Reflecting Christ's Image in Politics and Society
Summary
### Summary
Today's message centers on the question, "Whose image do you bear?" As followers of Jesus, we are called to reflect His image in all aspects of our lives, including our engagement with politics and society. Politics are important but not ultimate. Our primary allegiance should be to Jesus, who is the eternal King. The Bible instructs us to respect and obey governing authorities, as they are instituted by God. However, our ultimate loyalty is to God's kingdom, which transcends any earthly government.
We explored the duality of politics, highlighting both its potential for good, as seen in the Americans with Disabilities Act, and its potential for harm, as exemplified by the Indian Removal Act. The Bible does not provide specific guidance on every political issue, but it does offer principles for living as good citizens. Romans 13 teaches us to be subject to governing authorities, recognizing that all authority comes from God. We are to obey the law unless it directly contradicts God's Word.
Jesus' teaching in Mark 12 about paying taxes to Caesar underscores the importance of distinguishing between our civic duties and our spiritual obligations. We are to give to the government what belongs to it, but our ultimate allegiance belongs to God. This means that our behavior, both in person and on social media, should reflect the love and grace of Jesus.
We are reminded to pray for our leaders, regardless of whether we agree with them, and to engage in politics with humility and wisdom. Our hope is not in any political system but in Jesus, who holds all governments on His shoulders. As Christians, we should be known more for our faith than our politics, and how we treat people is more important than who we vote for.
### Key Takeaways
1. Reflecting God's Image: As Christians, our primary identity is in Christ, not in our political affiliations. We should ask ourselves if our actions and words reflect the image of God or the image of the world. Our faith should be more evident than our political views. [21:34]
2. Respecting Authorities: Romans 13 teaches us to respect and obey governing authorities, as they are instituted by God. This includes paying taxes and following laws, except when they directly contradict God's Word. Our obedience is a testimony to our faith. [10:23]
3. Praying for Leaders: We are called to pray for our leaders, regardless of our political preferences. This includes praying for their wisdom, discernment, and even their salvation. Our prayers can have a profound impact on their lives and decisions. [24:33]
4. Ultimate Allegiance to God: While politics are important, they are not ultimate. Our ultimate allegiance is to Jesus, who is the eternal King. This perspective helps us navigate political seasons with peace and trust in God's sovereignty. [26:21]
5. Engaging with Humility and Wisdom: We should engage in political discussions and actions with humility and wisdom, recognizing that not all issues are clearly addressed in the Bible. Our behavior should reflect the love and grace of Jesus, fostering constructive and healthy community. [03:48]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:08] - Introduction and Series Overview
[02:04] - Truth and Grace in Politics
[03:00] - Caution in Topical Studies
[03:48] - Humility in Political Engagement
[04:23] - Jesus is King
[05:10] - Personal Political Journey
[06:07] - The Power of Politics
[07:04] - Bipartisan Cooperation
[07:59] - The Trail of Tears
[08:55] - Biblical Perspective on Politics
[09:39] - Romans 13: Obeying Authorities
[10:23] - God's Sovereignty in Government
[11:23] - The Role of Government
[12:18] - Being Good Citizens
[13:27] - Government's Authority to Punish
[14:33] - Paying Taxes and Respecting Authorities
[15:31] - The Church and Government
[16:25] - Testimony Through Behavior
[17:00] - Honoring the Emperor
[18:00] - Augustine's City of God
[19:05] - Jesus and Taxes
[20:19] - Whose Image Do You Bear?
[21:34] - Reflecting God's Image
[22:18] - Social Media Conduct
[23:46] - Praying for Political Candidates
[24:33] - Personal Prayer for Leaders
[25:13] - The Reality of Political Outcomes
[26:21] - The Constitution and Government
[27:51] - Founders' Faith in God
[28:44] - Judicial Decisions
[29:47] - Living as Exiles
[30:34] - Nations Come and Go
[31:13] - Hope in the Cross
[32:03] - William Wilberforce and Dietrich Bonhoeffer
[33:45] - Who is Your King?
[34:48] - Local Political Engagement
[35:31] - The Price of Resistance
[36:13] - Praying for Authorities
[37:07] - Jesus' Eternal Reign
[37:50] - The Government on Jesus' Shoulders
[38:38] - Praying for World Leaders
[39:31] - Closing Prayer
[40:39] - Invitation to Respond
[41:44] - Final Encouragement and Prayer
[42:30] - Online Engagement and Next Steps
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Romans 13:1-7: "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor."
2. Mark 12:13-17: "Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. They came to him and said, 'Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn’t we?' But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. 'Why are you trying to trap me?' he asked. 'Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.' They brought the coin, and he asked them, 'Whose image is this? And whose inscription?' 'Caesar’s,' they replied. Then Jesus said to them, 'Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.' And they were amazed at him."
3. 1 Timothy 2:1-2: "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 13, why should Christians be subject to governing authorities? ([09:39])
2. In Mark 12, how did Jesus respond to the question about paying taxes to Caesar? ([20:19])
3. What does 1 Timothy 2:1-2 urge believers to do for those in authority? ([36:13])
4. How does the sermon describe the duality of politics, using the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Indian Removal Act as examples? ([07:59])
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean for Christians to reflect God's image in their engagement with politics and society? ([21:34])
2. How can the principle of giving to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s be applied in modern-day political engagement? ([20:52])
3. Why is it important for Christians to pray for their leaders, even those they disagree with? ([24:33])
4. How does recognizing Jesus as the eternal King influence a Christian's perspective on political involvement? ([04:23])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your recent social media activity. Do your posts reflect the image of God or the image of the world? How can you ensure your online presence aligns more with your faith? ([22:18])
2. Think about a recent political discussion you had. Did you approach it with humility and wisdom? How can you improve your engagement in such discussions to reflect the love and grace of Jesus? ([03:48])
3. Identify a leader you disagree with politically. Commit to praying for their wisdom, discernment, and salvation this week. How might this practice change your attitude towards them? ([24:33])
4. Consider the statement, "Our ultimate allegiance is to Jesus, who is the eternal King." How does this perspective help you navigate political seasons with peace and trust in God's sovereignty? ([04:23])
5. How can you be a good citizen while maintaining your ultimate loyalty to God's kingdom? Are there specific laws or civic duties you struggle with, and how can you reconcile them with your faith? ([12:18])
6. Reflect on a time when you felt your political views were more evident than your faith. What steps can you take to ensure your faith is more prominent in your interactions? ([21:34])
7. How can you engage in local politics or community service to make a positive impact while keeping your focus on God's kingdom? ([34:48])
Devotional
Day 1: Reflecting God's Image
As Christians, our primary identity is in Christ, not in our political affiliations. We should ask ourselves if our actions and words reflect the image of God or the image of the world. Our faith should be more evident than our political views. This means that in every interaction, whether in person or on social media, we should strive to embody the love, grace, and truth of Jesus. Our behavior should be a testimony to our faith, showing others the transformative power of Christ in our lives. [21:34]
Genesis 1:27 (ESV): "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."
Reflection: Think about your recent interactions, especially on social media. Do they reflect the image of God or the image of the world? How can you make a conscious effort today to let your faith be more evident than your political views?
Day 2: Respecting Authorities
Romans 13 teaches us to respect and obey governing authorities, as they are instituted by God. This includes paying taxes and following laws, except when they directly contradict God's Word. Our obedience to the law is a testimony to our faith and shows our trust in God's sovereignty over all earthly authorities. By respecting and obeying authorities, we demonstrate our commitment to living out our faith in practical ways, even when it is challenging. [10:23]
Romans 13:1-2 (ESV): "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment."
Reflection: Are there any laws or regulations you find difficult to obey? How can you trust in God's sovereignty and show respect for governing authorities in your daily life?
Day 3: Praying for Leaders
We are called to pray for our leaders, regardless of our political preferences. This includes praying for their wisdom, discernment, and even their salvation. Our prayers can have a profound impact on their lives and decisions, and it is a way for us to participate in God's work in the world. By lifting up our leaders in prayer, we acknowledge that ultimate authority belongs to God and that He can guide and influence those in positions of power. [24:33]
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: Take a moment to pray for a specific leader today. What specific qualities or decisions do you want to lift up to God in prayer for this leader?
Day 4: Ultimate Allegiance to God
While politics are important, they are not ultimate. Our ultimate allegiance is to Jesus, who is the eternal King. This perspective helps us navigate political seasons with peace and trust in God's sovereignty. By keeping our focus on God's kingdom, we can engage in political discussions and actions with a sense of calm and assurance, knowing that our hope is in Jesus and not in any political system. [26:21]
Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV): "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
Reflection: In what ways do you find yourself placing more hope in political outcomes than in Jesus? How can you shift your focus to trust more in God's eternal kingdom?
Day 5: Engaging with Humility and Wisdom
We should engage in political discussions and actions with humility and wisdom, recognizing that not all issues are clearly addressed in the Bible. Our behavior should reflect the love and grace of Jesus, fostering constructive and healthy community. By approaching political engagement with a humble heart and a desire for wisdom, we can contribute positively to society and demonstrate the character of Christ in all we do. [03:48]
James 3:17 (ESV): "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere."
Reflection: Think about a recent political discussion you had. How can you approach future discussions with more humility and wisdom, reflecting the love and grace of Jesus?
Quotes
1. "Jesus is king. Jesus is on his throne. It's going to be okay. No matter what happens, it's going to be okay. Jesus is on his throne. And there are no term limits with Jesus. He is king. He will never be impeached or outvoted or indicted. Or he is the king. He is on his king for eternity. And so I just want to start our message with that is where our hope lies. And who is king? Who is the king of your life is more important than who is president of our nation." [04:23] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Whose image is on you? When you engage in culture and you engage in society, are you representing a person from the city of man? Or you representing the God who gave his image and implanted his image on you? Whose image do you bear? Do more people know about your politics than your faith? Whose image do you bear when you engage in the world? Politics are important. They are not ultimate. They are not the most important. How you treat people is more important than who you vote for." [21:34] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "As a follower of Jesus, you're to be a really good citizen in the authorities God has given. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good and you will receive his approval. For he is God's servant for your good. Every police officer and every military personnel is a servant of God according to this text. They have been placed there indirectly through the government and the authority that God has placed them under." [13:27] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Be known more for your faith than your politics. It's important to be involved in politics. I think of William Wilberforce. I've read a documentary, or I didn't read a documentary. I read a biography on William Wilberforce. He came to faith in a revival in England in 1785. He befriended John Newton, who used to be a former slave owner. Who wrote. Who wrote the song Amazing Grace. At first, when William Wilberforce came to faith, he was feeling led to join the clergy, to become a pastor. And John Newton said, no, we need you in government. We need you in government. We need your voice in government." [32:03] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Who is your king is more important than who is your president. Let me ask you this. Have you settled that in your heart? Have you settled who the king is of your life for the rest of eternity? The people we're voting for in every few months, they will only last a few years. But who your king is, who your personal king, who you give your allegiance to, is most important. That is ultimate. Be involved. Be involved in kingdom work." [33:45] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Your hope, my friend, is not found in the flag. It's found in the cross behind me. And as a church, we're not going to wrap the flag around the cross. Our hope is found in the king. Not in a president. Not in a governor. Not in a mayor. Politics are important. But they are not most important. C.S. Lewis says this. When first things. It's about every sermon you've got to have a C.S. Lewis quote. When first things are put first, second things are not suppressed, but they're increased." [31:13] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "As kingdom people, we're to be viewed with a side eye. As a follower of Jesus here on earth, we're to be viewed as somewhat foolish. Side-eyed. Why? Because we are exiles in a foreign land. All throughout the Bible, there are exiles. There are individuals. There's great significant stories of individuals living in foreign lands. Can you think of a few? Joseph in Egypt. How do you keep to the convictions of what you know to be true? Not compromise your conviction and be shrewd and use the position God's given you as influence." [29:47] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "The United States, the government that we currently live under, it's been a 250-year experiment. Thomas Jefferson says, hey, this is just an experiment. Let's see how this goes. It's gone pretty well. The Constitution is one of the most fascinating documents the world has ever seen. The preamble says this. The preamble to the Constitution. The purpose of government. We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice. Justice is a good thing. Paul talks about it in Romans 13. The government has the ability to punish wrongdoers." [26:21] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "May we be people who never vote for somebody that we didn't. We never go to the ballot box without spending time in the prayer room. We would pray for every candidate. Have you ever thought about being in a position that they're in where half the people hate them? I mean for most of us it's like 10% of people we interact with don't like us. But you run for office it's 50%. They don't like you." [23:46] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Jesus holds all governments in place. brings them to power and he removes them. Be known more for your faith and your politics. Who you're keen is more important than who you're president. And how you treat people is more important than who you vote for." [38:38] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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