Christianity & Politics

Tonight is about the mindset, approach to politics that a Christian should have

Try not to guess “What’s He trying to say?”

Who is he gonna say we should vote for?

I want us to understand and have a Christian way of thinking about elections . . . Christian world view . . . only then can we begin to discuss who should we vote for.

a conversation between two Christians on who to vote for should sound quite different from two non-Christians

in all of this, two things we must not forget . . .

God is in control

don’t get too worked up

don’t get too fearful if you candidate loses

don’t get to hopeful if you candidate wins

Daniel 4:17 NLT

17 For this has been decreed by the messengers; it is commanded by the holy ones, so that everyone may know that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world. He gives them to anyone he chooses— even to the lowliest of people.”

God is our help

not the government, not a politician

politics is not the solution

“my help comes from the Lord” - no matter who wins, I will need the Lord to make it

Poll - Right now, how certain are you about who you will vote for in the Presidential Election?

100% certain, doubt anything could change my mind!

Not sure - leaning one way, but not 100% sure

Have no idea at all

not voting

God comes first/God above all

Deuteronomy 6:5 NASB95

5 “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

Greatest Commandment is to love God, and to love him is to follow him, serve him . . .

“all your” means more and above anything else

“all your heart, soul might” means there is no area in your life that off limits to God

some of the biggest areas people block God out of their lives: money, love life and politics

We are to put God before family (spouse/kids), race, gender, country, political party, money, yourself

So since we are to love God like that, then when it comes to our duties as citizens, we . . . .

We prioritize God’s agenda

Not the agenda of my family, race, income group . . .

Matthew 6:33 (NASB95)

33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Prioritize God’s agenda . . . and God will help you with all of these other things: family, race, income group

Mindset: For an American Christian, the righteousness and godliness of America is the top goal when it comes to politics.

Who/What will help my city, state, country be more righteous?

Other reasons:

Proverbs 14:34 NLT

34 Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

If you want to make America great, truly turn to God

Next is a verse that talks about why God let the country of his chosen people be destroyed and over run.

2 Chronicles 36:15–16 NLT

15 The Lord, the God of their ancestors, repeatedly sent his prophets to warn them, for he had compassion on his people and his Temple. 16 But the people mocked these messengers of God and despised their words. They scoffed at the prophets until the Lord’s anger could no longer be restrained and nothing could be done.

people did evil, God sent preachers to warn them, but they mocked the preachers and hated their words . . . eventually time ran out

Where do we look for this righteousness?

Person/Policies

Look at:

The person who is running for office

The policies of the person/party running for office

Both are equally worth considering. Example: Question to consider: What would you rather have?

A pastor who could accurately teach and preach the Bible (had it memorized), but his personal life was in shambles (girlfriends, drugs, scammer)

A pastor who didn’t know the Bible at all (barely find Genesis), his teaching is always wrong and he is just making up stuff, but he lived a godly life?

Answer: we really need both

The mindset: “I think God would be please with my vote because . . .”

this person would be a more righteous leader due to . . . .

these particular policies (be able to name them) of so and so would lead to a more godly nation/government

we talk about person and policies, let’s start with person

Personal Righteousness

Old and New Testaments speak on importance of godly leaders

Look at the personal lifestyle of Harris and Trump.

does their personal lifestyles reflect godly character

honest and truthful

humble (pride goes before a fall, God hates pride)

not greedy

not expecting perfection, but will own up to past bad actions/decisions

2 Samuel 23:3–4 NLT

3 The God of Israel spoke. The Rock of Israel said to me: ‘The one who rules righteously, who rules in the fear of God, 4 is like the light of morning at sunrise, like a morning without clouds, like the gleaming of the sun on new grass after rain.’

You want someone who believes they have to answer to God

When two (or a group) Christians talk about politics it should sound like, “I believe Harris/Trump is more godly because . . .”

let’s look at policy

Policy Righteousness

Which polices will make America more righteous or more unrighteous

So we must first find out, what are their policies?

Second, Are they telling the truth about their policies?

Or are they just trying to get votes?

Thirdly, Can they carry out their policies?

Can they do it?

Trump - building the wall

Biden - erasing student debt

if they can’t do it, don’t consider it as a factor

When two Christians talk about policy, it should sound like ”So and so’s policy about racism would/would not make America more righteous/godly.

racism - love your neighbor as yourself

abortion (reproductive rights) - thou shall not murder

economy - dealing with justice and fairness in marketplace; big complaint of God towards Judah

immigrants - help people, but you have to be wise

treatment of Israel - bless those who bless you

gun control

gay agenda -

So when making decisions on who to vote for you should consider the person and their policy.

Where should I begin?

Look up information

The Person (Chracter)

Look up info about their personal life

See how do they treat people in public

Who seems to lie the most

Policies

The platforms (search) - written documents

2024 Republican Platform

2024 Democratic Platform

Watch convention speeches, not just the side you normally support

Watch Presidential Debate on Sept 10.

Pray

Fact check

Listen to what they say in context (listen to a whole speech)

If a meme makes you say, “ain’t no way I can vote for so and so, then investigate it”

My strong opinion

I believe Christians should be voting reluctantly in this election. . . . (not with a lot of excitement)

pick the lesser of two evils

Righteousness threatened by both candidates and party

Devil has set it up so that by voting for either side, you are endorsing some type of evil

Comments/Questions

Announcements

First Sunday, Communion

gay agenda

there is an agenda; treat our sin as normal; we should be allowed to be as perverted as we want

started out as we just want to be left alone, don’t beat us up

then went to, we just want marriage rights

not on my watch history - destroying how God set up the family

then to we want our men to be able to go to women’s restrooms

we want people to decided their gender

we want to teach kids that they don’t know who they are. So we will have a full grown man with a beard, wear a dress, and read to the children

we want to lock up people who disagree with us - which is the church (Canada)