Jesus: Our Sovereign King Amidst Political Turmoil
Summary
In today's talk, we explored the profound truth that Jesus Christ is King over all, regardless of political outcomes or societal changes. As we navigate through a politically charged season, it's crucial to remember that our ultimate allegiance is to Jesus, not to any political party or candidate. The anxiety and polarization that often accompany election seasons can be overwhelming, but we are reminded that Jesus is in control, and His kingdom is not of this world. This truth should bring us peace and guide our actions as we engage with the world around us.
We reflected on the conversation between Jesus and Pontius Pilate, where Jesus declared that His kingdom is not an earthly one. This conversation highlights the distinction between earthly political systems and the eternal kingdom of God. Jesus' mission was not to establish a political regime but to bring about a spiritual revolution through the gospel. This revolution starts from the bottom up, transforming individuals, families, and communities through the power of the gospel.
As followers of Christ, we are called to participate in the world while maintaining our primary focus on the gospel. This means engaging in politics and societal issues, but always with the understanding that true and lasting change comes through the transformative power of Jesus. We are to bring the peace and shalom of Christ into every sphere of life, including politics, while recognizing that no political party fully embodies the kingdom of God.
In this season, let us be reminded of our mission to share the gospel and live out our faith in a way that reflects the love and truth of Jesus. Our hope is not in political systems but in the unchanging nature of Christ, who offers us peace that surpasses all understanding. As we engage with the world, may we do so with humility, grace, and a steadfast commitment to the gospel.
Key Takeaways:
1. Jesus is King Over All: Regardless of political outcomes, Jesus remains sovereign and in control. This truth should bring us peace and remind us that our ultimate allegiance is to Him, not to any political party or candidate. Our faith in His sovereignty allows us to navigate political seasons with confidence and hope. [08:41]
2. The Kingdom of God is Not of This World: Jesus' conversation with Pilate reveals that His kingdom is spiritual, not political. Our focus should be on advancing the gospel, which brings lasting change from the bottom up, transforming individuals and communities through the power of Christ. [39:26]
3. Engage in the World with Gospel-Centered Intentions: While we are called to participate in politics and societal issues, our primary mission is to share the gospel. True change comes through the transformative power of Jesus, and we are to bring His peace into every sphere of life. [25:01]
4. The Gospel Transcends Political Divisions: As followers of Christ, our identity is not tied to political parties but to Jesus. We are called to live out our faith in a way that reflects His love and truth, engaging with the world while maintaining our focus on the gospel. [14:02]
5. Find Peace in Christ Amidst Chaos: In a world filled with anxiety and polarization, Jesus offers us peace that surpasses all understanding. By trusting in His unchanging nature, we can navigate political seasons with grace and bring His shalom into our communities. [31:42]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[05:03] - Jesus is King Over All
[08:41] - The Humility and Power of Jesus
[11:35] - Our Allegiance to Christ
[14:02] - The Church of the Lamb
[16:34] - Longing for Christ's Return
[19:55] - Jesus' Control in Chaos
[23:43] - Peter's Misunderstanding
[25:01] - Bringing Shalom into Chaos
[27:46] - The Greater Purpose of Jesus
[29:34] - Finding Peace in Christ
[31:42] - The Mission of the Gospel
[33:13] - Jesus Before Pilate
[35:53] - The Truth of Jesus' Kingdom
[38:25] - Pilate's Political Dilemma
[41:39] - The Choice of Kingdoms
[43:44] - The Lasting Change of the Gospel
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 18:33-37
2. Philippians 2:5-11
3. Jeremiah 29:4-7
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Observation Questions:
1. In John 18:33-37, how does Jesus describe His kingdom to Pontius Pilate? What does this reveal about the nature of His mission? [35:53]
2. According to Philippians 2:5-11, what attitude did Christ demonstrate, and how did God respond to His humility and obedience? [08:41]
3. In Jeremiah 29:4-7, what instructions does God give to the Israelites living in exile, and how might this relate to Christians living in a world that is not their ultimate home? [29:34]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of Christians in engaging with politics and societal issues while maintaining a focus on the gospel? [14:02]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does Jesus' statement to Pilate about His kingdom not being of this world imply about the relationship between faith and politics? [38:25]
2. How does the humility and obedience of Christ, as described in Philippians 2, challenge the way Christians should approach leadership and authority? [08:41]
3. In what ways does the instruction in Jeremiah 29 to seek the peace and prosperity of the city apply to Christians today, especially in politically charged environments? [29:34]
4. How does the sermon suggest that Christians can bring the peace of Christ into chaotic situations, and what might this look like in practical terms? [25:01]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent political discussion you had. How did you prioritize your allegiance to Christ in that conversation? What could you do differently next time to ensure your focus remains on the gospel? [14:02]
2. Consider the anxiety and polarization mentioned in the sermon. How can you personally find peace in Christ amidst political chaos, and what steps can you take to share that peace with others? [31:42]
3. Identify a societal issue you are passionate about. How can you engage with this issue in a way that reflects the love and truth of Jesus, rather than aligning solely with a political party? [25:01]
4. The sermon emphasizes the transformative power of the gospel. What is one area in your life or community where you can actively work to bring about change through the gospel? [39:26]
5. How can you practically live out the instruction from Jeremiah 29 to seek the welfare of your community, especially in areas where you may feel like an outsider? [29:34]
6. Reflect on the concept of Jesus' kingdom not being of this world. How does this perspective influence your daily decisions and interactions with others, particularly those with differing political views? [38:25]
7. The sermon mentions the importance of humility in leadership. How can you demonstrate Christ-like humility in your own spheres of influence, whether at work, home, or in your community? [08:41]
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus' Sovereignty Transcends Politics
In a world where political landscapes are ever-changing, it is essential to remember that Jesus Christ is sovereign over all. His reign is not contingent upon political outcomes or societal shifts. This truth offers a profound sense of peace, reminding believers that their ultimate allegiance is to Jesus, not to any political party or candidate. By placing faith in His sovereignty, Christians can navigate politically charged seasons with confidence and hope, knowing that Jesus remains in control. This perspective allows believers to rise above the anxiety and polarization that often accompany election seasons, focusing instead on the eternal kingdom of God. [08:41]
"For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations." (Psalm 22:28, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you remind yourself today that Jesus is sovereign over all political and societal changes, and how might this truth influence your interactions with others during this political season?
Day 2: The Spiritual Nature of God's Kingdom
The conversation between Jesus and Pontius Pilate reveals a critical distinction between earthly political systems and the eternal kingdom of God. Jesus declared that His kingdom is not of this world, emphasizing that His mission was not to establish a political regime but to bring about a spiritual revolution through the gospel. This revolution begins at the individual level, transforming lives, families, and communities through the power of Christ. As followers of Jesus, the focus should be on advancing the gospel, which brings lasting change from the bottom up. This understanding encourages believers to engage with the world while maintaining a primary focus on the spiritual nature of God's kingdom. [39:26]
"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.'" (John 18:36, ESV)
Reflection: How can you prioritize the spiritual nature of God's kingdom in your daily life, and what steps can you take to advance the gospel in your community today?
Day 3: Gospel-Centered Engagement in Society
Christians are called to participate in politics and societal issues, but their primary mission is to share the gospel. True and lasting change comes through the transformative power of Jesus, and believers are to bring His peace into every sphere of life. This means engaging in the world with gospel-centered intentions, recognizing that no political party fully embodies the kingdom of God. By maintaining a focus on the gospel, Christians can navigate societal challenges with humility and grace, bringing the peace and shalom of Christ into every interaction. [25:01]
"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." (Colossians 4:6, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific way you can bring the peace and shalom of Christ into a societal issue or political conversation you encounter today?
Day 4: Identity in Christ Beyond Political Divisions
As followers of Christ, believers' identities are not tied to political parties but to Jesus. This truth transcends political divisions, calling Christians to live out their faith in a way that reflects His love and truth. By focusing on the gospel, believers can engage with the world while maintaining their primary allegiance to Christ. This perspective encourages Christians to rise above political polarization, fostering unity and understanding in a divided world. [14:02]
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28, ESV)
Reflection: How can you demonstrate your identity in Christ today in a way that transcends political divisions and fosters unity among those around you?
Day 5: Finding Peace in Christ Amidst Chaos
In a world filled with anxiety and polarization, Jesus offers peace that surpasses all understanding. By trusting in His unchanging nature, believers can navigate political seasons with grace, bringing His shalom into their communities. This peace is not dependent on external circumstances but is rooted in the eternal nature of Christ's kingdom. As Christians engage with the world, they are called to embody this peace, offering hope and stability in the midst of chaos. [31:42]
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." (John 14:27, ESV)
Reflection: In what specific area of your life do you need to experience Christ's peace today, and how can you actively seek His peace amidst the chaos around you?
Quotes
I want to welcome those of you who are online, y 'all have no idea how excited I am to preach with thunder going at the same time. That is pretty cool. [00:00:00] (9 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
So we're in this series called Changed, and we're talking about these conversations that Jesus would have with these different individuals, and we've been breaking some of that down. The name of the talk today, I think couldn't be more appropriate, is Jesus and the Politician. Jesus has a conversation with a politician, and we're going to get into that in just a moment. [00:00:10] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
That people are very anxious right now. People feel anxiety and fear. And there's a, right, there's a lot of polarization and there can be a lot of cynicism and negativity and you're being blitzed with campaign ads over and over again, whether it's in your mailbox, whether it's online, whether it's just watching TV, like, I mean, how many of you can't wait for this season to be over just for the campaign ads to stop, right? [00:06:00] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Jesus is ushering in a different kind of kingdom, a different kind of kingdom. So Peter's struggling with this. And again, in one of my favorite scenes of Jesus's life, patiently in the middle of this chaotic scene that's happening, right? Guys are probably drawing their swords. It's about to get crazy in this moment. Jesus, what he does, and this is what you're to do. This is what I want to do. I want to bring this shalom, that shalom, that peace of Jesus. [00:24:09] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Jesus tells Peter and I take you over to Matthew chapter 26 okay it's the same story but Matthew gives a description where Jesus says to Peter put away your sword and I would say that Jesus may be saying that to some of you here today as well put away your sword Jesus told them those who use the sword will die by the sword and then this is where I love Jesus keeps the main thing the main thing he could have easily gotten off into political tangents at this point but he says don't you realize and maybe he's saying this to some of you too don't you realize that I could ask my father for thousands of angels [00:26:00] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Jesus is saying, then, and he says it still today, I'm still in control. No matter what happens, I'm in control. No matter what the outcome is on a Tuesday in 2024, 2000 years later from back then, right? I'm still in control. And I just, I just was feeling this week that not only did I need to remember this, but many of us need to remember this, that Jesus is our King. [00:28:51] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
What it needs every week, but especially in a week where, where it can get vitriolic and where, where it can get really polarized. And I know some of you have, have maybe lost friendships, or you're stressed, strained in relationships during times like this. What our world needs more than anything right now is it needs Christians who are not just angry and cynical and acting like those who don't know Christ. [00:30:40] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Jesus is taking Pilate back to the, to this point of, not this earthly, kingdom here, not coming to bring this earthly kingdom. In fact, what, what I want you to know is that this revolution was a revolution that didn't start from Caesar down. It started with everyday people like you and me from the bottom up. It began to infiltrate into the places of politics. [00:40:26] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
I love what JD Greer said I'll end with this JD Greer said this, the hope for the world is not found in the stars and stripes of our flag but in the scars and stripes of our flag of our savior guys I want you to know something man I love our nation don't you I love our nation where we get to vote and where we get to be a I love that we do my son is serving our country right now over in the south pacific on a ship so I love my country but I'm going to tell you something that I love more and that I am aligned with more and that I am aligned with more and that it is not a party of a donkey or an elephant but the party of the lamb Jesus Christ because no politician like that died for me Jesus did though right [01:25:30] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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