Faith First: Navigating Politics Through Christ's Love
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we delved into the complex and often contentious intersection of faith and politics. The central question posed was whether we, as followers of Jesus, are willing to put our faith filter ahead of our political filter. This means prioritizing our identity as Christ-followers over our political affiliations, even when it creates tension between us and our political communities. The church should be a place where we can discuss politics without division, as Jesus prayed for unity among His followers.
We explored how, in the first century, people tried to align Jesus with their political views, much like today. Both Republicans and Democrats believe Jesus would support their platforms. However, Jesus did not come to take sides but to introduce the Kingdom of God, which often conflicts with earthly political systems. Therefore, it is foolish for the church to be divided over politics.
The Apostle Paul provides a template for navigating this tension through the "law of Christ," which is to love one another as Jesus loved us. This law should inform our conscience and guide our actions. Paul exemplified this by becoming all things to all people to win them to Christ, showing that our mission should transcend political affiliations.
We also discussed how the teachings of Jesus have historically influenced societal changes, such as the abolition of slavery and the condemnation of infanticide. These changes occurred because Christians allowed the law of Christ to inform their collective conscience, leading to societal transformation.
Finally, we emphasized the importance of listening to and learning from those who experience the world differently. This includes people of different political views, backgrounds, and experiences. By doing so, we can foster understanding and unity without compromising our faith. We must never burn relational bridges over political differences, as the person beside us is more precious to God than our potentially flawed political views.
### Key Takeaways
1. Faith Over Politics: As followers of Jesus, we must prioritize our faith over our political affiliations. This means being willing to create space between ourselves and our political parties when necessary to follow Jesus faithfully. Our primary identity should be as Christ-followers, not as members of a political party. [00:59]
2. The Law of Christ: The Apostle Paul introduces the "law of Christ," which is to love one another as Jesus loved us. This law should inform our conscience and guide our actions, transcending political affiliations. It calls us to a higher standard of love and unity, even in the face of political differences. [07:17]
3. Historical Impact of Christian Ethics: The teachings of Jesus have historically led to significant societal changes, such as the abolition of slavery and the condemnation of infanticide. These changes occurred because Christians allowed the law of Christ to inform their collective conscience, leading to societal transformation. [15:13]
4. Listening and Learning: We must listen to and learn from those who experience the world differently, including people of different political views, backgrounds, and experiences. This fosters understanding and unity without compromising our faith. It also helps us to see the world from different perspectives and grow in maturity. [30:41]
5. Relational Unity: We should never burn relational bridges over political differences. The person beside us is more precious to God than our potentially flawed political views. Our unity in Christ should transcend political divisions, and we should strive to love unconditionally and pray for unity. [35:06]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:59] - Faith Over Politics
[02:10] - Jesus and Political Sides
[03:15] - Interpreting Jesus Through Political Filters
[04:37] - Tony Evans' Insight
[06:01] - Kingdom Values vs. Political Parties
[07:17] - The Law of Christ
[08:37] - Paul's Mission and the Law of Christ
[09:49] - Carrying Each Other's Burdens
[11:07] - Informed Conscience
[12:25] - Collective Conscience
[13:47] - Historical Impact of Christian Ethics
[15:13] - Slavery and Christian Conscience
[16:40] - Infanticide and Christian Response
[19:10] - Influence of Christian Teaching on Society
[20:22] - The Role of the Church
[21:40] - Incorporating Knowledge and Wisdom
[23:00] - God's Accommodation to Human Capacity
[24:16] - Combining Knowledge and Wisdom with Faith
[25:20] - Disagreement Among Christians
[26:43] - Miles Law and Political Perspectives
[28:07] - Political Unity and Diversity
[29:22] - Factors Shaping Political Views
[30:41] - Listening and Learning
[32:01] - Being a Student, Not Just a Critic
[33:38] - Understanding Different Perspectives
[34:27] - Republicans and Democrats Are Alike
[35:06] - Relational Unity Over Political Views
[36:21] - The Eternal Kingdom of God
[36:59] - Disagree Politically, Love Unconditionally
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. John 13:34-35 (NIV): "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
2. Galatians 6:2 (NIV): "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
3. 1 Corinthians 9:19-22 (NIV): "Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus command His disciples to do in John 13:34-35, and how does He say this will identify them?
2. According to Galatians 6:2, what action fulfills the law of Christ?
3. In 1 Corinthians 9:19-22, how does Paul describe his approach to different groups of people, and what is his ultimate goal?
4. What did the sermon suggest about the relationship between Jesus' teachings and political affiliations? [03:15]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the command to "love one another as I have loved you" challenge our political affiliations and actions? [07:17]
2. What does it mean to "carry each other’s burdens" in the context of political and social differences? [09:49]
3. How can Paul's approach of becoming "all things to all people" be applied in our interactions with those who hold different political views? [08:37]
4. Why is it important for Christians to prioritize their faith identity over their political identity, according to the sermon? [00:59]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent political discussion you had. How did you prioritize your faith identity in that conversation? If you didn’t, how could you have done so? [00:59]
2. Think of a person with whom you have significant political differences. How can you "carry their burdens" in a way that fulfills the law of Christ? [09:49]
3. How can you practice listening to and learning from someone who experiences the world differently than you do? What steps will you take this week to engage in such a conversation? [30:41]
4. Have you ever found yourself burning a relational bridge over a political view? How can you repair that relationship in light of the sermon’s message? [35:06]
5. Identify a specific way you can demonstrate unconditional love to someone with opposing political views. What practical steps will you take to show this love? [02:10]
6. How can you incorporate the knowledge and wisdom of the current age into your informed conscience while maintaining your faith principles? [21:40]
7. Reflect on the historical impact of Christian ethics mentioned in the sermon. How can you contribute to societal transformation today by living out the law of Christ? [15:13]
Devotional
Day 1: Faith Over Politics
As followers of Jesus, we must prioritize our faith over our political affiliations. This means being willing to create space between ourselves and our political parties when necessary to follow Jesus faithfully. Our primary identity should be as Christ-followers, not as members of a political party. This can be challenging, especially in a polarized society where political identity often feels like a core part of who we are. However, Jesus calls us to a higher allegiance to His Kingdom, which transcends earthly political systems. By putting our faith filter ahead of our political filter, we can navigate political discussions with grace and unity, reflecting the love of Christ in all we do. [00:59]
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
Reflection: In what ways have you allowed your political views to overshadow your identity as a follower of Christ? How can you begin to prioritize your faith over your political affiliations today?
Day 2: The Law of Christ
The Apostle Paul introduces the "law of Christ," which is to love one another as Jesus loved us. This law should inform our conscience and guide our actions, transcending political affiliations. It calls us to a higher standard of love and unity, even in the face of political differences. Paul exemplified this by becoming all things to all people to win them to Christ, showing that our mission should transcend political affiliations. By embracing the law of Christ, we can foster a community that prioritizes love and unity over division. [07:17]
Galatians 6:2 (ESV): "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
Reflection: How can you show Christ-like love to someone with different political views today? What practical steps can you take to bear their burdens and fulfill the law of Christ?
Day 3: Historical Impact of Christian Ethics
The teachings of Jesus have historically led to significant societal changes, such as the abolition of slavery and the condemnation of infanticide. These changes occurred because Christians allowed the law of Christ to inform their collective conscience, leading to societal transformation. When we let the teachings of Jesus guide our actions and decisions, we can be agents of positive change in our communities and the world. This historical impact reminds us of the power of living out our faith authentically and courageously. [15:13]
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: Reflect on a societal issue that you are passionate about. How can you allow the teachings of Jesus to inform your actions and contribute to positive change in this area?
Day 4: Listening and Learning
We must listen to and learn from those who experience the world differently, including people of different political views, backgrounds, and experiences. This fosters understanding and unity without compromising our faith. It also helps us to see the world from different perspectives and grow in maturity. By being open to learning from others, we can build bridges of understanding and demonstrate the love of Christ in our interactions. [30:41]
James 1:19 (ESV): "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who has a different perspective or experience than you. How can you intentionally listen to and learn from them this week?
Day 5: Relational Unity
We should never burn relational bridges over political differences. The person beside us is more precious to God than our potentially flawed political views. Our unity in Christ should transcend political divisions, and we should strive to love unconditionally and pray for unity. By focusing on our shared identity in Christ, we can maintain strong relationships and reflect the unity that Jesus prayed for among His followers. [35:06]
Ephesians 4:3 (ESV): "Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
Reflection: Is there a relationship in your life that has been strained due to political differences? How can you take steps to restore unity and demonstrate Christ's love in that relationship today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Are we willing to put our faith filter ahead of our political filter? Are we willing to be Christ followers first and Republicans and Democrats and Libertarians and whatever else you might be? Second, are we willing to follow Jesus? This is the tough one. Are we willing to follow Jesus when following Jesus creates space between us and our political party, space between us and our political platform, or the platform of our political party, and space between us and our political community?" [00:59] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Jesus did not come to take sides. He came to take over. But he said it a lot better than I just did, okay? It was so powerful. I never forgot that. And he's absolutely right. Jesus came. Jesus came to introduce the kingdom of God to earth. The kingdom of God values, the upside-down kingdom, where those with the wealth and the power leverage their wealth and power and resources. For those that have less power, less resource, less resource." [04:37] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The kingdom of God, where the king laid down his life for his subjects rather than demanding his subjects lay down their lives for him. The kingdom of God that was so broad and inclusive that he said, and everybody is invited to participate in it. But the kingdom of God will always, perhaps, I think this is the case, but this is just my opinion. The kingdom of God will always, in some detail and at some level, conflict with the kingdoms of men." [05:00] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The law of Christ should inform our collective conscience. Let me give you a couple of quick examples, because as simple as that is, this is a powerful, powerful, powerful dynamic. In fact, this dynamic shaped Western culture. You hear me say that all the time, but it's absolutely true. For example, once upon a time, all over the world, everywhere in the world, every village, every town, every kingdom, it was self-evident, which means it was obvious. It was unquestioned. It was like, duh." [13:47] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So listen, listen, learn, and love, and don't miss part three of Talking Points. Andy, this is so naive. Do you really think that's gonna make any difference? You just remember this. Once upon a time, there were a handful of Jesus followers crushed between an empire and the temple. And they gave to Caesar what was Caesar's. And they gave to God what was God's. Their lives. And now the empire is no more. The temple is no more. Rome's most famous emperor is nothing but a footnote in the story of Jesus of Nazareth." [36:21] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "The law of Christ, as we're going to discover, was his shorthand for Jesus' new covenant command that we talk about all the time. When Jesus gathered with his disciples for the final covenant, he said, I'm going to be a substitute for all the other commands. You had 613, you had Torah, but I'm giving you a new command because we're establishing a new covenant. And as you probably know, the new command was simple. It was, you are to love one another, with a caveat, as I have loved you." [07:17] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Carry each other's burdens. When you see somebody who's burdened financially, somebody's burdened with kids, somebody's burdened with work, somebody's burdened with a physical, ailment, or he's gotten tripped up in life. You are to carry one another's. And again, this isn't each other thing. This isn't everybody's end. This is the body of Christ functioning like the body. Carry each other's burdens. And if you do, look at this. If you'll do that, you are fulfilling. And here it is again, the law of Christ." [09:49] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When the concerns of others concern you, and you act on it, you are fulfilling the law of Christ. You are doing what Jesus told the disciples to do. And again, the New Testament marching orders for those of us who were Jesus followers. So here's the thing. As Jesus followers, all of all persuasions, regardless of your political persuasion, if you're a Jesus followers, the law of Christ, that is your marching orders. And the law of Christ should inform over time as we grow as Christians, our conscience." [11:07] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Never, please, never, ever, ever burn a relational bridge over a political view. Never, ever, ever burn a, well, you say, well, they started the fire. Okay, well, they started the fire on their end of the bridge. Don't start a fire on your end of the bridge. Never burn a bridge, a relational bridge, because over a political view. Because this goes back to Jesus' commandment. This goes back to the cross. This goes back to the epicenter of what we believe as Christians. The you beside you is more precious to God than your potentially flawed view." [35:06] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And that it's even possible to disagree politically, to love unconditionally, while we pray for unity. Because at Calvary, at Calvary, at the cross, we lost our right to do anything less than. So listen, listen, learn, and love, and don't miss part three of Talking Points." [36:59] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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