Wisdom in a Disoriented World Pt 2
Speaker: Pastor Pierre duPlessis
Scripture References: John 17:20-26 MSG, John 13:34, 2 Timothy 1:7 AMP
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. How did you respond to the sermon?
2. What gives you perspective on the election without saying how you’ll cast your vote.
3. How can we better resist fear mongers who seek to stoke fear in our hearts?
4. What are some of the dangers of pastors or leaders who seek to use fear to control the hearts and minds of their congregants?
5. Why is being engaged in cultural wars counter-productive?
6. Why is it that fear mongers never seek to win their battles?
7. How can we better love those who we vehemently disagree with?
SERMON RECAP
The presidential election is being fueled by fear caused by polarization. Polarization can be visualized as a continuum wherein two sharply contrasting or opposing perspectives are poles apart and divided on opposite sides of the continuum. Each side is convinced that their side is right and tends to demonize and bad-mouth the other. FEAR keeps the fans of animosity and disunity burning so hotly that family, friends and coworkers and neighbors stop speaking and relating to each other. FEAR is a deliberate attempt to stir up anxiety, insecurity, uncertainty and mindlessness by those who stand ready to benefit and profit from it. However, FEAR is a tactic that is not only used by politicians, and media companies. Unfortunately, many pastors have used their pulpits to promote their ideological/political take on issues by making their congregants feel they are hell bound if they don’t vote for the party or candidate they support. Scriptures are wrongly used to support their claims. They’ve contributed to the image of godless Democrats and soulless Republicans. What are some of these fears politicians have used for decades to play to our deepest fears?
● The other party, the other candidate, is out to destroy everything we value or worked hard to achieve.
● The other party doesn't care about your family or your values
● They don’t care about America
● And for a donation of $25, $100, or $500, they’ll protect you, your family and your nation.
“Evangelical militancy is often depicted as a response to fear...But it’s important to recognize that in many cases evangelical leaders stoked fear in the hearts of their followers in order to consolidate their own power and advance their own interests.”” - Kristin Du Mez
Fear mongering is the opposite of the peace God wants for His people... God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. 1 Timothy 1:7 Fear has many casualties. Primarily, giving into fear causes spiritual deformity because it entices us to place our faith in a person, party or platform that promises to protect us from whatever they’ve convinced us to fear. God’s Word reminds us where and in whom to place our trust. “Some trust in chariots, some trust in horses, but we trust in the name of our Lord, God.” Psalm 20:7 Fear brings separation, ill-will and disunity among God’s people. Instead, seek to do the hard work of being tenderly committed to God’s kingdom ...John 17:20-26 ”When it comes to culture, Jesus' followers must neither withdraw nor seek to control, but rather faithfully represent the values of the King we serve.” Jonathan Leeman
