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*How You Can Have Maximum Patriotic Impact*
*Topical – Civic Responsibility                  September 26, 2004*
* *
Matt.
22:15-21
 
*INTRODUCTION:*
 
On July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, our Founding Fathers signed a document declaring our independence from the tyranny of those who would enslave the minds, the souls, and the lives of men.
But what many Americans don’t realize is that with the same document, we not only declared our independence from Great Britain, we just as strongly declared our dependence upon Almighty God.
For the Declaration of Independence begins by proclaiming that we are subject only to the
“laws of nature and nature’s God.”i Do you remember how it ends?
It ends with these words: “With a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”
Do you know what the word reliance means?
It means dependence.
The signers of the Declaration were staking everything on God watching over them and seeing them through in their struggle for freedom: “With a firm reliance upon the protection of Divine Providence.”ii
Hear this statement well: Our Founding Fathers did not believe in the separation of God from government.
They believed that this nation was founded by God, protected by God, preserved by God, and blessed by God.
It all depends on God!
And based on that belief, they were willing to pledge their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.
They put it all on the line.
Of those fifty-six men who signed the Declaration of Independence, nine died of wounds or hardships during the war.
Five were captured and imprisoned, and in each case subjected to torture.
Several lost wives, children, or entire families.
One lost his thirteen children.
Two wives were brutalized by the British.
All were at one time
or another victims of manhunts and driven from their homes.
Twelve signers had their homes completely burned.
Seventeen lost everything they owned.
Indeed these men not only pledged but gave their lives, and their fortunes, and not one went back on his sacred honor.iii
The nation they sacrificed so much to help found is still intact for us to enjoy on her 228th birthday.
May God bless America!
That brings us to you and me, here and now.
If these patriots willingly laid it all on the line for this nation, don’t you think we should do more than simply sing patriotic songs, wave the flag, barbeque burgers, and watch fireworks?
I think so.
Not only that, but Jesus said so.
Look at our text (Matt.
22:15-21): The religious leaders were trying to trap Jesus on the issue of paying taxes, but Jesus turned the tables on them.
He asked them for a coin, and then asked whose portrait and inscription was stamped on it.
They replied: “Caesar’s.”
Jesus responded: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s” (v.
21).
His point: All citizens—including His followers—are obligated to support their government.
Unlike the Roman Empire, Americans are blessed to have, as Abraham Lincoln put it, a “government of the people, by the people, and for the people.”iv
Our form of government requires our active involvement.
How can we “give to Caesar what is Caesar’s” in America today?
Well I want to mention five things that every Christian ought to give his government, five things that every Christian can do to have maximum impact as a Christian Citizen.
Think about what that meant then, what it means now, and what it means to you and me personally.
First…
 
*1.
**SEEK GOD** FOR YOUR GOVERNMENT*
 
> Scripture: (1 Tim.
2:1-4).
Notice that Paul says: “First of all.”
> Focus on praying for your elected officials at two points:
 
Pray for their wisdom to lead our nation according to the Judeo-Christian principles this nation was founded upon.
Pray that they would come to know Christ and be saved (v.
4).
The only way our nation will be positively changed is through the influence of Christian Citizens.
It is only through a relationship with Jesus as Lord that our elected officials will lead in such a way that we will be able to live “peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (v.
2).
> Point out that the biggest burden for the health of our nation does not rest on the White House, or on the State House, but on the Church House, but on you and on me.
> Scripture: (2 Chron.
7:14).
If we do not pray for our nation and our leaders, not only will we continue to have little impact on the direction of America, but we are sinning against God.
First of all, pray.
Seek God for your government.
*2.
**SUPPORT** YOUR GOVERNMENT*
 
Here are just two ways we can support our government:
 
First, pay taxes to your government.
> Scriptures: (Jesus teaching in Matt.
22:21 and example - Matt.
17:24-27; Paul’s teaching Rom.
13:6).
> Point out that even though there is a lot of waste and questionable spending, we do benefit from the goods and services provided by the government, such as military defense, law enforcement, roads, schools, libraries, parks, etc.
 
Second, take pride in your government.
Scripture: Teaching – Rom.
13:7 and Example: Ps. 137:5.
> Point out that it’s good to be patriotic.
You can take pride in your country as well as pay taxes to your country and in that way support your government.
*3.
**SUBMIT TO** YOUR GOVERNMENT*
 
> Scriptures: (1 Pet.
2:13-14, 17; cf.
Rom.
13:2-5)
 
> Point out that the Greek word for “submit” means to fall in rank under an authority.
Government exists to keep order, and we must submit to the rule of law.
Christians, of all citizens, ought to be model citizens.
If we rebel against the rule of law, we are in fact rebelling against the God who ordained it (Rom.
13:1-2).
> Point out that we are to show these authorities respect, even when they are less than perfect.
Example: Nero.
We may not have much respect for the man of the office, but we must respect the office of the man.
Submit to your government.
That said, sometimes you must…
 
*4.
**STAND UP** TO YOUR GOVERNMENT*
 
> Point out that George Washington reportedly said that “Government… is a troublesome servant and a fearful Master.”v
Sometimes, we must stand up to our government.
There’s a time and place for civil disobedience, but it should come only as a last resort.
However, if the government commands what God condemns,
then you are obligated to disobey.
> Examples:
Midwives & Pharaoh (Exod.
2:15-21).
Daniel & King Darius (Dan.
6:1-23).
Christians & Imperial edict to swear: “Caesar is Lord” instead declared: “Christ is Lord!” (Rev.
2:8-10; 2:13).
Peter & religious rulers (Acts 5:29).
They were all blessed by God for their civil disobedience.
> Point out that as Christian Citizens, we need to use our freedom to defend our freedom or we may lose our freedom.
> Scriptures: Matt.
5:13-16; Ps. 107:2; Isa.
58:1.
> Examples:
Moses & Pharaoh;
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