When Faith & Flags Collide: Q&R Series October 4, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: Choosing the Kingdom Not of This World

Jesus stood before Pilate and redefined power: a kingdom rooted in sacrificial love, not political force. The crowds chose Barabbas’ violent rebellion, but Christ’s followers are called to reject the world’s hunger for control. His kingdom operates by serving, not dominating—a countercultural vision that still clashes with systems prioritizing self-interest. To follow Jesus means disentangling our allegiance from earthly power structures and embracing the upside-down economy of the cross. [39:25]

“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.” (John 18:36, ESV)

Reflection: Where have you subtly chosen the way of Barabbas—grasping for control—instead of trusting Jesus’ servant-hearted kingdom? What one decision today could align more closely with His “power under” approach?

Day 2: Salt, Light, and the Church’s Subversive Purpose

The church isn’t called to build a Christian nation but to preserve goodness and illuminate darkness like salt and light. While governments focus on self-preservation, followers of Jesus work for justice, confront corruption, and seek others’ welfare—even when it costs them. This purpose often collides with political agendas, demanding courage to prioritize eternal impact over temporary security. [45:24]

“You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:13-14, ESV)

Reflection: How might God be calling you to “preserve” or “illuminate” your community this week? Where have you compromised this subversive purpose to avoid conflict?

Day 3: Praying for Kings When It Feels Impossible

Paul urged prayers for hostile authorities not because they deserved it, but because intercession disrupts bitterness. Praying for leaders we dislike isn’t endorsement—it’s spiritual warfare against division. Jesus modeled this by praying for His executioners, transforming the cross from a tool of oppression into a symbol of liberation. [54:07]

“I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high authority.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: What resistance do you feel when praying for leaders you oppose? How might consistent prayer reshape your heart toward those you’re tempted to dismiss?

Day 4: Loving Enemies in a Cancel Culture World

Jesus’ command to love enemies isn’t passive approval—it’s active resistance to dehumanization. Setting boundaries can be loving; silence often isn’t. The early church listened to persecutors’ fears while boldly proclaiming Christ, proving truth and grace aren’t opposites. This third way rejects both compromise and combat. [56:22]

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:43-44, ESV)

Reflection: Who feels like an “enemy” in your life right now? What’s one step—a prayer, a conversation, or a act of kindness—that could reflect Christ’s love without compromising truth?

Day 5: Rewriting the Brand with Justice, Mercy, Humility

Micah’s triad—justice, mercy, humility—rebrands a faith maligned by power struggles. Every social media post, conversation, and quiet act of integrity writes a new story about Jesus. The kingdom advances not through political takeovers but through ordinary people embodying God’s character in grocery lines, workplaces, and neighborhood conflicts. [01:00:47]

“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?” (Micah 6:8, ESV)

Reflection: Which of Micah’s three requirements feels most challenging in your current season? How can you lean into it this week to reflect Christ’s heart to those skeptical of faith?

Sermon Summary

When faith and flags collide, the problem is not one simple thing. The collision brings together a power problem, a purpose problem, a people problem, and a PR problem. The question is not whether Christians can care about their country or work for its peace and prosperity. The question is which kingdom receives their deepest allegiance.

Jesus rejects the power of the sword when Satan offers him all the kingdoms of the world. Jesus tells Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world,” and his refusal to fight shows that his kingdom does not run on power over people. Barabbas represents the kind of leader the crowds wanted, somebody who would use force against their enemies. Jesus represents power under, the power of sacrificial love. The history of rulers putting crosses on swords shows how often people have chosen Barabbas while using Jesus’ name.

Jesus’ kingdom is not from this world, but it is for this world. The church functions as salt that keeps things from rotting and light that shines into dark places. The purpose of nations centers on protecting interests, securing resources, and looking out for their own people. The purpose of Jesus’ people centers on serving others, pursuing justice, challenging abuses of power, and working for the welfare of the city. Christian nationalism cannot finally work because a Christian nation is like a square circle: Christ cannot be king where the way of power over remains in charge.

Paul’s call to respect governing authorities and Peter’s confession that “we must obey God rather than human beings” create a tension that requires discernment. Allegiance to Jesus does not produce withdrawal from public life, but it does put limits on every human demand. The people problem becomes especially hard when fear, anxiety, woundedness, and deeply opposed convictions drive conversations. Jesus calls his followers to love enemies, pray for those in authority, speak honestly, listen carefully, and set clear, calm boundaries without returning animosity for animosity.

Jesus’ brand problem comes from all that has been done in his name that does not look like his kingdom. Micah’s call to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly gives Jesus’ people a different calling card. Jesus’ command to love God and love neighbor gives them a way to write a different narrative, one conversation, one post, one act of justice, and one prayer at a time.

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus rejects power over people.
Jesus does not deny that he is King, but he refuses the kingdoms’ way of force, domination, and making enemies pay. His greatness is expressed through serving and giving his life, not taking control. The cross cannot become a tool for advancing the same kind of power Jesus rejected. [41:35]
2. Christian nationalism is a square circle.
A nation can include Christians, benefit from Christian influence, and still not become Christ’s kingdom. Nations operate through self-interest, borders, force, and competing claims of power. Christ’s kingdom operates through sacrificial love, generosity, humility, and service, which means the two cannot be confused. [47:39]
3. Allegiance to God requires discernment.
Respect for governing authorities does not mean unquestioning obedience to every human command. Peter and the apostles recognize that God’s authority stands above every ruler and institution. Faithful citizenship therefore requires wisdom about when cooperation serves the good and when obedience to God requires resistance. [51:52]
4. Love can include honest boundaries.
Love for enemies does not require pretending harmful actions are acceptable or endlessly arguing with people who refuse to listen. Jesus’ way makes room for truthfulness, calm limits, and careful listening. Prayer interrupts the reflex to mirror the hostility that has been received. [57:01]
5. Justice, mercy, and humility reshape Jesus’ image.
Jesus’ people cannot control every public association attached to Christianity, but their lives can tell a truer story. Acts of justice, mercy, and humility make the kingdom visible in classrooms, workplaces, homes, and online spaces. Hope starts where Christ’s character becomes more visible than political tribalism. [1:00:47]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[30:46] - Questions and Responses Series
[32:26] - Staying Curious, Humble, and Open
[34:36] - When Faith and Flags Collide
[37:03] - The Power Problem
[38:35] - Jesus’ Kingdom Is Not of This World
[40:28] - Choosing Jesus or Barabbas
[44:08] - The Purpose Problem
[47:15] - The Myth of a Christian Nation
[50:41] - Obeying God Rather Than Human Beings
[52:36] - The People Problem
[58:21] - The PR Problem
[1:00:47] - Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly
[1:02:26] - Bringing Jesus’ Kingdom Here

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 18:36
“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.” [38:35]

Acts 5:29
“But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men.” [50:41]

Micah 6:8
“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?” [01:00:47]

Observation questions

In John 18:36, what evidence does Jesus give that his kingdom does not operate like the kingdoms of this world? [39:10]
What contrast is drawn between Barabbas and Jesus, and what did the crowd appear to want from Barabbas? [40:23]
According to Acts 5:29, what did Peter and the apostles identify as their higher obligation when human authorities opposed God’s command? [52:08]
What three practices does Micah 6:8 name, and how are they presented as a different kind of “calling card” for Jesus’ people? [01:00:47]

Interpretation questions

Jesus does not deny that he is a king, yet he refuses to have his followers fight for him. What does this show about the kind of power Jesus expects his followers to use? [41:14]
Nations often focus on protecting their own people, resources, and interests, while Jesus’ people are called to serve others and work for justice. Where do these purposes overlap, and where can they come into conflict? [44:36]
How can Christians respect governing authorities while also taking seriously the apostles’ conviction that God must be obeyed above human beings? What kind of situations may require careful discernment rather than an automatic response? [50:41]
Micah joins justice, mercy, and humility together. Why is it important that pursuing justice does not become an excuse for harshness, pride, or treating opponents as enemies to defeat? [01:00:58]

Application questions

When political conversations, news, or social media stir up fear or anger in you, what helps you remember that your deepest allegiance belongs to Jesus and his kingdom? [50:33]
Where might you be tempted to use “power over” others—through pressure, contempt, winning arguments, or getting even? What would sacrificial, servant-shaped power look like in that relationship instead? [41:35]
Is there a leader, public official, or person in authority you strongly disagree with? What would it look like to pray for them honestly this week without simply repeating anger or animosity? [54:02]
Think of a difficult relationship where political or cultural disagreements have created tension. Would loving that person mean listening more carefully, speaking an honest concern, setting a calm boundary, or stepping away from an unhelpful argument? [57:19]
In your workplace, school, neighborhood, family, or online presence, what is one specific way you can act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly this week? [01:01:06]
What might change in your conversations if you regularly asked, “Are we on God’s side?” rather than assuming that God is on ours? [49:32]

Sermon Clips

53s

#ChristianNationMyth

“A Christian nation is a myth. It it can't exist because fundamentally there's... It's like it's like a a square circle. Like, you can't have that. It's like a mermaid or a unicorn. I could... We laugh about it and we're like, yeah, that's interesting, but it it can't exist. It doesn't exist. It won't ever exist. It doesn't matter how many Christians are involved in starting or running or looking after the affairs of a country. It's still not Christian because to be Christian means Christ is king. And that means everything in the nation would be following Jesus' instructions about sacrificial love and generosity and things that were like, that is not how nations work and will ever work. So they fundamentally cannot be the same thing.”

60s

#LoveYourEnemies

“Loving your enemy might mean just being honest with them. Hey, I'm uncomfortable with your actions. Loving them might mean setting clear and calm boundaries, not canceling them. But, hey. You know what? If you're gonna choose to continue to do this, then I'm not gonna I'm not gonna argue with you. I'm just going to draw a boundary here. Like, I'm not gonna have those conversations. Loving your enemy might mean learning to listen to them. Because one of the most loving things we can do at times is listen. And most of the people with whom you have serious disagreements are very often acting out of beliefs that are mixed with fear and anxiety and personal woundedness.”

64s

#FaithAndPolitics

“Somebody has pointed out that religion tends to come into political life in one of two ways. One way is where people say, well, I think God is on our side. And we've seen that. We've heard that. Some of us have probably lived in that kind of space. But that often leads to triumphalism, to self righteousness, to bad theology, and oftentimes to dangerous foreign policy when governments think God is on our side. The other way that faith comes into politics is when people say, are we actually on God's side? It's a complete opposite way of looking at the question. That leads to penitence, to repentance, to reflection, to humility, and even accountability.”

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How can Christians love enemies while setting boundaries?