Living as Citizens of Heaven in a Political World
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, New Bethel family. Today, we gathered to reflect on the profound freedom we have in Christ, as highlighted in Galatians 5. We are reminded that our freedom is not a license to indulge in the flesh but a call to live by the Spirit, exalting God above all else. As we worship and pray, we acknowledge that our presence here is a testament to our commitment to follow the Spirit's leading.
We continued our series on the church and politics, emphasizing that God is sovereign over all nations and rulers. Our primary allegiance is to God's kingdom, which surpasses any earthly citizenship. We explored how to live faithfully as citizens of heaven in our contemporary context, particularly in the realm of politics. While the Bible does not provide specific instructions on voting, it does outline our responsibilities: paying taxes, praying for our leaders, and showing them honor.
We delved into 1 Corinthians 6, discussing how our bodies and lives are not our own but belong to God. This extends to our votes, which should reflect kingdom values. Voting is an explicit declaration of what we value, and as Christians, our votes should align with what Jesus would support. We must avoid the trap of aligning too closely with any political party, as neither fully represents kingdom values. Instead, we should seek wisdom and prayerfully consider how to vote in a way that honors God.
Ultimately, our freedom in Christ means we are not bound to worldly ideologies. We are called to live as aliens in this world, prioritizing our heavenly citizenship. Our votes, like our lives, should be offerings to God, reflecting our commitment to His kingdom above all else.
### Key Takeaways
1. Freedom in Christ: Our freedom in Christ is not a license to indulge in the flesh but a call to live by the Spirit. This freedom is a testament to our commitment to follow the Spirit's leading, exalting God above all else. We are here to worship because we are led by the Spirit, not by our fleshly desires. [12:16]
2. God's Sovereignty Over Nations: God is sovereign over all nations and rulers. Our primary allegiance is to God's kingdom, which surpasses any earthly citizenship. This perspective helps us navigate the complexities of politics with a kingdom-first mindset, recognizing that God is ultimately in control. [35:10]
3. Responsibilities in Government: The Bible outlines three clear responsibilities for Christians regarding government: paying taxes, praying for our leaders, and showing them honor. These responsibilities guide our participation in politics, ensuring that our actions reflect our faith and commitment to God's principles. [42:50]
4. Voting for Kingdom Values: As Christians, our votes should reflect kingdom values. Voting is an explicit declaration of what we value, and we must ensure that our choices align with what Jesus would support. This requires wisdom, prayer, and a commitment to prioritize God's kingdom over any political party. [44:55]
5. Our Lives and Votes Belong to God: Our bodies, lives, and votes are not our own; they belong to God. This means that every aspect of our lives, including our political choices, should be offerings to God. We are called to live as aliens in this world, prioritizing our heavenly citizenship and reflecting our commitment to God's kingdom above all else. [51:57]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[11:05] - Opening Scripture: Galatians 5
[12:16] - Living by the Spirit
[13:31] - Opening Prayer
[26:30] - Offering Prayer
[27:50] - Week Three: Church and Politics
[35:10] - God's Sovereignty Over Nations
[36:34] - Dual Citizenship: Earth and Heaven
[37:48] - Practical Living in Politics
[38:53] - 1 Corinthians 6:9-13
[40:09] - Our Bodies as Temples
[41:08] - No Biblical Instructions on Voting
[42:50] - Responsibilities in Government
[44:00] - The Right to Vote
[44:55] - Voting for Kingdom Values
[45:49] - Explicit Declaration of Values
[46:56] - Avoiding Political Party Alignment
[47:44] - Mixed Messaging in Voting
[49:37] - Freedom from Worldly Ideologies
[51:57] - Our Votes Belong to God
[55:39] - Closing Remarks and Prayer Requests
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Galatians 5:1, 5-6, 16-18: "For freedom Christ set us free. Stand firm then, and don't submit again to a yoke of slavery... We eagerly await through the Spirit by faith the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faith working through love... I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don't do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law."
2. 1 Corinthians 6:9-13, 19-20: "Don't you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God's kingdom? Do not be deceived: No sexually immoral people, idolaters, adulterers, or males who have sex with males, no thieves, greedy people, drunkards, verbally abusive people, or swindlers will inherit God's kingdom. And some of you used to be like this. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. Food is for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will do away with both of them. However, the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body... Don't you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought at a price. So glorify God with your body."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Galatians 5:1 say about the purpose of our freedom in Christ? How does this relate to living by the Spirit? [11:05]
2. According to 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, what is the significance of our bodies being temples of the Holy Spirit? [40:09]
3. What are the three responsibilities towards government mentioned in the sermon? [42:50]
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between our votes and kingdom values? [44:55]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of freedom in Christ, as described in Galatians 5, challenge the way we live our daily lives? [12:16]
2. In what ways does recognizing our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit influence our decisions, including political ones? [40:09]
3. Why is it important for Christians to avoid aligning too closely with any political party, according to the sermon? [47:44]
4. How can the idea that our votes belong to God change the way we approach elections and political decisions? [51:57]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt led by the Spirit to make a decision that went against your fleshly desires. How did that experience shape your faith? [12:16]
2. How can you practically honor the three responsibilities towards government (paying taxes, praying for leaders, showing honor) in your daily life? [42:50]
3. Think about the upcoming elections. How can you ensure that your vote reflects kingdom values rather than personal or party preferences? [44:55]
4. What steps can you take to avoid the trap of aligning too closely with any political party, ensuring that your primary allegiance remains to God's kingdom? [47:44]
5. How can you remind yourself daily that your body, life, and vote belong to God? What practical actions can you take to live out this truth? [51:57]
6. Identify one specific way you can live as an "alien" in this world, prioritizing your heavenly citizenship in your community or workplace. [49:37]
7. How can you engage in political discussions with others in a way that reflects your commitment to God's kingdom above all else? [49:37]
Devotional
Day 1: Living by the Spirit, Not the Flesh
Description: Our freedom in Christ is a profound gift, but it comes with a responsibility. This freedom is not a license to indulge in our fleshly desires but a call to live by the Spirit. When we live by the Spirit, we exalt God above all else and demonstrate our commitment to follow His leading. This means that our actions, thoughts, and decisions should be guided by the Spirit, not by our own selfish inclinations. As we gather to worship and pray, we acknowledge that our presence here is a testament to our commitment to follow the Spirit's leading. [12:16]
Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV): "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."
Reflection: Think about a recent decision you made. Was it guided by the Spirit or by your own desires? How can you ensure that your future decisions are more aligned with the Spirit's leading?
Day 2: God's Sovereignty Over Nations
Description: God is sovereign over all nations and rulers, and our primary allegiance is to His kingdom, which surpasses any earthly citizenship. This perspective helps us navigate the complexities of politics with a kingdom-first mindset, recognizing that God is ultimately in control. As citizens of heaven, we are called to live faithfully in our contemporary context, particularly in the realm of politics. This means that our political engagement should reflect our commitment to God's kingdom above all else. [35:10]
Daniel 2:21 (ESV): "He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding."
Reflection: How does recognizing God's sovereignty over nations change your perspective on current political events? How can you demonstrate your primary allegiance to God's kingdom in your political engagement?
Day 3: Responsibilities in Government
Description: The Bible outlines three clear responsibilities for Christians regarding government: paying taxes, praying for our leaders, and showing them honor. These responsibilities guide our participation in politics, ensuring that our actions reflect our faith and commitment to God's principles. While the Bible does not provide specific instructions on voting, it does emphasize the importance of respecting and honoring those in authority. This means that our political actions and attitudes should be characterized by respect, prayer, and a commitment to God's principles. [42:50]
Romans 13:6-7 (ESV): "For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed."
Reflection: When was the last time you prayed for your political leaders? How can you incorporate regular prayer for those in authority into your daily routine?
Day 4: Voting for Kingdom Values
Description: As Christians, our votes should reflect kingdom values. Voting is an explicit declaration of what we value, and we must ensure that our choices align with what Jesus would support. This requires wisdom, prayer, and a commitment to prioritize God's kingdom over any political party. We must avoid the trap of aligning too closely with any political party, as neither fully represents kingdom values. Instead, we should seek wisdom and prayerfully consider how to vote in a way that honors God. [44:55]
James 1:5 (ESV): "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."
Reflection: Before you vote, do you take time to pray and seek God's wisdom? How can you ensure that your vote reflects kingdom values rather than party loyalty?
Day 5: Our Lives and Votes Belong to God
Description: Our bodies, lives, and votes are not our own; they belong to God. This means that every aspect of our lives, including our political choices, should be offerings to God. We are called to live as aliens in this world, prioritizing our heavenly citizenship and reflecting our commitment to God's kingdom above all else. Our freedom in Christ means we are not bound to worldly ideologies but are called to live in a way that honors God in all things. [51:57]
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV): "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."
Reflection: In what ways can you offer your daily actions, including your political choices, as offerings to God? How can you live more fully as a citizen of heaven in your everyday life?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Friends, we as Christians, we seek the spirit. We are led by the spirit and so we deny ourselves, we take up our cross and we follow him. We exalt the Lord above all, above ourselves, certainly above our flesh desires. And so as we come to worship today, this is just one more way that we say God, you are better, you are above all things." [12:16] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Lord, we proclaim that with our mouths, but Lord, we pray that that would be the confession of our hearts, that that would be the preemptive thought in our minds, that you are better. You are better than anything. So, Lord, we live in response to your grace. We live in response to your love, for you have blessed us. Your loving kindness endures forever." [26:30] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "As Christians, we cast votes for kingdom values. We cast votes for kingdom values. If it's not what's best for the kingdom, then it's not worthy of my vote. My vote and your vote belongs to kingdom values." [44:55] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "As those belonging to the Lord, all of this life is to be lived as an offering unto him. Colossians 3.23 says, whatever you do, do it from the heart as something done for the Lord and not for people, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ." [53:46] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "We began in week one talking about how God is overall, right? We said we got to begin with who God is, and he is the ruler of nations. He is sovereign over every nation. So when we talk about governments and when we talk about rulers, or nations, we have to remember that the top is not the top, right? That God is over it all." [35:10] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "There is no specific verse, no specific passage, however, that we can turn to to tell us how we ought to vote. There is nowhere we can go in here to even find elections. It doesn't exist. I mean, quite frankly, the concept of a democracy where citizens could cast their vote for their primary political leader did not exist in biblical times." [41:08] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If we are committed to voting for kingdom values and if neither party represents those values, then neither party should get a blanket endorsement or a blanket condemnation from us. If we are committed to Christ over our respective party and we can speak to those specific policies, we can speak to those specific positions that are wrong without using the us versus them language." [49:37] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "As those who have been mastered by God, we are servants of the Lord Jesus Christ. And we don't get to say, I'm a Christian, but I can vote however I want. We cast votes in line with kingdom values. See, voting is an explicit declaration of what you value. It's an explicit declaration of what I value. If it matters to me, I vote for it. If it matters to you, you vote for it." [45:49] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You may choose to vote for the lesser of two evils, but you don't have to. Instead, you may choose to vote for a third party candidate, or you may choose not to cast a vote at all. But if it is truly a lesser of two evils, you don't have to vote for evil. As a child of God, as one who is free from sin, you don't have to do anything that's evil." [51:57] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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