These are the remarks I shared from the platform of New Hope Church on the Sunday following the assault on the United States Capitol Building. They remain true today.
Before we get started today I must acknowledge what came to a head at the US Capitol on Wednesday, January 6, 2021. What took place is the result of reckless political rhetoric and unbridled idolatry. What was on display was that shaped by a corrupt public theology of glory and power. Brothers and sisters in Christ, our lives must be shaped by a biblical theology of the cross. That is a theology in which we deny ourselves, walk with humility, give honor where honor is due, love our neighbor, receive and give away the gospel, and bear reproach–together–for the glory of Christ.
As your pastor I know there are many varied thoughts and feelings about these things within our church family. But we will focus on what centers all disciples of Jesus. First, “God is not the author of confusion” (1 Corinthians 14:33), and He does not give us “a spirit of fear” (2 Timothy 1:7). Secondly, we must “pray for kings and others in power” (1 Timothy 2:2). This includes Donald Trump. This includes Joe Biden. This includes our congressional leaders, our state officials, and so forth. Thirdly, God is sufficiently mighty to bring truth, justice, peace and order—“everything is possible” through Him (Mark 14:36). And lastly, we must remember that chiefly, because of His suffering, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, “our citizenship is in Heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives” and reigns supreme (Philippians 3:20). That citizenship bests all others.
With these truths in mind, I exhort you to join with me in praying diligently and in a repentant spirit for justice, truth, humility, shalom, and wisdom to rule over the affairs of our nation, our community, and our lives. Let me also invite you to continue leaning–together as one church–into Christ and His purposes and power as a much needed and timely witness to a watching world.