I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb

I Pledge Allegiance To The Lamb

One thing I usually like to do, in my 4th of July messages, is to remind us that this holiday is about so much more than hotdogs, cookouts, swimming and fireworks. The 4th of July is about a country founded, rooted and established on Christian principles.... In keeping with that tradition, I like to remind us of some of the words our founding fathers said in this regard.

"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians, not on religion but on the gospel of Jesus Christ."  -- Patrick Henry
 

"Do not let anyone claim tribute of American patriotism if they even attempt to remove religion from politics."  -- George Washington Farewell Address to Nation

"We have no government armed with power cable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Our constitution was made for a moral and religious people... it is wholly inadequate to the government of any other..."  -- John Adams

So you can see that despite what modern politicians, the contemporary media, or the history revisionists say - America was founded not on the concept of freedom to worship any god, but on the freedom to worship Jesus Christ.

 Today what I want to do is to look briefly at the parallel between our founding father’s allegiance to this country, and our allegiance to the Lamb, Jesus Christ, the Son of God. First we will look at the patriots, and then the Christians.

THE PATRIOTS
 
They Made A Bold Declaration.
For more than 14 months after the Battle at Lexington and Concord (April 19, 1775) the patriots fought not for their independence, but rather they fought for their rights within the British Empire. These rights had been gradually taken away, and even more after, the Boston Tea Party. Hundreds of Americans gave their lives to regain these rights, 400 alone died at the battle of Bunker Hill. Their reward was life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

THE CHRISTIAN
We Too Made A Bold Declaration.
If you are here today and you call yourself a Christian, YOU TOO have made a bold declaration.
Do you remember the day, when you stood before the body of Christ, when you came forward and confessed Jesus as your Lord & Savior, when you stood before the body proclaiming your desire; to be a Christian, to be united with Christ, to be bathed in his blood. Courageously announcing, that nothing but absolute independence from the shackles of sin and the ways of this world would be acceptable.  Do you remember the day "fellow Christians" when you made that good confession, "I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God and I receive Him as my Lord and Savior." When you repented of your sins and were buried with Christ in baptism and were raised to live a new life.  In doing this, you were making a bold declaration.

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?   And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21-23

"They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." Titus 1:16

What is it that gets in the way of people keeping and fulfilling their commitment to God?  So what is it then that gets in the way?  The answer can be found in just one simple word.... "SELF"
"WE" get in the way, our pride, our opinion, our desires, our comfort, our convenience, our will, our way.  Many will say "I pledge allegiance to the lamb" but in reality their allegiance is still to self.

  Luke 9:23   "And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”  What do you think Jesus means by the term take up your cross daily, (My job, my husband, my wife, my kids, my good looks.....) To the people in Jesus day picking up ones cross meant only one thing.....DEATH.
To take up your cross daily, to deny self,  is a high price to pay,  but the reward we shall reap is a great one ---- is worth it??

Reap A Great Reward
”
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”  John 8:32  "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”  John 8:36  "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1   "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed.”   Romans 8:18    ”Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.”  1 Peter 1:3-4

Heaven will surely be worth it all!
A place where:

 freedom will be proclaimed to those in captivity
 recovery of sight will be proclaimed to the blind
 the burdened and oppressed will be released
there is hope for the hopeless
a place of joy despite circumstances
of peace beyond understanding
a place of love, forgiveness, healing and acceptance
sing songs of praise around God’s golden throne forever
One day we will reap what is perhaps the greatest reward of all. One day we will stand before the Lord and all His glory and receive the crown of life which He will give to the faithful of all the ages.
And we will hear those most precious words; "Well done they good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joys of thy Lord.” Matthew 25:21
Jimmy
Antioch church of Christ     
07/04/10   AM