WEBVTT 00:00:03.000 --> 00:00:11.199 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you as though something strange were happening to you. 00:00:11.199 --> 00:00:21.533 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 00:00:28.100 --> 00:00:30.432 Well, good morning, Valley View. 00:00:30.432 --> 00:00:31.666 Great to have you here today. 00:00:31.666 --> 00:00:36.899 As we continue in our study of First Peter, we're going to be in First Peter chapter two. 00:00:36.899 --> 00:00:43.200 And if you have a church Bible that's on page 900 and something, that page should be on the screen. 00:00:43.200 --> 00:00:48.200 As we've been leading up to this week, I've been praying for months just for wisdom. 00:00:48.200 --> 00:00:53.232 God, would you give me just some wisdom as far as when I should talk about politics? 00:00:53.232 --> 00:00:55.432 Everybody's favorite topic. 00:00:55.432 --> 00:00:57.600 How should I talk about voting? 00:00:57.600 --> 00:00:59.365 How should the church? 00:00:59.365 --> 00:01:02.399 How should you as a Christian, think about politics and voting? 00:01:02.399 --> 00:01:08.733 And as I've been praying about that, I've been thinking I really felt a burden, that today should be the day that I talk about that. 00:01:09.865 --> 00:01:15.233 And so it was pretty cool when I turn to today's passage and go ahead and turn there. 00:01:15.233 --> 00:01:16.766 And first, Peter chapter two. 00:01:16.766 --> 00:01:40.066 As I was preparing to study and preparing for today, the first verse that I read is First Peter two verse 13, be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be the Emperor as supreme or to governors as sent by him. 00:01:41.465 --> 00:01:43.332 The Lord's timing is perfect. 00:01:43.332 --> 00:01:47.332 He knew that at the same time, he was putting a burden on my heart to talk about politics. 00:01:47.332 --> 00:01:53.733 The passage would speak specifically to that, and this is a something important to wrestle with. 00:01:53.733 --> 00:01:57.933 How do we as Christians engage in our world at various levels? 00:01:57.933 --> 00:01:59.632 One being government? 00:01:59.632 --> 00:02:02.099 How do we engage with the government? 00:02:02.099 --> 00:02:07.832 The way we live out our engagement with the government speaks to the world about who our true king is. 00:02:10.165 --> 00:02:12.000 Last week Peter talked about this. 00:02:12.000 --> 00:02:18.265 In fact, in verse 12 he said, if you want to know how to live in this world, do you want to know how to live in a way that points people to Christ? 00:02:18.265 --> 00:02:21.599 Even in a culture that's hostile toward your faith? 00:02:21.599 --> 00:02:22.466 Here's what he said. 00:02:22.466 --> 00:02:27.900 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles or among the non-Christians. 00:02:27.900 --> 00:02:30.733 Keep it honorable. 00:02:30.733 --> 00:02:35.400 If you want to know how to live in this world, keep it honorable and a way to do that. 00:02:35.400 --> 00:02:39.066 This week, he says, be subject to the government. 00:02:39.066 --> 00:02:40.265 It's worse than that, actually. 00:02:40.265 --> 00:02:43.733 We would might even translate that word as submit. 00:02:43.733 --> 00:02:46.699 That's one of the dirtiest words you could say in this world. 00:02:46.699 --> 00:02:49.599 That's one of the words that people just go, what? 00:02:49.599 --> 00:02:50.665 Submit. 00:02:50.665 --> 00:02:51.866 That's anti-American. 00:02:51.866 --> 00:02:54.366 I mean, we're told from birth, do what you can do. 00:02:54.366 --> 00:02:56.199 Do you can be all that you can be. 00:02:56.199 --> 00:02:59.133 You don't have to follow anybody else's path. 00:02:59.133 --> 00:02:59.866 You don't have to. 00:02:59.866 --> 00:03:02.566 You have, in fact, question authority. 00:03:02.566 --> 00:03:04.133 Why don't we question questioning? 00:03:04.133 --> 00:03:06.633 I don't know, but question authority. 00:03:06.633 --> 00:03:08.633 That's all the mantras you hear. 00:03:08.633 --> 00:03:09.866 Live out your truth. 00:03:09.866 --> 00:03:17.332 Follow your dream. To say to be subject, to submit yourself to other authorities? 00:03:18.566 --> 00:03:21.566 That's hard for all of us to swallow. 00:03:21.566 --> 00:03:23.332 What do we do with that? 00:03:23.332 --> 00:03:25.800 How do we process that? 00:03:25.800 --> 00:03:29.532 How do we live that out as Christians who know we have a higher authority? 00:03:29.532 --> 00:03:30.500 What do we do with that? 00:03:30.500 --> 00:03:32.932 We're going to look at that today in first Peter chapter two. 00:03:32.932 --> 00:03:34.800 In fact, we're going to see reasons why. 00:03:34.800 --> 00:03:41.500 We're going to see two reasons why we should submit ourselves to the government, to governing authorities in our life. 00:03:41.500 --> 00:03:45.066 But then also we're going to see how we should. 00:03:45.066 --> 00:03:50.432 And then the passage is going to end with what I think is a creed we can hang on to in these coming weeks. 00:03:50.432 --> 00:03:52.000 It's a very short creed. 00:03:52.000 --> 00:03:57.233 You can put on a notecard, you can put it on your mirror, you can run to it when you feel full of fear and anxiety. 00:03:58.332 --> 00:04:06.966 And at the very end, I'll give what I think are some takeaways for us in terms of how to survive in this crazy, politically charged environment. 00:04:06.966 --> 00:04:12.133 So first Peter chapter two, why should we subject ourselves to the government? 00:04:12.133 --> 00:04:14.633 Let's look at verses 13 through 15. 00:04:14.633 --> 00:04:16.600 In there we're going to see two reasons why. 00:04:16.600 --> 00:04:19.399 Look back at verse 13. 00:04:19.399 --> 00:04:38.399 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the Emperor as supreme or even to governors, as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 00:04:39.365 --> 00:04:49.033 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 00:04:49.365 --> 00:04:51.833 All right, we're going to see and hear two reasons. 00:04:51.833 --> 00:04:57.065 And these two verses, why we should be subject to governing authorities. 00:04:57.065 --> 00:05:05.899 And the first thing to take note of here, though, is in the very first opening phrase, be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution. 00:05:06.932 --> 00:05:11.165 So that phrase, every human institution. 00:05:11.932 --> 00:05:13.800 There's a couple of interesting things about that phrase. 00:05:13.800 --> 00:05:20.800 In fact, in the original language, it would just say to every human creation, which is kind of confusing. 00:05:20.800 --> 00:05:23.800 Every single thing that's been created, I'm to submit myself to you. 00:05:23.800 --> 00:05:32.300 But the context here is clearly government in that word was often used to refer to the creation of a new society, the establishment of a new society. 00:05:32.300 --> 00:05:35.333 So to every human institution is helpful. 00:05:36.600 --> 00:05:40.632 But the more troubling word there is, the word every. 00:05:40.966 --> 00:05:52.365 And I don't know about you, but I think my approach to submission to authorities many phases of my life has been I'll decide if you're worth my submission or not. 00:05:52.365 --> 00:05:57.365 I'll decide if I think you should deserve my respect or not. 00:05:57.365 --> 00:06:02.733 If I feel like you've earned it, maybe then I might submit. 00:06:04.333 --> 00:06:07.333 But this allows no room for that. 00:06:07.932 --> 00:06:12.065 Every human institution doesn't just mean the ones that I feel good about. 00:06:12.065 --> 00:06:16.432 In fact, I heard one pastor say submission is always hard. 00:06:16.432 --> 00:06:17.899 That's why it's the word submit. 00:06:17.899 --> 00:06:20.899 If it were easy, it's not submission. 00:06:21.233 --> 00:06:23.199 Here's why that doesn't work. 00:06:23.199 --> 00:06:26.632 The whole I'll decide who I submit to or not because of the two examples he gives. 00:06:26.632 --> 00:06:29.932 First, he says, is the Emperor as supreme. 00:06:30.932 --> 00:06:35.100 Now, the emperor at this time probably would have been Nero. 00:06:35.100 --> 00:06:40.300 And he was known for two things-- one being absolutely insane. 00:06:40.466 --> 00:06:41.632 Crazy. 00:06:41.632 --> 00:06:44.632 We might even use the word senile. 00:06:45.432 --> 00:06:47.033 We're supposed to submit to that guy? 00:06:47.033 --> 00:06:51.300 He's also known for his heavy persecution of Christians. 00:06:51.565 --> 00:06:54.565 Hostile to the Christian faith. 00:06:54.665 --> 00:06:59.365 We're supposed to submit to that guy, that emperor? Every human institution. 00:06:59.865 --> 00:07:03.500 The second example he gives, he uses the word governors. 00:07:04.766 --> 00:07:15.932 Governors as sent by him, as sent by the Lord and governor is the same title given to Pilate, the one who allowed the unjust execution of Jesus. 00:07:15.932 --> 00:07:18.533 And of course, we know that was God's plan. 00:07:18.533 --> 00:07:22.733 But talk about someone that we shouldn't trust. 00:07:22.733 --> 00:07:25.733 The two examples he gives the Emperor and the governor. 00:07:25.733 --> 00:07:33.632 By all human reckoning, there is no way we should logically submit to either of those crazy leaders. 00:07:35.233 --> 00:07:37.132 What are we to do with that? 00:07:37.132 --> 00:07:41.165 On our own terms we say no way. 00:07:41.233 --> 00:07:50.800 And I think many of us, that is our natural inclination, I think, and probably in something inside of all of us that goes, I don't really want to follow anyone. 00:07:50.800 --> 00:07:55.333 I'll determine who I should follow or not. 00:07:55.333 --> 00:08:02.333 I'll determine if that teacher deserves that principal, that policeman, that speed limit. 00:08:02.399 --> 00:08:05.399 Well, well, let's don't talk about that one. That's. 00:08:05.399 --> 00:08:06.600 It's okay to ignore that. 00:08:08.432 --> 00:08:13.132 We all have our areas where we struggle to submit to authority. 00:08:13.132 --> 00:08:15.300 This is a pattern you see throughout all of Scripture. 00:08:15.300 --> 00:08:17.333 This isn't something that's just unique to us. 00:08:17.333 --> 00:08:19.966 It started in the garden. 00:08:19.966 --> 00:08:22.233 Adam and Eve. 00:08:22.233 --> 00:08:25.132 Now you say, don't touch that tree. 00:08:25.132 --> 00:08:25.565 Sorry. 00:08:25.565 --> 00:08:28.432 You say, don't eat from that tree. 00:08:28.432 --> 00:08:28.833 Yeah. 00:08:28.833 --> 00:08:30.699 We'll decide if that's true or not. 00:08:30.699 --> 00:08:32.633 We'll decide what's best for us. 00:08:32.633 --> 00:08:35.500 We'll decide our truth. 00:08:35.500 --> 00:08:37.633 And that led to them being cast out of the garden. 00:08:37.633 --> 00:08:38.832 God was over them. 00:08:38.832 --> 00:08:41.466 Now they have no ruler. 00:08:41.466 --> 00:08:44.466 Now they're left alone. 00:08:44.666 --> 00:08:48.865 Eventually, he comes back to his people after the Exodus and says, I'll. 00:08:48.865 --> 00:08:51.666 I'll govern you again. 00:08:51.666 --> 00:08:52.432 What do they say? 00:08:52.432 --> 00:08:53.932 We want a king. 00:08:53.932 --> 00:08:55.365 We don't want you to govern us. 00:08:55.365 --> 00:08:56.133 We want a king. 00:08:57.633 --> 00:08:59.932 Be careful what you ask for. 00:08:59.932 --> 00:09:07.732 He gave them kings, and the kings led them away from him again, which led to exile once again. 00:09:07.732 --> 00:09:08.932 Not being under his rule. 00:09:08.932 --> 00:09:10.232 Being under foreign rule. 00:09:10.232 --> 00:09:18.932 And here's the crazy part of that whole journey of the Jewish people, of this pattern of rejection of God's authority under a foreign authority, all throughout they’re complaining about God. 00:09:18.932 --> 00:09:21.932 Why would you allow this to happen to us? 00:09:24.000 --> 00:09:26.899 Surely you've been there at times. 00:09:26.899 --> 00:09:29.033 God, why would you allow this horrible thing to happen to me? 00:09:29.033 --> 00:09:32.500 And yet, I've been in rebellion to you this whole time. 00:09:32.500 --> 00:09:35.365 Now, bad things happen even when you're following him. 00:09:35.365 --> 00:09:42.932 I get that, but there's plenty of times where we've created the situation ourselves wondering, what are you doing? 00:09:42.932 --> 00:09:43.966 What are you doing? 00:09:43.966 --> 00:09:47.500 And they reject and they reject and they reject. 00:09:47.500 --> 00:09:49.732 And there's something inside of us that's no different. 00:09:53.966 --> 00:09:57.932 But the call here is to submit to every human institution. 00:09:58.066 --> 00:10:15.232 And I think the warning here, the thing for us to take note of is if there is something inside of me that won't submit to any other human institution that is pointing toward a greater reality, that I probably don't want to submit to Christ. 00:10:15.932 --> 00:10:16.865 And look, I get it. 00:10:16.865 --> 00:10:18.365 There are people who abuse their authority. 00:10:18.365 --> 00:10:20.066 Not every human institution is good. 00:10:20.066 --> 00:10:41.232 But if I look at all of them and go, no thanks, that's probably pointing to a deeper issue in my heart Now that's why the first reason here, that we're going to see our very first reason to subject ourselves to human institutions is right here in that first verse, be subject. 00:10:41.232 --> 00:10:45.765 There's just this one phrase for the Lord's sake. 00:10:47.899 --> 00:10:50.232 For the Lord's sake. 00:10:50.232 --> 00:10:52.966 In fact, that's the first reason why we should submit. 00:10:52.966 --> 00:10:55.966 It's to honor Christ. 00:10:56.633 --> 00:11:08.200 Ultimately, the way I submit as a follower of Christ to human institutions gives a picture to the watching world of my greater allegiance. 00:11:08.200 --> 00:11:11.200 It's just a taste. 00:11:11.299 --> 00:11:17.966 And especially in a watching world, as it said in verse 12, that speaks evil against you. 00:11:18.765 --> 00:11:19.533 There's just a taste. 00:11:19.533 --> 00:11:21.000 They see. 00:11:21.000 --> 00:11:33.100 How is this guy or girl able to follow, able to submit themselves to even people that are hostile towards them? 00:11:33.100 --> 00:11:35.765 It's because we know something greater is at stake. 00:11:35.765 --> 00:11:37.765 Ultimately, it's about honoring Christ. 00:11:37.765 --> 00:11:44.265 Ultimately, it's about pointing others to Christ. 00:11:44.299 --> 00:11:48.865 In fact, if all of my life is governed by that, I've got to be the final say. 00:11:48.865 --> 00:11:51.365 I've got to be the one completely in control. 00:11:51.365 --> 00:11:56.100 I've got to be the one who determines my truth. 00:11:56.100 --> 00:11:58.365 That's going to lead to some challenging times. 00:11:59.932 --> 00:12:12.533 There's a book by a man named Emerson Eggerich, he wrote a book called The Four Wheels of God, and he goes through some key passages that say, this is the will of the Lord, four key passages in Scripture that say, this is the will of the Lord. 00:12:12.533 --> 00:12:14.365 He talks about each of those. 00:12:14.365 --> 00:12:16.000 One of those is here in this passage. 00:12:16.000 --> 00:12:18.232 We're going to encounter that in the next verse. 00:12:18.232 --> 00:12:19.133 This is the will of the Lord. 00:12:19.133 --> 00:12:22.133 Be subject to human authorities. 00:12:22.966 --> 00:12:24.232 Here's what he says. 00:12:24.232 --> 00:12:33.865 We're going to put this quote on the screen about the challenge of living your life, where you never feel like you need to subject yourself to anyone, to submit yourself to any human authority. 00:12:33.865 --> 00:12:35.200 Go ahead and put that quote on the screen. 00:12:35.200 --> 00:12:35.832 We're going to read this. 00:12:35.832 --> 00:12:37.365 Here's what he says about that reality. 00:12:38.566 --> 00:12:52.566 When I start believing that the pinnacle of life is independence and no one telling me what to do, my guess is I will stop growing and stop gaining wisdom. 00:12:53.332 --> 00:12:57.265 There's a hint of that saying at the end of the day, I'm unteachable. 00:12:57.265 --> 00:13:02.700 I don't want anyone speaking into my life, whether that's a human institution or ultimately, God himself. 00:13:02.700 --> 00:13:04.133 That should serve as a warning. 00:13:04.133 --> 00:13:05.633 Something greater is at stake. 00:13:05.633 --> 00:13:08.365 The gospel, even a picture of the gospel is at stake. 00:13:08.365 --> 00:13:11.832 So that's the first reason why he says it here in verse 13. 00:13:11.832 --> 00:13:13.533 Be subject for the Lord's sake. 00:13:13.533 --> 00:13:14.332 Honor the Lord. 00:13:14.332 --> 00:13:15.133 Here's the second one. 00:13:15.133 --> 00:13:18.133 Look at verse 15. 00:13:18.533 --> 00:13:25.932 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 00:13:25.932 --> 00:13:32.232 The second reason why we should subject ourselves to human authorities is to silence fools. 00:13:32.865 --> 00:13:35.332 That's something we all want. 00:13:35.332 --> 00:13:39.832 We'd love to have the foolish people around us just completely silenced. 00:13:41.633 --> 00:13:53.000 And he's saying one of the most powerful tools you have in your belt to silence fools is subjecting yourselves to human authorities. 00:13:53.000 --> 00:13:54.732 That seems. 00:13:54.732 --> 00:13:58.533 It doesn't make any sense at face value. 00:13:58.533 --> 00:14:02.865 How could that be true? 00:14:02.865 --> 00:14:19.732 How does the way I approach human authorities lead to the silencing of fools, to the silencing of those who would say, you shouldn't even be allowed to exercise your faith, or to those who would want to persecute your faith? 00:14:20.899 --> 00:14:23.666 How could that be? 00:14:23.666 --> 00:14:34.966 Well, you look back in this passage, you see a couple of things in verse 15 where he said, this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:41.633 What this is speaking to here is it's not just about my outward actions. 00:14:43.533 --> 00:14:49.100 Submission isn't just about do I do the thing that people ask me to do? 00:14:49.100 --> 00:14:53.732 Do I follow through with the thing the government has asked me to do? 00:14:54.200 --> 00:15:00.000 It's also pointing to a heart attitude because he says here, by doing good. 00:15:00.500 --> 00:15:02.600 So I'm not just making sure I check the box. 00:15:02.600 --> 00:15:05.600 I'm also seeking to do good. 00:15:06.265 --> 00:15:10.000 I'm also seeking to go beyond just -- I did what you asked. 00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:11.799 That should be enough. 00:15:11.799 --> 00:15:14.533 No, I'm adding to that. 00:15:14.533 --> 00:15:18.533 I'm seeking the good, the welfare of those around me. 00:15:20.200 --> 00:15:23.666 I think a helpful rule of thumb with this. 00:15:24.533 --> 00:15:27.232 And I've heard a couple of different people put it this way. 00:15:27.232 --> 00:15:34.232 But in general, our posture as Christians should be a willingness to submit to the authorities in our life. 00:15:34.232 --> 00:15:37.232 In fact, a delight, a joy. 00:15:37.533 --> 00:15:43.066 Unless what they're asking you to do is to contradict Scripture, to sin. 00:15:44.166 --> 00:15:48.265 If they're specifically asking you to sin, contradict Scripture. 00:15:48.265 --> 00:15:50.633 That's where you say, no, I'm not going to do that. 00:15:50.633 --> 00:15:52.399 I'm not going to cross that line. 00:15:52.399 --> 00:15:57.566 It might still be in a respectful way, but that's where you draw the line. 00:15:57.566 --> 00:16:09.566 Otherwise-- and this is probably the large majority of the time for all of us-- we should seek to willingly, joyfully submit. 00:16:09.566 --> 00:16:16.100 Whether that's the workplace, you might think that this rule your boss has is dumb, whether it's school. 00:16:16.100 --> 00:16:19.633 In fact, I remember one of my children coming home from school once. 00:16:19.633 --> 00:16:20.966 This was when we lived in little Rock. 00:16:20.966 --> 00:16:34.265 They were going to a private Christian school there, and I'll have to say he so that narrows it down to two of them, was upset that you had to wear a tie one day a week and you couldn't wear hoodies as part of their dress code. 00:16:34.265 --> 00:16:35.765 Just like, how can I endure this? 00:16:35.765 --> 00:16:41.299 Overwhelmed with the strain of going through life this way? 00:16:41.299 --> 00:16:44.033 I thought, well, have you asked anyone why they do that? 00:16:44.033 --> 00:16:48.232 There may be a reason why they have these things in place. 00:16:48.232 --> 00:16:48.899 Well, no, I haven’t. 00:16:48.899 --> 00:16:50.932 So he goes and talks with the principal. 00:16:50.932 --> 00:16:53.200 They have a good conversation, a good exchange back and forth. 00:16:53.200 --> 00:16:57.432 The principal talks about the culture they're trying to create, some of the standards they want to create. 00:16:57.432 --> 00:17:00.799 Talked about how sometimes dress reflects behavior and attitudes. 00:17:00.799 --> 00:17:02.832 And they had a great conversation. 00:17:02.832 --> 00:17:05.833 But he still came home unconvinced. 00:17:06.032 --> 00:17:07.633 And I said, look, you have a choice now. 00:17:07.633 --> 00:17:11.365 You can go around continuing to grumble, I can't believe this. This is the worst. 00:17:11.365 --> 00:17:12.633 Can you all believe? 00:17:12.633 --> 00:17:15.833 Or you can willingly and joyfully submit? 00:17:15.833 --> 00:17:21.133 I'm going to trust that even if they're wrong, I'm going to trust that it's going to be okay and that God's in control. 00:17:22.799 --> 00:17:27.299 And I think he was able to turn that corner. 00:17:28.833 --> 00:17:37.700 And I think you can think of a situation probably in your own life right now, where you're thinking, that is the dumbest rule I've ever heard in my life. 00:17:37.700 --> 00:17:40.532 I want to have no part of it. 00:17:40.532 --> 00:17:46.200 If it's not immoral, if they're not asking you to sin unless you need to make a change. 00:17:46.200 --> 00:17:47.932 Look at your workplace. 00:17:47.932 --> 00:17:50.965 You cannot tolerate anything your boss is asking you to do. 00:17:50.965 --> 00:17:53.932 It's probably time to find another place to work. 00:17:53.932 --> 00:17:56.932 Your testimony is at stake here. 00:17:58.732 --> 00:18:00.365 But here's the powerful part of this. 00:18:00.365 --> 00:18:04.465 Your testimony, the way you willingly submit. 00:18:05.500 --> 00:18:14.333 It's some kind of testimony to your coworkers, to your fellow students, to your fellow church members. 00:18:15.032 --> 00:18:18.365 And it's a powerful way of silencing fools. 00:18:22.432 --> 00:18:26.400 So why we should submit to the rulers in our life? 00:18:26.400 --> 00:18:28.732 That's the first way. 00:18:28.732 --> 00:18:30.700 Why? Now let's look at how. 00:18:30.700 --> 00:18:33.799 Because it's great to say, yeah, I should. 00:18:33.799 --> 00:18:35.299 That didn't mean it's easy. 00:18:35.299 --> 00:18:36.333 How do I go about it? 00:18:36.333 --> 00:18:39.232 Look at verse 16. 00:18:39.232 --> 00:18:49.465 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover up for evil, but living as servants of God. 00:18:50.400 --> 00:18:54.665 How do we submit? 00:18:54.665 --> 00:18:57.665 We do it with the mindset of freedom. 00:18:58.799 --> 00:19:01.732 He said, as servants of God. 00:19:01.732 --> 00:19:04.032 But he said, as people who are free. 00:19:04.032 --> 00:19:06.700 The original language here didn't have a verb in this sentence. 00:19:06.700 --> 00:19:08.200 Live as people who are free. 00:19:08.200 --> 00:19:16.799 It just said, as people who are free, which is going to draw upon the verb in verse 13, be subject, be subject as those who are free. 00:19:16.799 --> 00:19:17.865 Do you see the irony here? 00:19:17.865 --> 00:19:19.932 Be a servant as those who are free. 00:19:20.965 --> 00:19:24.799 In fact, the word isn't just servant, it's slave. 00:19:25.099 --> 00:19:30.165 Be a slave, as those who are free. 00:19:30.732 --> 00:19:38.232 And when you think of slavery, you think of the American institution of slavery, which should bring grief and sorrow. 00:19:38.633 --> 00:19:43.766 To think that we ever enslaved, physically enslaved people, owned humans. 00:19:44.566 --> 00:19:47.766 It should also bring great joy to know that that is not allowed anymore. 00:19:47.766 --> 00:19:49.066 That is not legal. 00:19:49.066 --> 00:19:50.232 We've turned away from that. 00:19:50.232 --> 00:19:55.099 We had a whole horrific war about settling that question. 00:19:57.200 --> 00:20:03.432 But it also helps you think about the reality of what slavery is. 00:20:04.633 --> 00:20:10.465 Because every person in here and every person you know is not a physical slave. 00:20:10.465 --> 00:20:13.465 They're not owned by any one else. 00:20:14.333 --> 00:20:18.165 Yet how many are enslaved in their spirit? 00:20:18.165 --> 00:20:33.965 How many are a slave to sin and anger and bitterness completely controlled by anxiety and worry and grief, overwhelmed, unable to live their life the way they want to. 00:20:33.965 --> 00:20:42.465 They were enslaved to these things, physically free, but completely enslaved. 00:20:42.465 --> 00:20:52.532 There was a man who was in prison, came to know Christ in prison, but had a long sentence, 30 year sentence, and a group of guys were able to interview him. 00:20:52.532 --> 00:20:55.500 They wanted to hear what life was like as a Christian in prison. 00:20:55.500 --> 00:20:58.432 In fact, he had witnessed to many he had been. 00:20:58.432 --> 00:21:01.232 God had used him to bring the gospel to that prison. 00:21:01.232 --> 00:21:20.633 But yet one of their questions was, listen, how hard is it for you now being in prison, knowing how different your life could be outside of prison, knowing Christ, you're a Christian and yet here you are, captured here, stuck here, shall we say, enslaved here. 00:21:20.633 --> 00:21:23.932 And you could be free living a life in Christ. 00:21:26.099 --> 00:21:34.432 And his response was this I'm more free now in here than I ever was out there. 00:21:34.432 --> 00:21:37.900 I have a freedom in here like I never had out there. 00:21:37.900 --> 00:21:40.200 I was enslaved to sin. 00:21:40.200 --> 00:21:41.566 And some of you know what I'm talking about. 00:21:41.566 --> 00:21:42.799 You've been there. 00:21:42.799 --> 00:21:43.465 You've been. 00:21:43.465 --> 00:21:46.465 You could not decide not to sin. 00:21:49.299 --> 00:21:51.465 And I'm free. 00:21:51.465 --> 00:21:57.500 That's your mindset when it comes to subjecting yourselves to authority. It's as a free person. 00:21:57.500 --> 00:22:00.500 I willingly submit out of my freedom. 00:22:02.232 --> 00:22:07.766 And having that mindset changes everything. 00:22:08.400 --> 00:22:17.032 In fact, I would just ask you, and here's something I think you might consider praying about this week. 00:22:17.032 --> 00:22:24.266 If you're someone who every time a new rule is brought before you, you're asked to do something you don't want to do. It's always dumb. 00:22:24.266 --> 00:22:25.299 You never want to do it. 00:22:25.299 --> 00:22:28.200 If that's kind of and look, we all have that at times. 00:22:28.200 --> 00:22:30.799 But I'm talking about if that's always your default response. 00:22:33.099 --> 00:22:42.266 Then examine, spend some time this week praying and examine in your heart asking God to reveal does this also reflect my attitude towards you? 00:22:42.266 --> 00:22:46.599 Am I also unwilling ultimately to submit to you? 00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:51.732 And ask him to just expose what's going on in your heart. 00:22:51.766 --> 00:22:59.333 Do I also am I also rebelling against your rule in my life? 00:23:00.900 --> 00:23:13.299 Ultimately, as those who follow Christ, the way we act towards human authorities in our lives tells others about how we view Christ. 00:23:14.532 --> 00:23:19.333 And we've all had our ups and downs in that realm. 00:23:19.400 --> 00:23:22.266 Here's where he leaves us is with a mantra. 00:23:22.266 --> 00:23:23.633 Verse 17. 00:23:23.633 --> 00:23:26.232 Four quick statements in one verse. 00:23:26.232 --> 00:23:34.965 And like I said, I think this verse can be something for us all to grasp on to over these next couple of weeks of craziness leading up to the election. 00:23:34.965 --> 00:23:37.700 Look at this real quick with me, verse 17. 00:23:37.700 --> 00:23:38.932 Honor everyone. 00:23:40.633 --> 00:23:43.200 Love the brotherhood. 00:23:43.200 --> 00:23:48.266 Fear God and honor the Emperor. 00:23:48.400 --> 00:23:50.200 Four short statements. 00:23:50.200 --> 00:23:51.732 Put those on a note card. 00:23:51.732 --> 00:23:53.400 Put them on your dashboard. 00:23:53.400 --> 00:23:55.932 Put them on the mirror. 00:23:55.932 --> 00:23:58.299 Put them on your app. 00:23:58.299 --> 00:23:59.566 Your news app. 00:23:59.566 --> 00:24:01.266 Your politics app. 00:24:01.266 --> 00:24:02.633 Put them right on top of it. 00:24:02.633 --> 00:24:03.633 And here's why. 00:24:03.633 --> 00:24:05.633 I'm going to point out a couple of things about this mantra. 00:24:05.633 --> 00:24:08.932 First, it starts and ends with the word honor. 00:24:09.232 --> 00:24:13.365 And these are focused on those who are outside of us. 00:24:13.365 --> 00:24:14.732 Honor the emperor. 00:24:14.732 --> 00:24:15.932 First honor everyone. 00:24:15.932 --> 00:24:17.532 Second honor the emperor. 00:24:17.532 --> 00:24:22.066 Those put bookends around this mantra. 00:24:22.432 --> 00:24:28.099 The focus here is it wraps around the outside of our lives. 00:24:28.099 --> 00:24:30.599 Those who are focused outward from the church. 00:24:30.599 --> 00:24:34.333 So the call is to honor everyone, but also honor the emperor. 00:24:34.333 --> 00:24:36.700 And what this subtly does is it puts the emperor. 00:24:38.200 --> 00:24:46.133 And we would say the president on the same level playing field as everyone else. 00:24:46.532 --> 00:24:50.165 I need to treat them the same way I'm called to treat everyone else. 00:24:50.165 --> 00:24:59.465 Whether you hate them or not, I still am called to treat them the same way I would everyone else, which is to honor everyone. 00:24:59.465 --> 00:25:07.633 To treat them with a level of honor, respect, kindness, delight as Christ calls us to. 00:25:07.633 --> 00:25:11.333 The second thing to note about that mantra that's the outside layer on the inside. 00:25:11.333 --> 00:25:15.633 At the core of how we're to respond to everyone in this season. 00:25:15.633 --> 00:25:19.200 Love the brotherhood, which means love your fellow believers. 00:25:19.200 --> 00:25:20.333 The second greatest commandment. 00:25:20.333 --> 00:25:24.799 The first is love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. 00:25:24.799 --> 00:25:27.000 And it says, Fear God. 00:25:28.066 --> 00:25:34.833 So at the center of how we engage in this maddening political realm, at the very core of that is to keep in mind. 00:25:34.833 --> 00:25:43.599 Ultimately, we are to fear God and to love one another in the midst of all that. 00:25:43.766 --> 00:25:45.833 Now, what does all that mean for us? 00:25:45.833 --> 00:25:49.599 How are you supposed to approach voting the election in the coming days? 00:25:49.599 --> 00:25:54.066 I got four short points to make around this that I think will help guide us. 00:25:54.066 --> 00:25:56.165 First. 00:25:56.165 --> 00:25:59.665 We do not endorse candidates or legislation here as a church. 00:25:59.665 --> 00:26:05.032 I'll never endorse a specific candidate or a specific piece of legislation ever. 00:26:05.500 --> 00:26:07.700 That's for you to decide. 00:26:07.700 --> 00:26:09.165 Now we hand out information. 00:26:09.165 --> 00:26:10.732 There's a voter guide down in the lobby. 00:26:10.732 --> 00:26:14.633 Hopefully that's just representing what the candidates say about themselves. 00:26:14.633 --> 00:26:19.299 That's just we don't say and therefore you should vote for this person or that person. 00:26:19.299 --> 00:26:23.032 No, it's just information to help guide you. That's up to you. 00:26:25.732 --> 00:26:26.333 And here's why. 00:26:26.333 --> 00:26:31.299 Now we take clear moral stance on clear biblical issues. 00:26:31.299 --> 00:26:36.766 And so we'll say please vote in a way that tries to limit and bring to an end abortion. 00:26:36.766 --> 00:26:42.566 We believe that Scripture's pretty clear about that, that we should not put to death any one. 00:26:43.566 --> 00:26:43.932 Right? 00:26:43.932 --> 00:26:46.633 So vote with your conscience according to that. 00:26:46.633 --> 00:26:53.932 But I'm not going to say, therefore, vote for this candidate or therefore vote for this piece of policy because the candidates change their mind. 00:26:53.932 --> 00:26:58.066 And the pieces of policy often have hidden layers that mean something else. 00:26:58.066 --> 00:27:01.133 There's no way I can know exactly which is best. 00:27:01.133 --> 00:27:02.732 That's for you to decide. 00:27:02.732 --> 00:27:05.732 And that's not the church's role anyway. 00:27:05.965 --> 00:27:08.400 We're here to bring the gospel to everyone. 00:27:08.400 --> 00:27:11.799 We don't want to do anything that's going to close the door to someone hearing the gospel. 00:27:11.799 --> 00:27:14.465 Now, this leads to point two, though. 00:27:14.465 --> 00:27:14.665 All right. 00:27:14.665 --> 00:27:17.232 We're not going to endorse any specific candidate, piece of legislation. 00:27:17.232 --> 00:27:18.965 But number two, do your best. 00:27:18.965 --> 00:27:20.200 Do your best. 00:27:20.200 --> 00:27:21.333 But don't make it everything. 00:27:23.133 --> 00:27:25.032 Study, research. 00:27:25.032 --> 00:27:26.333 Maybe get involved in politics. 00:27:26.333 --> 00:27:27.932 If you're passionate about a candidate, that's great. 00:27:27.932 --> 00:27:31.400 Do all that, but don't make it your entire identity. 00:27:31.400 --> 00:27:32.833 Don't make it everything in your life. 00:27:32.833 --> 00:27:37.333 No political party, no political candidate will be your savior. 00:27:37.333 --> 00:27:39.000 They won't. 00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:41.465 Don't make it Everything. 00:27:41.465 --> 00:27:42.232 Do your best. 00:27:42.232 --> 00:27:43.133 Take it seriously. 00:27:43.133 --> 00:27:44.766 It's a great privilege. 00:27:44.766 --> 00:27:48.700 I mean, how many people in the history of world have been able to vote for their political leader? 00:27:48.700 --> 00:27:50.599 Usually it's just is who it is. 00:27:50.599 --> 00:27:53.599 Because his daddy was the king. 00:27:53.833 --> 00:27:54.165 You. 00:27:54.165 --> 00:27:56.566 We've never rarely have had this privilege. 00:27:56.566 --> 00:27:59.299 Do your best. Take it seriously. 00:27:59.299 --> 00:28:01.599 Don't make it everything. 00:28:01.599 --> 00:28:04.599 Use the best wisdom you have and move on. 00:28:06.165 --> 00:28:08.500 Now, number three. 00:28:08.500 --> 00:28:10.700 And this one is critical for us as Christians. 00:28:10.700 --> 00:28:13.900 This is what's going to pave the way for us to talk about Christ. 00:28:13.900 --> 00:28:15.000 Do your best. 00:28:15.000 --> 00:28:16.266 Don't make it everything but number three. 00:28:16.266 --> 00:28:21.532 Let politics be a bridge, not a divide. 00:28:21.532 --> 00:28:23.599 Let you know the enemy wants. 00:28:23.599 --> 00:28:27.799 He wants to divide you as much as possible from others around you. 00:28:27.799 --> 00:28:29.732 He wants you to hate the other team. 00:28:29.732 --> 00:28:32.165 Whatever it is. 00:28:32.165 --> 00:28:33.165 Louisville, Kentucky. 00:28:33.165 --> 00:28:35.099 He wants you to hate them completely. 00:28:35.099 --> 00:28:38.932 If they're not on your team, he wants to divide you. 00:28:38.932 --> 00:28:41.400 Let's use the enemy's strategy against himself. 00:28:41.400 --> 00:28:44.700 Let's use the very thing he means to use to divide us. 00:28:44.700 --> 00:28:47.266 To open a door to the gospel. 00:28:47.266 --> 00:28:48.766 Here's what that might look like. 00:28:48.766 --> 00:28:54.099 Let's say your neighbor has a sign in the yard and you're convinced they're voting for Satan. You're just. 00:28:54.099 --> 00:29:04.633 You're sure they are going to vote for Satan instead of now turning into some crazy yard sign battle to see who can get the biggest yard sign and block out your neighbor. 00:29:04.633 --> 00:29:05.732 That might still be kind of fun. 00:29:05.732 --> 00:29:15.232 You can still do that if it's done in love. But instead of it becoming something that divides you, that you shun, that you avoid them. 00:29:15.865 --> 00:29:20.200 Man, use that as an opportunity for the gospel to open a door for the gospel. 00:29:20.200 --> 00:29:24.266 So come to them and ask them, hey, why are you voting for Satan? 00:29:24.266 --> 00:29:27.266 No, wait, don't ask it that way. 00:29:27.732 --> 00:29:30.032 Not that way. 00:29:30.032 --> 00:29:31.133 Just ask them. 00:29:31.133 --> 00:29:32.732 Tell me what? 00:29:32.732 --> 00:29:34.865 Tell me some of what you're passionate about. 00:29:34.865 --> 00:29:46.133 What do you hope to see happen if this person gets in office and asks sincerely, and don't ask in a way that's just an open door for you to then try to convince them to your candidate and listen. 00:29:46.133 --> 00:29:53.532 After you ask the question, just listen and just look for something that is true and genuine in their heart. 00:29:55.965 --> 00:30:03.566 One of your responses may be, you know, I can tell by what you're saying that you really care about those who are in need. 00:30:03.566 --> 00:30:05.566 I hear that in you. 00:30:05.566 --> 00:30:07.200 You don't have to agree with their policy. 00:30:07.200 --> 00:30:08.400 You don't have to agree with their politics. 00:30:08.400 --> 00:30:09.365 But you can agree with that. 00:30:09.365 --> 00:30:11.232 That is valuable. 00:30:11.232 --> 00:30:13.900 You really should care for those in need. 00:30:13.900 --> 00:30:16.700 I love hearing that. 00:30:16.700 --> 00:30:17.165 Well, yeah. 00:30:17.165 --> 00:30:20.566 You know, my my my grandma was an immigrant and she had nothing. 00:30:20.566 --> 00:30:22.833 And she meant the world to me. 00:30:22.833 --> 00:30:28.833 And she she died a year or two ago, and I just I don't know what to do with all that. 00:30:30.200 --> 00:30:32.732 Now you've got an open door. 00:30:32.732 --> 00:30:33.900 Now you're not divided. 00:30:33.900 --> 00:30:36.900 Now that's a human being. 00:30:38.133 --> 00:30:40.000 See the difference here? 00:30:40.000 --> 00:30:47.133 Let even something that's meant to divide open a door to the gospel that's countercultural. 00:30:47.133 --> 00:30:48.432 That's revolutionary. 00:30:48.432 --> 00:30:50.865 That's subversive. 00:30:50.865 --> 00:30:53.865 That's undermining the enemy's plan. 00:30:54.266 --> 00:30:56.932 Last point number four. 00:30:56.932 --> 00:30:59.932 Walk in joy, not fear. 00:31:00.532 --> 00:31:08.400 I think many of us, when we think about whatever candidate you like or don't like, if you think about the other side winning, there's fear. 00:31:08.400 --> 00:31:11.633 And you think, man, this is going to upset this part of my life. 00:31:11.633 --> 00:31:21.400 This is going to lead to chaos or decay and continue decline or whatever our call as Christians is not to walk in fear. 00:31:21.400 --> 00:31:24.400 We have one person. 00:31:25.032 --> 00:31:25.932 Divine person. 00:31:25.932 --> 00:31:28.266 We're called to fear. 00:31:28.266 --> 00:31:30.532 And it's in that mantra in verse 17, Fear God. 00:31:30.532 --> 00:31:33.532 Fear God alone. 00:31:33.566 --> 00:31:41.732 So another thing you can do this week, when you think about that other person being in office and you get afraid, you feel the fear welling up. 00:31:41.732 --> 00:31:43.099 It's coming up. 00:31:43.099 --> 00:31:44.299 It's starting to stifle you. 00:31:46.165 --> 00:31:47.833 Call out that specific fear. 00:31:47.833 --> 00:31:50.432 What is it I'm fearing specifically God. 00:31:50.432 --> 00:31:53.432 Why have I put. 00:31:53.900 --> 00:31:54.833 More emotion. 00:31:54.833 --> 00:31:57.266 More credence to that fear? 00:31:57.266 --> 00:32:01.032 Why have I not submitted that fear to you? 00:32:01.032 --> 00:32:02.032 Call it by name. 00:32:02.032 --> 00:32:04.865 Confess it. 00:32:04.865 --> 00:32:05.266 And look. 00:32:05.266 --> 00:32:08.599 It's okay to be concerned about things you're troubled with. 00:32:08.599 --> 00:32:09.299 It's okay. 00:32:09.299 --> 00:32:11.532 But we're not called to walk in fear. 00:32:11.532 --> 00:32:12.465 Walk in joy. 00:32:12.465 --> 00:32:14.133 Christ is still in control. 00:32:14.133 --> 00:32:15.500 No matter who. 00:32:15.500 --> 00:32:20.500 The Emperor Nero the governor Pilate, no matter who, he is still in control. 00:32:20.500 --> 00:32:27.865 We can still walk in joy, even in the midst of what we think is the worst decision ever, no matter what it might be. 00:32:27.865 --> 00:32:30.865 Walk in joy, not fear. 00:32:30.965 --> 00:32:37.066 Because by doing that, you'll honor Christ, and you'll silence fools. 00:32:37.066 --> 00:32:38.633 And it will open a door. 00:32:40.432 --> 00:32:43.900 Because what will happen with that neighbor? 00:32:43.932 --> 00:32:48.232 They'll come a point where they don't know where else to turn. 00:32:48.232 --> 00:32:49.732 And they saw that you really cared. 00:32:49.732 --> 00:32:55.432 And they're going to ask, how is it that you find peace when I'm full of fear? 00:32:55.432 --> 00:32:58.432 Where does that come from? 00:32:58.700 --> 00:33:01.700 And that's where we want to be. 00:33:03.099 --> 00:33:06.833 God, thank you that we can come together today and we can walk in joy. 00:33:06.833 --> 00:33:09.066 We don't have to walk in fear of man. 00:33:09.066 --> 00:33:11.465 We can willingly submit to even governments. 00:33:11.465 --> 00:33:16.732 The times that we feel like you're crazy because we fear you. 00:33:17.732 --> 00:33:19.799 Would you guide us? 00:33:19.799 --> 00:33:23.799 Would you give us wisdom and all that you need to. 00:33:23.799 --> 00:33:35.665 God would we be able to submit in this crazy world in a way that tells others there is something bigger going on in my life? 00:33:35.665 --> 00:33:37.799 There's something more important. 00:33:37.799 --> 00:33:38.799 There's a greater love. 00:33:38.799 --> 00:33:41.633 There's a greater passion. 00:33:41.633 --> 00:33:45.700 And I pray that brings peace to all around us. 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:52.200 Thank you that we can gather here today, that we can gather openly, that I can even say these things. 00:33:52.665 --> 00:33:55.633 Would you give us all wisdom in the coming weeks? 00:33:55.633 --> 00:34:08.532 And I pray specifically that this week some of us would have political conversations that turn to the gospel, that turn to you, that turn to our hope in you. 00:34:09.166 --> 00:34:11.833 Thank you, Jesus, that we do have peace in you. 00:34:11.833 --> 00:34:13.532 We love you. Amen.