Emmanuel has been doing a 6 part small group study called ONWARD. The six parts of the study (Kingdom, Culture, Mission, Human Dignity, Family Stability, Convictional Kindness) are based on Russell Moore's book by the same name. One of the chapters in the book and not in the study is Religious Liberty. This chapter is filled with a lot of challenging truths and clarifications. Here are some quotes and additional thoughts about Religious Liberty.
In clarifying the concept of “separation of church and state,” Moore writes “Church/state separation means that the church does not bear Caesar’s sword in enforcing the gospel, and that Caesar’s sword is not to be wielded against the free consciences of persons made in the image of God.” We need to understand that it is the Gospel, not Congress, that changes the heart.
Another quote that was very challenging is “Christians should fight for the liberty of Muslims to be Muslims, to worship in mosques and to freely seek to persuade others that the Koran is a true revelation of God. This isn’t because we believe Islamic claims, but precisely because we don’t. If we really believe the gospel is the power of God unto salvation, we don’t need bureaucrats to herd people into cowering before it.”
As I was reading through this specific chapter, my hope in God and the Gospel in the midst of our culture was stirred.
Do you really believe Jesus changes lives?
If your answer is YES!!, how is that reflected in your thoughts and actions.
“The Gospel is big enough to fight for itself.” HERE is a link to a very short blog post entitled “Its Own Evangelist.”
Do you really believe Jesus changes lives?
If your answer is YES!!, how is that reflected in your thoughts and actions.
“The Gospel is big enough to fight for itself.” HERE is a link to a very short blog post entitled “Its Own Evangelist.”
How should Religious Liberty impact our prayer times?
“When we pray for those in prison for their faith, we remember that the Gospel came to use in letters written from jail.”
“When we weep for those who are (sometimes literally) crucified in the Middle East, we are reminded that our Lord isn’t a life coach or a guru but a crucified Messiah.”
“When we pray for those in prison for their faith, we remember that the Gospel came to use in letters written from jail.”
“When we weep for those who are (sometimes literally) crucified in the Middle East, we are reminded that our Lord isn’t a life coach or a guru but a crucified Messiah.”
We pray for those who are suffering for their faith. We remember those who suffered for their faith and glorified God through the suffering. We ask God to help us suffer well for His glory.
When we hear about those who are beaten for their faith, we weep for them and we run to the One who suffered for our sin.
When we hear about those who are beaten for their faith, we weep for them and we run to the One who suffered for our sin.
How should Religious Liberty impact the way we live as a church?
“Religious Liberty is a much about children’s Sunday school as it is about the Supreme Court – indeed more so. If we’re going to claim a future for liberty, we must remember why we have it: for the gospel and the advance of the mission. If our descendants love this gospel, and see themselves first as citizens of the kingdom, they won’t flinch when a terrorist group threatens to cut off their heads, since they know Christ.”
“Religious Liberty is a much about children’s Sunday school as it is about the Supreme Court – indeed more so. If we’re going to claim a future for liberty, we must remember why we have it: for the gospel and the advance of the mission. If our descendants love this gospel, and see themselves first as citizens of the kingdom, they won’t flinch when a terrorist group threatens to cut off their heads, since they know Christ.”
I wrestled with this Sunday school/Supreme Court connection for quite some time.
Bottom line is this Sunday school gives the church the opportunity and responsibility of teaching children and adults that their hope needs to be first and foremost in Christ, in heaven and not in the courts of this land. Now don’t get me wrong. We do need to pray about elections and leaders. We do need to responsibly vote. We do need to pray for our elected official. AND we need to Hope in God.
This voting is not done as our desperate attempt to save mankind.
This voting is done as a spiritual act of worship. Responsibly trusting in God to work out all things for His glory.
Bottom line is this Sunday school gives the church the opportunity and responsibility of teaching children and adults that their hope needs to be first and foremost in Christ, in heaven and not in the courts of this land. Now don’t get me wrong. We do need to pray about elections and leaders. We do need to responsibly vote. We do need to pray for our elected official. AND we need to Hope in God.
This voting is not done as our desperate attempt to save mankind.
This voting is done as a spiritual act of worship. Responsibly trusting in God to work out all things for His glory.
