In Manners & Customs of the Bible, Freeman and Chadwick describe the scepter as a staff or rod symbolizing authority and rule, originating from the Hebrew “shebet” and Greek “skeptron.” Often decorated with gold and precious stones, it was a ceremonial object used in royal traditions, such as granting approval to visitors. In the Bible, the scepter represents a king’s authority, a shepherd’s care, and national sovereignty. However, Freeman and Chadwick note that, despite its significance in ancient Middle Eastern kingdoms, there is no evidence of Jewish kings using scepters.

The rulers of our time, regardless of political affiliation, simply confirm what believers have always known: all human leaders fall short of God’s glory and cannot do what only King Jesus can accomplish for the world. Humanity cannot achieve true morality, maintain consistent logic, or create the utopia they envision—a world where everyone lives in peace and harmony.

Pastor Stan Morton, a father figure in my life, once used a phrase that caught my attention: “ontologically disqualified.” I don’t remember all the details of the conversation, but it was about how the world is attempting to create its own version of the New Jerusalem. This effort is ultimately futile because, in our sinful and fallen nature, we are incapable of achieving what only God can do. Only God, in His holiness and perfection, can restore the world to a place of true peace and fellowship among all people. In our fallen state, it is impossible for humanity to produce the harmony and restoration that only God can bring. We are disqualified because, in our fallen state, we are incapable of creating such a reality; everything we have is shaped by the consequences of a broken and sinful world which includes politics.

“As the world became increasingly divided, our small church focused on caring for one another. Politics didn’t dominate our conversations—prayer did.”

Over the years, I’ve noticed a tension within churches driven by strong opinions on politics, social issues, the economy, and ethnic identity, among other things. This tension grew even stronger during the pandemic, which began a year after we planted Christ Alone Fellowship. I remember people asking me to address certain issues from the pulpit. Some attended our church specifically because they didn’t want to sit under a white pastor. Others questioned why I wasn’t preaching on passages related to social justice. Despite the pressure, what ultimately protected our church from divisiveness was our commitment to expositional preaching.

We desired to be faithful, so we stayed committed to preaching through the Gospel of John, and God used His Word to preserve and sanctify us. We experienced the truth of Jesus’ prayer in John 17:17: “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” During a challenging time for churches and pastors, God’s Word kept us grounded. While politics consumed many pulpits and church discussions, leading to hurt, broken relationships, church splits, and pastoral resignations, we found strength and unity in the truth of Scripture.

As the world became increasingly divided, our small church focused on caring for one another. Politics didn’t dominate our conversations—prayer did. While we were burdened by the pain and division in the world, it didn’t lead us to despair. Instead, it drew us closer together and made us more vigilant in sharing the gospel. We approached the issues around us with compassion, united as a community, knowing the ultimate answer is found in the gospel. God has called the church to speak prophetically to the times, pointing people to the hope that is to come. This hope, as Paul writes in Romans 5:1–4, is grounded in being justified by faith, giving us peace with God through Christ. Through Him, we have access to God’s grace, which causes us to rejoice in hope. Paul reminds us that we can also rejoice in our sufferings because suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope. This hope sustained us, helping us remain faithful and united as a church during a challenging time.

I wonder what would have happened if we had entrenched ourselves in politics. Would we have survived the cultural tensions? Would we have remained prayerful and loving toward one another and the world? I believe we would have fallen into the same trap as many other churches, becoming indistinguishable from the world. We would have been consumed by temporary concerns, offering no glimpse of the hope to come. Instead of rejoicing in our sufferings, we likely would have become angry, divided, and disillusioned. We would have lost endurance, character, and ultimately our witness to the hope we have in Christ.

“Our need to speak out must never outweigh our need to pray, and our focus on politics must never take precedence over being biblical.”

We’ve just gone through an election and seen a new administration take office, and many voices are weighing in on what Christians should or shouldn’t do. Some are celebrating, while others are deeply concerned. Regardless of where we stand, we as believers must avoid falling into a mindset focused only on the temporary.

I believe we are living in a post-Christian culture in America. This isn’t a defeatist view but an observation based on what I’ve seen online, in schools, and even in local churches. Our own city reflects this reality, as many openly express hostility toward God. While the intensity of this opposition may not be as severe as I’ve personally experienced in the past, there is growing concern within the church about these cultural shifts.

Our need to speak out must never outweigh our need to pray, and our focus on politics must never take precedence over being biblical. In a culture increasingly hostile toward God, we must face these challenges with the mindset that, even in troubled times, the hope we have in Christ is what we are called to offer the world. 

This doesn’t mean Christians should avoid politics or refrain from becoming senators or congressmen. However, the church’s mission is not to be a political force. Our purpose is clear: we are called to make disciples of all nations. Politics must never overshadow this mandate given to us from Christ Jesus Himself.

“Chasing after the world’s agenda and prioritizing its topics risks diluting the church’s mission. As a pastor, I am called to proclaim God’s Word, even if some view that as irresponsible.”

Rather than focusing on sharing our personal opinions about issues, perhaps it’s better to remain faithful to God and show love to one another. Instead of speaking to issues, we should speak to people. There are many things I disagree with, even within the church. For example, I don’t agree with women serving as pastors, but I would never shout or degrade those who hold a different view. I also disagree with certain leadership perspectives, but I recognize that not every disagreement is worth fighting over. It’s important for me to be mindful of my words—how I say them and the impact they may have, especially on the local church I am part of.

My desire to speak out must never take priority over the church’s need to remain unified in faithfulness to God’s Word. If I can withhold my comments without compromising biblical convictions, it’s often better for the overall care and unity of the church. However, if speaking out means facing opposition to the gospel and bringing challenges to the local church, then so be it. That’s the tension we face: discerning what issues to address and how to communicate them in a way that upholds the essential means of grace God has given to the church, without compromising our witness or mission.

I prioritize setting an example for our church by focusing on Scripture. I don’t promote or criticize political parties but address biblical issues that challenge Christian principles—only if they naturally arise in the passage we’re studying that Sunday. Chasing after the world’s agenda and prioritizing its topics risks diluting the church’s mission. As a pastor, I am called to proclaim God’s Word, even if some view that as irresponsible.

“The world is broken and will remain so until the Lord returns to reconcile all things to Himself.”

We must safeguard the preaching of God’s Word on Sundays. If we feel the need to share our thoughts on current issues, it should be done with care and discernment on a separate platform, one designed for meaningful and constructive discussions. Even in those spaces, pastors should approach topics like politics and sensitive issues cautiously, as they can easily be misunderstood. Unfortunately, we live in a culture that often lacks room for nuance and thoughtful understanding.

Throughout history, there have been moments when men of God needed to address critical issues publicly, and I’m not saying that doing so is sinful. However, I challenge the idea that pastors must always address societal issues from the pulpit, especially if it means setting aside Scripture to mobilize the church for a cause that ultimately offers no lasting hope. Our priority must remain rooted in God’s Word and His mission.

The world is broken and will remain so until the Lord returns to reconcile all things to Himself. Every earthly leader wields a broken scepter, and, like the Jewish kings of old, the church is not called to rule with one. That authority belongs to Jesus alone, who will judge the nations when He returns. In the meantime, our mission is clear: to focus on the gospel, serving as ambassadors and proclaiming the hope found only in Christ Jesus. His scepter will never break, and His kingdom will never end.