As an American, many of us have come to understand that the most important piece of paper document we possess is that American passport. Of course this is very much in the news every day now. I will not be able to address all the questions and issues politically in this article, but this might come to mind when you read it. No doubt, that document is of great importance — humanly speaking. Now let’s stress that last line — humanly speaking. But is there a spiritual significance?
I have always been reasonably patriotic. It’s part of my heritage, and I feel the benefits in my life. On July 4th, 1975, I was in Portland Oregon for that summer, and I remember well celebrating the 4th at the Portland Rose Garden Park. It was a significant celebration full of all the bells and whistles and lots of ‘Uncle Sam” hats along with plenty of red, white and blue colors. I had just finished my freshman year in college, and I was part of a mission team from college in Portland that whole summer. Being a Texan, it was fun for me to enjoy a much more pleasant July 4th temperature in Oregon than what I grew up with! The significance was however that this was the 200th anniversary of America’s signing of the declaration of Independence. I can hardly believe it, but next summer (July 4th, 2026) we will celebrate as a nation the 250th anniversary! Next summer should be great fun.
But I have often wondered about our citizenship and our nation, and how it fits into the Gospel work that I do not only in this city and nation, but even around the world.
The world perspective of my human/USA citizenship was highlighted for me when we first started going to Russia in the year 2000. Just a year later 9/11 happened, and we were in Russia that year, followed by multiple trips for many years to come. Being an American in those years in a foreign country is always interesting, but it was especially interesting to be in a former Soviet Union Communist country that we had been in decades of ‘cold war’ with. I had frequent stark reminders of the difference between what it meant to be a USA citizen what it meant to be a Russia/former Soviet citizen.
My sermon this Sunday I am going to try to address this. I am fitting it into the summer series we have called “The Gospel in Every Chapter of Life.” I do this first because it is July 4th weekend, but I truly believe that our human citizenship matters deeply in the chapters of our life. Not because of the American convenience that my citizenship brings, or the ‘better way of life’ that it can often offer, but because of God’s plan to use our passports, our timing in world history, to bring the nations to Him.
As you come this Sunday, please be aware, much like last Sunday, and the Sunday before (Alvin’s sermon) I am going to move around the Bible a bit. But in order to prepare, I would ask you read and meditate on these two passages:
- 1 Peter 2:9-12
- Philippians 3:20-21
I am going to take you on a bit of journey Sunday through a couple of Old Testament passages, then these two passages in the New Testament. My pray is that we understand better not only the privilege of our earthly citizenship, but how God’ plan is to use it for the sake of the Gospel. See you Sunday morning! Happy July 4th everyone.
