WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.740 You can take your Bibles from Romans chapter 13. 00:00:02.940 --> 00:00:05.060 This is where we're going to begin here tonight. 00:00:05.600 --> 00:00:07.080 ! Romans chapter 13. 00:00:07.820 --> 00:00:10.220 As you know, we've been looking, we started last week, 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:34.399 Things are defined in order to adjust and to look at it. 00:00:34.420 --> 00:00:36.840 How do I need to work through this biblically? 00:00:37.600 --> 00:00:42.620 To understand the context of not culture alone. 00:00:43.359 --> 00:00:48.299 We operate within culture, but what we need to do is be driven by what God says 00:00:48.299 --> 00:00:51.420 and what God's principles have established. 00:00:52.019 --> 00:00:56.539 And one of the things that we talked about last week was this idea of dominion theology. 00:00:56.539 --> 00:01:03.479 And we talked about how and the root of a lot of Christian nationalism 00:01:03.479 --> 00:01:07.260 is dominion-based theology. 00:01:07.700 --> 00:01:10.840 Because, you know, what people believe, you can go back to their theology. 00:01:12.039 --> 00:01:15.120 And that's just not religious people, people who call themselves religious. 00:01:15.500 --> 00:01:18.239 You know what an atheist operates within their theology? 00:01:19.319 --> 00:01:21.620 How do they frame the world around them? 00:01:21.620 --> 00:01:25.800 Again, everybody has an operating theology. 00:01:26.460 --> 00:01:29.480 Some people call it a worldview, but everybody has one. 00:01:29.939 --> 00:01:33.160 The question is, is it the one that lines up with what God says? 00:01:34.180 --> 00:01:36.340 Because it's a measurement of standard. 00:01:36.580 --> 00:01:42.300 And so when we look at that, we see here the dynamics of what does the Bible teach. 00:01:42.439 --> 00:01:44.400 You know, you hear a lot of terms today. 00:01:44.520 --> 00:01:45.080 You hear kingdom. 00:01:45.560 --> 00:01:47.260 You hear the church. 00:01:47.380 --> 00:01:48.700 You hear the believer. 00:01:48.700 --> 00:01:51.500 You know, I want you to understand all those who are important. 00:01:51.700 --> 00:01:58.980 How does us as a believer operate not only within our church, 00:01:59.420 --> 00:02:03.859 but operate within the scope of society and civil government? 00:02:04.859 --> 00:02:10.900 Because we talked about those different spheres that God has given that are separate, 00:02:11.199 --> 00:02:13.379 but yet they cross over in our life. 00:02:13.939 --> 00:02:17.199 And we need to understand how those come together. 00:02:17.199 --> 00:02:20.659 So here in Revelation, let's get to the end, right? 00:02:21.359 --> 00:02:27.639 But Romans chapter 13, verse 1, notice what it says here. 00:02:27.739 --> 00:02:29.719 Let every soul be subject unto what? 00:02:30.319 --> 00:02:34.039 The higher powers, for there is no power but of God, but the powers that are what? 00:02:34.399 --> 00:02:36.139 Ordained of God. 00:02:36.459 --> 00:02:38.620 Now, that verse gets thrown around a lot. 00:02:38.699 --> 00:02:41.199 We're going to talk about it in more detail in a little bit. 00:02:41.199 --> 00:02:47.379 Because I think there's a lot of, when we get into some application, how do those things play out? 00:02:47.619 --> 00:02:52.039 And when we understood, as we're going to be looking here, let's just go to the Lord in prayer quick 00:02:52.039 --> 00:02:53.799 before we go any farther tonight. 00:02:53.919 --> 00:02:57.439 Heavenly Fathers, we just come before you tonight. 00:02:57.519 --> 00:03:00.359 Lord, we just ask for your wisdom, your direction. 00:03:00.579 --> 00:03:02.079 Lord, help the words to be right. 00:03:02.280 --> 00:03:05.379 Lord, to properly represent you and your word. 00:03:05.379 --> 00:03:11.039 Lord, not what we think or what we feel, but Lord, what we need to operate according to your word. 00:03:11.159 --> 00:03:13.919 Lord, not any other standard or measurement. 00:03:14.579 --> 00:03:19.919 Lord, as a believer and follower of yours, Lord, we ought to have that solely as our guide and direction. 00:03:20.620 --> 00:03:25.759 And Lord, help us not to be influenced by these different voices that might sound good, 00:03:26.099 --> 00:03:28.099 but are not sound in doctrine. 00:03:28.800 --> 00:03:33.359 Lord, help us to keep a clear focus upon you and the truth of your word. 00:03:33.360 --> 00:03:37.000 Lord, as you guide and direct as we walk through this life. 00:03:37.100 --> 00:03:39.120 And we give you all the praise in Jesus' name. 00:03:39.700 --> 00:03:40.000 Amen. 00:03:40.820 --> 00:03:43.020 You know, let's talk about a couple things here. 00:03:43.140 --> 00:03:45.880 The first thing, because last week we talked about dominion theology. 00:03:46.660 --> 00:03:53.420 And we talked about the fact that Christians, their idea is that Christians must take the political, 00:03:53.740 --> 00:03:58.840 cultural, and institutional control of the world to prepare it for Christ's return. 00:03:59.780 --> 00:04:01.180 You know, we see a lot of that today. 00:04:01.180 --> 00:04:05.640 We need to have dominion over all these areas of life. 00:04:06.140 --> 00:04:08.340 And we saw how that was laid out. 00:04:08.460 --> 00:04:12.640 And if you didn't see last week, I think it's up on, is that on the website yet? 00:04:14.060 --> 00:04:14.500 Okay. 00:04:15.140 --> 00:04:17.500 It's on the, if you can go to Reese, you can catch up with that. 00:04:17.579 --> 00:04:19.319 But we'll just hit that a little bit. 00:04:19.399 --> 00:04:22.600 But it also draws where dominion theology comes from. 00:04:23.120 --> 00:04:28.000 Its root is based in covenant theology and replacement theology. 00:04:28.000 --> 00:04:32.199 And it's built upon a post-millennial mindset. 00:04:32.680 --> 00:04:34.800 And we looked at those things last week. 00:04:34.839 --> 00:04:37.399 So I'm not going to beat over all those things this week again. 00:04:37.699 --> 00:04:41.079 But I want you to understand this is lesson, is lesson two. 00:04:41.339 --> 00:04:46.160 So you need to understand those things in context to fully understand what we're going to talk 00:04:46.160 --> 00:04:46.819 about tonight. 00:04:46.819 --> 00:04:48.920 Even though a lot of beneficial things. 00:04:49.060 --> 00:04:51.800 If you just take what we have tonight and forget about the rest, you'll still be okay. 00:04:52.779 --> 00:04:56.779 You'll still be good because we're going to get a little more practical on those things. 00:04:56.980 --> 00:05:04.839 So this evening we're going to examine that application of that scriptural context of how we need to live 00:05:04.839 --> 00:05:05.699 in this world. 00:05:06.279 --> 00:05:09.879 Because we're going to start first and we're going to talk about what does the Bible teach 00:05:09.879 --> 00:05:11.120 about the kingdom of God? 00:05:11.120 --> 00:05:12.959 Now this is an important thing. 00:05:13.000 --> 00:05:15.180 How many of you heard, oh we've got to do it for the kingdom? 00:05:15.379 --> 00:05:16.980 Or you hear phrases about kingdom. 00:05:18.600 --> 00:05:22.720 You know, in the last 15, 20 years that phrase has just taken off. 00:05:23.579 --> 00:05:29.519 In music, in rhetoric, you'll hear that word, you know, the kingdom. 00:05:29.720 --> 00:05:31.280 You know, we've got to do kingdom, kingdom, kingdom. 00:05:31.280 --> 00:05:34.680 The question is, what do people mean when they say that? 00:05:36.840 --> 00:05:39.879 Because your theology drives your understanding. 00:05:41.120 --> 00:05:46.560 We might think we have our definition, but I want you to encourage you, whenever somebody 00:05:46.560 --> 00:05:48.759 says it, you need to ask what is their definition. 00:05:50.500 --> 00:05:54.620 Because our definition really isn't important in the conversation at that point. 00:05:55.699 --> 00:06:00.079 We need to understand what are they telling you in the context of how they're defining it. 00:06:00.379 --> 00:06:04.660 What direction are they trying to steer you by those things? 00:06:04.939 --> 00:06:09.040 Because we get steered a lot because the first thing we're going to look at here, look over 00:06:09.040 --> 00:06:10.780 to John chapter 18 for a moment. 00:06:11.500 --> 00:06:14.300 Hopefully you brought your Bible tonight because we've got some territory to cover. 00:06:20.300 --> 00:06:26.240 John chapter 18, down in verse 36, because we're going to see here first this very clear 00:06:26.240 --> 00:06:32.200 teaching because the simple thing here for your handout is that the kingdom is not of this 00:06:32.200 --> 00:06:32.960 world. 00:06:32.959 --> 00:06:33.519 Okay? 00:06:34.239 --> 00:06:38.439 I want you to understand what we're going to, and we'll lay this out, but notice one 00:06:38.439 --> 00:06:41.019 of the clearest statements here that God gives. 00:06:41.039 --> 00:06:43.719 Look over to John chapter 18, look down at verse 36. 00:06:44.239 --> 00:06:50.240 Here, Pilate is asking Jesus, and Jesus makes a pretty direct statement that applies to what 00:06:50.240 --> 00:06:50.959 we're talking about. 00:06:51.060 --> 00:06:53.859 Notice what Jesus says here very clearly. 00:06:54.019 --> 00:06:54.579 He says this, 00:06:54.579 --> 00:06:57.659 My kingdom is not of what? 00:06:58.560 --> 00:06:59.500 This world. 00:07:00.339 --> 00:07:04.359 Now notice the following phrase because it's an attachment to it of clarification. 00:07:05.539 --> 00:07:05.959 He says, 00:07:06.339 --> 00:07:09.759 If my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants do what? 00:07:10.860 --> 00:07:11.419 Fight. 00:07:13.419 --> 00:07:20.560 That I should not be delivered to the Jews, but now is my kingdom not from hands. 00:07:20.560 --> 00:07:24.819 That's an important statement that Jesus declares. 00:07:25.639 --> 00:07:30.860 Jesus is making a statement, because you remember, Jesus already instituted the church with the 00:07:30.860 --> 00:07:31.839 disciples. 00:07:32.920 --> 00:07:40.019 Those things were fully functional in that context, but God says, it isn't for my servants to do 00:07:40.019 --> 00:07:40.360 what? 00:07:40.759 --> 00:07:41.259 Fight. 00:07:41.360 --> 00:07:45.079 In other words, to take over or overthrow a government. 00:07:45.259 --> 00:07:49.199 Now, before everybody gets so wild on that statement, we'll talk about it in a little bit, 00:07:49.199 --> 00:07:49.439 okay? 00:07:50.079 --> 00:07:52.939 And I want you, because we need to keep everything in context. 00:07:53.560 --> 00:07:59.039 But I want you to understand, to a dominionist, the response is that the kingdom is now and 00:07:59.039 --> 00:07:59.659 not yet. 00:08:00.319 --> 00:08:03.740 That is, the kingdom is present in one sense, but not complete. 00:08:04.500 --> 00:08:08.439 I want you to understand why this is true in one sense. 00:08:08.539 --> 00:08:10.539 It's not completely accurate. 00:08:10.539 --> 00:08:12.879 Look over to Colossians chapter 1 for a moment. 00:08:13.419 --> 00:08:16.219 Colossians chapter 1 in verse 13. 00:08:19.199 --> 00:08:23.699 Colossians chapter 1 in verse 13. 00:08:24.060 --> 00:08:28.879 The word of God tells us this, and he says, notice this, who hath delivered us from the 00:08:28.879 --> 00:08:35.700 power of darkness and translated us in the kingdom of his dear son. 00:08:35.700 --> 00:08:41.240 I want you to understand, the kingdom has a spiritual factor at this point in time. 00:08:41.240 --> 00:08:46.480 In other words, we are not physically in the kingdom, okay? 00:08:47.340 --> 00:08:52.379 A dominionist's idea is that we have been given the kingdom. 00:08:53.899 --> 00:08:59.480 Key theological point to understand what they're saying. 00:08:59.860 --> 00:09:04.159 Because if you grab a hold of that, it's going to take you down a road that's wrong. 00:09:05.080 --> 00:09:07.180 It's going to take you a wrong direction. 00:09:07.179 --> 00:09:16.299 Now, I want you to understand, the Bible's clear that it is equally clear that it's full 00:09:16.299 --> 00:09:20.500 political and governmental expression's going to wait until Christ returns. 00:09:20.959 --> 00:09:24.639 I want you to understand, there's coming a day Jesus is going to literally rule in the rain. 00:09:26.039 --> 00:09:27.519 There'll be a literal kingdom. 00:09:29.120 --> 00:09:29.620 You know what? 00:09:30.159 --> 00:09:31.939 People talk a lot about the early church. 00:09:32.039 --> 00:09:32.479 You know what? 00:09:32.480 --> 00:09:41.460 The disciples of John, the apostle, Polycarp and Irenaeus, both believed in a literal thousand 00:09:41.460 --> 00:09:42.740 year reign of Christ. 00:09:44.600 --> 00:09:47.100 It wasn't until later on that that took a twist. 00:09:48.960 --> 00:09:50.139 You know, history's important. 00:09:50.300 --> 00:09:51.779 When did things get changed? 00:09:52.860 --> 00:09:55.899 Because you see a lot of people today, they don't believe it's literal. 00:09:56.580 --> 00:09:58.960 They believe that it's spiritual. 00:09:58.960 --> 00:10:02.160 You have people who think it's literal and we're going to force it. 00:10:02.860 --> 00:10:05.259 But, you know, let's take a look at a couple other verses here tonight. 00:10:05.320 --> 00:10:07.560 If I can get some help here from a couple of people. 00:10:07.700 --> 00:10:09.320 Romans chapter 14, verse 7. 00:10:09.379 --> 00:10:10.100 You get that one, Ethan? 00:10:10.440 --> 00:10:11.480 If you can grab that one. 00:10:11.580 --> 00:10:17.340 I need 1 Corinthians 15, 24. 00:10:18.080 --> 00:10:19.300 1 Corinthians 15, 24. 00:10:19.340 --> 00:10:19.960 We got that, Joe? 00:10:20.540 --> 00:10:20.940 All right. 00:10:21.060 --> 00:10:22.620 And then I need the Colossians. 00:10:23.100 --> 00:10:24.240 Oh, we already read that one. 00:10:24.600 --> 00:10:26.560 So we'll do Colossians 1, 13. 00:10:26.680 --> 00:10:27.940 It's going to be talking about that a little bit. 00:10:27.940 --> 00:10:30.780 But what's Romans 14, 17 tell us? 00:10:33.000 --> 00:10:33.520 Yep. 00:10:36.700 --> 00:10:37.260 Okay. 00:10:41.860 --> 00:10:46.740 I want you to understand that's pretty clear that it's not physical. 00:10:47.020 --> 00:10:48.720 It's spiritual in nature. 00:10:49.500 --> 00:10:51.080 It's not a political program. 00:10:52.320 --> 00:10:56.480 You know, I want you to understand dominion theology, Christian nationalism at its root, 00:10:56.480 --> 00:10:59.960 is driven by physical. 00:11:00.100 --> 00:11:01.539 It's a political program. 00:11:02.539 --> 00:11:04.279 It's a political ideology. 00:11:05.240 --> 00:11:07.759 And so this is important for us to understand. 00:11:08.300 --> 00:11:15.139 Secondly, I want you to understand 1 Corinthians 15, 50 says that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. 00:11:15.139 --> 00:11:19.039 You know, I want you to understand it's inherited, not built. 00:11:20.080 --> 00:11:23.840 In other words, it's not something you can help God create. 00:11:24.419 --> 00:11:26.819 It's something that he places you into. 00:11:27.919 --> 00:11:28.279 Okay? 00:11:29.080 --> 00:11:30.759 That's two different mindsets. 00:11:32.220 --> 00:11:32.539 You know? 00:11:32.539 --> 00:11:35.500 I want you to understand the importance. 00:11:35.500 --> 00:11:38.559 It's delivered up to the Father in the end. 00:11:38.919 --> 00:11:41.199 What's 1 Corinthians 15, 24 tell us, Joe? 00:11:41.200 --> 00:11:41.259 Go. 00:11:55.140 --> 00:11:55.620 Okay. 00:11:55.700 --> 00:11:56.940 And then come at the end, he does what? 00:11:56.980 --> 00:12:00.180 He delivers up the kingdom to God. 00:12:00.259 --> 00:12:02.240 It's delivered up to the Father in the end. 00:12:02.780 --> 00:12:04.540 You know, it's important to understand. 00:12:05.000 --> 00:12:07.259 Believers are translated into it. 00:12:07.259 --> 00:12:17.840 You know, I want you to understand 1 Corinthians 1, 13, who hath delivered us and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. 00:12:18.779 --> 00:12:19.039 You know? 00:12:19.539 --> 00:12:20.419 Those are important. 00:12:20.819 --> 00:12:23.019 Believers are translated into it. 00:12:23.379 --> 00:12:25.980 It's not activists building it. 00:12:27.919 --> 00:12:33.519 That's key because you have a lot of activists today trying to do spiritual things physically. 00:12:33.519 --> 00:12:37.960 It's key to understand those things. 00:12:38.240 --> 00:12:43.500 So let's take a look next here at the error of this dominionist eschatology. 00:12:44.319 --> 00:12:48.139 You know, the scripture teaches that this current age is the age of grace. 00:12:48.600 --> 00:12:50.100 This isn't the kingdom age. 00:12:51.079 --> 00:12:51.240 Okay? 00:12:52.500 --> 00:12:54.639 A lot of people promote that idea of kingdom. 00:12:54.639 --> 00:13:09.460 And we'll get back to this in just a little later on because and how this influences, this has influenced even solid Baptist churches who say they stand on the word of God have let false philosophies drag in. 00:13:10.199 --> 00:13:19.179 And we'll talk about how those philosophies show up in our life and how the devil loves to twist things and how we need to be careful of that. 00:13:19.179 --> 00:13:25.559 But let's continue on here because believers are not yet reigning and ruling with Christ. 00:13:26.120 --> 00:13:28.359 You know, I want you to understand that's our future destiny. 00:13:29.120 --> 00:13:36.500 And the apostle Paul corrected the Corinthians when they had slipped into kind of what you might say a proto-dominionist mindset. 00:13:37.419 --> 00:13:41.479 They wanted to seek to rule others over others as judges. 00:13:41.639 --> 00:13:43.459 You know, that's reserved for later on. 00:13:44.299 --> 00:13:46.719 You know, take a look over into 1 Corinthians chapter 4. 00:13:47.000 --> 00:13:48.879 1 Corinthians chapter 4. 00:13:49.179 --> 00:13:59.179 That's an interesting verse and dynamic because Paul's actually kind of being corrective or even sarcastic at this point. 00:13:59.759 --> 00:14:01.739 Because notice what he tells him here. 00:14:02.719 --> 00:14:03.939 Now you're full. 00:14:04.259 --> 00:14:05.259 Now you're rich. 00:14:05.319 --> 00:14:07.419 You have reigned as kings without us. 00:14:08.939 --> 00:14:14.399 In other words, Paul's getting after him saying, you guys think you're reigning as kings right now, but you're wrong. 00:14:15.100 --> 00:14:16.059 Because notice the next thing. 00:14:16.399 --> 00:14:20.159 And I would to God you did reign that we might reign with you. 00:14:20.939 --> 00:14:22.519 In other words, he's making a statement. 00:14:22.620 --> 00:14:29.639 He says, it's not your place to sit in judgment or to think that you're going to become, that you're in that position of the kingdom yet. 00:14:30.779 --> 00:14:31.139 Okay? 00:14:31.139 --> 00:14:39.919 And so we need to understand it's kind of a sarcastic statement Paul throws back at him of saying, hey, if you guys are there, I wish we were because I'd be there too. 00:14:39.919 --> 00:14:42.699 But you know what he's saying? 00:14:42.819 --> 00:14:43.479 I'm not there. 00:14:43.620 --> 00:14:46.299 So therefore, we need to understand that that's not what is. 00:14:46.979 --> 00:14:49.759 You're operating outside that realm. 00:14:49.819 --> 00:14:53.919 Because notice this age of grace is a time not of dominance. 00:14:53.919 --> 00:15:00.799 You know, that's one of the other dynamics that we find here. 00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:04.219 People try to be dominant in that. 00:15:04.939 --> 00:15:11.899 And so we see here this, that this is not a time for dominance because what does Jesus tell us about our life? 00:15:13.360 --> 00:15:17.500 Does he say, hey, you're going to rise up and you're going to become kings of your universe? 00:15:17.500 --> 00:15:22.100 What's the Bible tell us? 00:15:23.500 --> 00:15:33.360 It says we're going to, it's going to be a time, there's going to be humility, there's going to be humiliation, there's going to be suffering, there's going to be service. 00:15:35.600 --> 00:15:38.879 That's the description that he has for us. 00:15:39.220 --> 00:15:41.240 You know, not triumph and dominion. 00:15:42.399 --> 00:15:43.120 Very clear. 00:15:43.120 --> 00:15:46.440 Think about Jesus before he was glorified. 00:15:46.779 --> 00:15:52.240 He also, and the saints of his age, we suffer with him before we reign with him. 00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:55.120 You know, that's an important dynamic. 00:15:55.860 --> 00:15:59.580 We suffer with him before we reign with him. 00:16:00.340 --> 00:16:02.759 You know, give you a few more to consider in that. 00:16:02.860 --> 00:16:04.399 Luke 24, 26. 00:16:04.960 --> 00:16:07.460 Philippians 2, verses 5 through 11. 00:16:08.039 --> 00:16:11.299 You know, Revelation 2, verses 25 and 27. 00:16:11.299 --> 00:16:16.559 I mean, just a few things to look up to kind of understand that we're never promised easy. 00:16:19.019 --> 00:16:22.579 Christ always tells us that we're going to have trials and tribulations. 00:16:23.819 --> 00:16:25.939 You know, that doesn't sound like dominion. 00:16:27.659 --> 00:16:29.539 Doesn't sound like authority, does it? 00:16:30.759 --> 00:16:32.259 It sounds like problems. 00:16:32.399 --> 00:16:33.740 And so this is the contrast. 00:16:33.899 --> 00:16:39.699 One is saying, you as a believer have dominion that God's given to you, and the Bible says, no, you don't. 00:16:39.700 --> 00:16:42.560 So who are you going to believe? 00:16:44.020 --> 00:16:45.700 How are you going to understand that? 00:16:46.020 --> 00:16:47.759 How are those things going to come together? 00:16:48.180 --> 00:16:54.879 Because as we're going to look at this, for the second thing here, let's understand the nature and mission of the local church. 00:16:54.960 --> 00:16:57.660 Because when we understand, what does God say about a local church? 00:16:59.300 --> 00:17:03.340 What does God say about the gathering of his saints? 00:17:03.340 --> 00:17:05.440 Now, we're going to look here. 00:17:05.799 --> 00:17:10.680 The first thing, the church is a gathered assembly, not a world-conquering empire. 00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:15.059 Now, the use of the term church here is like an institution. 00:17:15.740 --> 00:17:19.140 In other words, the institution that Jesus started, the local church, 00:17:19.579 --> 00:17:25.900 all local churches that God has started, that God is in, all operate under the same framework. 00:17:26.579 --> 00:17:26.840 Okay? 00:17:27.200 --> 00:17:28.500 There's no exceptions. 00:17:28.700 --> 00:17:31.799 It's a gathered assembly, not a world-conquering empire. 00:17:31.799 --> 00:17:37.119 You know, the scripture itself teaches the church is not a universal, invisible body, 00:17:37.339 --> 00:17:41.019 but a physical gathered assembly of baptized believers. 00:17:41.659 --> 00:17:49.139 The very meaning of the word ecclesia is a called-out assembly that gathers in one place. 00:17:50.180 --> 00:17:50.539 You know? 00:17:51.259 --> 00:17:52.759 That's a key distinction. 00:17:53.599 --> 00:17:57.119 You know, you hear a lot of things today from individuals who say, you know, 00:17:57.119 --> 00:18:02.659 the church is everybody, you know, everybody that gets saved is the church. 00:18:02.719 --> 00:18:03.079 You know what? 00:18:03.119 --> 00:18:04.359 The Bible doesn't promote that. 00:18:05.579 --> 00:18:08.419 It tells us everybody that's saved is part of God's family. 00:18:09.779 --> 00:18:13.959 You're born again into God's family, but being a part of a church is different. 00:18:13.960 --> 00:18:18.160 It's a called-out assembly. 00:18:18.279 --> 00:18:18.559 You know what? 00:18:18.600 --> 00:18:22.880 Every believer is called out to be a part of a local body of believers. 00:18:25.019 --> 00:18:28.640 But a lot of people want to stay on the skirts and on the outside. 00:18:29.900 --> 00:18:34.819 When we understand what God has done, you know, and understanding this, 00:18:34.819 --> 00:18:36.200 let's take a quick look over here. 00:18:37.140 --> 00:18:39.880 Go over to Acts chapter 14 for a moment. 00:18:39.880 --> 00:18:54.640 Notice what it says here. 00:18:56.240 --> 00:19:00.060 And when we were come, they had gathered the church together. 00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:04.620 They rehearsed all that God had done with them and how he had opened the door of faith 00:19:04.620 --> 00:19:05.660 unto the Gentiles. 00:19:06.360 --> 00:19:09.140 Notice what Paul says when they arrived. 00:19:09.220 --> 00:19:09.780 What happened? 00:19:10.880 --> 00:19:17.960 They gathered the church, the local body of believers, the church that was there. 00:19:18.200 --> 00:19:21.200 That's a distinction that we'll see throughout. 00:19:21.740 --> 00:19:27.740 And we see this, that Baptists have always historically held that this is what the Bible teaches, 00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:30.660 that Jesus established his church. 00:19:31.320 --> 00:19:34.260 You know, Matthew 16, 18, Jesus said this, 00:19:34.680 --> 00:19:37.020 Thou art Peter upon this rock, I will build my church. 00:19:37.060 --> 00:19:37.920 What's he talking about there? 00:19:37.940 --> 00:19:38.840 He's not talking about Peter. 00:19:38.839 --> 00:19:42.119 He's talking about the truth that he is the son of the living God. 00:19:43.159 --> 00:19:45.699 Jesus established it on that fact. 00:19:46.079 --> 00:19:47.059 And he tells us this, 00:19:47.159 --> 00:19:49.539 And the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 00:19:50.220 --> 00:19:50.839 You know what? 00:19:51.740 --> 00:19:55.339 Local churches have existed from the time of Christ moving forward. 00:19:56.599 --> 00:19:59.059 I want you to understand, you can find that in history. 00:19:59.059 --> 00:20:03.779 There's always been local churches, not universal. 00:20:04.419 --> 00:20:09.960 The universal church is a concept that was created in about the second century. 00:20:09.960 --> 00:20:15.559 And we'll have time to get into all the history there tonight. 00:20:16.079 --> 00:20:18.880 But there's a lot of history of why that change came about. 00:20:19.660 --> 00:20:27.019 Because like I said, you find the direct disciples of John not speaking the same way. 00:20:27.019 --> 00:20:29.019 Something changed. 00:20:29.019 --> 00:20:29.680 Something changed. 00:20:30.680 --> 00:20:33.559 And they rejected the truth. 00:20:34.339 --> 00:20:39.019 You know, that's the reason we get into some other things about Alexandria and the school at Alexandria and Gnosticism. 00:20:39.839 --> 00:20:42.960 I mean, you have a lot of roads to travel there, so we're not going to get into it tonight. 00:20:42.960 --> 00:20:47.100 But I want you to understand what we're talking about here, 00:20:47.180 --> 00:20:51.500 because the very meaning is a called out assembly that gathers in one place. 00:20:51.920 --> 00:20:55.900 The word church means called out assembly, a gathered congregation. 00:20:57.000 --> 00:21:01.880 You know, I want you to understand, the church began with Christ, but it's empowered at Pentecost. 00:21:04.299 --> 00:21:05.360 That is key. 00:21:05.539 --> 00:21:06.860 It was already there. 00:21:07.460 --> 00:21:11.480 Jesus tells us, Acts chapter 1 and verse 8, tells us this. 00:21:11.480 --> 00:21:15.240 He says, wait for power from on high. 00:21:15.700 --> 00:21:20.039 He didn't tell them, hey, I'm going to start something new here in a few days. 00:21:20.259 --> 00:21:22.740 He said, you go and you wait for what? 00:21:22.839 --> 00:21:24.099 You wait for power. 00:21:25.000 --> 00:21:28.220 The empowerment of the Holy Ghost to move forward. 00:21:28.579 --> 00:21:36.720 It's a key dynamic, and it's always existed as a local, visible, gathered body of baptized believers 00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:40.380 accountable to one another and to Christ as the head. 00:21:40.380 --> 00:21:46.380 Now, dominion theology people, which covers a lot of territory, anybody, most of the reformed people, 00:21:46.680 --> 00:21:47.920 can fall into this. 00:21:48.000 --> 00:21:48.680 Some do not. 00:21:49.200 --> 00:21:52.980 This is what makes this messy, is you have a lot of people who blend theology systems 00:21:52.980 --> 00:21:58.760 in different areas, and then they get confused, because one area that they say something conflicts 00:21:58.760 --> 00:22:01.880 with something else, and I don't believe God's doctrines conflict. 00:22:01.880 --> 00:22:08.040 So if something's conflicting in your theology, you know what you need to do? 00:22:08.080 --> 00:22:08.860 You need to start studying. 00:22:10.460 --> 00:22:12.700 You need to look and to say, which one's wrong? 00:22:14.820 --> 00:22:15.880 What's wrong with this? 00:22:15.960 --> 00:22:17.000 Well, it's just come together. 00:22:17.000 --> 00:22:24.839 Because dominion theology confuses the church identity that merges it with a supposed universal, 00:22:25.039 --> 00:22:29.240 invisible body whose mandate is to transform political institutions. 00:22:30.259 --> 00:22:34.859 This is contrary to the biblical truth of the autonomy of the local church. 00:22:35.480 --> 00:22:40.319 Each congregation is accountable directly to Christ as its head. 00:22:40.920 --> 00:22:43.599 Colossians 1.18 makes it very clear. 00:22:43.700 --> 00:22:45.440 He is the head. 00:22:45.440 --> 00:22:50.759 You know, I want you to understand, this has been historically defended, historically held, 00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:55.500 and it's contrary to the church's God-given mission. 00:22:55.960 --> 00:23:00.420 Because when you make it universal, it's very easy to then make it political. 00:23:02.480 --> 00:23:06.539 Those two scopes seem to flow together very naturally when you look at history. 00:23:08.279 --> 00:23:10.460 And I'm not talking about American history. 00:23:10.460 --> 00:23:16.160 Go back and watch the scope from first century all the way up through the Middle Ages, 00:23:16.380 --> 00:23:19.360 and all through that time and how things changed. 00:23:19.440 --> 00:23:23.120 You'll see that as a tool they used for political control. 00:23:24.600 --> 00:23:29.420 That political dynamic and the true mission of the church as an institution. 00:23:30.200 --> 00:23:34.880 You know, the missions of the local church as given by Jesus is threefold. 00:23:34.880 --> 00:23:38.380 You know, let's look at a couple of verses that put this out for us. 00:23:38.780 --> 00:23:40.640 Who can look up Matthew 28 for me? 00:23:40.720 --> 00:23:43.620 Matthew 28, I need verses 18 through 20. 00:23:43.980 --> 00:23:45.160 Who's got that quick tonight? 00:23:45.960 --> 00:23:46.800 Harry, you got that one? 00:23:47.840 --> 00:23:50.920 I need Matthew 28, 18 through 20, then Acts 1.8. 00:23:51.560 --> 00:23:52.620 You got that one, Darren? 00:23:53.900 --> 00:23:55.780 As soon as you're ready, Harry, you can stand up. 00:23:57.860 --> 00:23:59.040 As soon as you're ready. 00:23:59.040 --> 00:23:59.080 Okay. 00:23:59.080 --> 00:23:59.080 00:23:59.080 --> 00:23:59.080 00:23:59.080 --> 00:23:59.180 Okay. 00:23:59.180 --> 00:23:59.180 00:23:59.180 --> 00:23:59.180 00:23:59.180 --> 00:23:59.180 00:23:59.180 --> 00:23:59.180 00:23:59.180 --> 00:23:59.180 00:23:59.180 --> 00:24:01.180 Okay. 00:24:01.180 --> 00:24:01.180 00:24:01.180 --> 00:24:01.180 00:24:01.180 --> 00:24:03.180 Okay. 00:24:03.180 --> 00:24:03.180 00:24:03.180 --> 00:24:03.180 00:24:03.180 --> 00:24:03.180 00:24:03.180 --> 00:24:04.180 Okay. 00:24:04.180 --> 00:24:23.420 Now, I want you to listen to this passage of Scripture to see what is the purpose, what's the direction? 00:24:23.600 --> 00:24:23.900 Brother Harry? 00:24:24.820 --> 00:24:25.620 All right, go. 00:24:25.620 --> 00:24:25.620 00:24:26.180 --> 00:24:28.660 Matthew 28, 18 through 20. 00:24:30.560 --> 00:24:32.640 And Jesus came to the Spirit. 00:24:32.640 --> 00:24:34.520 No, 28. 00:24:35.980 --> 00:24:36.800 Matthew 28. 00:24:39.120 --> 00:24:39.960 Verse 18. 00:24:44.060 --> 00:24:44.640 What's that? 00:24:49.060 --> 00:24:49.800 Okay, go ahead. 00:24:51.220 --> 00:24:51.440 Yep. 00:24:51.440 --> 00:24:51.500 Yep. 00:24:51.500 --> 00:24:52.500 Yep. 00:24:52.500 --> 00:24:53.500 Yep. 00:25:12.660 --> 00:25:13.559 Am I confused? 00:25:14.559 --> 00:25:15.519 You're in the right spot. 00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:16.559 Think about it. 00:25:16.559 --> 00:25:18.279 Now, what's Acts 1.8 tell us? 00:25:19.899 --> 00:25:20.339 Okay. 00:25:20.339 --> 00:25:33.659 So, what's the purpose of the church? 00:25:34.159 --> 00:25:37.240 What's the purpose of a local church and its functioning assignment? 00:25:37.240 --> 00:25:41.299 Very simply, you can break it down into three things. 00:25:41.839 --> 00:25:45.500 There's three movements that you're going to find here that we're to be involved with. 00:25:45.559 --> 00:25:48.559 We're to bear witness to Christ in the world. 00:25:49.000 --> 00:25:50.259 In other words, we're to evangelize. 00:25:50.339 --> 00:25:52.359 We're to raise up disciples. 00:25:52.480 --> 00:25:54.900 In other words, teach them about the truth of God's Word. 00:25:55.400 --> 00:25:57.259 Witness to Christ in the world. 00:25:57.700 --> 00:25:58.839 You know, witness to others. 00:25:58.839 --> 00:26:03.459 Also, to baptize converts and identify them publicly with Him. 00:26:03.980 --> 00:26:06.980 Because I want you to understand, baptism isn't part of your salvation. 00:26:07.119 --> 00:26:10.659 That's another twist of things that they've moved. 00:26:10.740 --> 00:26:13.179 I want you to understand, baptism identifies you. 00:26:14.000 --> 00:26:17.839 It identifies you with the doctrines of Christ and His people. 00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:21.099 Baptism is important. 00:26:21.599 --> 00:26:23.859 A lot of times, baptism gets played down today. 00:26:23.859 --> 00:26:27.099 You'll find that's another tool to play it down. 00:26:27.179 --> 00:26:31.339 Because if you don't make it important to the big picture of what Christ wants, 00:26:31.379 --> 00:26:34.599 it makes it easier to just convince people to move forward. 00:26:34.740 --> 00:26:36.619 You know, even in the news recently, you see all these, 00:26:37.159 --> 00:26:38.959 well, we had a thousand people baptized. 00:26:39.219 --> 00:26:40.740 And you start digging into it and you find out, 00:26:41.399 --> 00:26:42.879 you got a thousand people wet. 00:26:45.619 --> 00:26:46.779 Because let me give you a clue. 00:26:46.879 --> 00:26:49.039 Whenever you hear, I got a thousand people baptized, 00:26:49.599 --> 00:26:51.939 and nobody mentions the Word being preached, 00:26:51.940 --> 00:26:53.900 nobody mentions conversion, 00:26:54.559 --> 00:26:57.980 that Christ did something in their life prior to, 00:26:58.340 --> 00:26:59.100 you know what it is? 00:26:59.140 --> 00:26:59.720 They got wet. 00:27:04.400 --> 00:27:06.340 That's the reason I think we have a lot of false converts, 00:27:06.480 --> 00:27:09.420 because their faith is in getting wet instead of being saved. 00:27:10.940 --> 00:27:13.279 In Christ, of what Christ has done for us. 00:27:13.960 --> 00:27:16.240 You know, to identify with Him. 00:27:16.900 --> 00:27:19.700 Thirdly, and to mature believers through sound doctrine 00:27:19.700 --> 00:27:21.200 so they're equipped to serve. 00:27:22.519 --> 00:27:22.740 You know? 00:27:23.180 --> 00:27:24.580 In other words, in any of those, 00:27:24.660 --> 00:27:26.299 do you see any theme there of saying, 00:27:26.400 --> 00:27:27.220 go take over the government? 00:27:30.880 --> 00:27:32.940 Is there a political motive in any of that? 00:27:36.700 --> 00:27:37.740 Now, I want you to understand, 00:27:37.900 --> 00:27:39.160 politics are important, 00:27:39.720 --> 00:27:41.680 but Jesus makes it clear, 00:27:41.840 --> 00:27:43.039 things have their place, 00:27:43.100 --> 00:27:45.180 that we need to keep them in the right operation. 00:27:45.180 --> 00:27:50.140 And we need to operate those things properly. 00:27:50.779 --> 00:27:51.920 And to understand, 00:27:52.060 --> 00:27:56.039 the Great Commission calls us to the transformation of souls through the gospel, 00:27:56.340 --> 00:27:59.519 not the transformation of nations through legislation. 00:27:59.519 --> 00:28:03.319 That's a big difference. 00:28:03.319 --> 00:28:07.339 I want you to understand what's happening, 00:28:07.480 --> 00:28:13.759 because our power as a church is spiritual in Christ, not political. 00:28:13.759 --> 00:28:21.640 Our sphere of influence is spiritual for maturity of the believers and not political. 00:28:21.640 --> 00:28:25.300 Now, we're going to talk about some things. 00:28:25.520 --> 00:28:27.580 So, in regards to this, how it goes, 00:28:27.660 --> 00:28:28.660 I want you to understand, 00:28:29.180 --> 00:28:31.080 it grows through the Word of God, 00:28:31.180 --> 00:28:32.980 prayer, the ordinance of baptism, 00:28:33.120 --> 00:28:33.860 and the Lord's Supper. 00:28:33.940 --> 00:28:36.280 Those are essential things that God gave to us. 00:28:36.279 --> 00:28:40.920 Faithful preaching and the faithful testimony of individual believers. 00:28:42.180 --> 00:28:43.099 But I want you to understand, 00:28:43.220 --> 00:28:44.379 dominionist movement, 00:28:44.559 --> 00:28:46.859 the Christian nationalist dominionist movement, 00:28:47.519 --> 00:28:49.599 as we defined last week, 00:28:50.119 --> 00:28:51.339 because if you remember, 00:28:51.480 --> 00:28:53.779 Christian nationalism is a term that gets thrown around and tossed around. 00:28:54.859 --> 00:28:57.319 So we need to define who's talking about it and what. 00:28:57.399 --> 00:28:58.180 But I want you to understand, 00:28:58.259 --> 00:29:02.059 you have people out there that claim to be Christian nationalists by their own term. 00:29:03.000 --> 00:29:05.660 You will find they follow dominion theology. 00:29:07.279 --> 00:29:11.559 Dominionist theology is very present within our society today. 00:29:12.299 --> 00:29:14.460 You get on YouTube, you'll find a ton of them 00:29:14.460 --> 00:29:18.119 trying to promote their little ideas. 00:29:18.879 --> 00:29:23.399 It elevates, the problem is it elevates political activism and cultural control 00:29:23.399 --> 00:29:26.619 over to the level of the Great Commission. 00:29:26.779 --> 00:29:29.259 In other words, even replacing the Great Commission. 00:29:29.399 --> 00:29:30.960 In other words, our goal is a, 00:29:31.259 --> 00:29:33.399 they think church is a political movement 00:29:33.399 --> 00:29:35.920 instead of a spiritual transformational movement. 00:29:36.279 --> 00:29:38.079 Our nation, you know what? 00:29:38.119 --> 00:29:39.460 If churches got busy, 00:29:39.839 --> 00:29:42.700 if people's lives were transformed by the gospel, 00:29:42.839 --> 00:29:43.399 you know what? 00:29:43.519 --> 00:29:44.940 The government would be transformed. 00:29:49.940 --> 00:29:51.879 That's how transformation changes. 00:29:52.660 --> 00:29:54.059 So we need to understand, 00:29:54.180 --> 00:29:55.220 let's take a look here quick, 00:29:55.299 --> 00:29:59.720 the believer's relationship to civil government. 00:29:59.720 --> 00:30:01.940 Now this is rubber meets the road part. 00:30:02.900 --> 00:30:06.180 You know, what is our relationship if we're not a political entity? 00:30:06.680 --> 00:30:09.360 I want you to understand the church is not a political entity, 00:30:09.360 --> 00:30:12.180 but as an individual, we ought to be involved. 00:30:14.180 --> 00:30:16.019 That's two different things, okay? 00:30:16.980 --> 00:30:19.559 That's the other reason that separation is important. 00:30:20.140 --> 00:30:21.140 You know, we looked earlier, 00:30:21.240 --> 00:30:24.620 look back where we started out here in Romans chapter 13. 00:30:24.619 --> 00:30:26.539 Romans chapter 13. 00:30:27.859 --> 00:30:29.839 Let's consider what's here 00:30:29.839 --> 00:30:33.259 because the New Testament is very clear and plain 00:30:33.259 --> 00:30:36.799 in its teaching about the Christian's relationship to civil government. 00:30:37.459 --> 00:30:39.539 This is the area where dominion theology 00:30:39.539 --> 00:30:40.699 and Christian nationalism 00:30:40.699 --> 00:30:45.659 most practically affect your thoughts and processes of life. 00:30:47.059 --> 00:30:50.199 Notice what it says here in verse 1 of Romans chapter 13. 00:30:50.200 --> 00:31:20.180 It says, 00:31:20.200 --> 00:31:31.279 Government is God's minister for good. 00:31:33.559 --> 00:31:36.279 Believers are called to be subject to it 00:31:36.279 --> 00:31:39.240 and to even pray for those in authority. 00:31:40.519 --> 00:31:42.120 You know, think about where to pray for them, 00:31:42.500 --> 00:31:43.620 where to pay our taxes. 00:31:46.759 --> 00:31:49.420 You know, I don't like taxes any more than anybody else. 00:31:50.200 --> 00:31:51.360 But you know what? 00:31:52.600 --> 00:31:54.799 Jesus made it very clear we're supposed to do what? 00:31:57.319 --> 00:31:57.840 Pay them. 00:32:00.420 --> 00:32:02.539 That's a hard pill to swallow as an American, isn't it? 00:32:03.500 --> 00:32:05.500 You know, that's where our influencing government 00:32:05.500 --> 00:32:06.740 can cut the government spending, 00:32:06.860 --> 00:32:08.299 which means they can tax you less, right? 00:32:08.980 --> 00:32:10.340 You know, because once they take it, 00:32:10.380 --> 00:32:11.580 they seem to never give it back. 00:32:13.279 --> 00:32:14.799 A whole other topic for another day. 00:32:15.619 --> 00:32:17.599 I'll get political if I get stomping on that one. 00:32:19.599 --> 00:32:21.000 But I want you to understand, 00:32:22.460 --> 00:32:24.599 we are to obey its laws, 00:32:24.659 --> 00:32:25.799 not to conquer it, 00:32:25.859 --> 00:32:28.639 not to remake it according to a theocratic vision. 00:32:29.779 --> 00:32:30.000 Okay? 00:32:30.960 --> 00:32:31.359 Now, 00:32:32.819 --> 00:32:34.359 the limits of obedience. 00:32:34.500 --> 00:32:35.680 This is an important question. 00:32:36.339 --> 00:32:37.859 The limits of obedience. 00:32:38.359 --> 00:32:41.259 When civil authority exceeds its bounds. 00:32:41.259 --> 00:32:41.480 You know, 00:32:41.519 --> 00:32:43.799 there's times that government's going to exceed its bounds. 00:32:45.480 --> 00:32:45.819 Okay? 00:32:47.099 --> 00:32:47.960 I want you to understand, 00:32:48.140 --> 00:32:49.319 obedience to government, 00:32:49.460 --> 00:32:51.059 it says to be subject to, 00:32:51.680 --> 00:32:54.619 but obedience to government is not absolute. 00:32:55.980 --> 00:32:59.339 When civil authority commands what God forbids, 00:32:59.759 --> 00:33:02.099 or forbids what God commands, 00:33:02.660 --> 00:33:05.720 believers must obey God rather than men. 00:33:07.680 --> 00:33:10.240 Acts 5.29 makes it very clear. 00:33:10.240 --> 00:33:12.480 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, 00:33:12.599 --> 00:33:15.599 we ought to obey God rather than men. 00:33:16.380 --> 00:33:17.660 That's the application. 00:33:17.839 --> 00:33:18.980 It's not rebellion. 00:33:19.539 --> 00:33:20.180 It's saying, 00:33:20.420 --> 00:33:23.980 I cannot subject to that because God is a higher authority. 00:33:25.579 --> 00:33:30.440 God has a principle that even though I'm supposed to be subject unto you, 00:33:30.960 --> 00:33:31.819 God's principle, 00:33:31.960 --> 00:33:34.480 what you're asking me to do is not in the right order. 00:33:35.640 --> 00:33:36.180 In other words, 00:33:36.279 --> 00:33:38.299 God has superseded your authority. 00:33:38.299 --> 00:33:40.480 The very one that puts you there has a higher authority. 00:33:43.079 --> 00:33:45.480 This principle you see throughout scripture. 00:33:46.519 --> 00:33:46.700 You know, 00:33:46.720 --> 00:33:48.519 you think about the Hebrew midwives, 00:33:49.059 --> 00:33:49.559 Daniel, 00:33:50.059 --> 00:33:50.440 Peter, 00:33:50.599 --> 00:33:51.220 and John. 00:33:51.919 --> 00:33:53.379 But I want you to understand, 00:33:53.579 --> 00:33:54.759 even in such cases, 00:33:54.879 --> 00:33:59.079 the believers remain subject to the lawful consequences of civil authority. 00:33:59.079 --> 00:34:03.659 They didn't ignore it and just say, 00:34:03.759 --> 00:34:03.859 okay, 00:34:03.939 --> 00:34:04.859 God's going to take care of us. 00:34:04.919 --> 00:34:05.399 I shouldn't be, 00:34:05.539 --> 00:34:07.240 I shouldn't have to face any consequences. 00:34:07.379 --> 00:34:07.779 You know what? 00:34:07.819 --> 00:34:09.219 They still face the consequences. 00:34:10.860 --> 00:34:11.579 They just said, 00:34:11.639 --> 00:34:11.819 no, 00:34:11.880 --> 00:34:12.920 we're not going to do that, 00:34:12.960 --> 00:34:14.739 which is contrary to what God has said. 00:34:17.340 --> 00:34:18.840 We'll face the consequences. 00:34:18.840 --> 00:34:22.480 The biblical principle is very clear here. 00:34:22.760 --> 00:34:24.360 And we're going to talk about this a little more, 00:34:24.420 --> 00:34:29.059 that biblical principle of separation between the church and the civil state. 00:34:29.500 --> 00:34:29.680 You know, 00:34:29.740 --> 00:34:33.980 it's based and grounded in our Lord's own teaching to render under Caesar, 00:34:34.100 --> 00:34:35.760 that which is Caesar and under God's, 00:34:35.780 --> 00:34:36.780 that which is God's. 00:34:37.539 --> 00:34:38.840 That's Matthew 22, 00:34:38.980 --> 00:34:40.019 verse 21. 00:34:40.019 --> 00:34:40.800 If you want to take a new, 00:34:41.519 --> 00:34:45.219 his kingdom is not of this world. 00:34:46.039 --> 00:34:46.199 You know, 00:34:46.380 --> 00:34:50.280 he protects both the church's independence and the individual believers, 00:34:50.480 --> 00:34:51.539 liberty of conscience. 00:34:52.659 --> 00:34:52.880 You know, 00:34:53.539 --> 00:34:57.940 your liberty of conscience and everybody else's is a core biblical principle. 00:34:59.739 --> 00:34:59.980 You know, 00:35:00.659 --> 00:35:03.139 historically, 00:35:04.139 --> 00:35:05.099 Bible believers, 00:35:05.360 --> 00:35:06.940 when they believe the Bible, 00:35:07.059 --> 00:35:08.639 it's been its strongest defender. 00:35:08.639 --> 00:35:11.639 It's not called to a theocratic conquest. 00:35:12.400 --> 00:35:12.719 In other words, 00:35:12.759 --> 00:35:14.699 to force religion upon somebody, 00:35:14.739 --> 00:35:15.900 you're to present truth. 00:35:17.639 --> 00:35:18.639 And understand, 00:35:18.839 --> 00:35:20.839 now let's look at this a little bit here, 00:35:20.920 --> 00:35:22.799 the U.S. Constitution and the believer, 00:35:22.940 --> 00:35:24.219 because this is an important part. 00:35:25.759 --> 00:35:27.879 As citizens of the United States, 00:35:28.079 --> 00:35:29.359 we need to understand, 00:35:30.440 --> 00:35:32.359 our context is for us. 00:35:33.500 --> 00:35:37.639 Some of the context as we move forward might be different for somebody else. 00:35:38.639 --> 00:35:40.960 That's under a different form of government. 00:35:42.119 --> 00:35:42.460 Okay? 00:35:43.319 --> 00:35:44.239 We need to understand, 00:35:44.359 --> 00:35:47.199 not everybody operates like American government operates. 00:35:48.139 --> 00:35:49.259 Maybe we're thankful for that, 00:35:49.319 --> 00:35:49.799 maybe we're not, 00:35:49.879 --> 00:35:55.319 but I'm thankful they do have a few guidelines and principles that they have to kind of keep them in check. 00:35:56.359 --> 00:35:56.639 You know, 00:35:56.659 --> 00:35:57.920 that's called our constitution. 00:35:57.920 --> 00:36:05.159 That's the checks upon our government that our founders of our nation put in. 00:36:05.740 --> 00:36:05.900 You know, 00:36:05.940 --> 00:36:11.619 we're blessed to live under a constitutional republic that especially respects religious liberty. 00:36:12.880 --> 00:36:13.840 Free speech, 00:36:13.960 --> 00:36:15.460 the right to peaceably assemble, 00:36:16.180 --> 00:36:16.360 you know, 00:36:16.500 --> 00:36:22.240 blessings consistent with historic principles that Baptists have held. 00:36:22.239 --> 00:36:28.579 Baptists have historically been among the strongest in our nation advocates for separation of church and state. 00:36:29.699 --> 00:36:30.739 I want you to understand, 00:36:30.879 --> 00:36:34.079 it's not because they were anti-religious in public life, 00:36:34.079 --> 00:36:41.679 because they understood that state-controlled church and a church-controlled state are both corruptions of God's design. 00:36:41.679 --> 00:36:42.079 Remember, 00:36:42.079 --> 00:36:44.099 remember, 00:36:44.239 --> 00:36:45.359 there's separate parallels. 00:36:47.359 --> 00:36:48.159 God's given us, 00:36:48.299 --> 00:36:49.119 as an individual, 00:36:49.279 --> 00:36:51.039 we fall under a lot of them. 00:36:52.059 --> 00:36:56.559 We need to understand that we have to operate within the scope of each of those, 00:36:56.599 --> 00:37:00.440 and sometimes those things we have to say which one has a higher authority, 00:37:01.059 --> 00:37:03.679 and operate in the context. 00:37:05.419 --> 00:37:05.639 You know, 00:37:05.699 --> 00:37:07.859 one of the phrases that are thrown around much today, 00:37:08.279 --> 00:37:09.119 how about you hear this one? 00:37:09.440 --> 00:37:10.779 Separation of church and state. 00:37:11.679 --> 00:37:15.599 Have you heard people screaming that? 00:37:17.339 --> 00:37:18.359 Every time they do, 00:37:18.419 --> 00:37:19.199 it makes me laugh. 00:37:20.339 --> 00:37:24.119 Because most of them are so out of context. 00:37:26.839 --> 00:37:30.440 They try to use a Supreme Court decision wording 00:37:30.440 --> 00:37:35.899 that the Supreme Court justice used completely out of context. 00:37:39.179 --> 00:37:40.980 And how do we know it was out of context? 00:37:40.980 --> 00:37:48.240 Because that phrase comes from a letter that a group of Baptists in Danbury, Connecticut, 00:37:48.440 --> 00:37:49.820 wrote to Thomas Jefferson. 00:37:50.760 --> 00:37:53.820 The Danbury Baptist Association, a group of churches, 00:37:54.679 --> 00:38:00.599 wrote to Jefferson with an express concern about this new government. 00:38:00.599 --> 00:38:01.599 An express dynamic. 00:38:01.599 --> 00:38:02.599 An express dynamic. 00:38:02.599 --> 00:38:03.839 An express dynamic. 00:38:06.259 --> 00:38:07.960 Because I want you to understand, 00:38:09.259 --> 00:38:13.900 they were forced to pay taxes for the established Congregationalist Church. 00:38:13.900 --> 00:38:17.280 So their concern was, 00:38:17.280 --> 00:38:19.700 when they wrote to Thomas Jefferson, 00:38:19.700 --> 00:38:24.940 and wanted to be affirmed that religion is a matter between man and God, 00:38:25.059 --> 00:38:28.599 that no civil magistrate has authority over the conscience, 00:38:28.920 --> 00:38:31.300 even to be forced to give money to a different church. 00:38:31.300 --> 00:38:36.019 That's the context. 00:38:38.560 --> 00:38:39.480 That is there. 00:38:41.420 --> 00:38:44.300 Jefferson, in 1802, agreed. 00:38:44.300 --> 00:38:52.100 Describing the First Amendment as a wall of separation between church and state. 00:38:52.100 --> 00:38:58.380 The wall, rightly understood, is a Baptist conviction before it was a Jeffersonian phrase. 00:38:59.220 --> 00:39:01.720 Its purpose was to keep the state out of church, 00:39:01.920 --> 00:39:04.100 no compulsory tax for other denominations, 00:39:04.820 --> 00:39:06.300 no state license to preach, 00:39:06.539 --> 00:39:08.460 no civil penalty for dissent, 00:39:08.460 --> 00:39:12.340 no silent Christian witness in the public square. 00:39:12.940 --> 00:39:15.340 You know, I want you to understand that Christian nationalism, 00:39:15.539 --> 00:39:16.440 dominion theology, 00:39:16.960 --> 00:39:20.199 is claiming that the wall is a myth, 00:39:20.320 --> 00:39:23.860 or that Christians should establish biblical law as a civil code. 00:39:24.780 --> 00:39:25.720 What are they doing? 00:39:25.800 --> 00:39:28.420 They're putting in the very thing that causes the problem. 00:39:30.720 --> 00:39:32.500 They want the government out of church, 00:39:32.559 --> 00:39:34.800 but they want the church to have full control over the government. 00:39:36.539 --> 00:39:36.840 You know what? 00:39:36.840 --> 00:39:38.880 Biblically, God is against both. 00:39:41.640 --> 00:39:43.280 Very important distinction, 00:39:43.860 --> 00:39:45.579 as we understand that, 00:39:45.940 --> 00:39:48.940 that that's the reason we have the rights we have, 00:39:49.079 --> 00:39:51.059 because these men took a stand, 00:39:51.140 --> 00:39:56.300 and were writing and pleading for this right that we can have in our Constitution. 00:39:56.980 --> 00:39:58.880 They saw if it's not there, you know what? 00:39:58.940 --> 00:40:01.019 If something's not in writing, you know how good it is? 00:40:03.000 --> 00:40:04.039 We already know that. 00:40:04.059 --> 00:40:04.820 It's not much good. 00:40:04.820 --> 00:40:07.420 That's the reason it was important. 00:40:07.519 --> 00:40:08.220 It got put in. 00:40:09.420 --> 00:40:11.260 It was fought for, discussed. 00:40:11.360 --> 00:40:13.059 You can look up some of that, 00:40:13.140 --> 00:40:16.600 but I want you to understand the picture here, 00:40:16.760 --> 00:40:19.200 because Christian nationalists, 00:40:19.260 --> 00:40:21.480 to many of us, will say that was a false claim. 00:40:21.480 --> 00:40:25.360 The separation of church and state. 00:40:27.000 --> 00:40:27.380 You know what? 00:40:27.400 --> 00:40:29.860 They're having a problem already with what God has established. 00:40:31.820 --> 00:40:32.840 Render unto Caesar, 00:40:32.960 --> 00:40:34.240 is that which is Caesar unto God, 00:40:34.320 --> 00:40:35.240 that's which is God's. 00:40:38.119 --> 00:40:39.579 I want you to see here 00:40:39.579 --> 00:40:42.260 that there's people, 00:40:42.460 --> 00:40:44.119 Baptists in the history of our nation, 00:40:44.119 --> 00:40:45.619 that took a lot of flack 00:40:45.619 --> 00:40:46.980 and a lot of problems for that, 00:40:47.159 --> 00:40:48.000 to make that happen. 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:52.519 They paid fines, 00:40:52.659 --> 00:40:53.460 they went to jail, 00:40:53.559 --> 00:40:54.199 they were beaten. 00:40:57.800 --> 00:40:59.539 That liberty is because 00:40:59.539 --> 00:41:01.280 somebody looked at the scripture and said, 00:41:01.400 --> 00:41:02.099 we're going to fight 00:41:02.099 --> 00:41:04.139 to make sure this stays in its right place. 00:41:07.019 --> 00:41:09.019 A lot of people today want to blend it back. 00:41:09.019 --> 00:41:11.699 I want you to understand 00:41:11.699 --> 00:41:13.159 that might sound convenient, 00:41:14.159 --> 00:41:18.019 but it's not going to be so convenient 00:41:18.019 --> 00:41:18.960 once it happens. 00:41:22.519 --> 00:41:24.320 Because you will delude 00:41:24.320 --> 00:41:25.780 your liberty 00:41:25.780 --> 00:41:27.019 greatly. 00:41:31.059 --> 00:41:32.019 When you understand 00:41:32.639 --> 00:41:34.019 that Christ alone 00:41:34.539 --> 00:41:36.239 is Lord of the conscience 00:41:36.239 --> 00:41:37.800 and the gospel does not need 00:41:37.800 --> 00:41:38.880 the sword of the state 00:41:38.880 --> 00:41:39.560 to advance. 00:41:41.480 --> 00:41:42.780 That's another critical thing. 00:41:42.840 --> 00:41:43.860 You cannot force 00:41:43.860 --> 00:41:44.980 conversion somebody. 00:41:48.220 --> 00:41:49.660 That's part of that whole dynamic. 00:41:50.980 --> 00:41:52.060 You know what they wanted to do 00:41:52.060 --> 00:41:53.300 in early America? 00:41:53.460 --> 00:41:54.400 What was still happening 00:41:54.400 --> 00:41:55.480 the same thing happened in Europe. 00:41:55.580 --> 00:41:56.580 You had a state church. 00:41:58.440 --> 00:41:59.680 You had to be a part 00:41:59.680 --> 00:42:00.500 if you were going to function 00:42:00.500 --> 00:42:01.539 within the society. 00:42:04.060 --> 00:42:04.660 If you disagreed, 00:42:05.360 --> 00:42:05.960 you know what happened? 00:42:05.960 --> 00:42:07.139 You were put out, 00:42:07.280 --> 00:42:07.619 fined, 00:42:07.720 --> 00:42:08.119 imprisoned, 00:42:08.280 --> 00:42:08.519 beaten. 00:42:12.240 --> 00:42:13.199 There was preachers 00:42:13.199 --> 00:42:13.780 who were beaten 00:42:13.780 --> 00:42:15.019 for doing nothing more 00:42:15.019 --> 00:42:16.119 but going and preaching. 00:42:20.599 --> 00:42:22.019 Preachers in early America 00:42:22.019 --> 00:42:23.400 were beaten 00:42:23.400 --> 00:42:25.059 and imprisoned 00:42:25.059 --> 00:42:26.980 for helping people 00:42:26.980 --> 00:42:28.320 follow the Lord's commandment 00:42:28.320 --> 00:42:29.699 to be scripturally baptized. 00:42:32.400 --> 00:42:33.500 Because they were preaching 00:42:33.500 --> 00:42:34.139 and baptizing 00:42:34.139 --> 00:42:35.000 without a license 00:42:35.000 --> 00:42:35.780 from the state. 00:42:38.960 --> 00:42:40.260 That's our context 00:42:40.260 --> 00:42:41.119 that's important 00:42:41.119 --> 00:42:44.599 to understand those things. 00:42:45.119 --> 00:42:46.699 We must also reckon honestly 00:42:46.699 --> 00:42:47.920 with the moral foundation 00:42:47.920 --> 00:42:48.579 of our nation 00:42:48.579 --> 00:42:49.739 as it now stands. 00:42:50.159 --> 00:42:51.699 Because the civil sphere 00:42:51.699 --> 00:42:52.260 in America 00:42:52.260 --> 00:42:53.420 is no longer governed 00:42:53.420 --> 00:42:55.400 by a broadly biblical conscience. 00:42:56.099 --> 00:42:56.900 It's governed 00:42:56.900 --> 00:42:58.199 by secular humanism, 00:42:58.300 --> 00:42:58.860 the assumption 00:42:58.860 --> 00:43:00.139 that a man is a measure 00:43:00.139 --> 00:43:01.320 of all things, 00:43:01.360 --> 00:43:02.460 that morality is determined 00:43:02.460 --> 00:43:03.280 by reason, 00:43:03.780 --> 00:43:04.119 sentiment, 00:43:04.320 --> 00:43:05.000 and the majority 00:43:05.000 --> 00:43:06.280 is will 00:43:06.280 --> 00:43:08.720 rather than God's revealed word. 00:43:09.420 --> 00:43:09.559 You know, 00:43:09.559 --> 00:43:10.420 think about what judges. 00:43:10.539 --> 00:43:11.400 Every man did that 00:43:11.400 --> 00:43:12.119 which was right 00:43:12.119 --> 00:43:14.240 in his own eyes. 00:43:15.699 --> 00:43:16.199 You know, 00:43:16.460 --> 00:43:17.440 the laws 00:43:17.440 --> 00:43:18.380 and the institutions 00:43:18.380 --> 00:43:19.420 under which we live 00:43:19.420 --> 00:43:21.380 are being rewritten 00:43:21.380 --> 00:43:22.559 on the foundations 00:43:22.559 --> 00:43:23.740 hostile to Scripture 00:43:23.740 --> 00:43:24.659 on both ends. 00:43:25.840 --> 00:43:27.260 Because secular humanism 00:43:27.260 --> 00:43:27.960 is a religion 00:43:27.960 --> 00:43:28.720 that's taking over 00:43:28.720 --> 00:43:29.240 our government. 00:43:30.040 --> 00:43:30.520 They're making 00:43:30.520 --> 00:43:31.780 a religious statement 00:43:31.780 --> 00:43:33.220 by saying 00:43:33.220 --> 00:43:33.840 some of the things 00:43:33.840 --> 00:43:34.440 that they say 00:43:34.440 --> 00:43:36.520 and want to implement 00:43:36.520 --> 00:43:37.480 within our government. 00:43:37.920 --> 00:43:38.960 I consider them 00:43:38.960 --> 00:43:39.560 as dangerous 00:43:39.560 --> 00:43:40.640 as the dominionists. 00:43:43.140 --> 00:43:44.000 Different sides 00:43:44.000 --> 00:43:44.580 of the apple, 00:43:44.700 --> 00:43:45.240 but you know what? 00:43:45.300 --> 00:43:45.720 Both of them 00:43:45.720 --> 00:43:46.560 are the root of the devil. 00:43:49.000 --> 00:43:50.580 We need to identify them. 00:43:51.080 --> 00:43:51.280 You know, 00:43:51.320 --> 00:43:51.880 if you recall 00:43:51.880 --> 00:43:52.760 from lesson one 00:43:52.760 --> 00:43:53.840 that God ordained 00:43:53.840 --> 00:43:55.019 four distinct spheres. 00:43:56.180 --> 00:43:56.760 The believer 00:43:56.760 --> 00:43:57.900 as an individual, 00:43:58.079 --> 00:43:58.640 the church, 00:43:59.079 --> 00:43:59.960 the workplace, 00:44:00.420 --> 00:44:01.539 and civil magistrate, 00:44:01.640 --> 00:44:02.100 the government. 00:44:02.900 --> 00:44:04.039 Each has its own 00:44:04.039 --> 00:44:05.200 God-given lane 00:44:05.200 --> 00:44:07.000 and dominion theology 00:44:07.000 --> 00:44:08.420 and Christian nationalism 00:44:08.420 --> 00:44:10.059 mainly contest 00:44:10.059 --> 00:44:11.100 that three of those, 00:44:11.200 --> 00:44:11.740 the believer, 00:44:12.579 --> 00:44:13.539 the local church, 00:44:13.620 --> 00:44:14.740 and the civil sphere, 00:44:14.900 --> 00:44:15.820 but they want the church 00:44:15.820 --> 00:44:16.500 as universal 00:44:16.500 --> 00:44:19.360 in their context, 00:44:19.360 --> 00:44:20.480 and they collapse 00:44:20.480 --> 00:44:21.539 all three into one 00:44:21.539 --> 00:44:22.559 by having the church 00:44:22.559 --> 00:44:23.820 seize the civil sphere 00:44:23.820 --> 00:44:26.140 and rule the believer's life 00:44:26.140 --> 00:44:27.200 through political power. 00:44:29.000 --> 00:44:29.480 You know, 00:44:29.519 --> 00:44:29.960 you'll see 00:44:29.960 --> 00:44:31.000 the interesting thing 00:44:31.000 --> 00:44:31.539 that one of them 00:44:31.539 --> 00:44:31.960 on the internet, 00:44:32.059 --> 00:44:32.800 a big proponent, 00:44:33.460 --> 00:44:34.160 actually saw 00:44:34.160 --> 00:44:34.860 in him interview 00:44:34.860 --> 00:44:35.760 and he basically said, 00:44:36.160 --> 00:44:36.760 oh no, 00:44:36.860 --> 00:44:38.019 if we get this implemented, 00:44:38.200 --> 00:44:39.320 everybody will still be free 00:44:39.320 --> 00:44:40.340 to worship God 00:44:40.340 --> 00:44:41.360 however they want. 00:44:43.440 --> 00:44:44.240 Then you see him 00:44:44.240 --> 00:44:44.980 a little later on, 00:44:45.039 --> 00:44:45.360 oh no, 00:44:45.420 --> 00:44:46.280 that's not what we meant. 00:44:47.180 --> 00:44:47.920 Everybody's going to be, 00:44:48.340 --> 00:44:49.180 follow what we say. 00:44:50.400 --> 00:44:50.940 It's like, 00:44:50.980 --> 00:44:51.080 well, 00:44:51.120 --> 00:44:51.780 which one is it? 00:44:53.820 --> 00:44:56.000 I tend to believe 00:44:56.000 --> 00:44:57.200 from human nature 00:44:57.200 --> 00:44:58.180 it's probably the latter. 00:45:00.780 --> 00:45:02.180 Those restraints 00:45:02.180 --> 00:45:02.920 are important. 00:45:03.519 --> 00:45:04.360 That dynamic 00:45:04.360 --> 00:45:06.240 is critical 00:45:06.240 --> 00:45:07.380 in that. 00:45:07.519 --> 00:45:07.820 And so, 00:45:08.039 --> 00:45:09.080 when we understand 00:45:09.080 --> 00:45:10.039 they collapse them, 00:45:10.360 --> 00:45:13.220 and that's one wrong answer, 00:45:14.280 --> 00:45:15.380 I want you to understand 00:45:15.380 --> 00:45:15.820 that we can't 00:45:16.580 --> 00:45:17.620 collapse all three. 00:45:18.260 --> 00:45:19.200 Passive retreat 00:45:19.200 --> 00:45:20.360 from the public square 00:45:20.360 --> 00:45:20.880 is another. 00:45:21.539 --> 00:45:22.720 That's the opposite side. 00:45:22.719 --> 00:45:23.319 It's either somebody 00:45:23.319 --> 00:45:24.099 wants to take it over 00:45:24.099 --> 00:45:25.259 or they want to collapse from. 00:45:25.759 --> 00:45:27.059 I want you to understand 00:45:27.059 --> 00:45:28.500 that neither one of those 00:45:28.500 --> 00:45:29.139 are the answer. 00:45:29.219 --> 00:45:30.339 The biblical answer 00:45:30.339 --> 00:45:32.179 and what we want to defend 00:45:32.179 --> 00:45:32.980 from the scripture 00:45:32.980 --> 00:45:33.819 is different. 00:45:34.199 --> 00:45:35.439 It keeps the spheres 00:45:35.439 --> 00:45:36.659 of these influences 00:45:36.659 --> 00:45:37.500 distinct, 00:45:37.739 --> 00:45:39.019 but understanding 00:45:39.019 --> 00:45:40.219 that we have to operate 00:45:40.219 --> 00:45:40.859 within them 00:45:40.859 --> 00:45:41.879 and we have a right 00:45:41.879 --> 00:45:42.500 and a privilege 00:45:42.500 --> 00:45:43.279 as Americans 00:45:43.279 --> 00:45:44.579 to operate within that. 00:45:46.459 --> 00:45:47.679 That's part of your rights 00:45:47.679 --> 00:45:48.899 as a citizen 00:45:48.899 --> 00:45:50.059 of the United States. 00:45:50.059 --> 00:45:52.299 to operate 00:45:52.299 --> 00:45:53.460 in civil discourse. 00:45:55.400 --> 00:45:56.099 You know what? 00:45:56.119 --> 00:45:57.039 You cannot separate 00:45:57.039 --> 00:45:59.119 your beliefs 00:45:59.119 --> 00:46:00.960 from civil discourse. 00:46:02.940 --> 00:46:03.099 You know, 00:46:03.119 --> 00:46:04.440 if a politician says, 00:46:04.539 --> 00:46:04.579 well, 00:46:04.599 --> 00:46:05.759 I believe that in private, 00:46:05.860 --> 00:46:06.659 but I'm going to do this 00:46:06.659 --> 00:46:07.420 for the sake of, 00:46:07.739 --> 00:46:07.920 you know, 00:46:07.940 --> 00:46:08.400 everything else, 00:46:08.440 --> 00:46:09.059 you know what it tells me? 00:46:09.079 --> 00:46:09.880 They don't really believe 00:46:09.880 --> 00:46:10.880 what they believe in private. 00:46:10.880 --> 00:46:15.619 Because if they do, 00:46:15.860 --> 00:46:16.680 if they say one thing 00:46:16.680 --> 00:46:17.200 and do another, 00:46:17.320 --> 00:46:17.940 what's that called? 00:46:20.099 --> 00:46:20.500 Hypocrisy. 00:46:20.980 --> 00:46:21.500 In other words, 00:46:21.599 --> 00:46:22.940 one is not true to them. 00:46:26.900 --> 00:46:28.280 When we understand 00:46:28.280 --> 00:46:30.940 that every believer 00:46:30.940 --> 00:46:31.500 is governed 00:46:31.500 --> 00:46:32.340 by the word 00:46:32.340 --> 00:46:33.480 and the God spirit 00:46:33.480 --> 00:46:34.559 that dwells within them, 00:46:35.260 --> 00:46:36.420 we need to understand 00:46:36.420 --> 00:46:37.599 the church is governed 00:46:37.599 --> 00:46:38.880 by Christ as a head 00:46:38.880 --> 00:46:40.360 through sound biblical teaching, 00:46:40.360 --> 00:46:42.180 civil government does it. 00:46:42.539 --> 00:46:44.200 It's God-ordained work 00:46:44.200 --> 00:46:45.360 of restraining evil 00:46:45.360 --> 00:46:46.500 and rewarding good. 00:46:48.900 --> 00:46:49.099 You know, 00:46:49.120 --> 00:46:49.820 as Americans 00:46:49.820 --> 00:46:51.220 under the U.S. Constitution, 00:46:51.599 --> 00:46:52.440 that's a blessing 00:46:52.440 --> 00:46:53.059 that we have. 00:46:54.280 --> 00:46:55.620 We still have it, 00:46:56.320 --> 00:46:57.360 yet anyways. 00:46:58.220 --> 00:46:59.840 We can be thankful for it. 00:47:00.400 --> 00:47:00.480 So, 00:47:00.579 --> 00:47:01.220 but the Bible 00:47:01.220 --> 00:47:02.720 ought to be our sole rule 00:47:02.720 --> 00:47:04.039 for life and practice. 00:47:04.620 --> 00:47:05.360 The Constitution 00:47:05.360 --> 00:47:06.599 is the lawful, 00:47:06.720 --> 00:47:07.539 civil framework 00:47:07.539 --> 00:47:08.620 under which we live 00:47:08.620 --> 00:47:09.180 as citizens. 00:47:09.179 --> 00:47:12.000 The Bible guides 00:47:12.000 --> 00:47:13.059 morals and truth 00:47:13.059 --> 00:47:13.559 and ethic 00:47:13.559 --> 00:47:14.440 and understanding 00:47:14.440 --> 00:47:15.099 and belief. 00:47:15.839 --> 00:47:16.799 The Constitution 00:47:16.799 --> 00:47:18.319 guides civil government 00:47:18.319 --> 00:47:21.480 and the restraints 00:47:21.480 --> 00:47:22.139 of our government. 00:47:22.940 --> 00:47:24.059 Neither replaces 00:47:24.059 --> 00:47:24.659 the other. 00:47:25.259 --> 00:47:26.359 Neither requires 00:47:26.359 --> 00:47:27.739 the church 00:47:27.739 --> 00:47:29.119 a universal mindset 00:47:29.119 --> 00:47:30.159 to take the levers 00:47:30.159 --> 00:47:30.679 of state 00:47:30.679 --> 00:47:31.940 to be faithful to Christ. 00:47:32.259 --> 00:47:32.799 In other words, 00:47:32.839 --> 00:47:33.619 a local church 00:47:33.619 --> 00:47:34.440 does what it's supposed 00:47:34.440 --> 00:47:35.460 to do where it is 00:47:35.460 --> 00:47:37.319 and accomplish God's mission 00:47:37.320 --> 00:47:38.280 and God's task. 00:47:39.880 --> 00:47:40.720 And as believers, 00:47:40.860 --> 00:47:41.600 we'll influence 00:47:41.600 --> 00:47:43.059 our society around us. 00:47:43.740 --> 00:47:45.300 Those things are very clear 00:47:45.300 --> 00:47:46.400 in Scripture. 00:47:47.100 --> 00:47:47.280 You know, 00:47:47.300 --> 00:47:47.880 as Christians 00:47:47.880 --> 00:47:48.500 are encouraged 00:47:48.500 --> 00:47:49.260 to participate 00:47:49.260 --> 00:47:50.900 in civil life, 00:47:50.940 --> 00:47:51.320 to vote, 00:47:51.420 --> 00:47:52.140 to speak truth 00:47:52.140 --> 00:47:52.860 in the public square, 00:47:52.940 --> 00:47:53.460 to advocate 00:47:53.460 --> 00:47:54.200 for righteousness, 00:47:54.200 --> 00:47:55.700 these are the legitimate 00:47:55.700 --> 00:47:57.180 fruits of good citizenship. 00:47:57.179 --> 00:47:58.519 But the goal 00:47:58.519 --> 00:47:59.059 is never 00:47:59.059 --> 00:48:00.319 theocratic control. 00:48:00.859 --> 00:48:01.779 We are ambassadors 00:48:01.779 --> 00:48:02.940 of another kingdom. 00:48:03.219 --> 00:48:04.379 We're sojourners 00:48:04.379 --> 00:48:05.239 in this world. 00:48:05.619 --> 00:48:06.559 We're seeking first 00:48:06.559 --> 00:48:07.500 the kingdom of God. 00:48:07.599 --> 00:48:09.119 Never seeking God first. 00:48:09.679 --> 00:48:10.599 The place that He's going 00:48:10.599 --> 00:48:11.739 to be translated into. 00:48:11.859 --> 00:48:13.199 The place that God's 00:48:13.199 --> 00:48:13.980 one day where we're going 00:48:13.980 --> 00:48:14.299 to be. 00:48:14.779 --> 00:48:15.179 In other words, 00:48:15.199 --> 00:48:16.000 you're looking ahead. 00:48:16.339 --> 00:48:16.480 You know, 00:48:16.500 --> 00:48:17.440 we have a lot of things today. 00:48:17.500 --> 00:48:18.119 People talk about 00:48:18.119 --> 00:48:19.000 planning for the future. 00:48:19.079 --> 00:48:19.559 As a Christian, 00:48:19.619 --> 00:48:20.199 you ought to be planning 00:48:20.199 --> 00:48:21.099 for what's going to come. 00:48:21.099 --> 00:48:25.980 When we understand, 00:48:26.119 --> 00:48:26.839 we ought to pray 00:48:26.839 --> 00:48:28.219 for those in authority, 00:48:28.319 --> 00:48:29.480 be faithful witnesses, 00:48:29.880 --> 00:48:30.719 and participate 00:48:30.719 --> 00:48:32.059 in civil life 00:48:32.059 --> 00:48:32.739 as a servant, 00:48:32.880 --> 00:48:34.099 not as a conqueror. 00:48:35.420 --> 00:48:36.299 I'm out of time. 00:48:36.500 --> 00:48:37.380 Where will the clock go tonight? 00:48:38.559 --> 00:48:39.460 Last point quick. 00:48:39.539 --> 00:48:40.319 We'll just cover it quick. 00:48:41.299 --> 00:48:42.179 Practical warnings. 00:48:42.339 --> 00:48:42.659 These are, 00:48:43.339 --> 00:48:44.559 how do these ideas 00:48:44.559 --> 00:48:46.059 enter our church 00:48:46.059 --> 00:48:48.599 and churches 00:48:48.599 --> 00:48:51.480 as the institution, 00:48:51.679 --> 00:48:52.519 we might say. 00:48:53.579 --> 00:48:53.739 Okay? 00:48:55.319 --> 00:48:56.339 Dominion theology 00:48:56.339 --> 00:48:57.900 doesn't always announce itself. 00:48:58.039 --> 00:48:59.039 Its ideas can enter 00:48:59.039 --> 00:49:00.259 through songs in worship 00:49:00.259 --> 00:49:01.259 that imply believers 00:49:01.259 --> 00:49:02.400 are presently reigning 00:49:02.400 --> 00:49:04.519 or that the world 00:49:04.519 --> 00:49:05.299 is becoming 00:49:05.299 --> 00:49:06.339 the kingdom of God. 00:49:06.440 --> 00:49:06.559 You know, 00:49:06.579 --> 00:49:07.639 music is powerful. 00:49:09.839 --> 00:49:11.480 The music you listen to, 00:49:11.539 --> 00:49:12.059 when you listen 00:49:12.059 --> 00:49:13.000 to wrong theology, 00:49:13.139 --> 00:49:14.559 you notice it begins 00:49:14.559 --> 00:49:15.639 to ingrain within you. 00:49:18.599 --> 00:49:20.159 Listen to the music 00:49:20.159 --> 00:49:20.579 and say, 00:49:20.699 --> 00:49:21.480 where does it line up 00:49:21.480 --> 00:49:21.900 with scripture? 00:49:23.480 --> 00:49:25.059 There's a lot of gospel songs, 00:49:25.139 --> 00:49:25.679 I'll just tell you, 00:49:25.739 --> 00:49:27.579 that are pretty bad theology. 00:49:30.659 --> 00:49:31.539 Poor theology. 00:49:33.639 --> 00:49:34.059 I mean, 00:49:34.099 --> 00:49:35.000 I heard one the other day 00:49:35.000 --> 00:49:35.739 talking about church 00:49:35.739 --> 00:49:36.219 in the kitchen. 00:49:36.339 --> 00:49:36.579 I'm like, 00:49:36.599 --> 00:49:37.400 you can't even do that. 00:49:38.679 --> 00:49:39.420 You can read your Bible 00:49:39.420 --> 00:49:39.940 in the kitchen, 00:49:40.039 --> 00:49:40.799 you can eat in the kitchen, 00:49:40.880 --> 00:49:41.559 you can do a lot of things 00:49:41.559 --> 00:49:41.940 in the kitchen, 00:49:42.000 --> 00:49:42.719 but you can't have church 00:49:42.719 --> 00:49:43.159 in the kitchen. 00:49:43.159 --> 00:49:43.239 You can't. 00:49:43.239 --> 00:49:48.779 Sounds good, 00:49:48.839 --> 00:49:50.199 it rolls off with people, 00:49:50.299 --> 00:49:50.699 but you know what, 00:49:50.719 --> 00:49:51.599 it's bad theology. 00:49:53.179 --> 00:49:54.459 It influences us. 00:49:54.719 --> 00:49:55.199 We better move on. 00:49:55.719 --> 00:49:56.659 Political activism 00:49:56.659 --> 00:49:57.779 framed as fulfilling 00:49:57.779 --> 00:49:58.619 the Great Commission. 00:49:59.819 --> 00:50:01.039 We need to be involved 00:50:01.039 --> 00:50:01.359 in this, 00:50:01.399 --> 00:50:01.939 you're going to fulfill 00:50:01.939 --> 00:50:02.439 the Great Commission. 00:50:02.559 --> 00:50:02.979 No, you're not, 00:50:03.019 --> 00:50:04.500 that's another civil responsibility 00:50:04.500 --> 00:50:05.059 that's separate 00:50:05.059 --> 00:50:05.859 from the Great Commission. 00:50:08.939 --> 00:50:09.339 Prosperity, 00:50:09.419 --> 00:50:10.219 gospel teaching 00:50:10.219 --> 00:50:11.299 that presents health 00:50:11.299 --> 00:50:11.899 and wealth 00:50:11.900 --> 00:50:12.720 as the inheritance 00:50:12.720 --> 00:50:14.300 of God's kingdom, 00:50:14.460 --> 00:50:15.440 citizens now. 00:50:16.920 --> 00:50:17.160 You know, 00:50:18.800 --> 00:50:19.900 prophetic ministries 00:50:19.900 --> 00:50:21.300 that claim special authority 00:50:21.300 --> 00:50:22.880 to direct individual churches 00:50:22.880 --> 00:50:24.340 or nations. 00:50:25.079 --> 00:50:26.340 Ecumenical alliances 00:50:26.340 --> 00:50:28.039 that unite separated churches 00:50:28.039 --> 00:50:28.740 with Rome 00:50:28.740 --> 00:50:30.440 or liberal denominations 00:50:30.440 --> 00:50:32.380 under cultural dominion agenda. 00:50:33.480 --> 00:50:34.300 I want you to understand 00:50:34.300 --> 00:50:36.400 the antidote 00:50:36.400 --> 00:50:38.099 is not political passivity, 00:50:38.280 --> 00:50:39.320 but biblical clarity. 00:50:40.000 --> 00:50:41.639 We're to be salt and light, 00:50:41.900 --> 00:50:43.000 then preserving 00:50:43.000 --> 00:50:44.340 that which is good 00:50:44.340 --> 00:50:45.220 and shining forth 00:50:45.220 --> 00:50:46.280 the truth of the gospel 00:50:46.280 --> 00:50:47.320 by remaining clear 00:50:47.320 --> 00:50:48.139 that the transformation 00:50:48.139 --> 00:50:48.720 of the world 00:50:48.720 --> 00:50:49.579 is not political 00:50:49.579 --> 00:50:50.400 but spiritual. 00:50:51.000 --> 00:50:52.099 The church's task 00:50:52.099 --> 00:50:53.500 is not to fix the world, 00:50:53.579 --> 00:50:54.639 it's to preach the gospel 00:50:54.639 --> 00:50:55.400 to every creature. 00:50:57.660 --> 00:50:58.639 Dominion theology, 00:50:59.000 --> 00:51:00.440 in whatever form it takes, 00:51:00.800 --> 00:51:01.599 is a departure 00:51:01.599 --> 00:51:02.780 from the plain teachings 00:51:02.780 --> 00:51:03.300 of scripture. 00:51:03.500 --> 00:51:04.000 It confuses 00:51:04.000 --> 00:51:05.320 the present church age 00:51:05.320 --> 00:51:06.800 with the coming kingdom, 00:51:08.300 --> 00:51:09.920 replaces the Great Commission 00:51:09.920 --> 00:51:11.059 with the political mandate, 00:51:11.240 --> 00:51:12.039 merges the church 00:51:12.039 --> 00:51:12.840 with civil government, 00:51:12.840 --> 00:51:14.440 and distracts believers 00:51:14.440 --> 00:51:15.480 from their true calling. 00:51:16.820 --> 00:51:17.220 You know, 00:51:17.260 --> 00:51:17.940 I want you to understand 00:51:17.940 --> 00:51:19.039 we need to take our truth 00:51:19.039 --> 00:51:21.059 on the word of God alone. 00:51:22.019 --> 00:51:23.180 To understand, 00:51:23.320 --> 00:51:23.980 our authority 00:51:23.980 --> 00:51:25.340 is not our tradition 00:51:25.340 --> 00:51:26.300 but the scriptures 00:51:26.300 --> 00:51:27.840 that God has given to us. 00:51:28.519 --> 00:51:29.360 Our authority 00:51:29.360 --> 00:51:30.579 is in the word of God. 00:51:31.539 --> 00:51:31.780 You know, 00:51:32.340 --> 00:51:33.460 Philippians 3.20 00:51:33.460 --> 00:51:34.099 will end here. 00:51:34.200 --> 00:51:34.340 It says, 00:51:34.340 --> 00:51:35.340 for our conversation 00:51:35.340 --> 00:51:36.000 is in heaven 00:51:36.000 --> 00:51:36.760 from whence also 00:51:36.760 --> 00:51:38.039 we look for the Savior, 00:51:38.500 --> 00:51:40.300 the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:51:40.860 --> 00:51:41.100 You know, 00:51:41.140 --> 00:51:41.900 your citizenship 00:51:41.900 --> 00:51:42.740 is in heaven, 00:51:43.200 --> 00:51:43.840 your mission 00:51:43.840 --> 00:51:44.680 is the gospel, 00:51:44.880 --> 00:51:45.500 and our hope 00:51:45.500 --> 00:51:46.300 is in the return 00:51:46.300 --> 00:51:47.180 of the Lord Jesus. 00:51:49.400 --> 00:51:50.180 Those are things 00:51:50.180 --> 00:51:50.940 we ought to be 00:51:50.940 --> 00:51:52.620 focused upon. 00:51:53.460 --> 00:51:53.840 And so, 00:51:53.960 --> 00:51:55.240 we better dismiss here, 00:51:55.360 --> 00:51:56.480 I'm already in trouble 00:51:56.480 --> 00:51:57.460 with the people downstairs. 00:51:59.280 --> 00:51:59.720 But, 00:51:59.800 --> 00:52:00.740 let's close 00:52:00.740 --> 00:52:01.360 in a word of prayer. 00:52:01.360 --> 00:52:01.519 for him.