The US of America | Part 4: US vs. Them

·36 min·3 clips

30% of U.S. presidents weren't the majority's choice—what does that say about our control?

The episode is the fourth and final part of a series titled 'The US of America,' focusing on the theme 'US vs. Them.' The host, a pastor from Aspire Church in Jacksonville, Florida, opens by framing the series as not political guidance but a call for Christians to think as citizens of God's kingdom first. He critiques the divisive nature of worldly politics, contrasting it with Jesus' kingdom of the cross, which operates through service and surrender. The host then presents a startling statistic: 30% of U.S. presidents, including John Quincy Adams and Donald Trump, did not win the popular vote, suggesting Americans have less control than they assume. He transitions to a biblical examination, discussing Jesus' interaction with Pontius Pilate in John 19, where Jesus states that Pilate's power comes from God. This leads to a theological argument that all authority, even evil rulers like Nero or Pharaoh, is established by God, as supported by Romans 13:1. The host explains that God works through such rulers to accomplish divine purposes, citing examples from Exodus and Daniel. He emphasizes that early Christians submitted to authorities while proclaiming 'Jesus is Lord' as a counter to Caesar's claim. The second half shifts to responsibility, referencing 2 Chronicles 7:14, which calls God's people to humble themselves and pray for healing. The host critiques Christians for blaming politicians instead of examining their own actions, applying this to issues like taxes, abortion, drugs, and homelessness. He asserts that the church has surrendered its care duties to the government and challenges listeners to tithe, serve, and pray more. The episode concludes with three actions for Christians: pray, repent, and vote—but without placing ultimate faith in political outcomes, as Jesus remains Lord. The format is a solo sermon with educational and philosophical tones, weaving historical facts, scripture, and practical applications.

As heard by us

Politics is set under kingdom-first language.

Aspire Church closes The Us of America by lifting political loyalties into a larger frame: believers are called to think first as citizens of the kingdom of God.

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Why you'd press play

If politics has started sounding like a blood sport, this sermon reaches for a higher scoreboard: citizenship in the kingdom of God first.

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