An Elephant, a Donkey, and a Lion
Notes
Transcript
There are 2 things that we are told from a young age never to discuss. Religion and politics. If you are a person of influence, I get it…..kinda.
As Christians we have a moral, ethical, and spiritual duty to be involved in the deciding of elected officials. However, we must also honor those officials regardless of our feelings and/or opinions. Romans 13:1-7
Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 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. 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. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.
Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. 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.
Paul was eventually arrested and martyred because he preached another God besides Caesar. He knew what God called him to superseded the law of man. He was not afraid though. He obeyed the laws of man until the conflicted with God’s Word. Then, he willfully submitted to the earthly law and was thrown in prison. Prison then led to an audience with the high ranking officials and even Caesar himself.
Even Jesus, the Son of God, King of kings and Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, paid taxes. Luke 20:21-25 .
“Teacher,” they said, “we know that you speak and teach what is right and are not influenced by what others think. You teach the way of God truthfully. Now tell us—is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
He saw through their trickery and said, “Show me a Roman coin. 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.”
I love the fact that this again is Jesus speaking to the heart. “Give the money to the government because that is whose image is on it. God’s image is on you, so give your heart/life to God.”
It’s very easy for us to get caught up in what we understand as right and wrong. Remember, just because we are God’s children doesn’t mean we are without fault.
Has your kid ever misbehaved? Your spouse done something really stupid? A family member hurt you deeply. Does that change the relationship? Does the relationship automatically make everything they do right in your eyes? Of course not!
None of us like group discipline. But it happens. Ever say, “That’s it! All of you are grounded!”
(Basic training story Blue Falcon)
Also, one final thought before we move on. Romans 13 is talking about right and wrong, good and evil. Not specifically following the laws of the land.
I’m not here to tell you who to vote for. I’m not even going to tell you who I am voting for. (Not from the pulpit) I am here to tell you what God is concerned about. I believe, through study and observation, that there are 2 primary things we should look for in a candidate for any office.
Pray for peace in Jerusalem.
May all who love this city prosper.
O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls
and prosperity in your palaces.
For the sake of my family and friends, I will say,
“May you have peace.”
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek what is best for you, O Jerusalem.
We must pray for the peace of Jerusalem/Israel.
Being against Israel is not a place you want to find yourself in.
But the Lord will have mercy on the descendants of Jacob. He will choose Israel as his special people once again. He will bring them back to settle once again in their own land. And people from many different nations will come and join them there and unite with the people of Israel. The nations of the world will help the people of Israel to return, and those who come to live in the Lord’s land will serve them. Those who captured Israel will themselves be captured, and Israel will rule over its enemies.
Jesus, though frustrated with Israel, still desires to protect them Matt 23:37
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.
Sanctity of human life
This encompasses, but is not limited to, the topic of abortion. Ps 139:13-16
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.
And again it is written: Jeremiah 1:5
“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.
Before you were born I set you apart
and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”
Life starts at conception. The Word of God is clear on this.
b. We must also protect those who are nearing the end of life Ps 92:12-15
But the godly will flourish like palm trees
and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon.
For they are transplanted to the Lord’s own house.
They flourish in the courts of our God.
Even in old age they will still produce fruit;
they will remain vital and green.
They will declare, “The Lord is just!
He is my rock!
There is no evil in him!”
‘In the last days,’ God says,
‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
Your young men will see visions,
and your old men will dream dreams.
This is a topic I am very passionate about. I know others are as well. I am not up here today to debate or convince you. I am here to share the God’s word and God’s heart on the subject. There are many Scripture where God defends the young and helpless. Jesus went so far as to say Matthew 18:5-6
“And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.
All through the Bible time and again you see God expecting those with strength to protect those who are week from evil.
Here comes the caveat to all of this……God uses the ungodly to discipline His children.
The Lord replied,
“Look around at the nations;
look and be amazed!
For I am doing something in your own day,
something you wouldn’t believe
even if someone told you about it.
I am raising up the Babylonians,
a cruel and violent people.
They will march across the world
and conquer other lands.
The book of Daniel also speak of the Babylonians coming in as the judgement of God.
Real bummer, right? I’m showing you this to build your hope and faith. God is always in control. Even when the godless are in power.
So what? What does that mean for me today?
Strip off the heaviness that slows you down
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
We must continually point our eye up, not out.
Sin is heavy, yes. So is anxiety and depression because your hope was based on a elephant or a donkey and not in the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. JESUS!
Keep eternity in mind.
Plug Bible Study in Rev
Let me read you something that will strengthen your spirit in Christ…
I watched as the Lamb broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake. The sun became as dark as black cloth, and the moon became as red as blood. Then the stars of the sky fell to the earth like green figs falling from a tree shaken by a strong wind. The sky was rolled up like a scroll, and all of the mountains and islands were moved from their places.
Then everyone—the kings of the earth, the rulers, the generals, the wealthy, the powerful, and every slave and free person—all hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. And they cried to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb. For the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to survive?”
Then I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds so they did not blow on the earth or the sea, or even on any tree. And I saw another angel coming up from the east, carrying the seal of the living God. And he shouted to those four angels, who had been given power to harm land and sea, “Wait! Don’t harm the land or the sea or the trees until we have placed the seal of God on the foreheads of his servants.”
After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a great roar,
“Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne
and from the Lamb!”
And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living beings. And they fell before the throne with their faces to the ground and worshiped God. They sang,
“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom
and thanksgiving and honor
and power and strength belong to our God
forever and ever! Amen.”
Who is able to survive the great day of God’s wrath? The children of God that’s who. No matter what happens in this life we are the victorious! We are the children of the King Most High!
Maybe you are here and you have all your hope placed on a person or a policy. I have great news for you. Jesus explained the kingdom of God as a place where our heavenly Father runs to us when we come limping and broken to Him. Without condemnation and guilt. Our God loves when His kids come home. Today is your day to come home.
