1. Title: The Ultimate Stars & Stripes Forever

2. A Flag is a Nation’s Banner

3. A Flag is a Nation’s Banner
A Nation’s Banner Represents its History & Values
Before walkie-talkies, men identified themselves by the flag they stood beneath
They were saying, “This is my tribe & I am willing to die for it.”
A Christian is one who proudly stands under his Lord’s banner

4. Some of the Symbolism in the American Flag
The Stars : Remind us of God’s Heavenly Care
Red Stripes: Represent the blood spilled for our freedom
Our flag has flown where people have needed freedom from oppressors

5. Watch this Video: The Rugged Old Flag (by Johnny Cash)

6. The American Flag has Suffered but Never Died
Similar to that flag, Christianity has suffered throughout history, but the testimony of Jesus has never been wiped out.

7. Christians Also Have a Banner
But, this isn’t it !
Not really
Moses said in Exodus 17:15 “… The Lord Is My Banner”
Shout it loud, “The Lord is my Banner.”

8. The Stars & Stripes of Jesus
Jesus was born under a star and is called, “The Morning Star” (His Heavenly nature).
He died after being tortured with 39 cruel stripes (what He suffered to win our freedom).

9. Our Banner is Jesus Himself

10. Jesus is Our Banner
1 Peter 2:24 "Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree… by whose stripes you were healed.”

11. A Beloved Banner is Defended by its People

12. Watch this Video: Story of Star Spangled Banner

13. Our Star Spangled Banner
Our enemy had taken all mankind as its prisoners
A legal arrangement had been negotiated at the cross
The prisoners were officially free
Still, one more, potentially devastating battle, might render that fact irrelevant
Jesus still had to face death & Hell
All mankind would be on watch… “Will He rise or remain in Hell… defeated?

14. Prisoners set free… by the dawn’s early light This Banner yet Waves!
…Praise God, Jesus did rise Easter morning
by the dawn’s early light
This Banner yet Waves!

15. Martyrs
In the story each group took up the flag and died holding it up only to be replaced by another group willing to die for it.
Song of Solomon 6:10 says this of the CHURCH:
"Who is this woman? She is like the sunrise in all of its glory. She is as beautiful as the moon. She is as bright as the sun. She is as majestic as troops carrying their banners.“
Generation after generation, the church has proudly waved, stood for and died for her glorious banner.

16. Video: The Greatest Play in Baseball – A Show of Devotion

17. Watch this Powerful Video: Amazing Story of True Devotion

18. Song-Along Video: Stand Up, Stand Up