As we experience another divisive election season, the debate between left and right continues to grow. How can followers of Jesus engage in politics without abandoning their purpose in God's kingdom? How can we be patriotic without being partisan? This sermon series, "Kingdom Politics," aims to answer these questions by focusing on a kingdom agenda rooted in scripture.
For over 40 years, many churches have avoided discussing politics, believing it to be a divisive topic. However, scripture provides clear examples of religious figures engaging with political leaders, such as John the Baptist confronting King Herod. Many believers struggle with the idea of God and government mixing. Throughout the pages of scripture, though, we find government and government leadership explained. And you might say, “Well, it sounds like Robert is becoming political.” Trust me, I’m not. The church is not getting more political; politics are getting more theological. The state has gotten out of its lane and into the lane of theological and spiritual matters.
The idea of separating church and state is often misunderstood and is not found in the Constitution but in a letter from Thomas Jefferson to a group of Baptist church leaders in Danbury, Connecticut. (Read the letters for yourself here) The government should not interfere with religious practices, and the church should not remain silent on cultural issues clearly defined in scripture.
American Christianity has gone through three distinct stages:
1. Pre-1989: Christianity was viewed positively and as a status enhancer.
2. 1994-2014: Christianity became neutral in social status.
3. Post-2014: Christianity is now seen as a social negative, especially in elite domains.
This shift has caused the church to go silent on many important cultural issues, allowing godless voices to dominate the conversation.
God created three institutions: the Family, the Church, and the State
God created the family in Genesis 2, focusing on health, welfare, and education. Families are responsible for caring for their bodies, looking out for each other's interests, and educating their children, especially in the ways of the Lord. the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. (Genesis 2:7)
The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. (Genesis 2:15)
Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” (Genesis 2:18)
So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. (Genesis 2:21-22)
Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. (Genesis 2:24)
The church's focus is on the word and worship. It should ensure that the culture knows the truth found in God's word and serve as the nation's conscience. The church should create spaces for worship, discipleship, communion, prayer, baptism, and community. The leaders of the church in Acts 6:4 said:
…we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.
The state is ordained by God to administer justice. It should restrain evil with righteous force.
We find the first instance of civil government in Genesis 9:6, which says: “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.
The state, family, and church should each stay in their own lanes, as each institution can either strengthen or undermine the others. Within the institution of the state we have to decide how we are going to order ourselves. We have three options:
1. Tribalism: Leads to war and insecurity.
Biblical Example: The book of Judges, where everyone did what was right in their own eyes. Judges 17:6 says:
In those days, there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
In a Tribalist society, individuals become god.
2. Globalism: Centralizes power, leading to abuse. Biblical Example: The nation of Babylon under King Nebuchadnezzar. King Nebuchadnezzar ruled the Babylonian kingdom as a tyrant king who thought of himself as a god. Daniel 4:29-30 says:
[King Nebuchadnezzar] was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, and the king answered and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” In a Globalist society, the state or government becomes god.
3. Nationalism: Promotes stability and allows for the best human flourishing.
Biblical Example: The nation of Israel, with God's law as its constitution.
In a Nationalist society, all three God-ordained institutions are submitted to God.
Something To Think About
The church must speak up on biblical issues like marriage, gender, and abortion. When the church remains silent, the government oversteps its bounds, trying to take on roles meant for the family and the church.
Men should step up and lead their families as God intended. When families are healthy and thriving, the church will be healthy and thriving, and the government will be put in its proper place.
Reflect on who is the Lord of your life. Have you placed your trust in government or in God? Spend time this week reading your Bible more than watching the news. Pray and fast for our nation, asking God to intervene and guide our leaders.
Questions For Self-Reflection
1. Who is the Lord of your life—God or government?
2. How can you lead your family in a way that aligns with God's design?
3. Are you more informed about political stances than biblical truths? How can you change that?
By focusing on God's Kingdom agenda, we can navigate the complexities of politics without losing sight of our ultimate purpose in God's Kingdom. Let's put God back in His rightful place in our hearts and lives. Watch the full message here: God's Role in Politics and Government
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