Faithful Engagement: Navigating Politics with Righteousness

Summary

In today's message, we explored the intersection of faith, politics, and societal values, emphasizing the importance of holding fast to the kingdom of Jesus while advocating for righteousness. The core of our discussion was rooted in the understanding that politics, when rightly defined, is about the right ordering of society, a tool given by God to love Him and our neighbors. We delved into the challenges Christians face in a world that has shifted from a positive view of Christianity to a negative one, where Christian beliefs are often seen as harmful or repressive.

We examined key issues such as life, marriage, gender, and religious freedom, urging believers to support candidates and policies that align closely with biblical values. The call was not to retreat into a bunker mentality but to engage with courage, embodying the love and truth of Christ in all interactions. We acknowledged the complexity of these issues and the need for discernment, humility, and love in our approach.

The message also highlighted the importance of being salt and light in a decaying world, understanding that while politics cannot save us, it is a means to lessen evil and promote human flourishing. We were reminded that our ultimate hope and joy are found in Christ, not in political systems or candidates. As we navigate these challenging times, we are called to be people of courage, advocating for righteousness while holding fast to the kingdom of Jesus.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Kingdom of Jesus and Righteousness: Embrace the kingdom of Jesus, which reflects the world as it should be when Jesus gets His way. This involves advocating for righteousness, which is about beauty, goodness, and truth. Our engagement in politics should reflect these values, aiming to lessen evil and promote biblical ideals. [49:33]

2. Navigating a Negative World: We live in a world increasingly antagonistic towards Christian beliefs. This requires us to hold fast to our faith while engaging with love and humility. The shift from a positive to a negative view of Christianity challenges us to be courageous in our witness, embodying the love and truth of Christ. [51:19]

3. Life and Pro-Family Values: As a pro-life and pro-family community, we must support candidates and policies that uphold the sanctity of life and the biblical understanding of marriage and gender. This involves speaking truth with love and humility, recognizing the personal and theological significance of these issues. [53:00]

4. Religious Freedom and Courage: Religious freedom is under threat, and we must support those who advocate for the right to live out our faith without fear of reprisal. Courage is essential in the Christian life, as we are called to stand firm in our beliefs and engage with the world around us. [54:10]

5. Joy, Urgency, and the Long Game: Our joy is rooted in Christ, not in political outcomes. We must approach these issues with seriousness and urgency, playing the long game by prioritizing relationships over political disagreements. Our ultimate hope is in the return of Jesus, who will establish His kingdom in fullness. [55:42]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction to the Message
- [02:15] - The Kingdom of Jesus and Righteousness
- [05:00] - Politics and Theology
- [08:45] - The Shift to a Negative World
- [12:30] - Engaging with Love and Humility
- [16:00] - Life and Pro-Family Values
- [20:45] - The Importance of Religious Freedom
- [25:00] - Courage in the Christian Life
- [30:15] - Joy and Urgency in Engagement
- [35:00] - Playing the Long Game
- [40:00] - Conclusion and Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Matthew 22:37-40
- Romans 12:9
- Proverbs 21:21

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Matthew 22:37-40 say about the two greatest commandments, and how do they relate to the sermon’s message on politics and societal values? [49:33]

2. According to the sermon, how has the world’s view of Christianity shifted from a positive to a negative perspective? [51:19]

3. What are some of the key societal issues mentioned in the sermon that Christians are encouraged to engage with, and how should they approach these issues? [53:00]

4. How does the sermon describe the role of politics in relation to the kingdom of Jesus and righteousness? [54:10]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the command to love God and love your neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40) inform a Christian’s engagement in politics and societal issues? [49:33]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest Christians can be "salt and light" in a world that is increasingly antagonistic towards their beliefs? [51:19]

3. How does the sermon interpret the concept of righteousness in Proverbs 21:21, and what implications does this have for Christian political engagement? [53:00]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between religious freedom and courage in the Christian life? [54:10]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own political engagement. How can you ensure that your actions and choices align with the values of the kingdom of Jesus, as described in the sermon? [49:33]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of engaging with love and humility in a negative world. Can you think of a recent situation where you struggled to do this? How might you approach it differently next time? [51:19]

3. Consider the issues of life, marriage, and gender discussed in the sermon. How can you advocate for these values in your community while maintaining a spirit of love and humility? [53:00]

4. The sermon calls for courage in standing firm in Christian beliefs. What is one area in your life where you feel called to be more courageous, and what steps can you take to act on this? [54:10]

5. How can you balance the urgency of political engagement with the joy and hope found in Christ, as suggested in the sermon? [55:42]

6. The sermon encourages playing the long game by prioritizing relationships over political disagreements. How can you apply this principle in your interactions with family and friends who have differing views? [01:00:18]

7. Reflect on the idea that politics cannot save us, but Jesus can. How does this perspective influence your approach to political discussions and decisions? [01:01:32]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing the Kingdom of Jesus
In a world filled with chaos and disorder, the kingdom of Jesus stands as a beacon of hope and righteousness. This kingdom is not just a distant reality but a present call to live out the values of beauty, goodness, and truth. As believers, we are invited to engage in politics not as a means of salvation but as a tool to promote these biblical ideals and lessen the presence of evil in society. Our political engagement should reflect the heart of Jesus, advocating for a world that mirrors His desires and intentions. This involves a commitment to righteousness, which is not merely about moral correctness but about embodying the transformative love and truth of Christ in every sphere of life. [49:33]

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you actively promote the values of Jesus' kingdom in your community today, especially in areas where you see disorder or injustice?

Day 2: Courage in a Negative World
Living in a world that often views Christianity with suspicion or hostility requires a steadfast commitment to faith. The shift from a positive to a negative perception of Christian beliefs challenges us to hold fast to our convictions while engaging with love and humility. This is not a call to retreat but to courageously witness to the love and truth of Christ. As the world becomes more antagonistic, our response should be one of grace and truth, demonstrating the transformative power of the gospel through our actions and words. We are called to be courageous, not in a confrontational sense, but in a way that reflects the gentle strength of Jesus. [51:19]

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9, ESV)

Reflection: How can you demonstrate courage in your daily interactions, especially with those who may hold opposing views to your faith?

Day 3: Upholding Life and Family Values
As a community that values life and family, it is crucial to support candidates and policies that align with the sanctity of life and the biblical understanding of marriage and gender. This involves speaking truth with love and humility, recognizing the deep personal and theological significance of these issues. Our advocacy should be rooted in a desire to reflect God's design for human flourishing, promoting policies that protect life and uphold the family as a foundational unit of society. This is not merely a political stance but a reflection of our commitment to the values of the kingdom of God. [53:00]

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward." (Psalm 127:3, ESV)

Reflection: What practical steps can you take to support and advocate for life and family values in your community or local government?

Day 4: Defending Religious Freedom
Religious freedom is a fundamental right that is increasingly under threat in many parts of the world. As believers, we must support those who advocate for the right to live out our faith without fear of reprisal. This requires courage and a willingness to stand firm in our beliefs, even when faced with opposition. Defending religious freedom is not just about protecting our rights but about ensuring that all people have the opportunity to seek and worship God freely. It is a call to engage with the world around us, advocating for policies that uphold this essential freedom. [54:10]

"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively support and defend religious freedom in your community, ensuring that all people have the right to worship freely?

Day 5: Finding Joy and Urgency in Christ
Our ultimate hope and joy are found in Christ, not in political systems or candidates. While it is important to engage with the world around us, we must remember that our joy is rooted in the person of Jesus. This perspective allows us to approach political and societal issues with a sense of urgency and seriousness, while also playing the long game by prioritizing relationships over political disagreements. Our engagement should be marked by a deep sense of joy and hope, knowing that Jesus will one day establish His kingdom in fullness. [55:42]

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." (Romans 12:12, ESV)

Reflection: How can you cultivate a sense of joy and hope in Christ today, even amidst the challenges and uncertainties of the world around you?

Quotes

Here are the selected quotes from the sermon transcript:

1. "The big idea today is Hold fast to the kingdom of Jesus While advocating for righteousness Pastor Tony and I were trying to wordsmith this He goes, it just sounds wordy I said, I agree I just don't know how to say it any better Not that there's not a better way But hold fast to the kingdom of Jesus While advocating for righteousness So I want to reframe the conversation That this is the kingdom of Jesus Something that we should engage and discuss It's not that the church Though some churches have become very political In terms of their stance on Sunday mornings Or social media This church is not that way We've really made it a point to talk about Jesus" [00:31:43] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Government exists to Praise good and punish evil When government gets that backward When they begin to praise evil And punish good The church Needs to speak up And the church should not be caught off guard Or surprised When we critique And correct Or call out politicians Or policies And we should not be surprised When the world says You're just being political Particularly when our disapproval Or our correction Comes from a place Of biblical fidelity Concerning life Marriage And gender The day is over y 'all The day is over Of being a Christian And speaking out about Christianity Beliefs and values And not getting raked Through the coals Our disapproval Should be undergirded With humility And love" [00:37:43] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The world that we live in now 2014 to present Is the negative world You probably feel this You feel this with family And friends You feel this With our local And state And national government You feel this with the world It is To be a Christian Is detrimental Not beneficial To your status Christian morality And beliefs are seen as Harmful Repressive And threatening To The common good There is no middle ground anymore Right There is no middle ground You cannot speak to things With civility and respect Because they do not Agree with you In fact Your beliefs If you are a Christian Who believes And subscribes to the faith Once and for all Delivered to the saints You understand There is no common ground" [00:46:00] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "A follower of Jesus must work to support a candidate who will contend for the truth regarding biological sex and resist the cultural, cultural tidal wave that seeks to champion gender fluidity. It's monumental. It's monumental. Romans 12, nine. Hate what is evil. Cling what is good." [00:53:06] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "To follow Jesus is to be a person of courage, and nothing ever significant happens in the Christian life apart from people living with courage. One more issue I want to talk about today, it's on the screen. Religious freedom, silencing the voice of the dissent. What candidate is going to champion the right to religious freedom? Or put another way, which candidate is going to silence, or seek to silence the voice of dissent? Specifically, Christians. It's been happening for years." [00:55:21] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Character has left the building. Niceness is not character. Don't romanticize the election or a politician. You are not voting for Jesus. There's never been and there never will be a perfect candidate. We have sinful candidates. We have no righteous candidate. We laid, listen to me, we laid down our palm branches 2 ,000 years ago as we read about in the Gospels. Laying down the palm branches for the arrival of Jesus. Going into Jerusalem. He's the king. He's the king. He's the messiah. There is no such thing as any other political messiah. No one's gonna save us. Jesus saves us. Nobody else." [00:58:38] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "You should have a spirit of joy and seriousness and urgency. You should have a spirit of joy. And God's mysterious will. You have God's revealed will. You have his mysterious will. Deuteronomy 29, 29. The secret things belong to the Lord. And God's mysterious will. He's ordaining these things. Be a person of joy. My joy and our joy is not contingent upon who's in the White House." [00:59:37] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Politics, candidates, and the policies that they lobby for cannot save anyone. You can be an individual and vote for policies and values and candidates that closely align to the Bible and still find yourself in hell. You need to repent of your sins and find hope and joy and forgiveness and freedom in Jesus." [01:01:32] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "And though politics cannot save us, we should contend vigorously, advocate passionately, but do so with an awareness and a humility that nothing men and women can do or create solves our problems and each government system and political platform is deficient and not the answer. Just as this sermon is deficient. Just as this sermon is deficient. I said too much. Perhaps you think I said too little. I didn't intend to get into the weeds of every issue, but our job is not to become reclusive or have a bunker mentality, but to engage, inform, pray, appeal, vote, and contend vigorously for righteousness, which is what? Beauty and goodness and truth and live with courage." [01:02:12] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "The church, you, me, we, us is birthed amid an evil government in Acts chapter two and now the church, is waiting for what? The second advent, the second appearance, return of Jesus where he will right all the wrongs. We march towards that reality, towards that heavenly city where righteousness and justice will flow down from the mountain. It's figure of speech being about that geographical space that's other, that's oriented, that's transcendent, that's mighty. He lives up top of the mountains. He rides on the clouds and the Bible says righteousness and justice. And justice is one that's gonna flow down from the mountain. There will not be a need for the sun because the son of God and all his brilliance of his glory will radiate and illuminate the universe." [01:05:25] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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