Congress Is Not Your Ultimate Hope; The President Is Not Your Savior

Text: Philippians 3:17-21 

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

I have seen it online and heard it in many conversations: people are disgusted and disappointed by the outcome of this past week's midterm elections. Others are ecstatic and excited. In other words, some people are extremely concerned about the direction of our country, whereas others are excited that the country might be back on track and heading in the right direction.

Now, regardless of what camp you might be in—whether you are happy or sad about the results of the midterm elections—I need to tell you something this morning. Your Savior is not sitting in the White House. Your ultimate hope is not seated in Congress. And your eternal future is not determined by election outcomes.

You see, if a Christian becomes utterly devastated because his political party loses an election—or if a Christian becomes completely overjoyed because her political party wins an election—it is worth asking:

What are you ultimately trusting in?

Are you putting your total confidence in Christ or Caesar?

Are you looking for hope in the resurrection or an election?

Are you trusting the promises of God or the promises of politicians?

Tragically, we Christians in America often function practically as if there is only one kingdom. That is right; we American Christians often act and talk as if this world and its government are all that matter – that the Kingdom of Heaven doesn't exist. We come across as if our only citizenship is here in the United States of America.

And this brings us to the words of St. Paul in our Epistle reading from Philippians. You see, St. Paul makes a rather astonishing announcement to the Christians in Philippi. He tells them that their citizenship is in heaven, and from heaven they await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Now, think about that for a moment.

The Christians in Philippi lived in a Roman colony. Roman citizenship was a tremendous privilege. It brought certain rights, protections, and social standing. To be a Roman citizen was something to be proud of. And yet, St. Paul reminds these Christians that their ultimate citizenship is not found in Rome, but in heaven.

In other words, they may have belonged to Rome politically, but they belonged to Jesus Christ eternally.

And dear friends, the same is true for you and me.

You may be an American citizen who votes in elections. You may pay your taxes and have political convictions and concerns about the direction of our nation. But none of these things define who you ultimately are. That is to say, before you are a Republican, Democrat, Independent, or anything else, you are a baptized child of God. Before you belong to an earthly political party, you belong to Jesus Christ. And before you are a citizen of the United States of America, you are a citizen of heaven.

Now, please… please do not misunderstand what I am saying this morning. I am not saying that politics do not matter. I am not saying that elections mean nothing. I am not saying that we should turn a blind eye to the government, elections, and political parties. 

We Christians should grieve over unjust laws and we should rejoice when people vote in godly ways. We should care about what happens in Washington, D.C., because God has established earthly government to preserve order, punish evil, and protect our neighbors.

Indeed, as Christians, we have responsibilities in this earthly kingdom. We are to pray for our rulers, honor those in authority, vote with informed consciences, and serve our neighbors through our earthly vocations. And when the government acts unjustly? Well, we should speak against that injustice.

Listen up! Being a citizen of heaven does not mean that we abandon our responsibilities here on earth. It means that we recognize the differences between the earthly and heavenly kingdoms. We must recognize what earthly governments can do and what they cannot do.

Think about it for a moment. Congress may pass laws, but it cannot forgive your sins. The Supreme Court may issue rulings, but it cannot declare you righteous before God. A President may govern wisely, but he cannot conquer death. And no political party, regardless of how good its policies may be, can grant eternal life.

These things belong to Jesus Christ alone.

And yet, dear friends, consider how easily we confuse these two kingdoms. When our preferred political party wins, we begin to act as if everything will finally be alright. And when our preferred political party loses, we begin to act as if everything is falling apart.

We become anxious. We become angry. We become consumed with political arguments and controversies. We watch the news, read social media, and worry about what tomorrow might bring. And before we know it, our peace and assurance rise and fall with which political party is in control.  We become emotional lemmings, bouncing on the waves of political change.

But dear friends, what does this reveal?

It reveals that we have expected the earthly kingdom to provide what only the heavenly Kingdom can give. We have looked to earthly rulers for lasting peace. We have looked to political victories for ultimate security. And we have looked to the affairs of this world for a hope that can only be found in Jesus Christ.

And so, dear Christians, repent! Yes, repent of making earthly things ultimate things. Repent of placing your confidence in political leaders rather than Christ. Repent of allowing the events of Washington, D.C., to determine whether you have peace, joy, and assurance.

Mark this: idolatry in America often looks like a blue donkey or a red elephant.

Listen up! Political disappointment should never become deep despair. Likewise, political victory should never become ultimate hope. For the kingdom of Caesar and the Kingdom of Christ are not the same thing.

Baptized Saints, listen up! Your ultimate King is not elected every four years. Your ultimate King does not need to campaign for your vote. Your ultimate King does not depend upon the approval of the Senate, the majority of Congress, or the favor of the American people.

Your ultimate King is Jesus Christ, who has already conquered sin, death, and the Devil through His cross and resurrection.

And so, Baptized Saints, remember your King Jesus! Your Jesus is not a King who came to seize earthly political power or establish an earthly empire. He is the King who humbled Himself, took the form of a servant, and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.

He did not come to win an election. He came to win your salvation.

He did not come to establish a political party. He came to reconcile sinners to His heavenly Father.

He did not come to occupy the White House. He came to bear your sins upon the cross, rise victoriously from the grave, and ascend to the right hand of God the Father Almighty.

And He did all of this for you!

So, Baptized Saints, you need not act emotionally as though everything depends on Washington, D.C. You need not be tossed back and forth by every election, every political controversy, or every Supreme Court ruling.

Again, remember that political parties rise and fall. Presidents come and go. Laws are passed and overturned. Supreme Court decisions are issued and reversed. Nations flourish and decline. But Jesus Christ remains the same yesterday, today, and forever.

And this is precisely why St. Paul reminds you that your citizenship is in heaven. Hear this very clearly: St. Paul does not merely tell you where our citizenship is found. He also tells you and me what we are awaiting. We are awaiting our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body.

Think about that!

When Jesus comes again, He will not merely reform a government, pass better legislation, or appoint better judges. No! He will raise you from the grave. He will transform your lowly body to be like His glorious body. He will bring you into the fullness of His everlasting Kingdom.

And on that great and glorious day – the great eschaton - no political party will hold sway. No earthly government will have the final word, because every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and King.

Therefore, dear Christians, give Caesar what belongs to Caesar, but never give Caesar what belongs to Christ. Give Caesar your taxes, your civic responsibilities, and your prayers. But your faith, your worship, and your ultimate hope belong to Christ alone.

Baptized Saints, be faithful in your earthly citizenship, but rest assured in your heavenly citizenship.  Keep everything in perspective too: Caesar's kingdom will pass away, but Christ's Kingdom will have no end. And lastly, be keen, alert, sober-minded, and full of certainty for you belong to Christ - you are citizens of heaven.    

In the name of Jesus. Amen.