Standing with Christ, Not Caesar: How Trump’s Agenda Contradicts the Gospel
Standing with Christ, Not Caesar: How Trump’s Agenda Contradicts the Gospel
Church of Deets
Standing with Christ, Not Caesar:
How Trump’s Agenda Contradicts the Gospel
Brothers and sisters in Christ, let us gather today with open hearts and minds as we reflect on the profound call that Jesus gave to each of us — to love, to serve, to uplift, and to follow the path of righteousness. In a world that tempts us with false idols, it is vital that we examine carefully what we are being told by leaders and movements that claim to uphold our faith but stand in opposition to its core teachings.
I. The Fruit of the Tree: What Does Jesus Teach Us About True Leadership?
In Matthew 7:16, Jesus teaches, "You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?" This verse encourages us to discern the character of those who claim leadership over us by the results of their actions and the nature of their words. Are they producing fruit in keeping with the Gospel — fruit of peace, love, justice, and mercy — or are they bearing thorns of division, hatred, greed, and cruelty?
Donald Trump, who has positioned himself as a champion of Christian values, has repeatedly failed the test of this Gospel principle. His actions and rhetoric demonstrate a deep disconnect from the compassion and humility that Christ demands of us. Trump's words have sown division, hate, and resentment, and his policies have often catered to the wealthy and powerful at the expense of the vulnerable — contradicting Jesus' consistent care for "the least of these" (Matthew 25:40).
As Christians, we must not fall into the trap of political idolatry, where we allow a figure like Trump to manipulate our faith for his own purposes. We cannot serve both God and an earthly master whose agenda is rooted in self-glorification, cruelty, and materialism. Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:24, "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."
II. Project 2025: A Manifesto of Injustice and Oppression
Project 2025, the political agenda championed by Trump and his allies for a potential return to power, is an unbiblical manifesto that threatens to dismantle the very pillars of Christian love, justice, and compassion. This document, which seeks to reshape the American government and society under the guise of "restoring America," stands in stark opposition to the teachings of Christ.
Let us examine some of the key tenets of Project 2025 in light of the Gospel:
Dismantling the Welfare State: A War on the Poor
One of the central goals of Project 2025 is to shrink or eliminate social safety nets that millions of Americans rely on, including healthcare, food assistance, and housing support. Trump’s approach to these programs is often justified by appeals to "personal responsibility" and "fiscal discipline." But what does Jesus say about our responsibility to the poor?
In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus proclaims, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." Jesus' ministry was centered on uplifting the marginalized and poor, and throughout the Bible, we are called to defend the rights of the widow, the orphan, and the stranger (Isaiah 1:17; James 1:27).
Trump’s Project 2025 seeks to dismantle government programs that help alleviate poverty, stripping away the very tools that Jesus might have used today to care for the least among us. Instead of seeing government as a vehicle for God’s justice, this project encourages Christians to turn a blind eye to the suffering of others under the banner of economic efficiency and deregulation. This is not biblical. Proverbs 31:8-9 commands us to "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." Trump’s agenda violates this command by choosing profit over people.
Environmental Destruction: Rejecting the Stewardship of Creation
Another key aspect of Project 2025 is the wholesale deregulation of environmental protections. Trump and his administration have repeatedly rolled back regulations designed to protect God's creation, from clean air and water to wildlife preservation. In Genesis 2:15, God commands Adam to "tend and keep" the Garden of Eden, signaling the sacred role of humanity as stewards of the earth.
The environmental destruction that Trump's policies promote stands in stark contrast to our biblical mandate to care for creation. Climate change, pollution, and deforestation not only harm the natural world but disproportionately affect the poor and vulnerable, who are most at risk from environmental degradation. As Pope Francis rightly reminds us in Laudato Si', caring for the earth and caring for the poor are deeply intertwined. To destroy the earth is to disregard the image of God reflected in creation and in our neighbors.
Christians cannot support an agenda that prioritizes short-term economic gains over the long-term health of God’s creation. The earth is the Lord's, and we are called to be its caretakers, not its exploiters.
Nationalism and Xenophobia: A Gospel of Exclusion
One of the most troubling aspects of Trump’s rhetoric and the Project 2025 agenda is its embrace of nationalism and xenophobia. Whether through policies that target immigrants, refugees, or people of color, Trump has consistently framed certain groups as outsiders, unworthy of protection or compassion.
But the Bible tells a different story. Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly calls His people to welcome the stranger and care for the foreigner. In Leviticus 19:33-34, God commands, "When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt." Jesus, too, identifies with the outsider, reminding us in Matthew 25:35 that "I was a stranger and you welcomed me."
Trump’s immigration policies, including family separation, travel bans, and efforts to build a wall, are not merely political strategies — they are spiritual failures. They reflect a rejection of the Gospel's radical hospitality and a refusal to see Christ in the face of the foreigner and the refugee.
III. The Dangerous Seduction of Power and Violence
Another central theme of Trump's political philosophy, especially evident in his Project 2025 agenda, is an embrace of power and violence. Whether in his rhetoric surrounding law enforcement, his defense of militarism, or his calls for the use of force against protestors, Trump consistently glorifies violence as a solution to social problems. This is deeply antithetical to the teachings of Jesus, who called us to be peacemakers.
In Matthew 5:9, Jesus says, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Far from encouraging violence, Jesus calls us to turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39), to love our enemies, and to pursue peace. Trump’s Project 2025, with its aggressive nationalism and authoritarian impulses, stands in opposition to this call.
Moreover, the Bible teaches that true power is found in service, humility, and sacrifice — not in domination and control. Jesus Himself modeled this when He washed the feet of His disciples, demonstrating that leadership is not about lording power over others but about serving them in love. Trump’s constant pursuit of personal power and his divisive rhetoric are the opposite of the humble, servant leadership to which Christians are called.
IV. False Prophets and the Perils of Christian Nationalism
In recent years, a dangerous form of Christian nationalism has risen in America, with Donald Trump as its standard-bearer. This movement conflates political power with spiritual authority, seeking to impose a narrow vision of Christianity on the entire nation. But Jesus never called us to take over governments or dominate others. He called us to be salt and light, living out His teachings in every aspect of life, while allowing others the freedom to seek their truth.
In 2 Peter 2:1-3, the Bible warns us about false prophets who will secretly bring in destructive heresies. These false prophets, the passage says, will exploit believers with deceptive words for their own gain. Trump, who has often been hailed as a "savior" by Christian nationalists, has used religion to further his own political ambitions. He has exploited the faith of millions to promote his agenda of division, power, and wealth.
Christian nationalism distorts the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is centered on love, justice, mercy, and humility. Instead of seeking earthly power, we are called to take up our crosses and follow Christ, proclaiming His Kingdom — a kingdom not of this world but one that transcends borders, parties, and political agendas.
V. A Call to True Discipleship: Rejecting Idols, Following Christ
As Christians, we are called to hold our leaders accountable to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When any leader — whether political, religious, or social — strays from the path of justice, mercy, and love, we must speak out. We cannot be silent in the face of injustice, nor can we allow our faith to be co-opted for political purposes that stand in opposition to the teachings of Christ.
Donald Trump and his Project 2025 agenda represent a profound distortion of Christian values. They promote a vision of America that is rooted in greed, exclusion, power, and division — all of which stand in stark contrast to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We must remember that our ultimate allegiance is not to any political figure or party but to Christ alone. As followers of Jesus, we are called to reject the false idols of nationalism, materialism, and authoritarianism, and to embrace the radical love, humility, and justice that He exemplified.
VI. The Dangers of Idolatry: Trump as a Political Idol
One of the greatest spiritual dangers facing the Church today is the temptation to elevate political figures like Donald Trump to a status of idolatry. When we place our trust in a human leader to save us or to restore our country, we fall into the sin of idolatry. Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly warns His people about the dangers of turning away from Him to worship false gods. In Exodus 20:3, we are commanded, "You shall have no other gods before Me." This includes political leaders who promise to deliver us but do so through means that contradict the teachings of Jesus.
Many have fallen into the trap of viewing Trump as a kind of messianic figure, believing that his leadership will "restore" America to its supposed Christian roots. But this belief is built on a foundation of sand. Jesus Himself warned us in Matthew 24:24 that "false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect." Trump's actions, policies, and rhetoric reveal him not as a champion of Christian values but as a leader who exploits Christianity for his own purposes.
True faith calls us to resist the temptation to place our hope in any earthly leader, especially one whose actions contradict the teachings of Christ. Our hope is in God, not in any political agenda or figure.
VII. The Church's Prophetic Role: Speaking Truth to Power
Throughout the Bible, God calls His people to act as prophets, speaking truth to power and standing up for justice, even when it is difficult or unpopular. The prophets of the Old Testament were often called to confront kings and rulers who had led the people astray. They spoke out against injustice, idolatry, and corruption, even at great personal cost. As the Church, we are called to continue this prophetic tradition today.
In the face of Trump's Project 2025 agenda, which promotes injustice, exclusion, and the accumulation of power, we must not remain silent. We must raise our voices, like the prophets of old, to call our leaders to repentance and to remind them of God's vision for justice and mercy. As Amos 5:24 declares, "Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!"
Jesus Himself demonstrated the importance of this prophetic witness when He confronted the religious and political leaders of His day. He condemned the Pharisees for their hypocrisy and self-righteousness (Matthew 23), and He stood up for the marginalized and oppressed, even when it put Him at odds with the powerful. As His followers, we are called to do the same.
VIII. The Kingdom of God vs. the Kingdom of Man
At the heart of the conflict between Trump's Project 2025 agenda and the teachings of Jesus is a fundamental difference in vision. Trump's agenda is rooted in the pursuit of earthly power, wealth, and control, while the Kingdom of God is built on love, service, and sacrifice. In John 18:36, Jesus tells Pilate, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here."
The Kingdom of God stands in stark contrast to the kingdoms of this world. While worldly leaders like Trump seek to dominate and control, Jesus teaches us that true power is found in humility and service. In Mark 10:42-45, Jesus tells His disciples, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
The policies of Project 2025, which prioritize the interests of the wealthy and powerful at the expense of the poor and marginalized, reflect the values of a kingdom rooted in domination and control. But as Christians, we are called to live out the values of the Kingdom of God — values of love, justice, mercy, and peace.
IX. The Call to Radical Love and Justice
At the core of the Gospel is the call to radical love and justice. Jesus' ministry was defined by His love for the marginalized, the outcast, and the oppressed. He consistently stood up for those whom society had rejected, and He called His followers to do the same. In Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus tells us that the greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and the second is like it: "Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Trump's Project 2025 agenda, with its focus on exclusion, division, and the pursuit of power, is fundamentally at odds with this commandment of love. The policies it promotes — from harsh immigration measures to the dismantling of social safety nets — betray a deep disregard for the well-being of our neighbors, particularly the most vulnerable among us. As Christians, we are called to resist such policies and to advocate for a society that reflects God's love and justice.
In Micah 6:8, we are reminded of what God requires of us: "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." This call to justice, mercy, and humility is a direct challenge to the values of Project 2025, which glorify power, wealth, and self-interest.
X. A Challenge to the Church: Will We Stand with Christ or with Caesar?
As the Church, we are faced with a critical choice. Will we stand with Christ, who calls us to love, serve, and seek justice for the least among us? Or will we align ourselves with the values of Caesar — with the pursuit of power, wealth, and control that defines Trump's Project 2025 agenda?
Throughout history, the Church has often been tempted to compromise its witness in order to gain political influence. But when we do this, we lose sight of our true calling. In Matthew 16:26, Jesus asks, "What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?" The Church must not trade its soul for the false promises of political power.
Instead, we must be willing to stand with the poor, the oppressed, and the marginalized, even when it costs us. We must follow the example of Christ, who gave up His life in service to others, rather than seeking to dominate or control. We must reject the temptation to align ourselves with earthly power and instead commit ourselves to the work of God's Kingdom.
XI. Conclusion: A Call to Repentance and Renewal
Brothers and sisters, the time has come for us to examine our hearts and our loyalties. Donald Trump and his Project 2025 agenda represent a profound distortion of Christian values. They promote division, exclusion, and the pursuit of power, while the Gospel of Jesus Christ calls us to love, serve, and seek justice.
Let us repent of any ways in which we have allowed ourselves to be led astray by the false promises of political power. Let us recommit ourselves to the teachings of Jesus, who calls us to love our neighbors, welcome the stranger, and care for the least among us. Let us be a prophetic voice in this world, standing up for justice, mercy, and peace, even when it is difficult.
And above all, let us remember that our true hope lies not in any earthly leader or political agenda but in Christ alone, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
Amen.
Resources:
The Big Lie Timeline
Legal Disclaimer for Church of Deets Sermons
The content provided in the "Church of Deets" sermons is intended for educational, informational, and spiritual reflection purposes only. These sermons represent the personal beliefs, interpretations, and opinions of the author and are not intended to provide professional legal, medical, or psychological advice. Any religious or spiritual guidance provided herein is based on the author’s understanding of biblical texts and current social issues.
Readers are encouraged to seek professional consultation for specific legal, medical, or psychological concerns. The views expressed in these sermons do not necessarily reflect the official stance of any religious denomination, organization, or institution. The "Church of Deets" does not promote hate, discrimination, or violence and stands firmly for the principles of inclusivity, equality, and respect for all individuals, regardless of their identity or beliefs.
By engaging with the content, readers acknowledge that they do so at their own discretion and are responsible for how they interpret or apply the information presented.