Look at the front of the church. Everything here has something to do with a life of faith. Some are obvious; others have symbolism attached to them, but all portray a vital part of God's grace to us.
For example, here's the baptismal font where God takes a sinner, washes him clean, and receives him into His heavenly kingdom. Here's the pulpit and the Bible where the Gospel of Christ is proclaimed for our salvation. Here's the altar on which the Sacrament of Holy Communion is laid. When we receive it, Christ forgives our sins. These things are plain.
Here we have the candlesticks, there the eternal light, which symbolize that Jesus is the Light of the world and that His Word, which the Bible calls a “lamp to our feet,” guides us safely from here into eternity. Then there are the different symbols or sayings on the paraments. They remind us of truths about God or our lives of faith in Him. All these appointments have meaning and portray a vital part of God's grace to us in Christ.
But what about these (the flags)? Some people don't think it's important or even appropriate to have them here. Sometimes I wonder too. After all, what do they have to do with God and us? Flags don't seem to portray so much what God does as much as what we are to do – give allegiance to something. They don't seem to reflect matters of His grace. It's for that reason that many Christians feel it would be better not to have flags in church. Besides that, sometimes the country or the leaders that stand behind this flag (American) no longer seem to portray true Christ-centered 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? Who's to decide? As for me, I think I have settled it in my own mind that it can be beneficial to have them here. They are not here to arouse allegiance within us. They are here, like all other appointments, to remind us of aspects of God's gracious dealings with His people. They remind us of truths Jesus addressed today.
We are citizens of two kingdoms that God has graciously given for our temporal and eternal welfare. They have different functions and deserve different honor . But by God's grace we live in both It's about God, Church, and Country. . Look at the front of the church. Everything here has something to do with a life of faith. Some are obvious; others have symbolism attached to them, but all portray a vital part of God's grace to us.
For example, here's the baptismal font where God takes a sinner, washes him clean, and receives him into His heavenly kingdom. Here's the pulpit and the Bible where the Gospel of Christ is proclaimed for our salvation. Here's the altar on which the Sacrament of Holy Communion is laid. When we receive it, Christ forgives our sins. These things are plain.
Here we have the candlesticks, there the eternal light, which symbolize that Jesus is the Light of the world and that His Word, which the Bible calls a “lamp to our feet,” guides us safely from here into eternity. Then there are the different symbols or sayings on the paraments. They remind us of truths about God or our lives of faith in Him. All these appointments have meaning and portray a vital part of God's grace to us in Christ.
But what about these (the flags)? Some people don't think it's important or even appropriate to have them here. Sometimes I wonder too. After all, what do they have to do with God and us? Flags don't seem to portray so much what God does as much as what we are to do – give allegiance to something. They don't seem to reflect matters of His grace. It's for that reason that many Christians feel it would be better not to have flags in church. Besides that, sometimes the country or the leaders that stand behind this flag (American) no longer seem to portray true Christ-centered 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? Who's to decide? As for me, I think I have settled it in my own mind that it can be beneficial to have them here. They are not here to arouse allegiance within us. They are here, like all other appointments, to remind us of aspects of God's gracious dealings with His people. They remind us of truths Jesus addressed today.
We are citizens of two kingdoms that God has graciously given for our temporal and eternal welfare. They have different functions and deserve different honor . But by God's grace we live in both It's about God, Church, and Country. .
I. Each has a different function and works in different ways.
Let's first start with the Church and its function. I'm not talking about this, a building, nor even the congregation that gathers within it. I'm talking about the Holy Christian Church, the Communion of Saints, the assembly of all believers who cling to Christ and Christ alone for salvation. As it is in this world, it could be called God's kingdom on earth. It's not political but spiritual. It's not visible, but invisible for Jesus said, “It is within you” (Lk.17:21). It's in the world, but not of the world (Jn.17:16). And its job, or function is different. It is “to preach the Gospel to every creature;” “to make disciples for Christ of all nations.” The Church has a soul-saving purpose.
What about the function of the country? Is it there to save souls? No. It's there to protect the body, to guard and promote the outward welfare of 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 government of our country is to protect life, property, and business. It has a body-saving purpose. See the difference?
They also work in two different ways . The Church works by preaching the Word, baptizing, calling to repentance, and distributing Holy Communion. It proclaims Christ-crucified for the forgiveness of sins. It doesn't strike with the sword – like Peter did in the Garden of Gethsemane . It's not to stuff the ballot box, as though matters of God's grace or conscience are to be voted on. It's to preach the Gospel's good news of a Savior to regenerate the dead heart of sin. It uses means that bring to life and save the soul.
On the other hand the country works differently with laws which the government enforces. They're not even divinely given laws, but are developed through human history, reason, and experience. It puts people behind bars for their disobedience. It puts handcuffs on them; it gives them tickets. It expects compliance. That's force, not redeeming love. Completely different from the Church, isn't it – in function and work. They use different tools to get the job done.
So, dear friends, don't expect the government of the country to accomplish what Christ has delegated to the Church. And do not expect the Church to do what God has delegated to the country. They have different functions and different work . Yet, both are divinely instituted and are given for our good – one for the soul, the other for the body. It's about Church and Country. As some say we live as citizens in two different kingdoms, given by God for our eternal and temporal welfare.
II. And so it follows that we give to each different honor and offerings. That's what Jesus addressed in our text when He said, “Give to God what is God's, and give to Caesar what is Caesar's.” In those words “Caesar” stands for country and it's governing authorities that are temporary, and “God” stands for His heavenly kingdom, a kingdom of grace in Christ Jesus that lasts forever. Let's start with that one.
You know, before you can give anything to God, you have to first receive from Him. Think of all that you have received from His hand. That's everything, isn't it? But the one thing that has highest and holiest significance is that which lasts forever – your spiritual and eternal life in Christ.
Once it was not yours. We lost it when Adam and Eve sinned and we continued in our disobedience. But in Christ God's gracious rule in our lives was restored when He died for our sin and rose from the dead for our hope of eternal life. With that and by faith in Him we have peace with God, a good conscience, a sanctified heart, and joy. With such faith in a Savior, we aren't just citizens of some land here in this world; heaven is our home from which we await a Savior to take us out of this world of turmoil. This eternal “country” has permanent, everlasting value.
Having received that, what does God look for from us? He doesn't want taxes for heaven; He doesn't want us driven there by laws and penalties; He doesn't want forced compliance – He wants hearts warmed by a Savior giving devotion and willing service to the Gospel. So it is that Paul encouraged believers, “Brother, 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). Or as Paul wrote in our Epistle Lesson this morning, we offer Him “work produced by faith, labor prompted by love, and endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ .” We give different honor and offerings to Christ and His eternal kingdom.
And we give other honor and offerings to the country. “Give to Caesar what is Caesar's. “Submit to the authorities.” Paul writes (Ro.13:5f). If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; respect, then respect; if honor, then honor…for rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong….He is God's servant to do you good…an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer….they give their full time to governing.”
We owe obedience to the laws of the land. We could owe taxes. We could owe military service (Lk.3:14). We owe honor, though we may disagree about matters. We owe them our prayers to God that they may govern things wisely for the welfare of our bodies. But to God we owe honor for the good of our bodies and souls. And so we gratefully offer Him ourselves in Christ Jesus.
As these two flags stand before you, symbolizing God's gracious blessings to the body and to the soul, give thanks to Him for everything. It's about God, Church, and Country. May God help us to see them clearly in His Word and live our lives in them to His glory and our eternal welfare; for Jesus' sake. Amen.