Entangled Allegiances in the early Church
1. The Case of the Corinthians- Entangled Allegiances to Authority
1 Corinthians 1:10-14
Corinthians were picking leaders based on their own bias painted in a religious light
The aftermath of the Entangled Allegiances in Corinth:
- Diminishing “the other” to elevate “the chosen.”
- Self-centered Discernment
How Corinthians act today: Idolizing authority
Personal Check:
- Can I have open, respectful discourse about the authority? Or does it devolve into quarreling?
- Is the leader in question infallible or justifiable in every regard?
- Do I tear down “the other” to elevate “the chosen?”
- Do I listen to other experiences and understandings, or echo-chamber in my own demographic?
Jesus teaching on earthly leadership
Matthew 22:21
- What is Ceasar’s?
- 1 Peter 2:13-17
- Romans 13:1
- What is God’s?
- The whole world, everyone in it, and all of me
- If I believe, I give to God every circumstance
- Check: Do I lose my peace and joy trying to fix every injustice?
- I give God every person
- Check: Do I love others regardless of their position? Do I dehumanize people with broad labels and statements?
- I give God every part of me
- Check: Do I allow hate, bitterness, weariness, anger, sorrow, fear, or any negative fruit fester to contaminate my soul?
What happens when giving to an authority (chosen or other) doesn’t match up to our interpretation of submitting to God?
- We don’t interpret God to fit the authority; we challenge the authority to align with God
2. The Case of the Galatians- Entangled Allegiances to Convention
Galatians 4:8-11
- Even in the best light, it’s “pursue God ‘our way.’”
- Comfort, what is known, with is measurable
The aftermath of the Entangled Allegiances in Galatia:
- Unnecessary standards leading to hierarchy
- A false gospel of performance was established
How Galatians act today: Extremism
- No matter the side, it ties unnecessary burden to a cause in a form of elitism
- You don’t support women if you don’t support their right to choose.
- You don’t support work ethic if you believe in government support programs
- You don’t love people if you don’t fully affirm their identities
- You can’t love America and admit we do a lot of things wrong
Personal Check:
- Do I use false ultimatum statements?
- To be “______” is to be Christian
- “If you believe in Jesus, then you must/can’t ‘________’”
Jesus' teachings that counter pride
- Fighting for justice and the serving of the least in society
- Both of which are an outpouring of living by the Spirit
3. The Case of the Ephesians- Entangled Allegiances to Polarity
Ephesians 4:30-32
Revelation 2:2-4
Ephesus loved being right so much, they forgot they themselves are saved by grace through Jesus
The aftermath of Entangled Allegiances in Ephesus:
- A hardness of heart permeated the church
- A spirit of individualism chocked community
- Us vs. Them
- Categorizing and labeling leading to a disassociation that helps justify our entangled allegiance
Personal Check:
- Do I discount those who are against the stances I take?
- Do I use umbrella terms when discussing people groups or agendas?
- Do I respond in furious manner discussing a stance I take, specifically with people who disagree with me?
Jesus’ teaching to counter hatred
- Matthew 5:21-22
- Matthew 5:43-47
How to avoid entangled allegiances
- One foundation: Christ alone
- Build with lasting material: Christ alive in me
- Shelter the Storm: Never lose sight of your first love
- Love endures the storm of hatred
- Joy endures the storm of anger
- Peace endures the storm of fear
- Patience endures the storm of bitterness
- Kindness endures the storm of bigotry
- Goodness endures the storm of selfishness
- Faithfulness endures the storm of weariness
- Gentleness endures the storm of animosity
- Self-control endures the storm of antagonism
