Unity in Faith: Overcoming Political Division
Summary
### Summary
Today, we embark on a three-part series titled "Talking Points: The Perfect Blend of Politics and Religion." The aim is to address the intersection of faith and politics, especially in a time of heightened division within our nation and even within our church community. The words of Jesus are profoundly relevant to our current political climate, and it is crucial to discuss how we, as followers of Christ, should navigate these turbulent times.
The core of today's message revolves around unity. Jesus foresaw the potential for division among His followers and prayed fervently for their unity. This unity is not just a superficial agreement but a deep, sacrificial oneness that transcends political affiliations and personal biases. Jesus' prayer in John 17 highlights His desire for His followers to be one, just as He and the Father are one. This unity is mission-critical because it serves as a testimony to the world of God's love and the truth of Jesus' message.
Fear is a significant factor that divides us, especially in the political realm. Both sides of the political spectrum use fear to rally support and raise funds, but as Christians, we are called to rise above this. We fear loss—loss of control, opportunity, culture, and freedom. However, Jesus' command to "fear not" should guide us to trust in Him rather than succumb to the fear-mongering tactics of politics.
The challenge for us is to evaluate our politics through the lens of our faith, rather than the other way around. Are we willing to follow Jesus even when it creates a gap between us and our political party? This is a call to prioritize our faith over our political affiliations and to love unconditionally, even those with whom we disagree politically.
Jesus' prayer for unity is not just for our benefit but for the sake of the world. When the church is united, it becomes a powerful witness to the world, demonstrating the transformative power of Jesus' love. Therefore, we must strive for unity, love unconditionally, and pray for oneness, as this is God's will for us.
### Key Takeaways
1. Unity is Mission-Critical: Jesus prayed for the unity of His followers, knowing that their oneness would be a powerful testimony to the world. This unity is not about political agreement but about a deep, sacrificial love that transcends differences. Our unity as a church is essential for fulfilling God's mission on earth. [14:09]
2. Fear Divides, Love Unites: Fear is a tool often used in politics to divide and control. As Christians, we are called to rise above fear and trust in Jesus. Our love for one another, especially those with whom we disagree politically, should be a testament to our faith and a counter to the fear that seeks to divide us. [04:41]
3. Evaluate Politics Through Faith: We must be willing to evaluate our political views through the lens of our Christian faith, rather than shaping our faith to fit our politics. This means prioritizing Jesus' teachings and commands over party lines and political ideologies. [07:57]
4. Pray for Oneness: Jesus' prayer for unity should be our prayer as well. We should actively seek and pray for unity within our church and the broader Christian community. This unity is not just for our benefit but for the sake of the world, as it serves as a powerful witness to the truth of Jesus' message. [15:23]
5. Love Unconditionally: Our love for one another should be unconditional, mirroring the love Jesus has for us. This means loving those with whom we disagree politically and seeking opportunities to serve and support them. This kind of love is a powerful testimony to the world and a key to maintaining unity within the church. [20:57]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Introduction to the Series
[02:06] - Personal Story and the Importance of Addressing Politics
[03:41] - The Role of Fear in Politics
[05:18] - The Call for Unity in a Diverse Church
[07:01] - Evaluating Politics Through Faith
[09:12] - Jesus' Prayer for Unity
[14:09] - The Importance of Unity for the Church's Mission
[18:09] - The Purpose of Unity
[22:57] - The Early Church's Example of Unity
[24:16] - The Church's Role in Society
[26:11] - The Temporary Nature of Political Systems
[27:27] - The Command to Fear Not
[29:18] - The Call to Love Unconditionally
[30:43] - Prayer for Oneness
[32:28] - Practical Steps to Love Unconditionally
[34:00] - Conclusion and Call to Action
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. John 17:20-23 (NIV) - "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."
### Observation Questions
1. What did Jesus pray for in John 17:20-23, and why was this prayer significant for His followers? [14:45]
2. According to the sermon, what are some of the fears that divide people politically? [04:41]
3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between fear and political division? [03:41]
4. What does the sermon suggest is the mission-critical aspect of unity within the church? [14:09]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize unity among His followers in His prayer in John 17:20-23? How does this unity serve as a testimony to the world? [14:45]
2. How can fear be a tool for division, and what does the sermon suggest Christians should do to counteract this fear? [04:41]
3. What does it mean to evaluate our politics through the lens of our faith, as suggested in the sermon? How might this challenge our existing political views? [07:57]
4. Why is it important for Christians to love unconditionally, especially those with whom they disagree politically? How does this reflect Jesus' teachings? [20:57]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt divided from someone in your church community due to political differences. How did you handle it, and what could you have done differently to promote unity? [14:09]
2. Fear is often used in politics to create division. Identify a specific fear that has influenced your political views. How can you address this fear with faith and trust in Jesus? [04:41]
3. Think about your current political views. Are there any areas where you feel your faith might be taking a backseat to your political beliefs? How can you realign your views to prioritize your faith? [07:57]
4. Jesus prayed for unity among His followers. How can you actively contribute to unity within your church community? What specific actions can you take this week to foster oneness? [15:23]
5. Loving unconditionally can be challenging, especially with those we disagree with politically. Identify one person with whom you have political disagreements. What is one practical way you can show them unconditional love this week? [20:57]
6. The sermon emphasizes the importance of praying for oneness. Commit to praying for unity in your church. How will you incorporate this prayer into your daily routine? [30:43]
7. Evaluate your interactions on social media or in conversations about politics. Are there ways you can be more loving and less divisive in these interactions? What changes will you make to ensure your behavior aligns with Jesus' command to love one another? [29:18]
Devotional
Day 1: Unity is Mission-Critical
Jesus prayed for the unity of His followers, knowing that their oneness would be a powerful testimony to the world. This unity is not about political agreement but about a deep, sacrificial love that transcends differences. Our unity as a church is essential for fulfilling God's mission on earth. Jesus' prayer in John 17 highlights His desire for His followers to be one, just as He and the Father are one. This unity is mission-critical because it serves as a testimony to the world of God's love and the truth of Jesus' message. When the church is united, it becomes a powerful witness to the world, demonstrating the transformative power of Jesus' love. Therefore, we must strive for unity, love unconditionally, and pray for oneness, as this is God's will for us. [14:09]
Ephesians 4:3-6 (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—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Reflection: Think of a person in your church with whom you have political or personal differences. How can you show them sacrificial love this week to promote unity?
Day 2: Fear Divides, Love Unites
Fear is a tool often used in politics to divide and control. As Christians, we are called to rise above fear and trust in Jesus. Our love for one another, especially those with whom we disagree politically, should be a testament to our faith and a counter to the fear that seeks to divide us. Fear is a significant factor that divides us, especially in the political realm. Both sides of the political spectrum use fear to rally support and raise funds, but as Christians, we are called to rise above this. We fear loss—loss of control, opportunity, culture, and freedom. However, Jesus' command to "fear not" should guide us to trust in Him rather than succumb to the fear-mongering tactics of politics. [04:41]
1 John 4:18 (ESV): "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love."
Reflection: Identify a fear that has been influencing your political views. How can you replace that fear with trust in Jesus and love for others?
Day 3: Evaluate Politics Through Faith
We must be willing to evaluate our political views through the lens of our Christian faith, rather than shaping our faith to fit our politics. This means prioritizing Jesus' teachings and commands over party lines and political ideologies. The challenge for us is to evaluate our politics through the lens of our faith, rather than the other way around. Are we willing to follow Jesus even when it creates a gap between us and our political party? This is a call to prioritize our faith over our political affiliations and to love unconditionally, even those with whom we disagree politically. [07:57]
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: Reflect on your current political views. Are there any areas where you need to align more closely with Jesus' teachings? What steps can you take to make this alignment happen?
Day 4: Pray for Oneness
Jesus' prayer for unity should be our prayer as well. We should actively seek and pray for unity within our church and the broader Christian community. This unity is not just for our benefit but for the sake of the world, as it serves as a powerful witness to the truth of Jesus' message. Jesus foresaw the potential for division among His followers and prayed fervently for their unity. This unity is not just a superficial agreement but a deep, sacrificial oneness that transcends political affiliations and personal biases. [15:23]
John 17:20-21 (ESV): "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me."
Reflection: Spend time in prayer today asking God to bring unity to your church and the broader Christian community. How can you be an agent of this unity?
Day 5: Love Unconditionally
Our love for one another should be unconditional, mirroring the love Jesus has for us. This means loving those with whom we disagree politically and seeking opportunities to serve and support them. This kind of love is a powerful testimony to the world and a key to maintaining unity within the church. Jesus' command to love unconditionally is a call to prioritize our faith over our political affiliations and to love unconditionally, even those with whom we disagree politically. [20:57]
Romans 12:9-10 (ESV): "Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor."
Reflection: Think of someone with whom you have a political disagreement. How can you show them genuine, unconditional love this week? What specific actions can you take to demonstrate this love?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Nothing divides like politics, because nothing divides like fear. As you know, because you've been a victim of this, or maybe you've been a part of this, you can raise a lot of money peddling fear. You can't raise as much money if you're not peddling fear, right? I mean, the Republicans are gonna take away your opportunity to vote. The Democrats are gonna take away your guns, you know, for $25 or $50, or if you check $100, you know." [03:41] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We have an unprecedented opportunity to model for our community and maybe our nation what it looks like to disagree politically, because we are going to continue to disagree politically and love unconditionally." [06:29] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Are you willing to evaluate your politics through the filter of our historical, collective Christian faith? Are you willing to evaluate your politics through the filter of your faith rather than create a version of faith that supports your politics? Which is what most Christians do." [07:57] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Your candidate, your political candidate, for president or for everything, your political candidate, your candidates will win or lose based on how American citizens vote on a Tuesday in November. But the church will win or lose based on our behavior every single day between now and then." [23:36] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Disagree politically, love unconditionally, and pray for oneness. Disagree politically, love unconditionally, pray for oneness. Disagree politically, but love unconditionally, and pray for unity." [34:00] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Are you willing to follow Jesus when following Jesus creates space between you and your political party, your party's platform, and your party's candidate? And I'm just telling you, most Christians are not able to do that, especially in the climate that we're in now and in the months that we have ahead, because it's so easy to be divided and it is so easy to rush to the corner and it's so easy to just assume that God and Jesus are in lockstep with us." [09:12] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The reason he prayed for oneness really doesn't even have anything to do with us. He prayed for oneness because of what he wanted to do through us, and there can be a lack of unity in a local church, and the church will survive, but if there's a lack of unity in a local church or in the church, the will of God will not be accomplished through the church." [18:09] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "It was Christianity, it was these unique upside-down doctrines of Christianity that shaped Western civilization. Almost no one disagrees. Even staunch atheists will agree that it was the message of Christianity that shaped Western civilization. It wasn't American politics, it wasn't Republicans or Democrats. It was Christianity that shaped Western civilization." [24:56] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Why would we, as followers of an eternal king, allow ourselves to be divided by temporary political systems and temporary political leaders and temporary political platforms? Why would we? Why would we allow ourselves to be divided by lesser kings? And here's the most embarrassing thing to me. Why would we allow ourselves to be divided by fear?" [26:42] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "He was saying, Heavenly Father, you and I know everything rides on their unity, not around their politics, not around their culture, not around their language, not around bits and pieces of their worldview, not around how they do baptism, communion, or not around how they sing or when they sing or what time of the day they meet. We know there is a core that they must be unified around and if they are, the world's gonna change." [22:15] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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