Scripture Reading: Isaiah 30:1-5
The Banner of Christ
Intro.
1. This week, the White House South Portico was draped with a Pride flag (Progress flag) between two US flags to honor “Pride” month.
2. Flags are rally points in combat, ensigns in parades, and symbols of united allies who share identity, values, and aspirations.
a. The US flag: An emblem of self-governance and liberty from tyrannical overlords; To “worship freely, work freely, teach (our) children freely, and ultimately govern (ourselves)” (Elle Purnell, “The American And Rainbow Flags Stand For Two Incompatible Definitions Of ‘Liberty,’ And Only One Can Rule Us,” https://tinyurl.com/27vgf73r).
b. The Pride flag (aka, “progress flag”): Symbol of self-indulgence and libertinism, “an individual’s license to pursue his every desire, unmoored from religious and civic duties” (Ibid).
c. Christ’s flag, Isa. 11:10. (figure of speech, symbolic rally point)
3. Following the flags of men will not lead us to heaven; Only the banner of Christ (John 14:6).
I. A BANNER OF WAR AGAINST THE ENEMIES OF GOD’S PEOPLE.
A. Yahweh-Nissi: “The Lord is My Banner,” Exod. 17:15 (8-16).
1. US flag on Iwo Jima (victory in battle).
2. Pride flag (victory for licentiousness, sinful indulgence), Gal. 5:19-21; Rom. 1:22-27; 1 Cor. 6:9-10.
3. Christ’s flag: Raised in victory over sin, Isa. 11:10; 12:1-2.
a. Crucify self and serve Christ in faith, Gal. 2:20.
b. Following His flag results in righteousness, peace in His kingdom (church), 11:4-5, 6-9; Eph. 2:14-17; The joy of salvation and praise of the Lord, Isa. 12:3-6.
II. A BANNER OF REFUGE.
A. An Ensign to the Nations of Rest from Death and its Fear, Isa. 11:10.
1. US flag: Signified a place of refuge for “your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” (Stature of Liberty)
2. Pride flag: Satisfaction is sought in self (fleshly indulgence), Rom. 1:28; cf. 2 Tim. 3:1-4.
3. Christ’s flag: Christ is like the bronze serpent, Num. 21:4-9.
a. When discouragement led to complaining, punishment, but grace upon repentance.
b. Christ raised up for life from sin’s death, John 3:14-15; 12:32-33.
c. Christ’s death frees us from the bondage of death and its fear, Heb. 2:14-18.
III. A CALL TO UNITE UNDER THE BANNER OF CHRIST.
A. A Rally Point for the Nations, Isa. 11:12.
1. US flag: Rallies (unites) patriots to liberty’s cause (pledge of allegiance).
2. Pride flag: Rallies people to divide, to segregate into protected classes (per self-indulgence of sexual preferences and individual desires of so-called self-expression), 1 Tim. 1:9-11.
-[The progress flag even divides LGBTQ+ according to skin color!]
3. Christ’s flag: Rally point for remnant of grace, Isa. 11:11, 12, 16; Rom. 9:27; 11:5 (remnant of Israel).
a. Hope for the nations, Rom. 15:12 (gospel salvation).
b. Those who fear the Lord are united in truth and righteousness. Cf. our Leader (Christ), Isa. 11:1-5; the Captain of our salvation, Heb. 2:10.
Conclusion
1. Be careful what flag you rally under. It identifies you, defines you, and directs you on a certain path.
a. US flag stands for freedom under the rule of law, yet many Americans kill and abuse fellow-citizens. American is not a nation at peace with itself or others, Prov. 14:34.
b. Pride flag falsely offers liberty, but those who rally under it are slaves of corruption in bondage to sin, 2 Pet. 2:19.
2. None of the flags of men and nations lead to heaven; Only the banner of the Savior, Acts 4:12.
3. Christians follow Christ’s banner of truth and righteousness and in Him have victory over sin and death, 1 Cor. 15:55-57.
Quote: The Pride (Progress) Flag
“The ‘progress flag’ stands for a belief system that categorizes people based on their attributes and membership in protected classes. Those classes aren’t just sexual, either; bizarrely, the flag representing various sexual behaviors now includes black and brown stripes for skin colors, highlighting the dissonance of an intersectionality that identifies people by both their sexual decisions and physical characteristics, and clumsily lumps them together as ‘allies.’” (Elle Purnell)
By: Joe R. Price
Posted June 14, 2023