Obey Caesar (29 of 35)
Series: Obey Everything
Steve Jones
Matthew 22
SERMON SUMMARY: This sermon expands upon Jesus' command to pay taxes by looking at the broader issue of: 1) The Christian and his government, and 2) The Christian and his country.
Introduction: When I grew up there was a definite overlap between God and country in church services. On the stage in my home church was a Christian flag on one side and an American flag on the other side. On national holidays like Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Independence Day the whole church would stand and recite the pledge of Allegiance to the Christian flag and then the pledge of allegiance to the American flag. And we'd sing patriotic songs like God Bless America and America the Beautiful. Not so much nowadays. Christians are lot more ambiguous about their nationalism and patriotism. I recently read the following question online posted by a Christian:
QUESTION: I am becoming more and more pessimistic about the way things are going here in the United States. With ruinous economic policies, increasing governmental intrusion and control, and Supreme Court decisions supporting immoral behavior, rioting in the streets, I'm not sure what to do. I want to be a loyal American citizen and a Christian. Does this allow or require me to be in rebellion against my government? Should I continue to pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States? Should I stand when the national anthem is played?
Such ambiguous feelings are nothing new. Christians have been asking these questions for decades here in the U.S., and for much longer in other countries. The Oxford English Dictionary defines patriotism as ''love of, or zealous devotion to one's own country.'' Most of us have experienced such emotions while singing the national anthem or saying the pledge of allegiance with our hands over our hearts.
But recent events have caused many to have second thoughts about patriotism. Can a Christian be a patriot? ...
Series: Obey Everything
Steve Jones
Matthew 22
SERMON SUMMARY: This sermon expands upon Jesus' command to pay taxes by looking at the broader issue of: 1) The Christian and his government, and 2) The Christian and his country.
Introduction: When I grew up there was a definite overlap between God and country in church services. On the stage in my home church was a Christian flag on one side and an American flag on the other side. On national holidays like Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Independence Day the whole church would stand and recite the pledge of Allegiance to the Christian flag and then the pledge of allegiance to the American flag. And we'd sing patriotic songs like God Bless America and America the Beautiful. Not so much nowadays. Christians are lot more ambiguous about their nationalism and patriotism. I recently read the following question online posted by a Christian:
QUESTION: I am becoming more and more pessimistic about the way things are going here in the United States. With ruinous economic policies, increasing governmental intrusion and control, and Supreme Court decisions supporting immoral behavior, rioting in the streets, I'm not sure what to do. I want to be a loyal American citizen and a Christian. Does this allow or require me to be in rebellion against my government? Should I continue to pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States? Should I stand when the national anthem is played?
Such ambiguous feelings are nothing new. Christians have been asking these questions for decades here in the U.S., and for much longer in other countries. The Oxford English Dictionary defines patriotism as ''love of, or zealous devotion to one's own country.'' Most of us have experienced such emotions while singing the national anthem or saying the pledge of allegiance with our hands over our hearts.
But recent events have caused many to have second thoughts about patriotism. Can a Christian be a patriot? ...
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