Holiness and Politics...Is it possible?

Intro: WE have all heard that we should not discuss religion and politics in polite company…I think I understand why this school of thought was started. All you have to do is look at the events of the last week where politics has virtually destroyed the morale of a country. We have seen two people used at pawns in a political game between two groups of people who have wrapped themselves in the flag and in a pursuit of the truth that really have nothing in mind except to keep power… (Nathan Dahm Local politician)This message is not a message about who is right or who is wrong…It is not about choosing a political party to become a part of. The truth is that what we are going to talk about is not only useful in politics but in everyday relationships with people…however politics is the everyday conversation that is creating fear and anger instead of hope and peace.

However most people have decided to sit on the sidelines instead of wading into this important arena.Failure to civilly discuss Politics and religion leads to an inability to be Christian in either…This leads to a place of anger driven by fear. The truth is that fear is what keeps pastors from speaking into these things…lets face it as pastors we tend to stay away from political discourse not simply because of being afraid to lose tax exempt status..Because sometimes the political discussion simply does not reflect Christ like living…facebook is full of people using Jesus as the reason they vote for this party or the other but right now there is little Holy living present in any of them. As followers of Jesus we are supposed to be a people of Hope driven by the Love of God…even in politics

I for one am tired of being angry all the time…and my guess is you are too…the answer is not to stop speaking into this world but to release or allegiance to a political party and re-immerse ourselves into what it looks like to live as citizens of the subversive kingdom of God. Christians are not called to avoid conversations about politics…in fact we are called to be examples of civility in these types of conversations.

In order to do this we must resist the urge to dismiss people just because they do not identify the way we believe they should politically.38 John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he wasn’t in our group.” 39 “Don’t stop him!” Jesus said. “No one who performs a miracle in my name will soon be able to speak evil of me. 40 Anyone who is not against us is for us. 41 If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded.

Different ideologies does no equal enemy of the faith…the Church is a big tent…not a pup tent…Our focus must not be on an ideology or a party… but on what the word of God has to say in any given situation. This means when it comes to politics… we must avoid the temptation to dismiss people because they are in a group that is not 100% sacred…No Secular group has a Sacred mindset.

In a recent article I read that both houses of congress identify as Christians in probably the highest percentage ever …91% of the house of representatives 55% REB claim to be Christians and 45% of Democrats claim to be Christians.

In the Senate 47% of Democrats claim to be Christian and 51% of Republicans claim to be Christians.

I am not giving you numbers so that you can choose the party that is more Christian I am giving you the numbers because I think it is important to understand the people can think differently and still be Christian. 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.Are you with me? Really? Quick what do you hear me saying…GET RESPONSE…

42 “But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck. 43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand than to go into the unquenchable fires of hell with two hands. 45 If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one foot than to be thrown into hell with two feet. 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out. It’s better to enter the Kingdom of God with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48 ‘where the maggots never die and the fire never goes out.’

It is time for the Church to stop with that angry protectionism and embrace and communicate hope for the world in troubled times. I am tired of angry Christians living in fear speaking for me. I serve a victorious God…If Jesus was victorious over the grave and over Satan I am sure He will overcome any scheme that man will think up. Scripture says they will know us by our love for one another…How is the world going to see Jesus if our allegiance to a political power overshadows our allegiance to God and ALL of His Words to us?This is why it is so important to make sure that our discourse is Holy...and driven by the Love of Jesus. Don’t lose your appeal because of an ideology….49 “For everyone will be tested with fire. 50 Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other.” Salt has a preserving quaility here…our words must be preserving people not destroying people.Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

If we are going to engage in political discourse that honors God we must remain Christo-centric in our political approach. Honest evaluation of people in power…resist blind faith in a party or person…This means you may not be able to vote strait ticket Promote truly biblical approaches to society….these are not always good for our pocket book Respect for people of faith on the other side of your political spectrum…if they are not in the right it is our job to help them back not destroy their argument. In other words to revisit a message from our mind shifts series move from us verses them to Us to them…Remember that even the way we engage politically has the power to attract or repel people into a life giving faith in Jesus. It does not mean you cannot have feeling and strong opinions…It does not even mean we cannot share those opinions…however we must make sure that scripture is what forms those opinions and not secular ideologies. As we come to the table to experience the presence of Jesus in our lives today let us seek ways in which to bring hope to those in despair. Let us not forget then even in troubled times God empowers us to be the light of faith hope and love to an imperfect world. Confess the ways in which you have attributed to allowing fear to move you to anger?Ask For ways in which you can become an instrument of Hope which brings peace?If you need to stop at the altar on your way to the table please do. On the Night before Jesus died Jesus took the bread and broke it and said…This is my body broken for you…every time you eat of it do so in remembrance of me....In the same way he took the cup and said this represents my blood shared for you…every time you drink of it do so in remembrance of me..Invite those helping to front...

Intro:

WE have all heard that we should not discuss religion and politics in polite company…I think I understand why this school of thought was started. All you have to do is look at the events of the last week where politics has virtually destroyed the morale of a country.

WE have all heard that we should not discuss religion and politics in polite company…I think I understand why this school of thought was started. All yo have to do is look at the events of the last week where politics has virtually destroyed the moral of a country.

We have seen two people used at pawns in a political game between two groups of people who have wrapped themselves in the flag and in a pursuit of the truth that really have nothing in mind except to keep power…

We have seen two people used at pawns in a political game between two groups of people who have wrapped themselves in the flag and in a pursuit of the truth that really have nothing in mind except to keep power… (Nathan Dahm Local politician)

This message is not a message about who is right or who is wrong…It is not about choosing a political party to become a part of.

This message is not a message about who is right or who is wrong…It is not about choosing a political party to become a part of. The truth is that what we are going to talk about is not only useful in politics but in everyday relationships with people…however politics is the everyday conversation that is creating fear and anger instead of hope and peace.

The truth is that what we are going to talk about is not only useful in politics but in everyday relationships with people…however politics is the everyday conversation that is creating fear and anger instead of hope and peace.

The Christian as an opprotunity to speak hope into every situation…even politics…however most people have decided to sit on the sidelines instead of wading into this important arena.

However most people have decided to sit on the sidelines instead of wading into this important arena.

Failure to civilly discuss Politics and religion leads to an inability to be Christian in either…This leads to a place of anger driven by fear.

The truth is that fear is what keeps pastors from speaking into these things…lets face it as pastors we tend to stay away from political discourse not simply because of being afraid to lose tax exempt status but because sometimes the political discussion simply does not reflect Christ like living…facebook is full of people using Jesus as the reason the vote for this party or the other but right now there is little holy living present in any of them.

The truth is that fear is what keeps pastors from speaking into these things…lets face it as pastors we tend to stay away from political discourse not simply because of being afraid to lose tax exempt status..

Because sometimes the political discussion simply does not reflect Christ like living…facebook is full of people using Jesus as the reason they vote for this party or the other but right now there is little Holy living present in any of them.

As followers of Jesus we are supposed to be a people of Hope driven by the Love of God

As followers of Jesus we are supposed to be a people of Hope driven by the Love of God…even in politics

When we allow fear to drive our anger we are angry all the time…Being angry all the time is exhausting and isolating.

I for one am tired of being angry all the time…and my guess is you are too…the answer is not to stop speaking into this world but to release or allegiance to a political party and re-immerse ourselves into what it looks like to live as citizens of the subversive kingdom of God.

I for one is tired of being angry all the time…and my guess is you are too…the answer is not to stop speaking into this world but to release or allegiance to a political party and re-immerse ourselves as citizens of at the subversive kingdom of God.

Christians are not called to avoid conversations about politics…in fact we are called to be examples of civility in these types of conversations.

While the passage we looked at is not specific to politics it is Important to apply to political discourse…Christians are not called to avoid conversations about politics…in fact we are called to be examples of civility in these types of conversations.

Christians are not called to avoid conversations about politics…in fact we are called to be examples of civility in these types of conversations.

In order to do this we must resist the urge to dismiss people just because they do not identify the way we believe they should politically.

38 John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he wasn’t in our group.” 39 “Don’t stop him!” Jesus said. “No one who performs a miracle in my name will soon be able to speak evil of me. 40 Anyone who is not against us is for us. 41 If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded.

Different ideologies does no equal enemy of the faith…the Church is a big tent…not a pup tent…

focus on the individual not the party when it comes to politics…

Our focus must not be on an ideology or a party… but on what the word of God has to say in any given situation.

avoid the temptation to dismiss people because they are in a group that is not 100% sacred…No Secular group has a Sacred mindset.

This means when it comes to politics… we must avoid the temptation to dismiss people because they are in a group that is not 100% sacred…No Secular group has a Sacred mindset.

Relevant Mag article.

In a recent article I read that both houses of congress identify as Christians in probably the highest percentage ever …91% of the house of representatives 55% REB claim to be Christians and 45% of Democrats claim to be Christians.

In the Senate 47% of Democrats claim to be Christian and 51% of Republicans claim to be Christians.

I am not giving you numbers so that you can choose the party that is more Christian I am giving you the numbers because I think it is important to understand the people can think differently and still be Christian.

26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Galatians 3:26–29 ESV

for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

Are you with me? Really? Quick what do you hear me saying…GET RESPONSE…

Are you with me? really quick what do you hear me saying…GET RESPONSE…

Treating other Christians as the enemy has the potential to drive people we disagree with away from the faith. This is unacceptable to God and probably close to the unpardonable sin….

42 “But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck. 43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand than to go into the unquenchable fires of hell with two hands. 45 If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one foot than to be thrown into hell with two feet. 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out. It’s better to enter the Kingdom of God with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48 ‘where the maggots never die and the fire never goes out.’

42 “But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck.

43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand than to go into the unquenchable fires of hell with two hands. 45 If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one foot than to be thrown into hell with two feet. 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out. It’s better to enter the Kingdom of God with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48 ‘where the maggots never die and the fire never goes out.’

It is time for the Church to stop with that angry protectionism and embrace and communicate hope for the world in troubled times.

I am tired of angry Christians living in fear speaking for me. I serve a victorious God…If Jesus was victorious over the grave and over Satan I am sure He will overcome any scheme that man will think up.

This is one of the reason that so many young people are struggling with the Church…at least the public face of the Church. They are not seeing Christian people treat each other as Christian.

Scripture says they will know us by our love for one another…How is the world going to see Jesus if our allegiance to a political power overshadows our allegiance to God and ALL of His Words to us?

This is why it is so important to make sure that our discourse is civil and driven by the Love of Jesus.

This is why it is so important to make sure that our discourse is Holy...and driven by the Love of Jesus.

Don’t lose your appeal because of an ideology….

49 “For everyone will be tested with fire. 50 Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other.”

49 “For everyone will be tested with fire. 50 Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other.” Salt has a preserving quaility here…our words must be preserving people not destroying people.

Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

People who wrap themselves in secular ideologies instead of immersing themselves in the sacred do more harm to self, others and the cause of Christ than even those that approach life with an atheistic ideology.

If we are going to engage in political discourse that honors God we must remain Christo-centric in our political approach.

Honest evaluation of people in power…resist blind faith in a party or person…This means you may not be able to vote strait ticket

Promote truly biblical approaches to society….these are not always good for our pocket book

Respect for people of faith on the other side of your political spectrum…if they are not in the right it is our job to help them back not destroy their argument.

In other words to revisit a message from our mind shifts series move from us verses them to Us to them…

Remember that even the way we engage politically has the power to attract or repel people into a life giving faith in Jesus.

It does not mean you cannot have feeling and strong

It does not mean you cannot have feeling and strong opinions…It does not even mean we cannot share those opinions…however we must make sure that scripture is what forms those opinions and not secular ideologies.

opinions…It does not even mean we cannot share those opinions…however we must make sure that scripture is what forms those opinions and not secular ideologies.

As we come to the table to experience the presence of Jesus in our lives today let us seek ways in which to bring hope to those in despair. Let us not forget then even in troubled times God empowers us to be the light of faith hope and love to an imperfect world.

As we come to the table to experience the presence of Jesus in our lives today let us seek ways in which to bring hope to those in despair.

Let us not forget then even in troubled times God empowers us to be the light of faith hope and love to an imperfect world.

Confess the ways in which you have attributed to allowing fear to move you to anger.

Confess the ways in which you have attributed to allowing fear to move you to anger?

Ask For ways in which you can become an instrument of Hope which brings peace.

Ask For ways in which you can become an instrument of Hope which brings peace?

If you need to stop at the altar on your way to the table please do.

On the Night before Jesus died Jesus took the bread and broke it and said…This is my body broken for you…every time you eat of it do so in remembrance of me....

In the same way he took the cup and said this represents my blood shared for you…every time you drink of it do so in remembrance of me..

Invite those helping to front...

Holiness and Politics...Is it possible?

The Christian has an opprotunity to speak hope into every situation…even politics…

When we allow fear to drive our anger we are angry all the time…Being angry all the time is exhausting and isolating.

Treating other Christians as the enemy has the potential to drive people we disagree with away from the faith. This is unacceptable to God and probably close to the unpardonable sin….

This passage is a particular sobering one to me…It is not talking about literal children but those who are weaker in faith…

The Christian has an opprotunity to speak hope into every situation…even politics…

When we allow fear to drive our anger we are angry all the time…Being angry all the time is exhausting and isolating.

Treating other Christians as the enemy has the potential to drive people we disagree with away from the faith. This is unacceptable to God and probably close to the unpardonable sin….

This passage is a particular sobering one to me…It is not talking about literal children but those who are weaker in faith…

If we are going to engage in political discourse that honors God we must remain Christo-centric in our political approach.