Bulletins - Sunnyside Church of the Nazarene

- - Matthew 6:9–15ESV
A Mighty Fortress is Our God
Goodness Of God
'Twas Thy Love, O God, That Knew Us
Of All the Gifts Thy Love Bestows
Turn Joshua 5 & Mark 1. The title of this sermon is If “They” Win - What Then? It’s rhetorical because one of “they” will win. Ok - what then?
We know that this coming week, and the weeks and months to follow will no doubt be some of the most contentious divisive and possibly violent weeks that we have experienced in a long time. Our country is volatile - regardless of who wins.
I believe we are at the crossroads of two very different Americas. Simplistically, one side trying desperately to hold onto the core American values and biblical principles from which our nation was formed. The other side desperately trying to progress and divorce itself from our past and move toward a Socialist America. So, we’re at a crossroads of two opposing ideologies.
Now, I'm not here to talk about which side is better, but I find it interesting that as I listen to people, even Christians we talk as if there are only two side - Right or Left, Republican or Democrat and there’s nothing beyond that. And then we get all worked up about which “kingdom” or which side will win. I believe we should be concerned. Our lives will be affected either way - I’m not dismissing that. However, is it true that there's only two kingdoms?
It seems as if some Christians have forgotten there is another Kingdom - the Kingdom of God.
As American citizens, we have one of the greatest civil privileges and duties of having the freedom to vote. More so as Christians, I believe we have a moral obligation to vote for leaders and issues that best represent and protect biblical values and truth. But remember,
We vote for leaders and issues. We are not voting for a kingdom.
There are a lot of people, Christians included who think that if “they” win - it's over for America. And that may be true - but it is not over for the Kingdom of God. Whether America holds onto its traditional values or we digress toward Socialism - it's not over for the Kingdom of God.
Do you know that the Kingdom of God is active in communist China? The Kingdom is active in Africa, the Middle East, South America. Listen very carefully -
Wherever Christians are active in Kingdom work, the Kingdom of God is active.
- regardless of the form of government. So, the biggest issue is not which kingdom wins on Tuesday night. So what is the biggest issue? Are God's people active in Kingdom work? That is a question that each person here must ask him or herself.
Now, regardless of who wins Tuesday night, it’s not over for the Kingdom of God - unless God's people neglect Kingdom work (don’t get too literal). When God's people stop seeking first the Kingdom of God - when God’s people stop living for the Kingdom - stop fighting for - stop believing in the Kingdom … it’s kind of over. So, my biggest concern is not which team wins the election. My biggest concern is that too many Christians have forgotten the Kingdom of God and have forgotten Kingdom work - the poor, the widow, the fatherless, the broken ….
Some are still more concerned about earthly kingdoms, so let’s briefly look at Joshua 5.
The setting: Moses led Israel out of Egypt. Vacationed in the desert for 40 years and now here in Joshua 5, they are under the leadership of Joshua and they are about to enter Canaan, the Promised Land. Canaan was full of pagans who are beyond wicked. Canaan was also home to the remnants or offspring of the Nephilim from Gen. 6 - the giants. They were evil.
So Israel was about to face some very powerful wicked enemies. So we have the good guys and the bad guys - two opposing “kingdoms.” The night before the battle of Jericho,
Joshua 5:13 ESV
When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?”

Isn’t that what we all want to know - what side are you on? Are you for Trump? Are for Biden? Same with Joshua - which side are you on.
Joshua 5:14–15 ESV
And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” And the commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

Joshua discovered that this man was Yahweh in the flesh - possibly the preincarnate Christ. It’s interesting how God responded to Joshua’s inquiry - “Which side are you on?” And God answered, “Neither.”
Wait a minute! How can God be neutral? We know that God is against the Canaanites. And we know that God is for Israel. God told Israel to conquer Canaan. So how can God declare neutrality? Is God from Switzerland?
God is not declaring neutrality. We know that God is on Israel’s side, but listen - He’s not on Israel’s side because of Israel. They did nothing to cause God to say, “Oh, I want to be on your team. Pick Me!” God is on Israel’s team because God first invited Israel to be on His team.
So
This is not about Israel advancing their kingdom and asking God to participate in their agenda. This is about God advancing His Kingdom through Israel. He’s asking them to participate in His agenda.
So God, “Are you for Republican or Democrat? Which kingdom are you for?”
“Neither, but I am for My Kingdom.”
Look at Mark 1. After His baptism and temptations, Jesus began His ministry like this -
Mark 1:14–15 ESV
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

Then in
Matthew 4:23 ESV
And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.

Now understand the culture of the day - there were two primary opposing kingdoms according to the Jewish mind: Israel and the rest of the world. Either Jewish or Gentile and that was it. And the Jews at that time were really tired of the Gentile Romans being all up in their business. “Go home, Romans!” Or, “Romans, go home!” They wanted the Gentiles gone, and they wanted a King who would take care of their business and reestablish their kingdom.
So Jesus shows up - God in the flesh - and what does He do? He didn’t preach for or against the Gentiles. Nor did He preach for or against Israel. He proclaimed the only Kingdom that really mattered and the only Kingdom that still matters - the Kingdom of God.
In John 18, Pilate asked Jesus, “Which Kingdom are you with? What side are you on?”
John 18:36 ESV
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”

Remember, we vote for leaders and we vote on issues - not on a Kingdom. The Kingdom of God is not Republican, or Democrat or even American. The Kingdom of God is not Conservative or Liberal. No matter what happens this week, or in the months and years to come we must proclaim and hold onto, just as Jesus did - the good news of the Kingdom of God.
So what is this Kingdom of God? In short, God’s Kingdom is eternal, it is unshakable, the gates of hell cannot prevail against it. God's Kingdom will one day be established for ever and ever here on the new earth. God, through Jesus Christ infiltrated this world with His Kingdom. So His Kingdom is already here, but not in fullness. There is more to come.
The Kingdom of God is everything God is.
If God is righteous, then His Kingdom is a Kingdom of righteousness. If God is love, then his Kingdom is a Kingdom of love. So his Kingdom is a Kingdom of truth, peace, holiness, justice, light, grace, mercy, forgiveness, power. God’s Kingdom pushes back the darkness and exposes the Light, sets captives free, heals the wounded, saves the sinner and redeems the lost. God's Kingdom infiltrates and then brings order to chaos.
Those who are in Christ are citizens of that Kingdom. And wherever we go, that’s where the Kingdom of God is - when we believe it and live like it. Wherever Christians are active doing Kingdom work, that is where the Kingdom of God is present in this world. And that is what is most important come Tuesday night. If “They” Win - What Then?
Philippians 3:17–4:1 ESV
Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

Not matter what happens Tuesday night - live like citizens of the Kingdom of God.
For those who may not know this Jesus and this Kingdom … John 3:3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Believe
Confess
Repent
Receive His love, grace and forgiveness
- - Joshua 5:13ESV
- - Joshua 5:14–15ESV
- - Mark 1:14–15NLT
- - Matthew 4:23NLT
- - John 18:36ESV
- - Philippians 3:17–4:1ESV
Lord, You Are

Matthew 6:9–15ESV

Joshua 5:13ESV

Joshua 5:14–15ESV

Mark 1:14–15NLT

Matthew 4:23NLT

John 18:36ESV

Philippians 3:17–4:1ESV