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.
- 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
- 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.