Faithful Engagement: Navigating Politics with Kingdom Values
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound intersection of faith and political engagement, emphasizing the call for Christians to navigate this realm with a primary allegiance to the kingdom of God. We began by reflecting on Philippians 1:27, where Paul urges believers to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel, highlighting that our ultimate citizenship is in heaven. This foundational truth reorients our approach to political systems, reminding us that while we live in this world, our allegiance is to Jesus and His kingdom.
We delved into the role of government as outlined in scripture, particularly in 1 Peter 2 and Romans 13, where the governing authorities are seen as agents to restrain chaos. However, this submission is not blind; it is contingent upon the alignment with the way of Jesus. When governments overstep, demanding allegiance that conflicts with our faith, our loyalty remains with Christ. This calls for a discerning engagement, where we bear witness to Jesus through our actions and words, embodying His love and truth in all spheres of life.
The sermon also addressed the tension between winning and witnessing. In a world that often equates success with power and dominance, we are reminded of the example of Jesus, who chose the path of witness over worldly victory. This is a call to prioritize faithful witness over immediate political gains, understanding that true transformation comes from embodying the values of the kingdom.
We explored practical ways to engage politically, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful discernment. This involves celebrating what aligns with God's kingdom, rejecting what contradicts it, transforming what can be redeemed, and creating culture that reflects the values of the kingdom. Ultimately, our political engagement is not about achieving a perfect system but about faithfully representing Jesus in a broken world.
Key Takeaways:
- Our primary allegiance is to the kingdom of God, which redefines our engagement with political systems. As citizens of heaven, our conduct should reflect the values of the gospel, prioritizing our loyalty to Jesus above all else. [04:28]
- The role of government, as outlined in scripture, is to restrain chaos and maintain order. However, our submission to authorities is not absolute; it is contingent upon their alignment with the way of Jesus. When conflicts arise, our loyalty remains with Christ. [15:08]
- Bearing witness to Jesus involves living in a way that reveals His truth and love. This is not about manipulation or force but about embodying the values of the kingdom through our actions and words, even when it means foregoing immediate political victories. [21:23]
- Political engagement requires thoughtful discernment, celebrating what aligns with God's kingdom, rejecting what contradicts it, transforming what can be redeemed, and creating culture that reflects the values of the kingdom. This approach acknowledges the complexity of our world and the need for a nuanced response. [36:55]
- Our hope is not in political systems or leaders but in Jesus, the Lamb of God. As we engage politically, we must remember that true transformation comes from embodying the values of the kingdom, trusting in God's ultimate plan to redeem and renew all things. [56:20]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:28] - Engaging with the World
[03:15] - Citizenship in Heaven
[04:28] - Allegiance to the Kingdom
[06:02] - Representing the Kingdom
[07:15] - Living as Foreigners
[09:35] - Responding to Accusations
[11:13] - Submission to Authorities
[15:08] - Role of Government
[16:19] - Overstepping Authorities
[18:35] - Bearing Witness
[21:23] - The What and the How
[23:25] - Medium is the Message
[27:07] - Engaging Politically
[31:00] - Thoughtful Engagement
[36:55] - Political Discernment
[40:17] - Sober-Minded Engagement
[43:35] - Winning vs. Witnessing
[49:27] - Power in Witness
[56:20] - Hope in the Lamb
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Philippians 1:27
- 1 Peter 2:11-17
- Romans 13:1-7
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Observation Questions:
1. In Philippians 1:27, what does Paul mean by conducting ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel? How does this relate to our citizenship in heaven? [03:15]
2. According to 1 Peter 2:11-12, how are Christians described in relation to the world, and what is the expected outcome of living such good lives among non-believers? [08:37]
3. What role does Romans 13:1-7 suggest that governing authorities have, and how does this align with the sermon’s discussion on the role of government? [15:08]
4. How does the sermon describe the tension between winning and witnessing, and what example from Jesus' life is used to illustrate this? [47:40]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of being "foreigners and exiles" in 1 Peter 2:11-12 challenge the way Christians engage with political systems? What might this look like in practical terms? [08:37]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our allegiance to the kingdom of God should influence our political engagement? How does this compare to the allegiance expected by earthly governments? [04:28]
3. The sermon mentions that true transformation comes from embodying the values of the kingdom. How does this idea relate to the biblical passages discussed, and what implications does it have for Christians today? [56:20]
4. How does the sermon interpret the role of government as outlined in Romans 13, and what are the limitations of this role according to the sermon? [15:08]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current political engagement. How does your allegiance to the kingdom of God influence your actions and decisions in this area? Are there specific changes you feel called to make? [04:28]
2. Consider a recent situation where you felt tension between winning and witnessing. How did you respond, and what might you do differently in the future to prioritize faithful witness? [47:40]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of thoughtful discernment in political engagement. What steps can you take to better discern what aligns with God's kingdom and what contradicts it? [36:55]
4. How can you embody the values of the kingdom in your daily interactions, especially in contexts where you might face opposition or misunderstanding? [21:23]
5. Identify one area of political or social engagement where you feel called to create culture that reflects the values of the kingdom. What practical steps can you take to begin this process? [38:23]
6. Reflect on the idea that our hope is not in political systems or leaders but in Jesus. How does this perspective shape your view of current events and your role as a Christian in society? [56:20]
7. The sermon suggests that change often comes from the bottom up. What small, everyday actions can you take to contribute to positive change in your community? [55:14]
Devotional
Day 1: Allegiance to the Kingdom of God
Our primary allegiance is to the kingdom of God, which redefines our engagement with political systems. As citizens of heaven, our conduct should reflect the values of the gospel, prioritizing our loyalty to Jesus above all else. This means that while we participate in earthly systems, our actions and decisions should be guided by the principles of the kingdom of God. Our ultimate citizenship is in heaven, and this truth should shape how we interact with the world around us. We are called to live in a way that honors God, even when it challenges the norms and expectations of society. [04:28]
Philippians 3:20-21 (ESV): "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself."
Reflection: In what ways can you prioritize your heavenly citizenship in your daily interactions and decisions today?
Day 2: Discernment in Submission to Authorities
The role of government, as outlined in scripture, is to restrain chaos and maintain order. However, our submission to authorities is not absolute; it is contingent upon their alignment with the way of Jesus. When conflicts arise, our loyalty remains with Christ. This requires discernment to recognize when earthly authorities overstep their bounds and demand allegiance that conflicts with our faith. In such instances, we are called to stand firm in our commitment to Christ, even if it means facing opposition or misunderstanding. [15:08]
Acts 5:29 (ESV): "But Peter and the apostles answered, 'We must obey God rather than men.'"
Reflection: Is there a situation where you feel tension between following earthly authority and your faith? How can you seek God's wisdom in navigating this?
Day 3: Witnessing Through Actions and Words
Bearing witness to Jesus involves living in a way that reveals His truth and love. This is not about manipulation or force but about embodying the values of the kingdom through our actions and words, even when it means foregoing immediate political victories. Our lives should be a testament to the transformative power of the gospel, showing others the love and truth of Jesus through how we live and interact with the world. This calls for a commitment to integrity and authenticity, prioritizing faithful witness over worldly success. [21:23]
1 Peter 2:12 (ESV): "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."
Reflection: How can you intentionally demonstrate the love and truth of Jesus in a specific relationship or situation today?
Day 4: Thoughtful Political Engagement
Political engagement requires thoughtful discernment, celebrating what aligns with God's kingdom, rejecting what contradicts it, transforming what can be redeemed, and creating culture that reflects the values of the kingdom. This approach acknowledges the complexity of our world and the need for a nuanced response. As Christians, we are called to engage with the world in a way that reflects the values of the kingdom, seeking to bring about positive change while remaining faithful to our core beliefs. [36:55]
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: What is one area of political or social engagement where you can apply the values of God's kingdom today?
Day 5: Hope in Jesus, Not Political Systems
Our hope is not in political systems or leaders but in Jesus, the Lamb of God. As we engage politically, we must remember that true transformation comes from embodying the values of the kingdom, trusting in God's ultimate plan to redeem and renew all things. This perspective helps us maintain hope and focus, even when political systems fail or disappoint. Our confidence is in the sovereignty of God and His ability to bring about His purposes in the world. [56:20]
Revelation 21:5 (ESV): "And he who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.' Also he said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'"
Reflection: How can you shift your focus from earthly systems to the hope and renewal promised in Jesus today?
Quotes
1. "And it lays the groundwork, the theological groundwork. It was just like a tour de force through the scriptures of how we're to think about political engagement at like level one. Where our ultimate allegiance lies. And I'll do little bits of recap today throughout it, just to make sure we're all tracking along. But today's teaching is a little more, yeah, a little more of a, I would say a teaching than a preach, a little more teach than a preach. Some of you know what I mean by that. Some of you don't, and that's okay. But it is the, we fundamentally believe when we look back through history, it is the job of the church. To engage with what's happening in our world." [00:00:40] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If you are a follower of Jesus, the invitation, as clear as day is to pledge one allegiance and that is to the kingdom alone. If you have a nuanced view towards why you feel okay about still pledging allegiance to the US, that's great and okay. That by the way is a very recent iteration. It's not in the constitution. Nowhere are we invited to do that. That said, regardless of how you may nuance that as a follower of Jesus, you have to at least nuance it to say that some sort of allegiance to country never in any way, trumps allegiance to the way of Jesus, of his kingdom." [00:04:28] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Tremendous hope surged through these early churches. I urge you as foreigners and exiles, live such good lives that though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. Their care was about the integrity of the kingdom, not offering suggestions for government. Now what comes next is really interesting. And we don't have all the time I would love to to get into this, to do a more thorough teaching. On what I'm about to get into, but we're going to get a little glimpse of it." [00:11:38] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So the idea is that God has set authorities, governments, and governments to do what they want to do. And God has ordered these powers and governments in place to bring some level of order. And this goes all the way back. God uses empires in Assyria, Babylon, Egypt, Persia. These, by the way, were brutal nations. If you think the U .S. is this broken, corrupt power, they got nothing, U .S. has got nothing on these empires. Brutal nations, yet they served a purpose in God's larger story. They were used at times to bring judgment, to hold evil in check so the world wouldn't be completely overrun. So the bottom line, the governing authorities has a role as followers of Jesus. We see them as agents that restrain chaos, but the church, again, we have a different calling." [00:15:08] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Bearing witness, if you're taking notes, just write this one down, is a term I'm going to use a bunch. Throughout the rest of this talk. Because it is all over the Bible. All over the scriptures. This is how we engage. We submit as far as we are able to the governmental powers. They have some role to play in helping order the chaos of the world. We'll get to how they can even be utilized for good. But ultimately, our primary responsibility is to live as foreigners and exiles, bearing, witness to Jesus. Bearing witness." [00:19:09] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "To tell the world about who he is, what he's done, and the hope and transformation they've experienced because of him. Like a witness on a stand, this isn't about manipulation or forcing a decision. It's about being a witness. It's about being a witness. It's about being a witness. It's about being a witness. It's about putting on display the reality of God's kingdom. Now this can take many forms. This is where the courtroom picture breaks down. This can take the form of words, but also of actions and of a lifestyle that embodies the way of Jesus. At its core, bearing witness is about living in a way that reveals the truth about who Jesus is." [00:21:03] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Engage it however you're able to best engage it. We'll get to that in a minute. But ultimately, the way we engage that is we bear witness to the way of Jesus. This is how we actually shift things, how we resist, how we transform culture. We bear witness to the way of Jesus. And if we're to bear witness well, we have to think about the what and the how. I think these two words are incredibly critical to consider this political season. Jesus and the writers of the scripture don't show us what our priorities should be. Don't just show us what our priorities should be, but they show us how we should go about pursuing them." [00:22:26] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Because how we communicate literally shapes, literally shapes what we communicate. How we communicate shapes, what we communicate in one way or another. I have over the last couple of years, has been discipled by the great Sarah Cowan Johnson. And so I made a chart. Next slide, please. If we were to think on the left side, how, what are the methods that are used in moving the kingdom forward? There are Christ -like methods that we just described and there are worldly ones. The bottom axis, the what?" [00:27:07] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "And so when we run political engagement through the lens of love your neighbor, we can see how our current governing system can be used to some degree. My favorite example would be Dr. King, who once said this, it may be true, that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can restrain him from lynching me. Historically, there have been ways to harness the powers. Let me say this about Dr. King again, just as a reminder. The way he engaged wasn't through going and being elected in office. It was a prayer movement, was the civil rights movement in the black church to which he bared witness to. His famous letters is actually references the book of Philippians a number of times in it. A letter from a Birmingham jail is basically just like Philippians rewritten." [00:31:49] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "And so again, to do that, to work for the world that is to come in a sinful broken world means we must consider not only the what, but the how. How, which means at times we will be faced with a choice. Do we win or do we witness? Do we seemingly win in the moment or do we bear witness, which might look like losing in the moment? This is gonna happen, right? Because we are playing the long game. Our history is filled with people who were willing to forego immediate political victory. And I put that in quotes, in favor of faithful witness. Our history, not the US, our history as followers of Jesus is filled with people who choose to let go of the need for immediate political victory in favor of being faithful to the what and the how." [00:43:04] (74 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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