THE BANNER STILL WAVES

June 14, 2009 MW Stockwell Road MBC
THE BANNER STILL WAVES
John 3:14-18
INTRODUCTION:
A. In 1813, as Baltimore prepared for the British forces to attack, Major George Armistead commissioned the sewing of two large flags to fly over Fort McHenry. Mary Young Pinkersgill sewed these flags in 1813 at a cost of $405.90. Major Armistead, the commander of Fort McHenry, specified "a flag so large that the British would have no difficulty seeing it from a distance". Miss Pinkersgill sewed a flag that was 30 ft x 42 ft. It consisted of 15 red and white stripes and 15 stars. Each stripe was two ft high and each star was two ft in diameter. This was a huge flag. As the battle raged in Baltimore harbor, a young amateur poet was clinging to hope. As Francis Scott Key watched from the prison ship, with each burst and flare, he could see this giant flag still waving gallantly. As the bombs ceased, he could only cling to the hope that when dawn broke, the star spangled banner would still be flying. You can imagine the joy that flooded his soul as dawn’s early light poured through his prison bars and there he saw Old Glory still waving oer the land of the free and the home of the brave.

B. I love the flag don’t you! It stands for freedom and reminds us that our freedom came at a cost! As the Redeemed of the Lord, we should be ever mindful that our freedom to worship as we believe the Scriptures teach is because of the sacrifice of those before us! The flag still waves and I am proud of the American Flag! When the Pledge is rendered we snap to attention, we proudly place our hand over our hearts and repeat those precious words, “One Nation Under God” and I say to you, that you may not like the direction we are headed but we are still privileged to live in the greatest CHRISTIAN nation on the planet because that banner still waves!

C. I could preach about the American Flag today, since it is Flag Day, but I think we should focus on another banner that still waves today…the Cross! Sadly, the Cross has become nothing more than an ornament to many people but to us who are saved; it is the power of God! It is because of the Cross that we can be cleansed of our sin, set free from captivity and see the lost saved. It’s all about the Cross. And that banner still waves today! Our text for this morning is often found on banners at sporting events all around this country. The Banner of the Cross is flying high this morning and every morning that God sees fit to leave us here on this Earth. When I behold the Flag I am thankful for so much and as I behold the Cross I am much more thankful!

BODY:
I. THE BANNER OF THE CROSS SERVES AS A REMINDER
note: When I see the Flag I am reminded of the blood that was shed for our freedom and I am reminded of the principles that this country was founded upon. When I see the Cross, I am reminded of much more!
A. We are Reminded of a Curse

B. We are Reminded of a Cure

C. We are Reminded of a Compassion

II. THE BANNER OF THE CROSS SERVES AS A REALITY CHECK
Note: Sometimes, in our lives for Christ, we get to thinking too much of ourselves and sometimes we start thinking to little of ourselves. The Cross stands as a reality check.
A. In Order to Know How Humble We Should Be

B. In Order to Know How Honored We Should Be

III. THE BANNER OF THE CROSS SERVES AS A RALLYING CRY
Note: For Francis Scott Key, seeing Old Glory wave throughout that perilous fight was a cause for much hope. It rallied his spirits through that long night. The Flag has always been inspirational to our Armed Forces and how much more should the Cross be to us!
A. Our Motivation

B. Our Message

C. Our Must

CONCLUSION:
The banner of the Cross still waves today and serves as a reminder, a reality check and a rallying cry! Have you bowed at the foot of the Cross yet?