God on the Ballot // Chris Holm

Sermon Summary:
In this sermon, we explore the concept of God's kingdom versus earthly political power through three biblical "elections." The first election occurs when Israel chooses a human king over God's direct rule. The second is when the crowd chooses Barabbas over Jesus. The third is God exalting Jesus as Lord over all. We learn that while political involvement is important, our primary citizenship is in God's kingdom. The sermon emphasizes that Jesus' kingship is fundamentally different from worldly power, characterized by humility and sacrifice. As followers of Christ, we're called to be involved in our society, maintain civility in political discourse, and remain confident in God's ultimate control. The message concludes with a vision of God's future reign and the assurance that His kingdom will prevail, regardless of earthly political outcomes.

Discussion Questions:

• How does the concept of God's kingdom differ from earthly political systems? How might this perspective change our approach to politics?
• In what ways do you see people today choosing "Barabbas" over Jesus in their priorities or values? How can we resist this tendency?
• How can we balance being involved citizens of our country while maintaining our primary identity as citizens of God's kingdom?
• Discuss practical ways we can maintain civility and love towards those with differing political views, especially in today's polarized climate.
  
  

Embody the Message:

• Pray for Leaders: Commit to regularly praying for political leaders across the spectrum. This cultivates a Christ-like attitude and reminds us of God's sovereignty.
• Practice Civility: Intentionally engage in respectful dialogue with those holding different political views. This reflects Christ's love and promotes unity within diversity.
• Kingdom Focus: Identify one way to prioritize God's kingdom values in your daily life this week. This helps align our lives with eternal purposes beyond temporal political concerns.