ANGELS AND DEMONS

ANGELS AND DEMONS SERIES WEEK 5

EXILES AND CITIZENS: HOW CHRISTIANS SHOULD ENGAGE IN POLITICS

Jamin Metcalf – November 8, 2020

SUMMARY: In this time of political controversy, we need to spend more time looking at our own heart rather than looking around.

1. We are exiles in a world ruled by dark spiritual powers. (Ephesians 6:12)

· The Bible is clear that the evil and suffering in our world is not just physical but spiritual. Evil is not merely result of man’s ignorance and selfishness (though that is certainly is part of it), but a result of cosmic forces that have rebelled against God.

· All of us know that the world is not the way it ought to be. We feel it in our bones. Our hearts ache and groan because of it—especially in these “unprecedented times”. We are homesick exiles longing to return to our father like the prodigal son.

2. We are citizens of heaven. (Jeremiah 29:11-14; Ephesians 2:1-7)

· Despite our exile, God in his abundant grace has made us citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20). We may be exiles in this world, but because of Christ’s death and resurrection we are no longer of this world!

· To be “in” but not “of” the world means that though still live a broken world, we are no longer under the authority of that brokenness. We are made “alive together with Christ” and now God has commissioned us to spread his Kingdom of Love and reconciliation throughout the world.

3. We must work to transform our communities from the inside out, not the outside in.

(Jeremiah 29:11-14; Ephesians 2:1-7; Luke 11:39; Romans 12:2, 9-18; Matthew 7:4-5)

· Jeremiah says, “Build houses”, “plant gardens”, and have children. He is describing the building of a good family, a household, a community. It is only after this that Jeremiah says, “seek the welfare of the city”.

· It is only after the hearts of exiles like Daniel were completely devoted to the Lord, after they had brought God’s goodness to their own homes, that they were prepared to bring justice and wisdom to the empires of Babylon and Persia.

Discussion Questions

1. How easy is it for you to forget that we are exiles in a world ruled by dark spiritual powers? How easy is it for Christians to get too comfortable and forget that this is not our eternal home? How does this impact how we interact with the culture around us?

2. How can we practically be “in” but not “of” this world? How can we practically and tangible demonstrate love, reconciliation, and unity, especially at this time?

3. How can we work to transform our communities from the inside out? Looking inside: Where do you see a need in your heart and in your family that needs God’s attention first? Looking outside: Where do you see a need for love, justice, and wisdom right outside your front door?

Full Podcast Episode: https://banner.church/podcast/2021/1/14/angels-and-demons-110820