Sermons

We are commanded to be subject to earthly authority. We must avoid the error of civil religion. We live in connection to three institutions: home, church and state. The purpose of the state is to provide law and order and to promote justice. These are based on morals, which do not change; they are instituted by God and form His moral law. Ethics are the measure of a people and how they relate to morality. God's word sets the standard of righteous rule.
The church is not a physical nation; it is a chosen people who have received mercy, from every tribe, tongue and nation. We struggle with passions of the flesh. We are pilgrims, but not tourists. We are settled in the world for a time as sojourners. Things catch our eye, but we must remain aligned with the word of God. Our world doesn't align with our values. How do we respond when attacks come? With good deeds that glorify God. An example is Daniel. He could only be attacked because he held to a "different religion."
What is civil religion? A mix of faith and nation. II Chron. 7: 14 does not focus on a physical natio,n even the USA; it focuses on God's church, His people. The promises of God are to His people, not to our nation. We are to live as freed men; free to live for God. Liberty is not license. Both Daniel and Joseph were blessed in the face of evil kings, because they honored God. We are to show proper honor to everyone; God commands it. We love the brethren and the church. We reverence God. We rejoice in our freedoms here, but we are still, as sojourners, citizens of heaven.