Should Christians Get Political?

“The worst thing I could ever do as a pastor is confuse people into thinking we need Jesus plus politics. Jesus is enough.” – Pastor Matthew Johnson

In this week’s message, Pastor Matthew Johnson continued The Follow Series with a teaching from Matthew 22:15–22 and Acts 1:6–8. With humor and honesty, he explored one of the most uncomfortable questions for believers: how do Christians live faithfully in a world where politics shape so much of our identity and hope?

He began with a lighthearted story about a wrestling match at home that ended in humility, a moment that set the tone for a sermon about perspective. Just as that unexpected fall reminded him how easily pride can slip in, Pastor Matthew showed that the political tension believers feel often comes from misplaced priorities.

Pastor Matthew explained that in Matthew 22, Jesus was confronted by two opposing groups- the Pharisees and the Herodians. Each wanted Jesus to take a side on whether paying taxes to Rome was lawful. Instead of choosing, Jesus answered with a principle that reached beyond politics.

Jesus taught that His followers live in two realms at once: a physical world with civic responsibilities and a spiritual world where God’s authority comes first. Pastor Matthew reminded listeners that democracy didn’t exist in biblical times, yet Jesus’ teaching still applies. We are called to honor our earthly obligations while living with ultimate allegiance to God’s kingdom.

This creates real tension. We value our national freedoms, but we also surrender our rights to follow Christ. Navigating that tension faithfully requires wisdom, humility, and guidance from the Holy Spirit.

Pastor Matthew addressed a truth many feel but rarely admit: when our hope rises and falls with election results, politics has taken God’s place in our hearts. He explained that when politics become our hope, they become our idol. When politics become our mission, we lose our true calling.

Followers of Jesus are called to love people, not to win arguments or preserve control. The health of a community improves not through political power, but through lives transformed by the love of Christ. When our hope is grounded in Jesus, we can engage cultural issues without being consumed by them.

Looking at the Gospels, Pastor Matthew outlined three ways Jesus modeled how to live and respond within a divided world.

1. Jesus loved people radically.
He loved people who were broken, difficult, and even hostile toward Him. Pastor Matthew noted that Jesus didn’t reserve compassion for those who agreed with Him. His love disarmed opposition and drew hearts toward God.

2. Jesus spoke truth strategically.
Jesus never avoided the hard truth, but He shared it with timing, care, and purpose. He built trust before correction. Pastor Matthew encouraged the church to do the same- love first, speak second, and let truth be received through relationship.

3. Jesus kept His hope in the Father alone.
Jesus refused to attach His mission to political movements. Instead of leading an earthly revolution, He brought spiritual renewal. Pastor Matthew reminded listeners that Jesus’ path of humility and sacrifice was what truly changed the world.

The sermon closed with a clear challenge. Christians are meant to be faithful citizens who participate in their communities, but their deepest loyalty belongs to God. When the Holy Spirit leads, believers can engage politics with peace rather than outrage, conviction without arrogance, and love that reflects Christ above all else.

Pastor Matthew prayed that the church would seek the Spirit’s help to navigate this tension well- to love others radically, speak truth wisely, and keep their hope firmly placed in Jesus alone.