Aligning with God's Kingdom Beyond Political Divisions
Summary
In our world today, many people, much like Humpty Dumpty, look to political leaders and government institutions to solve their problems. The nursery rhyme of Humpty Dumpty illustrates a profound truth: despite the involvement of powerful figures, some issues remain unresolved. This reflects a common misconception among believers who expect solutions to come from political powers, symbolized by Air Force One. However, the true resolution lies beyond human institutions.
In Joshua chapter 5, we find Joshua surveying the walls of Jericho when he encounters a mysterious figure, the captain of the Lord's army. Joshua, seeking clarity, asks whose side this captain is on. The captain's response is enlightening: he is not on any human side but has come to take over. This encounter teaches us that God does not align Himself with human political parties or agendas. Instead, He calls us to align with His kingdom.
As believers, our allegiance is to a higher kingdom. We are called to be the light in the world, representing the King of Kings. Whether we identify with political parties or not, our primary responsibility is to bring the light of God's truth into every situation. Our mission is to represent another King and another kingdom, transcending earthly divisions and focusing on divine purposes.
Key Takeaways:
- The story of Humpty Dumpty serves as a metaphor for the futility of relying solely on political powers to solve our deepest problems. True restoration and healing come from God, not from human institutions. [00:48]
- Joshua's encounter with the captain of the Lord's army reveals that God does not take sides in human conflicts. Instead, He calls us to align with His divine purpose and kingdom. This challenges us to prioritize God's agenda over our own. [01:45]
- As believers, our primary allegiance is to God's kingdom. We are called to be the light in the world, representing the values and truth of God's kingdom in every aspect of our lives. [02:20]
- Political affiliations should not define our identity as Christians. Our mission is to bring the light of God's truth into every situation, transcending earthly divisions and focusing on divine purposes. [01:45]
- The call to represent another King and another kingdom reminds us that our ultimate loyalty is to God. We are ambassadors of His kingdom, tasked with bringing His light and truth to a world in need. [02:20]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:23] - Humpty Dumpty's Dilemma
[00:48] - The Limits of Political Solutions
[01:19] - Joshua's Encounter
[01:45] - God's Kingdom Over Human Sides
[02:20] - Representing Another Kingdom
[02:45] - Conclusion and Call to Action
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Joshua 5:13-15
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Observation Questions:
1. What was Joshua doing when he encountered the captain of the Lord's army, and what was his initial reaction? [01:19]
2. How did the captain of the Lord's army respond to Joshua's question about whose side he was on? [01:45]
3. In the sermon, what metaphor is used to describe the futility of relying on political powers to solve our deepest problems? [00:48]
4. What does the sermon suggest is the primary role of believers in the world? [02:20]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the captain of the Lord's army's response to Joshua reveal about God's perspective on human conflicts and political sides? [01:45]
2. How does the story of Humpty Dumpty serve as a metaphor for the limitations of political solutions, and what does it suggest about where true restoration comes from? [00:48]
3. What does it mean for believers to represent another King and another kingdom, and how does this challenge our earthly affiliations? [02:20]
4. How does the sermon challenge the common misconception among believers regarding the role of political powers in solving problems? [00:48]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you looked to political leaders or institutions for solutions. How might you shift your focus to seeking God's guidance instead? [00:48]
2. In what ways can you align your actions and decisions more closely with God's kingdom rather than earthly political agendas? [01:45]
3. How can you actively represent the values and truth of God's kingdom in your daily interactions and decisions? [02:20]
4. Consider your current political affiliations. How can you ensure that they do not define your identity as a Christian? [01:45]
5. Identify a situation in your life where you can bring the light of God's truth. What specific steps will you take to do this? [02:20]
6. How can you remind yourself daily of your ultimate loyalty to God and His kingdom, especially in a world filled with political divisions? [02:20]
7. Think of a person or group who may be relying on political solutions for their problems. How can you share the message of God's kingdom with them in a loving and impactful way? [00:48]
Devotional
Day 1: The Futility of Political Reliance
In our world, many people look to political leaders and government institutions to solve their problems, much like the nursery rhyme character Humpty Dumpty. This story serves as a metaphor for the futility of relying solely on political powers to address our deepest issues. Despite the involvement of powerful figures, some problems remain unresolved, highlighting a common misconception among believers who expect solutions to come from political powers. True restoration and healing come from God, not from human institutions. [00:48]
Jeremiah 17:5-6 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.'"
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you relying on political or human solutions instead of seeking God's guidance and intervention?
Day 2: Aligning with God's Kingdom
In Joshua chapter 5, Joshua encounters a mysterious figure, the captain of the Lord's army, while surveying the walls of Jericho. When Joshua asks whose side this captain is on, the response is enlightening: he is not on any human side but has come to take over. This encounter reveals that God does not align Himself with human political parties or agendas. Instead, He calls us to align with His divine purpose and kingdom. This challenges us to prioritize God's agenda over our own, recognizing that His plans transcend human conflicts and divisions. [01:45]
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: How can you actively seek to align your daily decisions and actions with God's kingdom rather than your personal or political preferences?
Day 3: Our Allegiance to a Higher Kingdom
As believers, our primary allegiance is to God's kingdom. We are called to be the light in the world, representing the values and truth of God's kingdom in every aspect of our lives. This means that our identity should not be defined by political affiliations but by our commitment to God's purposes. Our mission is to bring the light of God's truth into every situation, transcending earthly divisions and focusing on divine purposes. By doing so, we fulfill our role as ambassadors of God's kingdom, tasked with bringing His light and truth to a world in need. [02:20]
Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV): "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate your allegiance to God's kingdom in your interactions with others this week?
Day 4: Transcending Earthly Divisions
Political affiliations should not define our identity as Christians. Our mission is to bring the light of God's truth into every situation, transcending earthly divisions and focusing on divine purposes. This requires us to rise above the conflicts and divisions that often characterize human interactions and to focus on the higher calling of representing God's kingdom. By doing so, we can be a source of unity and hope in a divided world, pointing others to the ultimate source of peace and reconciliation. [01:45]
Ephesians 2:14-16 (ESV): "For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility."
Reflection: How can you actively work to bridge divisions and promote unity in your community, reflecting the peace and reconciliation found in Christ?
Day 5: Representing Another King and Kingdom
The call to represent another King and another kingdom reminds us that our ultimate loyalty is to God. We are ambassadors of His kingdom, tasked with bringing His light and truth to a world in need. This means living in a way that reflects the values and priorities of God's kingdom, even when it challenges the norms and expectations of the world around us. By doing so, we can be a powerful witness to the transformative power of God's love and grace, drawing others to the hope and salvation found in Christ. [02:20]
2 Corinthians 5:20-21 (ESV): "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
Reflection: What specific actions can you take this week to live as an ambassador of God's kingdom, demonstrating His love and truth to those around you?
Quotes
"Mr. Dumpty's world had become shattered, and he need it fixed. But he didn't go to his friends or his family or even his church. He went to the White House. Now we know he went to the White House because the king got involved. The king was sympathetic to Mr. Dumpty's dilemma, so he called a meeting of congress. We know congress got involved because all the king's men got involved. The tragedy of the nursery thyme is when it all was said and done, all the king's horses and and all the king's men could not put Humpty Dumpty back together again." [00:17:44]
"It is unfortunate today that far too many believers are expecting the solutions to our problems to land on Air Force One. I'm taken to Joshua chapter 5. Joshua is doing reconnaissance around the walls of Jericho. He looks over and he sees the captain of another large army dressed in battle array. Now Joshua's mama didn't raise a dummy. He wanted to know, 'Who's side are you are on? Cause if you're on our side, we have help against Jericho, but if you're on their side, we've got double trouble, so before I go out here and make a fool of myself, whose side are you on?'" [00:54:54]
"That's when the captain says to him, 'I think you are confused. I'm neither on your side nor am I on their side. I'm captain of the Lord's army. I did not come to take sides, I come to take over.' What you and I have to understand is God does not ride the backs of donkeys or elephants. But if you're a Democrat, the best you can do is vote Democrat lite, L-I-T-E, or Republican lite, L-I-T-E, cause your job is to bring to either one the L-I-G-H-T." [01:36:28]
"Your job is to represent another King and another kingdom. You and I belong to another kingdom. Let's represent the king." [02:20:00]
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