Grace and peace to you

Dear West Covina Christian Church,

The political season that we are now in can be both interesting and nerve-racking.  We may feel strongly about the issues that are being discussed and the intensity of that discussion will only ramp-up as we approach Election Day, November 5.  Every election has major consequences for our country and our lives personally, however, this election really feels that way.  The contrasting political viewpoints are starkly different and we probably feel very strongly about what is right and what is wrong. 

I find the book of Revelation in the Bible particularly helpful during this time—not so much because I am convinced that this is the end of the world, but because I see in Revelation a people who are struggling to hold onto their faith amid their culture and the political pressures upon them.  They have to not only stand up for what is right, but they need to do it with godliness (conviction, grace, kindness, etc.)  Fundamentally they are being challenged to see Jesus as the Ruler and Authority of all things, including their own lives.   

Revelation 1:4b-5 says, “Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.”   

This upcoming fall, we’re going to study the beginning chapters of Revelation to see God as the ruler over every nation and every level of government, to understand the purpose of government from a Kingdom-of-God perspective, and to wrestle with how to be engaged and active on issues that matter the most while doing so in a way that maintains our Christian witness.  Ultimately, we want to discover a strategy for Kingdom transformation—both the transformation of the culture and the personal relationships that we have with loved ones and friends.

That’s a lot!  However, God’s Word gives us guidance.  The sermon series is called “Grace Under Fire: Living Faithfully During Politically Turbulent Times.”  I hope you’ll come ready to hear from the Lord, invite a friend, and join a Life Group to discuss all this some more! 

Prayerfully, Pastor Kory