Jesus & Politics: For King & Country | Part I | Rage & Worship

How do we navigate being citizens of a country and also citizens of an heavenly Kingdom? How do we handle voting, when it comes to voting for the lesser of two evils? In this series, Pastor Chris Rich leads us through a 3 week Sermon series on looking to King Jesus as our only hope while still taking our responsibility to influence culture & vote seriously, as citizens of the country we inhabit.

PART I | Rage & Worship

We were made for worship, to reflect God’s glory and respond to God’s leadership. From rejecting the first commands in the garden, revolting in the wilderness, to the regicide of King Jesus on the cross; humanity has consistently chosen to respond to God’s good provision and purpose with rage over worship. Is it any wonder that our current political discourse is filled with such vitriol? We need to recognize how our rage plays itself out on a national, global, and political scale so we can be reorientated to worship for our joy. 

Rage & Laughter (Psalm 2:1-9) – Our individual rejection of God has led us to great intentionality and unity for pursuit of freedom. We have collectively formed nations and governments seeking independence, not from tyranny or evil, but from God. With the promise of freedom and flourishing, nations plot to overthrow the one true source of life and joy. God’s response to this plot is not fear or concern but rather laughter and derision. God knows they will fail, and His anointed will reign. God is not the one who puts us in bondage, He is the one who brings freedom.

Repentance & Refuge (Psalm 2:10-12) – Revealing the identity of Jesus as God’s Son, also reveals His purpose as God’s anointed to rule over all people and all creation. Jesus is God, Jesus is King, these two truths require either reception and response of humble repentance or rejection and opposition. You will either kiss the ring in grateful worship or spit in His face in willing rebellion. One leads to certain wrath while the other leads to a place of safety and refuge.

Render & Worship (Matthew 22:15-22) – If Jesus is King, then engaging with Him is an inherently political activity. The various social and political groups in Jesus’ day were united in their opposition to him. They sought to undermine his influence with their political litmus tests in order to pigeonhole him into one specific party. You don’t want to debate with Jesus because you are going to lose. Jesus shifts our political narratives beyond our partisan divisions to our universal responsibility to “render” (pay what is owed) to those over us and worship the One who created all of us.