Saturday, July 03, 2010
CITIZENSHIP
CHRISTIAN CITIZENSHIP
I Peter 2: 9-17
INTRO: We are told here that we are citizens of heaven if we have placed our faith in Jesus Christ as savior. But now we are living in this world as aliens and strangers (vs. 11). What kind of life should we live?
SUBMIT TO AUTHORITIES (vss. 13-14)
Submit to every authority
For the Lord's sake
They are sent by God:
To punish wrongdoers
To commend those who do right
Honor and respect (Romans 13: 7)
WHAT ABOUT OPPOSITION?
When authorities go against God
Peter and John must obey God. (Acts 4:18-19)
Contacts (letters, calls, etc) to express opinions
PRAY FOR LEADERS
Pray for all men -- kings and all in authority. (1Tim. 2:1-2)
Pray for prosperity for country (Jeremiah 29:7)
SEEK GOD'S FACE (2Chron. 7:14)
God's people must:
Humble themselves and pray
And seek God's face
Turn from wicked ways
God will hear and heal the land.
CONCLUSION: We are pilgrims here in this world, but we are charged with seeking prosperity for the world. We do this by seeking always to be obedient to God, the creator who has a right to expect such obedience and disciplines those who do not obey.
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Sermon for July 4, 2010, Greenville (CA) Southern Baptist Church, by Pastor Fred D. Kerr