Unity and Mission

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"Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedies."

Q: What do you call an argument between a politician and one of his donors? A: A conflict of interest.

Last week we looked again at unity in the church. We looked specifically at Philippians 2. Paul is calling the church to be unified. And…he just doesn’t put that out there for us to figure out, he tells us what this looks like.

Brief review.

Philippians 2 ...

Unity is…being like minded. Having the mind of Christ. What was Christ focused on? Humbling himself to serve others. Why? Because He was here to save them from their sins. Because in the end? Every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord.

So the church Paul is writing to in Philippians, he’s wanting them to stay focused on what Jesus came to do…since they are, as the church, the body of Christ on the planet.

We talked briefly about what, if Satan had a plan, what would it be according to what Paul wrote? It would be to dis-unify the church. Remember our illustration of our two hands cutting a baked potato so we can eat? Eyes, ears, senses, arms, hands working together to simply cut a piece…for the purpose of eating. One mind…all of those members working together.

Just as Paul reminds us…one mind (Jesus’) working through all of us by way of His spirit…so that His church serves others in this world. Why? So that they (the world) might come to know that God sent Him for their salvation. He loves people that much.

That was Philippians 2. With a bit of John 17.

Now - Here we go. A united church working with…participating in....Government/Politics.

I think we first need to describe government. In every culture throughout the ages, if you were to mention the terms politics or government, people would think of what they’ve experienced. And so there are so many views of government out there. So many theories as to its purpose…on the planet…from the minds of men.

For us, I think it is super simple to just go back in time and look at how God set up government…we can readily to that in the Bible.

Exodus 18:20–21 CSB

20 Instruct them about the statutes and laws, and teach them the way to live and what they must do. 21 But you should select from all the people able men, God-fearing, trustworthy, and hating dishonest profit. Place them over the people as commanders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.

Keep teaching God’s ways. And when the people don’t “love their neighbor as themselves...” and justice needs to be served, have these commanders look after the needs of the people. Act as judges. To remind people of the law and to ...

HELP PEOPLE LIVE TOGETHER...

Remember what sin did in the beginning…separated us from God....and from each other. People began to look to their own interests rather than the interest of others. And in that…we act against God’s goodness, against his character…we act against others. And so government helps people live together. Keep the peace, discipline, reminders of God’s ways, a chance for turn-around.

God’s family had a system of Government.

Simplistic. Yes. Hard…Yes....simply because people were bent towards sin…and thought selfishly.

Now of course this was a theocracy. God at the top. His chosen as officials or judges. People chosen who had the trust of the people. Not perfect people…but people who others trusted would act on their behalf honestly…Under God’s direction…under His ways.

And on the other end of justice and peacemaking...

In the book of Deuteronomy God reminds His people that when judgement is established by His representatives…don’t show contempt for the judge or for God’s decision.

We have a lot of contempt today don’t we…we see it everywhere. Especially in our current political culture.

Contempt is more than disagreement. Contempt = the feeling that a person or a thing is beneath consideration, worthless, or deserving scorn.

Do you think…that contempt would be one of satan’s tools within the church? Would contempt for each other divide us?

We have political differences…we have different views of government. We call those opinions. However, when it comes to objectiveness based on God’s standards of living, we simply say…yes, Lord. We don’t show contempt for him or for others. Contempt for others, showing disreguard for others…calling them worthless, will ruin the mission of the church in any community.

Can we disagree in love? Absolutely. Can we care for others even when we don’t agree with them? Absolutely. In fact, we’re called to in scripture. Why? Because the purpose of God saving the world is much higher than my local personal political interests.

Back to God’s little design for government.

God, in His wisdom, knew where mankind was heading. He had his judges…but then the people grew agitated and jealous of what others had. And so in His laws He made a way for a king to be established if that was where Israel was heading. King Saul was the first. King Saul, began to choose his own ways verses God’s ways.

David was the next chosen King. Not a perfect King. But one that, when he figured out that he was against God’s ways…he found a way to repent and turn around. He found a way to please God. He loved God.

Now, from there on we see a ever so slow pull away from a God oriented governance towards a government that was driven by power…selfish power. Fame.

Government was becoming more about power and wealth rather than “loving your neighbor as yourself.”

All through this…who is still in charge?

Who is still the creator and has the master plan of bringing people back to Him?

Who is raising rulers up and dethroning them through history for His purposes?

FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES:

God. If God is sovereign, then these things must follow.

In the Old Testament, we find passages where God speaks to this idea. He talks with kings and explains this…even pagan kings. Nebuchadnezzar …God said you would have no power or authority if I hadn’t given it to you. Here’s what Daniel says to the historic King Nebachadnezzar Daniel 4:17

Daniel 4:17 (CSB)

17 ...the Most High is ruler over human kingdoms. He gives them to anyone he wants and sets the lowliest of people over them.

God is in control…He is working through history for His purposes. Now, mankind fights against him…or is influenced by Satan to pull away from Him. But in the end, God either designs things or allows things to happen…in all versions of politics and government.

Even us…in our governmental and political environment we’re in now…God is in control of this. We have to believe that. Do we understand why all things are happening? No…His ways are higher than ours...

Isaiah 55:8 CSB

8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways.” This is the Lord’s declaration.

What did Jesus say before he ascended to the right hand of God? All authority in Heaven and on Earth has been given to me.

Jesus reigns over every political party on the planet. Jesus reigns over every governmental process…local state and federal. Planet wide as well. His purposes will be fulfilled…our duty is to God first. Love Him…then love our neighbors (like Jesus did).

What a political atmosphere there is right now right?

Wow we see it everywhere - local state federal. Battles over messages, battles over who’s qualified to serve, commercials ads debates media channels…it is everywhere. And much of it is not nice.

A lot of it is not just a discussion of ideas…much of it is bent towards the destruction of opponents.

********************

9/11 - National disasters - natural disasters.

During disasters or emergencies, something unique happens that I believe is more in line with our created nature…our created spirit.

I read a story this past week of a minister who was on a mission trip on the day 9/11/01. He was in an airport as things were unfolding…soon to be stranded in that airport because of the lockdown of air traffic across the country.

He noticed something looking back on that day. Everyone in the airport were very aware of what was happening. And the conversations were all…surrounding need and help.

What’s your name?

Where are you from?

Is there anything I can do?

Can I borrow your cell phone?

Do you need something to eat?

Can I get you anything?

traveler to traveler these were the questions. This is what conversation was based on.

Not....He said he didn’t hear...

What political party are you?

Are you right wing or left wing?

What are your views on…fill in the blank?

Do you have a criminal record?

What organizations do you belong to?

What’s your bank account look like?

Who did you vote for last election?

I’ve noticed the same thing on mission trips. When I’m in a church group who is serving someone or a family. I’ve also noticed that in coverage of disasters…when people are on the ground doing what they can to serve others. Conversations zero in on something…loving your neighbor…as yourself.

There are times in our history…personal and as a community or nation where we naturally act like this. Sporadic times when we really act like the church. All differences aside, sharing Jesus’ love.

What would it look like if we were acting like this all the time?

The unity of the church.

You see sometimes I think when it comes to certain parts of life, we separate them from normal life and give them a life of their own. Government and politics.

Sometimes in this realm I/we sometimes think its ok to talk behind someone’s back. To talk about them rather than with them. To consider people adversaries and evil rather than people who are simply choosing life differently than you…me.

Remember, we read in God’s word that our battle is not against other people…flesh and blood…it is against forces of evil.

We, as the church, need to be very careful in how we live, day in and day out.

Paul wrote something in Romans that will be very tough for some of us to hear.

I’m going to read through this passage in a minute, but let me set this up.

It is probably the late 50’s AD, the church in Rome has begun but has yet to have any deep teaching. The belief is that some had either returned there or moved there after Pentecost…the birth of the church in Jerusalem. Paul is writing to this rapidly growing church to speak into it…teach it…and guide it. To speak to some situations they are in and to explain, fully, Jesus and His mission for the church.

In this book we have a passage that has been hotly debated over the years.

Rome has an emperor at this time. It is polytheistic…many gods. And what we might call an empirial cult…worship of the emporer. Emperors had been antagonistic and tolerant of Jewish customs…kicked out in 19AD…tolerated some after that…then hated again…especially Christians.

But Paul is writing to this church…and here is what he says in Romans chapter 13…about government and politics.

Now, I’m going to read…jump around…go to 14…and then back to 12…and then back to 13 again.

Romans 13:10 CSB

10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the law.

Paul is making a point for the church.

Even in culture that is politically driven…do everything you can to live well…so that…the message of the Gospel can go out. So people can see Jesus in you rather than someone who just looks like everyone else who is angry at everyone else.

Look different. Be different. Speak differently. Have that attitude that reflects HOPE in Jesus. Be grateful in all circumstances. Speak truth.

Now…being that there are different governments…we’re kind of lucky…in that we have, according to the constitution…the ability to both speak and vote…we have the ability to try and mold or shape things towards Godliness. However, we are not…if compelled to do so…we are not bound to do evil. The Bible nowhere says that we should just bow down and do evil. God is the higher authority…follow God.

Should we vote? Absolutely. How? Remember who is our King. Vote with Him in mind.

Now you might not have people who profess Christ as possible leaders. But you might have people who closely reflect the morals and goodness of the creator of the universe.

Vote with the mind of Christ…the church.

What does that mean? Investigate. Do your due diligence. Know why you’re not voting for or why you’re voting for something or someone. There are school things around here, judges, issues, state and federal elections as well. If something doesn’t line up with God’s word…question it. Look into it as much as you can. Vote with your conscience so you have no regrets…fully knowing that in time…Jesus is making all things new. At one point in time all kingdoms will fade away and they’ll be only one…and it will be perfect Amen!?