Decision 08 (LHCOC)

Decision 08

Introduction:

1.                   Title

2.                   I understand that many have likely heard enough about this election, but I believe it is my role as a minister of the word to remind us of a few principles surrounding this topic.

3.                   It is not my place today to set for a political platform by specifically discussing the views of the candidates.

4.                   A Government is one of the 3 divinely appointed institutions ordained by God (Rom.13:1).

a.                   Church, home, and government.

b.                  As we will see, God has a purpose in the governing bodies, and we as Christian citizens have a some guidelines to follow as well.

5.                   Our lesson today is based upon four questions.

a.                   The questions asked may not be questions that you have in mind about the election, but they are questions we need to answer when discussing the subject.

b.                  Our questions are, “who is in control, should a Christian vote, who should a Christian vote for, and what of the outcome of the election.”

Discussion:

I.                        WHO’S IN CONTROL?

A.                God is above all (Dan.4:17; Jn.3:31).

1.                  The apostle Paul reminds us that God is in charge and “the authorities that exist are appointed by God” (Rom.13:1). 

2.                  Jesus tells us even evil rulers are subject to God’s Divine Power when He told Pilate, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above” (Jn.19:11). 

3.                  What does this mean to us today? 

                                                                        a.                   It means God is the ultimate decision maker in the election, and thus we should not be worried about who wins or loses.

                                                                       b.                   Our focus must be upon getting to heaven and bringing as many souls as we can with us.

B.                 God's Responsibility:

1.                  Establish Governments (Rom.13:1).

2.                  Determine boundaries and existence (Acts 17:26-27).

3.                  Use leaders at discretion (Dan.4:24-25; Jer.27:5-7).

4.                  Subject leaders to His control (Prov.21:1).

C.                 Government's Responsibility:

1.                  Punish evil (Rom.13:3-6).

2.                  Praise the good (1 Pet.2:13-14).

II.                        SHOULD A CHRISTIAN VOTE?

A.                After determining the fact that God is in control and is the ultimate decision maker in the election, one may ask, “Why vote”?

B.                 There are four lines of thought surrounding the Christian and voting.

1.                  Christian’s must not vote:

                                                                        a.                   One of the great Christian leaders of the nineteenth century was David Lipscomb. This highly respected gentleman took the position that Christians ought not to vote.

                                                                       b.                   Noted historian Edward Gibbon declared that the early Christians refused to take “any active part in the civil administration of the empire.”

                                                                        c.                   Phillip Schaff, a celebrated church historian, similarly called attention to the early Christians’ “disregard for politics and depreciation of all civil and temporal affairs as compared with the spiritual and eternal interests of men.”

2.                  Christian’s must vote:

                                                                        a.                   A recent article by a devout Christian took the position that voting is “a privilege, and a responsibility.”

                                                                       b.                   A read in a recent post on a gospel preachers discussion group that Christians “must vote because the constitution specifies that able and eligible citizens must vote.”

3.                  Christian’s must vote for the lesser evil.

                                                                        a.                   I am reminded of what one of my good friends used to tell me, “you know two wrongs don’t make a right.”

                                                                       b.                   No one should be coerced into voting for a candidate with whom he or she is not comfortable.

4.                  Christian’s have the choice whether or not they vote:

                                                                        a.                   Some declare they prefer not to vote because they feel there is no candidate representing their values.

                                                                       b.                   As a result of conscience, the Christian has a choice whether they vote or not (Rom.14:23).

C.                 I believe Christian’s are at liberty when it comes to voting (i.e. voting is a choice not an obligation and regardless who we vote for, we should never be divided).

III.                        WHO SHOULD I VOTE FOR?

A.                This question is difficult because the answer varies with every person.

1.                  Many people will vote for a candidate because of their political party.

2.                  In this election, research shows, some have decided their vote because Obama is black or Palin is a female.

3.                  In my opinion, a political party or the color of one’s skin should not be the deciding factor for choosing a presidential candidate to vote for.

B.                 For the past two decades, moral issues have been at the forefront for Christians in deciding who their candidate should be; such does not seem to the case in this election.           

1.                  Because of the current situation of the economy, social issues and economic pressures, some have placed moral issues to the side.

2.                  When it comes casting my vote, moral issues are at the forefront, and take precedent above every other issue.

                                                                        a.                   Wayne Jackson, in his article: Voting: Option or Opinion writes, “Moral issues are far more crucial than economic factors. It is much better to be poor and good, than prosperous and wicked.”

                                                                       b.                   I agree with Brother Jackson, but many do not.  They say, abortion, euthanasia, homosexuality, and other moral issues do not have anything to do with the role of the President.

C.                 Let’s not forget that “God is in control,” and the Old Testament gives us a great deal of insight on how God dealt with his people when they cast aside morals and began to practices unrighteousness.

1.                  “Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).

2.                  “For the Lord brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel, for he had encouraged moral decline in Judah and had been continually unfaithful to the Lord” (2 Chron.28:19).

                                                                        a.                   Wouldn’t you hate to be Ahaz, known as one who encouraged moral decline in Judah and caused much harm.

                                                                       b.                   Wouldn’t you hate to be know that you played a part in the moral decline of any country by voting for a candidate that does not promote high moral standards?

3.                  “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance” (Ps.33:12).

D.                The government exists to “punish those who do evil,” and praise those “who do good” (1 Pet.2:13-14). 

1.                  These should be guiding principles for us as we consider who to vote for.

                                                                        a.                   Does the candidate seek to punish those who break the law (cf. Rom.13:4c –for he is God’s minister an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil)?

                                                                       b.                   Will this president seek to do away with the death penalty (Rom.13:4b – be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain)?

                                                                        c.                   Does the candidate have the experience and capability to function as “commander in chief”?

                                                                       d.                   As president, will this person be concerned about the general welfare of the citizens?

                                                                        e.                   Will his standard of morals be in line with biblical truth or contradictive to it?

2.                  If the answer is no to any question above, then they should not be considered in the 2008 (or any) election.

IV.                        WHAT OF THE OUTCOME?

A.                Regardless of the outcome of the election, we still have obligations to fulfill.

1.                  We have obligations to God.

2.                  We have obligations to the government.

B.                 PAY

1.                  Jesus on paying taxes

                                                                        a.                   Jesus' teaching (Matt.22:15-22).

                                                                       b.                   Jesus' example (Matt.17:24-27).

2.                  Paul on paying taxes (Rom.13:1-7).

                                                                        a.                   Purpose of gov't: suppress evil / administer justice.

                                                                       b.                   Obedience for us is NOT to avoid fines going or jail, it's because God said OBEY.

C.                 PRAY

1.                  Do we believe in prayer?  As the old song goes, “prayer can change the night to day.” 

2.                  The apostle Paul encourages us to PRAY "for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence" (1 Timothy 2:2). 

3.                  We MUST involve God in our concerns, and ask Him to use US to make a difference in the world today!

D.                OBEY

1.                  Are there ever times when we should NOT obey?  Yes but those times are probably few and far between (Ac.5:29).

2.                  Both Jesus, Peter, and Paul NT writers encourage Christians to be loyal law-abiding citizens of whatever government they find themselves under.

Conclusion:

1.                   If you vote, and whoever you vote for, please consider whether or not the candidate has high moral standards.

2.                   While God is the ultimate decision maker in the election, we do live in a time and culture where we can influence our country for good.

3.                   Remember regardless of the outcome of the election, we must pay, pray, and obey those in government.