Faithful Engagement: Navigating Dual Citizenship in Christ
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the complex relationship between our faith and our political engagement. The central question we tackled was: Can we worship and serve God alongside people who vote differently from us? We revisited the scene where Jesus stands before Pilate, emphasizing that Jesus' kingdom is not of this world. This means that as followers of Christ, we should not adopt the same strategies as earthly kingdoms, such as manipulation, power plays, and fear-mongering. Instead, we are called to operate from a place of faith, knowing that in the end, we win because we belong to a different kingdom.
We discussed the concept of dual citizenship—being citizens of both the United States and the Kingdom of God. This duality can create tension, but it is crucial to determine which kingdom holds our supreme allegiance. Jesus' calm demeanor before Pilate, despite the earthly power Pilate wielded, serves as a model for us. Jesus knew that Pilate's power was granted from above, and this heavenly perspective should guide our actions and attitudes.
The divisive spirit prevalent in today's political climate can easily slip into the church if we are not vigilant. We must love our country and participate in its democratic processes, but our ultimate allegiance must be to God's kingdom. This allegiance should shape our actions, attitudes, and even our emotional responses to political outcomes.
We also examined what it means to be a true patriot of the Kingdom of God. It involves being the church—an outpost of God's kingdom on earth—overcoming evil with good, and not getting distracted by the everyday concerns that can pull us away from our mission. We are called to be good soldiers of Christ, using God's mighty weapons, such as love, prayer, and worship, to advance His kingdom.
### Key Takeaways
1. Jesus' Kingdom is Not of This World: Jesus made it clear that His kingdom operates differently from earthly kingdoms. As His followers, we should not resort to manipulation, power plays, or fear-mongering. Instead, we should operate from a place of faith, knowing that our ultimate victory is assured in Christ. [02:51]
2. Dual Citizenship and Supreme Allegiance: While we are citizens of our earthly nations, our supreme allegiance must be to the Kingdom of God. This means that our actions, attitudes, and priorities should reflect our commitment to God's kingdom above all else. If we have two firsts, we truly have none. [10:41]
3. Avoiding a Divisive Spirit: The divisive spirit prevalent in today's political climate can easily infiltrate the church. We must guard against this by focusing on our shared identity in Christ and our mission as His followers. Our love for our country should never surpass our love for God's kingdom. [09:10]
4. Being the Church: As an outpost of God's kingdom on earth, the church is called to overcome evil with good. This involves practical acts of love and service that reflect God's goodness to the world. When we live out our calling, we become a transformative force in society. [23:42]
5. Using God's Mighty Weapons: Our battle is not against flesh and blood, and our weapons are not of this world. We are called to use God's mighty weapons—such as love, prayer, and worship—to advance His kingdom. These spiritual practices have the power to bring about real change in the world. [39:51]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:24] - Jesus Before Pilate
[02:51] - Earthly vs. Heavenly Kingdoms
[04:12] - Fear-Mongering and Faith
[05:48] - Dual Citizenship
[07:27] - Love for Country and Kingdom
[09:10] - Divisive Spirit in Politics
[10:41] - Supreme Allegiance
[12:08] - Jesus' Calm Before Pilate
[14:17] - The Impossibility of Two Firsts
[16:33] - Kingdom Perspective
[18:28] - Seek First the Kingdom
[20:13] - Early Christian Allegiance
[21:52] - Jesus is Lord
[23:42] - Being the Church
[25:21] - Overcoming Evil with Good
[28:43] - Transformative Power of the Kingdom
[30:46] - Staying Focused
[32:44] - Good Soldiers of Christ
[34:34] - Avoiding Distractions
[39:51] - Using God's Mighty Weapons
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. Romans 12:21 - "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus mean when He says, "My kingdom is not of this world"? How does this statement shape our understanding of His mission? [01:24]
2. According to the sermon, what are some strategies that earthly kingdoms use that Jesus' followers should avoid? [02:51]
3. How does the concept of dual citizenship create tension for believers, and what should be our supreme allegiance? [05:48]
4. What does Romans 12:21 suggest about how we should respond to evil in the world?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Jesus' calm demeanor before Pilate serve as a model for us in dealing with earthly authorities and political tensions? [12:08]
2. What does it mean to seek first the Kingdom of God, and how might this priority affect our daily decisions and actions? [16:33]
3. How can the divisive spirit prevalent in today's political climate infiltrate the church, and what steps can we take to guard against it? [09:10]
4. What are some practical ways the church can act as an outpost of God's kingdom on earth, overcoming evil with good? [23:42]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own political engagement. Are there ways in which you have adopted strategies of earthly kingdoms, such as manipulation or fear-mongering? How can you shift to operating from a place of faith? [02:51]
2. Consider your dual citizenship. Which kingdom—earthly or heavenly—holds your supreme allegiance? How can you ensure that your actions and attitudes reflect your commitment to God's kingdom above all else? [10:41]
3. Have you ever experienced or witnessed a divisive spirit within the church? How did it affect the community, and what can you do to promote unity and focus on our shared identity in Christ? [09:10]
4. In what ways can you and your small group be the church, acting as a transformative force in society? Identify specific acts of love and service you can undertake together. [23:42]
5. Think about the spiritual weapons mentioned in the sermon—love, prayer, and worship. How can you incorporate these practices more intentionally into your daily life to advance God's kingdom? [39:51]
6. Reflect on a recent political outcome that affected you emotionally. How can you adopt a kingdom perspective, trusting that ultimate power and victory belong to God? [12:08]
7. Identify one area in your life where you feel distracted from your mission as a follower of Christ. What steps can you take this week to refocus and stay committed to your calling? [34:34]
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus' Kingdom is Not of This World
As followers of Christ, we are called to recognize that Jesus' kingdom operates on principles vastly different from those of earthly kingdoms. Earthly kingdoms often rely on manipulation, power plays, and fear-mongering to maintain control and influence. In contrast, Jesus' kingdom is founded on faith, love, and the assurance of ultimate victory in Christ. This understanding should shape how we engage with the world around us, especially in the realm of politics and social issues. We are to be guided by faith, knowing that our true allegiance lies with a kingdom that transcends earthly power structures. [02:51]
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: How can you demonstrate the values of Jesus' kingdom in your interactions with others today, especially those who may hold different political views from you?
Day 2: Dual Citizenship and Supreme Allegiance
As Christians, we hold dual citizenship: one in our earthly nation and one in the Kingdom of God. This duality can create tension, especially when the values of our earthly nation conflict with those of God's kingdom. It is crucial to determine which kingdom holds our supreme allegiance. Our actions, attitudes, and priorities should reflect our commitment to God's kingdom above all else. Jesus' calm demeanor before Pilate, despite the earthly power Pilate wielded, serves as a model for us. Jesus knew that Pilate's power was granted from above, and this heavenly perspective should guide our actions and attitudes. [10:41]
Philippians 3:20 (ESV): "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ."
Reflection: In what ways can you prioritize your allegiance to God's kingdom over your earthly citizenship today? What specific actions can you take to reflect this priority?
Day 3: Avoiding a Divisive Spirit
The divisive spirit prevalent in today's political climate can easily infiltrate the church if we are not vigilant. We must guard against this by focusing on our shared identity in Christ and our mission as His followers. Our love for our country should never surpass our love for God's kingdom. By maintaining our focus on our shared identity in Christ, we can prevent political divisions from disrupting the unity of the church. This requires intentional effort to prioritize our spiritual mission over political affiliations and to engage in conversations with grace and humility. [09:10]
Ephesians 4:3 (ESV): "Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
Reflection: How can you contribute to unity within your church community, especially when political differences arise? What steps can you take to ensure that your love for God's kingdom remains paramount?
Day 4: Being the Church
As an outpost of God's kingdom on earth, the church is called to overcome evil with good. This involves practical acts of love and service that reflect God's goodness to the world. When we live out our calling, we become a transformative force in society. The church should be a beacon of hope, demonstrating the values of God's kingdom through our actions. By engaging in acts of kindness, service, and love, we can reflect God's character and make a positive impact on the world around us. [23:42]
Romans 12:21 (ESV): "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Reflection: What practical act of love or service can you perform today to reflect God's goodness to those around you? How can you be a transformative force in your community?
Day 5: Using God's Mighty Weapons
Our battle is not against flesh and blood, and our weapons are not of this world. We are called to use God's mighty weapons—such as love, prayer, and worship—to advance His kingdom. These spiritual practices have the power to bring about real change in the world. By relying on God's strength and the tools He provides, we can effectively combat the forces of darkness and promote His kingdom on earth. This requires a commitment to spiritual disciplines and a reliance on God's power rather than our own. [39:51]
2 Corinthians 10:4 (ESV): "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds."
Reflection: How can you incorporate love, prayer, and worship into your daily routine to advance God's kingdom? What specific stronghold in your life or community can you target with these spiritual weapons?
Quotes
1. "How about this thought? Can we, now seriously, I want you to think about this. Can we worship God, serve God, even sit next to people that do not vote like we do? Interesting." [01:24] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If we're not careful, the church can use the same strategies as earthly kingdoms. And I'm not here to preach a lot of fear to you. I'm here to preach a lot of faith to you. How could you have faith? Well, I have faith because I'm a part of a different kingdom and we use different strategies. In fact, in the end, I've got a little secret for you. We win." [04:12] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Christianity is basically at the, at the bottom of it is about a king and his kingdom. Come on, say a king, a king and his kingdom. Now here is where the rub is. And this is where it gets confusing. This is, this is where the challenge is, is because apparently pastor Charlie, what you're saying is we, each one of us, if we're, if we're truly followers of Christ, we have dual citizenship." [05:48] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Which country is truly first in your heart? That's the nub of it. Now, Pastor, I can't answer that for you, but, but we have to think about that question. Which, come on, let's, let's ask the question together. Which country is first, truly first in our hearts? Let's go on. Which has our, our complete and total love and supreme allegiance? Come on, say supreme. Supreme allegiance." [10:41] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If you have two firsts, really don't have a first. But Pastor Charlie, both countries, both kingdoms are important to me. They're number one. Let me suggest again. I'm sorry. We're thanking people. I pride myself. I'm a science person, Pastor Charlie. Okay. That's great. So am I. Do you mean by that we don't use our brains? It's an impossibility to have two number ones." [14:17] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "What in the world got the early Christians in trouble? It wasn't because they had Jesus as savior. Rome's fine with that. He's your savior. He saved you. Whatever that means, saved you. That's wonderful. It's when those early Christians started saying, no, Jesus isn't just our savior. He's the Lord of all. That Lord is a political term. Lord was a word that was used for Caesar." [20:13] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Let's be the church. What is the church? The church is a, it's a physical outpost of the kingdom of God in, in the earth. Lord, I pray that when people who are on the outside interact with us, the church, that they walk away and they have tasted of the goodness of God and they can see that the Lord is, is truly good." [23:42] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "God's kingdom. Listen to me has different strategies than earthly kingdom. It's a very real kingdom. And if this kingdom expands and if we will be who we are called to be, it will literally transform the kingdoms of the earth, or we can get caught up and doing the kingdoms of the earth strategies. Are you here? Turn to somebody and say, let's be the church. Let's be the church." [26:46] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Let's not get distracted. Come on. Let's not get distracted. Read the rest of it with me. If you would, let's remember who we are and what we're called to do. How are you doing with that? Let's not get distracted. Look how Paul describes that. The church. He's talking, he's writing Timothy. Timothy's pastoring a church. Look what he says. This is 2 Timothy 2, 3. Share in the troubles we have like a, like a what? So weak in here. Like a what?" [30:46] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "We are human, but we don't fight like humans do. We, come on, say we. We. We use what? Let's stop right there. We're out of time. God, God, we use his mighty weapons. What is that? One of the most powerful weapons we have is the good news of the love of God. Prayer, singing praise and worship, filling this house with just the authentic worship of God. People come in and go, my God, never felt this before. This is different." [39:51] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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