Introduction:     Christians are described a strangers and pilgrims just passing through this life. What is my relationship then to be to this world? What is my relationship to be to my country? God has called us to influence the world where we life and rightly relate to our country. The Bible says we are to:

I.          RESPECT AUTHORITY (VV.13-14)
God’s people are to be submissive people. God has established 3 levels of authority; the Home, the Church, and Human Government.

A.                 The Establishment Of Government (v.13)

Government is instituted by God. Nero was Creaser at this writing (expound). We may not agree with government, but we are to respect the institution. America was ordained by God and was founded in prayer meetings. (Illus: Ben Franklin June 28, 1787 to the Congenital Convention. “I have lived a long time sir and the longer I live the more convincing proofs I see of this, that God governs in the affairs of men and if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice is it probable that an empire can raise without His aid? We have been assured sir in the sacred writings that except the Lord build the house they labor in vain that build it. I firmly believe this and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better that the builders of Babel . I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of heaven and its blessing on our deliberations be held in this assembly every morning before we proceed to business and that one or more of the clergy of this city be requested to officiate in the service.”) (Illus: separation of church and state…)

            B.         The Function Of Government  (v.14)
The function of government is to promote justice. Two-fold:

• To punish evil – When law does not exists or is not enforced, evil run rampant. (1 Tim 1:9) "Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,"

• To reward right – The believer has the praise of the state.

II.         CHERISH LIBERTY (VV.15-16)
(John 8:36)  "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." We are set free from the slave block of sin to do the will of God.

            A.        Silence The Critics Of Christ (v.15)

The believer who continues to live for Christ by doing good will eventually silence foolishness. The Bible calls anyone who persecutes the church or believers “foolish men.” Anyone who opposes the great virtues of life and the teaching of the great virtues is doing a foolish thing.

            B.         Live Free, Yet As Servants Of God (v.16)

Believers are the servants of God, not the servants of our own thoughts and ideas. (Gal 5:13) "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another." Believers are to serve God and His call, not their own lust and desires.

III.       ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY (V.17)
Liberty comes with responsibility that is four-fold.

A.                 Humanitarian Responsibility

Respect and esteem all citizens as your fellow-citizens. (Love the sinner not the sin)

B.                 Christian Responsibility

It is not enough to honor and respect a brother. Something far more is expected.

C.                 Divine Responsibility

Do not fail in your duty to obey God as a citizen nor a member of God’s family. God’s will and commandments are to be obeyed.

D.                 National Responsibility

(1 Tim 2:1-2) "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; {2} For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."

The believer is to set a dynamic example of love and peace.

Conclusion:       America need citizens filled with the Holy Ghost to move into our communities and to take there the ethics of the Bible and the Christ of Calvary. Today we honor America (God bless America ). As citizens of this great country we should give allegiance to the nation, the president, the flag, etc. But there is another that deserves our allegiance…the Lord that died to set us free! Thank God for national liberty, but most of all thank God for soul liberty!