This is my manuscript from a sermon I preached on November 1, 2020 as we anticipate the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
November 1, 2020 Scripture: Philippians 4:2-9 Theme: same mind of Jesus
Here we are once again, on the eve of a national election. An election that feels like it has been going on for years. We have a president, congressional leaders, and local leaders to elect and my TV and mailbox are both bulging with commercials, fliers, and what has felt like a non-ending barrage of words – often hateful words.
In my life, I don’t believe there has ever been a time when we are more divided. Some might say we were this way during the Kennedy/Nixon-Vietnam/Watergate years, but I’m not so sure. The rancor, the bitterness, the polarization, the disagreements and the nonsense have been exhausting. Blaming has become currency. Politics is a game of short-term winning, where no one wants to give an inch or seek any compromise. To even hint that you might disagree will lump and dump you in a corner.
The philosopher Charles Shultz said through his peanuts character Linus “there are 3 things that I have learned not to discuss with people: religion, politics and the great pumpkin.” (Now even the great pumpkin is a politically charged conversation). With all the hoopla around the musical Hamilton, I heard one commentator wonder aloud if we should go back to a more civilized time and bring back political dueling? They were joking, but they also had to later issue a formal apology for the joke.
The French philosopher Joseph de Maistre said “Every nation gets the government it deserves.” Thomas Jefferson furthered that thought with “The government you elect is the government you deserve.” If those ideas are true, then what we are experiencing right now may say more about us as a people then it does about the people we are electing. We are society that is teetering on the very edge of a division that some wonder if we’ve already reached the point of no return.
Linus’ comment is often stated in preparations for Thanksgivings all across the country – don’t talk about religion or politics and everyone will be fine. But I love what author Julianna Baggott says “I believe that one of the most damming things about our culture is the adage to never talk religion or politics. Because we don’t model this discourse at the dinner table and at Thanksgiving, we don’t know how to do it well and we’re not teaching our children about the world and about how to discuss it.”
I can already sense our unease – “what’s the pastor doing – where’s he going with this?” Friends, the division we are facing – as a nation, as a people, even within the church – is something we MUST speak about. There is anxiety about Tuesday’s election and it is exactly because of that anxiety that I am compelled to speak about some uneasy things this morning. “But hold on preacher, you can’t talk about politics in the pulpit; we have a separation of church and state.” Never has there been a more misused amendment than this one – much less misquoted.
The first amendment to the constitution says: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
This amendment protects citizens from a national religion and keeps congress from controlling how the citizens of this country worship. It does not mean that the church should not or cannot talk about politics or the government. It does not mean we are not allowed to share values or beliefs. It does not mean that a church is denied the ability to speak about voting. Our tax laws are what prohibits religious organizations from promoting and/or compelling its members to vote for a particular party or person. And quite honestly, that ought to be really easy for us if Christians hold that Jesus never forced himself on others.
No dear friends, it is imperative that we speak to the issues in our country. It is imperative that we bring theology – a good and sound Kingdom of God mindset to our discussions and ideas of the secular world. We absolutely should be engaged but we also need to be aware that the political thoughts in this country are often based on half-truths and the parties that seek control over those half-truths.
In their excellent book “Compassion & Conviction” authors Giboney, Wear and Butler of the AND Campaign say “when christians enter the political arena, we often feel like we’re forced to choose between two very flawed options that compromise our beliefs. That is because the US political system is dangerously polarized and both sides frame the issues to fit incomplete and dishonest narratives.” It is imperative that christians reject and see through these incomplete narratives. It is even more imperative to reject the idea that because we disagree, then we should divide and separate.
Author Dallas Willard says “when we disagree is precisely not the time to divide, but the time for God to do something great.” Yet, the church, rather than abiding in Jesus’ prayer that we be ONE, has chosen to disband and divide into multiples. And while God has worked much good even in our divides, division is a rebellion that we need to repent of. Don’t believe me? Look at the early church – do a search on the word division or divides or unity in the scriptures.
I Corinthians – I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers and sisters
Romans – I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive
Titus – As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.
Jude – you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.
Ephesians – (be) eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
I have 14 pages of passages that speak to unity, division and how we in the church should/must reject, avoid, and guard from it. Fourteen pages! There’s an old Native American saying that asks the question “what if I told you that the left wing and the right wing belong to the same bird.” We have forgotten this idea of Oneness and it is crippling the witness of Jesus and it will be the doom of this nation that we call home.
Let’s look at what Paul said in this passage that we read earlier – Philippians is such a great letter. It’s called the letter of joy because Paul is so uncontrollably joy-filled and happy throughout out it. He routinely calls the church at Philippi to rejoice. The greek word for rejoice literally means to live lives of celebration. He says it over and over again, but in this letter and particularly in this passage, Paul says that there is something that causes the christian to live this way. What is it? (Glad you asked.)
Paul ends most all of his letters to the churches with some personal words of greeting and blessing. In Philippians he says “I appeal to you Euodia and Syntyche, please because you belong to the Lord, settle your disputes.” These are two women who have gotten into it – they have experienced some kind of disagreement and it is tearing the church apart. We don’t know what it was – maybe it was over what type of pecans to purchase or where to hang Pastor Lydia’s portrait, but whatever the case it is bad enough that news has reached Paul and he publicly calls them out.
The phrase that the new living translation translates as “settle your disputes” is much more involved than “just get over it.” The literal greek is “be of same mind” and it’s intended to make us think of living in harmony or striving for oneness. Paul uses this phrase a lot – especially in this little letter to Philippi. Here we actually know what Paul means when he said “be of the same mind” because of the context of the letter.
In chapter 2, Paul must have the dispute in mind because he asks if there is any “encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.” But wait it get’s better because then he says “have the same attitude (or mind) that Christ had.”
We’re going to spend time with this Philippians 2 passage next week, but for now it’s important to hear Paul saying “have the same mind as Christ.” Be like him. Jesus is the center pole, as James Bryan Smith says, of our faith. If we start with him, then we find away beyond everything else. Jesus – Jesus’ way – is the central idea – his method, his engagement, his life is what is central or essential. And as St. Augustine famously said “in essentials unity. In non-essentials liberty. In all things charity.”
Back to chapter 4, Paul says be of one mind – be of the mind of Christ, Euodia and Syntche. But what he says next is just as mind boggling – especially in our world that says don’t talk about religion or politics or in a time when we don’t know how to have conflict or deal with disagreement. Paul says “to you my co-worker” – my yoke-fellow – “help these two women.” Um, excuse me? Paul tells the church leadership to get in the middle of the disagreement and get it solved.
Well, that sounds awful. Paul tells these two women to get past their disagreement at all costs by remembering that they are to be of the mind of Christ, and then he tells the church gathered in Philippi to not take sides but to get in the fray and fix it. And what’s the product of all this? What will happen when this ending of division and unity is paramount to the church? They can go back to Paul’s key word for this whole letter – Rejoice – throw a party. “Be full of joy in the Lord” – and that means in all things.
From a rejoicing church the world will see considerate people – a gracious folk to all they encounter. Imagine that, christians leading the way in KINDNESS. And when your joy-filled you can take the famous verses of 6-8 to heart – “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
Paul understood anxiety and worry. He knew that the church was struggling with people who didn’t want them around – and some that were being threatened with loss of income, safety, and even life. But let anxiety go and as Peterson translates Paul – “let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”
Prayer that overcomes anxiety. Patterns of thought that celebrate God’s goodness. A style of life that embodies the good news of Jesus. This is what joy filled unity brings. And his close is made all the more magnificent – “finally, fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
Friends, I could go on for another hour here, but I will save you from that – we Jesus-kingdom people must do all that we can to reject the false narratives of divide and polarization. We cannot let political discourse rise above the kingdom mandate of every christian. “As Christians, our primary objective is to profess the gospel of Jesus Christ to all nations…accordingly, we should participate in politics primarily to help others and to represent our Lord and Savior in the public square.” We can disagree on policies but we must choose faithful dialogue and not the broken stories of a pagan world. We need to make sure our political choices are rooted in the full of scripture – which means you may agree with part of your party and part of the other party because we choose to reject the either/or lies.
Friends, we have a big week as a nation in front of us. As your pastor, I join with the voice of Paul and the rest of scripture, I implore you to reject – rebel – run away from that which fosters disunity. Be of the mind of Christ – it won’t mean you agree on everything, but it will mean you treat each other the way he treats us – you and me. When political polarization is possible – when it’s easy to belittle someone else, or someones ideas or beliefs – remember lumping them or having a quick retort is the same as having a forked tongue. You were made for more than that. You were made to be more than democrat or republican. You were redeemed for more than that!
And so I leave you with wise words from John Wesley. In 1774, he shared these words with the people called Methodists in his journal:
I met those of our society who had votes in the ensuing election, and advised them:
1. To vote, without fee or reward, for either person they judged most worthy
2. To speak no evil of the person they voted against, and
3. To take care their spirits were not sharpened against those that voted on the other side.
Tuesday’s election will come and go. But our witness in the midst of this – and how you behave when your side wins or loses – that will last. Remember these words church and I pray we choose more than the narratives that are so easy to swallow. If we get the government we deserve, then maybe it’s time we start looking in the mirror and realize that the real change begins here.
Would you pray with me?