In, but not Of / The Church in the World
Notes
Transcript
Read Jn 17:1-19
2 KINGDOMS
2 KINGDOMS
Creation Sovereignty
Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. Who is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and set it before me, since I appointed an ancient people. Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen. Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any.”
Not only does God claim unique sovereignty, He openly challenges others, as He is not in any way threatened.
This has been repeated, as on Mt Carmel with the prophet Elijah.
Not only is there salvation in any other… there is no other God.
Church Kingdom
I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.
There is a special care and Lordship of the redeemed that is not enjoyed to the unbelieving world, nor do they seek or desire it.
Both / And
We do not say that God endorses sin outside the church, but neither is God is not surprised by the actions and choices of unbelievers… or anyone for that matter
For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
As with Old Testament Israel, God continues to judge the world according to His Eternal Law as He is the rightful Lord, but holds special Lordship and higher standards for His churches. One might run afoul of church law / standards without running into legal troubles.
JESUS & the Government
JESUS & the Government
Jewish & Roman Expectation
Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”
Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
Both the Jews and the Romans thought Jesus came to excerpt political and military force for an earthly kingdom
Jesus’s Actions and words
And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour.
However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.”
But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?”
So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”
To the continued dismay of even sometimes his disciples, Jesus not once openly opposed the govt, except in speaking truth; not lesser matters. He never sought to be an earthly political figure. He openly said His kingdom was not of this world.
Our Identity / Emphasis / Role
And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.”
12 men, 2 swords… enough for some self defense, but nowhere near enough to begin an overthrow of local or empirical governments. It was enough to keep them safe to travel meekly and preach the gospel. When the church is what it should be, it advances its cause by sacrifice, by teaching, by ministering. The gospel is NOT advanced by the sword or political parties.
That in NO WAY restricts believers from being politically active, in fact, in our society (so long as we have voice) we ought to advocate for principles and policies that retain the freedom of the church to minister. It does mean that if we are following Christ, we will be ministering first and foremost.
In fact, you will find historically that faithful churches and seasons of revival have done more good in the town square than any vote or campaign ever has.
5 Ways to be IN, but not OF this world
5 Ways to be IN, but not OF this world
Be Born Twice
They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
Prioritize Christ & His Church
And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
This is absolutely about identity and priorities… otherwise known as worship. LeCrae was right when he wrote: “Identity is found in the God we trust. Any other identity will self-destruct.”
Your local church membership / ID should never eclipse your identity in Christ, but should rise above most any other affiliation.
Be gracious / judgment & logs
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
This passage is not about making fewer judgments, but rather making righteous judgments based on God’s Word; about being consistent… This is about relationship and witness
Remember the good in God’s creation
All is fallen, but not all is fallen completely; neither are you or others
It is not creation that we are opposed to
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
Ours is a ministry of reconciliation, of redemption or else our ministry is not from Christ
See #2 and Repent
"When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, 'Repent,' he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance." - Luther
When we are unregenerate sinners, we have to put forth no effort to sin; we are sinners, therefore we sin. Once our wills are freed in the new birth, it is ours to seek righteousness; to war against our own sin. Praise be to God that He works in us and for us in this!