Navigating Political Divisions as Followers of Jesus
Summary
### Summary
Welcome to Grace Church! Whether you're a long-time member or new, our goal is to make this a spiritual home for you. We encourage everyone to love Jesus, grow with others, and serve a world in need. Today, we discussed how to navigate the political season as followers of Jesus. With the upcoming presidential debate and election, it's easy to get caught up in the divisiveness. However, as Christians, we are called to be salt and light in the world, reflecting Jesus' love and character.
We explored Matthew 5, where Jesus calls us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Salt preserves and prevents decay, while light illuminates and guides. In this politically charged season, we must live in a way that upholds the dignity of all people and reflects Jesus' love. We also looked at Philippians 1 and 3, where Paul reminds us that our primary citizenship is in heaven. This perspective helps us navigate political differences with grace and love.
We are not first Republicans or Democrats; we are first followers of Jesus. This allegiance should guide our actions and interactions, especially in politically divisive times. We must trust God's sovereign plan, even when things don't go our way. By praying for our leaders and those we disagree with, we align our hearts with God's and foster unity. Ultimately, our joy and peace come from knowing that our true citizenship is in heaven, and Jesus is our ultimate King.
### Key Takeaways
1. Be Salt and Light: Jesus calls us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Salt preserves and prevents decay, while light illuminates and guides. Our lives should reflect Jesus' love and character, helping to uphold the dignity of all people and prevent societal decay. [45:56]
2. Primary Citizenship in Heaven: Our ultimate allegiance is to the Kingdom of Heaven, not to any political party or nation. This perspective helps us navigate political differences with grace and love, knowing that our true home is with Jesus. [53:17]
3. Trust God's Sovereign Plan: Even when political outcomes disappoint us, we can trust that God is in control. Jesus' resurrection assures us that His Kingdom will last forever, and we can find peace in His sovereign plan. [59:17]
4. Pray for Leaders and Opponents: Prayer is a powerful tool for fostering unity and aligning our hearts with God's. By praying for our leaders and those we disagree with, we can overcome hatred and division, reflecting Jesus' love and grace. [01:02:16]
5. Choose Joy and Peace: Despite the political turmoil, we can choose joy and peace by focusing on our citizenship in heaven. Paul's letters remind us to rejoice in the Lord always, knowing that Jesus will ultimately reign as King. [01:03:41]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[15:18] - Introduction and Announcements
[16:32] - Summer Serve Opportunities
[17:59] - Worship Team and Tech Involvement
[18:36] - Prayer and Worship
[19:27] - Opening Prayer
[39:23] - Navigating Political Divisions
[40:50] - Personal Note on Political Fears
[42:09] - Addressing Political Divisions in the Church
[43:25] - Survey Statistics on Political Divisions
[44:36] - Importance of Being Salt and Light
[45:56] - Explanation of Salt and Light
[47:23] - Role of Christians in Politics
[48:44] - Reflecting Jesus' Character
[50:12] - How to Be Involved Without Being a Jerk
[51:42] - Primary Citizenship in Heaven
[53:17] - Affirming Our Citizenship in Heaven
[54:44] - Jesus' Diverse Inner Circle
[56:26] - Balancing Political Allegiances
[57:54] - Personal Story of Patriotism and Faith
[59:17] - Trusting God's Sovereign Plan
[01:00:49] - Dealing with Anxiety Through Prayer
[01:02:16] - Praying for Leaders and Opponents
[01:03:41] - Choosing Joy and Peace
[01:05:22] - Living with Joy and Trust
[01:07:02] - Wearing the Name of Jesus Well
[01:08:41] - Closing Prayer and Confession
[01:17:46] - Announcements and Final Blessing
[01:18:13] - Farewell and Benediction
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV)
> "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
2. Philippians 1:27 (NIV)
> "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel."
3. Philippians 3:20-21 (NIV)
> "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body."
### Observation Questions
1. What are the two metaphors Jesus uses in Matthew 5:13-16 to describe the role of His followers in the world?
2. According to Philippians 1:27, how should believers conduct themselves?
3. In Philippians 3:20-21, what does Paul say about the citizenship of believers and what are they eagerly awaiting?
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does being the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world" influence the way Christians should engage in political discussions? [45:56]
2. What does it mean to have our primary citizenship in heaven, and how should this perspective affect our interactions with others, especially during politically divisive times? [51:42]
3. How can trusting in God's sovereign plan provide peace and joy, even when political outcomes are disappointing? [59:17]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent political discussion you had. How did you act as "salt" and "light" in that conversation? What could you have done differently to better reflect Jesus' love and character? [45:56]
2. Think about your primary allegiance. How does viewing your primary citizenship as being in heaven change the way you approach political debates and discussions? [51:42]
3. When was the last time you prayed for a political leader or someone you disagreed with politically? How did it affect your attitude towards them? [01:02:16]
4. Identify a specific way you can choose joy and peace in the midst of political turmoil. What practical steps can you take to focus on your heavenly citizenship this week? [01:03:41]
5. How can you foster unity within your church community during this political season? What actions can you take to bridge divides and promote understanding? [40:50]
6. Reflect on a time when you felt politically homeless. How did you navigate that feeling, and how can you support others who might feel the same way? [56:26]
7. What specific actions can you take to ensure you are wearing the name of Jesus well in your daily interactions, especially in politically charged environments? [01:07:02]
Devotional
Day 1: Be Salt and Light
Description: Jesus calls us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Salt preserves and prevents decay, while light illuminates and guides. Our lives should reflect Jesus' love and character, helping to uphold the dignity of all people and prevent societal decay. In this politically charged season, it is crucial to live in a way that upholds the dignity of all people and reflects Jesus' love. By being salt and light, we can help prevent societal decay and guide others towards the truth and love of Jesus. [45:56]
Matthew 5:13-16 (ESV): "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 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 be a source of preservation and guidance in your community today? Think of one practical way you can reflect Jesus' love and character to those around you.
Day 2: Primary Citizenship in Heaven
Description: Our ultimate allegiance is to the Kingdom of Heaven, not to any political party or nation. This perspective helps us navigate political differences with grace and love, knowing that our true home is with Jesus. By affirming our primary citizenship in heaven, we can approach political discussions and disagreements with a sense of peace and unity, rather than division and hostility. Remembering that our true home is with Jesus allows us to prioritize our faith over our political affiliations. [53:17]
Philippians 3:20-21 (ESV): "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself."
Reflection: How does knowing your primary citizenship is in heaven change the way you interact with others who have different political views? What steps can you take to prioritize your heavenly citizenship in your daily life?
Day 3: Trust God's Sovereign Plan
Description: Even when political outcomes disappoint us, we can trust that God is in control. Jesus' resurrection assures us that His Kingdom will last forever, and we can find peace in His sovereign plan. Trusting in God's sovereignty means believing that He is working all things for good, even when we cannot see it. This trust allows us to remain calm and hopeful, even in the face of political turmoil and uncertainty. [59:17]
Isaiah 46:9-10 (ESV): "Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'"
Reflection: What is one political or personal situation that is causing you anxiety? How can you surrender this situation to God's sovereign plan and find peace in His control?
Day 4: Pray for Leaders and Opponents
Description: Prayer is a powerful tool for fostering unity and aligning our hearts with God's. By praying for our leaders and those we disagree with, we can overcome hatred and division, reflecting Jesus' love and grace. Praying for our leaders and opponents helps us to see them through God's eyes and to develop a heart of compassion and understanding. This practice can transform our attitudes and relationships, promoting peace and unity. [01:02:16]
1 Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV): "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way."
Reflection: Think of a leader or someone you disagree with politically. Can you commit to praying for them daily this week? How might this practice change your perspective and attitude towards them?
Day 5: Choose Joy and Peace
Description: Despite the political turmoil, we can choose joy and peace by focusing on our citizenship in heaven. Paul's letters remind us to rejoice in the Lord always, knowing that Jesus will ultimately reign as King. Choosing joy and peace means intentionally focusing on the eternal truths of God's Kingdom rather than the temporary struggles of this world. This choice allows us to live with a sense of hope and contentment, regardless of external circumstances. [01:03:41]
Habakkuk 3:17-18 (ESV): "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation."
Reflection: What are some ways you can intentionally choose joy and peace today, despite any political or personal challenges you may be facing? How can focusing on your heavenly citizenship help you maintain a positive and hopeful outlook?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Grateful that Jesus is here. Do you believe that? He says if two or three gather in his name, he says, I'm there. Like, in a, he manifests his presence in a special way. And we want to trust him to work in our hearts today." (15 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Jesus calls us to be faithful in a culture. Culture matters. The world matters. And he says, you're citizens of this world. And also we're going to see citizens of somewhere else. But he's saying, I want you to be, he says here in verse 13, he says, I want you to be the salt of the earth. Then he's going to tell us he wants to be the light of the world." (22 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If salt preserves, then light shines. The one is sort of holding back the darkness, and the other one is illuminating the way of Jesus. You're reflecting His heart, His character, that there's something about the way that you live that it says that people will actually see your good deeds, not just what you're against, but what you're for. And they'll go, wow, the way you live your life. And Jesus says, in some way, they're going to praise your Father in heaven." (30 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "I am a citizen of heaven. Would you say that with me? I am a citizen of heaven. If you've put your trust in Jesus Christ and said, Jesus, I can't make it into your family I'm on. I'll never be good enough. I'm a broken person. I'm a broken person. I give you all of me, and I receive your righteousness, what you did on the cross and in your resurrection. Jesus, I want you to be my Savior. I want to follow you in every area of my life. When you do that, this is the passport you get. You're part of God's family. You're adopted in, and you have a home that you can look forward to. You are a citizen of heaven." (36 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Friends, we're called to be citizens of heaven. Paul says, live a life worthy of that. me close with this story. I remember a friend here who told me how his dad had owned a tree-cutting company. And he told me this. It was just a moving story that took place one day. Here's how I remember him telling it. He says, one day, he says, I was in my teens and I was in summer and I was working, you know, one of the jobs. And I'm in one of my dad's trucks. And the foreman was driving me back to my job after lunch. He said, we had eaten at Burger King. And so I finished my drink. I rolled down the window and I threw out the cup. He said, the foreman stopped the truck, saw in the mirror he could go in reverse, and he put the truck in reverse. And he said, I want you to get out of the truck and pick up that cup. And the teen was sort of awkwardly embarrassed. And he said, what's the big deal? It's like just a cup. He goes, the big deal is this. Whose name is on the side of this truck? He says, my dad's. He goes, you need to wear your father's name well. How you wear your father's name matters. Friends, how are we doing wearing the name? Of Jesus Christ. I want to wear it well, don't you? May the spirit of Jesus help us to be salt and light in this season so that other people will see something in us that will draw them to the one who's the kingdom, the king of the home that we look forward to, our primary passport. May we wear the name well." (108 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "One Christian thought leader today, Kerry Newhoff, wrote recently, he says this, he says, I wonder if years from now we'll talk to people who bailed on the church and realized that the recent exodus of people leaving the church wasn't just faith-induced, but politically induced. feels like the evangelical church is still more inflamed politically and ideologically than it was a decade ago, and now we have another election right around the corner. In other words, there are some people who would consider faith in Christ, but when they see Christians and the way that Christians, some, respond in the midst of a heated political battle, they go, you know what, I don't think I want to be a part of that. I don't want that to happen for us." (47 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Jesus calls us to be faithful in a culture. Culture matters. The world matters. And he says, you're citizens of this world. And also we're going to see citizens of somewhere else. But he's saying, I want you to be, he says here in verse 13, he says, I want you to be the salt of the earth. Then he's going to tell us he wants to be the light of the world. What does he mean by those two metaphors? To be the salt of the earth. Salt seasons and it protects. Today, a lot of us, we'd go like, man, this food needs a little more salt. We just view it as like it just makes the food taste better. But back then, it was different. Salt was used as a preservative. You know, this was even true 150 years ago before you had, like, refrigerators and everything, that if you had a piece of fish or meat and you weren't going to be able to eat it all, you'd rub salt in it and the salt would do what? It would inhibit decay. It's sort of like a piece of beef jerky today. You know, stuff can last, you know, probably 35 years, right? And still taste okay because it's been, you know, it has the salt in it and it's been preserved. And so when Jesus says that we should live like the salt of the earth, what he means is I want you to live in such a way that your life sort of helps to hold back the decay in society, that you'll be one of those who upholds the dignity of all people. You'll care about poverty, that you'll see people through the eyes of Jesus and you'll prevent decay." (90 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So if you feel sort of torn to go, I sort of like this part of this group, and that part of this group, and, you know, I'm independent. I mean, that's okay, because our ultimate not to America. Our ultimate citizenship is to the kingdom of heaven. You might go, Jonathan, do you not like your own country? To the contrary, when I come back into the country, like I did a couple months ago with this passport here, I want to kiss the ground. Anybody relate to that? I have three kids. I needed to show a picture of my family at some point here. This picture of my family last month, and I have three kids in the military, right? So my son in the center there, Andrew, just finished Academy. Our daughter, Joy, number three on the right, finished up at, she did West Point and graduated a few years ago. And then Brad on the left, our son-in-law, graduated from the Coast Guard Academy. So all you Navy Marine people are going, you're missing a couple more branches. Who knows? Maybe one of those little kids will, Teddy and Ellie will. But our kids are like in the military. We're patriotic. We love our country. But we love Jesus even more. And he's our ultimate king, and our citizenship is not, first of all, as United States of America, it's first of all right here. We are representatives of Jesus Christ. Friends, if you miss everything else that I said today, I want one phrase to go through your mind and your heart. I am a citizen of heaven. Would you say it with me again? I am a citizen of heaven. That means whatever happens in these coming months might disappoint us, but it doesn't need to devastate us. Because this country is not my ultimate home." (103 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So what do we do? Talk daily with the Lord about what concerns you. He cares about you. He cares for your family, cares for your neighbor, cares for your country, whatever passport you hold in this world. So pray for people who don't see things the way you do. You know, one of the reasons I think Jesus told us to pray for enemies, it's really hard to hate people that you're praying for. Because as you're praying for them, you're just sort of agreeing with God, God, would you do this? Bring them to a place of surrender. Lord, would you just bless them, I pray, and pray for political leaders, whether you agree with them or not. We have no excuse to treat leaders that we don't like with slander and with words that you wouldn't call one of your family members unless you've got a really broken family. Here's what it says in 1 Timothy. I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to give you peace. Help them. Intercede on their behalf and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority, your mayor, your council person, your governor, so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior. He starts off saying, I want you to pray for everybody. And pray for those who are in leadership. Don't just curse them or make fun of them. Pray for them. Talk with the Lord. He'll begin to give you his heart. And when we do that, we're reminded of the real battle. Friends, your neighbor, your family member are not your enemy. Nobody who has flesh and bone is your enemy. Ephesians 6 said our battle is not against flesh and blood, right? It's not against people. It's against whom? It's against the devil and his schemes, right? It's against the principalities and the powers of this dark world. And so in the end, the peace that we've got is not against the will come about only by the power of a gracious God. So talk to him. Talk to him a lot." (128 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So let's take inventory for just a moment. Would other people say that you live with a sense of joy? Or would they say that you're more known for you're agitated and anxious? Which one characterizes you? Which one is the mark of a spirit-filled life? The fruit of the spirit is first of all Galatians. Galatians 5. Love and then joy, right? And peace. Is your life marked by a joyful trust in the king of kings? Are you a person who sees the bigger picture? Which of these passports is more important to you? You know, I think for all of us, we've seen Christians who have done a really miserable job representing the one whose name they claim. They're abrasive. They're needlessly argumentative. They'd rather win an argument than to show love to a person. And they're not the aroma of Christ. They're the stench. They stink. I don't want to be like that. Doesn't mean I can't have opinions. Doesn't mean you can't have an opinion. But how we express this and the kind of deep-rooted trust we have in the Savior makes all the difference. Friends, we're called to be citizens of heaven. Paul says, live a life worthy of that." (100 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?