To the last
generation, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy was a historical
marker. What were you doing? Where were you?
To this generation,
the attacks on the World Trade Centers in New York City, the Pentagon in
Virginia, and the crash in Shanksville Pennsylvania, on September 11, 2001 will
be a historical marker. What were you doing? Where were you?
Today, we salute the
men and women in uniform who gave their lives that day, and who continue to
this day, as President Abraham Lincoln said, "give the last full measure
of devotion".
Police offices,
firefighters, emergency personnel and military personnel, all live lives of
com-mitment, dedication, and sacrifice in helping others, and serving the
community.
These are Christian
virtues. They don’t make one a Christian, but they are characteristics that
should mark the lives of those who follow Jesus Christ.
Jesus said,
"Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life
will pre-serve it." (Luke 17.33 NOT ON OUTLINE)
RECITE Pledge of
Allegiance
I. ONE NATION
A. Our diversity is
our strength
1. Despite its faults
and problems, the US continues to be a destination country
2. Our country has
been called a "melting pot"
„« in a true melting
pot, the items all blend together and are indistinguishable from one an-other
3. Our makeup is
changing
B. This is also true
of the Body of Christ
1. "The body is
a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many,
they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one
Spirit into one body ¡Whether Jews or Greeks, slave or we were all given the
one Spirit to drink. Now the body is not made up of one part but of many."
-- 1 Corinthians 12.12-14
2. We are all
different, but that diversity should be our strength
3. Is everyone the
same? No. But everyone works together, and pulls together.
4. "In fact,
some of the parts that seem weakest and least important are really the most
necessary. And the parts we regard as less honor-able are those we clothe with
the greatest care. So we carefully protect from the eyes of others those parts
that should not be seen, while other parts do not require this special care. So
God has put the body together in such a way that extra honor and care are given
to those parts that have less dignity. This makes for harmony among the
members, so that all the members care for each other equally. If one part
suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the
parts are glad. Now all of you together are Christ¡¦s body, and each one of you
is a separate and necessary part of it. -- 1 Corinthians 12.22-27 (NLT)
II. UNDER GOD
A. There are
innumerable historical references that affirm our country was formed on the
Christian ethic
1. Even as recently
as the 50s and 60s
2. The God of the
Bible is referenced throughout our founding documents, and other government
institutions
3. "Blessed is
the nation whose God is the LORD¡K" -- Psalm 33.12
B. At the same time,
we must be respectful of other beliefs
1. Freedom of
religion is one of our ten basic rights
2. CS Lewis’ comments
on the hearts of man that is common (common law?) across ethnic boundaries
„« "Even when
Gen-tiles, who do not have God¡¦s written law, instinctively follow what
the law says, they
show that in their hearts they know right from wrong." -- Romans 2.14
(NLT)
3. Paul reminds us to
pray for our country
„« "I urge,
then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be
made for everyone -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live
peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and
pleases God our Savior"
1 Timothy 2:1-3
III. INVISIBLE
A. Unity is
threatened when it becomes all about my rights.
1. In the days after
9/11 (a $10 trillion economy came to a complete stop), flags sprouted
everywhere
2. "What can I
do to help?"
3. And I was proud to
be part of a country that rallied around their countrymen
4. We say,
"United we stand"
5. unfortunately,
when we were urged to "get back to normal", we did
6. And selfishness
and partisan politics came roaring back
B. The same is true
of the Church
1. "Until we all
reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become
mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." --
Ephesians 4.13
2. Ah. Maturity.
Acting like an adult. Not always evident, is it?
3. But the strength
of the church shows when it’s people come together to carry out the great
com-mission and the great commandment.
4. "¡Kthat all
of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you..." --
John 17.21
IV. WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE
IV. WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE
A. These two go hand
and hand
1. Unchecked liberty
leads to anarchy
2. Unrestrained
justice leads to totalitarianism
3. A free and open
society carries within it the seeds of its own destruction
B. God is the model
for both
1. Perfect liberty:
God sets us free, and changes our hearts from the inside out, and sends His
Holy Spirit to live within us; guiding, directing, and protecting us from going
too far
„« "So if the
Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." -- John 8.36
2. Perfect Justice:
God will set all things right, solve all unsolved mysteries, and bring all
things to light
„« "This will
take place on the day when God will judge men secrets through Jesus
Christ" Romans 2.16
V. FOR ALL
A. This pledge covers
all of our citizens, and all of our guests
1. No one escapes
from the rights and responsibilities of being part of this country
2. There is no race,
creed, or sex, in the eyes of the law
B. When these folks
that we salute today go to work, they often put their lives out there. For
people they know? People they love? No. Strangers.
1. "When we were
utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us
sinners." -- Romans 5.6 (NLT)
2. "For one will
hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would
dare even to die." -- Romans 5.7 (NASB)
3. "...when we
were God enemies..." -- Romans 5.10
4. "But God
demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ
died for us." -- Romans 5.8
5. Again, God sets
the standard and becomes the model for each of us.
Conclusion
ACTION POINTES:
1. Thank someone in
uniform this week.
2. Pray for our
country, its leaders, and its civil servants
3. Submit to God’s
authority in your life
4. Look around you,
and reach out and help some-one
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