Sunday, November 1, 2020
WHOSE IMAGE?
Political atmosphere – not exactly conducive to spiritual health
- divisiveness > despair > demonic
– to derail us
2 Kingdoms: - in conflict (light v darkness; God/heaven v world)
- over who rules (god of this world or God who created this world)
Rev 11:15 “…the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdom of our
Lord, and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.”
2 Citizenships: - dual citizenship
Phil 3:20 “…our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for
a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;”
- prioritize the call of God’s kingdom over the siren call of world’s
- not let political promises of a better tomorrow
siphon off our dedication to the Kingdom of God today
- confidence of Who wins in the end when we face uncertainty
about who may be “winning” here on earth
2 Opposing Views of Government – its Role & Function
God created role & function:
Gen 9:6 “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed,
for in the image of God He made man.”
Rom 13:1-4 “…it is a minister of God to you for good…”
- protector of sanctity of human life
- limited to bring about an order of righteousness
- liberating that we call take our individual responsibilities
Governments support or hindrance of the church & Christians
- Wed, Oct 21, 2020 quotes of Harris & Biden *
Republic or Democracy?
- Samuel Andrews, “Christianity & Anti-Christianity in Their Final
Conflict” *
- Social Democracy – Putin, Newsweek, Oct 8, 2020 *
Jesus is NOT a socialist – He is our Savior
NOT free healthcare – His miracles > imp; healing spiritual man
Matt 2:9-11
NOT forced redistribution of wealth – Mary’s gift
John 12:5-8
Not equal distribution – talents & minas
Luke 19:11-27
2 Images - Matt 22:15-21
Matt 22:15 “…Pharisees…how they might trap Him in what He said.”
22:16 “…Herodians…we know that You are truthful…You are not partial…
22:17 “…Is it lawful to give a pool-tax to Caesar, or not?”
- attempt to manipulate Him into declaring His political allegiance
attempt to squeeze Him into one of the 2 major political parties
- Pharisees were the anti-tax party
Herodians were the pro-tax party
22:20 “…Whose likeness and inscription is this? (whose image?)
22:21 “…render to Caesar things that are Caesar’s;
and to God the things that are God’s.”
- Don’t give your ultimate loyalty (heart, passion, core being)
to anything or anyone other than God
(Has contemporary politics in America become an idol for many?
Have we put the kind of hope in political leaders that was once reserved
for God and the work of God’s kingdom?
How do you know it has become an idol? Devastated if taken away;
anger and fear if opponent wins)
- not trust in political parties or candidates to convert the culture
around us to Christ-likeness (image of Caesar to image of Christ
- not allowing image of Caesar to stamp out image of Christ
not surprised, the image of Caesar persecutes image of Christ
22:21 “…render…to God the things that are God’s.”
value of individual – created & stamped with the image of God
- government that protect that
renewing Christians – Col 3:10-11 w/the image of Christ
WHOSE IMAGE?
Political atmosphere – not exactly conducive to spiritual health
- divisiveness > despair > demonic
– to derail us
2 Kingdoms: - in conflict (light v darkness; God/heaven v world)
- over who rules (god of this world or God who created this world)
Rev 11:15 “…the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdom of our
Lord, and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.”
2 Citizenships: - dual citizenship
Phil 3:20 “…our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for
a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;”
- prioritize the call of God’s kingdom over the siren call of world’s
- not let political promises of a better tomorrow
siphon off our dedication to the Kingdom of God today
- confidence of Who wins in the end when we face uncertainty
about who may be “winning” here on earth
2 Opposing Views of Government – its Role & Function
God created role & function:
Gen 9:6 “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed,
for in the image of God He made man.”
Rom 13:1-4 “…it is a minister of God to you for good…”
- protector of sanctity of human life
- limited to bring about an order of righteousness
- liberating that we call take our individual responsibilities
Governments support or hindrance of the church & Christians
- Wed, Oct 21, 2020 quotes of Harris & Biden *
Republic or Democracy?
- Samuel Andrews, “Christianity & Anti-Christianity in Their Final
Conflict” *
- Social Democracy – Putin, Newsweek, Oct 8, 2020 *
Jesus is NOT a socialist – He is our Savior
NOT free healthcare – His miracles > imp; healing spiritual man
Matt 2:9-11
NOT forced redistribution of wealth – Mary’s gift
John 12:5-8
Not equal distribution – talents & minas
Luke 19:11-27
2 Images - Matt 22:15-21
Matt 22:15 “…Pharisees…how they might trap Him in what He said.”
22:16 “…Herodians…we know that You are truthful…You are not partial…
22:17 “…Is it lawful to give a pool-tax to Caesar, or not?”
- attempt to manipulate Him into declaring His political allegiance
attempt to squeeze Him into one of the 2 major political parties
- Pharisees were the anti-tax party
Herodians were the pro-tax party
22:20 “…Whose likeness and inscription is this? (whose image?)
22:21 “…render to Caesar things that are Caesar’s;
and to God the things that are God’s.”
- Don’t give your ultimate loyalty (heart, passion, core being)
to anything or anyone other than God
(Has contemporary politics in America become an idol for many?
Have we put the kind of hope in political leaders that was once reserved
for God and the work of God’s kingdom?
How do you know it has become an idol? Devastated if taken away;
anger and fear if opponent wins)
- not trust in political parties or candidates to convert the culture
around us to Christ-likeness (image of Caesar to image of Christ
- not allowing image of Caesar to stamp out image of Christ
not surprised, the image of Caesar persecutes image of Christ
22:21 “…render…to God the things that are God’s.”
value of individual – created & stamped with the image of God
- government that protect that
renewing Christians – Col 3:10-11 w/the image of Christ
WHOSE IMAGE?
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Lexington Foursquare Gospel Church
(PO Box 570) 21 Snowy Egret Lane Lexington, VA. 24450 |