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The Shot Heard Around the World 0:00 Welcome to this pray dot com series from Kingdom Voices brought to you by W publishing. In this series, join pastor Robert j Morgan in exploring the Bible verses that made America. If you enjoy0:12 this tour through the biblical roots of American history, find more in his book, 100 Bible verses that made America, defining moments that shaped our enduring foundation of faith.0:23 April 19 17 75. The shot heard around the world. For they have shed innocent blood. Joel 3 19. The0:35 opening shots of the American Revolution were aimed at a pastor and his congregation who bolstered by scripture were ready for the moment. Jonas Clark preached in the village0:47 of Lexington, Massachusetts with uncommon energy and zeal, it was said. His voice, quote, extended far beyond the bounds of his meeting house and could be heard distinctly by0:58 those who were anywhere in the immediate neighborhood. Many of his sermons lasted an hour, and 1 of his public prayers extended beyond 2 hours. But he preached scripture,1:10 and he preached freedom. As tensions arose with Britain, pastor Clark taught his church about personal, civil, and religious liberty. 1 historian said,1:22 long before it was certain that the quarrel must come to blows, he had so thoroughly indoctrinated his people with those great truths that no better spot on the continent could have been found for the revolution to1:34 begin. His preaching, it was said, had been preparation for the noble stand taken by his people on the morning of the nineteenth of April. The militia on the common that morning were1:46 the same who filled the pews of the meeting house on the night before. Because of Clark's sermons, no population within the compass of the colonies was better prepared for the events of the nineteenth of April1:58 than the people of Lexington. No people to whom the events of that day could more safely have been entrusted. No single individual probably did so much to educate the people up to that2:10 point as their honored and beloved pastor. As the British occupied Boston, general Horatio Gates took out after Samuel Adams and John Hancock, who were sequestered in pastor2:21 Clark's farmhouse. Late on April 18, Paul Revere galloped in with the news that the British were coming. Adams and Hancock turned to Clark and asked if the people of Lexington2:33 would stand up to the invaders. The pastor said, I have trained them for this very hour. They will fight and if need be die under the very shadow of the house of2:45 God. The village awoke and the 70 or so men mustered at the church. As the sky turned from black to gray, hundreds of scarlet uniforms appeared. For aShedding Innocent Blood 2:57 moment, the 2 sides were frozen in silence, then a gun fired. The shot heard around the world. After the battle, 7 of pastor Clark's3:09 members lay dead under the windows of the church. Their innocent blood drenched the ground. The teachings of the pulpit of Lexington, it was said, caused the first blow to be3:20 struck for American independence. A year later, on the first anniversary of the Battle of Lexington, Clark preached a sermon from Joel 3 verses 19 through 21, a3:32 passage in which the prophet condemned the nations of Egypt and Eden because they had attacked Judah and shed innocent blood in the land. To Clark, the attack of the British3:44 army had been against innocent farmers and church members who wanted nothing more than peace and liberty. The American colonies faced the same kind of hostile treatment Joel had condemned3:56 long ago, but the same god who helped Judah would help America. Clark went on to reassure his people that God was still in control and the eloquent language employed by the4:08 colonial New England clergyman. He said, to be impressed with the sense of the divine providence, to realize that God is governor among the nations, that his government is4:19 wise and just, and that all our times and changes are in his hands and at his disposal, will have the happiest tendency to produce the most grateful acknowledgments of his4:31 goodness and prosperity, the most cordial resignation to his paternal discipline and adversity, and equanimity of mind in all the changing scenes of life.4:43 He continued, inspired with this divine principle, we shall contemplate with grateful wonder and delight the goodness of God and prosperous events and devoutly acknowledge and adore his sovereign4:55 hand in days of darkness and perplexity and when the greatest difficulties press. Yea, however dark and mysterious the ways of providence may appear, yet nothing shall5:07 overwhelm the mind or destroy the truth and hope of those that realize the government of heaven, that an all wise God is seated on the throne, and that all things are well appointed for his5:18 chosen people, for them who fear him. In our days of sound bites and tweets, I find this old language refreshing. Apply these thoughts to your own5:30 life today. Be impressed with the sense of God's providence and remember, he is governor among the nations. Remind yourself that your times are in his hands and at his disposal.5:42 This will have the happiest tendency to produce grateful acknowledgment in your heart when things go well and cordial resignation when things don't go as you'd like. Nothing5:54 will overwhelm the mind of those who remember an all wise god is still on his throne.In this video 0:00 The Shot Heard Around the World2:53 Shedding Innocent Blood12.5K followers
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