Our True Mission!

Hello all! It has been a bit! Spring has been busy with planting, house projects, working with mom, working in general, and living! As we move into an election cycle (among other strange things we are witnessing in this nation), I wanted to share material I presented at a small group study last month. This is for Christian and non-Christian alike. I will step on toes and that is okay. Let us be weary of the idols in our lives. Idols have a way of disappointing us and bringing out the worst in all of us. I want to address the Christians reading this directly; may this point you back to the true intent of the Gospel – Love, not power.

P.S. As always, read the Scriptures for yourself. Don’t take my word for it!  

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Building His Kingdom (not a politician’s)

Our True Mission: Go into all the world and preach the gospel, baptizing them in the name of Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15).  He also told us we would be his witness to all parts of the Earth when the Holy Spirit comes on us (Acts 1:8)! Note he did not say build the biggest building or platform nor get this or that political party on your side. God does not take sides as we do. (Joshua 5:13-14) The church and power don't mix. From history, look at the Church of England and the Pilgrims. The Pilgrims left and came to America because they could not worship how they wanted to because of state sanctioned religious interference from the Church of England (the fusion of the state and a religious entity). Also, consider the Catholic Church who literally ruled over nations and determined political decisions for years in Europe (again the fusion of church and state) before the Protestant Reformation that gave us the basis for many of the religious freedoms we have today in America!

1) Our Kingdom Identity is First: Jesus explicitly stated, "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36). Seeking earthly power can lead the church to prioritize temporal authority over its eternal mission.

2) We Can't serve Two Masters: Attempting to serve both a spiritual mission and a political agenda can create a conflict of interest. Jesus warned that "no one can serve two masters" (Matthew 6:24).

3) The Church and the State have very different roles:

• Render to Caesar: Jesus taught a clear distinction in responsibilities: "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s" (Matthew 22:21).

• Jurisdiction: The state is divinely ordained to use the "sword" for civil order (Romans 13:1-4), while the church is given the keys for spiritual witness.

Yes, we can care about political issues. We should never attempt to create a religious cohesion between the church and the state. Our Founders understood this because of the treatment they endured from an English state/crown that was fused with the Church of England!  This did not work before, and it won’t work again. This type of cohesion inevitably harms others and blunts freedom. We see this most glaringly in extremist groups like the Taliban and echoes of this in the growing undercurrent of Christian Nationalism. These are two systems cut from the same cloth; they just dress up differently, use different symbols and language. Do not be deceived!  

Something to think about: Our modern political or social baggage does not negate nor change the Mission of the Kingdom. Jesus has not and will not change His mind or His mission based on the whims of any political power. Go back and read Our True Mission!

What else is included in the Church’s true mission?

Our mission includes discipleship, community, and sacrifice.

Question to ponder: What exactly does it really mean to be a Christian?

Discipleship:

We are a spiritual witness to our world. By our love they will know you are my disciples (John 13:34-35). Note it does not say by your political party. It is not about numbers; it is about love. Without discipleship, many never get beyond the "fire insurance" part of salvation. We need one another to sharpen each other (Proverbs 27:17).

Acts 2:42-47

Community:

This is again a spiritual witness to our world, the light to the world (Matthew 5:14). We are counterculture, not a social group or country club, community means discomfort at times, differences of opinion, hurt, joy, tears, and laughter. It is not easy and it is very uplifting because it is about love! It can even mean different politics! It does NOT involve running around telling people how wrong they nor getting embroiled in endless “culture wars” to “one up” or humiliate those who don’t think like us or believe like us. If you read Scripture, you will find the early Church did not engage in silly “culture wars” nor humiliation.

Hebrews 10:24-25

Acts 2:42-47

Loving our communities:

This is one of our greatest spiritual witnesses to our world (which we are failing at in this time).Love in action, even when it is uncomfortable or inconvenient. Loving people others do not want to love. Loving people we disagree with or who don’t believe as we do.

Acts 2:42-47

Sacrifice:

Building the Kingdom requires Sacrifice of time, money, and self. We don't always get what we want and most of the time life looks very different from what we thought it would.  Sometimes we suffer persecution. We were never guaranteed a persecution free life. In America, we have no idea what actual persecution is – being told you can’t discriminate against the LGBTQIA community in your business practices is not “persecution.”  Being asked to be respectful is not “persecution.”

Serving the true King of the Kingdom will kill your selfishness, self-righteousness, and your desire for power. Serving the true King of the Kingdom will grow your capacity to love! Matthew 16:24

Romans 5:3-5; 2;

Corinthians 4:7-9

Our final thought for contemplation: The Kingdom of God will not look like the kingdoms of this world. It is not a kingdom grown or won by force or domination, but by love! 

I love you!

Elizabeth