Reflecting Christ Amidst Political Division and Hostility
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, church! Today, we began our worship with a joyous baptism, celebrating Kennedy's new walk with Christ. We also embarked on a five-week series addressing the deep political division and hostility in our nation. This series is crucial as it aims to help us navigate these turbulent times by aligning our actions and attitudes with the teachings of Jesus Christ.
The political climate today is fraught with anger and division, often seeping into our church communities and compromising our witness. As Christians, we are called to be a distinctive voice of grace and truth. Unfortunately, many have conflated their political beliefs with their faith, leading to a loss of credibility and unity. Our mission is to rethink and act biblically in a world that desperately needs us to reflect Christ.
We discussed three common responses to political and cultural issues: fitting in, fleeing, and fighting. Each has its pitfalls. Fitting in can lead to compromising the gospel, fleeing ignores our mission to engage the world, and fighting often turns people into enemies rather than those we are called to love and serve. Instead, our response should be rooted in faith, marked by our relationship with Jesus Christ.
Our identity in Christ is foundational. We are chosen, royal, holy, and God's special possession. This identity should shape every aspect of our lives, influencing how we think, act, and interact with others. We must take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ, allowing our faith to permeate every area of our lives, including our political views.
In the coming weeks, we will explore five key characteristics that should define us as Christians: identity, civility, humility, unity, and charity. Today, we focused on remembering our identity in Christ. This identity transcends political affiliations and calls us to live in a way that reflects Jesus in all we do.
As we navigate the political tensions and engage in conversations, let's remember who we are in Christ. Our actions, speech, and attitudes should always reflect our identity as followers of Jesus. Let's commit to being a light in this world, bringing honor and glory to God in all we do.
### Key Takeaways
1. Identity in Christ: Our primary identity is in Christ, not in political affiliations or worldly labels. This identity should shape every aspect of our lives, influencing how we think, act, and interact with others. We are chosen, royal, holy, and God's special possession, and this should be evident in our behavior and attitudes. [56:17]
2. Civility and Respect: In a world where political discourse often turns hostile, Christians are called to behave with civility and respect. We must engage in conversations with grace, even when we disagree, reflecting the love and humility of Christ. This approach helps maintain our witness and fosters unity within the church. [38:52]
3. Humility in Posture: Demonstrating humility means recognizing that we don't have all the answers and being open to learning from others. It involves listening more than speaking and valuing others' perspectives. This humility allows us to engage in meaningful dialogue without compromising our faith. [43:19]
4. Striving for Unity: Unity within the church is crucial, especially in politically charged times. We must strive to maintain unity by focusing on our shared identity in Christ rather than our political differences. This unity strengthens our witness and helps us fulfill our mission to share the gospel. [44:50]
5. Known for Charity: Love should be the defining characteristic of Christians. We are called to love one another and serve our communities, reflecting the love of Christ in tangible ways. This love breaks down barriers and opens doors for sharing the gospel, making a lasting impact on those around us. [46:24]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[0:45] - Baptism Celebration
[1:30] - Introduction to the Series
[2:15] - The Problem of Political Division
[3:30] - Impact on the Church
[4:45] - The Role of Christians
[6:00] - Common Responses: Fit In, Flee, Fight
[8:00] - The Call to Faith
[9:30] - Our Identity in Christ
[11:00] - Taking Every Thought Captive
[12:30] - Living as Foreigners and Exiles
[14:00] - Reflecting Christ in Our Actions
[15:30] - Five Key Characteristics
[17:00] - Remembering Who We Are
[18:30] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
[20:00] - Communion and Final Thoughts
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Peter 2:9-12: "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us."
2. 2 Corinthians 10:5: "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."
3. Galatians 2:20: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 Peter 2:9-12, what are the four descriptors used to define our identity in Christ?
2. What does 2 Corinthians 10:5 instruct us to do with our thoughts?
3. In Galatians 2:20, what does Paul say about his life and identity in Christ?
4. What are the three common responses to political and cultural issues discussed in the sermon, and what are their pitfalls? [49:09]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding our identity as "chosen, royal, holy, and God's special possession" (1 Peter 2:9) influence our behavior and interactions with others?
2. What does it mean to "take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5), and how can this be applied to our political views and discussions?
3. How does Galatians 2:20 challenge us to live out our faith in practical ways, especially in the context of political division?
4. The sermon mentions that fitting in, fleeing, and fighting are common responses to political issues. How can these responses compromise our witness as Christians? [49:09]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your primary identity. Do you see yourself more through the lens of your political affiliation or your identity in Christ? How can you shift your focus to align more with your identity in Christ? [56:17]
2. Think about a recent political discussion you had. How did you handle it? Did your behavior reflect civility and respect? What could you do differently next time to ensure your actions align with the teachings of Jesus? [38:52]
3. Humility involves recognizing that we don't have all the answers and being open to learning from others. Can you recall a time when you failed to demonstrate humility in a political conversation? How can you approach such discussions with more humility in the future? [43:19]
4. Unity within the church is crucial. Have you experienced division within your church community due to political differences? What steps can you take to foster unity and focus on your shared identity in Christ? [44:50]
5. Love should be the defining characteristic of Christians. Identify one tangible way you can show love and serve your community this week, especially towards those with differing political views. [46:24]
6. Before engaging in a political discussion, how can you remind yourself of your identity in Christ and ensure that your speech and actions reflect that identity? [56:17]
7. The sermon encourages us to be a light in this world. What specific actions can you take this week to bring honor and glory to God in your interactions, both online and in person? [01:09:51]
Devotional
Day 1: Our Identity in Christ
Our primary identity is in Christ, not in political affiliations or worldly labels. This identity should shape every aspect of our lives, influencing how we think, act, and interact with others. We are chosen, royal, holy, and God's special possession, and this should be evident in our behavior and attitudes. As Christians, our identity in Christ transcends all other identities and affiliations. This means that our actions, speech, and attitudes should always reflect our relationship with Jesus. When we remember who we are in Christ, it helps us navigate the complexities of the world with grace and truth. Our identity in Christ calls us to live in a way that honors God and reflects His love to those around us. [56:17]
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
Reflection: How can you let your identity in Christ shape your interactions with others today, especially in conversations that might be politically charged?
Day 2: Civility and Respect
In a world where political discourse often turns hostile, Christians are called to behave with civility and respect. We must engage in conversations with grace, even when we disagree, reflecting the love and humility of Christ. This approach helps maintain our witness and fosters unity within the church. Civility and respect are not just about being polite; they are about embodying the character of Christ in all our interactions. When we engage with others, especially in contentious discussions, we should do so with a spirit of gentleness and respect, always aiming to reflect the love of Jesus. [38:52]
Colossians 4:6 (ESV): "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."
Reflection: Think of a recent conversation where you disagreed with someone. How could you have shown more civility and respect in that interaction?
Day 3: Humility in Posture
Demonstrating humility means recognizing that we don't have all the answers and being open to learning from others. It involves listening more than speaking and valuing others' perspectives. This humility allows us to engage in meaningful dialogue without compromising our faith. Humility is about acknowledging our limitations and being willing to learn from others, even those with whom we disagree. It is about prioritizing understanding over being understood and valuing the perspectives of others as we seek to reflect Christ in our interactions. [43:19]
James 1:19 (ESV): "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger."
Reflection: In what ways can you practice humility in your conversations today, especially with those who hold different views from your own?
Day 4: Striving for Unity
Unity within the church is crucial, especially in politically charged times. We must strive to maintain unity by focusing on our shared identity in Christ rather than our political differences. This unity strengthens our witness and helps us fulfill our mission to share the gospel. Unity does not mean uniformity; it means coming together despite our differences because of our common faith in Jesus. When we prioritize our shared identity in Christ, we can work together to advance the gospel and reflect the love of God to a divided world. [44:50]
Ephesians 4:3-4 (ESV): "Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call."
Reflection: How can you contribute to the unity of your church community today, especially in the face of political or social differences?
Day 5: Known for Charity
Love should be the defining characteristic of Christians. We are called to love one another and serve our communities, reflecting the love of Christ in tangible ways. This love breaks down barriers and opens doors for sharing the gospel, making a lasting impact on those around us. Being known for charity means that our actions are marked by selfless love and service. It means going out of our way to help others, showing kindness, and reflecting the love of Jesus in practical ways. This kind of love can transform lives and communities, drawing people to Christ. [46:24]
1 John 3:18 (ESV): "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."
Reflection: What is one specific act of love or service you can do today to reflect the love of Christ to someone in your community?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "As Christians, we are called to be a distinctive voice in this world. We are called to be the ones that have a voice of grace and truth in worldly matters and so we are to speak up. Unfortunately, Christians, a lot of us have mixed our politics with our faith making them synonymous with one another causing us to lose credibility on both issues." [41:54] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It means that we are known and marked by our relationship with him over everything else. He is our identity. And over the next few weeks, we're going to talk about what that looks like practically and how we apply that in our life so that people can see Christ in us in a way that brings him honor and glory." [51:53] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Remember who you are. You are a son or daughter of the most living high God. You are brought into his family through Jesus Christ and your faith in him. So act like it. Allow your speech, your attitude, your behavior, everything to reflect him in every way." [01:08:59] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We are called to walk in the ways of Jesus, to live by the will of the Holy Spirit, and to trust and be obedient to the word of God. In the coming weeks, we're going to dive more deeply into some specific actions, more specific attitudes in which we are to carry in this world." [01:09:51] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Jesus came into that chaos. And he brought peace and he showed a better way. He talked about a new kingdom, a better kingdom. A kingdom that's free from all the struggles and the heartaches of this world. That's the kingdom he operates. That's the kingdom that he offers you." [01:11:45] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "The identity of a Christian is someone who's willing to give up their rights, give up their liberties, even lay down their life for the Savior who laid down his life for them. That's why this whole year has been I'm all in. Our verse is Galatians 2.25, been crucified with Christ. And I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." [01:02:04] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Our faith understand this is to permeate everything that we do. It is to permeate every thought, every action and every aspect of our life. See the problem is more and more people we're starting to see ourselves through a primary identity of this world and particularly with politics and a political ideology." [44:50] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We need Jesus to shape our thinking, shape our attitudes and shape the way we respond. And I get it this is sensitive subject to so many and I'm pretty confident that during the next few weeks I'm going to say something that will tick off most of you if not all of you." [41:54] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When we start to look at life, we got to understand and see it the way Jesus sees it. See, if we start to look at life just the way the world sees it, the world sees this life as the end all be all. That everything's temporary. And that's why the world, you know, when it comes to identifying, we talk about identity as the other sex." [59:18] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We are called to still live with godly behavior and have a light that reflects Jesus Christ. And what it says here is that when God comes back, they'll recognize that because they saw him in us. Isn't that interesting? It specifically says that they may see your good deeds. And glorify God on the day he visits us." [01:06:12] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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