Trusting God Amidst Political Challenges
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, church. Today, we embark on a challenging yet crucial series on politics. While politics and religion are often seen as taboo topics, especially together, it's essential for us as followers of Jesus to navigate these waters with wisdom and grace. Politics can often diminish hope and damage relationships, but it doesn't have to be that way for us. Jesus offers us peace and guidance, even in politically turbulent times.
We need political discipleship, aligning our political engagement with Jesus' teachings. The Bible doesn't provide a direct guide for our modern democratic systems, but it does offer wisdom. We must approach politics with nuance and humility, recognizing that there can be multiple God-honoring ways to address issues.
In 1 Samuel 8, we see the Israelites demanding a king, rejecting God's direct rule. This story serves as a cautionary tale about placing our trust in human governments over God. Governments can provide order but cannot offer the peace, provision, and life change that only God can. Jesus addressed this in Mark 12:13-17, teaching us to give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's. This means engaging in politics responsibly but not letting it take the place of God in our hearts.
Our ultimate trust should be in Jesus, not in any political system or leader. Governments can help maintain order, but they cannot change hearts or provide ultimate security and provision. As Christians, we should engage politically but with a realistic view of what can be accomplished. Our hope and peace should come from God, not from political outcomes.
As we reflect today, especially during communion, let's examine where our trust lies. Are we looking to government for what only God can provide? Let's commit to trusting God fully, knowing that He is our true provider and protector.
### Key Takeaways
1. Political Discipleship: Aligning our political engagement with Jesus' teachings is crucial. The Bible may not provide direct guidance for modern democratic systems, but it offers wisdom that requires nuance and humility. We must seek to honor God in our political actions, recognizing that there can be multiple God-honoring approaches. [37:16]
2. Trust in God Over Government: The story of the Israelites demanding a king in 1 Samuel 8 serves as a cautionary tale. Governments can provide order but cannot offer the peace, provision, and life change that only God can. We must ensure that our ultimate trust is in God, not in any political system or leader. [46:19]
3. Engage Responsibly: Jesus' teaching in Mark 12:13-17 reminds us to give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's. This means engaging in politics responsibly but not letting it take the place of God in our hearts. We should participate in the political process but with a realistic view of its limitations. [57:53]
4. God's Provision and Protection: Governments can help maintain order, but they cannot change hearts or provide ultimate security and provision. Our hope and peace should come from God, not from political outcomes. We must trust that God can protect and provide for us regardless of the political landscape. [47:55]
5. Reflect and Trust: During times of political tension, it's essential to reflect on where our trust lies. Are we looking to government for what only God can provide? Communion is a time to recommit to trusting God fully, knowing that He is our true provider and protector. [01:04:33]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[0:45] - Introduction to the Series
[2:30] - The Challenge of Politics and Religion
[4:15] - Jesus Offers Peace
[6:00] - Why Political Discipleship is Needed
[8:30] - The Story of 1 Samuel 8
[12:00] - Trust in God Over Government
[15:00] - Jesus' Teaching on Politics (Mark 12)
[18:30] - Engaging Responsibly in Politics
[21:00] - God's Provision and Protection
[24:00] - Reflecting During Communion
[27:00] - Final Encouragement and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Samuel 8:4-22 - The Israelites demand a king.
2. Mark 12:13-17 - Jesus teaches about giving to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's.
#### Observation Questions
1. What reasons did the Israelites give for wanting a king in 1 Samuel 8:4-5?
2. How did Samuel react to the Israelites' demand for a king, and what was God's response? (1 Samuel 8:6-9)
3. In Mark 12:13-17, what question did the Pharisees and Herodians ask Jesus, and why was it a trap?
4. How did Jesus respond to the question about paying taxes to Caesar, and what was the reaction of the people? (Mark 12:16-17)
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the Israelites wanted to be like other nations by having a king, despite God's direct rule? (1 Samuel 8:19-20)
2. What does Jesus' response in Mark 12:17 teach us about the relationship between our duties to government and our duties to God? [57:53]
3. How can the story of the Israelites demanding a king serve as a cautionary tale for us today in terms of where we place our trust? [46:19]
4. What does it mean to engage in "political discipleship" and how can we align our political actions with Jesus' teachings? [37:16]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own political engagement. Are there areas where you might be placing more trust in government than in God? How can you shift your trust back to God? [41:12]
2. Jesus taught to give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's. How can you practically apply this teaching in your daily life, especially during politically charged times? [57:53]
3. During times of political tension, how do you maintain your peace and hope in Jesus rather than in political outcomes? Share a specific strategy that has worked for you or that you plan to try. [34:19]
4. The sermon mentioned the importance of reflecting during communion on where our trust lies. How can you use communion as a time to recommit your trust to God? [01:04:33]
5. Think about a recent political discussion you had. Did it honor God and reflect Jesus' teachings? If not, what could you have done differently? [37:16]
6. How can you engage responsibly in politics without letting it take the place of God in your heart? Share a specific example of how you plan to do this in the upcoming election season. [49:59]
7. Identify one way you can demonstrate that your ultimate trust is in God, not in any political system or leader, in your interactions with others this week. [47:55]
Devotional
Day 1: Political Discipleship: Aligning with Jesus' Teachings
Description: Political discipleship involves aligning our political engagement with the teachings of Jesus. While the Bible does not provide a direct guide for modern democratic systems, it offers wisdom that requires nuance and humility. As followers of Jesus, we must seek to honor God in our political actions, recognizing that there can be multiple God-honoring approaches. This means being open to different perspectives and understanding that our ultimate allegiance is to Jesus, not to any political ideology or party. [37:16]
1 Peter 2:13-17 (ESV): "Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor."
Reflection: How can you align your political views and actions with the teachings of Jesus today? What steps can you take to ensure that your political engagement honors God and reflects His love and justice?
Day 2: Trust in God Over Government
Description: The story of the Israelites demanding a king in 1 Samuel 8 serves as a cautionary tale about placing our trust in human governments over God. While governments can provide order, they cannot offer the peace, provision, and life change that only God can. Our ultimate trust should be in God, not in any political system or leader. This means recognizing the limitations of human institutions and placing our hope and security in God's unchanging nature and promises. [46:19]
Jeremiah 17:5-8 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.'"
Reflection: In what ways have you placed your trust in government or political leaders instead of God? How can you shift your trust back to God and rely on His provision and protection?
Day 3: Engage Responsibly
Description: Jesus' teaching in Mark 12:13-17 reminds us to give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's. This means engaging in politics responsibly but not letting it take the place of God in our hearts. We should participate in the political process, understanding its importance in maintaining order and justice, but with a realistic view of its limitations. Our political engagement should be guided by our faith and commitment to God's kingdom, not by partisan loyalty or personal gain. [57:53]
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: How can you engage in the political process in a way that honors God and reflects your faith? What practical steps can you take to ensure that your political involvement does not overshadow your commitment to God?
Day 4: God's Provision and Protection
Description: Governments can help maintain order, but they cannot change hearts or provide ultimate security and provision. Our hope and peace should come from God, not from political outcomes. We must trust that God can protect and provide for us regardless of the political landscape. This means recognizing that true peace and security come from our relationship with God and His promises, not from the stability or policies of any government. [47:55]
Psalm 146:3-5 (ESV): "Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God."
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you relying on political outcomes for your sense of security and peace? How can you shift your focus to trust in God's provision and protection?
Day 5: Reflect and Trust
Description: During times of political tension, it's essential to reflect on where our trust lies. Are we looking to government for what only God can provide? Communion is a time to recommit to trusting God fully, knowing that He is our true provider and protector. This reflection helps us to realign our hearts and minds with God's truth and to place our hope and trust in Him alone. By doing so, we can experience His peace and guidance, even in politically turbulent times. [01:04:33]
Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV): "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock."
Reflection: As you participate in communion, take a moment to examine where your trust lies. Are there areas where you have placed your hope in government or political leaders instead of God? How can you recommit to trusting God fully and experiencing His peace?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "It’s possible for us to be the most at peace group of people in the coming weeks and months, regardless of political happenings, and regardless even of outcomes of the election. Like, that’s what Jesus makes available to us. But I think it’s safe to say that we need some help getting there." [34:19] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Our joy and our peace and our confidence aren’t dependent on earthly government and politics. Which is why today, before we get into the discussions we’re going to have in this series about how Christians should approach our vote. And what our engagement is. in the political sphere should look like today, we just need to start with a hard look at who has my heart, God or government?" [39:52] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God doesn’t need a government functioning in a certain way to protect and provide for you. And no amount of government breakdown can hinder God’s ability to protect and provide for you. Like church, we don’t have a hypothetical trust in God. God isn’t sort of like the safety net. We hope to never find out if it’s actually there or not. Like we’ll only use it if all of the other systems break down. He is the source of our security." [47:55] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We trust Jesus. Jesus was God made flesh. Jesus died for our sins. Jesus rose in power. He was crucified and came back. And we look to him for our provision. We look to him for our protection. We look to him to change the world. Not an emperor, not a president, not a congressman or judge, Jesus." [49:59] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Don’t give your heart to government. Don’t get sucked in to the talk that it is our hope or doom come November. The reality is that come this November, if one party wins, it will create a series of challenges and a series of opportunities for God’s people. And if the other party wins, it will create a series of challenges and a series of opportunities for God’s people." [01:02:53] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "We see often a need for, for moral discipleship. Aligning with Jesus our ideas of right and wrong. And we see a need for relational discipleship. Aligning with Jesus how we interact with people. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. We need financial discipleship. Aligning with Jesus on how we approach money. And in the same way as all of those, especially in the season we’re in right now, we need political discipleship. Aligning with Jesus in how we engage with politics and government." [37:16] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You can tell that government has your heart over God whenever you are looking for it to give the peace. Provision and the life change that only God can give. Church, I really need us to, I really want you to see what I mean. A government can pass laws about borders. It can pass laws about guns. A government can establish a military. It can set up a police system to function in certain ways, but listen to me, it does not ultimately control. It does not ultimately control your security." [47:55] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Following the ways of Jesus means that we don’t reject human government, not even ungodly government. We give them what is theirs to ask from us, which includes taxes. We give them obedience to laws that don’t contradict God’s commands. And in our society, that means we give them votes. It means we give them our say on laws and the regulations we think would help society function best. Those are what belong to our Caesars." [57:53] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If we pursue Jesus with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and when it comes to changing people’s minds, and when it comes to changing the world, we follow his methods. We don’t turn that over to politics. It doesn’t belong to Caesar. We don’t try to accomplish the things of God by voting or lobbying or shouting down those who disagree with us. We have been told to change the world by loving our neighbors transformationally." [01:01:19] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Make sure you have settled who has your heart. So churches, we take some time for reflection today. I love that Jesus has given us this ordinance, this moment of communion where we take a piece of bread and we drink from a cup that is meant to remind us over and over again that he gave his life for us. If you are willing to die for someone, then you have got them well looked after." [01:02:53] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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