My Flag Is Still Standing

   SCRIPTURE" Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. 2 Thessalonians 2:15

Introduction

If you could pick a song that represents your life's journey, what would it be? If you had to write a song that told the story of your life's quest, what would it be? Could there be an anthem for your family?

Sometimes there is a song that fully expresses or describes your circumstance. African Americans have embraced "Lift every voice and sing" as our national anthem because it words express the full breadth of our struggle in America and our march through the blood of the slaughtered, shadowed beneath the hand of God while being true to our native land.

For many years Americans sang "My country tis of thee" at the beginning of every day because it expressed our appreciation for the land where our fathers died, the land of the Pilgrim's pride from every mountainside, we sang, let freedom ring. However, something happened during the War of 1812 that changed our national tune.

After being free from Britain for over 30 years, America was under attack again. The British came back. They captured and burned the White House in Washington, D.C. They began to bomb Fort McHenry to reclaim America as their own. Watching the fight from a distance was a man named Francis Scott Key, a lawyer and a poet. The British shot bombs and rockets into the fort all night long, but the Americans withstood bombs that fell like showers of rain.

However, at dawn's early light, at the twilight's last gleaming" he saw that despite the rocket's red glare and the bomb's bursting in air, our flag stood. To Francis Scott Key, it was terrifying, but exhilarating sight. Despite storms of explosions and the fighting, the American flag was still there; tattered and torn, but still there. The Star-Spangled Banner became the anthem of the nation because it represented our quest to survive, thrive, and stand, depending on the power of God.

Every nation has a song or anthem.

Every family has one, too. That's the song that symbolizes your journey from where you once were to where you are now.

For many, "My soul is anchored in the Lord" could be their personal anthem. Millions more have planted their flag of faith and decided that "I shall not be moved."

The Williams Brothers struck a chord when they penned a song called "Still Here." Its lyrics said,

Heartaches, I've had my shares of heartaches, but I'm still here;

Trouble, I've seen my share of troubles, but I'm still here;

Bruises, I've taken my lumps and bruises, but I'm still here;

Loneliness, I've had my share of loneliness, but I'm still here;

I made it (I made it)

I made it (yes, I made it)

I'm still here(I'm still here)

A lot of folks say that I wouldn't be here tonight, but I made it (I made it)

By the grace of God, Y'all (yes, I made it)

I 'm still here (I'm still here)

As Christians, we stand firm on the faith that has brought us thus far. We plant our flag amidst those who doubted our God and say "we made it" - and through it all, our flag still stands.

Exposition

This text focuses on the Apostle Paul as he encourages believers in Thessalonica to stand firm in their faith.

The text is connected to the last chapter in which Paul explained how the Gospel of Christ had brought them real freedom from the ceremonial demands of the Mosaic law. The general law of love of God and our neighbors set believers free from a multitude of ritual that had become a burden as they attempted to comply with its growing number of demands.

They enjoyed new freedom in Christ, but there was an apostasy among the faithful. Many returned to the rituals of the Mosaic law. They were spiritually browbeaten by those who bombarded them with claims that they had abandoned the rule of the Mosaic law in favor of the teachings of Christ.

Paul encouraged believers to stand strong on their faith in the words and instructions of Jesus. He encouraged them to continue the traditions that Christ began, such as blessing the bread and wine as symbolic of his body and blood. The tradition of weekly gathering on Sunday to celebrate the resurrection instead of Saturday, which the law mandated. They helped others, even if on the Sabbath, and abandoned many of the old ceremonies.

Christian believers thanked God for the Mosaic law, which brought the people out of Egypt. They also thanked God for providing for their care and nourishment through the wandering years. However, Paul taught them that all of the ceremonial laws of Moses, (Not the ten commandments) were designed for a purpose that fulfilled its mission with the life, death, and crucifixion of Christ.