It absolutely was a primarily usual Wednesday morning. My wife and I left for church wondering if it would happen. It did. The Pledge of Allegiance was said. The National Anthem was sang. Everyone stood. We sat. It absolutely was uneasy, I admit.
This was about 2 yrs ago. I do not even remember if it was Memorial Time, The Fourth of July, Veteran’s Day, etc. These breaks tend to operate together in features throughout Wednesday worship service. Therefore where’s our patriotism? Delay!
Did you catch that? Sunday worship service. We get Saturday morning to worship Lord and be given by Him. That debate is nothing a new comer to us. My father-in-law served and retired following almost 30 years. We’ve had some fascinating discussions on this topic. We love him and are glad for his service. Our opposition to explicit patriotism during corporate worship originates from our need to be Christocentric. But can not you worship Lord by thanking Him because of this country?
Yes, we could undoubtedly worship God by thanking Him for the blessings He’s provided people in this country. Just like Christians in countries like China or Iraq may thank Him for 
the blessings He is provided them. The main advantage of them is Jesus Christ. Having peace with God through trust in Jesus Christ is really a significant thing in places like China and Iraq. In the USA, you will find Jesus on billboards and bumper stickers. Actually our poor are “rich” in a sense. We’ve been therefore blessed that individuals frequently don’t see it. We start to worship the development rather than the Creator. That brings me to “no “.
Number, we can not thank God for what He is performed if our emphasis is not on God. We do not need 800 American banners up before the church. The Pledge of Allegiance throughout worship support is no behave of worship towards God. It’s a lot more like using the bronze serpent that Lord graciously gave and worshiping it. We play “Lord Bless America” once we should be performing “Lord Forgive America “.Centered on which we have done with what God has given people we ought to be grateful He doesn’t eliminate some delights! Dr. John MacArthur supplies a perspective with this in his sermon May Lord Bless America? Even so, Lord in His continues to be thoughtful to us. How must we respond however?
You can find bigger issues than patriotism overshadowing the church service. Those are very different matters for a different time. I want to graciously offer another perception on the topic at hand. I am aware not absolutely all churches are around taken by patriotism on particular US holidays. Nevertheless you can find many. I have seen them and lay through them.
I recognize our Armed Forces. It takes certain people, presents and wishes to serve in such capacities. Exactly the same moves for the everyday public servants from authorities, fireman, EMTs, social workers, etc. As Christians in those occupations all have the obligation to function Lord through their work. God should be praised for all of these forms of work. These non-military workers don’t get national holidays. We have a tiny ethnic situation to deal with which is generally tough. Even for Christians.
Realize that …there isn’t any power except from Lord, and the ones that exist have been instituted by God. [Rom. 13:1-ESV] We reward Lord for the government not the federal government itself. We’re to pray for …all that are in high roles, that we may lead a calm and calm life, godly and dignified in most way. [1 Tim. 2:2-ESV] And not only basic hopes, but in addition for them …to be stored and to come to the data of the truth. [1 Tim. 2:4-ESV] We honor those who function and have offered in the Armed Allows by thanking God for them. We thank Lord that He offered them the capability to perserver in the hard times of service. Also the Apostle Henry counted his living as nothing as he boasted in the Lord.
I realize it’s not the specific persons asking to the biggest market of focus. They’re just acknowledging recognition. I question that God function as One being recognized and the praises are sung to Him and about Him. What divides our celebration from the world’s is Jesus Christ Who’s the purpose we collect on His day. Let us maybe not shift the concentrate on Jesus for many holidays. You will find six different times of the week to observe US holidays.
We ought to only have a typical worship support with a straightforward recognition, prayer (see above) and thankfulness towards God if we’re to enjoy certain holidays inside the church. I provide a prayer for Memorial Time 2009.
Incredible Father. Oh great and marvelous God. You’ve fortunate us beyond measure along with your Son Jesus Christ. We thanks! Many thanks that you’ve set people in a country that we may worship and serve You freely. Thank You for those You’ve used to help keep that flexibility and establishments in place. We praise You that You’ve performed so inspite of ourselves. I hope Father that you’d bless Your lamb who’re helping in military capabilities among the world. I hope that they would be loyal servants that their lives would reveal Christ for that world to see. I question that You’d convict those unbelievers who’re about Your lamb to bring them to repentance and faith.