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Righteous God, in humility and repentance
we bring our failures in caring, helping, and loving,
we bring the pain we have caused others,
we bring the injustice in society, of which we
are a part, to the transforming power of your grace.
Grant us the courage to turn again toward the sunrise
of your reign, that we may walk with you in the
promise of peace you have willed for all. Amen.
OPENING PRAYER
SUNDAY // MARCH 9
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
THE KIND OF CULTURE
WE’RE TRYING TO CREATE
Part 4: A Different Kind of Citizen
• The Declaration of Independence
NAME SOMETHING THAT
ISN’T IN THE BIBLE, BUT
SOME FOLKS ACT LIKE IT IS
• The Declaration of Independence
• The U.S. Constitution
NAME SOMETHING THAT
ISN’T IN THE BIBLE, BUT
SOME FOLKS ACT LIKE IT IS
• The Declaration of Independence
• The U.S. Constitution
• The Bill of Rights
NAME SOMETHING THAT
ISN’T IN THE BIBLE, BUT
SOME FOLKS ACT LIKE IT IS
• The Declaration of Independence
• The U.S. Constitution
• The Bill of Rights
• The Pledge of Allegiance
NAME SOMETHING THAT
ISN’T IN THE BIBLE, BUT
SOME FOLKS ACT LIKE IT IS
• The Declaration of Independence
• The U.S. Constitution
• The Bill of Rights
• The Pledge of Allegiance
• God Bless the USA, by Lee Greenwood
NAME SOMETHING THAT
ISN’T IN THE BIBLE, BUT
SOME FOLKS ACT LIKE IT IS
The Kind of Culture We're Trying to Create: Part 4 - A Different Kind of Citizen
The Kind of Culture We're Trying to Create: Part 4 - A Different Kind of Citizen
Christian
a person who professes enough
faith in – and commitment to –
Jesus, that they seek to live out
his teachings with their whole self
DEFINITIONS
Faith in Jesus is best described
as allegiance to him as king…
(this welds concepts like)
mental agreement, Belief
professed fealty, Confession
and embodied loyalty… Citizenship
Consistent trust in situations
of duress over a lengthy period
of time is allegiance.
Kingdom
a country, state, territory,
or governmental unit
ruled by a king or queen
DEFINITIONS
• Foster strength in unity
• Systems for justice/accountability
• Safety/security domestically
• Provide for the nation’s defense
• Promote citizen’s general welfare
• Protect people’s liberties
FUNCTIONS OF A NATION
KINGDOM IN THE BIBLE
1. A King YHWH/Jesus
2. Who rules God/Messiah
3. Over a people Israelites/Church
4. With a law to live by Old/New covenant
5. And land to live on Canaan/World
• Freedom of self expression
• Freedom of religion
• Right to a prompt/fair trial by jury
• Right to vote in public elections
• Right to run for elected office
• Pursuit of life, liberty, happiness
SOME RIGHTS AS A CITIZEN
• Support/defend* the Constitution
• Stay informed re: community issues
• Participate in democratic process
• Respect/obey fed/state/local laws
• Participate in your local community
• Pay taxes honestly and on time
• Serve on a jury when called upon
• Defend the country if need be*
SOME RESPONSIBILITIES…
Christianity neither is, nor ever was,
a part of the common law. Jefferson
Christianity neither is, nor ever was,
a part of the common law. Jefferson
The government of the United States
is not in any sense founded on the
Christian religion. Treaty Signed by Adams
Christianity neither is, nor ever was,
a part of the common law. Jefferson
The government of the United States
is not in any sense founded on the
Christian religion. Treaty Signed by Adams
Religion and government will both
exist in greater purity the less they
are mixed together. Madison
Putting religion and politics together
is like mixing ice cream with horse
manure. It doesn’t hurt the horse
manure; it ruins the ice cream.
TONY
CAMPOLO
(?!
The “take American back for God”
slogan (presumes) it must have once
belonged to God, but it’s not at all
clear when this golden Christian age
was…Was it before, during, or after
Europeans “discovered” America and
carried out the doctrine of “manifest
destiny” (leading) white Christians
to conquer the native inhabitants and
steal their land?
Was it when whites massacred these
Native Americans by the millions,
broke just about every covenant
they ever made with them, and
then forced survivors into isolated
reservations? Was it before, during,
or after white Christians loaded five
to six million Africans on cargo ships
to bring them to the newfound
country…?
Was it during the two centuries
when Americans acquired
remarkable wealth by the sweat
and blood of their slaves? (Or was
it following the Civil War, with)
Jim Crow laws, along with ongoing
violence , injustice, and dishonesty
towards Native Americans?
America as a nation has clearly
never looked remotely like Jesus.
There was nothing distinctively
Christlike about the way America
was “discovered,” conquered,
or governed in early years.
The way (these things happened)
was a rather typical, barbaric,
violent, kingdom-of-the-world affair.
CONTRASTING KINGDOMS
Contrasting Trusts
Sword-or- Cross; Over -or- Under
CONTRASTING KINGDOMS
Contrasting Trusts
Sword-or- Cross; Over -or- Under
Contrasting Aims
Control-or- Transformation;
Self interest -or- God’s will
CONTRASTING KINGDOMS
Contrasting Trusts
Sword-or- Cross; Over -or- Under
Contrasting Aims
Control-or- Transformation;
Self interest -or- God’s will
Contrasting Scopes
Tribal-or- Universal
CONTRASTING KINGDOMS
Contrasting Responses
Eye-for-an-eye-or- Evil-with-good
CONTRASTING KINGDOMS
Contrasting Responses
Eye-for-an-eye-or- Evil-with-good
Contrasting Battles
Earthly enemies -or- Enemy love
CONTRASTING KINGDOMS
For many in the United States and
around the world, the American flag
has smothered the glory of the cross,
and the ugliness of our American
version of Caesar has squelched
the radiant love of Christ.
White Christian Nationalism is the
most urgent threat to democracy
and the witness of the Church
in the United States today…
- Dr. Jemar Tisby
THE HARM DONE BY
CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM
• Damages God’s reputation
• Damages our integrity/witness
• Undermines our ability
to be Christlike participants
in a pluralistic society/world
• Contradicts our basic command
to love our neighbors
ALLEGIANCE TO JESUS AS…
1. A trustworthy King
2. Who rules non-coercively *
3. Over all of creation
4. With a guiding law of love
5. Spreading all over the world
A MATTHEW 5 CITIZEN
• Justice beyond the letter of the law
• Doesn’t allow anger to become
contempt, or lust to be entertained
• Doesn’t use words to manipulate
• Doesn’t succumb to revenge
• Loves enemies, requires them
to reckon with human dignity
A MATTHEW 6 CITIZEN
• Gives generously and quietly
• Prays earnestly and privately
• Fasts without drawing attention
• Refuses to succumb to worry,
but trusts in God’s goodness,
faithfulness, and daily presence
A MATTHEW 7 CITIZEN
• Rejects self-righteous superiority
• Treats others how you’d want
to be treated…and how they want
• Looks for good/rotten fruit
and the actions/thoughts/words
that produce them
• Gives full allegiance to Jesus and
the kingdom of God above all else
A MARK 12 CITIZEN
• Loves God with their whole heart,
soul, mind, and strength
• Loves their neighbor as they
love their own self
• Recognizes the indelible link
between the two
A ROMANS 12 CITIZEN
• Doesn’t conform to the pattern
of this world, but is transformed
by the renewing of the mind
• Hates what is evil, clings to
what is good
• Doesn’t repay evil with evil,
but overcomes evil with good
A GALATIANS 5 CITIZEN
• Love
• Joy
• Peace
• Patience
• Kindness
• Goodness • Faithfulness
• Gentleness
• Self-control
Seeks the filling of the Spirit
in a way that produces:
A PHILIPPIANS 2 CITIZEN
• Lives humbly, considering
the needs/concerns of others
• Lives peacefully with one another,
not succumbing to needless
complaining or arguing
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US
• We will never tell you who to vote for,
but we will always challenge you to
participate in a way that demonstrates
allegiance to Jesus (if that applies for you),
or in a way that considers the impact
of policies and perspectives on the
every-day lives of the vulnerable
people Jesus spent his life serving
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US
• We will continue to resist the rise
of Christian Nationalism, and the
imposition of Christ-less Christianity
*
O God, you do not delight
in pomp and show, but in a humble
and contrite heart. Overturn our love
of worldly possessions and power,
and fix our hearts more firmly on you,
that our allegiance would always be given
to your Son, on behalf of all you have made.
Amen.
CLOSING PRAYER

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The Kind of Culture We're Trying to Create: Part 4 - A Different Kind of Citizen

  • 1. Righteous God, in humility and repentance we bring our failures in caring, helping, and loving, we bring the pain we have caused others, we bring the injustice in society, of which we are a part, to the transforming power of your grace. Grant us the courage to turn again toward the sunrise of your reign, that we may walk with you in the promise of peace you have willed for all. Amen. OPENING PRAYER
  • 5. THE KIND OF CULTURE WE’RE TRYING TO CREATE Part 4: A Different Kind of Citizen
  • 6. • The Declaration of Independence NAME SOMETHING THAT ISN’T IN THE BIBLE, BUT SOME FOLKS ACT LIKE IT IS
  • 7. • The Declaration of Independence • The U.S. Constitution NAME SOMETHING THAT ISN’T IN THE BIBLE, BUT SOME FOLKS ACT LIKE IT IS
  • 8. • The Declaration of Independence • The U.S. Constitution • The Bill of Rights NAME SOMETHING THAT ISN’T IN THE BIBLE, BUT SOME FOLKS ACT LIKE IT IS
  • 9. • The Declaration of Independence • The U.S. Constitution • The Bill of Rights • The Pledge of Allegiance NAME SOMETHING THAT ISN’T IN THE BIBLE, BUT SOME FOLKS ACT LIKE IT IS
  • 10. • The Declaration of Independence • The U.S. Constitution • The Bill of Rights • The Pledge of Allegiance • God Bless the USA, by Lee Greenwood NAME SOMETHING THAT ISN’T IN THE BIBLE, BUT SOME FOLKS ACT LIKE IT IS
  • 13. Christian a person who professes enough faith in – and commitment to – Jesus, that they seek to live out his teachings with their whole self DEFINITIONS
  • 14. Faith in Jesus is best described as allegiance to him as king… (this welds concepts like) mental agreement, Belief professed fealty, Confession and embodied loyalty… Citizenship Consistent trust in situations of duress over a lengthy period of time is allegiance.
  • 15. Kingdom a country, state, territory, or governmental unit ruled by a king or queen DEFINITIONS
  • 16. • Foster strength in unity • Systems for justice/accountability • Safety/security domestically • Provide for the nation’s defense • Promote citizen’s general welfare • Protect people’s liberties FUNCTIONS OF A NATION
  • 17. KINGDOM IN THE BIBLE 1. A King YHWH/Jesus 2. Who rules God/Messiah 3. Over a people Israelites/Church 4. With a law to live by Old/New covenant 5. And land to live on Canaan/World
  • 18. • Freedom of self expression • Freedom of religion • Right to a prompt/fair trial by jury • Right to vote in public elections • Right to run for elected office • Pursuit of life, liberty, happiness SOME RIGHTS AS A CITIZEN
  • 19. • Support/defend* the Constitution • Stay informed re: community issues • Participate in democratic process • Respect/obey fed/state/local laws • Participate in your local community • Pay taxes honestly and on time • Serve on a jury when called upon • Defend the country if need be* SOME RESPONSIBILITIES…
  • 20. Christianity neither is, nor ever was, a part of the common law. Jefferson
  • 21. Christianity neither is, nor ever was, a part of the common law. Jefferson The government of the United States is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion. Treaty Signed by Adams
  • 22. Christianity neither is, nor ever was, a part of the common law. Jefferson The government of the United States is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion. Treaty Signed by Adams Religion and government will both exist in greater purity the less they are mixed together. Madison
  • 23. Putting religion and politics together is like mixing ice cream with horse manure. It doesn’t hurt the horse manure; it ruins the ice cream. TONY CAMPOLO
  • 24. (?!
  • 25. The “take American back for God” slogan (presumes) it must have once belonged to God, but it’s not at all clear when this golden Christian age was…Was it before, during, or after Europeans “discovered” America and carried out the doctrine of “manifest destiny” (leading) white Christians to conquer the native inhabitants and steal their land?
  • 26. Was it when whites massacred these Native Americans by the millions, broke just about every covenant they ever made with them, and then forced survivors into isolated reservations? Was it before, during, or after white Christians loaded five to six million Africans on cargo ships to bring them to the newfound country…?
  • 27. Was it during the two centuries when Americans acquired remarkable wealth by the sweat and blood of their slaves? (Or was it following the Civil War, with) Jim Crow laws, along with ongoing violence , injustice, and dishonesty towards Native Americans?
  • 28. America as a nation has clearly never looked remotely like Jesus. There was nothing distinctively Christlike about the way America was “discovered,” conquered, or governed in early years. The way (these things happened) was a rather typical, barbaric, violent, kingdom-of-the-world affair.
  • 30. Contrasting Trusts Sword-or- Cross; Over -or- Under CONTRASTING KINGDOMS
  • 31. Contrasting Trusts Sword-or- Cross; Over -or- Under Contrasting Aims Control-or- Transformation; Self interest -or- God’s will CONTRASTING KINGDOMS
  • 32. Contrasting Trusts Sword-or- Cross; Over -or- Under Contrasting Aims Control-or- Transformation; Self interest -or- God’s will Contrasting Scopes Tribal-or- Universal CONTRASTING KINGDOMS
  • 34. Contrasting Responses Eye-for-an-eye-or- Evil-with-good Contrasting Battles Earthly enemies -or- Enemy love CONTRASTING KINGDOMS
  • 35. For many in the United States and around the world, the American flag has smothered the glory of the cross, and the ugliness of our American version of Caesar has squelched the radiant love of Christ.
  • 36. White Christian Nationalism is the most urgent threat to democracy and the witness of the Church in the United States today… - Dr. Jemar Tisby
  • 37. THE HARM DONE BY CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM • Damages God’s reputation • Damages our integrity/witness • Undermines our ability to be Christlike participants in a pluralistic society/world • Contradicts our basic command to love our neighbors
  • 38. ALLEGIANCE TO JESUS AS… 1. A trustworthy King 2. Who rules non-coercively * 3. Over all of creation 4. With a guiding law of love 5. Spreading all over the world
  • 39. A MATTHEW 5 CITIZEN • Justice beyond the letter of the law • Doesn’t allow anger to become contempt, or lust to be entertained • Doesn’t use words to manipulate • Doesn’t succumb to revenge • Loves enemies, requires them to reckon with human dignity
  • 40. A MATTHEW 6 CITIZEN • Gives generously and quietly • Prays earnestly and privately • Fasts without drawing attention • Refuses to succumb to worry, but trusts in God’s goodness, faithfulness, and daily presence
  • 41. A MATTHEW 7 CITIZEN • Rejects self-righteous superiority • Treats others how you’d want to be treated…and how they want • Looks for good/rotten fruit and the actions/thoughts/words that produce them • Gives full allegiance to Jesus and the kingdom of God above all else
  • 42. A MARK 12 CITIZEN • Loves God with their whole heart, soul, mind, and strength • Loves their neighbor as they love their own self • Recognizes the indelible link between the two
  • 43. A ROMANS 12 CITIZEN • Doesn’t conform to the pattern of this world, but is transformed by the renewing of the mind • Hates what is evil, clings to what is good • Doesn’t repay evil with evil, but overcomes evil with good
  • 44. A GALATIANS 5 CITIZEN • Love • Joy • Peace • Patience • Kindness • Goodness • Faithfulness • Gentleness • Self-control Seeks the filling of the Spirit in a way that produces:
  • 45. A PHILIPPIANS 2 CITIZEN • Lives humbly, considering the needs/concerns of others • Lives peacefully with one another, not succumbing to needless complaining or arguing
  • 46. WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US • We will never tell you who to vote for, but we will always challenge you to participate in a way that demonstrates allegiance to Jesus (if that applies for you), or in a way that considers the impact of policies and perspectives on the every-day lives of the vulnerable people Jesus spent his life serving
  • 47. WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US • We will continue to resist the rise of Christian Nationalism, and the imposition of Christ-less Christianity
  • 48. *
  • 49. O God, you do not delight in pomp and show, but in a humble and contrite heart. Overturn our love of worldly possessions and power, and fix our hearts more firmly on you, that our allegiance would always be given to your Son, on behalf of all you have made. Amen. CLOSING PRAYER