The Believer, and the Ballot: Thinking Biblically
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THEME: Write one sentence about the topic.
A MESSAGE THAT CHANGES LIVES!!!
EQUIP THE SAINTS!!!
Overview: WHAT IS THE SINGULAR THEME OF THE MESSAGE? WHAT IS THE BIBLICAL TEACHING THAT IS CENTRAL TO THIS MESSAGE?
Proposition: Proposition of Message (What is the main point?)
Theme: The theme of the message.
Objective: What does the message hope to accomplish? How will it change the lives of the listeners?
✔️TRANSFORMATION!!!
✔️AMBASSADORSHIP!!!
✔️DISCIPLESHIP!!!
How does this message change lives?
How does it CHANGE LIVES?
How is it tied to our testimony?
How do we apply it in our lives?
How does it make us better AMBASSADORS?
How does it make us better DISCIPLES (Discipleship)?
What is the one thing hearers should walk away with, if they do not hear anything else?
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✔️CHECKLIST
REDUCE NOTES!!! 📋
INCREASE SLIDES!!! 🎞️
CREATE NOTES AND BIBLIOGRAPH AS AN INSERT IN THE BULLETIN.
Select Background
Create an Introductory Slide (with name).
Create a Promotional Slide (with name) for Social Media / Website.
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I. THE CHURCH GATHERS
I. THE CHURCH GATHERS
Welcome and Announcements
Welcome and Announcements
(Lay Leader) WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
Include invitation to fellowship
Pastor Announcements (with slides below)
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Slide Announcements:
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WE NEED YOU.
Volunteers needed.
Lay Leaders
Greeters
Ushers
Hospitality (provide Food for after service Fellowship)
Nursery and Sunday School Teachers.
Food Bank workers (meet the community).
Worship Leaders (see Pastor Dave).
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THE FORGE MEN’S FELLOWSHIP
Men’s Study and Fellowship Team
Every 4th Monday Evening
7:00pm
Starts on Monday, October 26.
If you wish to know more about the group, watch the movie called “The Forge” (it’s a Christian movie).
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PRAYER CARDS
The Prayer Team prays
The Pastor and his wife pray.
No prayer too big or too small.
If you wish to be on the Prayer Team, please see ___________?
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INTRODUCTION TO WORSHIP
INTRODUCTION TO WORSHIP
Call to Worship
Call to Worship
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WORSHIP CALL SCRIPTURE HERE
(LAY LEADER) Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
(PEOPLE) Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
(LAY LEADER) Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
(PEOPLE) Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty— he is the King of glory.
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II. THE CHURCH WORSHIPS
II. THE CHURCH WORSHIPS
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🎶CHOIR ANTHEM, SPECIAL SONG, OR CONGRGATIONAL SONG
🎶CHOIR ANTHEM, SPECIAL SONG, OR CONGRGATIONAL SONG
Showers of Blessings
Showers of Blessings
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🎶CONGRGATIONAL SONG
🎶CONGRGATIONAL SONG
(Book/Screen) 🎵#353
(Book/Screen) 🎵#353
Be Thou My Vision
Be Thou My Vision
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Today’s Bible Reading
Today’s Bible Reading
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(LAY LEADER) Romans 13:1–14 - NIV (PAGE #1764)
1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. 6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. 8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. 11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
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(LAY LEADER) This is the Word of the Lord.
(LAY LEADER) This is the Word of the Lord.
(PEOPLE) Thanks be to God!
(PEOPLE) Thanks be to God!
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🎶CONGRGATIONAL SONG
🎶CONGRGATIONAL SONG
(Book/Screen) 🎵#151
(Book/Screen) 🎵#151
Open the Eyes of my Heart
Open the Eyes of my Heart
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🎶CONGRGATIONAL SONG
🎶CONGRGATIONAL SONG
(Book/Screen) 🎵#154
(Book/Screen) 🎵#154
Lord, the Light of Your Love / Shine Jesus Shine
Lord, the Light of Your Love / Shine Jesus Shine
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III. THE CHURCH PRAYS
III. THE CHURCH PRAYS
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER (Monthly Prayer)
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER (Monthly Prayer)
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Psalm 103:1–5
Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
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Sharing Our Joys and Spiritual Needs
Sharing Our Joys and Spiritual Needs
(LAY LEADER) PRAYER NEEDS AND REQUESTS
[Go to front after Sharing of Prayer Requests.]
PASTOR: SILENT PRAYER
PASTOR: SILENT PRAYER
PASTOR: PASTORAL PRAYER for NEEDS (Below):
PASTOR: PASTORAL PRAYER for NEEDS (Below):
1. Personal Prayer
1. Personal Prayer
Unspoken requests
Thanksgiving
Repentance and spiritual growth
2. Our Church Family
2. Our Church Family
Warden Community Church
Spiritual health
Those who serve on the Boards and Committees
Teachers
Volunteers
Worship team
Ministries we currently have, and those ministries in development
Givers and stewards of this church
Unity and revival
3. Christ's Church Around the World
3. Christ's Church Around the World
Missionaries and mission organizations
The persecuted church
Believers serving in difficult places
4. Those Who Suffer
4. Those Who Suffer
Those battling illness
Those grieving
Those struggling with mental illness
Those battling addiction
The homeless
The hungry
The poor
Those in prison
Victims of abuse or violence
"We pray for all who are suffering physically, emotionally, financially, and spiritually."
5. Our Community
5. Our Community
First responders
Military
Teachers and schools
Local businesses and farmers
Local government
Neighboring churches
6. Evangelism
6. Evangelism
We pray for those who are seeking You,
those who have wandered from the faith,
and those who have never known Christ,
that Your Holy Spirit would draw them to repentance and faith."
7. Family and Friends
7. Family and Friends
And we lift up our families, friends, and
and those close to our hearts,
that they may seek and find You, Lord.
8. Closing
8. Closing
Lord, we know there are countless needs known only to You.
Hear the cries that remain unspoken, and
accomplish Your perfect will for Your glory."
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And we pray as You, Lord, taught us to pray . . .
PASTOR: LORDS PRAYER (Bulletin)
PASTOR: LORDS PRAYER (Bulletin)
Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13)
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(Lay Leader) 🎵GLORIA PATRI
(Lay Leader) 🎵GLORIA PATRI
[Stay for the Offering Message unless Lay Leader is doing it.]
🎵Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen, Amen.
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V. THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS
V. THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS
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OFFERINGS
OFFERINGS
🎶Music during offering up to the Doxology.
(PASTOR or LAY LEADER) BRIEF WORD on GIVING/TESTIMONY
Invite the Ushers to come forward.
(PASTOR or LAY LEADER) PRAYS FOR OFFERING
Before we receive this morning's offering, I want to take you to a church most of us have never thought much about:
the churches of Macedonia.
When Paul wrote to the Corinthians,
he held these believers up as an example.
they weren't rich.
Paul says they were going through a severe trial and
living in extreme poverty.
If any church had a reason to say,
'Not this time, Paul. We've got nothing to spare,'
it was this one.
But listen to what Paul says about them in 2 Corinthians 8.
Their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.
They gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.
And they did it entirely on their own.
Nobody had to pressure them.
In fact, Paul says they pleaded with him for the privilege of giving.
Think about that. They begged to give.
How does that happen?
Paul tells us in verse 5: they gave themselves first to the Lord.
Before they ever put anything in the offering,
they had already put themselves in God's hands.
Once your life belongs to Jesus,
your wallet isn't a separate conversation.
That's what we mean when we talk about giving joyfully and sacrificially.
Sacrificial giving means it actually costs us something; we feel it.
Joyful giving means we're glad to do it anyway,
because we know who we're giving to and what He's already given us.
Jesus didn't give us His leftovers.
He gave us Himself.
So as the plates come around this morning, I'm not asking you to give out of guilt or pressure.
Paul says in chapter 9, verse 7, that each of us should give what we've decided in our heart to give,
not reluctantly or under compulsion,
'for God loves a cheerful giver.'
Whatever you give today, give it first as an act of worship.
Give yourself to the Lord first, and
then give with joy.
Let's pray.
OFFERING: Ushers collect offering (pass the plates)
Ushers return to the front for the dedication.
(PASTOR or LAY LEADER) PRAYER OF DEDICATION (for Offering)
PASTOR WALKS TO THE PODIUM DURING SONG
🎶DOXOLOGY:
🎶DOXOLOGY:
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
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🎶CONGRGATIONAL SONG OF THANKSGIVING
🎶CONGRGATIONAL SONG OF THANKSGIVING
(Book/Screen) 🎵#41
(Book/Screen) 🎵#41
To God Be The Glory
To God Be The Glory
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VI. THE CHURCH HEARS THE WORD
VI. THE CHURCH HEARS THE WORD
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PRAYER OF PREPARATION (for the message)
PRAYER OF PREPARATION (for the message)
PASTOR: May the words of my mouth . . .
PEOPLE: And the meditation of our hearts,
be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, Our Strength and Our Redeemer.
Amen. (Psalm 19:14)
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PASTOR’S PRAYER (for the message)
PASTOR’S PRAYER (for the message)
Prayer 2 – "May Christ Be Exalted"
Prayer 2 – "May Christ Be Exalted"
Based on: John 3:30; Colossians 1:18
Lord Jesus,
We ask that You alone would be exalted today. Let every thought, every word, and every truth point to You. May I decrease so that Christ may increase. Guard my lips from error and fill them with grace and truth. Prepare every heart to receive Your Word with humility and faith. May those who are weary find strength, those who are burdened find hope, those who are wandering find direction, and those who do not yet know You find salvation. Be glorified in all that is said and done today. Amen.
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The Believer, and the Ballot: Thinking Biblically
The Believer, and the Ballot: Thinking Biblically
Pastor Dave Marks
Pastor Dave Marks
Warden Community Church
Warden Community Church
😁ANIMATED, EXPRESSIVE, PASSIONATE, POSITIVE. 😊❤️
Welcome Church 😊❤️
Welcome Church 😊❤️
2. GATHERED AROUND THE WORD — Hearing from God
2. GATHERED AROUND THE WORD — Hearing from God
Good morning, church family! What a privilege it is to gather together under God's Word. In a world full of noise, opinions, and distractions, we have the opportunity to slow down, open the Scriptures, and hear what God has spoken. That is something we should never take for granted. My prayer this morning is that we would come with open hearts, ready not only to hear His Word, but to respond to it.
Welcome Guests and Visitors
Welcome Guests and Visitors
2. GATHERED AROUND THE WORD — Welcoming Guests to Hear God's Word
2. GATHERED AROUND THE WORD — Welcoming Guests to Hear God's Word
And to our guests and those joining us for the first time, we warmly welcome you. We're thankful God has brought you here today, and our prayer is that as we open His Word together, He will speak to your heart and draw you closer to Him.
Who We Are (WCC) ⛪♥️
Who We Are (WCC) ⛪♥️
2. GATHERED AROUND THE WORD — A People Grounded in God's Truth
2. GATHERED AROUND THE WORD — A People Grounded in God's Truth
We are a Bible-believing, Christ-centered church committed to knowing God through His Word and living according to His truth. We want to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ, seek Him faithfully in prayer, and allow His Word to shape how we live, how we love one another, and how we share the hope of the gospel with our community and the world.
Special Invitation (after the service)
Special Invitation (after the service)
We invite you to join us in the Fellowship Hall following the service for some food and fellowship. It’s a wonderful opportunity to spend some time together, and if you’re visiting with us today, we’d especially love the opportunity to meet you and get to know you better.
Special Recognition and Thanks
Special Recognition and Thanks
LAY LEADER:
HOSPITALITY:
GREETERS:
USHERS:
SOUND/MEDIA:
MUSIC / WORSHIP:
OTHER RECOGNITION:
Classes and Ministries:
Sunday School
Nursery
Kid’s Church
Youth Group
Other Ministries:
Landscape
Food Bank
Women’s Ministry
No Series - Looking at Today’s Issues as we prepare to go to the ballot.
No Series - Looking at Today’s Issues as we prepare to go to the ballot.
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The Believer, and the Ballot: Thinking Biblically
The Believer, and the Ballot: Thinking Biblically
Introduction to Message
Introduction to Message
A MESSAGE THAT CHANGES LIVES!!!❤️😁
Story or Quote (with history)
Story or Quote (with history)
A politician dies and arrives at the pearly gates. Peter says, "We don't get many of your kind up here, so we're going to let you spend one day in hell and one day in heaven, and then you choose." In hell he finds a country club: golf, steak dinners, old friends laughing, and the devil is charming. Heaven is peaceful but quiet, with lots of singing and harps. He chooses hell. When the gates open, it's a wasteland of fire and misery. He says to the devil, "Yesterday there was a golf course and a banquet!" The devil smiles and says, "Yesterday we were campaigning. Today you voted."
Overview of Singular Theme
Overview of Singular Theme
""Now, I can promise you, that's not how heaven's gate works. But I can also promise you this:
in a few weeks, you're going to vote.
And here's something that might surprise you…
The election coming up on November 3rd matters.
It may matter more than most of us think.
Midterm elections don't get the attention presidential elections do.
In a presidential year,
about two out of every three eligible Americans vote.
In a midterm,
it's closer to one out of two.
Millions of people, including a lot of Christians,
simply sit it out, because it doesn't feel consequential.
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But think about what's actually decided in a midterm:
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every seat in the U.S. House,
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a third of the Senate,
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governors,
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state legislators,
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County positions
Sheriff
Auditor
Coroner
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Judges,
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County Commissioners
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District positions
School districts
Utility districts
others
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Ballot measures that become law.
These are the people and the decisions that shape the issues closest to home:
How they think and what they stand for will make a difference in our lives.
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Questions such as:
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How do they view the sanctity of life (Image of God?)
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How do they value the life of the unborn?
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How do they treat the elderly?
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How do they view responsibility for the most vulnerable?
Our children (protect)
Their education.
Their innocence.
Their health and welfare.
The rights of their parents.
Those who are challenged with handicaps, disabilities, or other physical issues.
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How they see the need to care for the poor,
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How they view the stranger in our land?
The Bible does speak to this issue.
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How do they understand the importance of liberty and justice?
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How do they see the need to protect marriage and the family?
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How do they value our freedom and rights
Particularly, to live out our faith.
Our commitment to honor God above the whims of society.
There are more issues, important ones, that we need to
take seriously.
understand
embrace
take a stand on.
And for us here in Washington,
ballots will be arriving in our mailboxes within the next week or so.
So this isn't a theoretical conversation.
Society and the world around us
Is changing moment by moment.
Who we choose to govern is critical.
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So before you fill out that ballot, there are four things every follower of Jesus needs to know.
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First, we need to know whose authority we live under. Before we're Republicans or Democrats or independents, we are citizens of the Kingdom of God, and Jesus is Lord.
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Second, we need to know what the Bible actually says about the issues in front of us. Not what a cable news channel says, not what our social media feed says, but what God says.
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Third, we need to know our responsibility. God doesn't call us to sit on the sidelines. Voting, speaking up, serving on a council, even running for office: Scripture has something to say about our participation.
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And fourth, we need to understand the issues and the choices in front of us well enough to measure them against God's standards, not our party's.
Key Scripture (if applicable)
Key Scripture (if applicable)
So let's start where Paul started,
writing to Christians
who lived under one of the most corrupt governments in history,
Nero's Rome.
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1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
NOTE WHAT IT SAYS . . .
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1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
IT DOESN’T STOP THERE . . .
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1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
Peter also wrote about our perspective on government. Let’s look at . . .
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13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
Body of Message (Main Point)
Body of Message (Main Point)
When we look at government it’s very tempting to get cynical, derogatory, and condescending.
A little girl asked her grandfather,
"Grandpa, do all fairy tales begin with 'Once upon a time'?"
He said, "No, sweetheart. Some begin with 'If I am elected, I promise…'"
PETER USED A PHRASE THAT IS KEY . . .
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15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.
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WE NEED TO ACT AS AMBASSADORS,
ACCURATELY REPRESENTING THE KINGDOM
LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT ARE OUR RESPONSIBILITIES WHEN IT COMES TO GOVERNMENT AND VOTING.
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Our Instructions: What God Has Said About Government
Our Instructions: What God Has Said About Government
We know that Government is God's institution: "there is no authority except from God"(13:1)
Governmental authority is grounded in
God’s sovereignty.
No authority exists apart from God
Existing authorities have been established by God.
Mili has two passports and owes obligations to two countries.
But when the two countries conflict,
She has to know which one gets final allegiance.
Philippians 3:20 says: "Our citizenship is in heaven."
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20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
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"Render to Caesar… and to God" (Matthew 22:15–22).
The coin bears Caesar's image,
but we bear God's image (Genesis 1:27).
Caesar gets the coin;
God gets us.
And with that, we need know when government seizes what is God’s.
Rights of Freedom
to pray
to worship
to serve God and not Satan
abortion
homosexuality
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Our Posture: Submission and Respect
Our Posture: Submission and Respect
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Submission is commanded "for the Lord's sake" (1 Peter 2:13), not because leaders earn it.
This includes: (Romans 13:7)
obeying laws,
paying taxes, and
showing honor.
Titus 3:2 adds that we are "to speak evil of no one,"
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Our Limits: When Caesar Demands What Belongs to God
Our Limits: When Caesar Demands What Belongs to God
The principle is that "We must obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29).
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29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
The biblical pattern is that disobedience is warranted
when government forbids what God commands
(Daniel's prayer, the apostles' preaching).
when government commands what God forbids
(the Hebrew midwives, Daniel's three friends)
The response is one of my favorite . . .
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17 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
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Our Participation: Seeking the Welfare of the City
Our Participation: Seeking the Welfare of the City
God told exiles in pagan Babylon to "seek the welfare of the city… for in its welfare you will find your welfare." Believers are salt and light, preserving and illuminating, not withdrawing.
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Our Intercession: Praying for Those in Authority
Our Intercession: Praying for Those in Authority
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1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
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Our Instructions: What God Has Said About Government)
Our Posture: Submission and Respect
Our Limits: When Caesar Demands What Belongs to God
Our Participation: Seeking the Welfare of the City
Our Intercession: Praying for Those in Authority
Our Hope Is in the King, Not in Caesar
Our Hope Is in the King, Not in Caesar
Preview of Next Message
Preview of Next Message
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THRPLOEW
What does it mean?
If you can figure it out, email me or text me.
I’m curious as to who will be first.
SHEETS IN THE LOBBY ON THE ISSUES.
CALL TO ACTION
CALL TO ACTION
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🎵FINAL MUSIC: Redeemer
AS WE ANTICIPATE THE COMING ELECTION
I WANT US TO CONSIDER . . .
🎵Four Questions for the Ballot Box
Does it honor the image of God in every person? (Genesis 1:26–27)
the sanctity of life (unborn, disabled, elderly),
racism (including antisemitism)
the dignity of the immigrant and stranger, and
the dignity of both victims and offenders.
The image of God is the foundation of all of them,
and it cuts across party lines.
Does it strengthen God's design for marriage and family? (Matthew 19:4–6; Deuteronomy 6:4–9)
This covers marriage,
sexuality and gender,
children, and
parental responsibility for
education and moral formation.
Does it pursue justice and mercy together? (Micah 6:8)
8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness (mercy), and to walk humbly with your God?
This covers the poor and struggling,
economic honesty and exploitation,
crime and restoration, and
the tension between lawful borders and
love for the stranger.
There is a balance
Does it protect the freedom to obey God? (Mark 12:17; Acts 5:29)
This covers religious liberty and
the limits of government.
It ties directly back to the limits of obedience. (Daniel, the Apostles, etc.)
EVERY INITIATIVE, ISSUE, AND CANDIDATE NEEDS TO BE EVALUATED BASED UPON GOD’S WORD.
VII. THE CHURCH IS SENT
VII. THE CHURCH IS SENT
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Message to Non-believers
Message to Non-believers
On November 4th, the day after the election, some will be celebrating and some will be disappointed.
And within a year or two, even the winners will be frustrated,
because no politician, no party, no government has ever been able to fix what's really wrong with us.
This election, like all the others,
is a reminder that we're longing for a King who is
perfectly good,
perfectly just,
perfectly honest, and
who will never let us down.
And the Bible says that King has come.
Isaiah 9 says, 'For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders… Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.'
That King is Jesus.
He came to serve, and to give his life on a cross for people who had rebelled against him.
People like you and me.
If you're here today and you've never trusted Jesus, I want you to know that there's an election that matters even more than November 3rd.
You have a choice.
Who will you serve?
Inspirational Conclusion
Inspirational Conclusion
Before we wrap up, I want to share one quick story with you.
In 1785, a young member of the English Parliament became a Christian.
His first inclination was to quit politics.
He believed the appropriate action for a Christian was to remove himself from the filth of politics and enter the ministry.
He went to visit His mentor, a former crusty old sea captain of slave ships who had become a pastor himself.
His mentor told him to stay.
He said that walking away would not be more holy.
It would be desertion.
His mentor was John Newton, the man who would go on to write Amazing Grace.
And the NEW CHRISTIAN
His name was William Wilberforce, and he made a decision to stay in politics.
He is the man credited with undauntingly fighting for the abolition of slavery in the British Empire.
Two decades later, Parliament abolished slavery.
Maybe you're asking the same question he asked:
is politics too dirty for someone who takes their faith seriously?
God uses people in political positions for His will.
Joseph
Moses
Daniel
David
Solomon
Ezra
Nehemiah
Many others.
What is God calling you to do?
"So church, here's what I'm asking you to do:
Vote: prayerfully, thoughtfully, using those four questions.
Talk with your family and friends, with truth and with grace.
And pray for our leaders by name, including the ones you didn't vote for.
Because we are ambassadors.
We live in this country,
we love this country,
we serve this country.
But we represent another Kingdom.
And people are watching how Christians act in an election year.
Let them see something different.
Let them see people who are not afraid,
not hateful, and
not hopeless.
Because whatever happens on November 3rd,
On November 4th Jesus is still King.
Our hope isn't on the ballot.
It's on the throne."
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PASTOR: INVITATION TO PRAY
PASTOR: INVITATION TO PRAY
Option 2
Option 2
If God has been speaking to your heart today, or if you're carrying a burden, please don't leave without prayer. I'll be available after the service and would be honored to pray with you. I'll be available in the lobby or fellowship hall after the service.
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BENEDICTION
BENEDICTION
PASTOR: 🎉😁❤️
Rejoice in the Lord always;
again I will say, rejoice.
Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.
The Lord is at hand;
do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything
by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known to God. And may the peace of God,
which surpasses all understanding,
guard your hearts and your minds
in Christ Jesus.
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PASTOR: FINAL PRAYER (WALK with LAY LEADER) ->
PASTOR: FINAL PRAYER (WALK with LAY LEADER) ->
As we bow our heads .
Please pray with me . . . (While walking)
(WALK WITH THE LAY LEADER TO THE LOBBY)
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