Faithful Engagement in a Divisive Political Culture
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone! Today, we gathered to worship and reflect on our week, laying down our burdens and committing ourselves to God. We took communion together, reflecting on the sacrifice of Jesus and the significance of His body and blood in our daily lives. This act reminds us of our call to honor God with our bodies and produce fruit as branches connected to the vine, Jesus.
We then began a new series titled "Smell Like Smoke," focusing on how to maintain our allegiance to Jesus while influencing the culture around us. Drawing from the New Testament, particularly Paul's letters, we discussed the importance of living out our faith in a challenging and politically charged environment. Paul encouraged the early church to maintain their allegiance to Jesus while having a positive influence on their culture, rather than being influenced by it.
We explored Jude 23, which calls us to "snatch others from the fire," meaning we must be close enough to the world's issues to make a difference but not be consumed by them. This involves engaging with the world while holding firmly to our faith. We acknowledged the emotional responses that politics can evoke, such as anxiety, anger, and apathy, and emphasized the need to submit these emotions to God.
We also discussed the importance of not letting our political views overshadow our faith. C.S. Lewis's "Screwtape Letters" was referenced to illustrate how political opinions can become more important than our allegiance to Jesus. We must ensure that our faith informs our political views, not the other way around.
Finally, we were challenged to reflect on our emotions and political views, ensuring they align with our faith in Jesus. We were given homework to meditate on questions about our political engagement and how it aligns with our faith. This series aims to help us navigate the divisive political culture biblically and maintain our allegiance to Jesus.
### Key Takeaways
1. Commitment to Worship and Reflection: We began by laying down our weekly burdens and committing ourselves to God through worship and communion. This act of reflection helps us remember the sacrifice of Jesus and the importance of honoring God with our bodies and producing fruit in our daily lives. [01:42]
2. Engaging with Culture Without Being Consumed: Jude 23 calls us to "snatch others from the fire," meaning we must engage with the world's issues to make a difference while maintaining our allegiance to Jesus. This balance allows us to influence culture positively without being consumed by it. [28:37]
3. Emotional Responses to Politics: Politics can evoke strong emotions such as anxiety, anger, and apathy. It's crucial to recognize and submit these emotions to God, ensuring they do not overshadow our faith. This submission helps us navigate the political landscape with a Christ-centered perspective. [31:15]
4. Faith Over Political Allegiance: C.S. Lewis's "Screwtape Letters" illustrates how political opinions can become more important than our faith. We must ensure that our faith informs our political views, not the other way around. This alignment helps us maintain our allegiance to Jesus amidst political division. [48:06]
5. Reflecting on Political Engagement: We were challenged to reflect on our political views and emotions, ensuring they align with our faith in Jesus. This reflection involves asking ourselves how we think about, participate in, and respond to the political climate, ensuring our faith leads our political engagement. [55:27]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:49] - Opening Prayer
[01:42] - Commitment to Worship
[21:16] - Communion Reflection
[22:56] - Significance of Communion
[25:07] - Thanksgiving and Blessings
[26:14] - Introduction to "Smell Like Smoke"
[27:18] - Maintaining Allegiance to Jesus
[28:37] - Snatching Others from the Fire
[31:15] - Emotional Responses to Politics
[33:16] - Preparing for Political Outcomes
[35:21] - Encouragement and Empowerment
[38:06] - Shepherding Through Political Division
[40:47] - Understanding the Times
[44:07] - Historical Context and C.S. Lewis
[48:06] - Faith Over Political Allegiance
[51:51] - Identifying Political Influence
[55:27] - Reflecting on Political Engagement
[57:58] - Navigating Political Culture Biblically
[59:42] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Jude 23: "Save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh."
2. 1 Corinthians 6:20: "For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."
3. John 15:5: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Jude 23 mean when it says to "snatch others from the fire"? How does this relate to engaging with the world without being consumed by it? [28:37]
2. According to 1 Corinthians 6:20, why should we honor God with our bodies? How was this connected to the act of communion in the sermon? [21:16]
3. In John 15:5, what is the significance of being a branch connected to the vine, Jesus? How does this connection help us produce fruit in our daily lives? [21:47]
4. How did the pastor describe the emotional responses to politics, and why is it important to submit these emotions to God? [31:15]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How can Christians balance being close enough to the world's issues to make a difference without being consumed by them, as described in Jude 23? [28:37]
2. What does it mean to honor God with our bodies in the context of our daily lives, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 6:20? How does this apply to our actions and decisions? [21:16]
3. How does remaining in Jesus, as described in John 15:5, empower us to produce fruit? What are some practical ways to ensure we stay connected to the vine? [21:47]
4. Why is it crucial for our faith to inform our political views rather than the other way around, as illustrated by the reference to C.S. Lewis's "Screwtape Letters"? [48:06]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current political views. Do they align with your faith in Jesus, or have they overshadowed it? How can you ensure your faith leads your political engagement? [55:27]
2. Think about a recent situation where you felt strong emotions related to politics. How did you handle those emotions? What steps can you take to submit these emotions to God in the future? [31:15]
3. How can you engage with the world's issues to make a positive difference while maintaining your allegiance to Jesus? Identify one specific action you can take this week to influence your culture positively. [28:37]
4. In what ways can you honor God with your body in your daily life? Choose one area (e.g., health, relationships, work) and describe a specific change you can make to glorify God in that area. [21:16]
5. How can you stay connected to Jesus, the vine, in your daily routine? Identify one spiritual practice (e.g., prayer, Bible reading, worship) that you can commit to this week to strengthen your connection. [21:47]
6. Reflect on a time when your political views caused division in a relationship. How can you approach political discussions in a way that prioritizes unity and reflects your faith in Jesus? [48:06]
7. What specific steps can you take to be a leader in your community, showing the love and light of Jesus in a divisive political culture? How can you encourage others to do the same? [59:42]
Devotional
Day 1: Commitment to Worship and Reflection
Reflecting on our week and laying down our burdens through worship and communion is a powerful act of devotion. This practice not only helps us remember the sacrifice of Jesus but also calls us to honor God with our bodies and produce fruit in our daily lives. By participating in communion, we are reminded of the significance of Jesus' body and blood, which strengthens our commitment to live a life that reflects His love and grace. This act of worship is a time to pause, reflect, and realign our hearts with God's will, ensuring that we are living in a way that honors Him.
[01:42]
1 Corinthians 11:28-29 (ESV): "Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself."
Reflection: As you reflect on your week, what burdens do you need to lay down before God today? How can you honor God with your body and actions this week?
Day 2: Engaging with Culture Without Being Consumed
Jude 23 calls us to "snatch others from the fire," which means we must engage with the world's issues to make a difference while maintaining our allegiance to Jesus. This balance allows us to influence culture positively without being consumed by it. Engaging with the world requires us to be close enough to understand its issues and challenges, yet firm in our faith to avoid being swayed by its values. By staying rooted in our faith, we can be a light in the darkness, offering hope and guidance to those around us.
[28:37]
Jude 1:22-23 (ESV): "And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh."
Reflection: How can you engage with the world's issues this week without compromising your faith? What practical steps can you take to be a positive influence in your community?
Day 3: Emotional Responses to Politics
Politics can evoke strong emotions such as anxiety, anger, and apathy. It's crucial to recognize and submit these emotions to God, ensuring they do not overshadow our faith. By submitting our emotions to God, we can navigate the political landscape with a Christ-centered perspective, allowing our faith to guide our responses and actions. This submission helps us maintain peace and clarity, even in the midst of political turmoil, and ensures that our allegiance to Jesus remains our primary focus.
[31:15]
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV): "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: What political issues or emotions are causing you anxiety or anger? How can you submit these emotions to God and seek His peace in your heart?
Day 4: Faith Over Political Allegiance
C.S. Lewis's "Screwtape Letters" illustrates how political opinions can become more important than our faith. We must ensure that our faith informs our political views, not the other way around. This alignment helps us maintain our allegiance to Jesus amidst political division. By prioritizing our faith, we can navigate political discussions and decisions with wisdom and grace, ensuring that our actions reflect our commitment to Jesus rather than being driven by political ideologies.
[48:06]
Colossians 3:2-3 (ESV): "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."
Reflection: Are there any political views or opinions that have overshadowed your faith? How can you realign your political engagement to ensure it is informed by your faith in Jesus?
Day 5: Reflecting on Political Engagement
We were challenged to reflect on our political views and emotions, ensuring they align with our faith in Jesus. This reflection involves asking ourselves how we think about, participate in, and respond to the political climate, ensuring our faith leads our political engagement. By taking the time to reflect, we can identify areas where we may need to adjust our perspectives or actions to better align with our commitment to Jesus, ultimately allowing our faith to guide us in all aspects of life.
[55:27]
James 1:5 (ESV): "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."
Reflection: How do your political views and emotions align with your faith in Jesus? What changes can you make to ensure your political engagement is led by your faith?
Quotes
1. "When we have the mindset that says I can't do this, I can't get free from this sin, or I can't stop struggling with this, our inability to follow his commandments is really our flesh denying the works of the cross and the resurrection." [22:21] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We are called to have impact, influence, love, and serve. Like that's our main, that's what we're called. And so I am going to talk about politics. We're going to dig into some politics because I think if there is a season and time that we live in a wild culture that is absolutely on fire, like a dumpster fire, and we want to avoid it, but the reality is we've got to get in and we're going to smell like smoke a little bit." [30:10] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Regardless of your political ideology, I do believe that there is one thing that we all can agree on is that there is very little that we actually agree on. I don't mean us in this room, I'm talking about as culture. So let's talk about emotions because I feel like that me just mentioning that we're going to talk about politics, there was some emotions that evoked upon you." [30:41] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The reality is we are in a very divided, complicated political culture, and it feels like sometimes that we're really just not set up to win. It feels like we're just set up to lose no matter which direction happens. And so the emotions that you have are actually, they're real. And I think that we need to own them, and I think you need to dig into them, and then you need to be able to work through them." [33:16] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "As a follower of Jesus, how should we think about, participate in, and respond to this incredibly divisive political climate that we are in? That's a question that you need to ask yourself. How do I think, how do I participate, and how do I respond to this culture?" [43:09] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "How can we live lives of allegiance to Jesus within a society governed by people with differing perspectives and priorities? As you are thinking about those two questions, I want you to also bear in mind, I want you to think about, I want you to have an understanding that we are not the first people to face these challenges. This challenge of maintaining allegiance to Jesus amidst the politics of the day." [44:07] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Instead of God's word informing our political views, our political views end up forming the way we read God's word. We have to be careful of that. We have to avoid that. That's the spiral that we have to avoid. It's when people take Scripture out of context to justify or push their political opinion on you." [50:26] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Are politics a part of your faith? Are you serving? Are you serving your community and civic duty as salt and light? Or has it become a religion to you? Has it become your religion where your stance with a political party will lead you to break relationships and creating more division? Because that's really the work of the enemy. The enemy wants to create division." [56:03] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "The word actually tells us that we're to chew on the word. We're supposed to actually listen to a teaching and go meditate on it and ask the Lord, what is the meat that I need to chew on and what are the bones that I need to spit out? Honestly, I expect you guys with me, when I preach, I want you to go home and go, Lord, what do I need to hold on to?" [57:24] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "We are going to spend the next few weeks biblically speaking how we are to navigate our divisive political culture. We cannot avoid it. We cannot hide from it. You can't run from it. This has been going on for centuries. And so I'm going to unpack just from biblical context what Jesus had to do with it and what the people, his disciples, were walking through and how they did." [57:58] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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