Sunday, July 2, 2023

Sermon Text for July 2, 2023 - "Our Citizenship"

 

“Our Citizenship”

July 2, 2023

 

            Dear brothers and sisters, grace and peace be to you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

            Already the Fourth of July celebrations have begun: in addition to the natural light show we got late last night, there were already fireworks being fired off nearby, in celebration of the weekend. And doubtless, tonight, as well as tomorrow night, there will be even more local firework shows. Of course, we’re also looking forward to the larger shows which will take place in our different communities on Tuesday night, and the times we’ll be able to gather with our families and friends for dinners, barbecues, and just an all around good time.

Because, on Tuesday, once again, we will be celebrating the day on which the American Continental Congress ratified the Declaration of Independence from Britain, over abuses which the British government was imposing on its people in the American colonies; especially imposing numerous taxes on basic goods and services to pay for the recent war against France, and imposing these taxes on the Americans while denying them representation in the British Parliament. So, on July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was unanimously approved by the Continental Congress, paving the way, after the American Revolution, for the United States of America to be founded, and for our rights, especially our right to worship, to be enshrined in the Constitution.

            Before I go any further, I want to acknowledge that the temptation today would be to preach about the problems America’s currently facing, how those problems are rooted in certain partisan issues and politics. But I want to assure all of you that is not the direction I’m going to choose to go. It is my firm belief that partisan politics belong neither in the pulpit, especially in the sermon; or at the altar, either in prayers or liturgy. The same also goes for speaking about moral or social, and even controversial theological opinion: none of those belong up in the front of the church. No form of “us” and “them” divisive rhetoric belongs either in the pulpit or at the altar. However, this does not mean that we deny each other the right to follow, and be obedient, to our individual consciences regarding the issues of the day; while, at the same time, respecting the beliefs of our fellow Christians, as well as our right to express our beliefs as individuals, and emphasizing those things which unify us and make easier cooperation possible. In other words, we acknowledge that our common faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is the only thing that truly makes us Christians, and which transcends all other lifestyles, opinions, and labels. As Americans, and especially as American Christians, we are to seek unity and peace in our country and greater society, and, as the Preamble to the Constitution which we adhere to as Americans states, “insure domestic tranquility.”

All that being said, there are certain duties which, as Christians, we do owe to the government and to society. The first of these is, as even Jesus, who is the supreme ruler and King over the earth says, to give what rightfully belongs to the government to the government: particularly taxes, to be able to fund the government being able to provide services which maintain the peace, prosperity, and defense of our country. Also, we owe the government obedience to the law, to be able to maintain good relations and safety among ourselves, our neighbors, and those with whom we interact in different ways on a daily basis. Just as one example, we maintain a safe speed while driving, to make sure we are kept safe, as well as those we share the road with. We also make sure to treat all people with general and equal dignity, courtesy, and respect, especially in our schools and workplaces. Furthermore, we are to treat those in government with respect and honor, and pray for them, regardless of position or political party. But notice that none of these are rooted in partisan politics: instead, these are actually ways that we not only follow the national and local laws, but, perhaps more importantly, we also fulfill the divine law, to love our neighbors as ourselves. In fact, this is exactly what Paul encourages us in our Second Reading from Romans, verse 8: to “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.” In all our dealings and interactions with each other, and even with strangers, we are to consider what the response which demonstrates the most amount of love is, to be able, once again, to maintain this same love and peace in our wider society. We do this simply because not only are we Americans, but because we are Christians. As Christians, we are actually in a greater position than before to change and transform society, so it’s time for us to seize that opportunity, by living in way which loves and serves our neighbor and all those around us. Because by doing so, we give God the honor due to Him, when we live lives which honor Him and show who He really is.

Which is what we are also to think about in how we live our lives, and how we respond to the current spirit of the age: what is of greatest benefit to our families, communities, and society at large? In our First Reading, God, speaking through the Prophet Jeremiah, encourages us, where we live, to put down roots in our communities, and be of benefit to those among whom we live, because He puts us in the places in which we live for a reason. I myself never would have dreamed, for example, that I would come from the Los Angeles area of Southern California all the way to Farmersville, Ohio, but God did bring me here, has allowed me to put down roots, and has blessed me personally in many different ways – just as He has all of us, whether we have lived here our entire lives, or are also “transplants.” And He still continues to bless us richly beyond any way we could expect. Of course, none of it has come without some sort of struggle: in the past few years, we have had to deal with the pandemic and the radical changes, as well as social upheaval, it brought. But what God has shown through everything that has happened is that He is still very much in control, rules supreme over everything, and is still guiding everything according to His plan. In fact, God continues to comfort us by promising, in verse 11: “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” And that is what God really wants us to remember on this Fourth of July: that even as, according to His plan, He caused the United States to become independent, and has preserved and protected us as a nation through various struggles and crises for over two centuries. He still has a plan for each one of us individually. His plan is for us to prosper, be brought safely through harm, and to have hope for the future. And we can have hope for the future, because we know God already has everything planned out. We also know God does whatever He plans, because He carried out His ultimate plan, for our salvation, by sending His Son to die on the cross and rise again – which means that we will someday we will live with Him forever. All we have to do is trust Him and follow where He leads.

            Francis Scott Key is best known as the author of what is now our national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” which he wrote on September 14, 1814, in praise of the American victory over the British during a naval battle at Fort McHenry in Baltimore, during the War of 1812. But Francis Scott Key is also known for being a devout Christian, who valued his personal relationship with God above all else, and who, as a poet, wrote praise songs; in fact, one of his other poems, “Lord, With Glowing Heart I’d Praise Thee” is in our hymnal, number 243. He also expressed his faith as an American Christian by saying: “The patriot who feels himself in the service of God, who acknowledges Him in all his ways, has the promise of Almighty direction, and will find His Word in his greatest darkness.” Once again, the Fourth of July is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to return to God and recommit ourselves to Him. It is a time for us to start acknowledging God’s direction, praise and thank Him for His blessings, and, in response to what He has done for us, live lives which show His love, concern, and care for those we share our lives and days with.

Most of all, it is a time for us to recommit to our motto as American Christians: In God we trust. Now, even though the words “In God we trust” didn’t officially become our national motto until 1956, and weren’t actually added to our currency until 1957, it has been our trust in God which has kept us sustained and encouraged in hope. Every time we take money out of our wallets or pockets, we can look at the words “In God we trust,” and pray to God for the ability to trust Him. And, with Francis Scott Key, and the third verse of hymn 243, we pray: “Lord, my spirit’s ardent feelings vainly would my lips express/Low before thy footstool kneeling, deign thy suppliant’s prayer to bless/Let thy grace my soul’s chief treasure, love’s pure flame within me raise/And, since words can never measure, let my life show forth thy praise!” On this Fourth of July, let our lives, as Americans, and especially as American Christians, live lives of love, honoring God by serving our neighbor, and let our lives praise God, by being blessings, and giving all people blessings from Him.

            Now may the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.

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