The Kind of Culture We're Trying to Create: Part 4 - A Different Kind of Citizen

The Kind of Culture We're Trying to Create: Part 4 - A Different Kind of Citizen

1. Righteous God, in humility and repentance we bring our failures in caring, helping, and loving, we bring the pain we have caused others, we bring the injustice in society, of which we are a part, to the transforming power of your grace. Grant us the courage to turn again toward the sunrise of your reign, that we may walk with you in the promise of peace you have willed for all. Amen. OPENING PRAYER

2. SUNDAY // MARCH 9

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5. THE KIND OF CULTURE WE’RE TRYING TO CREATE Part 4: A Different Kind of Citizen

6. The Declaration of Independence NAME SOMETHING THAT ISN’T IN THE BIBLE, BUT SOME FOLKS ACT LIKE IT IS

7. The Declaration of Independence The U.S. Constitution NAME SOMETHING THAT ISN’T IN THE BIBLE, BUT SOME FOLKS ACT LIKE IT IS

8. The Declaration of Independence The U.S. Constitution The Bill of Rights NAME SOMETHING THAT ISN’T IN THE BIBLE, BUT SOME FOLKS ACT LIKE IT IS

9. The Declaration of Independence The U.S. Constitution The Bill of Rights The Pledge of Allegiance NAME SOMETHING THAT ISN’T IN THE BIBLE, BUT SOME FOLKS ACT LIKE IT IS

10. The Declaration of Independence The U.S. Constitution The Bill of Rights The Pledge of Allegiance God Bless the USA, by Lee Greenwood NAME SOMETHING THAT ISN’T IN THE BIBLE, BUT SOME FOLKS ACT LIKE IT IS

11. Christian a person who professes enough faith in – and commitment to – Jesus, that they seek to live out his teachings with their whole self DEFINITIONS

12. Faith in Jesus is best described as allegiance to him as king… (this welds concepts like) mental agreement, Belief professed fealty, Confession and embodied loyalty… Citizenship Consistent trust in situations of duress over a lengthy period of time is allegiance .

13. Kingdom a country, state, territory, or governmental unit ruled by a king or queen DEFINITIONS

14. Foster strength in unity Systems for justice/accountability Safety/security domestically Provide for the nation’s defense Promote citizen’s general welfare Protect people’s liberties FUNCTIONS OF A NATION

15. KINGDOM IN THE BIBLE A King YHWH/Jesus Who rules God/Messiah Over a people Israelites/Church With a law to live by Old/New covenant And land to live on Canaan/World

16. Freedom of self expression Freedom of religion Right to a prompt/fair trial by jury Right to vote in public elections Right to run for elected office Pursuit of life, liberty, happiness SOME RIGHTS AS A CITIZEN

17. Support/defend * the Constitution Stay informed re: community issues Participate in democratic process Respect/obey fed/state/local laws Participate in your local community Pay taxes honestly and on time Serve on a jury when called upon Defend the country if need be * SOME RESPONSIBILITIES…

18. Christianity neither is, nor ever was, a part of the common law. Jefferson

19. Christianity neither is, nor ever was, a part of the common law. Jefferson The government of the United States is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion. Treaty Signed by Adams

20. Christianity neither is, nor ever was, a part of the common law. Jefferson The government of the United States is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion. Treaty Signed by Adams Religion and government will both exist in greater purity the less they are mixed together. Madison

21. Putting religion and politics together is like mixing ice cream with horse manure. It doesn’t hurt the horse manure; it ruins the ice cream.  TONY CAMPOLO

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23. The “take American back for God” slogan (presumes) it must have once belonged to God, but it’s not at all clear when this golden Christian age was…Was it before, during, or after Europeans “discovered” America and carried out the doctrine of “manifest destiny” (leading) white Christians to conquer the native inhabitants and steal their land?

24. Was it when whites massacred these Native Americans by the millions, broke just about every covenant they ever made with them, and then forced survivors into isolated reservations? Was it before, during, or after white Christians loaded five to six million Africans on cargo ships to bring them to the newfound country…?

25. Was it during the two centuries when Americans acquired remarkable wealth by the sweat and blood of their slaves? (Or was it following the Civil War, with) Jim Crow laws, along with ongoing violence , injustice, and dishonesty towards Native Americans?

26. America as a nation has clearly never looked remotely like Jesus. There was nothing distinctively Christlike about the way America was “discovered,” conquered, or governed in early years. The way (these things happened) was a rather typical, barbaric, violent, kingdom-of-the-world affair.

27. CONTRASTING KINGDOMS

28. Contrasting Trusts Sword -or- Cross ; Over -or- Under CONTRASTING KINGDOMS

29. Contrasting Trusts Sword -or- Cross ; Over -or- Under Contrasting Aims Control -or- Transformation ; Self interest -or- God’s will CONTRASTING KINGDOMS

30. Contrasting Trusts Sword -or- Cross ; Over -or- Under Contrasting Aims Control -or- Transformation ; Self interest -or- God’s will Contrasting Scopes Tribal -or- Universal CONTRASTING KINGDOMS

31. Contrasting Responses Eye-for-an-eye -or- Evil-with-good CONTRASTING KINGDOMS

32. Contrasting Responses Eye-for-an-eye -or- Evil-with-good Contrasting Battles Earthly enemies -or- Enemy love CONTRASTING KINGDOMS

33. For many in the United States and around the world, the American flag has smothered the glory of the cross, and the ugliness of our American version of Caesar has squelched the radiant love of Christ.

34. White Christian Nationalism is the most urgent threat to democracy and the witness of the Church in the United States today… - Dr. Jemar Tisby

35. THE HARM DONE BY CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM Damages God’s reputation Damages our integrity/witness Undermines our ability to be Christlike participants in a pluralistic society/world Contradicts our basic command to love our neighbors

36. ALLEGIANCE TO JESUS AS… A trustworthy King Who rules non-coercively * Over all of creation With a guiding law of love Spreading all over the world

37. A MATTHEW 5 CITIZEN Justice beyond the letter of the law Doesn’t allow anger to become contempt, or lust to be entertained Doesn’t use words to manipulate Doesn’t succumb to revenge Loves enemies, requires them to reckon with human dignity

38. A MATTHEW 6 CITIZEN Gives generously and quietly Prays earnestly and privately Fasts without drawing attention Refuses to succumb to worry, but trusts in God’s goodness, faithfulness, and daily presence

39. A MATTHEW 7 CITIZEN Rejects self-righteous superiority Treats others how you’d want to be treated…and how they want Looks for good/rotten fruit and the actions/thoughts/words that produce them Gives full allegiance to Jesus and the kingdom of God above all else

40. A MARK 12 CITIZEN Loves God with their whole heart, soul, mind, and strength Loves their neighbor as they love their own self Recognizes the indelible link between the two

41. A ROMANS 12 CITIZEN Doesn’t conform to the pattern of this world, but is transformed by the renewing of the mind Hates what is evil, clings to what is good Doesn’t repay evil with evil, but overcomes evil with good

42. A GALATIANS 5 CITIZEN Love Joy Peace Patience Kindness Goodness Faithfulness Gentleness Self-control Seeks the filling of the Spirit in a way that produces:

43. A PHILIPPIANS 2 CITIZEN Lives humbly, considering the needs/concerns of others Lives peacefully with one another, not succumbing to needless complaining or arguing

44. WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US We will never tell you who to vote for, but we will always challenge you to participate in a way that demonstrates allegiance to Jesus (if that applies for you), or in a way that considers the impact of policies and perspectives on the every-day lives of the vulnerable people Jesus spent his life serving

45. WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US We will continue to resist the rise of Christian Nationalism, and the imposition of Christ-less Christianity

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47. O God, you do not delight in pomp and show, but in a humble and contrite heart. Overturn our love of worldly possessions and power, and fix our hearts more firmly on you, that our allegiance would always be given to your Son, on behalf of all you have made. Amen. CLOSING PRAYER