Unstoppable. Many in our country associate that term with a certain person running for the highest office in the land, the thought of which brings either great enthusiasm or great consternation. This Sunday's sermon spoke of another unstoppable person...the One who trumps all others! Of course, I speak of Jesus Christ. Our pastor has been doing a sermon series titled The Week That Changed the World, where we've been examining the events between Palm Sunday and Resurrection Sunday. These messages have been so timely, not only because it's Holy Week, but because of the timeless truths that reach down through the ages to speak to us--right here, right now--in the midst of a seemingly chaotic time in our country.
As Christians we have been spoiled by living in a country that was blessed by being founded on Judeo-Christian principles. I think that's part of the reason why we often confuse church and state and why we mourn so much at the loss of a Christian consensus. But the reality is that we are living in a post-Christian America and the only ones we have to blame is ourselves, i.e., the church. The twentieth century was not a good one for the American church. The import of rationalism via liberal theology in the first half of the century and the man-centered focus on a psychologized gospel in the second half left little room for truth. And when Truth exits the building, Power is not far behind. The good news is that seeing the sharp difference between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of man (i.e. politics, government, etc.) can awaken us to our idolatry and help us to clarify where our loyalties lie. To phrase it in terms of the first sermon in this series, whose parade are you marching in--Caesar's or Christ's?
Too often it seems to me that we think we can change the culture by our political engagement. While it is true that as Christians we are to function as salt and light in society and exercise dominion at every level, we will never produce lasting change from the top down. Even with President George W. Bush, a man vocal and unashamed about his Christian faith and who served at the pinnacle of power in this country for eight years, abortion still exists and the country is more ungodly than ever. Expecting a political ruler to do what only Christ can do is pure idolatry. Only Jesus can change the human heart, and He has commissioned His church to preach the gospel of repentance and trust in Him for the forgiveness of sins and the power to
live a life of righteousness. As we are faithful to this calling, society will be changed from the bottom up.
We are living in chaotic times. If God did not spare His people Israel, why should we be any different when we reject Him as a nation. The Lord often exercises punishment by allowing us to eat the fruit of our sin, so to speak (Prov. 1:29-31). We may be in for a rocky ride, but we can take heart because we know our God is sovereign over the affairs of men. And if you, like me, think the electorate has gone mad (in both senses of the word) or that God has sent a delusion to confuse people's minds as judgement (II Thess. 2:11), take comfort in the fact that God works all things according to the counsel of His will (Eph. 1:11). In other words, He has a plan and He's working it! Finally, we get to the best part! JESUS AND HIS KINGDOM ARE UNSTOPPABLE!!!
Adversaries, be they the religious establishment, political rulers, demons, Satan, death itself, cannot stop Jesus from fulfilling His saving mission on our behalf. After His resurrection He appeared to His disciples and prefaced His commission to them with the words "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples..."(Mt. 28:18-19). That is where true power for change lies, not in any political candidate or party, but in the truth of God's Word and the power of His Holy Spirit. Let us remember that and be encouraged that nothing we face can halt the progression of the Kingdom of God. We have an all-powerful King who can work miracles, and He has enlisted us in the church to bring about transformation as we proclaim the gospel of His unstoppable kingdom by word and deed. Let's get to it!
