One of the controversies that Satan has used to divide God’s church in recent years has been the battle over whether or not to display the American flag on the platform during a worship service. For years traditional churches in the United States have had a Christian flag standing on one side of the platform and the stars and stripes on the other.
In recent years younger church leaders have objected to the display of a national flag at Christian worship services. They suggest the flag is a graven image at worst and, at best, it sends a wrong signal implying that God favors America over other nations. God loves people of every tribe, every nation, and every tongue equally.
It’s easy to understand how any attempt to remove the long-standing banner offends the older generation of patriotic veterans and family members of soldiers who have “sacrificed their lives for that flag.” “We don’t worship America,” they insist, “but we do thank God for our country and the freedom that we have here.” To them, to remove “Old Glory” is tantamount to denying the inspiration of the Scriptures. Some churches have had bitter battles and even split over this issue.
My son Rusty and the elders of the New Day Christian Church in Port Charlotte, Florida, where he pastors, have recently arrived at what could be a healthy compromise for congregations that bicker over appropriate patriotism. The New Day Church does not have a flag on display in the worship area but recently had a very impressive patriotic display made for the church lobby. Their distinguished wall hanging contains a folded American flag with a detailed explanation as to why it is an appropriate display in a church building. Under it is an explanation specifying the difference between giving thanks for a nation and worshipping the nation.
On the Sunday before the patriotic display was placed on the wall in the lobby, Rusty, who is the lead minister of the church, showed a picture on the screen, explained the meaning behind the display and then read every word to the congregation. The congregation responded with a standing ovation, and everyone stood united behind the new exhibition. It was a great compromise for them and serves as a unifying factor. Something similar might bring harmony in other churches across America.
That display in the lobby is actually better than just having a flag on the platform. It educates children and reminds adults that God is “the giver of every good and perfect gift.” Jesus is the perfect gift, but the gift of freedom in the United States is a good gift for which we should be repeatedly thankful.
Flag Display at New Day Christian Church
Here was Rusty’s explanation:
“At the top of the display is a flag of the United States. This flag flew over Iraq during the Iraqi war. The proper way to display a commemorative flag is to fold it in this way, so that’s what we’ve done. I want to thank Abdiel Fuentes who was a chaplain in the U.S. Army and was a great help to me in writing the words for the display:
“The heading reads….
‘Why We Thank God for America.’
“Under the heading are four verses from the Bible…
‘Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.’ (Psalms 33:12)
“Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.’ (Jeremiah 29:7)
‘From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.’ (Acts 17:26)
‘I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.’ (1 Tim 2:1-2)
“Under those verses reads the following:
‘At New Day Christian Church, we acknowledge that God has called us to worship Him above all else and that our congregation is filled with brothers and sisters from other nations all around the world. We acknowledge that God blesses Christians in all nations. However, as the Scriptures above indicate, we are commanded to pray for and be thankful for our nation. We are to pray for those in authority, for peace so that we may live in holiness and godliness, and for prosperity for the nation in which we live.
‘We are thankful for the beauty and bounty of this great land. We are thankful for America’s Christian heritage and for the liberty we enjoy. We are thankful for the brave men and women who have sacrificed that we may live free. We are free to pray, to worship, and to share the gospel with others. The American flag represents the people of the United States of America and the Christian ideals we strive to achieve, among which are liberty and justice for all. Thus, we continue to pray for peace and prosperity for the United States of America and that we would be ‘a nation whose God is the Lord.’
May God bless America.’”
Remember what Jesus said about this issue.
“Worship the Lord your God and serve him only” – Luke 4:8
“Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s” – Mt. 22:21
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” – Mt. 5:9
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