Patriotism is a very honorable, and Godly characteristic.
PATRIOTISM: devoted love, support, and defense of one’s country.
1. AMERICAN Patriotism
A. We owe our allegiance to these United States of America.
(Romans 13:1-5) Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God. So then, the ONE who resists the authority is opposing God’s command… For government is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the ONE who does wrong.
B. All displays of American Patriotism are submission to God.
2. KINGDOM Patriotism
(Psalms 33:12a NIV) Blessed is the NATION whose God is the Lord…
A. The only nation today whose God is the Lord is the Kingdom Church.
(Psalms 33:12b NIV) …The people He chose for His inheritance.
(1 Peter 2:9) You are a CHOSEN race, a royal priesthood, a holy NATION, a people for His possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are GOD’S PEOPLE…
(John 3:31) The One who comes from above is ABOVE ALL. The one who is from the earth is earthly and speaks in earthly terms. The One who comes from heaven is ABOVE ALL.
(Acts 5:29) “We must obey God rather than men.”
(1 Peter 2:17) “Love the brotherhood.”
B. Kingdom Patriotism takes priority over National patriotism.
3. HEAVENLY Patriotism
(John 18:36) “My kingdom is not of this world.”
(Hebrews 11:13-16 NIV) They were foreigners and strangers on earth… They are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country – a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
(Philippians 3:20) Our citizenship is in heaven…
A. Do you believe you are a foreigner here?
B. Do you believe God has prepared a city for you?
C. Do you believe your real citizenship is in Heaven?
D. Do you believe Heaven is your home?
15 practical applications from the gleanings of 1 Peter.
1 Peter
We are to recognize and prioritize our allegiances to God and country.
Matthew 22:21 & Romans 13:1-7
Freedom “should” be celebrated.
Galatians 5:1 & 13
