Sermons – Christians & Politics

  • Today’s message is about politics, government, and how Christians are to interact with and respond to our leaders and their policies; and what we can do to influence our nation.

  • This message isn’t about endorsing or condemning any candidate, office holder, or party.  I will only be promoting what Scripture says; and to remind you that each vote can impact individual lives, communities, town, counties, states, and countries.

  • I hope this message will encourage you to examine the relationship between us – as individual believers and the Church with the government; and see that our faith should influence what we believe politically and have that decide who and what we support.

  • Proverbs 29:2 (NLT) … When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice.  But when the wicked are in power, they groan.
    • Pretty straightforward verse.  When righteous and God-fearing people are leading, then what do the people have to worry about?  When wicked people are in charge, the people will worry and sigh and groan.

  • Romans 13:1-7 (NLT) … (1) Everyone must submit to governing authorities.  For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.  (2) So, anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.  (3) For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong.  Would you like to live without fear of the authorities?  Do what is right, and they will honor you.  (4) The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good.  But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you.  They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. (5) So, you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.  (6) Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons.  For government workers need to be paid.  They are serving God in what they do.  (7) Give to everyone what you owe them; Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.

  • Civil government is ordained by God to punish evil and preserve the peace.  Some believe that any and all office holders are put in position by God – for better or worse – to reward or punish … and others believe this means that God has allowed humans to govern themselves and that authority to self-govern is from Him and Him alone.

  • This passage calls those that work in government and for a government as servant ministers of God – that is an amazing statement; and something we don’t always think about, especially when the government official is someone we don’t like or didn’t vote for. Sadly, not all leaders – elected or appointed live up to their responsibility.

  • The government has two roles – punish the guilty and reward those who are not.
  • The government – be it ours or another country – has the right, since they are the government to punish crimes; and the government through legislatures, courts, and law enforcement are able to create laws, enforce them, and punish those who break the laws.
  • Responsibilities of Christian Citizens … Obey the government … Pray for our leaders and nation … Pay our taxes … Work for the good of everyone

  • 1st Peter 2:13-15 (NLT) … For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority – whether king as head of state or the officials he has appointed.  For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.  It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you.

  • Acts 4:19 … But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than Him?”

  • If we don’t submit – barring not breaking God’s Commands – it could be a bad witness.  If we aren’t good citizens, it might not matter if we are good believers otherwise … people will always look for an excuse to write us or the Gospel we share off – don’t give them that.
  • 1st Timothy 2:1-4 … I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people.  Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf and give thanks for them.  Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.  This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.
  • How often do we pray for those in authority over us – any authority – work, school, church, and government?  How often do we criticize them or wish someone else was in their position, us even?  We need to pray for them and ask God to help them and guide them.  If government works better and we obey, then there is more peace.

  • 34 … Pay Our Taxes … Matthew 22:17-21 (NLT) … Then the Pharisees met together to plot how to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested.  They sent some of their disciples, along with the supporters of Herod, to meet with him.  “Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are.  You teach the way of God truthfully.  You are impartial and don’t play favorites.  Now tell us what you think about this: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”  But Jesus knew their evil motives.  “You hypocrites!” he said.  “Why are you trying to trap me?  Here, show me the coin used for the tax.”  Whey they handed him a Roman coin, he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”  “Caesar’s,” they replied.  “Well, then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”  His reply amazed them, and they went away.

  • When we need to give or pay or owe – however you view it – a tax or a tithe; we should pay it because it according to the Lord it is the right thing to do.

  • Work for the Highest Good of All
    • Proverb 3:27 (NLT) … Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.
    • Galatians 6:10 (NLT) … Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone – especially to those in the family of faith.
    • Matthew 5:13-16 (summary) … Remember, we are Salt and Light and are called to make a difference and have a positive impact on our world.

  • 4 Responsibilities Simplified … Obey (follow the law) … Pray (for government leaders) … Pay (your taxes) … Sway (opinions and be a positive influence)

  • 3 Ways to Sway … Be careful who you vote for … Stand up for the right issues … Pray and be humble.

  • Sway #1 – Who We Vote For … Election day is an important avenue for change and our ability to vote should not be taken for granted … Following Jesus transcends loyalty to candidates or parties; and there is room for discussion and differing opinions amongst believers on taxes and trade agreements and treaties and various policies … contrary to popular opinion it does matter about the character of candidates and office holders … research and vote accordingly.

  • Sway #2 – Issues That Matter … 1 – Protecting the innocent … 2 – Confronting sin and moral decay … 3 – Defending the poor and oppressed … 4 – Peace and blessing of Israel

  • Sway #2 – Issue #1 – Protecting Innocent Life … Proverbs 31:8 (NLT) … Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.

  • Sway #2 – Issue #2 – Confronting Sin and Moral Decay … Proverbs 14:34 (NLT) … Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

  • Sway #2 – Issue #3 – Defend the Poor and Oppressed … Isaiah 10:1-2 (NLT) … What sorrow awaits the unjust judges and those who issue unfair laws.  They deprive the poor of justice and deny the rights of the needy among my people.  They prey on widows and take advantage of orphans.

  • Sway #2 – Issue #4 – Peace and Blessing of Israel …
    • Genesis 12:3 (NLT) … I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt.  All the families on earth will be blessed through you.
    • Psalm 112:6 (NLT) … Pray for peace in Jerusalem.  May all who love this city prosper.

  • The Bible describes government leaders as being ministers of God.  So, we “ordain” our leaders by our votes, support, donations, and any influence we have on them or voters.

  • If we support politicians who support ungodly causes or promote immoral behavior, God holds us responsible.

  • To wish a person “Godspeed” in their sin is to become a partaker of that same sin – this should be a very sobering thought.

  • 2nd John 1:11 tells us, that anyone who welcomes them – (those who don’t teach Christ) – welcomes them and shares in their wicked work.

  • Sway #3 – Humility and Prayer … 2nd Chronicles 7:14 … Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.

  • Working Toward the Conclusion – We should never fall into the trap of substituting political involvement for the Gospel and it’s changing power.

  • Politics can never be an instrument of salvation.  We should work for positive change, but politics, at best, are just a Band-Aid for the real problem – which is sin.

  • The problems of any and every nation are always spiritual in nature.  When it comes to eternal issues, simply “moralizing” our culture is not enough.

  • Converting people to our political party or to support our issues is not enough.  There will be people in Heaven and in Hell that represent all political parties and philosophies.

  • People can embrace all of the “Christianized” cultural influences in the world, but without a personal relationship with Jesus, they are still lost.

  • Call to Action … pray for our country, our leaders, our military, all the candidates; and seek God’s Will in everything … be humble and repent of your sins – encourage others to do the same as you witness, share your faith, spread the Gospel, and show the Fruit of the Spirit.

  • Call to Action (2nd Chronicles 7:14 / 1st Timothy 2:1-4)
    • 1 – Humble yourself
    • 2 – Pray for everyone (includes those in the government)
    • 3 – Ask God to help those in the government
    • 4 – Give thanks for those in the government
      • Do all the above so you can live peaceful and quiet lives

  • Call to Action … seek God … Repent … spread the Gospel … bear fruit … live your life in such a way that nobody can deny the truth about what you preach and teach.

  • Even if all the laws were changed to what we would want them to be; they can’t save people or change hearts.  Only Jesus can do that and that is when real changes happens.