Series: What Time Is It?Sermon: It’s Time to Embrace Jesus’ Approach to Politics
Texts: Mark 9:30-37 James 3:13 - 4:3, 7-8a
Psalm Reading: 54
It’s time to embrace Jesus’ approach to politics
1) Remember the big picture (of a God who conquered death by experiencing death for us and rising again)
2) Be the servant of all
3) Welcome the kids (and other folks often overlooked)
Political idolatry (putting your thoughts on earthly politics above Jesus) and political apathy (avoiding it all because you’re afraid of conflict) were not Jesus’ approach. He engaged with the problems of his day with the mission of heaven: healing, reconciling, restoring. He invites us to do the same.
How do we embrace Jesus’ approach to politics?
1) Repent for double-mindedness and humble yourself (James 4:8-10)
2) Serve all with heavenly wisdom (James 3:17 gives a good “checklist” for self-examination)
Reflection Questions
Begin with a prayer pause. Read and imagine James 4:8.
Take a minute to reflect on this question: If there was a scale of 1-10 with 1 being Politically Apathetic and 10 being Politically Idolatrous, where would you place yourself and why?
Now read Mark 9:30-37 slowly. What does this say about Jesus and the journey of discipleship?
It seems that this text invites us to 1) Remember the big picture of God’s redemption plan, 2) Be a servant of all, and 3) Welcome the kids (and vulnerable). Why are these helpful to keep in mind during and after the election season? Which one do you struggle with more?
Read James 3:17. What would it be like if politicians led with heavenly wisdom like this? What would it be like if Christians engaged in politics like this? Which of these do you want to grow in more?
Read James 4:8-10. What do you need to turn away from in order to engage politics in the way of Jesus? Where do you need to be humble?
Close in prayer. Ask for grace for the church to not fall to the temptation of political idolatry or political apathy. Commit to the adjustments he is calling you to.
Weekly Reading (Sept 23-28)
Monday: Psalm 139:1-18; James 4:8-17
Tuesday: 2 Kings 11:21-12:16; James 5:1-6
Wednesday: Jeremiah 1:4-10; John 8:21-38
Thursday: Psalm 19:7-14; Acts 4:13-31
Friday: Deuteronomy 1:1-18; Acts 12:20-25
Saturday: Deuteronomy 27:1-10; Matthew 5:13-20