I Pledge Allegiance - Sermon Blog
I didn’t come to play games this week. If you’re reading this, I hope you’ve got your big kid pants on—because we’re diving straight into one of the hottest topics in our Hot Ones series.
We’ve talked about giving. We’ve tackled gossip. But this week, we had to step into something even heavier: when our faith and our politics collide.
Let me say this up front:
It’s okay to love your country.
But it’s not okay to worship it.
Where Patriotism Becomes Idolatry
I love America. I’m grateful to live here. I love our freedoms, our traditions, and yes—even the Razorbacks (even when they break my heart).
There’s nothing wrong with being patriotic.
But loving your country and worshiping your country are two very different things. And somewhere along the way, a dangerous distortion crept in: Christian Nationalism—the belief that God favors our nation above others.
That’s not just bad theology. It’s unbiblical.
Jesus said it himself:
“My Kingdom is not of this world.” — John 18:36
His mission wasn’t to build a nation. It was to redeem the world.
Kingdom First, Not Country First
Here’s the tension we often face:
We merge our faith with our national identity so tightly that it’s hard to tell them apart. And when that happens, we don't elevate the Gospel—we compromise it.
Let me ask some heart-check questions:
Are you more passionate about winning an argument than witnessing to your neighbor?
Do you post political rants more often than you pray for people who disagree with you?
Does your political allegiance shape your faith, or does your faith shape your political posture?
If your Christianity causes you to see people as enemies instead of neighbors, something’s off.
And here’s the truth:
Jesus didn’t die for America. He died for the world.
Every nation. Every tribe. Every tongue.
The Trial That Still Echoes
In John 18, we see Jesus standing before Pilate, accused of trying to overthrow the Roman Empire. He’s framed as an insurrectionist—a threat to the kingdom of man.
But Jesus makes it clear:
“My Kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest.” — John 18:36
He didn’t come for political power. He came to bear witness to truth. Pilate couldn’t find guilt in him because Jesus wasn’t here to threaten Caesar—he was here to establish an eternal Kingdom.
And yet, in a moment that still breaks my heart, the people cried out:
“We have no king but Caesar.” — John 19:15
They chose Caesar.
They chose political safety.
They missed their Messiah.
The Danger of Misplaced Allegiance
Patriotism isn’t a problem.
But when it overrides your loyalty to Christ, it becomes idolatry.
We can’t let the flag sit above the crown.
Our faith is global, not national.
The Gospel is multiethnic, not political.
The Church is borderless, not partisan.
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” — Galatians 3:28
In the Old Testament, God chose the nation of Israel.
But in the New Covenant, His people are no longer defined by borders—they’re defined by faith.
Christian Nationalism tries to resurrect a covenant God fulfilled.
Biblical Christianity tears down dividing walls.
So What Do We Do?
Here’s where I land:
If your hope is in political outcomes, you’ll live in fear.
If your hope is in Jesus, you’ll live in peace.
Jesus doesn’t need an army. He doesn’t campaign for power.
He rode in on a donkey, wore a crown of thorns, and built a kingdom not of this world.
And when political tensions rise, when culture shakes, when loyalties are tested—we look to Jesus.
When you face the choice between Caesar and Christ...
Choose Christ.
Final Thought
My heart is simple:
I want us to be known more by our love than our voting record.
I want our church to reflect the heart of heaven—not the headlines of earth.
I want to see revival—not just in America—but in every nation, tribe, and tongue.
So ask yourself today:
Are you kingdom-first, or country-first?
I’m choosing Jesus.
I hope you do too.
