How Do I Live as a Chris0an in Our Current Yell- at- Each- Other Poli0cal Climate? The So What of Poli0cs in America

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2 Current Yell- at- Each- Other Poli0cal Climate? The So What of Poli0cs in America

3 Ephesians 1:17b- 23 I ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for Chris0ans, oh, the ujer extravagance of his work in us who trust him endless energy, boundless strength!

4 Ephesians 1:17b- 23 (cont.) All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the 0me being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.

5 Current Yell- at- Each- Other Poli0cal Climate? Keying in on: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the 0me being, but forever. [emphasis added]

6 Current Yell- at- Each- Other Poli0cal Climate? Some Basic Ground Rules: 1. In essen0als unity, in non- essen0als liberty, in all things charity.

7 Current Yell- at- Each- Other Poli0cal Climate? Some Basic Ground Rules: (cont.) 2. Some Scriptural Principles A. God is the only absolute Authority. All others are delegated. B. Governments are ins0tuted by God. We are instructed to submit to them, even to pray for them.

8 Romans 13:1-7 (NASB) Every person is to be in subjec0on to the governing authori0es. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemna0on upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good.

9 Romans 13:1-7 (NASB) (cont.) But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who prac0ces evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjec0on, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devo0ng themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

10 1 Peter 2:13-17 (NASB) Submit yourselves for the Lord s sake to every human ins0tu0on, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

11 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NASB) First of all, then, I urge that entrea0es and prayers, pe00ons and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

12 Titus 3:1 (NASB) Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authori0es, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every considera0on for all men.

13 Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (Reign: AD) His rule is associated with tyranny and extravagance. He is known for execu0ons, including those of his mother (Agrippina the Younger), stepbrother Britannicus, and his first wife Octavia. Ancient accounts say that he captured Chris0ans, dipped them in oil, and set them on fire in his garden as a source of light.

14 Current Yell- at- Each- Other Poli0cal Climate? B. Governments are ins0tuted by God. We are instructed to submit to them, even to pray for them. C. When any delegated authority, governments included, exceeds the limits of its authority and ajempts to countermand the authority of God, we are obligated to disobey it. When we do, that authority s0ll has the right to punish us for that infrac0on.

15 Current Yell- at- Each- Other Poli0cal Climate? Some Basic Ground Rules: 1. In essen0als unity, in non- essen0als liberty, in all things charity. 2. Scriptural Principles 3. All governments are corrupt. The only righteous and incorrup0ble rulership is Christ s.

16 Revela0on 12:5 (NASB) And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule [literally, shepherd ] all the na0ons with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up to God and to His throne.

17 Revela0on 20:6 (NASB) Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrec0on; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.

18 Current Yell- at- Each- Other Poli0cal Climate? 1. In essen0als unity, in non- essen0als liberty, in all things charity. 2. Scriptural Principles 3. All governments are corrupt. The only righteous and incorrup0ble rulership is Christ s. 4. No human government will ever succeed in transforming the hearts and minds of sinful men. Only the glorious gospel of Christ can do that.

19 Current Yell- at- Each- Other Poli0cal Climate? So What Does This Mean to Me Poli0cally?

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22 Current Yell- at- Each- Other Poli0cal Climate? So What Does This Mean to Me Poli0cally? 1. God wants me to be someone who thinks Biblically, that is, from the perspec0ve taught by the Scriptures.

23 Current Yell- at- Each- Other Poli0cal Climate? So What Does This Mean to Me Poli0cally? 1. God wants me to be someone who thinks Biblically, that is, from the perspec0ve taught by the Scriptures. 2. God wants me to treat my brothers and sisters in Christ with love and respect.

24 Current Yell- at- Each- Other Poli0cal Climate? 1. God wants me to be someone who thinks Biblically, that is, from the perspec0ve taught by the Scriptures. 2. God wants me to treat my brothers and sisters in Christ with love and respect. 3. God wants me to be someone who treats those who have not yet come to know Him with the dignity and respect that is theirs because they are created in the image of God.

25 Current Yell- at- Each- Other Poli0cal Climate? 3. God wants me to be someone who treats those who have not yet come to know Him with the dignity and respect that is theirs because they are created in the image of God. 4. God wants me to hold the opinions I have with humility, openness, and honesty.

26 Current Yell- at- Each- Other Poli0cal Climate? 3. God wants me to be someone who treats those who have not yet come to know Him with the dignity and respect that is theirs because they are created in the image of God. 4. God wants me to hold the opinions I have with humility, openness, and honesty. 5. God wants me to be someone who trusts Him implicitly. And this explicitly includes praying for those in authority over me.

27 Current Yell- at- Each- Other Poli0cal Climate? Thesis: Living as a Chris0an in any climate, in any situa0on, means trus0ng God and doing as He says.