Desecration of the Flag

I still recall how I was appalled, shocked, incensed, stunned to hear a decision of the Supreme Court of our great nation, a decision announced twenty years ago, just before Independence Day in 1989.

At the National Republican Convention in 1984 Greg Johnson lit a match to our United States Flag saying, "Red, White, and Blue, We spit on you." About five years later the highest court in our land approved such conduct under the First Amendment to our Constitution. I could hardly believe it, granting approval to the desecration on the symbol of our nation, a symbol of freedom, a symbol under which brave Americans have fought to preserve that liberty.

Whether we agree with our President, our political parties, our congress, or our Supreme Court, I ask, "Should we be allowed to protest by destroying the symbol of our land and the freedom we enjoy in this country over which the Star-Spangled Banner Flies?"

Fellow Americans, we are richly blessed to live in this rich land. How do we respond as Christians to continue to experience these blessings? We should realize that these are blessings that many Christians do not have today, blessings that many Christians have not experienced in previous generations in other lands.

As Paul wrote to Timothy nearly 2,000 years ago he said: (read I Timothy 2:1,2). While I want us to keep in mind that Paul was urging that prayers be made on behalf of all men, on this particular Sunday when we celebrate our Nation's freedom, I'd like us to focus our attention on some of those singled out for whom we are to specifically pray: "for kings and all those who are in authority.

Yes, in this passage we are strongly urged to pray for all persons in positions of authority. Then Paul tells why? He begins with

I. Reasons Expressed

Friends, I need to hear this, again and again! I know the Bible teaches us to pray for persons in positions of authority and I do, sometimes. I need to be reminded and given reasons why? So I will do so more faithfully. How about you?

Even though there may be times when we disagree with our president, our governor, our mayors, our congressional leaders in the nation and in the state, our county supervisors, our city council, and even our United States Supreme Court and State Supreme Court, WE STILL NEED TO PRAY FOR THEM, and perhaps even more in such circumstances. The reasons expressed are: in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. v. 2. Of these reasons Paul further commented that this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.

A time of peace, free from war, free from whatever would disturb peace could certainly be a good reason for a citizen to pray.

Lest you think it was easier for first century Christians to pray for their governmental leaders, I should remind you that Nero was the emperor on the throne. William Barclay spoke of him as the monster of cruelty. He also wrote:

"It is extraordinary to trace how all throughout the days of the early Church, those days of bitter persecution, the church still regarded it as an absolute duty to pray for the Emperor and his subordinate kings and governors... Those in authority might be determined to stamp out the Christians. But the Christian Church never, even in times of bitterest persecution, ceased to pray for them."

Yes, the people of the first century church brought their leaders, actually their persecutors before the throne of grace in prayer. What about the twentieth century Christians of north Iowa who are worshipping Jesus Christ here today. Do we have such a resolve to pray for our leaders?

The reasons expressed lead to

II. Results Expected

With a tranquil and quiet life - results are to be godly and honorable lives.

Christian commentator, Donald Guthrie wrote these words: "The next two words denote the character that can best be developed in an atmosphere of calm. The fist, eusebia, is a general word for religious devotion while the second, sernotes, denotes the Christian's dignity of demeanor, or seriousness of purpose. For their fullest expression, both require conditions of external peace, although they may often be intensified in circumstances of stress.

Not only are these results expected for those of us who pray as we are commanded, but the results should be expected to go beyond us. Note what Paul goes on to say in verses three and four.

While these prayers please the Lord, we also know that it is the desire of God for all persons to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.

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