Compiled By Televangelist HB Morgan 

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From the founding of the United States in the 18th century through to the present day, the Christian faith has played a visible role in the nation’s story. The relationship between patriotism and piety has long prompted reflection among American clergy: how should believers view national identity, freedom, and faith? In the spirit of Independence Day, here are five sermons that stand out as rich reflections on America, patriotism, and the enduring call to a “more perfect union.” 

Robert H. Schuller — “I am the American Flag”

Schuller, the late founder of the Crystal Cathedral Ministries and long-time host of the television program “Hour of Power,” delivered a memorable Independence Day message personifying the American flag. He begins with this striking voice: “I am proud of my country. Yes, in spite of all her sins, and there are many — in spite of her shame, and it is made conspicuous — America is not without a source of pride, even today.”

In his sermon, Schuller reaffirmed that beneath the stripes and stars is a moral foundation rooted in the Ten Commandments, the Sermon on the Mount, and the Word of God. He warned: “Remove these foundations and suffer future shock that you did not imagine, loss of liberty, loss of freedom.”

Schuller’s message invites believers to love their country realistically — acknowledging its imperfections — while also recognizing that the freedoms and privileges it enjoys are not self-sustaining but rely on moral and spiritual foundations.

Reflections & Takeaways: These sermons, collectively, illustrate several important intersections between faith and national identity;

* Patriotism tempered by realism: Schuller’s phrasing — proud “in spite of” the country’s “sins” and “shame” — reminds us that a healthy patriotism does not ignore flaws, but chooses loyalty and hope.

* Foundational moral order: The sermons assert that freedom and liberty aren’t merely products of political arrangements but rest on deeper moral and spiritual pillars. Without them, “freedoms … erode and die.” (Schuller)

* Faith and public life: The fact that clergy have long preached messages tied to the Fourth of July and national themes suggests that religious identity and civic identity are entwined in American history.

* Call to greater union: The article frames these sermons as not only celebrations of national independence but as summonses to build a “more perfect union” — socially, morally, spiritually.

Why These Sermons Matter Today

In a time of deep societal division, rapid cultural change, and questions about what unites us, revisiting sermons like these offers more than nostalgia. They challenge Christians (and all citizens) to reflect on what freedom means, what responsibility it entails, and what kind of society we’re building. They also suggest that independence isn’t just about a moment on July 4th, 1776, but about a continuous commitment to values and virtue.

Final Word

While the article lists five specific sermons, the story isn’t so much about individual preachers as about the enduring conversation between faith and nation. Whether you lean more conservative or progressive, these messages encourage a posture of gratitude, humility, civic responsibility, and spiritual awareness. The United States remains a complex mosaic of ideals and realities — and for believers, the Fourth of July can be both a holiday and a holy reflection.

Here are short summaries of all five sermons featured in the article “5 sermons celebrating America’s Independence Day” by Michael Gryboski (June 30, 2024) from The Christian Post:

1. Robert H. Schuller — “I am the American Flag” delivered by Schuller of Crystal Cathedral Ministries, on an Independence-Day message (date unspecified) personifies the American flag, acknowledging national imperfections (“in spite of all her sins … America is not without a source of pride”) while linking freedom to moral/spiritual foundations: “The Ten Commandments, the Sermon on the Mount, and the Word of God have been the foundation stones of the time-tested morality in this country.”                                                                                                     2. John Witherspoon — “The Dominion of Providence Over the Passions of Men” delivered May 17, 1776, by Witherspoon, a Presbyterian clergyman and future signer of the Declaration of Independence. [Christian Post Argues that the colonists’ cause was indeed “the cause of justice, of liberty, and of human nature.” Emphasizes that civil & religious liberty (temporal + eternal happiness) were at stake for “us and our posterity.”                           

3. Joseph Lathrop — “The Happiness of a Free Government and the Means of Preserving It” preached on July 4 (approximately) 1794, Virginia? Actually Massachusetts (West Springfield, Massachusetts) maintains that a republican form of government is “framed under the immediate direction of heaven.” He references Moses and divine law, arguing that civic government must have popular consent and law-based authority. 

4. James Patterson — (First Presbyterian Church, Northern Liberties, Philadelphia) — no short sermon title given Preached on Independence Day 1825 strongly condemns slavery in the context of celebrating independence: “It has always appeared to us equally incongruous and unchristian to assemble … while we … are holding men in slavery …” He hoped for an end to the “abominable traffic” of slavery by Christian nations.                                                                                                                                                                 

5. Billy Graham — “Honor America Day”  Delivered during a large Independence Day celebration on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., in 1970 (attendance ~400,000) and broadcast to over 100 countries. Emphasized America’s generosity and distinctiveness (“America has opened her heart and her doors to the distressed and persecuted of the world…”).

He stated that America, despite faults, defends freedom of speech & dissent. He also warned that ignoring God’s laws leads to judgment: “Any individual or nation, which ignores His moral and spiritual laws, will ultimately face His judgment.” 

Observations & Reflections

* These sermons span over two centuries (from 1776 to 1970), showing how the theme of national independence and faith has been addressed by American clergy in different eras.

* They each link political freedom with spiritual/moral responsibility: freedom isn’t just about national sovereignty, but also about virtues, law, and conscience.

* Some address national imperfections or injustices (e.g., slavery in Patterson’s sermon), showing an awareness of moral tension within the celebration of independence.

* Others are more celebratory of American ideals (e.g., Graham, Schuller) but still anchor those ideals in a theistic moral order.

* The list illustrates how faith leaders have used the Fourth of July or independence-themes as occasions for reflection: on liberty, on national identity, on what it means to live in a free republic under God.

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