I almost entitled this sermon How the Devil Stole America, but realizing the power of the Gospel, I found it more accurate to call it How God got America Back! I cannot imagine anyone not agreeing with the assessment that we are between the Devil's theft of this nation and God's recovery of it. To call America a Christian nation is ridiculous. Let me give you a few examples -- not that you need them -- of the non-Christian, atheistic and even pagan stance of many in our land.

First, consider what has happened to Sunday. Can you remember when stores were not open on Sunday, when it was difficult to find a place to eat out on Sunday? When people gathered in homes for "Sunday dinners." Sunday is just another day for most of our society. Grocery stores even plan their grand openings for Sunday. Some sports leagues plan their ball games on Sunday morning; non-profit organizations plan races and other events on Sunday morning. This nation, and you and I, need one day among the seven days of the week for worship and rest, and rocking on the porch and visiting the neighbors.

Stay with me a little longer. Reverence for the Sabbath is but one of the Ten Commandments. We have, as a society, rejected the Commandments. There is truth in the cartoon that shows Moses standing at the foot of the Mount, looking upwards and saying, "God, they say they won't accept them unless you change the wording to Ten "Suggestions." Yesterday I was glancing through a church paper and read of a church in Nashville that has voted not to have any more weddings in its church until it can have homosexual weddings! I understand that the Bishop and the local leadership of that denomination in our area are against that position. It does show how confused some churches are, however. Laying aside homosexuality, our level of moral expectation has dropped to a disturbing level in all walks of life.

Stay with me. In our land, Christianity is ridiculed or ignored in the medium of most influence in our society -- television. At the same time, atheism and paganism are held up as models and ideals. When did you ever see a television character who was a devil-worshiper or a Buddhist or some other faith portrayed as weak and confused? How often do you see a Christian character portrayed as strong, courageous and likeable?

Walk a bit further with me. Liberal theologians are gutting the faith. You know that while I am not a Fundamentalist, I am fundamental in the faith. And while I appreciate scholarship and hold an earned Ph.D., I am shocked at the betrayal of the Christian faith by some scholars. One example of what I mean is the television program that aired in the week before Easter, entitled From Jesus To Christ. It featured the presidents of several large and rich seminaries and an array of scholars. I sat down to watch it with high expectation. The first half was nothing to brag about, with the scholars afraid to acknowledge Jesus' miracles and ending with His death instead of the resurrection.