I pledge allegiance to...
Ephesians • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 3 viewsNotes
Transcript
I pledge allegiance to...
"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” (Slide)
The original 1892 text: Baptist Pastor
"I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one Nation indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all."
The words "my Flag" was replaced with "the Flag of the United States of America". In 1923, "of America" was finalized to prevent confusion for immigrants saluting their home flags.
"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
1954: Under God was added. : It was borrowed from Abraham Lincoln’s famous 1863 Gettysburg address. Linguists and historians note that Lincoln used "under God" differently. In the 19th century, "under God" was a common idiom meaning "God willing" or "with God's help". Lincoln was expressing a hope that the nation would survive the Civil War with divine assistance.
"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
Allegiance: Refers to a strong, formal, or enduring sense of loyalty, dedication, or duty owed to a country, ruler, group, organization, or cause.
Opener: Paul’s plead to Christ followers to allegiance to Christ and our calling to live worthy of that calling. One body of believer's unified in allegiance to Him.
1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
For what reason?
1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
Even in a difficult place, Paul’s heart is burning with passion for the church. “I urge you” is not a suggestion, it’s a heartfelt plea. Look me in the eyes, this is important.
1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
Because of what God has done in our lives our duty flows from our new identity.
2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
We American’s often champion rugged individualism and self promotion on TikTok. - Look how great I am.
Humble: What is humility? It’s not thinking less of yourself. You are a child of God. True humility is thinking of yourself less. It’s about others. Putting the needs of the the body of Christ above your own preferences.
Gentle / Meekness: Meekness is not weakness. It’s power under control. Like a strength of a wild stallion that’s been broken and trained by a caring trainer.
It’s the ability to be firm in conviction, and being gracious in delivery at the same time.
2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Who me? Yes you pastor! This is not just waiting for commercials to end so you can get back to the show. It’s about enduring difficult people, irritating habits, flawed perspectives, and direct offenses with the community in the church.
2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
This implies that people are going to mess up. They are going to disappoint you. They are going to say the wrong things that will rub you the wrong way.
They are going to have a different: Opinions, backgrounds, and quirks. And our response might be to judge, criticize, lash out, or even withdraw.
“Bear with them”: Endure it, give grace, in love. Love is the driving force behind it all. Because love is not a feeling, it’s a discission or action. It chooses to extend grace even when it is hard. It chooses to believe the best even when we are tempted to believe the worst.
3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
It takes work, it requires effort! We have to be proactive. Why?
Because human nature, left to itself drifts towards division. Our sinful nature wants to be right and have it our way. So we have to actively, diligently, and consistently work to keep the unity.
3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
In the pledge: Indivisible: Incapable of being divided, separated, or broken into smaller parts.
Unity: After 9/11. President Bush at the trade tower with a blow horn. “I can hear you, and the rest of the world hears you, and the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon.” Everyone had American flags flying.
Disunity: During Covid. Church members divided. Family and friends picked sides. I wish this passage of scriptures was preached, understood, and applied during that time.
How do we keep the untiy?
3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Peace is the rope that holds us all together. Rope is combining individual fiber strands through sequential twisting or braiding to maximize the mechanical strength of the underlying material.
Farid rope holding our boat fell apart and the boat started to drift.
When we walk in peace with God and pursue peace with one another unity flourishes.
When there’s strife, conflict, and unforgiveness Unity Breaks Down!
So Paul gives us the Mandate: “Live Worthy” The Mindset: Be humble, gentle, and patient. The Method: Make every effort to keep the peace.
Now in verses 4-6 he gives us seven “Ones” that is the very foundation of our Christian unity.
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;
The church isn’t a bunch of disconnected individuals doing their own thing. We are one body. Christ is the head, and we are members. Different parts, functions, but all connected.
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;
The same Spirit of God that lives in me, lives in you. The same Spirit that empowers believer's and missionaries in Hungary, empower us in Riverside.
How can we be truly divided when we share the same exact divine Spirit.
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;
What is hope? It’s that glorious future we have in Christ, the resurrection, and eternal life. - Living with God in heaven. The glorious hope of His return.
This shared hope binds us together far more deeply than any earthly difference that tries to pull us apart.
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
Jesus our Savior, and King. He is our ultimate authority and center of our worship.
Our allegiance is to Him above all! Not a political party, not cultural ideology, not to denominations, but to Jesus!
So above all, we pledge allegiance to… to Him our “One” Lord!
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
The core truths of the Gospel:
That God is Creator
That we are sinners
That Jesus died for our sins, was buried and rose again.
And that salvation is by grace through faith in Him and Him alone.
These are what we call non-negotiables and the common ground and foundation upon which all genuine believers stand.
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
Spiritual baptism: The new true you in Him.
Water baptism: Declaring that the old you has died, and the new you is born.
6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
He is the Creator of the universe.
He is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and through Christ, our Father to.
6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
He is over all in His sovereign authority.
He is working through all and in all with His indwelling presences thhrough the Holy Spirit.
