Faithful Living Amidst Controversial Issues

Devotional

Day 1: Aligning Politics with Faithful Stewardship

In the realm of politics, Christians are called to navigate with wisdom and discernment, ensuring that their political engagements are reflections of their faith in Christ. It is vital to prioritize spiritual allegiance over political affiliations, making decisions that align with biblical principles of justice, mercy, and truth. This approach encourages respectful discourse and thoughtful engagement in societal issues, aiming to embody Christ's teachings in every vote and political stance. As followers of Christ, the challenge is to be salt and light within the political sphere, influencing it positively rather than being swayed by its power dynamics and conflicts. [47:07]

James 3:17-18 ESV
"But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."

Reflection: How can you engage in political discussions with grace and truth, focusing on God’s principles rather than partisan loyalty?

Day 2: Love and Truth in Responding to Homosexuality

The Christian response to homosexuality must balance truth with profound love, reflecting Christ's own approach to all individuals. While affirming the biblical view that homosexual acts are sinful, it is crucial to engage with individuals with compassion and dignity, offering a safe space for dialogue and potential transformation. This love is not an endorsement of sin but a commitment to walk alongside others in their journey, fostering environments of grace and growth. By doing so, believers mirror the sacrificial love of Jesus, aiming to lead hearts towards repentance and healing through genuine relationships. [01:06:34]

1 Peter 4:8-9 ESV
"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling."

Reflection: In what ways can you show Christ-like love to someone who views sexuality differently from you, without compromising your biblical convictions?

Day 3: Upholding the Sanctity of Life

Abortion is a deeply divisive issue, yet from a biblical standpoint, it is a matter of life and sanctity. Believers are called to uphold the sanctity of life, recognizing that life begins at conception as affirmed by Scripture and biological evidence. However, the response to those considering or having experienced abortion should be marked by compassion and support, offering practical help and spiritual guidance. This dual approach of truth and grace invites open, honest conversations and provides alternatives that honor the value of every human life. [01:17:28]

Psalm 139:13-16 ESV
"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."

Reflection: How can you actively support or engage with organizations that provide compassionate alternatives to abortion in your community?

Day 4: The Church’s Role in Controversy

The church must be a beacon of truth and love, especially when addressing controversial issues. It is essential for the church to provide clear biblical guidance while also demonstrating grace and compassion. This balance helps believers understand and apply Scripture in ways that are both faithful and loving, encouraging them to live out their convictions authentically. As the body of Christ, the church's role is to equip its members to navigate complex societal issues with wisdom and integrity, fostering a community that reflects God's kingdom on earth. [01:19:22]

Ephesians 4:15-16 ESV
"Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

Reflection: What is one way you can contribute to your church’s efforts to address controversial issues with both truth and love?

Day 5: Personal Conviction and Public Action

As believers, aligning personal convictions with Scripture is crucial, especially in how these convictions are expressed publicly. This alignment challenges Christians to critically evaluate their positions and to act in ways that honor God, even when it is countercultural or difficult. Whether it's through voting, advocacy, or everyday interactions, the call is to live out one's faith authentically, ensuring that every action reflects a commitment to God's Word and His principles. [01:24:07]

Colossians 3:17 ESV
"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Reflection: What is one area of your public life where you need to better reflect your Christian beliefs, and what are practical steps you can take to do this?

Sermon Summary

Today, we embarked on a journey through some of the most sensitive and divisive topics within both our church and the broader society. We began by addressing the complex issue of politics from a Christian perspective. It's crucial to understand that while politics are significant, they are not our priority at the church. Our focus remains steadfast on the Kingdom of God and living out our faith in ways that honor Him above all. We discussed the importance of voting responsibly, guided by our Christian values rather than party allegiance, emphasizing the need to weigh each issue against the teachings of Scripture.

We then delved into the topic of homosexuality, a subject that has caused much debate and division. I reiterated the biblical stance that any sexual act outside the marriage covenant between a man and a woman is considered sin. However, our response to individuals, regardless of their lifestyle, should always be rooted in love. This love is active and sacrificial, mirroring the love Jesus has for us. It's about serving and caring for others, even those with whom we might disagree.

The third and perhaps most weighty topic we tackled was abortion. I expressed a deep conviction that abortion is a violation of God's commandment not to murder, as it ends an innocent human life. This belief is supported by Scripture and biological evidence that life begins at conception. Yet, our approach to this issue must also be compassionate, offering support and love to those facing such difficult decisions, and extending grace to those who have experienced abortion.

Throughout these discussions, I emphasized the importance of submitting all areas of our lives to the lordship of Jesus Christ. Whether dealing with political views, sexual identity, or life and death issues, our ultimate allegiance is to God's Kingdom. We are called to reflect His love and truth in every aspect of our lives, standing firm in our convictions while extending grace and love to all.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Matthew 6:33, what should be our primary focus as Christians? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on prioritizing the Kingdom of God over politics? [40:22]
In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, what behaviors are listed that prevent inheriting the kingdom of God? How does this passage relate to the sermon’s discussion on homosexuality? [58:51]
Psalm 139:13-16 speaks about God's involvement in our creation. How does this passage support the sermon’s stance on the sanctity of life and abortion? [13:09]

Interpretation Questions

How does seeking the Kingdom of God first (Matthew 6:33) influence our political views and actions? What does it mean to submit our political identity to our kingdom identity? [40:22]
Why does 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 include a list of specific sins, and how should this influence our understanding of sin and grace? How does this passage challenge us to view our own sins in light of God’s standards? [58:51]
Psalm 139:13-16 describes the intimate involvement of God in the creation of life. How does this shape our understanding of the value of life from conception? How does this passage inform our stance on abortion? [13:09]

Application Questions

Reflect on your political views. Are they more influenced by your faith or by party allegiance? How can you ensure that your political actions reflect your commitment to Christ’s teachings? [47:07]
How can you show love and compassion to individuals with different lifestyles, such as those in the LGBTQ community, while still holding to biblical convictions? What practical steps can you take to create a safe space for dialogue and growth? [01:06:34]
If you know someone facing an unplanned pregnancy, how can you offer support and alternatives to abortion? What resources or actions can you take to provide compassionate care? [01:17:28]
How can the church balance holding firm to biblical convictions while demonstrating grace and compassion in controversial issues? What role can you play in fostering this balance within your church community? [01:19:22]
Think about a recent political discussion you had. Did you treat the other person with respect, even if you disagreed? How can you improve your approach to political conversations to reflect Christian values? [49:58]
Are there areas in your life where your personal convictions are based more on feelings than on Scripture? How can you realign these convictions with biblical teachings? [47:07]
How can you actively pray for political leaders, even those you did not vote for or disagree with? What specific prayers can you offer for their wisdom and guidance? [53:19]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Our job as citizens of that kingdom is to honor the king, to submit to his rule. And that's what we do when we make Jesus Lord of our lives, right? We're telling Jesus, I submit to you. It's not my will, it's not what I want, it's you. You are in control, you are in authority." [40:22]( | | )

2. "Instead of name-calling, you know what you can do? You can ask questions. You can ask the question, what is, in your opinion, the most important thing that we're voting for? Because it may just be that you're voting in different ways because you view something as most important, and they view something else as most important." [51:29]( | | )

3. "We're going to treat everyone with respect, regardless of who they voted for. And we're going to pray for whom and how the Bible tells us to. So when it comes to politics, we got a pretty neutral stance here at CLC." [56:12]( | | )

4. "Jesus washed Judas's feet. What can you do to serve people you disagree with? We look at how Jesus loved people and then we go and do likewise for all people." [01:09:43]( | | )

5. "God, I pray that you would give him a good night's sleep so that tomorrow he would wake up clear-headed, able to make good decisions. God, I pray for the right people to be around him, to give him wise counsel and input." [54:45]( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "This is a submission issue. Because it's about submitting to King Jesus. And anything that the Bible calls sin is going to separate me from the one I'm trying to get closer to. So I have to take my desires, my passions, my feelings, my emotions, my wants, even my needs, and submit it to King Jesus." [01:03:26]( | | )

2. "The Bible does give us a very clear stance on this issue. But then how should we as Christians respond to the topic? And I'm going to give you the same two words that I gave you two years ago, okay? How should we respond? How should we treat people? Love them." [01:06:34]( | | )

3. "But in that endeavor, I cannot change the requirements for getting into heaven. I can't begin to declare things that the Bible calls sin. I cannot change scripture. I do not have the authority to do that. And none of us do." [01:24:07]( | | )

4. "It is morally wrong to take the life of an innocent human being. We agree. We see it in scripture. A fetus is an innocent human being. That's the statement that the world's trying to get rid of. But according to scripture, it's still true. So A plus B equals abortion is morally wrong." [01:17:28]( | | )

5. "Our hope is in a king, not in a president. And politicians are not your savior. This is a submission issue, because it's about submitting to King Jesus." [48:31]( | | )

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