point III. | | New Testament | James 4:6–10 | James calls sinners to humility, cleansing, mourning, and submission. | Shows the posture required for repentance. | Defines humility before God. | Supports Point III. | | New Testament | Matthew 5:13–16 | Jesus calls disciples salt and light. | Shows the church’s role in a dark and shaken world. | Calls Christians to faithful influence. | Supports Point IV. | | New Testament | Acts 17:30 | God commands all people everywhere to repent. | Applies repentance universally. | Grounds the call to repentance beyond Israel. | Supports Plan of Salvation. |
Invitation.
Hear the word.
Romans 10:17 says faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
Believe Christ.
John 8:24 warns that unless you believe that Jesus is He, you will die in your sins.
Repent.
Acts 17:30 says God commands all people everywhere to repent.
Confess Christ.
Romans 10:9–10 teaches confession with the mouth and belief in the heart.
Be baptized for the remission of sins.
Acts 2:38 commands repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins.
Live faithfully.
Revelation 2:10 calls the Christian to be faithful until death.
