Video Notes: 

• The passage of Romans 13:1-7 addresses the primary purpose of the secular governments and our responsibility as Christians to live subject to these authorities as individuals. Notice that while individuals are addressed, there’s no mention of the church as a whole or as an organization doing something. 
• The Two Kingdoms (estates, governments, authorities) – Both are the reign of God. (Not left and right politically)
  • Kingdom of the Right
    • Gospel, grace, forgiveness, love, etc.
    • Spiritual
    • Eternal
    • Sacred
  • Kingdom of the Left
    • Law, order, rules, discipline/punishment
    • Physical
    • Temporal
    • Secular
  • The church largely operates in the Kingdom of the Right, though there are some elements of the Kingdom of the left (finances, etc.).
  • The state largely operates in the Kingdom of the Left. The state’s primary concern is peace and the well-being of its citizens.
  • Christians exist in both Kingdoms and seek to honor and serve in both Kingdoms.
• When it comes to politics in the church, there are two ways in which politics can exist in the church that I want to talk about today. Politics from the church as an organization and politics from individuals within the church.
  • Let’s start with politics from the church as an organization.
    • The church has no mandate or Biblical example of engaging in politics. We also aren’t forbidden from it. So, we must seek wisdom.
      • It ties the church to things of this earth which it can’t control rather than the things of God.
      • The church already has a mission. It isn’t political. It’s to make disciples of all people. To spend our efforts on temporal politics rather than the eternal matters of God’s Word, would be to miss the mission.
      • When the church engages in secular politics, the two Kingdoms are blurred. This almost always ends in the church being associated with Law rather than Gospel. This makes the mission of the church harder.
      • Politics are divisive. The Gospel is for all people. When the church becomes political, it starts to push away those of differing politics once again making the real mission harder.
    • I think the wise thing, generally, is for the organizational church to avoid politics with one very important and clear exception…where the Bible addresses the issue clearly.
      • The reality is that there are many moral/Biblical issues which have also become political issues. The church needs to teach and preach the full council of God’s Word. We cannot stop teaching about a part of the Bible just because it’s become a political issue. The church can and should address these issues, but address them within the context of the real mission of the church, to make disciples of all people, baptizing them and teaching them all that God has commanded.
  • What about politics with the people of the church?
    • Christians are going to have political opinions like any one else. Participating in our political system or serving in a position of the government is something that can be good and beneficial and means by which we serve our neighbor, though isn’t required. What should we do with those political opinions, though? I think there is room for these discussions, but again, we need to seek wisdom. 
      • Remember that you are ultimately a citizen of heaven. The politics of the day will come and go, but heaven is eternal.
      • The Bible ought to inform our opinions on topics addressed in the Bible.
      • Remember you are an ambassador of Christ. More important than winning a debate or changing someone’s mind about a political issue, is that the person know Jesus.
      • Assume the other person loves the country and wants good things.
      • Remember that we are to give honor and respect the people in authority due to their position.
      • Treat the other person/people with love and respect in your words and actions.
      • It’s good to come to an agreement, but that’s not always going to happen. When it doesn’t, disagree agreeably.