Citizens of the Kingdom (Part 3): Living as Exiles

We see that in the Biblical Narrative (and still true today) there are only 2 kingdoms: "The World" and the Kingdom of God. All the structures and systems of the world are influenced and run by Satan and the Powers. The Bible speaks of this often in the way it uses the word “kosmos” usually translated as World. It can mean a few things 1) the earth or creation, 2) The people of the earth, or 3) the systems of world (under the enemy). Examples of Kosmos: 1 John 5:19; James 4:4; Matthew 4:8; Mark 8:36; John 15:19; John 18:36; Gal 4:3; Col 2:8; 2 Pet 2:20 Baptism Baptism in the 1st Century was not only an outward sign of an inward faith or simply a religious ritual but it was a political pledge. “The early Church of the first century viewed baptism as their sacramentum to Jesus. Tertullian (160-225 AD) contrasted the Christian sacramentum with the Roman soldier’s pledge of loyalty to the emperor and the empire. He makes the case that just as a soldier, upon his oath of allegiance, was inducted into Caesar’s army, so a Christ-follower was initiated by the sacrament of baptism into God’s Kingdom. Each person vowed faithful (allegiant) service to his ruler and kingdom. Baptism into empire or baptism into Christ’s nation was the dividing line. Tertullian condemned any Christian who would be willing to swear the Roman sacramentum, since baptism was the only sacrament a Christian should observe. For the early Church, baptism was abandoning empire and claiming new citizenship in Jesus’s nation.” (RivalNations.org) 1 Peter 3:17-22 Babylon In the early church the phrase “Babylon” became the code word for the system of Satan or the kingdom of the world (kosmos). The Way of the Exile We need to view America less like a biblical Israel and more like a biblical Babylon. How do we live as exiles in the midst of empire? -Brian Zahnd Way not to live as Exiles Tribalism Political Parties Violence 7 Mountain Mandate Ways to live as Exiles Jeremiah 29:5-7 1 Peter Daniel Jesus calls us to radical allegiance to His Kingdom alone You cannot serve 2 masters (matt 6:24) Paul tells Timothy that as a soldier of God’s kingdom he should not be caught up in civilian affairs. (2 Tim 2:4) James says that friendship with the world is enmity with God (James 4:4) We are called to seek first God’s kingdom (matt 6:33) 5 differences between Kingdom and Empire 1. DIFFERENCE OF TRUSTS 2. DIFFERENCE OF AIMS 3. DIFFERENCE OF SCOPES 4. DIFFERENCE OF RESPONSES 5. DIFFERENCE OF BATTLES Honor and Pray for the leaders (Emperors) 1 Peter 2:17 1 Tim 2:1-2 We are not called to change the world’s systems but as the church to be the change and embody the kingdom here on earth Romans 12:2- Be transformed by the renewing of our minds… We don’t think in the ways of this world. We have the minds of the King and the Kingdom, with his rule in focus.