Heavenly Citizenship

Heavenly Patriotism

Hebrews 13: 14-16

Intro: The story is told of a young French soldier, during the First World War, who received a serious wound during the Battle of the Somme. The young man’s right arm had been so severely damaged that it had to be amputated. The soldier was a magnify-cent specimen of manhood, and the surgeon was heartbroken that the young man would thereafter go through life maimed. The physician waited by the bedside of the officer to tell him the bad news about his arm when he regained consciousness. When the lad’s eyes opened, the surgeon said to him: “I am sorry to tell you that you lost your right arm.” “Sir,” the officer said with tears, “I didn’t lose it; I gave it—for France.”

. Our sermon this morning encourages us to do what this young man did.

. No we are not asked to give our arm but we are encouraged to give our all for our homeland.

. We are encouraged to develop a lifestyle that will honor our homeland.

. Our Scripture this morning tells us why we should be willing to sacrifice and how we should do this.

. We are back in Hebrews this morning. I think that this is the next to last message that we will have out of Hebrews.

. Lets read our scripture:

. Hebrews 13:14-17:

14For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.

15Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name.

16And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.

17Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.

. The first thing we see here is the motivation for our Heavenly Patriotism.

. Our Motivation for Service to our Homeland.

. Look at verse 14 again:

14For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.

. We sing the song, all I know is that I’m not home yet. This is not where I belong, take this world and give me Jesus, this is not where I belong.

. This is the message of verse 14.

. This is not my home, this is not where my allegiance lies.

. He is not saying that we shouldn’t be good citizens, we are told to obey laws and authorities.

. We should love our country and the freedom that we have through our nation.

. What the scripture tells us though is that this is only a temporary place. This is not permanent.

. Arnold Schwarzenegger once said: "As long as I live, I will never forget that day 21 years ago when I raised my hand and took the oath of citizenship. Do you know how proud I was? I was so proud that I walked around with an American flag around my shoulders all day long."

. Have you ever watched done of the swearing in ceremonies of new citizens on TV. As the ceremony is going on, the camera will pan around the room and you will she smiles and tears of joy on some faces, some will have a puffed out chest showing pride in what they have accomplished.

. When you see some of these folks interviewed, you can hear the pride and joy in their voices because they are now citizens of this great country.

. They want to tell everyone that they are a citizen.

. These people never take their citizenship for granted.

. How often folks do we take for granted our citizenship in Heaven.

. The writer of Hebrews had just written that Jesus had suffered and died in order for them to become citizens of Heaven.

. They are no longer just Jewish Citizens. Now they are Citizens of Heaven and their ultimate allegiance is to God through Jesus Christ whom they will spend eternity with.

. That is our motivation for Heavenly Patriotism.

. We have seen our motivation next we see the methods of showing our patriotism.

. The first method we see is the:

. Method of our praise.

. When we speak of the united states and it’s history we speak of the freedoms that it stands for.

. Our praise for this country is because of the freedoms that we have.

. The method of praise that we have for our Heavenly home is through Jesus.

. Look at verse 15 again:

15Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name.