http://bible.com/events/26066170

Why this series?

We believe these are the questions you are asking, even more importantly, these are questions those around you are asking. To engage the world around us, we have to be willing to think through the tough questions. 

Background for this question:

-The Bible does give us guidance on what it means to be good citizens

-As believers, we do have some responsibility to be present and engaged in the world in which we live  (see Romans 13 in the notes below)

-The Bible is also clear that our citizenship is first and foremost in the Kingdom of God 

-Our job is to navigate through the Scriptures prayerfully in order to seek truth for us as believers in the midst of a political culture that has become so polarizing

““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.”

John 17:20-21 NIV

-Unity in the church is so important that Jesus died for it

-We don’t seek unity for the sake of unity. We seek the Lord, we make Christ the center, and He unifies us 

-We won’t spread the gospel in this world if we don’t display the kind of unity that Jesus prayed for. 

Matthew 22:15-22

15 Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. 16 They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. 17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?”

18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, 20 and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” 21 “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” 22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.

-The Jewish leaders are trying to trap Jesus and pull him into a struggle that was quite political 

-The Jews resented taxes for religious reasons. To a Jew there was only one true king and to pay a tax to an earthly king was to admit the validity of that kingship. -Think of what Jesus could have said here:

“Don’t give them a cent. Your loyalty is to God alone!” 

“Keep your money until there’s an emperor whose views you support!” 

“Only give to Christian politicians.”

-Jesus wasn’t avoiding the duty of government, what he was avoiding was the trap of politics, confusing the kingdom of men with the Kingdom of God.

-As hard as it is to grasp, Jesus won’t be roped into a political argument. Our God has a monopoly on the Truth and will not fit neatly into the confines of political viewpoints or parties.

CAN the church preach about politics?  Sure it can.It CAN because we aren’t called to be disconnected and disengaged, uninvolved 

SHOULD the church preach about politics is perhaps the better question 

because what it is that we as believers must avoid is the trap of political divisions.

Give back to the government what belongs to the government in the first place. But, far more importantly, give back to God what belongs to Him in the first place.

How much of you belongs to God?

Titus 3:9-11

9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, (nomikos – arguments lawyers make)  because these are unprofitable and useless. 10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. 11 You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.

-The problem of politics for Christians in America is DISUNITY, DISCORD & DIVIDE.

Bottom line:

Politics preached divides. 

Christ preached unifies. 

Three challenges for us in response:

1. Let’s remember who is the enemy is

-“Our battle is not against flesh and blood” Ephesians 6:12 

1. Let’s remember whose kingdom we belong to

-We can’t allow a passion for politics to become idolatry. 

-We must commit to not allow anything else in our lives to take Lordship over Christ 

1. Let’s remember what are we for

-We are for the love of Jesus, for healing, for reconciliation, we are for peace and we are for grace. 

-Jesus said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another”

John 13:35 

Other Texts for Study/Reflection:

“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. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”

1 Timothy 2:1-4 NIV

“Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!”

Acts 5:29 NIV

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

Ephesians 6:12 NIV

“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.  2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.  3 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.  4 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.  5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.  6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.  7 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.”

Romans 13:1-7 

VIDEO: Politics in the Church

Hear Pastor Adrian share more on Romans 13 here:

http://bible.com/events/25086825

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ 

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.””

Matthew 25:31-46 NIV

-The difference between those who are blessed and those who are cursed at the judgement day will be the acts of love that were shown to those in need.

-It’s important to note two things 

                -these were simple acts….a meal to eat, a cup of cold water to drink, welcoming a stranger, looking after the sick or those in prison 

                -these are things that anyone can do…those with much, those with little, those who seem qualified, those who seem unqualified 

What you see…..

-Initially it does not appear that either group could see Jesus.  Their response is “Lord, when did we see you….?” (Verse 37, 44) 

-But the righteous did what they did, not because they could see Jesus, but because they could see a need.   

-The righteous did not do what they did for the applause of man, but because they were compelled by love to meet a need. 

-It begins with what you see, because when your lens becomes loving others first, it’s not about religious duty or obligation

What is in your heart….

-The Bible is clear that our salvation is by grace through faith, but the Bible also says faith without works is dead 

-Our God does not desire your actions apart from your heart

-The difference between the sheep and the goats in Jesus’ story was never about the actions in and of themselves, but the heart behind their actions  

Bottom line:

Your true test is what you do about what you see 

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God

Matthew 5:8

As God changes our hearts, He continues to open our eyes to see Him present in the every day needs all around us. 

http://bible.com/events/23711324

Luke 10:25-37 NIV

25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii[e] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

-One of the most famous stories in history and it begs the question: Why did Jesus choose this story?

-The Greek word for “took pity” is splagchnizomai, meaning to be moved deeply with compassion

-In telling this story, Jesus selected someone from a hated group to demonstrate the expression of love

-The religious leaders wanted to identify with the priest because they were impressive religious people. But they couldn’t because the priest wasn’t the one who acted.

-They wanted to identify with the Levite – the historical carriers of the Covenant. But they couldn’t because the Levite wasn’t the one who acted.

-They HAD to identify with the Samaritan, the hated outsider.

-Would you have the courage to ask God show you who your Samaritans are?

Compassion from a distance isn’t compassion

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:5-8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

http://bible.com/events/22341692

1. Intro
   1. Last week Pastor Adrian reminded us that we are “one in Christ”
      1. We are called to be bridge builders. 
         1. To those who don’t necessarily look like us, or act like us.
      2. The call is to Go!
      3. “We are transformed by God to bring hope to others through Christ”
   2. Matthew 28:19
      1. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…”
   3. The reality of most of us is that most of us won’t go anywhere, we will remain right here, or in our normal day-to-day lives.
2. “And love your neighbor as yourself”
   1. Old Testament
      1. Deuteronomy 6:4-5 
      2. Leviticus 19:18
   2. New Testament 
      1. Matthew 22:37-40
      2. James 2:8
   3. Romans 13:8-10
      1. “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.
3. If it’s that easy, why is it so hard?
   1. It begs the question, why doesn’t the world look any different?
      1. The truth is, our resolve alone cannot bear the burden of the world’s brokenness.  But Christ can.
4. Love God with All…
   1. The good news for us today is that the command to love our neighbor as yourself is the second greatest commandment.  It’s not the first.
   2. Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus speaking 
      1. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
5. What Difference does it make?
   1. A world of difference
   2. God’s love in and through us
      1. Affirms value in others
      2. Causes us to identify with brokenness
      3. Holy Heartbreak
      4. Love moves

http://bible.com/events/21464171

Galatians 3:26-29

26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

–The church in Galatia was experiencing Jews and Gentiles worshipping on equal footing, which previously represented a significant cultural divide.

-There was opposition, not just coming from outside of the church, but within the church.

-We are all children of God, meaning there should be no barrier. Specifically:

-No cultural barrier (Jew or Gentile)

-No socioeconomic barriers (slave or free)

-No gender barrier (male or female)

-Paul is saying that I am to see Christ in you first. If I see Christ in you first, then how I treat you is a reflection of how I see God.

-We are all one IN CHRIST, meaning we find our identity and calling in Him first.

Jesus deliberately and intentionality sought out the unacceptable and the marginalized in society.

-Matthew 9 – calls a tax collector

-Mark 2 – eats with sinners

-Luke 5 – ministers to lepers

-John 5 – engages the Samaritan woman

2 Corinthians 5:17-21

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

-The ultimate barrier between us and God that ever existed was sin, and God sent Jesus to eliminate that barrier

-And He has now called us to His ministry of reconciliation

-There’s something all ambassadors do: THEY GO. They leave their home to go to a foreign land.

-Likewise, the implication of your ministry of reconciliation is not that we all huddle within these four walls and wait for folks to come.

-Our ministry of reconciliation is active, not passive. In fact, you cannot reconcile passively.

The bottom line:

We are called to BUILD BRIDGES not BARRIERS.

Building bridges – When you reach across boundaries as Jesus did to build loving relationships

Our response must be personal. Jesus built bridges one person at a time. We must do the same.