This is a sermon preview for the first week of our “One” series.
Visit FBCM’s Church Center Channel to view video live stream (live) or audio version of sermon (published week after).
“Jesus looked toward heaven and prayed, ‘Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.’”
-excerpt from John 17:1-5; 20-24
Authority is one of those things we have a love-hate relationship with. We love the idea of having all the authority ourselves, but we hate the responsibility that comes with it. We love the order an authority figure brings to our lives, but we hate following rules that we don’t get a say in. We love the security we feel under a good authority figure, but we hate the risk that corruption can strike at any time.
If there’s ever a time when the concept of “authority” is on our mind, then it’s definitely election week during a presidential cycle. We can’t help but wonder, or worry, what life will look like under the plans, policies, and authority of the new executive branch.
Would it help take the edge off of this week if I told you that the scriptures tell us exactly what life will look like under the authority of the soon-to-be elected president?
The answer may not be what you’d expect.
Let’s be clear: the Bible does not tell us which political party to vote for. The Bible is not a crystal ball that shows us the future calculations of the ballots in strategic swing states. The Bible does not even mention anything about the United States specifically, and anyone who tells you otherwise is selling something.
But what the Bible does show us is what authority looks like: Jesus Christ.
Voting is a privilege and a right that I encourage everyone to exercise next Tuesday. As a self-proclaimed policy nerd, I agree that it’s important to stay informed from reliable news resources on a wide variety of platforms because policy decisions have very real and lasting effects on everyday life. And as we’ve all been meditating on for nine weeks, we should vote for people and policies which help all of us to practice the fruits of the Spirit in tangible ways.
With that being said, in the same breath, it’s important for Christians to keep this election–every election–in perspective. The fate of our country is not determined in the election. The end of the world is not determined by this election. That would be giving way too much power to the presidential office. It’s an important office, but even the President of the United States has limitations.
But there is one who is without limits. He is the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end. There is an authority who rules before this election and will continue to rule after this election. There is an authority who–no matter what division this election cycle threatens–has promised to make us one. His name is Jesus, and he is the most gracious, loving, and perfect authority you will ever have the joy of living under.
Tuesday’s election is a moment history will remember, but it will remain fleeting in time. But we get the hope of clinging to Jesus’ promise in John 17: that we may live eternally as one, through Christ. “This is,” as one of my favorite children’s books says, “God’s very, very good idea.”
Reflection Questions
What do you think it looks like to recognize God’s authority during election week?
What do you consider to be a Christian’s strongest witness for Jesus? Where would unity rank on your list of witnessing tools?
What does it look like for our congregation, our community, and the global church to remain one under the authority of God, even in the face of our many differences?