• The Joy Of Citizenship

  Contributed by Jason Bonnicksen on Mar 15, 2011 (message contributor)

    (rate this sermon illustration)

   | 5,873 views

  Scripture:  Ephesians 2:17-22

  Tags:  Kingdom Of God

  Denomination: Lutheran

THE JOY OF CITIZENSHIP

Arnold Schwarzenegger once said: "As long as I live, I will never forget that day 21 years ago when I raised my hand and took the oath of citizenship. Do you know how proud I was? I was so proud that I walked around with an American flag around my shoulders all day long."

I have to be honest; I used to take my citizenship for granted. But one day in boot-camp, my attitude changed.

Our company commanders broke us down for hours. But just then, when we couldn't take it anymore, they unveiled a HUGE American flag and played "God Bless the USA" by Lee Greenwood. Like Arnold, we held our flag dear while singing and crying rivers of tears. I felt so grateful that day for the citizenship I was given from this great nation.

I was reminded of this while watching a new episode of Hawaii Five-0 last night. Near the show's end, a foreigner was granted citizenship by the governor. He cried with tears of joy and was so thankful for the gift given to him. Then I thought: How often do we as Christians take for granted our heavenly citizenship?