Christians and Politics (Chantilly Sermon)
October 13, 2024
Mark 12:30-31 CSB – Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. 31 The second is, Love your neighbor as yourself.
Romans 12:2-3 CSB – Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
Christians can be united on Jesus’ authority over all
Matthew 28:18-20 CSB – Jesus said, All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.
Psalm 33:12 NIV – Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD….
Is Jesus King over the Government?
Romans 13:1-2 CSB – Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God. 2 So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves.
John 19:10-11 CSB – Pilate to Jesus: Don’t you know that I have the authority to release you and the authority to crucify you?”
“You would have no authority over me at all,” Jesus answered him, “if it hadn’t been given you from above.
What does the Bible say about the roles of Church & State
Church
Purpose: Make disciples
Matthew 28:18-20 CSB – Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
State (Government)
Purpose: Peace and Social Order
1 Timothy 2:1-4 CSB – First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Psalm 19:7 CSB – The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
Church
Principle: Grace
Ephesians 2:8 CSB – For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift
State
Principle: Justice
Romans 12:17,19,21 CSB – 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. … 19 Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God’s wrath, because it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.
21 Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.
Romans 13:1,3-4 CSB – Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Do what is good, and you will have its approval. 4 For it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the swordfor no reason. For it is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong.
1 Timothy 2:2 CSB – [Pray for rulers] …so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good, and it pleases God our Savior
Church
Power: Love
Mark 12:31 CSB – Love your neighbor as yourself.
State
Power: Fear
Romans 13:3-4 CSB – For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Do what is good, and you will have its approval. 4 For it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For it is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong.
1 Peter 2:13 CSB – Submit to every human authority because of the Lord whether to the emperor as the supreme authority 14 or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good.
Church State
Purpose: “Go make disciples” Purpose: Peace/social order
Principle: Grace Principle: Justice
Power: Love Power: Fear
How does Jesus authority apply to today’s issues?
Proverbs 13:34 CSB – Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
Acts 4:18-20 CSB – Authorities threatened Peter & John and…ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
19 Peter and John answered them, “Whether it’s right in the sight of God for us to listen to you rather than to God, you decide; 20 for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
Acts 4:31 CSB – …and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God boldly.
The Sacredness of Life
Genesis 1:26 CSB – Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness.
Genesis 1:27 CSB – So God created man
in his own image;
he created him in the image of God;
he created them male and female.
Sacredness of Gender and Marriage (Who has authority to define gender and marriage)
Genesis 1:27 CSB – So God created man
in his own image;
he created him in the image of God;
he created them male and female.
Matthew 19:5-6 CSB – ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
Sacred Authority of Parents
Ephesians 6:1,2 CSB – Children, obey your parents in the Lord, because this is right. 2 Honor your father and mother,
Religious Liberty
1 Timothy 2:2-4 CSB – Pray for rulers so…we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
How To be Good News People in Bad News Times?
Stay Focused
Colossians 3:1-2 CSB – if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Be Responsible
1 Peter 2:13,15 CSB – Submit to every human authority because of the Lord….
For it is God’s will that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good.
Make Disciples
Matthew 28:18-19 CSB – “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,
