Today’s sermon from North Presbyterian Church, Kalamazoo

Click here to read the biblical passage

Sermon outline:

1. Principle of Exclusivity
   1. Exclusive resort/interview
      1. “We have something that no one else has”
   2. haves/have-nots, insiders/outsiders
      1. Who are the haves/insiders in 21^st century North America?
         1. Who gets to sit at the “cool kids” table in our culture? Wealthy, beautiful
      2. Who are the have-nots?

Text

1. Paul – What is he urging Christians to do in this passage? Pray
   1. For whom? “Kings and all who are in high positions”
   2. What culture is Paul writing in? Roman Empire
      1. Who is king? Caesar
         1. Is Caesar an insider or an outsider to Roman culture? Insider
      2. Who is Paul writing to? Christians
         1. Are they insiders or outsiders to Roman culture? Outsiders
         2. It was illegal to be a Christian

• The Romans thought we were a threat to national security, terrorists, trying to overthrow the government, undermine society

1. We were excluded, discriminated…