Sunday, July 3rd, 2022 • Mission Baptist Cincinnati
We started this years's Independence Day Sunday Service with congregational hymns followed by a flag ceremony featuring our Nation's flag and the Christian flag followed by pledges to our nation, christianity and our KJV Bible. Afterwards our Adult Choir sang followed by a special young Lady who sang to the glory of God to conclude the Special Music program.
Pastor Rains then came to the pulpit to speak about this special day for christians in America to celebrate. We have freedoms most other countries don't have. The right to worship freely in our nation is easily dismissed by those who are uninformed about all the lives sacrificed to secure and keep these precious freedoms. After his opening remarks pastor reads the text from Psalms 20:5; 60:4-5 in the Bible for a message entitled "Displaying Our Banners". After reading the text verses, He thanks God in prayer for our freedom to worship in America. He prays for everyone who attends or watches MBC online. He prays for souls to be saved and also for the elderly in our church who are ill. Pastor then began the sermon by happily reminding us of our christian heritage and responsibility on Independence Day in America. The Bible declares we are to boldly DISPLAY BANNERS to inform everyone who we are and what we believe.
• RULER That Calls Us To Do It
"In the name of our God" we'll set up banners to demonstrate our love of God for providing salvation that only God can freely give! When we faithfully do this, God will answer our prayers if we just patiently wait on him. (Psalms 20:5) The Bible declares that we are a chosen nation within a nation. We are American but we are also a christian nation that has a RULER that supersedes any ruler who would declare their independence from God. Why? Because God is eternal, immortal, pure, undefiled and perfectly HOLY and we are NOT.
We do love and pledge allegiance to the American flag because it stands for the formation of this nation. Our founders (with God's help) secured our freedom from a king who attempted to enslave us while pilgrims wanted freedom and a new government to worship God openly based on the Bible. We know Jesus Christ is the truth and his truth has made us his adopted children within a secular nation that sometimes challenges our liberty. God himself draws the line on how far we'll go to pledge allegiance to any other "ruler" that attempts to suppress our worship or display of a christian banner!
• REASON To Display It
There are some people who believe that God is not to be feared for many different reasons. Some say God is a fairy tale and it's foolish to fear a myth. Others misuse the Bible to say they believe in him but refuse to believe he is worthy of fear. King David speaks in Psalms 60:4 that God gives us a banner to display because of his truth. The Apostle John quotes Jesus directly in John 14:6: "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." The world should fear God because his wrath is on all those who claim a different way to salvation. The Bible declares openly "Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom". Many dispute the meaning of the word "fear" in the Bible. They say it really means "reverence". But that word is also used in the Bible. We are absolutely to revere God, but we are also called to fear him. Why would God create confusion by using the word fear instead of reverence when both words are available and used in his Holy Word?
• REWARD For Displaying Our Banners
God will answer prayer when we openly display our christianity and live it. 50 years of prayer from christians have now shown patience and perseverance have led to God answering prayers regarding the ugly, immoral practice of abortion. Millions of babies have been slaughtered in the womb, but many more millions of christians have prayed for this to end. Some people have said it would never happen, but God had other plans! The lesson we should learn is this...pray earnestly and believe that God is able to deliver us. Be patient but be persistent and if we continue to live right God will answer our prayers!