Entangled Allegiances

Follow Along with the Message

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Entangled Allegiances- When other identities or affiliations are considered inextricable from identity in Christ. 

Entangled Allegiances in the early Church 

1. The Case of the Corinthians- Entangled Allegiances to

1 Corinthians 1:10-14 (NASB95)- Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

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:  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 (NASB95)- They *said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He *said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.” 

• What is Ceasar’s? 
  • 1 Peter 2:13-17 (NASB95)- Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king. 
  • Romans 13:1(NASB95)- Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God 

• 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

Galatians 4:8-11 (NASB95)- However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again? You observe days and months and seasons and years. I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain. 

• 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:

• 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 
    • It’s poorly veiled pride 

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 

• Humility and servanthood 
  • Matthew 23:11-12(NASB95)- But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted. 

• Fighting for justice and the serving of the least in society 
  • James 1:27(NASB95)- Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. 

• Both of which are an outpouring of living by the Spirit
  • Galatians 5:22-23(NASB95)- But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 

3. The Case of the Ephesians- Entangled Allegiances to

Ephesians 4:30-32(NASB95)- Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. 

Revelation 2:2-4 (NASB95)- ‘I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 

• 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 

What Ephesians look like today:  and

• Us vs. Them 

• Categorizing and labeling leading to a disassociation that helps justify our entangled allegiance 
  • It’s hatred 

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(NASB95)- “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. 

• Matthew 5:43-47(NASB95)- “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 

• Matthew 5:48(NASB95)- Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. 

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