Do you know why these flags are here (US/church flags)? Some people don't think that it is appropriate to have them in church. Sometimes I wonder about that, too. After all, look at everything else that is at the front of this room, this sanctuary of the Lord's House. To some extent everything that is here has to do with God's revelation of His saving grace to us in Christ. Some of it is readily seen; other things have a symbolism attached to them. But everything that is here portrays a vital part of worship to God and it has to do with the revelation to us of His saving grace in Christ.
For example, things that readily portray this include the cross, the Bible, the Baptismal Font, and the Sacrament on the altar. You know what those things stand for. Things that figuratively portray this are the candlesticks and the eternal light. They are there not just to give light, but to symbolize the meaning of Jesus' words when He said, “I am the light of the world.” He is the light of salvation. These candles also reflect the truth of the Bible verse that says, “Thy Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” All these appointments have meaning and reflect some aspect of the revelation of God's saving grace to us in Christ – whether openly or in a symbolic way. In that sense they are important to worship.
But the flags aren't, they address more something that is within us, coming from us - our allegiance to the Church and the country. They don't necessarily portray anything to us of God's saving grace in Christ, which is at the heart of our faith and worship. Flags don't portray what God has done for us as much as they reflect what we are to do – to give allegiance to something. It is for that reason that many Christians feel that it would be better not to have flags in church. Furthermore, others feel that the country or the leaders that stand behind that flag no longer portray true god-fearing qualities. So why have that represented in God's holy sanctuary?
A debate like this could go on forever. Is it right – is it not right to have them here? As for me I have settled it in my own mind that it can be good and beneficial to have them here when one understands the right reason behind their presence. These flags are here to symbolically represent another aspect of God's gracious dealing with His people. They remind us of the truths that Jesus spoke in our text today. We are citizens of two kingdoms that God has graciously given us in this life. Let's just call them Church and Country . May the Holy Spirit graciously guide us to see that I. Each one has a different function; and II. To each one we have a distinct responsibility. The presence of these flags ought to remind us of that whenever we are here in God's House.
I. Each one has a different function.
Let's first start with the Church , not this building but the holy Christian Church. The holy Christian Church is made up of all believers who cling to Christ alone as the Savior. It could be called God's kingdom on earth. It is not a political entity, but a spiritual one. It is not visible, but it is invisible for Jesus said it is within you (Lk.17:21). It is in the world, but it is not of the world (Jn.17:16). And its function is distinct. The Church is not here to reform the masses in a cultural way. It is not here to improve the social and economic conditions. It is here by Christ's command to “preach the Gospel to every creature – to make disciples of all nations.” The Church is a soul-saving institution.
On the other hand the function of the country , meaning the state or the government, is body-saving. It is to guard and promote the temporal welfare of its people by preserving order. That's why Paul told Timothy (1:2:2), “Pray…for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives.” The country helps us live such lives by punishing crime, with force and death if need be (Ro.13:4), as it protects life, property, and business.
You see, the country has a different function from the Church The Church is established by God for the purpose of soul saving. The state is established by God (Ro.13:1) for the purpose of body-saving, two different functions, working two different ways.
The Church works by preaching the Word, in season and out of season, correcting and rebuking sin wherever it is found, and encouraging with great patience and careful instruction in doctrine (2 Tm.4:2). It baptizes; it distributes the Lord's Supper. It proclaims Christ-crucified for the forgiveness of sin. None of this is done by means of the sword or by the ballot box, but by the proclamation of the Word of God as the Church seeks to regenerate the sinful heart of the individual through the preaching of the Gospel. Why? To save the soul. Its tools are different; its work is different.
On the other hand the
country works with laws which the government enforces. They are not even laws that God has
necessarily given it, but the country makes its own laws, guided by the light of history, reason, and experience. It would be good to pattern such laws after the Commandments of God. But remember, one can keep those Commandments as God intended only, only if the Gospel has done its work in the heart and regenerated the soul. That Gospel does not force compliance. The Church is never to throw a person into jail or issue someone a ticket for not believing the Word. But the police will use such means for not following the laws of the land as they seek the welfare of the people at large.
So it is that the country fights against the traffic of drugs and liquor and guns and dishonesty and graft by force. Force is something that the Church never uses in it function of calling people to faith in Christ. It works in a different way than the state works; and it works with different “tools.” In many ways they are incompatible with each other. But each one works as a divine institution carrying out its different functions by which God blesses our lives in this world.
So, dear Christian friends, do not expect the government of the country to do what Christ has delegated to the Church – that is teaching religion, proclaiming the Gospel, teaching the Ten Commandment, supporting churches and their institutions. That is not for the country, for the police, for government officials, nor for the public schools to do. God has not charged the country but the Church with the duty of promoting the spiritual welfare of men.
And do not expect the Church to go beyond her realm and assume functions of the government. It is not the business of the Church to agitate for the moral uplift of the masses, believer and unbeliever, by urging legislation for this and for that. You don't need to be a church member to do this. Even among unbelievers there are citizens with a sense of justice and fairness who will gladly work for social and political reform. When the Christian cooperates with them in such endeavors, the Christian does it as a citizen of the country and is not thereby carrying on the business of the Church . The God-given program of the Church is not to reform society but to regenerate the hearts of individuals by preaching the Gospel. When it does that by declaring the whole will of God, by leading men to repentance with the Law and to faith with the Good News of the crucified Savior, the Church is “giving to God what is God's.”
Different functions, different goals, different tools, and results. Contrary to what some say, there is a God-given division between Church and State.
II. To each one we have a distinct responsibility.
And so it naturally follows that we have distinct responsibilities to each . What is our responsibility to the Church? Jesus responds, “Give to God what is God's.”
You know, before you can give God anything, you have to first receive from Him. What is it that you have received from Him? And what is of the highest and holiest significance?
Isn't it what Paul calls the unsearchable riches of Christ which He offers to you in the Gospel? Isn't the highest thing that God gives you forgiveness of sins, peace with God, a good conscience, a joyful, sanctified heart, and the hope of everlasting life? Everyone who has this has been blessed as a citizen of heaven, from which we eagerly await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (Phlp.3:20). That's what you desire the most. It is these things of God which have permanent, eternal value.
Having received that, what does God look for from you? He doesn't want taxes; He doesn't want us to be driven by laws and regulations; He doesn't want us to do things for Him because we have to. He wants our hearts of devotion and willing service to the saving purposes of His Kingdom. And so Paul encourages, “Brothers (in faith), I urge you in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship” (Ro.12:1).
Are we giving God that which is His, the first fruits of faith which seek above all to win souls for Christ? Are we proclaiming the Gospel of the cross and the empty tomb? Are we placing all that we have, our time, talents, and treasures in service to that Gospel? That's the distinct responsibility that we owe to the Lord's Church. Perhaps it is not as much a responsibility as it is a privilege and a labor of love – love for the Savior.
We also have distinct responsibilities to the government. Jesus said, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar's.” Christians dare not live as though they had no responsibilities to the government. God encouraged His Old Testament people, “Also seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile” (Jer.29:7). What do we owe the country and its officials?
Honor. Peter (1:2:17) writes, “Show proper respect to everyone ….Honor the king.”
We owe obedience. Paul writes, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities” (Ro.13:1). That is true in all cases except when the governing authorities demand things that are God's.
We could owe taxes. The Bible says, “This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing…If you owe taxes, pay taxes” (Ro.13:6).
We could owe military service. John the Baptist urged the soldiers of his day to serve faithfully by not extorting money, by not accusing people falsely, and by being content with their pay (Lk.3:14).
We owe our prayers for kings and all in authority (1 Tm.2:2).
Are we giving the country the things which are the country's? As we strive to let the Gospel light shine before men, we will be as conscientious as we can in fulfilling our civic duties, too. It's our distinct responsibility. And we will always give to God what is God's in His Church.
As these two flags stand before you, symbolizing God's gracious blessings to the body and to the soul, give thanks to Him for His care – first for your soul and then for your body. Live in Christ recognizing the different functions as well as the distinct responsibilities that we have in the Church and Country; for Jesus' sake. Amen.