Purpose: Replace political anxiety with faithful citizenship under King Jesus.
Relating to Governments & Politics
Common Responses to Politics: Fear, Anger, Ease, Escape.
- A Better Way: Faithfulness
“These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus” (Acts 17:6-7).
3 Responses to Rome in Jesus’ Day:
- We could FIGHT like a Zealot, RETREAT like an Essene, or BLEND IN like a Herodian.
• Rome used terms like “gospel, Lord, Son of God, King, Savior, kingdom, peace, faith, freedom, and righteousness” to praise Caesar and the Empire. Early Christians used these terms and flipped Rome’s “gospel” upside down and declare the true King and his kingdom.
REVOLUTION WITHOUT REBELLION: Early Christians proclaimed another King, while honoring earthly rulers.
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matt. 28:18).
• Jesus isn’t just head of the church; he’s King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Rev. 17:14).
Exile Life in “The City”
• Paul called himself a citizen of Rome (Acts 22:27), but also said: “our citizenship is in heaven” (Phil. 3:20).
Jeremiah told the exiles in Babylon to:
- Plant gardens
- Build houses
- Pray on their behalf
- Seek the welfare of the city
(Jer. 29:5-7)
* Examples of the exile ethic: Joseph, Daniel, Esther, and Paul.
- All blessed the kingdom they lived in without becoming truly part of them.
Ambassadors of the True King
Peter encourages Christians living during Nero’s reign of terror in 1 Peter 2 and 3.
- ”Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor” (1 Pet. 2:17).
- “Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Pet. 3:14-15).
- God has planted his people like an Embassy inside the nations of the world (2 Cor. 5).