Pastor Mark McCrory

[Pastor Mark McCrory @firstpastor]

@WesleyLHuff Agree!!! Bonus: lots of Gospel types and imagery! https://t.co/BaE3j2KMfW

[Pastor Mark McCrory @firstpastor]

@MrBeast 741,776

[Pastor Mark McCrory @firstpastor]

This Fourth of July marks a remarkable milestone in our nation's history. Two hundred and fifty years ago, fifty-six men affixed their names to the Declaration of Independence, expressing a conviction that human liberty is not granted by governments but is a gift from our Creator. They understood something profoundly biblical: that our rights and our dignity come from God Himself.
John Adams would later write, "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." Adams recognized that liberty cannot endure without virtue, and that self-government requires a people governed first by conscience.
As Christians, we understand why.
The Scriptures teach that God is the Lord of all nations. "He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place" (Acts 17:26). Nations do not arise merely by human ingenuity or military strength. They exist under the gracious providence of God, who "removes kings and sets up kings" (Daniel 2:21).
Our Lutheran Confessions affirm this biblical truth. The Augsburg Confession teaches, "Lawful civil ordinances are good works of God." Civil government is not merely a human invention or social contract; it is one of the means through which God preserves order, restrains evil, and provides for the well-being of His creation. Because of this, Christians rightly give thanks for good government, pray for those in authority, and seek to serve faithfully as citizens.
For 250 years, God has bestowed extraordinary blessings upon this nation. We have enjoyed remarkable religious liberty, the rule of law, opportunities for honest labor, and freedoms that have allowed families, churches, schools, and communities to flourish. We should never take these gifts for granted. Martin Luther wisely observed, "The greater God's gifts and works, the less they are regarded." His words invite us to pause on this anniversary and recognize blessings that have become so familiar we scarcely notice them.
One of those blessings has been the profound influence of Christianity upon our national life. Throughout much of our history, the overwhelming majority of Americans have confessed the Christian faith, worshiped in Christian congregations, baptized their children, and sought to shape their homes and communities according to biblical convictions. Our laws, customs, and understanding of justice have often reflected the moral vision of Holy Scripture.
That influence has never made us a perfect people. Scripture reminds us, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people" (Proverbs 14:34). Every nation, including our own, stands accountable before the holy God. We therefore celebrate this anniversary with both gratitude and humility: giving thanks for God's abundant blessings while confessing our sins and praying for His continued mercy.
The Large Catechism reminds us that all earthly authority ultimately flows from God's own ordering of creation. Whether in the home, the church, or the civil realm, authority is given not for selfish gain but for the service and protection of others. For this reason, St. Paul urges us "that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions" (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Before Christians ever speak about government, we are called to pray for those whom God has entrusted with governing.
Our nation depends upon citizens who practice honesty, justice, compassion, and self-restraint. But no constitution, however wisely written, can change the human heart. Laws may restrain outward evil, but only the Gospel creates a new heart through faith in Jesus Christ.
Political liberty is a remarkable blessing. Yet God has given us an even greater freedom. Through the death and resurrection of His Son, He has set us free from sin, death, and the power of the devil. Before God, every president and every citizen, every judge and every laborer, every veteran and every child stands on exactly the same ground: all have sinned, and all who believe are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
In that sense, the greatest gift God has ever given America is not political liberty, but the freedom to proclaim Christ crucified and risen. For generations, churches throughout this land have freely preached the Gospel, baptized sinners into Christ, comforted the afflicted with His forgiveness, and sent missionaries throughout the world. We thank God for those opportunities and pray that He would preserve them for generations yet to come.
As we celebrate this historic anniversary, let us do so with grateful hearts. Give thanks for those who have served our nation with courage and sacrifice. Pray faithfully for those in authority. Seek the good of your neighbors. Live honorably. Love your family well. Serve faithfully in your various vocations.
Above all, remember that while we cherish our earthly citizenship, our deepest allegiance belongs to another kingdom. St. Paul reminds us, "Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3:20).
Nations rise and fall. Constitutions endure for a time. History unfolds under God's providence. But Jesus Christ is "the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). His kingdom has no end. His promises never fail. His cross remains the only hope for sinners, and His empty tomb remains the assurance of everlasting life.
Martin Luther reminds us in his explanation of the Second Petition of the Lord's Prayer: "God's kingdom comes indeed without our prayer, of itself; but we pray in this petition that it may come to us also." As we give thanks for 250 years of God's providential care for our nation, may our greatest prayer always be that His kingdom would continue to come among us through His holy Word and Sacraments, bringing forgiveness, life, and salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.
May God continue to bless our nation with peace, justice, and liberty. And above all, may He preserve among us the pure preaching of His Word and the faithful administration of His Sacraments, so that generations yet unborn may know the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

[Pastor Mark McCrory @firstpastor]

@pizzahut

[Restricted Daily @RestrictedDaily]

The people have spoken. We miss the red roofs. We miss the red cups. We miss the salad bar. We miss when Pizza Hut felt like an experience.

If you'd support bringing back an ORIGINAL Pizza Hut in your town, repost this, tag Pizza Hut, and comment your city below.

Let's show them how many people still want the real thing.

[Marcus Lemonis @marcuslemonis]

WIN my 2 tickets to The Fiesta Bowl
@CanesFootball must RT and use
#WinMarcusTickets

[Pastor Mark McCrory @firstpastor]

@Artofphysique_ 18
(Square, then double)

[College Football Zone @CollegeFBonX]

11 undefeated teams remaining! RT if you see your team!

[Memphis Tigers @TigersAthletics]

Retweet this post and you will be entered to win a Memphis Tigers prize pack Ⓜ️🎉

🎟️ https://t.co/AzyOL0QrwK
🎟️ https://t.co/1YSHCPMW65

#GoTigersGo | #901Football

[Pastor Mark McCrory @firstpastor]

@JoshuaBarzon @MBTS @PuritanSeminary @SBTSBookstore @FoundersMin @FoundersSem @WestminsterTS @CBTSeminary @MastersSeminary @NewSaintAndrews @canonpress https://t.co/BqZzwOmGFf

[Pastor Mark McCrory @firstpastor]

The Church is not a museum but a Mission Outpost.

[Pastor Mark McCrory @firstpastor]

When it comes to the Gospel, the Power is IN the Message itself! What's that message?

[Pastor Mark McCrory @firstpastor]

https://t.co/vE5cABzHQQ

[Pastor Mark McCrory @firstpastor]

https://t.co/cSs015GGAk

[Pastor Mark McCrory @firstpastor]

@DrFrankTurek בְּרֵאשִׁית, בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים

[Pastor Mark McCrory @firstpastor]

Doctorate in Organizational/Church Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary.

[Pastor Mark McCrory @firstpastor]

@elonmuskTN 25

[FedEx @FedEx]

We are proud to support University of Memphis student-athletes with our new NIL program initiatives, giving us the opportunity to invest in bright, young talent in our great hometown of Memphis. #GTG 🐯 @TigersAthletics

[Tony Altimore @TJAltimore]

WHO COULD REPLACE FSU+UNC IN THE ACC? 🤔

There are many great schools who could replace the restless #FSU and #UNC in the #ACC.

Obviously, the clear leaders would seem to be #UConn, #USF, + #Memphis, so here's how they compare to @theACC on key metrics.

Any favorites for you?

[MrBeast @MrBeast]

I’m gonna give 10 random people that repost this and follow me $25,000 for fun (the $250,000 my X video made)

I’ll pick the winners in 72 hours

[Ⓜ️🐅 @kendricdavisfan]

Colleges with 500+ men's basketball wins in the last 20 years and a 10+ bowl game appearance streak in football

University of Memphis

Thats it. Thats the whole list.

@Memphis_MBB @MemphisFB @TigersAthletics @uofmemphis