CITIZENS OF HEAVEN
Introduction:
Our society has grown increasingly divided. In a world with less faith, many in the broader culture have made politics their identity. This has divided families, friends, even churches. As followers of Jesus, politics matter because policies are about people, those we are called to love and serve with the Gospel. But as we engage the “what” of politics the “how” must take priority. The “how” of Jesus politics are Hope and Humility.
These are the guiding values for the Citizens of Heaven, those who have been sent by God into this world to prepare people, to point them, to the One to come. To do this successfully, we must begin by changing our mind about who we are. We are not people waiting to go to heaven, but people eagerly waiting for the return of our Savior and King. A King who is coming to judge the world, but then restore it and give us a new body and a renewed calling to reign with him. We are destined for glory. This is our future, and it should motivate us, assure us, and center us on what is most important.
As citizens of heaven, we’re called to engage the present world with the values of heaven. People who believe in the resurrection, in God’s renewing of the world in which everything will be set right, are motivated to work for that new world today. Only God can bring His kingdom to the earth, but our job is to build for the kingdom. Our labor, our service, is not in vain in the Lord. God sees our acts of service as seeds to the new world he is bringing.
In the next many weeks, drawing from the Gospel of Mark, we will look at how Jesus engaged the politics of His day. He did it not by taking a side, but by inviting people to a higher life, to a better story. His story and His life. He lived in a way that has forever changed the world and set the course for His church. His life continues to challenge us and speaks in important ways to us today.
Additional Resources:
Over the course of this series, we will be releasing special extended discussions with experts in the community. These include a conversation with author and professor Richard Middleton, an interview with Rochester mayor Malik Evans, and a pastors roundtable featuring Pastor Rob and colleagues. These conversations are available on our Browncroft YouTube channel, here.
Additionally, our pastoral and creative staff have put together a prayer guide to use in personal, group, and corporate prayer settings this season. You can access that resource by clicking here.