November
22, 2006am Can thanksgiving be
made for/from everyone I Timothy 2
By Ronald E.
George Jr. at the
Fayetteville
Baptist
Church
Read the preambles
from the 50 states of the union. Each
acknowledges God and most express gratitude toward the almighty.
"Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by
tyrants." - William Penn
Alabama
1901 , Preamble . We the
people of the State of
Alabama
, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the
following Constitution.
Alaska
1956, Preamble . We, the people of
Alaska
, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great
land.
Arizona
1911, Preamble . We, the people of the State of
Arizona
, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution...
Arkansas
1874, Preamble We, the people of the State of
Arkansas
, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of
government...
California
1879, Preamble We, the People of the State of
California
, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom.
Colorado
1876, Preamble . We, the people of
Colorado
, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe.
Connecticut
1818, Preamble. The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with
gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy.
Delaware
1897, Preamble . Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the
rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of
their consciences.
Florida
1885, Preamble . We, the people of the State of
Florida
, grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this
Constitution...
Georgia
1777, Preamble . We, the people of
Georgia
, relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish
this Constitution...
Hawaii
1959, Preamble . We , the people of
Hawaii
, Grateful for Divine Guidance .... Establish this Constitution.
Idaho
1889, Preamble . We, the people of the State of
Idaho
, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings.
Illinois
1870, Preamble . We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to
Almighty God for the civil l, political and religious liberty which He hath so
long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
Indiana
1851, Preamble . We, the People of the State of
Indiana
, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our
form of government.
Iowa
1857, Preamble We, the People of the State of
Iowa
, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling
our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings establish this
Constitution.
Kansas
1859, Preamble . We, the people of
Kansas
, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish
this Constitution.
Kentucky
1891, Preamble. We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty
God for the civil, political and religious liberties...
Louisiana
1921, Preamble . We, the people of the State of
Louisiana
, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we
Maine
1820, Preamble .. We the People of Maine acknowledging with grateful
hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an
opportunity . And imploring His aid and direction.
Maryland
1776, Preamble We, the people of the state of
Maryland
, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty...
Massachusetts
1780, Preamble . We...the people of
Massachusetts
, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of
the Universe .. In the course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly
imploring His direction .
Michigan 1908, Preamble le. We, the people of the State of
Michigan
, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom establish this
Constitution.
Minnesota
, 1857, Preamble . We, the people of the State of
Minnesota
, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to
perpetuate its blessings:
Mississippi
1890, Preamble . We, the people of
Mississippi
in convention assembled, grateful to Al mighty God, and invoking His blessing
on our work.
Missouri
1845, Preamble . We, the people of
Missouri
, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful
for His goodness ... Establish this Constitution .
Montana
1889, Preamble. We, the people of
Montana
, grateful to Almighty God for the
blessings of liberty establish this Constitution .
Nebraska
1875, Preamble . We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our
freedom ... Establish this Constitution.
Nevada
1864, Preamble . We the people of the State of
Nevada
, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom establish this Constitution
New Hampshire
1792,
Part
I.
Art. I. Sec. V . Every individual has a natural and unalienable right
to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.
New Jersey
1844, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to
Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us
to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
New Mexico
1911, Preamble . We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God
for the blessings of liberty
New York
1846, Preamble . We, the people of the State of
New York
, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings.
North Carolina
1868, Preamble . We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful
to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and
religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the
continuance of those
North Dakota 1889, Preamble . We , the people of
North Dakota
, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do
ordain...
Ohio
1852, Preamble . We the people of the state of
Ohio
, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to
promote our common
Oklahoma
1907, Preamble . Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to
secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty .. establish this .
Oregon
1857, Bill of Rights,
Article
I.
Section 2. All
men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to
the dictates of their consciences..
Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble We, the people of Pennsylvania , grateful to
Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly
invoking His guidance
Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. We the People of the State of Rhode Island
grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so
long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing
South Carolina, 1778, Preamble . We, the people of he State of
South Carolina
grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
South Dakota
1889, Preamble . We, the people of
South Dakota
, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties
Tennessee
1796, Art. XI.III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right
to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience...
Texas 1845, Preamble . We the People of the
Republic
of
Texas
, acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God.
Utah
1896, Preamble . Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we
establish this Constitution.
Vermont
1777, Preamble. Whereas all government ought to enable the individuals
who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the
Author of Existence has bestowed on man .
Virginia
1776, Bill of Rights, XVI Religion, or the Duty which we owe our
Creator can be directed only by Reason and that it is the mutual duty of all to
practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other
Washington
1889, Preamble . We the People of the State of
Washington
, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain
this Constitution
West Virginia
1872, Preamble . Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings
of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of
West Virginia
reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God ..
Wisconsin
1848, Preamble . We, the people of
Wisconsin
, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility
Wyoming
1890, Preamble . We, the people of the State of
Wyoming
, grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties ..
establish this Constitution.
Please note that at no time is anyone told that they MUST worship God.
Scripture Text: I Timothy 2 (NIV)
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and
thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2
for kings and all those in authority, that
we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3
This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4
who wants all men to be saved and to come
to a knowledge of the truth. 5
For there is one God and one mediator
between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave
himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time. 7
And for this purpose I was appointed a
herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a teacher
of the true faith to the Gentiles.
Can thanksgiving be
made for/from everyone? We have
already established that in every state of the union acknowledgement of God and
gratitude toward him has been expressed in the establishment of all.
But do we and can we be grateful to him?
If yes, then how?
Yes, if you are saved.
If you have God then you have given your life to God and have accepted
his way of living for your life.
Yes, if you have knowledge of the truth and you accept that
knowledge for your life. Because you know who God is and who you are.
We are the creation of the only true living God.
Yes, if you strive to live peaceful and quiet lives in all
godliness and holiness.
Yes, if you have God in your life.
Yes, if you are humble enough to realize that you are just
like everyone else. You are created
by and for God.
Yes, if you realize that it is God and God alone who
continues to give you life and liberty.
Yes, if you know that God wants Prayers, intercessions, and
thanksgiving to be made for everyone and you are willing to accept that He is in
control.
Yes, if you believe that God is a God who is all powerful
and in control of all things. He
imparts power to kings, presidents, and countries.
Pray particularly For kings, and all those in authority.
Yes, if you realize that God wants us to live peaceful and
quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
Yes, if you believe that God wants all men to be saved and
to come to knowledge of the truth.
Yes, if you know that Jesus wants to your be your mediator
between you and God.
Yes, if you believe that Jesus paid
the price for your sins.
Are we grateful to God?