The God Who Moves

On this week's episode we're following up on Sunday's sermon on the Holy Trinity. We'll discuss what the church should look like versus how it currently appears, and we'll discuss the dangers of Christian Nationalism. Please give it a listen and be sure to subscribe!  

Transcript

The Rest of the Sermon: More Than Words (Empowered Week 1 Recap)

Host (Intro): Hello and welcome to The Rest of the Sermon, where we dive deeper into Sunday’s message and explore how it applies to our real lives. I’m your host, and I’m glad you’re here – whether you consider yourself a progressive believer, a curious skeptic, or somewhere in between. 

Today, we’re building on a sermon titled “Empowered Week 1: More Than Words.” It was Trinity Sunday, and we talked about God as Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit the God who acts, saves, and sends. The Trinity is a picture of a deeply relational God who is on the move in our world.

Before we move on, let’s recap the key themes from that sermon. This will catch you up on the biblical foundation we’re building upon:

We looked at Isaiah 6, where Isaiah sees God high and lifted up in the temple. In a time of political turmoil, Isaiah is confronted by God’s holiness. He confesses not only his own sin but that of his community: “I live among a people of unclean lips.” And yet, God doesn’t leave him in shame. God cleanses and sends him: “Whom shall I send?” “Here am I, send me.”

Then in John 3, Jesus tells Nicodemus that we must be born again—born of the Spirit. The Spirit is unpredictable like the wind. We’re reminded that God loved the world and sent His Son not to condemn it but to save it. And that salvation is a call to new life, not just forgiveness.

Finally, in Romans 8, Paul says we are no longer slaves to fear—we are children of God. The Spirit testifies that we belong, and if we’re God’s children, we’re also called to share in Christ’s suffering and mission.

The Father sends, the Son redeems, and the Spirit empowers.

Host (Transition): So that’s the heart of what we heard on Sunday: God is a God of Love in action – a Holy God who reaches out to cleanse and send Isaiah; the Father who sends the Son and Spirit to save and transform; the Spirit who makes us God’s children and propels us into the world with courageous love. It’s an inspiring vision of a sending, sacrificial God. But now we need to talk about something more difficult: how does this biblical vision compare to what we actually see in the current state of American Christianity? Are we, as churches and Christians today, living as people sent by the Triune God – or have we settled for something much less?

This is where we get into “the rest of the sermon,” the part that moves from inspiration to challenge. And fair warning: it might get a little uncomfortable, maybe even controversial. But in the spirit of the prophets, of Jesus, and of Paul, we have to be honest about where we’ve strayed from our calling. So let’s talk about it.

When the Church Mirrors the World: Idolatry and Nationalism

In the Bible, God is always calling His people away from idols – those fake gods and false hopes that seduce our hearts. Yet, if we’re honest, many modern Christians (and churches) have their own idols. Instead of reflecting the self-giving, sending love of the Trinity, parts of American Christianity have started to mirror the very “worldly” values that Jesus and the apostles warned us about. It’s like we’ve forgotten who our God is and what kind of kingdom we belong to. Let’s compare side by side for a moment:

• In the Bible: God is a holy King who sends His servants (like Isaiah) to speak truth and challenge the status quo, who sends His own Son to lay down power and life out of love for the world, and who gives us the Spirit to lead us in the way of humility, service, and justice. This God lifts up the lowly, breaks down dividing walls, and calls us to love our neighbor and even our enemies. The early Christians proclaimed “Jesus is Lord” – which by implication meant Caesar is not. Their highest allegiance was to Christ’s kingdom, not any earthly nation or leader. They often lived at odds with the Roman Empire’s values of domination and might, insisting on the way of peace and love. The Triune God they worshiped – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – is sending them out to heal, to reconcile, to serve, and even to suffer for doing what is right.
• The Reality Today (in many circles): Instead of “Jesus is Lord,” we sometimes function as if “Caesar is lord.” By Caesar, I mean any earthly ruler or political power. We see churches and believers who have effectively pledged their highest allegiance to political parties or figures, even when those figures’ behavior and values plainly contradict the teachings of Jesus. In recent years, this phenomenon has become glaring. For example, the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol – remember that shocking day? – had people waving “Jesus” flags and crosses even as they acted in hatred and violence. It was like a toxic blend of faith and politics, a rally that looked more like a revival meeting for nationalism. One reporter observed that many insurrectionists were praying in Jesus’ name as they broke into the seat of democracy, convinced they were on a holy mission. Five people died in that chaos, all fueled by what has rightly been called a “moral and theological pandemic” – the pandemic of Christian nationalism.

What is Christian nationalism? It’s when Christianity becomes entangled with an ultra-patriotic ideology that confuses loyalty to God with loyalty to a nation or leader, often treating the nation as a uniquely holy entity. This form of political idolatry replaces “Jesus is Lord” with devotion to a false god—frequently a mythologized view of America. It distorts biblical teachings, turning love of country into xenophobia, racism, and aggression, all cloaked in religious language. Tragically, studies show many Christian nationalists claim to uphold the Bible while disregarding core values like hospitality, peacemaking, and justice for the poor. In essence, Christian nationalism warps the teachings of Jesus under the guise of patriotism.

And when churches wrap the cross in the flag, when we equate our nation’s success with God’s Kingdom, we are in dangerous territory. We’ve seen this in history before. In 1930s Germany, many churches pledged allegiance to Hitler and the Nazi vision – they even had a movement called the “German Christians” who literally tried to Nazify Christianity. A Lutheran pastor and theologian named Dietrich Bonhoeffer was one of the brave voices who opposed this. He warned that the church should never surrender Christian principles to political ideologies. Sadly, most German church leaders at the time remained silent or went along with Hitler’s program. The result was a corrupted church that could not speak truth to power – it had traded its prophetic voice for political favor. We know how that turned out. Today, when I see some American pastors effectively crowning a politician as “God’s chosen” while ignoring that leader’s pride, cruelty, or lies, I can’t help but remember that warning. Our faith should shape our politics, not the other way around. The moment we let any party or politician own our faith, we’ve made an idol. The first commandment – “You shall have no other gods before Me” – suddenly rings with urgent relevance.

Modern Idols of Power, Comfort, and Celebrity

Political idolatry is just one of the modern challenges facing the church. Recent studies show many American Christians are influenced by idols like comfort (67%), security (56%), money (55%), and approval (51%). Such idols often replace God in subtle but profound ways.

The Idol of Power: Political power has become an idol when Christians prioritize dominance and cultural victories over Christ-like humility. Aligning uncritically with political figures or parties leads to compromise, as seen in actions that contradict Jesus’ teachings, like caring for the poor or welcoming the stranger. Jesus rejected worldly power, reminding us that His kingdom is not of this world.

The Idol of Comfort: Many Christians prefer faith to be a routine that doesn’t disrupt their lifestyle. This idol leads to silence on issues like injustice or inequality, avoiding the discomfort of standing for truth. True faith calls for sacrifice, as Jesus demonstrated, and a church focused on bold obedience instead of personal ease can regain vitality and relevance.

The Idol of Celebrity: The church often mirrors society's obsession with fame, elevating charismatic leaders and celebrity pastors. This creates shallow discipleship and misplaced faith in human personalities rather than Christ. Paul’s admonition to the Corinthians applies here: Christ alone is the head of the church, and leaders are merely servants.

These idols—power, comfort, celebrity, money, and even tradition—reflect worldly values that can quietly take God’s place. Anything, even something good, becomes an idol when it replaces the voice of God in our lives. By confronting them, the church can realign with its true calling: reflecting humility, sacrifice, and justice.

Those are just a few examples. We could add the idol of money (prosperity preaching that treats God like an ATM), or the idol of tradition (clinging to the way we’ve always done things, even if the Spirit is clearly moving in a new way). Anything – even good things – can become an idol if we let it take God’s place.

Now, contrast this with what our faith should look like:

Called Back to the Way of Jesus: Courage, Sacrifice, and Justice

So, how do we realign with the true vision of the Triune God? If we’ve drifted into idolizing power, comfort, or celebrities, how do we get back on track? I believe the answer is to recover the radical, prophetic, and courageous nature of our faith – the kind we see in Scripture and in the best moments of church history. It means choosing Spirit-led courage, sacrifice, and justice over those worldly idols of self-interest.

Challenging Modern Idols: Power, Comfort, Celebrity

Allegiance to Christ’s Kingdom Above All

Jesus is Lord, not Caesar. No politician or party deserves our ultimate loyalty. Christians are called to hold all sides accountable to Jesus’ teachings. As followers of Christ, we critique injustice, corruption, and neglect of the vulnerable, whether it’s “our side” or not. Faith requires boldness to say “no” to wrongdoing, even when it’s unpopular.

Embracing Holy Discomfort

The sacrificial love of Jesus calls us to step out of our comfort zones. Speaking truth, standing with the oppressed, and showing empathy often demand courage. The Spirit’s comfort gives us strength to take personal risks for God’s call. Faithful growth often comes with discomfort, as Isaiah’s purification did, but it’s vital for vitality and impact.

Practicing Prophetic Justice

The Trinity – Father, Son, Spirit – champions communal justice, mercy, and truth. God sides with the marginalized, defends the vulnerable, and calls us to do the same. Pursuing justice means rejecting nationalism, loving the stranger, and defending human dignity as an act of faith. Our loyalty belongs to God’s righteousness, even against social pressures. Prophets weren’t popular, and Jesus’ path led to the cross, but resurrection proves that love and justice prevail.

Humility and Accountability in Leadership

Church leaders are servants, not celebrities. The Trinity exemplifies humility and mutual love, reminding us to prioritize integrity over image. Churches must reject individualism, embrace accountability, and focus on caring for the least of these rather than chasing fame or business success. 

Conclusion: Faithful Witness

The Triune God invites us to join the mission to heal and reconcile the world. Like Isaiah’s call, we are sent to witness truth regardless of outcomes. It’s time to repent of idols and reflect the radical love of the Father, Son, and Spirit – a love that prays for enemies, seeks justice, and embodies self-giving sacrifice.

So here’s the question we must wrestle with: If the church has mirrored the world’s idols, what would it look like to mirror Christ instead? Here are some contrasts we’re called to embody:

• Instead of political idolatry and division, we pursue kingdom unity and truth. We refuse to baptize any politician as savior. We critique all sides through the lens of Jesus’ teachings, and we speak truth with grace, no matter who’s in power.
• Instead of seeking dominance, we choose servanthood. The Father sent the Son not to condemn the world but to save it through self-giving love. In that spirit, we seek to serve and uplift others rather than lord over them.
• Instead of comfort and complacency, we embrace faith-driven courage. We’re willing to be uncomfortable – to go, to give, to speak, to suffer – if it means being faithful to God’s call. As heirs with Christ, we accept that sacrifice is part of our inheritance.
• Instead of celebrity obsession, we value character and community. We don’t elevate messengers above the Message. We celebrate the unnoticed acts of love and the small, faithful churches just as much as the big conferences. We remember that the Holy Spirit often works in quiet, ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
• Instead of echoing the world’s hatred and fear, we embody radical love and peacemaking. When the culture screams to pick a side and despise the other, we remember Jesus ate with sinners and also with Pharisees – he transcended those divides. The Spirit can give us the power to love those we disagree with and to break cycles of outrage with surprising kindness. Loving our enemies and praying for those who persecute us is perhaps one of the most radical, non-conformist things we can do (Matthew 5:44).

Conclusion: Here We Are, Send Us

In Isaiah’s story, after he answered God’s call, he was sent to a people who, tragically, largely wouldn’t listen (Isaiah 6:9–10). That didn’t mean Isaiah heard wrong – it meant his mission was to witness to the truth regardless of outcome. In our time, we too are called to be faithful regardless of how the message is received. We’re called to be prophetic, which means speaking and living the truth of God in a confused, hurting world, even when it’s not popular.

The same God Isaiah encountered – the Holy, Holy, Holy One – is still asking, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?”. The Triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – is on a mission to heal this broken world, to save and to reconcile, and astonishingly He invites us to join that mission. The question is, are we willing to go? Or have we been too busy bowing at the altars of comfort, power, or nostalgia to even hear His call?

It’s time for some soul-searching. Have we made God in our image, or a mascot for our cause? Or are we ready to let God remake us in His image, to reshape our priorities to match the dynamic, loving, justice-seeking character of the Trinity? The world is watching, especially those skeptics who have seen so much hypocrisy and double-mindedness among Christians. We owe it to them – and more importantly to God – to repent of our idols and live out something better, something real. As Jesus said, “By this everyone will know you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). Not by our voting record, not by our perfectly argued theology, but by our love. A love that looks like the Father giving His only Son, like the Son dying for sinners, like the Spirit guiding formerly selfish people to lay down their lives for each other.

This is already happening in many places. There are Christians rejecting Christian nationalism and choosing to love neighbors across political lines. There are churches stepping out of their comfort zone to stand with the oppressed, to open their doors to LGBTQ+ folks, to tackle racism head-on, to welcome refugees. There are young believers who are more interested in authentic faithfulness than in slick marketing. The Spirit is moving, stirring hearts to return to the core of the gospel. We can be part of that if we’re willing.

So, what might it mean for you, to respond to God’s call? Maybe it means finally speaking up in your own church or family when something is clearly against Jesus’s teaching. Maybe it means turning off the TV or social media voices that stoke your fear or anger and instead tuning into Scripture and prayer to reshape your mind. It could mean volunteering with a ministry that serves folks at the margins – being the hands and feet of Christ in a practical way. It might mean educating yourself (and others) about the difference between patriotism and idolatry – loving your country is fine, but worshipping it is not. Perhaps it’s as simple as confessing, “I’ve let my comfort (or success, or political tribe) matter more to me than God’s will” and asking the Holy Spirit to help you change.

The beautiful thing is, the Triune God doesn’t just issue a command and leave us on our own. God goes with us. Jesus promised, “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). The Holy Spirit is literally God’s presence in us, giving us the words, the love, the power we lack on our own. We are empowered (that was the title of our series) – empowered to do more than speak religious words, but to live by God’s Word in action.

I invite all of us to imagine what could happen if we truly embraced this: if we set aside the stale, shallow, or twisted forms of religion and actually followed the God who acts, saves, and sends. What if the church became known not for whom it votes for, but for how deeply it loves? Not for whom it excludes, but for how fiercely it embraces truth and grace together? What if we were less about building fans and more about making disciples who imitate Jesus? That kind of church would be unstoppable in the best way – not because of political power, but because of spiritual authenticity. It would shine brightly in a dark world. It would certainly confound the pundits and cynics, and it might just reclaim the loyalty of some of those millions who have written off the church as an “irrelevant social club”. More importantly, it would be faithful to the Lord who called us.

Isaiah stood before a holy God and said, ‘Here am I, send me.’ That same question echoes to us: Are we living as sent people or settled ones? Each of us has to answer that. The Father is still seeking people to send; Jesus is still saying “Follow me;” the Spirit is still urging us forward.

My prayer is that we, like Isaiah, will have the courage to answer: “Here we are – send us.”

Thank you for listening to this episode of The Rest of the Sermon. It’s been a challenging conversation, but a needed one. Let’s keep it going – in our homes, our church groups, wherever – asking tough questions and seeking real answers in Scripture and in prayer. Until next time, remember that God is on the move, so if we want to be with Him, we’ve got to get moving too. Let’s go into the world in the power of the Spirit, to love and to serve as people empowered by the Triune God.

Go in peace – and go ready to make some holy trouble for the good of the world. Amen.