Choosing Christ: Navigating Faith Amidst Political Divides

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound implications of choosing Jesus over worldly allegiances, especially in the context of political and social divides. We began by acknowledging the tension many feel during election seasons, a time when choices seem to polarize us. Reflecting on the biblical account of Jesus before Pontius Pilate, we examined how the crowd chose Barabbas over Jesus, a decision driven by their expectations and desires for a political savior. This historical moment serves as a powerful reminder of how easily we can prioritize our personal passions over divine purpose.

Jesus' response to Pilate, "My kingdom is not of this world," challenges us to reconsider our allegiances. As followers of Christ, we are called to live by a different set of values, ones that transcend earthly politics and focus on advancing God's kingdom. This means engaging with the world without conforming to its divisive nature. We discussed the dangers of quietism, where we disengage from societal issues, and syncretism, where our faith becomes entangled with political ideologies. Both extremes can render us ineffective for God's kingdom.

The call is to embrace a "both-and" mentality, recognizing that God's heart encompasses justice and mercy, holiness and grace. This perspective allows us to navigate complex issues without falling into the trap of either-or thinking. We are encouraged to seek first God's kingdom and righteousness, aligning our lives with His will and extending His love and justice to those around us.

In practical terms, this means using our influence for God's purposes, engaging in politics without losing sight of our primary allegiance to Christ. We are invited to pray for our leaders, regardless of political affiliation, and to live out our faith in ways that reflect God's heart for all people. As we concluded, we were reminded that our loyalty must be undivided, fully devoted to God, and that this requires daily surrender and reflection.

Key Takeaways:

- The Kingdom Not of This World: Jesus' declaration that His kingdom is not of this world challenges us to live by heavenly values rather than earthly politics. Our allegiance to Christ should shape our actions and decisions, transcending political divides and focusing on advancing God's kingdom. [34:23]

- Avoiding Quietism and Syncretism: We must be wary of disengaging from societal issues (quietism) or aligning our faith too closely with political ideologies (syncretism). Both can hinder our effectiveness as Christ's ambassadors. Instead, we should engage thoughtfully, guided by our faith. [44:02]

- Embracing a Both-And Mentality: God's heart is big enough to hold the tension between justice and mercy, holiness and grace. As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect this both-and mentality, seeking to embody God's comprehensive love and justice in our interactions and decisions. [45:32]

- Seeking First the Kingdom: Our primary focus should be on seeking God's kingdom and righteousness. This involves aligning our lives with His will, using our influence for His purposes, and prioritizing His values over personal or political agendas. [48:29]

- Undivided Loyalty to God: Maintaining an undivided heart is crucial for living out our faith effectively. We must regularly examine our lives, confessing anything that divides our loyalty between God and the world, and ensuring that Jesus remains on the throne of our hearts. [01:01:34]

Youtube Chapters:

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [32:20] - Introduction to Unpolitical Jesus
- [33:11] - The Scene with Pontius Pilate
- [34:23] - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World
- [35:47] - The Choice Between Jesus and Barabbas
- [44:02] - Avoiding Quietism and Syncretism
- [44:52] - Embracing a Both-And Mentality
- [45:32] - God's Heart for Justice and Mercy
- [46:34] - Living with Tension
- [47:17] - Jesus' Teachings on Living Differently
- [48:29] - Seeking First the Kingdom
- [49:17] - Understanding the Kingdom of God
- [49:46] - Kingdom First as a Core Value
- [50:42] - Righteousness in Relationships
- [51:32] - Cultural vs. Biblical Righteousness
- [52:00] - Practical Application of Righteousness
- [53:14] - Holiness and Justice Intersecting
- [58:54] - Praying for Leaders
- [59:51] - Invitation to Transformation
- [01:01:34] - Undivided Loyalty to God
- [01:03:17] - Communion and Reflection
- [01:04:49] - Prayer and Repentance
- [01:07:29] - Closing Declaration

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. John 18:36 - "Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.'"
2. Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
3. James 4:7-8 - "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

#### Observation Questions
1. What was the crowd's choice between Jesus and Barabbas, and what does this reveal about their expectations? [35:47]
2. How does Jesus describe His kingdom in John 18:36, and what implications does this have for His followers? [34:23]
3. What are the two extremes mentioned in the sermon that can hinder our effectiveness as Christ's ambassadors? [44:02]
4. According to Matthew 6:33, what should be the primary focus of a believer's life, and what promise accompanies this focus? [48:29]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How might the choice of Barabbas over Jesus reflect the crowd's misunderstanding of Jesus' mission and kingdom? [35:47]
2. In what ways does Jesus' statement about His kingdom challenge the political and social allegiances of His followers today? [34:23]
3. How can the concepts of quietism and syncretism affect a believer's engagement with societal issues? [44:02]
4. What does it mean to seek God's kingdom and righteousness first, and how does this align with the call to live differently from the world? [48:29]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current political and social allegiances. How do they align or conflict with your allegiance to Christ's kingdom? What changes might be necessary? [34:23]
2. Consider a time when you disengaged from societal issues or aligned your faith too closely with political ideologies. How did this impact your effectiveness as a follower of Christ? [44:02]
3. How can you embrace a "both-and" mentality in your daily interactions, reflecting God's heart for justice and mercy? Identify a specific situation where this approach could be applied. [45:32]
4. What practical steps can you take to seek God's kingdom and righteousness first in your life? Consider setting a specific goal for this week. [48:29]
5. Identify an area in your life where your loyalty might be divided between God and the world. What steps can you take to address this division and ensure Jesus remains on the throne of your heart? [01:01:34]
6. How can you use your influence to advance God's kingdom in your community or workplace? Identify one specific action you can take this week. [53:14]
7. Reflect on the exercise of writing a prayer for the next president. How might this practice help align your heart with God's purposes, regardless of political outcomes? [58:54]

Devotional

Day 1: Allegiance to a Heavenly Kingdom
In a world filled with political and social divides, the call to follow Jesus challenges us to prioritize our allegiance to His heavenly kingdom over earthly politics. Jesus' declaration, "My kingdom is not of this world," invites us to live by values that transcend political affiliations and focus on advancing God's kingdom. This means engaging with the world without conforming to its divisive nature, allowing our actions and decisions to be shaped by our commitment to Christ. As we navigate the complexities of life, we are reminded that our ultimate loyalty lies with Jesus, and this should guide how we interact with the world around us. [34:23]

John 18:36 (ESV): "Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.'"

Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate your allegiance to Jesus' kingdom in your daily interactions, especially when faced with political or social pressures?

Day 2: Engaging Without Compromise
The challenge of living as Christ's ambassadors in a divided world requires us to avoid the extremes of quietism and syncretism. Quietism leads to disengagement from societal issues, while syncretism results in our faith becoming entangled with political ideologies. Both can hinder our effectiveness in advancing God's kingdom. Instead, we are called to engage thoughtfully, guided by our faith, and to address societal issues with a heart aligned with God's purposes. This balanced approach allows us to be effective witnesses for Christ, demonstrating His love and justice in a world that desperately needs both. [44:02]

Romans 12:2 (ESV): "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Reflection: How can you engage with societal issues in a way that reflects your faith without compromising your allegiance to Christ?

Day 3: Embracing the Tension of Justice and Mercy
God's heart is vast enough to encompass both justice and mercy, holiness and grace. As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect this "both-and" mentality, embodying God's comprehensive love and justice in our interactions and decisions. This perspective allows us to navigate complex issues without falling into the trap of either-or thinking. By embracing the tension between these divine attributes, we can better represent God's heart to the world, offering a holistic view of His character and purposes. [45:32]

Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find it challenging to balance justice and mercy, and how can you seek God's guidance to embody both?

Day 4: Prioritizing God's Kingdom
Our primary focus as believers should be on seeking God's kingdom and righteousness. This involves aligning our lives with His will, using our influence for His purposes, and prioritizing His values over personal or political agendas. By seeking first God's kingdom, we ensure that our actions and decisions are rooted in His eternal purposes, allowing us to be effective instruments of His love and justice in the world. This daily commitment requires intentionality and a willingness to surrender our own desires for the sake of His greater plan. [48:29]

Matthew 6:33 (ESV): "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Reflection: What steps can you take today to prioritize God's kingdom in your life, and how might this change your approach to daily decisions and interactions?

Day 5: Maintaining Undivided Loyalty
Living out our faith effectively requires maintaining an undivided heart, fully devoted to God. This involves regularly examining our lives, confessing anything that divides our loyalty between God and the world, and ensuring that Jesus remains on the throne of our hearts. By cultivating an undivided loyalty to God, we can live with integrity and purpose, reflecting His love and truth to those around us. This daily surrender and reflection are essential for growing in our relationship with Christ and fulfilling our calling as His followers. [01:01:34]

James 4:8 (ESV): "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

Reflection: What areas of your life might be dividing your loyalty to God, and how can you take steps to ensure that Jesus remains at the center of your heart and actions?

Quotes

1. "This vote happened to be the most important one that had ever happened in history. It's also the most important one that will have ever happened to today. This changed eternity." [33:11] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Jesus answers the question by telling Pilate, I'm not running for political party. In fact, I'm so different. My kingdom is so different that my true followers, they won't even fight to keep me alive." [34:23] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The kingdom of God flips the script on how we think how we act it means that his followers have to be different and you may be asking so how does this work out practically does this mean you're against everybody absolutely not what this means is that we have a different set of values a different set of beliefs to live out what scripture says it doesn't mean we don't get involved it doesn't mean we don't vote because we can still try to do the most good with a vote right but what it means is we have to be different here's the deal lean into this it's ultimately it's ultimately about advancing the kingdom of God on this earth that's why we're here that is the main reason why we're here advancing the kingdom of God" [39:02] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Here's what either or can look like. I can either vote for safety and preservation of my country or welcoming the stranger and the foreigner. I can either vote for care of women or protection of babies. See how the divide is? I can either vote for financial gain or taking care of the poor among us." [44:02] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Does God care for the woman or the unborn child? It's not a trick question. It's both, right? Does God care for those who have worked hard to save money or does he care about the poor and the marginalized? Which is it? It's both. Absolutely, it's both." [45:32] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "What if God's heart is big enough to hold the tension between justice and mercy, between holiness and grace? Because either or will never measure up to God's standard. And that's why being kingdom -minded means we have to be different. Means we don't always fit in a box." [46:34] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. He's talking here about not worrying about the future, not worrying about the outcomes. Instead, seek him." [48:29] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "The kingdom of God is available to you in the here and now the question is are you available to the kingdom and if not what's getting in the way it's a great question for us today what is getting in the way me being available to the kingdom of god remember the call from jesus the invitation is to seek him above everything else" [01:00:34] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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