The Weekly Encourager - September 11, 2011 - Proud to Be An American

The Weekly Encourager - September 11, 2011 - Proud to Be An American

And I'm proud to be an American
Where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the ones who died
Who gave that right to me

And I gladly stand up next to you
And defend her still today
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
God bless the U.S.A.

Ten years after the worst terrorist attack on our soil, this chorus by Lee Greenwood expresses some of what it means to be an American today; but, what does it mean to be an American and a Christian?

The apostle Paul wrote, "First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.  This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." - 1 Timothy 2:1-4 NASB

The message drawn from that passage at a church I visited today* was a call to pray, persevere, and preach.  First, we must pray for those in authority, such as our President, Vice President, Congress, and others.  The pastor asked, Do we pray as much as we criticize the government?  Do we pray as much as we complain about President Obama?  Whether we voted for him or not makes no difference to our duty.  The church is letting down the country by failing to pray.

Second, we are to persevere in godliness and honesty.  Be an example to our children, neighbors, co-workers.  Be a man of your word.  We fail Christ and our nation when our thinking and behavior are no different than that of unbelievers.

Third, we are to preach the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  "There is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Jesus Christ," Paul continues in the same letter to Timothy.  We are to make known to our countrymen the singular sufficiency of Jesus.

When we remember the events of 9/11 in our nation's history, is it appropriate on the Lord's Day?  Pastor Facenda said it well:
"Today, as we celebrate America, we are under no delusions as to the perfection of our country in history or in real time.  Yet we can celebrate the grace of God as seen in the establishment and continuation of our country over the past 235 years.

"This is an appropriate day to be reminded of our Christian responsibility toward the country we live in.  While it is true that Christians are described in scripture as being pilgrims and strangers in this present world, we are also described as being responsible to respect, obey, and pray for the political leaders in our land.

"May the Lord find us good and faithful citizens in this land that He has so kindly given to us." - Pastor Tony Facenda
 
Where were you when you first learned of the attacks?  I was vacuuming my house in preparation for a morning prayer meeting.  My flag was flying before 9/11, and it's still flying now.   I prayed then, and I need to keep praying now.

May Christ find me faithful.
j

* Pastor Tony Facenda preached this sermon on September 11, 2011, at Still Waters Baptist Church in Nags Head, NC.  www.stillwatersbaptist.org