4th Of July - Is It Appropriate To Be Patriotic in Church?

1. It is appropriate to be grateful for our country.

Ephesians 5:20

”Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;”

We can be grateful for our freedoms

• We have the freedom to worship God.
• We have the freedom to preach and share the gospel.
• We have the freedom to elect our own officials.
• We have the freedom to criticize our own government.
• We have the freedom to educate our children as we see fit.

We can be grateful for our heritage

• We were founded on Christian values
• We are the first major country to promote the idea of the separation of church and state and complete freedom of religion.
• We have been a sending ground for missionaries and the gospel all over the world.

2. It is appropriate to pray for our country.

1 Timothy 2:1-4

”1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and] giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and [for] all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this [is] good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”

• We need to pray for our nation’s leaders.
• We need to pray for our nation’s souls.

3. It is appropriate for us to be good citizens.

Why?

• Because God ordained government.

Romans 13:1

”1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.”

• Because we need to render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s

Mark 12:17

”And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.”

• Because even pilgrims and strangers should be good citizens

Jeremiah 29:4-7

”4 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon; 5 Build ye houses, and dwell [in them]; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; 6 Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished. 7 And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.”

So is it appropriate to be patriotic in church?

YES. Absolutely.

• If patriotism means being grateful for this great country, then yes!
• If patriotism means praying for this great country, then yes!
• If patriotism means being a good citizen of this country, then yes!

Fly the flag. Shoot off fireworks. Sing patriotic songs! Yes.

But we have to remember that there are three things that are sometimes mistaken as patriotism that are not appropriate for us as Christians:

1. It’s NOT appropriate to worship our country instead of the God who gave us our country.
2. It’s NOT appropriate to be Americans first, Christians second. We are pilgrims and strangers.
3. It’s NOT appropriate for us as Christians to misapply verses and promises given to Israel as if they were given to America.