Sunday November 3

I got four of them. Now. We also have if you have any little babies or anything, but if you go back out the foyer, there's a room that room to the left, there's a changing table, and we have a radio back there as well. So if your kid, if you just want to be back there, you can be the cause of the baby room for it now. So we have that available as well. So today we're looking at Romans 13 how to vote and how to live and I know soon as I say how to vote many people like, oh my goodness, you're not supposed to talk about voting at church politics government at church, what are we doing? For understandable reasons. This is not people avoid this because I'm talking about politics. The opportunity for disagreement is very hot even among Christians. We agree on so many things. We can agree that Jesus was born from a virgin. That Jesus is the only God savior & King for our Salvation, that we need to have faith in him to be saved. We can agree on so many doctrinal beliefs. And yet, there are so many differences of opinion on the best way to govern a City, a state, a country there, so many differences of opinion on how to interpret economic statistics or crime statistics or whatever, fill in the blank. There's some differences of opinion on who's the best person, who would be to implement the best policies and I think there's so many reasons why there's so many differences of opinion. But here on our two, that I think our foundation on that, I was thinking about this week. Number one, there so many differences among Christians about voting and politics and government. Because her one, I think pastors and teachers have not taught the people of God, the scriptures and how to apply the scriptures to how they vote. They have not talked in the biblical theology, they have not apply these principles to government policy. no, not ugly, clearly, not every pastor and teachers this way, but I think many pastors and teachers, either one went to avoid controversial topics, And I just want to preach a self-help, feel good type of sermon. Or if they do talk about politics or government, they give Shiloh bumper sticker. You can put a statement on a coffee mug, that sounds good, it sounds biblical, but it's like, well, when you question like what I really mean when I say this because it's not rooted really in Scripture, it doesn't go very deep and so we really need. That's why I was of Jesus to study the scriptures. What does the Bible say about the role of government? And how are we to apply it like last week and look, we looked at Romans 12:1 that we are mine should be always renewed by the word of God. And this is one aspect where our minds need to be continually renewed and learn. Like, how does God want us to interact in the world especially with government still at the first possible reason why there's so many differences of opinion, we just simply have not studied, or been taught the scriptures on these matters. The second big reason why there are many differences of opinion. Amongst Christian on government policy is that many policies are at locations of the Bible truth that there are issues of wisdom not issues of sin per se. In other words, many political policies are issues of conscience. They're not explicitly defined in scripture. Therefore, we may believe the same Doctrine. We may all believe that murder is wrong and but then there might be differences of opinion on how to apply that. Law in those in the government or fill in the blank with that whatever policy was wrong about economic policy is even more more complicated things. So there's nothing the scriptures do not give us. That is not a whole book of scripture that talks about, this is how you should Vote, or this is how this is, this works out, just how does that the government works? We get glimpses here and there. So it is understandable. Why pastors and teachers? May not teach on the subject very often, because the scriptures do not explicitly teach on this subject very often. So what we do get glimpses of it, that's where we're going to go through today in Romans 13 especially Now with that said, with it being a vast number of different opinions that are okay for Christians to have and how do I apply the truth. This does not mean that all political opinions are equally good or equally biblical or equally wise. Thank you. We can say, yes, I understand that we agree on the truth of the Bible and I understand that you are applying it differently. And I can say is I think that's online. I think that is the wrong direction, you're going and I can say that in love and we can still be United around Christ, because that's where that's another thing we want to focus on today because when we look at politics and look at issues of the government, The state did. There's it's a serious issue because and it rightly evokes, passion and emotion. Because many of the issues were voting on our issues of Justice. Like who is getting protected? Is it a right to life? Is there a protection of Health are we protecting future Generations? These are issues that affect people's day-to-day lies, people affect income, and safety so that your rightly to have a passion and be passionate about these things. But we can't have so much passion to forget that. Our Eternal hope is in Christ, right? No matter what happens on Tuesday Christ is still King but but I don't want to say, then that's what I feel like bumper stickers kind of go to like Christ is King and yes that we need to find her hope in Christ but we still vote on Tuesday or you have to decide whether or not to vote on Tuesday and so they're still in the ways to live in the world yet to make a decision. About yes. We trust that Jesus is our savior. No president is our savior, but we stopped to live in the world right now. So we have to make decisions based on the truth of God. That's what we're doing here today. When you learn Especially what do we do? Living in the world living in the church? What do we do? When we find out someone disagrees with us? When he say, I found out someone go to differently than me or believe that about a different policy than Should we hate our political enemies? Know, as we saw last week, we should love one another deeply as the family of God and we should love those outside the church as well. It's clear. We should love and pray for those who even persecute us. So how much more fellow believers who apply the Bible differently to these issues. And again, I'm not excusing the different opinions. There are right and wrong there, more biblical ways to vote, but at the end of the day, can we come to an agreement that we are to love one? Another deeply as a family of God not avoid that person because you know that their policies are different than you. Right. But you love them in despite of in spite of it and because like when the world looks at us and they can see that man, you guys are different. You're on the spectrum of so many different opinions, but y'all United round Cheese's. That's what we're trying to do. Like I said, could they be wrong and how they interpret certain passage of the Bible for sure? Could they be wrong and how they applied? The Bible tell they vote for sure, but should you still love and care for them? For sure. And part of loving, someone is not just avoid the issue, right? But we want to speak the truth in love, if there are issues of sin, if there's issues of Disobedience and following, not following Jesus, we don't hate them. We went to come to them is a hey, you want to follow Jesus? I say, this is what Jesus says in the Bible for what it means to follow him. What do you think would help me help you follow? Jesus. It's still loving. It's, it's unloving. Notting, not to talk about these things. It may be easier but it doesn't mean it's right. I said they were going to ask a question, does the bible? Give us any information about the role of government in does? How does that affect how we vote? And how we should live? Because the Bible does not shy away from the issue of government will be in Romans 13. Today, I'm just going to read this verse and give us are outlined in on Frank. So, this is Romans 13. The Bible clearly talks about the role of government is says, let everyone submit to governing authorities since there is no Authority, except from God in the authorities that exist or instituted by God. And so today, we're going to be looking at this chapter, we have four main sections. Number one, government's punish evil behavior number to boundaries of Authority. Number 3, paying taxes number for living in light of the end. So this is where we headed today. Let me pray for us.

God. We thank you so much for your wisdom, for your truth. God be with me today, as I Proclaim your word, that it would be clear and apply it accurately to our lives. Be with those listening that we would have open minds that we would want to renew our minds to conform to your word. I'm in things that we may be talking about. Today, may be difficult for many, for different reasons of experiences and in backgrounds. But at the end of the day that we want to be more like you and want to follow you, and we want to do that in love with one another as a church family. Just be with us and bless this time together. Thank you for this opportunity that we have to come together and open your word that we ask this in Jesus name. Amen. So look again, Romans 13:1. This is Paul speaking to the churches he's talking to a group of Believers. We looked at Romans 12 last week that sermons on on our website if you want to go back and listen to that. It says, Romans 13:1. He says let everyone submitting to governing authorities that there is no Authority except from God and the authorities that exist or instituted by God, it's pretty clear. This is every government, every Authority, good bad, he's not talking about Christian government because in the time of writing there are no Christian government's. He's saying that God has given these Authority, this authority to all governments, he's riding to the Christians. In Rome, it's the book of Romans were wrong worship, false gods are many unjust laws and it says God has given all government including around he's given them some kind of authority and Christians should submit to these governing authorities in a certain way and the question that Paul will address in these chapters. What kind of authorities do governments have work. What are the things governments are supposed? Is it how we're Christians to submit to the government? What does that mean submit Before he goes into specifics, he wants to make sure we see the seriousness of this issue. Like, pretty much laid out in verse 14 verse to, he just rephrase has it. He's like, let me make sure you make you see, it's is this is very important for the Christian Life, he says. So then the one who resists The Authority is opposing, God's command. And those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. So, here's the picture because God has delegated some authority to governments when we resist, when we do not submit to the governing authorities in a proper way. We're not submitting to God because they are underneath God's Authority. So, this is serious. We have to get this right as Christians. You can't just not think about politics and government. You're going to relate to the government in one way or another. But is it God's way? And so that's what we want to follow it. So how does God want us to submit? The government's, what Authority did God? Give the government also has a three here. We see the first layer of authority says for rulers. Are not a terror to Good Conduct but too bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in Authority? Do what is good and you will have its approval. So we see your part of the authority, part of the responsibility and function of the government, they got his instituted that he has delegated authority to is governments, are to be a terror to bad action, there to be a terror to bad behavior. So, someone does something bad, they should rightly fear the repercussions of the government. This is God's given purpose to all governments, to punish bad action in to approve of good actions. Now, it's clear to all governments do this, rightly know, sometime, They punish good actions and sometimes they let bad actions, go unpunished. But the goals that created purpose of government is to be a terror to those who do bad actions for there to be consequences for bad behavior. Continues to explain, the reason that there should be a certain level of fear of the governing authorities for do for doing wrong because God has delegated authority to governments to punish evil. And it doesn't work for it says for it is God's servant for your good. That is the goal and purpose of government. They are God's servant for your good but if you do wrong, be afraid because this does not carry the sword for no reason. For it is God's servant and Avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong. Because remember last week, we looked at, when people attack us and sent against us and we experienced evil in our lives, we're not to seek revenge, right? We looked at how God does not give us that Authority as individuals to seek revenge on. Someone we do not repay evil for evil. We see here that God has given some authority to governments because while we can trust in the Lord, that on the final day of judgment Justice will be done that, the evildoer will get repaid and evil will be paid for one way or the other and that's the Eternal judgment in this life until we get to that point until we space the final judgment. God is giving it the way these two governments to punish evil. If God give him, the other ways to governments to punish evil. This means he did not give it to individuals and you did not give it to the church. Has he did not give it to social groups but the government's the funny as it says, the government does not carry the sword for no reason. The sword. He referring to the broader judicial function of the state, whether that be the death penalty, corporal punishment, imprisonment and fines the idea of punishment matching the crime is in the Old Testament. Again, I do want to make sure I'd say this, this is not going to be exhausted comprehensive sermon on the role of government. I'm just going to focus here on Romans 13. I'll mention some broader element. Like we want the crime to match the punishment. The severity of the crime to match the severity of the punishment. This is a big deal on just law. This is rude. A bit in Proverbs. Read in the Old Testament is Genesis 95 is kind of the key text for this idea. I'm thinking of it up, there is Genesis 950 and six. It says God. God says, I will require a penalty for your lifeblood. I require it from any animal or from any human. If someone murdered a fellow human I will require that person's life who ever said to human blood by humans. His blood will be shed for God, made humans in His image. So what are you saying? Is human life is so valuable, I'm going to put this that the crime should match. The first met your match the crime. So if you kill a human, if you murder your blood will be shed as well. And God has specifically given this role, the government's, not the individuals, take Zack this Justice again. Back in first for talking about governments, being the servant, get the government or given the sword individuals are not giving us or the church and not giving us or the government's when the government is acting as a supposed to win, its laws are aligning with what God says, he is going to happen to notice. It says that they will punish the one Is wrong is so, what long is, is the fine by God? God to find, what good is good and evil. And so when there's a lot laws match up with What God Says, is good and evil, we submit to those governing authorities to that extent and other words, if Allah commands you to do something, that is against God's law. You don't do it. You follow God, not man. If those two are in contradiction to what if the governing authorities give you a loss that you simply don't like, or that is inconvenient, but it's not contradictory to God's law, you still follow it. Will talk about taxes in a little bit. It's oh pumpkins with another reason. Why do we should submit to the Goodwin? The laws of the government match? God's good laws in verse five. It says therefore you must submit not only because of Wrath but also because of your conscience that words we have different motivations for doing good. We have the motivation of we want to respond because God has loved us. We went to love others, we have been forgiven much and so we forgive others. We want to do good to please. Our heavenly father, not to earn his love because he's already loves us. We also do good because we fear punishment that is a rifle. Motivated at scripture gives us. We fear the getting punished. That's not a bad motivator but that shouldn't be the only motivation. He says we should also do good because of her conscience. If you're a Christian and you do something bad, you should have a guilty conscience, you should be feeling bad about it, even if you don't get punished for it, even if no one else knows about it. You still know about it. It's your conscience. And so you want to avoid doing evil because of your because of your conscious. Now, I'm Paul's time. This is where we get into applying it to our day because I'm just, I'm just talkin about the role of government in stock and how to submit to governments. They didn't have voting rights. Alright, they didn't get to influence laws of Rome. They couldn't say. Well, this loss wrong, could be changed. And I'm going to vote for this guy to bedroom flat, God's law of the Thunderman and Punishment matching the crime. They didn't have a say, and in many ways, their lives and how they live, real little bit simpler than ours didn't have to make that decision. They were simply too called to obey the government when they're doing the laws follow God's law. They're called to live. Holy lives, did not to seek. Revenge been our day and time Which is the same thing we're not to seek revenge, were supposed to true that follow the law of the land as long as it doesn't contradict God's law, but we also, in addition have something else, we have an opportunity to influence government to align with Gods intended purposes for. So this is a great opportunity as Christians. Again, it's not easy. If you can cause this if there's disagreements among good, Christians about how to vote and how what to vote on Like I said, the Christian life would be some ways easier and less complicated. If we didn't have a say, if we didn't have a direction in the government, but this is where God has placed us. Your citizen here and you get to vote and you're in this country, you haven't this opportunity and so don't waste it all. So we don't want to let this opportunity divide us. But let us come together as God's people United Around, Jesus to apply the truth of the Bible to government policies and towards the application. Point today we see her one of the main role for government is to punish those who do evil and approve of those who do good. So first you have to know what what is good and what is evil and how do you know that the scriptures tell us God tells us in his word, what is good, and what is evil? And so we vote for policies and we vote for people that align with those. Again, there is no perfect government. There's no perfect policy is no perfect. Person in government, but at the point where a government does not punish evil Behavior, or at the point that I lost does not rightly reflect the crime. Like if the punishment over exceeds the crime or is lesser than the crime, we would say that's a bad long, but if it does punish evil Behavior, if the severity of the punishment Dodge match the severity of the crime overall. That's a good long. No, you can study a law of effect to reduce crime. That's not the sole indicator of whether a law is good or not. If it's seeking to punish evil evil Behavior, regardless of the outcome, then it's in line with God's purposes. And let me remind us as the church as individual Christians, we addressed a heart problem. We lovingly show people, we all have sinned. For example, we would certainly lose. Should we show them the truth of God's word, but murder is wrong and that Jesus died for that. He doesn't want you to murder. Again, there's forgiveness at the cross. So, that's our kind of way you can think of a sphere of Authority or responsibility. Our mission, as a church is, to bring people to Jesus. We also have a responsibility and an opportunity to vote till 9 the role of government was God's stated goals of government. It's a when you vote for a law that punishes evil, that does not negate everything we talked about last week. Government punishing evil does not mean that you don't love them. I've heard it said this way. That if they, if we had no punishments or repercussions in this life, Then they would never forget that wake up call before eternal life. A lot of times the issue of Justice here on Earth that the government can imprison or fine. In those things that could be the wake-up moment. To some say, some, he's like this, it what I did was wrong and they got a chance to repent and turn to Christ before they face Eternal judgment. And so, is some ways this temporary judgment every time. I'm out here in the government's Authority in judgment, is a Grace that could lead people to repentance before they face Eternal judgment. And so voting for a law that punishes evil is in line with God's purposes for government. Now, are there any traffic laws that are intending to do? Good. Of course, do people enforce laws in perfectly of course, but it does that mean that we reject all laws or reject all enforcement know, It means that within our power and opportunity. We want the laws to match up with God's purposes for the government and God has given government a certain jurisdiction, God has given them a boundary of a story that's going to talk about a little bit here or second Point down trees over 30. For example, the government doesn't have the authority to prosecute crimes against God, like blasphemy, or a Dollar Tree, right? So they didn't, this is going to, you have to this would be a broader biblical theology. For this argument where the different roles of government that distinctly stated the government Authority leaves, open a space for Religious Freedom. For example, the government does not have the authority to tell a church with doctrines and beliefs that we should have left it at. Dorothy God has given to the church. When the government meets that barrier, when it hits the Gulf of the church's Authority, that's where the government's Authority stops there. A certain things God has given authority of the government. Does not have the authority to tell parents how to raise their children are certain things, God has given parents, but the word is now, it gets complicated in. This is what is the difference of opinions on it, because the Spheres of authority overlap, for example, in some religions parents would not allow their kids to take medicine that, that would help them survive a sickness. Because they don't believe in Medicine of any kind. They only believe that God would heal their kid miraculously. So, in that state, the government would be right to protect the life of the child in contradiction to the authority of that religion and his parents to see how we can get complicated really fast, at least fuse 03. Now I guess I'm not going to detail a Biblical Theology of the different spheres and suffered. A, I'll give you the simple summary and we can talk about this through throughout the year. About these different things. And we can study the scriptures on this. But simply put, I think I have it up here. Yo, the first kind of summary of the government's Authority, their purpose and what their goals are is to protect human life and park by punishing evil. The second is they there to set the conditions so that people can fulfill the creation mandate? Be fruitful and multiply and fill the Earth and subdue it so that the government's are making these things possible for humans. All humans to do that to fulfill their their god-given purpose of feeling the Earth and some doing it at the number three to ensure we have the freedom to share the gospel disciples. That's where they get that freedom of religion there. Now if you want to, if you're interested in this and seeing a Biblical argument, there's a guy named Jonathan Leeming who wrote a whole book on these different sphere of authority, how they apply in our life and it's called Authority. I think it's up there and send your bulletin as well. See how Godly will protect the vulnerable strengthens communities and promotes human flourishing. I wanted to share this with you to make you realize the topic of government is complicated. I've been studying and racking my brain about this for the past like 3 weeks I'm still like I'm tentative on things because the Bible like I'm making we're making applications a Biblical truth like for example to hold you know that the condition so that people can fulfill the creation mandate. Like Jocelyn is a smart to do than I am. He studied this is a scholar on this since I'm kind of like leaning on his expertise but I just reading Genesis 1:28, be fruitful and multiply until the Earth to do it. There's not like a strong Bridge so I go. Where is government in that first, right? It's starting to wonder, like, okay, work, how do you get there? So all I can say, is, it's complicated and we need to be patient and love one another as working through this together. And I guess this is not comprehensive teaching on the role of government. I'm just saying what's clear in Romans 13. Is that governments have a role in punishing evil behavior and we should vote accordingly to that principle. Another aspect of government, they may be even less popular than its role in punishing evil and make people my true draw from. You don't want to punish evil. Do you know? You people kind of feel like, if you love someone, you would never punish them. But that's not what, you know, what you see, and hear the role of government is supposed to be right? But we also have a issue with paying taxes, I think everyone would doesn't like taxes, and some might even argue very intelligently that we, we don't need to pay taxes taxes because governments are going to be on their Authority governments, go beyond their authority of punishing evil. They're doing all this other stuff that we disagree with everything supporting evil. And therefore, we don't need to pay taxes. The three things we need to consider another one, it actually cost money to hire people to make enforce. The laws is on a basic principle if you want people to make good laws and if for some probably better pay them to number two, governments are to do. More than just punish evil. Taxes could be used to build infrastructure Road Bridges and things like that. So we can fill the creation mandate would be so we can travel and share the gospel disciples so you can make an argument for other things. I can spend their money on the number three, simply for the Bible commands us to pay taxes looking for 6. Any Roots it in the role of government. And is that how the government's are God's servants? He says, and for this reason you pay taxes, that's the authorities are God's servants continually attending to these tasks. Again, you have to remember he's not riding to the American Church in 2024. He's Ryan to the church in Rome. Where Rome is completely Pagan and they're supporting all kinds of things. Their taxes are going to be building Pagan temples and he still says, pay your taxes. And so will we see here? It's not as you're not in, send if your tax money goes to Something, Bad by God, wouldn't be what God want, command us to send that one command us to do something bad. We're not morally. Obligated to our, our taxes are low translate, you're not standing if your if your tax money goes to support, support something bad, right? Again, this is what you in the context of the Roman government, God still says, for us to pay tax, Governments are not perfect but is through them. God has chosen to delegate his authority.

He tells us to pay our taxes again for 7. He says, pay your obligations to everyone taxes the to those, you owe taxes tolls to those. You all tolls respect, to those your respect and honor to those. You honor, this isn't exactly in line, with Jesus is teaching Matthew, 22 21. He says, give than to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God, the things that are God and you stay here, the roles of authority Caesar Dodge and there's some overlap and how that works. And the point is that we had to pay taxes despite how we might disagree, how they're used again. I'm not saying you can't disagree. You can totally voice your opinion, especially in our day and time, we have the ability to voice our opinion, and, and we can both our opinion on what we should spend our money on. But at a basic level taxes are to be used to pay the employees of the government so they can do their job properly. So they can approve, what is good and punish evil. And here we see over and over again is talking about government as Servants of God. And so if you have any role in government, we owe you honor, we owe you respect. God is giving you a some level of authority and so is Christian Grey's in our kids, we can teach them having a government job in the legislator in the senate. In law. Enforcement is a good and Noble profession that you are God's servant on this Earth to deal out Justice. So since the government's are our Servants of God, we owe them a certain level of respect. Like I said, certain level honor. Dexter, that's the authoritative status. We owe them, a certain level of respect and honor regardless of how good or bad they are, right, that's hard. That's where it's hard because they're like, yeah I totally respect my fellow Believers Church member for their job and I give them on her but I ain't going to respect that guy who's in the office or whoever Because they're not doing right? Caesar in Rome is not doing right and he said, God still says, you still owe them honor and respect Because they are in in in his way, they are still Servants of him. Again, it's not saying you have to agree with them, it's not saying you can't call them out on their errors, call them to repentance, but he still have a certain level of respect and reverence for them. And this is not just one statement in the New Testament it's not like oh this is the only place it talks about the government, I'll just read a few versus Titus 3:1 gives us the same idea. It says, remind them to submit to the rulers and authorities to obey and to be ready for every good work, 1st Peter, 2:13 submit to every human authority because of the Lord weather to be the emperor of the supreme authority or two Governors, as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil. And to praise those who do what is good again at same thing. That falls talk about Romans 13 government have to punish those who do evil 1st, Timothy 2:1 First of all, then I urge that petitions prayers, intercessions and Thanksgiving be made for everyone and he was like, especially for kings and all those who are in Authority. So they may lead a tranquil and quiet life and all godliness and dignity. We are called to pray for our political enemies. Pray for those in Authority. God can do Miracles, God, can change anyone. Again, I'm not saying you have to agree with them. You can have righteous anger about unjust policies, unjust laws. I don't have hatred, don't lash out and hate but seek to love them. Love those, even those who disagree with people that actually as false as a state, not only do we owe taxes. We owe people love as we look at our last section living in light of the end. Isn't in this context of submitting to the government. The government's role, he grows back into what he was talking about last week about how we should treat one another, it says do not owe anyone anything except to love one another, for the one who loves one, another has fulfilled the law. Now, he's not saying you can't take out a loan, right? That's meant to you, he's making a transition, he just talked about what you owe, people respect, and honor and taxes. And he's like now above all those things you need to know people. Love is what he saying. The people we love how you love them, it's not some kind of emotional, you know, romantic love is not a feeling or emotion a candy that can be wrapped up in it, but at the core at base level, when you love someone, you're fulfilling the loft. Loving people feel feels a lot of God is it says, and he says, here are some of the Commandments hear some of the laws of God that you are feeling has. You should love them. Says the Commandments. Verse 9 do not commit adultery do not murder, do not steal, do not cover it or any other commandment are summed up by this commandment. Love your neighbor as yourself. So first you show your love for someone but not spinning against them. If you love them, you won't stand against them by treating them, as you would want to be treated as how you love them. First, then love does no wrong to a neighbor Love. Therefore is the Fulfillment of the law. The world is not contrary to God's law. Love is putting God's law into practice. So why should we do all this as followers of Jesus? Why should we love another one? Another even love our political enemies. Why should we submit to governing authorities? God says, we should do all these things because every day, we are one step closer to Eternity every day. Every hour. Every second you are one step closer to Jesus returning. Or from passing away from this life, into the next. You are one step closer to standing before the god of the universe. That's why you should obey everything. Paul, he just said, he says a 11 Besides this, since you know, the time it is already the hour for you to wake up from sleep because now our Salvation is nearer than we first, believed Christians can fall asleep, spiritually, we can get into a pattern, a routine and just go through the flow where we make decisions and we vote, because that's how we've always done it. We can get lazy. The guy says wake up. You are closer to being before God and you ever were before. There's 12 the night is nearly over the day is near. So let us discard the Deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Edwards Christ, could return at any moment. Your life here, could end at any moment. And in that moment, do you want to be acting and deeds of Darkness acting out evil Behavior? Or do you want to be living with the armor of light? It doesn't verse 13. Let us walk with decency. As in the daytime, not incur rousing and drunkenness. Not in sexual impurity, and promiscuity not in quarreling and jealous. Another word to do. You want to be drunk when Jesus returns?

I guess he's not going to Christians. All right, don't go back to your old sinful lifestyle. Do you want to be cheating on your spouse when Jesus comes back? Do you want to be having sex with someone outside of marriage when Jesus comes back for us? He's like live in light of Jesus could come back at any moment. How do you want to be living when he comes back?

Interesting things about these two categories of sand. Always been a major Temptation throughout two thousand years of Christian history. Christian sliding his temptation of drunkenness and sexual morality still major battles two people fighting today. I know those two categories. Get a lot of attention rightly. So we also includes a third category. Many people call these the more respectable since like you can quarrel he can be jealous if he wants Rosie or what do you know, whoever is your name is Rosie. I did not mean to

But stems of disunity among the church fighting against one another, since of not being happy about what someone else has sins of jealousy. Paul groups those with sexual morality and drunkenness is like, do you want to be found drunk, when Christ returns, you going to be found being jealous and disunified in the church? When Christ returns that he puts those like on the same page, on the same sentence?

Instead of closing ourselves with these dark and evil behaviors. Falling into those Temptations. He says a 14. Put on the Lord. Jesus Christ. Make no provision for the flesh. To gratify desires. In this election season, we have the Temptation the desire, I don't know. It feels weird to say but it feels good to hate somebody that's wrong, like the wrong desire. But we know that's where we're tempted to go. We're tempted to see someone that disagrees with us on on something, whether big or small. I hate them. Do we need to be unified? We need to put on Jesus. We don't need to make any provision for the flesh. That means don't flirt with inflation. Don't even get close to it. Don't try to tiptoe to the edge of sin and said, do everything in your power to fight against your sin. Don't put on your old self. Instead remember you are a new creation in Christ. Put on Christ, he says you are a new creation in Christ. Your old self is been buried. Put on Newton Christ. Everyday. You identify with Jesus. Now, not with your previous sins. He is your king. You going to take him So we put on the Lord Jesus Christ, we put on the armor of light, put on the armor of God as it says in Ephesians 6:13. For this reason, take out the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in that. Even the evil day having prepared everything to take your stand stand. Therefore, with truth, like a belt around your waist righteousness, like armor on your chest, in your feet, sandal with Readiness, for the gospel of peace in every situation, take up the shield of Faith, which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil. One take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. Pray at all times in the spirit with every prayer requests, and stay alert. We all perseverance and intercession for the same. Let's pray.

Godwin, we need you.

We are tempted towards so many things. We even take the good things that you've given us as gifts. And we turn them upside down. We take opportunities. Opportunities to the voting opportunities to influence the direction of our country. Can we turn those things into idols?

We turn those opportunities to vote as That's what that's where we find our Unity. We don't find it in. Jesus, God help us to turn away from those things. Help us to be United Around. Jesus. Help us to live out this Christian Life.

God, give us the wisdom and discernment to vote how you want us to go. Let us be open.

To changing our minds about things that we would be humble enough to sit before your word. Play God. Is there something I'm missing?

Got sent. Thank you for this church family that that is United around you that I've seen love for one. Another that I've seen Unity got that we would continue in this spirit that it would expand to all the churches. And in our country I got as you commanded us to pray for the Kings for the of those in Authority. God, we pray for those in authority over us. God help us give him honor and respect because of their position. God, that they would align their policies in line laws that are good. The Punisher evil.

The raise up. Men and women in our church. That would be good servants of you in government that they would make just law, that they would study the scriptures deeply in before of wisdom to make good honoring. God honoring us in our land.

That we need you in all this. We pray these things in Jesus name, amen.

everyone stand place and