Before You Vote

Why I’m not as concerned about who you vote for

“Most important election of our lifetime”

Been saying that for years // CW excerpt

The most important democratic election already happened long ago, when the people voted to save Barabbas instead of Jesus. But just like this election, that one was under God’s control too as he willed to take our place like he did for Barabbas

“Threat to democracy” — nothing is a threat to God’s sovereignty

This election is not as a big of a deal as the world wants you to think it is

Christians can have good reasons for disagreeing

Democrat — maybe some bad values, but policies are efficacious

Republicans — seem more pro-Christian

Third party — only by voting 3rd party can we force a better alternative

Abstention — necessary evils? why vote for evil at all?

Deeper than who you vote for is why you vote, deeper than why you vote is who you put your faith in

1 Samuel 8 and the deeper issue of faith

Explain the context

Read 1 Samuel 8

A few takeaways

If we’re not careful, we can take our cue from the world instead of God. (v. 5)

If we’re not careful, we can lose our faith in the power of a God we can’t see. (v. 7)

Trusting in earthly kings instead of God is idolatry. (v. 8)

Human leaders are not as great as we tend to think they will be (v. 9).

This is why the deeper issue is whether we put our faith in God or earthly kings.

Why politics moves the needle less

Here’s why I’m pessimistic (beyond 1 Samuel 8) about earthly kings.

Local level — representatives not responding to emails

State — Kay Ivey killing a man on death row, when the family of the victim was pleading to stop it

National — Republicans should’ve overturned Roe v. Wade a lot sooner, they postured themselves as conservative on marriage but now Trump is pro-LGBT, Ivanka is pro-abortion, Kamala says “Jesus is Lord” is not for her rallies

People lead politics as much as the other way around — People separated before the law made divorce easy. People lived in homosexual relationships before gay marriage was legalized. People got abortions before Roe v. Wade.

Here’s why I’m fed up with Christians trusting in earthly kings

These things are the bane of my existence

Letting politicians use the Bible as a prop for decades // Kamala speaking at a church right after the “wrong rally” ordeal, Trump saying “two corinthians” and holding the Bible upside down

Not just letting politicians mock our faith but appreciating it // MAGA Jesus

Israel having a king didn’t solve all their problems; it brought a new set

Not sure why some Christians think just electing the right person will fix everything

Absolute best case scenario — we create a more just society and people are still dead in sin

Why making disciples moves the needle more

God was willing to change his chosen leadership from Samuel to Saul to deal with the people’s sin. Be sure, he is not changing his chosen vessel from the Church to Congress.

It is the job of the church…

to feed the hungry

to care for orphans

to look out for foreigners

to teach the next generation the gospel

If you want to make a difference in our country, don’t outsource love & justice to a bubble in November every four years.

Pay off loans so you can afford adoption

Serve at your church’s food pantry

Befriend international students or immigrants

Lead an after-school outreach through your church

I’m still concerned for people’s immediate needs (caring for international students, homeless outreach in ATL, writing state reps about capital punishment, etc.), but ultimately…

The most effective political move you can make is to persuade someone to give their allegiance to King Jesus.

This is incredibly political (Jesus is King)

This changes their way of living

This changes their eternal citizenship