Sermon Notes 7/2/2017
PEACE, PROSPERITY, FUTURE AND HOPE! Sermon Notes God and Country Worship Celebration July 2, 2017 Jeremiah 29:4-14; Romans 13:1-7; Mark 12:13-17 Introduction - On this 4th of July weekend, we remember that God has given us the vocation of citizens in this great country! But what does that mean? How do we live it out? We live it out as citizens of heaven first and foremost, and when we do, the Lord promises us a measure of peace and prosperity. He promises us a future and a sure hope! I. We are citizens of this great country as long as God allows us to live here even as He placed Israel to live in Babylon for 70 years! “Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon… For thus says the LORD: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you My promise and bring you back to this place.” Jeremiah 29:4, 10 II. Like Israel of old, we are called to fulfill our vocation to be good citizens of the country in which He has placed us! “Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters…multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare (peace and prosperity) of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” Jeremiah 29:5-7 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God…Pay to all what is owed to them; taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom is owed.” Romans 13:1, 7 “Jesus said to them,‘Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Mark 12:17 How are you doing in fulfilling your callings as a Christian and citizen of these United States?
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Sermon Notes 7/2/2017
III. It is God’s desire to bless His people in every land in which they live! “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for wholeness (to prosper you) and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.’”Jeremiah 29:11 “But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things (needs) will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 (What you shall eat, drink and put on, all your material needs.) “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 (32) IV. We are empowered to be good citizens of the USA thanks to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus….” Romans 3:23-25 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession.” I Peter 2:9 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come…Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ…” II Corinthians 5:17, 20 Conclusion - All who repent of their sins and believe in Jesus as their Savior are citizens of heaven! All of us who fulfill the requirements are also privileged to be citizens of United States of America and/or to live here! Can you think of a better combination? I sure can’t! Thanks to Him, we can serve Him in these dual callings to His glory and our neighbor’s good! What a privilege! Repent of not being the citizen or resident that you could or should be! Trust in Him and His salvation. And in thanks and praise continue to grow each and every day in loving Him and your neighbor. Let us all do so as faithful citizens of heaven and of these United States of America! Amen! TO YOU ALONE, O LORD BELONGS ALL PRAISE, HONOR AND GLORY, NOW AND FOREVER! AMEN!
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