Well, if you have a bible with you,
I encourage you to go ahead and get
that out or grab 1 of the pew
bibles or maybe open the bible app on
your phone,
we're gonna be opening to Titus
chapter
3.
As I mentioned at the beginning, we're gonna
we're gonna pivot today.
I really felt this on my heart and,
some of the men that come to our
group on Thursday mornings might,
recognize this chapter because it is the chapter
that we open to, this past Thursday morning
at our men's
breakfast,
and I'm grateful to the Lord for putting
this
passage in front of me already.
So that,
I can make this pivot
as I felt
led on my heart this morning,
But before we read our passage,
obviously, last night,
there was an a attempted
assassination on former president,
Donald Trump, and regardless of
where you... Sit or stand or believe
in your political leaning,
I think that we can all probably agree
that this isn't the way that we think
that our nation should be headed.
In no way shape or form should we
see this kind of violent act played out
in
the
Democratic processes that we have
established in our country.
But that being said,
this isn't a political sermon.
It might sound that way. It might come
across that way. I might... Rubs some people
the wrong way and what I have to
say,
but I believe that what I am saying
is biblical. I'm going to be using scripture
in reference to every single thing that we
kind of addressed this morning.
But 1 of the things that I, continually
saw
over this... The... Ultimately, the Ces pool that
is Twitter,
but on, or x, sorry,
on ex
coming in was just... It seemed everybody wanted
to talk about a rec commitment to civility
in and suspect.
Civility in respect. We need to return to
civility and
respect. And, you know, I'm not
anti being civil toward 1 another and respecting
1 another. In fact, I think those are,
important
qualities and values
in the heart of any Christian.
However,
civility and respect aren't going to get us
to where we need to be. I I
really don't think that.
I think that if we're going to see
that kind of outcome in our country,
It requires first that we
as Christians as the followers of Jesus that
we have to submit to Jesus.
If we are to commit to anything else.
We have to be completely
submitted
to Jesus Christ. If we are going to
see any sort of
transformation or commitment
to anything else that might see the kind
of
transformation and change
that we wanna see in the world around
us.
And I really do believe that we can
hold our varying political beliefs
And in our submission to Jesus still see
transformation in our country.
We can see things
change for good,
even
when we hold completely
opposing views on how we
reach that end goal from a political standpoint.
But again,
this is not a sermon on politics.
It just seems to be a basis for
what's happening.
And what we see in the world around
us and as we head into
November,
We have to ask ourselves the question will,
what is my role and responsibility
as a follower of Jesus?
And maybe even more than that, the question
isn't so much
as a follower of Jesus,
but what does it mean to be first
foremost and above all else,
a citizen of heaven,
to be
hold our kingdom
citizenship.
And to follow the king that is of
that kingdom,
who is Christ
Jesus.
And
if you have not heard that kind of
language
before.
I encourage you to read with me from
Philippians
chapter
2,
which I don't even know if I marked.
I did. No. I did.
Here it is.
Philippians chapter...
Sorry. Chapter 3 verse 20
for our
citizenship
is in heaven,
from which also, we eagerly
wait
for a savior,
the Lord Jesus Christ.
Our
citizenship is of heaven for whom we eagerly
wait a savior
who is the Lord Jesus Christ.
As as Christians, we have to understand that
our citizenship waits for 1 man,
and his only name is Jesus.
We only wait for our salvation, for all
things to be made right for all things
to be put back together,
on 1 person in 1 person alone,
that's Jesus.
There is certainly no
politician on either side of the aisle or
independent otherwise
that can
correct the things that are wrong.
It cannot happen, and it will not happen.
From any
human
representative.
It it happens through a divine 1
And so as we
reflect on kingdom
citizenship,
Let's open to titus,
chapter 3 versus 1 through 11 in read.
What is this
citizenship that we have and what is our
responsibility to it?
Starting in verse 1.
Remind them,
so this is Paul speaking to Titus,
remind them
to be subject
to rulers
to authorities,
to be obedient
and to be ready for every good work.
To sla
no 1
to be peace,
considerate it
demonstrating all gentleness
to all men.
For we ourselves also once we're foolish,
dis.
Deceived,
enslaved to various lust and pleasures,
spending our life in Malice and envy,
despicable,
hating 1 another.
I just wanna sit there for a second.
Because it's not hard to read that passage
and not look at the world around us
not feel
that that is what we experience
every day
or what we witness every day
and
Verse 4.
But when the kindness
and affection of god,
our savior
appeared.
He saved us,
not by works, which we did in righteousness,
but according to his mercy,
through the washing of
regeneration and renewing
by the holy spirit
whom he poured out upon us rich through
Jesus Christ, our savior,
so that having been justified by his grace,
we would become heirs
according to the hope of eternal life.
This is a trustworthy saying.
In concerning these things, I want you to
speak confidently.
So those who have leave God will be
intent to lead in good works.
These things are good and profitable for men.
But avoid foolish controversies
and gene ideologies and strife and conflicts
about the law,
for they are
unprofitable and worthless.
Reject a fictitious, man after a first and
second warning,
knowing that such a man is per
and is sin
being
self
condemned.
Let's pray.
Doing gracious gone.
I need you this morning.
I need your holy spirit to speak not
me.
I don't want anything
that Has said this morning to be from
my lips.
From my own deceived heart,
put god that it would be full of
your holy spirit,
overflowing with the fruit
that your spirit provides,
love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, kindness
self control.
Got on these things.
Would these words ring?
And would you withhold my lips from
speaking any such
divisive that might come,
I had just focus solely on you
and your glory,
and your will and your desire.
For us this morning.
Or we love you.
We thank you.
We turn to you,
in christ's name we pray.
Amen.
So as we open to that first
verse
of titus chapter 3.
Paul reminds titus the importance of reminding us
of these things.
Which I think is it was really good
for me to turn to this chapter to
this passage
as I felt the holy spirit pivot
because that first word to remind was a
reminder to me of the importance to remind
us
of where our citizenship lies and what our
responsibility
as citizens of heaven is first and foremost.
And part of what it looks like to
be a good citizen of heaven,
ironically is to be a good citizen
in the places in which we live.
Paul is clear that we should be reminded
that we are so to subject
ourselves to the rulers and to the authorities
to be obedient and to be ready for
every good work.
To subject
ourselves to those who have been put over
us.
And in our country as a democratic republic
those that have been
elected,
whether it's the person that we voted for
or not?
Part of being a citizen of heaven is
to acknowledge
that reality in that truth.
In fact,
he also says in his letter to the
Romans,
chapter
13
versus 1 through 7.
Every person is to be in subject objection
to the governing authorities for there is no
authority except from God.
And those which exist and have been appointed
by god.
I'm must hard stop there because I think
oftentimes we...
If our candidate wasn't elected, we think that
the devil 1
that Satan got his way.
And I just
can't read scripture and see that
god and his sovereignty
would allow the enemy to have rein and
rule in that capacity. I'm not saying that
the enemy doesn't pro like a lying looking
for whom he might devour,
but God is sovereign.
And though we might not always
understand why the people that are put into
authority over us, were put into those positions
of power,
we have to trust that God doesn't at
work.
Power
God is is still at work.
And that might mean that things don't go
well or that things go great.
Either way, we still honor god.
And we still honor those who have been
placed into authorities above us.
And using certain rhetoric
towards somebody because you don't agree with their
viewpoints or the way that they think that
things should be run
isn't very helpful to
the kingdom of heaven, nonetheless,
our role as
citizens
of our nation.
God calls us
as
responsible citizens
of the kingdom of heaven to be responsible
citizens
in the country in which we live.
First, Peter,
chapter 2,
versus 3 through 4
Oops.
First Peter 02:13
through 17. Sorry. I read wrong 1.
Be subject for the sake of the Lord,
to every human
institution whether to a king
as the 1 in authority,
or to governors is sent by him for
the punishment of evil
and the praise of those who do good,
for such is the will of god that
by doing good,
you may silence the ignorance of foolish
men.
Act as free people,
and do not use your freedom as a
covering for evil,
but use it as slaves of God.
Honor all people love the brethren, fear God
honor the king.
These might be hard words for us to
read in scripture and say,
how do I follow that?
It might be a struggle for some of
us. It's been a struggle for me at
times.
And this isn't just about
governing authorities in the nation,
politics or whatever.
This might be your job.
I've been in places where
I didn't
agree with the pastor ahead of me.
I didn't like him.
And to be honest, I was probably sitting
in the disrespect and dishonest that I held
toward him
because I... Of the way that I saw
that he ran
his church and his ministry, and I was
not okay with it.
I was wrong.
I to figure out what it meant to
submit myself to him even when
I disagreed.
If that disagreement,
especially
was not on
foundational truth
in the gospel.
Maybe he just wanted to do ministry a
little bit different than me.
Than the way that I
philosophically believe that ministry should be done. But
the way he wanted to do it wasn't
necessarily wrong. It just didn't line up with
my belief,
and that's okay.
But he was placed over me for a
reason.
I was placed under him.
And so how do I respond
How do you respond?
When there's somebody over you that maybe you
don't necessarily fully agree with or... Maybe you
dislike and some of the ways that they
choose to do things.
We have to examine ourselves sometimes first before
we start looking at the speck in somebody
else's eye?
Maybe what's the log in in mind?
And I've I've been...
I've got to acknowledge that. That's part of
the human experience as to wanna see specs
before we see our own logs.
And all that to say, though that
acts
05:29
in the midst of
everything that that disciples were going through,
especially against other men and authorities,
I do want to be clear though
that Peter said, and now, Lord take note
of their threats.
And grant that you're your...
Sorry. Where am? That your slaves may speak
your word with all confidence.
While you extend your hand to heal and
signs and wonders happen through the name
of your holy servant.
There's this idea
to my reading right? I'm not even looking
at the right passage.
Thank you. I was looking at the wrong
1?
But Peter and the apostle answering said, but
we must obey god rather than men. Thank
you. Yeah. I was like, that's 04:29.
We must obey God rather than men. And
so there might be instances where
there is conflict
on gospel truth and matters.
At which point you have to say, I'm
gonna follow God rather than men, but let's
be clear that what Peter is talking about
is
threat of imprisonment in
persecution.
He's not just going out to just be
dis obedient,
toward
the laws
established in Rome
or the laws established by
Jews because this is in specific context to
the council of the San he.
He's going against
a group that's going against God's will in
religious matters.
And so there might be instances in the
church where you need to
speak up because gospel truth isn't being preached.
The gospel truth isn't being realized that gospel
truth isn't being lived out,
And if that's coming from my mouth,
you have every right and responsibility
as a follower of Christ to confront into
speak,
and to be defiant.
But
when it comes to matters of
governors and
politicians and political figures and heads?
I'm gonna say this. Do you really expect
people of the world to act like Jesus?
Our nation
regardless of
founding fathers and founding documents,
is not the church
It is not
the church.
There might be people who follow Jesus in
our government,
but they
in their roles are not
the church.
And they don't always act in church interest,
in kingdom interest in Christ
interest.
And we have to make that distinction as
as followers of Jesus.
And that's sometimes a really hard reality to
wrap our heads around, but go figure,
humans are sinful.
Who would have thought that politicians make mistakes.
Just as you and I make mistakes.
And we don't always choose Jesus in the
choices we make.
We can't expect them to always choose Jesus
and the decisions that make even the ones
that say that they're followers of Jesus.
And it's not my place to judge, and
it's not your place to judge whether or
not they are real followers of Jesus.
But to understand that they
make decisions
ironically,
maybe uni ironically,
probably for their own benefit.
There have been politicians that have been sitting
in congress for decades and decades and decades.
Sometimes making the right choice
means it's the choice that goes against what
people usually want
and then they ou you.
Because I know that
If I have my way, I wouldn't be
preaching the sermon this morning,
because it might rub hearts and ears the
wrong way
Might lead some of you to be like,
let's get him out.
Hopefully not.
But first and foremost, the trust what
Jesus is doing is to also say I'm
not gonna trust
a human,
entity
to always make Christ choices.
Yes I have to be subject to the
laws that they create
and they make and they pass
to the people put into executive positions in
power
and the way that the supreme court rules
I have to follow that because I'm supposed
to be a good citizen
to be a good citizen of heaven.
But what does that look like What does
that actually mean
to then do those things?
And let me be clear, as I... Before
I start talking about what else we read
in titus,
This is not a political statement. This is
not to say that there was a right
side and a wrong side on the political
aisle. We can be in the church and
hold varying political beliefs and still be christ
followers.
We can still go after Jesus together and
be citizens of his kingdom,
even when our nation might have
divided political opinions on how to accomplish certain
things in the world,
and certain things within our nation,
But this is what it looks like to
be a citizen of heaven while being a
good citizen
in our country.
It is that we are to s
no 1 to be peace
and consider it demonstrating
all gentleness
to all
men.
All
gentleness
to all
men.
All men means all men, all women, all
children, all elderly, all young, all gen z,
all millennials, all boomers,
all of you
that are present here and present in our
community and present in our state and present
in our country, and yes, present in our
world
All of them are worthy,
have dignity,
established in the Ama day, fact that they
are created in the image of God that
we should not sla them. We should be
peace,
consider it in the demonstrating
gentleness to every single 1.
And I gotta tell you it's really hard
to look around
on separate sides of the aisle and see
that these things happen
consistently.
Because they don't happen consistently
and what's really, really sad and 1 of
the main reasons that I am no longer
on social media is I see it coming
the most out of people that claim the
name of Christ.
Sla
1 another
stirring up, hate and division,
not being considerate of 1 another's thoughts,
feelings, beliefs,
viewpoint, sides,
and certainly not being gentle.
I think part of gentleness is acknowledging
that the person across from you is just
as much your neighbor
as anybody else.
There is nobody not your neighbor.
And if there's nobody not your neighbor, then
you have
a responsibility to be kind toward them to
be gentle to not
be forceful or hateful.
For we ourselves also once we're foolish and
dis,
deceived enslaved to various lust and pleasures,
spending our life in malice and Envy
despicable in hating 1 another.
The reason that
we are to be this... For the sake
of the not yet citizens of heaven. So
that's what I'm gonna say that all this
is about. Ultimately is we citizens of heaven
are to be 4 the not yet citizens
of heaven while also being kind toward already
citizens of heaven.
But the not yet citizens of heaven, those
that don't know Jesus, 1, we cannot expect
them to act in a Christ like manner.
So...
Number 3, verse 3,
all those things, which he says to remind
us that we were once those people.
We were once the people that were not
yet citizens of heaven.
We were foolish and dis and deceived and
deceived and enslaved to our lust and pleasures
in spending our life in malice and envy
despicable in hating 1 another.
But to be a citizen of heaven is
to not be those things
in order to get other not citizens of
heaven,
to become citizen citizens of heaven is to
not display those things toward 1 another
and toward them.
Because versus 4 through
7.
But when the kindness and infection of god
or savior appeared, he saved us.
Not by works, which we did in our
righteous, but according to his mercy through the
washing of generation regeneration and the renewing by
the holy spirit.
And we poured out upon us rich ritchie
through Jesus Christ, our savior so that having
been justified by his grace, we would become
heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
I've probably repeated this verse so many times,
but I just love it so much Romans
2 for
But do you not know that it was
the kindness
of god that led you to repentance?
It's the kindness of god that turns people's
heart to God.
And 1 of our roles as Christians as
Christ followers as citizens of heaven is to
be the display of kindness of god in
the world.
Have you never heard the saying, kill them
with kindness?
If we were more kind toward 1 toward
1 another,
we might not win someone to our position,
but we might win them
to
relationship
to say, oh, we can have differing views,
and that's okay
It's a kindness that wins us toward 1
another and wins
them
ultimately,
to the kingdom.
To the kingdom of heaven to to kingdom
citizenship
We are meant to be that demonstration of
Christ's kindness
in the world.
It's past Thursday,
when we read the scripture and go around
the group, we kinda say, like, hey, what
is what stands out to you and
David pointed out that he just really loves
the the rich richness and abundantly part of
this passage in verse 6. It's he poured
out upon us rich
through Jesus, Christ, our savior or also translated
poured out upon us. Abundantly through Jesus Christ
our savior. And, of course, that reminds me
of Ephesians 03:20 in which she says, like,
he is able to give
even abundantly more than we could ever ask
or imagine.
And what I wanna
make clear that's not about material possession.
It's not about having
more stuff more things, more money, more riches,
more wealth
in
material things.
But that is a
richness provided through a
relationship with God the father,
Jesus the son and the holy
spirit
that we were rich lavish upon by God
our father not to have more things, but
to have more of him.
To be a good citizen
in our world and a good citizen of
heaven is to acknowledge that I am rich
out with the inheritance
of the holy spirit because of Christ Jesus,
and nothing else.
Out
It's not about
being
certain of having material wealth and gain.
Truthfully, I've been to some of the poorest
areas
in Mexico on mission trips.
But they have more richness and abundance than
many Americans.
Because they fully know what it means to
rely
on an abundant richness that's found in Christ.
Than it is than the in the things
that they have.
We're constantly worried about how far our dollar
is going
how I can buy my new car, how
I can buy a house,
interest rate skyrocketing or being lowered or whatever
it might be,
we concern ourselves with those things
even as
heaven's citizens instead of focusing on the things
that matter, which are in Christ, how are
you abundantly and rich provided
in faith.
In fruit, in love, and enjoy and peace
and patience and kindness and goodness in faithfulness
and gentleness and self control.
Kindness And so these things
as Paul writes and continues in verse 8.
These things are is are trustworthy.
And concerning these things, I want you to
speak confidently,
so that those who believed God will be
intent to lead in good works.
These things are good and profitable for men.
So if we lead in these things,
that's what's profitable for our neighbor.
It's not profitable for our neighbor.
To
push
upon them our political beliefs to talk about
them,
our things
to display
how we vote.
That's not
our objective. I'm not saying that you can't
have a political opinion? I'm not saying that
you can't speak to people about it, but
the question is how are you speaking about
it?
Have Is it from a
position in Christ
where you're allowed to have your opinion and
you are respectful enough to say, we can
talk about these things and you might not
believe me or or fall into what I
believe, and that's okay. I just wanna have
a conversation with you about these. Things and
it not get heated.
I think going back to this idea of
civility in respect, we lost the idea how
to have healthy debate.
Not just healthy debate, but healthy
conversation.
And again, I blame social media because it's
really easy to hide... Behind a screen in
a keyboard, rather to face somebody face to
face
and have
a conversation with them
but we as the church have to learn
how to recon
communicate how to communicate with 1 another
face to face that doesn't get heated that
doesn't lead to words of malice and sla
and hate, but words of love,
and peace
and comfort.
That when we disagree,
we say,
okay.
We don't agree on those things. We're not
gonna probably line up on them and that's
alright.
I'm really glad we had this conversation.
I'm really glad that we were able to
talk about it. I now actually have a
better understanding of where you're coming from because
I listened.
I still might disagree with you, but I
I hear how your perspective makes sense to
you.
Because also, I'm gonna put this out there.
Political values and leaning aren't absolute truths.
Political values and leaning and perspectives are not
absolute truths. And so your way of seeing
things is not an absolute truth.
Yes. Truth is absolute.
There's is no doubt about that. Truth is
absolute,
and there are some things that end up
in the political arena that do have absolute
bearings in truth.
But there are a lot of things
like how to tackle the immigration crisis
that
there are varying perspectives,
and it is okay to have varying perspectives.
Because
Ultimately,
the way that those perspectives are rooted,
vary and are not absolute.
I think that the scripture speaks about it
in very serious ways,
but I understand in reading scripture how we
also can see
the truth
implemented in various ways. How
That's 1 of the grand
beautiful,
lovely mysteries of scripture.
Is its depth
of understanding.
And why I can have a brother and
sister who see something very differently than I
do
And it's okay.
Last part of this passage,
divisive ness has no place in the king
in kingdom citizen.
I'm when we're gonna stop at that devices
divisive ness has no place
in kingdom
citizens,
since that is to say
that we are to avoid foolish controversies
to avoid gene ideologies and strife and conflicts
about the law for they are
unprofitable and worthless.
And to be clear, the law there is
talking about
to,
not talking about
country law.
But there is something about how we get
so wrapped up in
controversy
for the sake of controversy.
But here's the thing.
We are to reject
a fictitious
or a device Ci
man
after a first time in a second warning.
And this is
kind of where this is all kind of
coming to
our role and responsibility is as I already
said, if you find that I am not
preaching gospel,
you have every right to confront me about
it.
And if you hear that 1 of your
fellow brothers and sisters in Jesus,
speak in divisive manners,
It is okay to talk to them about
it.
It's okay to have that conversation with them.
In fact, I would say it's encouraged
Matthew
18 15.
If your brother has something against you, you
go to them.
Alone.
And if they don't listen to you, you
go to them
with 2 others
And if they still don't listen to you,
you go to them with the whole church.
And if they still don't listen to you.
I know this is harsh. Jesus says it,
though, you send them away.
But,
but,
and everybody always takes this passage out of
context in this 1 verse, but
right after that, Jesus also says, but where
2 or 3 are gathered in my name,
I am there among them.
After sending 1 out, you are praying for
their
return.
You pray for their reconciliation. You pray that
they understand
where they've been wrong
so that they might come back into comm
and fellowship
with the church body.
With the body of Christ. And I feel
like this is where we get it wrong
so much as Christians is we we become
really divisive toward 1 another, we call each
other out, but we don't call each other
out in truth and love and gentleness. We
call each other out in hate in malice
and and just like, you don't agree with
me.
And then we never pray for them.
We never pray for them.
First,
I recommend not going at them with malice,
but gentleness.
But then I recommend when you realize that
they're just gonna tin you being a divisive
person,
like,
you walk away
and you pray.
You pray for your brothers and sisters who
have not yet come to the full realization
that their actions are not
citizen of heaven
behavior.
Because we are to be first and foremost
kingdom of heaven
citizens
and we pray
for 1 another,
We pray for our world.
We pray for our country. We pray for
our leaders.
And we pray blessings
upon them.
We bless 1 another
in jesus name.
Let's pray.
Good and gracious God.
We have to trust you. We have to
turn to you
this you have to recognize you,
you have to follow you.
You're the only way. You've always been the
only way. You for you are the way,
the truth in the life and nobody comes
to the father, except through you.
And none of us can be
kingdom
citizens
without you,
because without you, we have no king for
our citizenship.
For you are our king.
And it's to you we submit, and we
follow and we live.
So what is it to be a follower
of Jesus,
not just as a kingdom citizen,
but as 1
who engages
in our world
in good citizenship,
primarily
because we worship you.
It's in christ's name we pray.
Amen.