Jesus and Politics

• Politics – How Groups of People Live as Socially Organized Bodies

Jesus’ Political Platform

• Mark 1:15 - The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.

• Acts 1:3 - …appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God

• Acts 8:12 - they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God

• Acts 28:30, 31 - He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him,

proclaiming the kingdom of God.

Jesus’ Political Platform

• KINGDOM

• To have a kingdom, what do you need?

• Hosanna to the Son of David!

• Hosanna to the Son of God!

Messianic Responsibilities

• Cleanse the Temple– Restore Right Worship

• Defeat Rome!– Restore Kingdom of David

• Bring Home Exiles– Restore People of God

• Usher God into Jerusalem– Restore Israel AS GOD’S PEOPLE

Political Tools of the World

• Violence

• Manipulation

• That is ALL!

Jesus’ Political Tools

• Indiscriminate Love

• Truth-Telling

• That is ALL!

Indiscriminate Love

But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the

other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone

forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the

one who would borrow from you. "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray

for those who persecute you, (Matthew 5:39-44)

Truth-Telling

Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this

comes from evil. (Mt. 5:37)

KINGDOM

• God Rules!• You are a Child of The Living God! Never

Surrender That!• Jesus doesn’t want to be #1• Jesus wants to be ONLY!• THAT is KINGDOM

REPENT

• What does repent mean?– To cry over something naughty?– To turn around?– To change your mind?

REPENT

• TO CHANGE YOUR MIND

• MIND – WILL, HEART, CENTER OF BEING

Flavius Josephus

Jesus, Kingdom, and Repent

His message is not to clean up your life, but to CHANGE SIDES. To DEFECT. He will take care of the cleaning once you've pledged allegiance

to him. He wants to be YOUR KING! And he doesn't want part of you; he doesn't just want you to give up your bad habits; he wants ALL

OF YOU. And I warn you: He is NOT a nice guy. If you don't give it to him, he'll say to you --

THERE'S THE DOOR.