Navigating Culture Shock: Our Kingdom Allegiance in Politics
Summary
### Summary
This morning, we explored the concept of culture shock and how it relates to our current political climate. Culture shock is that feeling of disorientation when exposed to a different way of life, and I shared a personal story from my middle school days to illustrate this. My friend James, who came from a wealthy family, lived in a house that was a complete mess inside, despite its outward appearance. This experience was a form of culture shock for me, and it made me realize that not everything is as it seems on the surface.
Similarly, when we look at social media today, we experience a form of culture shock. The anger, bickering, and division, especially around politics, are disorienting and disappointing. This is particularly troubling when we see Christians engaging in the same behavior. As followers of Jesus, our allegiance should be to Him and His kingdom, not to any political party or candidate.
We are starting a new sermon series on the church and politics, aiming to explore what our relationship with politics should be. Jesus taught that His kingdom is not of this world; it is a spiritual kingdom that transcends political systems. Our role as Christians is not to seek power within the existing political system or to be completely inactive, but to live out the gospel in every aspect of our lives, including our political engagement.
We must evaluate whether our politics align with the teachings of Jesus or if they are merely advancing a party's agenda. Our ultimate allegiance should be to Jesus and His kingdom, which calls us to love, serve, and advocate for our neighbors. As we navigate this polarized political climate, let's ensure that our actions and beliefs reflect the kingdom of God.
### Key Takeaways
1. Culture Shock and Perception: Culture shock can occur not just when traveling to foreign lands but also in everyday experiences. It teaches us that outward appearances can be deceiving, and we must look deeper to understand the true state of things. This applies to our interactions on social media, where the anger and division we see can be shocking and disorienting. [01:51]
2. Allegiance to Jesus: As Christians, our primary allegiance should be to Jesus and His kingdom, not to any political party or candidate. Our political engagement should reflect the values and teachings of Jesus, focusing on love, service, and justice rather than division and power. [10:31]
3. Active Faith: The gospel calls us to be active in our faith, not passive. While acknowledging that God is in control, we must also engage in the world around us, addressing both spiritual and physical needs. This means participating in politics in a way that advances God's kingdom rather than retreating into inaction. [21:17]
4. Evaluating Political Loyalties: We must critically evaluate whether our political loyalties align with the kingdom priorities of Jesus. This may require us to break from long-held political affiliations and reorient our lives around the teachings and example of Jesus. Our faith should guide our politics, not the other way around. [26:01]
5. Living Out Kingdom Ideals: As followers of Jesus, we are called to live out the ideals of God's kingdom in every aspect of our lives, including our politics. This involves advocating for our neighbors, living generously, and ensuring that our actions reflect the love and justice of Jesus. Our ultimate goal is to make the invisible kingdom visible through our lives. [28:34]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:51] - Introduction to Culture Shock
[03:13] - Personal Story: James' House
[07:21] - Social Media and Modern Culture Shock
[08:54] - Politics and Division
[10:31] - Allegiance to Jesus
[12:05] - Purpose of the Series
[13:34] - Opening Prayer
[15:10] - Scripture Reading: Luke 17
[16:39] - Understanding Our Role
[18:07] - The Kingdom of God
[19:46] - The Political Pendulum
[21:17] - Active Faith vs. Inaction
[22:48] - Evaluating Political Loyalties
[26:01] - Living Out Kingdom Ideals
[28:34] - The Already and the Not Yet
[30:40] - Re-evaluating Your Politics
[32:05] - Closing Remarks and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Luke 17:20-33: "Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, 'The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, "Here it is," or "There it is," because the kingdom of God is in your midst.' Then he said to his disciples, 'The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. People will tell you, "There he is!" or "Here he is!" Do not go running off after them. For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other. But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. On that day no one who is on the housetop, with possessions inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. Remember Lot’s wife! Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it.'"
### Observation Questions
1. What is culture shock, and how did the pastor experience it in his middle school years? [01:51]
2. According to the sermon, what is the primary allegiance of Christians, and how should it influence their political engagement? [10:31]
3. What does Jesus say about the kingdom of God in Luke 17:20-33, and how does it differ from the Pharisees' expectations?
4. How does the pastor describe the current political climate, especially on social media, and what impact does it have on Christians? [07:21]
### Interpretation Questions
1. In Luke 17:20-33, Jesus describes the kingdom of God as being "in your midst." What does this imply about the nature of God's kingdom, and how should this understanding affect a Christian's daily life?
2. The pastor mentioned that Christians should evaluate whether their political loyalties align with the teachings of Jesus. What are some practical ways to assess this alignment? [26:01]
3. How does the concept of "active faith" challenge the idea of being passive in political and social matters? What examples from the sermon illustrate this point? [21:17]
4. The pastor shared a story about his friend James' house to illustrate that outward appearances can be deceiving. How can this lesson be applied to our interactions and judgments on social media? [03:13]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own experiences of culture shock. How did these experiences change your perspective, and how can you apply this understanding to your interactions with others, especially on social media? [01:51]
2. The pastor emphasized that our primary allegiance should be to Jesus and His kingdom. How can you ensure that your political engagement reflects the values and teachings of Jesus rather than party agendas? [10:31]
3. Think about a recent political discussion you had. Did it reflect the love, service, and justice of Jesus? If not, what could you have done differently? [08:54]
4. The sermon calls for an active faith that addresses both spiritual and physical needs. Identify one specific way you can engage in your community to advance God's kingdom this week. [21:17]
5. Evaluate your current political loyalties. Are there any areas where they conflict with the teachings of Jesus? What steps can you take to reorient your political views around the kingdom priorities of Jesus? [26:01]
6. The pastor mentioned the importance of living out kingdom ideals in every aspect of our lives. What is one practical way you can advocate for your neighbors and live generously this week? [28:34]
7. Reflect on the idea that the kingdom of God is both "already and not yet." How can this understanding help you navigate the tension between current political realities and the ultimate hope in God's kingdom? [28:34]
Devotional
### Day 1: Culture Shock and Perception
Culture shock can occur not just when traveling to foreign lands but also in everyday experiences. It teaches us that outward appearances can be deceiving, and we must look deeper to understand the true state of things. This applies to our interactions on social media, where the anger and division we see can be shocking and disorienting. [01:51]
In our daily lives, we often encounter situations that challenge our preconceived notions and expectations. These moments of culture shock can be disorienting, but they also offer valuable lessons. For instance, when we see a seemingly perfect family or individual on social media, we might be shocked to learn about the struggles they face behind the scenes. This teaches us that outward appearances can be deceiving, and we must look deeper to understand the true state of things.
Similarly, the anger and division we witness on social media, especially around politics, can be shocking and disheartening. As Christians, we are called to look beyond the surface and seek to understand the underlying issues. This requires us to approach these situations with empathy and a desire to bring about healing and reconciliation. By doing so, we can better reflect the love and grace of Jesus in our interactions with others.
Jeremiah 17:9-10 (ESV): "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 'I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.'"
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you experienced culture shock. How can you look deeper to understand the true state of things and respond with empathy and grace?
### Day 2: Allegiance to Jesus
As Christians, our primary allegiance should be to Jesus and His kingdom, not to any political party or candidate. Our political engagement should reflect the values and teachings of Jesus, focusing on love, service, and justice rather than division and power. [10:31]
In today's polarized political climate, it is easy to become entangled in the fervor of party loyalty and candidate support. However, as followers of Jesus, our primary allegiance should be to Him and His kingdom. This means that our political engagement should be guided by the values and teachings of Jesus, rather than the agendas of political parties or candidates.
Jesus' kingdom is not of this world; it transcends political systems and calls us to a higher standard of love, service, and justice. When we engage in politics, we must ensure that our actions and beliefs reflect these kingdom values. This may require us to step back from divisive rhetoric and instead focus on building bridges, advocating for the marginalized, and promoting policies that align with the teachings of Jesus.
Matthew 6:33 (ESV): "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
Reflection: Reflect on your current political beliefs and actions. Do they align with the values and teachings of Jesus? How can you ensure that your primary allegiance is to His kingdom?
### Day 3: Active Faith
The gospel calls us to be active in our faith, not passive. While acknowledging that God is in control, we must also engage in the world around us, addressing both spiritual and physical needs. This means participating in politics in a way that advances God's kingdom rather than retreating into inaction. [21:17]
The gospel of Jesus Christ calls us to an active faith, one that engages with the world around us and addresses both spiritual and physical needs. While it is important to acknowledge that God is in control, this does not absolve us of our responsibility to act. We are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus, bringing His love and justice to a broken world.
This active faith extends to our political engagement as well. Rather than retreating into inaction or becoming consumed by the pursuit of power, we must seek to advance God's kingdom through our political involvement. This means advocating for policies that reflect the values of the gospel, serving our communities, and standing up for justice and righteousness.
James 2:17 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively engage in your community and political sphere to address both spiritual and physical needs? How can you ensure that your actions reflect the love and justice of Jesus?
### Day 4: Evaluating Political Loyalties
We must critically evaluate whether our political loyalties align with the kingdom priorities of Jesus. This may require us to break from long-held political affiliations and reorient our lives around the teachings and example of Jesus. Our faith should guide our politics, not the other way around. [26:01]
It is essential for Christians to critically evaluate their political loyalties in light of the kingdom priorities of Jesus. This process may be challenging, as it could require us to break from long-held political affiliations and reorient our lives around the teachings and example of Jesus. Our faith should be the guiding force in our political decisions, not the other way around.
Jesus' teachings call us to love our neighbors, seek justice, and serve the marginalized. As we evaluate our political loyalties, we must ask ourselves whether our actions and beliefs align with these kingdom priorities. This may involve difficult conversations and a willingness to change our perspectives, but it is necessary to ensure that our ultimate allegiance is to Jesus and His kingdom.
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: Take a moment to evaluate your political loyalties. Do they align with the kingdom priorities of Jesus? Are there any areas where you need to reorient your beliefs and actions to better reflect His teachings?
### Day 5: Living Out Kingdom Ideals
As followers of Jesus, we are called to live out the ideals of God's kingdom in every aspect of our lives, including our politics. This involves advocating for our neighbors, living generously, and ensuring that our actions reflect the love and justice of Jesus. Our ultimate goal is to make the invisible kingdom visible through our lives. [28:34]
Living out the ideals of God's kingdom is a calling that extends to every aspect of our lives, including our political engagement. As followers of Jesus, we are called to advocate for our neighbors, live generously, and ensure that our actions reflect the love and justice of Jesus. Our ultimate goal is to make the invisible kingdom visible through our lives.
This means that our political actions should be guided by the principles of the gospel. We must seek to promote policies that align with the teachings of Jesus, stand up for the marginalized, and work towards justice and righteousness. By doing so, we can be a light in a dark world and bring the hope of God's kingdom to those around us.
Matthew 5:16 (ESV): "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: How can you live out the ideals of God's kingdom in your political engagement? What specific actions can you take to advocate for your neighbors and reflect the love and justice of Jesus in your community?
Quotes
1. "Seeing my brothers and my sisters in Christ filled with so much hate and anger over politics, right? Lashing out at people, simply supporting a different candidate than them. It quite honestly makes me sick to my stomach because as followers of Jesus, our loyalties and our allegiances, they're not supposed to be towards a candidate or towards a political party or even to our own nation for that matter. But our allegiance as followers of Jesus are supposed to be towards him and his kingdom." [10:31] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The purpose of this series, it's not to affirm your political beliefs. It's not. This series isn't going to tell you who to vote for. It's not going to back any single party or candidate. Because bottom line, that's not why I'm here. I'm not here to decide your political ideals for you. I'm not here to tell you who to vote for and who not to vote for. But I'm simply here to help guide you all along into the kingdom of God." [12:05] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "As followers of Jesus, our number one concern, it shouldn't be party lines or candidates, but it should simply be Jesus. Amen? Amen." [13:34] (9 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "As followers of Jesus, we need to make the invisible kingdom visible. Because the kingdom that Jesus ushered in is carried on through his people. What that means is we can't just throw our hands in the air and ignore the rest because of the thought that God is in charge. That's not the call of the believer, but as followers of Jesus, where each of us were called not just to accept the gospel, but to live it out in every facet of our lives." [21:17] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "As followers of Jesus, as we live out the kingdom that he died to usher in, as the Holy Spirit begins to work and move through our lives, it should cause us to begin to throw away anything that tries to steal our identity from Jesus. It should cause us to throw away any identities that are rooted in specific political parties, regardless of which evangelical leader might be vouching for them. And instead, we should live out our true identity that is found in and through Jesus and his kingdom." [26:01] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "To live for the kingdom means that everything we do has to be centered on glorifying God and serving our neighbor. Not just ourselves. Not just on Sunday mornings. Not just in the church Facebook chat. But in every aspect of our lives. And I hate to say it, as apolitical as I love to be and as much as I hate politics, this also includes our politics." [27:32] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "In the kingdom of God, the values, priorities, and goals of God and Jesus Christ are paramount. It encompasses the spiritual realm, sure. But it also encompasses the physical one. Things like justification, sanctification, glorification are rightly discussed in the kingdom. But so are the issues of the poor, those who are sick, caring for God's creations. The goal of the kingdom is to make things as they should be. But it's still a work in progress." [28:34] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "No matter what candidate you're backing, no matter who is winning your vote this November, that candidate ain't perfect. No matter who it is, that person you're voting for is still a person. And they might have good ideas. But they're not infallible. They're not always right. And they don't deserve to be in the spot in your heart that Jesus has dedicated himself to be." [29:37] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Are your politics in line with the actions and the teachings of our savior Jesus? Or are they in line with what the party says they should be? Because I got to be real, that's what's most important about all of this. Not whether you're a Republican, not whether you're a Democrat, not whether you lean right or left, or like to say you're in the middle. But simply, if your politics, live out our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." [31:30] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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