Sermon Tone Analysis

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, 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.

The Declaration of Independence begins by proclaiming that we are /subject/ only to the /"Laws of Nature and Nature's God."/ 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."/

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.

The nation’s independence and survival depended on God!

And based on that belief, they were willing to pledge their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.

These 56 men put it all on the line.

Some did loose their lives.

Many lost their fortunes.

All kept their honor.

The nation they sacrificed so much to help found is still intact for us to enjoy on her 236th birthday.

May God bless America!

This 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 a few patriotic songs, wave the flag, barbeque burgers, and watch fireworks?

I think so.

Certainly 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?

God is our first and primary allegiance, However, all citizens—including His followers—are also citizens of earthly kingdoms and are obligated to support their government.

Unlike citizens of 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."

The bottom line: 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 5 things that every Christian ought to give his or her government—5 things that every Christian can do to have maximum patriotic impact on our nation.

!

I. 1ST, SEEK GOD FOR YOUR GOVERNMENT

* /"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, who wants all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth"/ (1Tim.

2:1-4)

#. notice Paul says: "First of all," not secondly, thirdly, fourthly, but first of all we are to pray for everybody in general, but then specifically we are to pray for our elected leaders

#. our President

#.

our Congressmen

#. our Senators and Representatives

#. our Judges

#. our Governors, our Mayors, our Councilmen, Commissioners, our Law Enforcement officials, and the city Dog Catcher, if the community has one

#.

for all who have a place of authority

#. we don't pray that they would continue in their wickedness, but we do pray that God would give them wisdom—wisdom to lead our nation according to the Judeo-Christian principles this nation was founded upon

#. above all we pray that they would come to know Christ and be saved (v 4)

#. that is really the only way our nation will be changed is through the Gospel

#. 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)

#. 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

#. it rests on you and on me

* /"If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land"/ (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 the God who commanded us to pray

#First of All, Seek God for Your Government

!II. 2ND, SUPPORT YOUR GOVERNMENT

#. there are a couple of ways we can support our government

!! A. SUPPORT YOUR GOVERNMENT BY PAYING TAXES

#. this brings us back to our text

#. when Jesus is asked about paying taxes, He commands that we are to "give to Caesar what is Caesar's" (Matt.

22:21)

#. the Apostle Paul speaks of the government's responsibility to punish evildoers and instructed:

* /"This is why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing"/ (Rom.

13:6, NIV).

#. now be honest—this one hurts—especially around April 15th

#. admittedly, there is a lot of waste and questionable spending by government

#.

however, we do benefit from the goods and services provided by the government

#.

military defense

#. law enforcement

#. roads

#. schools

#. libraries

#. parks, etc.

#. so pay your taxes

!! B. SUPPORT YOUR GOVERNMENT BY HONORING THOSE IN AUTHORITY OVER YOU

#. this is another way to support your government

* /“Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”/

(Romans 13:7, NIV84)

* ILLUS.

On Thursday and Friday I was in Kansas City for a pastor’s conference entitled Rediscovering God in America.

It was primarily a conference to encourage pastors to be faithful warriors in our nation’s culture war.

And make no mistake, we are in a battle for our culture.

It is a war were righteousness will either prevail or it will not.

At that conference I got to hear and meet some of the godliest politicians in America.

Men like Gov. Rick Perry of Texas, Gov. Sam Brownback of Kansas.

#. the Apostle Paul reminds believers that there are men and women in all levels of government who are worthy of our respect and honor

!! C. SUPPORT YOUR GOVERNMENT BY BEING A PATRIOT

* /“If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill.

May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy.”/ (Psalm 137:5–6, NIV84)

#.

King David was a patriot—he loved his nation

#. listen, it's alright to be patriotic

#. don't you let anybody tell you that as a Christian you can no longer be a red-blooded American ...

#. ... that you shouldn't get a lump in your throat when you see the Stars and Stripes waving

#. that you shouldn't stand and sing with a quivering chin and a tear in your eye, "God bless America, land that I love"

#.

I simply don’t understand the so-called citizen who believes that America is the worst thing that ever happened to the world

* ILLUS.

I’d like to strongly encourage these types to move to Venezuela and live under Hugo Chavez.

#. you can be patriotic and give honor when honor is due

#. Second of All, Support Your Government

!

III.

SUBMIT TO YOUR GOVERNMENT

• “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.”

(1 Peter 2:13–14, NIV84)

• “Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong.