What Do We Do Next Tuesday, Election Day?

1-5 Galatians, a letter about Grace and Freedom

Prayer

Illustration - Political flyers - this is what we got in just a few days.

There are a few different ways you can put together a political flyer - positive and negative.

Our kids love to see the flyers when they come to the house.

Sarah shows them and talks about the political process.

She also points out if they are negative or positive.

We are not convinced by the negative - it is a turn off

2-5 Guess What Next Tuesday Is?

We are almost done with this political cycle - at least we hope we are!

I know that many of us are struggling out there.

Struggling with who to vote for.

Struggling because your candidate is not doing better.

Struggling because I see so many people who are not going to make the right decision on election day!

Is this a make or break for our country?

Is this a make or break for God’s Sovereignty?

Paul gives us his anthem, his life verse, here in Galatians 6:14

Galatians 6:14 CSB

14 But as for me, I will never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The world has been crucified to me through the cross, and I to the world.

If we are separated from this world, well that means we must be connected to something.

1 Peter 2:9–10 CSB

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

We are God’s people.

But, people have been struggling with government and systems of power since the beginning of time.

Galatians 6:11-13

3-5 A People Struggling with Political Ties

Galatians 6:11–13 CSB

11 Look at what large letters I use as I write to you in my own handwriting. 12 Those who want to make a good impression in the flesh are the ones who would compel you to be circumcised—but only to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For even the circumcised don’t keep the law themselves, and yet they want you to be circumcised in order to boast about your flesh.

Paul is speaking to a group of people who had their own issues with the world systems of power.

Influence of Rome

Galatia was a Roman territory.

They were expected to follow the roman rules, paying taxes to Rome, and worshipping the roman god’s.

Influence of Jewish Leaders

Though the Romans didn’t understand or agree with the Jewish people they did allow them exemptions to practice their religion, if they were good citizens.

Jesus was a jewish messiah so being grafted into the Jewish body

Gentiles were claiming membership into the family of Israel (children of God). This was creating havoc for the reputation of the Jerusalem church. What did it mean to be part of God’s family. It had always meant being separated and called out in a very physical way. Sealed if you will.

Wanted to resolve the gentiles ambiguous position as neither pagans or jews.

Acting out of safety.

Trying to hold on to political safety to avoid persecution.

Trying to do the right things, tow the right line, or keep the right people in power so that we can enjoy our benefits

Church - tax exemption, freedom to meet, freedom to preach.

Fastest growing churches aren’t here in America - They are in places like Iran, North Korea, and China.

4-5 Don’t Get Wrapped Up in a Party

I think we could all acknowledge that no political system has all the answers or matches a complete Biblical worldview.

That doesn’t come until the Millenial reign of Jesus Christ.

I’ve often thought that western democracy, though it can be such a gift, can be such a burden for the church of Jesus.

Citizens that have no voice - they have to trust

Freedom of the vote - we get to argue.

This is why when the writers of the Scriptures talk about government they tell us not to get caught up in putting our hope in them.

Romans 13:1–4 CSB

1 Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God. 2 So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Do what is good, and you will have its approval. 4 For it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For it is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong.

Paul paid attention to them. he honored their position. He respected their role, but he didn’t get hung up on them. He didn’t cozy up to them. He didn’t make them his first and foremost priority.

We honor and we follow because in the end God is the one who has allowed these authorities to be over us.

A system run by the world can only run in a worldly direction.

The nation of Israel had God right in the middle of their national life. They still fell away.

In the world for God or in God for the world. - Dr. Robert Hulholland

In the world for God - I have beliefs, I have values, and I have hot button topics and so my view is that God lines up with those issues. We begin with our beliefs and then God follows suit.

In God for the world - We begin with God and then we want to be a presence of God in the world.

We give the world a picture of who Jesus is no matter how we live.

It might be guilt by association

Fostering situation?

What Paul understands is that we are part of a new Kingdom.

What we do here matters, but God is still working out his plan and purpose no matter the outcome.

There is already enough fear out there. We don’t need to add to the mix.

5-5 Get Wrapped Up in the Gospel

Mother Teresa was once asked to pray for clarity.

Mother Teresa can you pray for me that I would have clarity? - Her response was “No, I will not pray that you have clarity, I will pray that you would have trust and decide.”

Trust and then make a decision and then go back to trust no matter the outcome.

The Gospel gives us a new hope and a new future. Our lives should shift to that future.

Shifts we need to make as followers of Jesus.

As a holy people belonging to God - We give our 1st allegiance to the Kingdom of God.

Matthew 6:33 CSB

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.

The thing about the Kingdom of God is that it is a heart changing kingdom. It’s the only kingdom that can bring us back to being fully human.

As a holy people belonging to God - We have to distinguish between authentic patriotism and nationalism.

Authentic patriotism concerns itself with love of country and pride in it’s highest ideals.

Nationalism is a blind loyalty to a country and a refusal to consider it’s shortcomings and weaknesses.

As a holy people belonging to God - We must give witness for life as consistently and clearly as possible.

And that is all life. As Jesus followers we must give special attention to those who are on the fringes. The weakest and most vulnerable in society.

As Jesus followers when we go into the voting booths we are advocating for the benefit for others around me, even voting for things that would promote my own welfare if it has detrimental affects on others.

Hot button issues - abortion - but we must be advocated from the womb to the tomb

Stand against systems that perpetuate poverty

Pursue creation care because this was one of our first mandates.

Think about how we handle capital punishment.

Does loving our neighbor through our vote mean that we look to aid them in their lives even if it means that I must sacrifice?

I’ve said this before and I will say it again. If we claim to be against something or opposed to something then we must be seen working in the trenches.

When there is a culture of child death we MUST be the ones picking the babies up from the streets.

When everyone isn’t treated justly or equally. We MUST be the ones to come by their side. We mustn't wait for them to get their act together or measure up to our standard. We act like Jesus and meet them where they are.

Illustration - Racial reconciliation. Video on black fathers with multiple children.

And this goes for government as well. If we have a value set. If we are listening to the Holy Spirit we must be moved into the political realm. NOT just on social media. I am so tired of seeing the yelling and name calling going back and forth by all my friends (conservative and progressive).

If we believe that there are injustices in our system then we have to get involved.

We can’t be sideline politicians.

Speaking of those of us who live in New Hampshire you have more access to government business than almost anywhere else.

Plenty of opportunities to run for office

Plenty of chances to actually witness and speak into the governmental process.

You will probably never hear me tell you who to vote for. But you will hear me say what areas is God asking you to move into?

Followers of Jesus.

We are kingdom of God people.

So, if we are kingdom of God people we are to act in Kingdom of God ways.

And in the end we don’t know that a government or government power is not the savior of the world. We know who the Savior is!

Between now and Tuesday bath your day in prayer.

Prayer for wisdom, prayer for discernment, and prayer for the path of righteousness.

On Tuesday as you step into the polling place bath that ballot in prayer.

And then make your vote.

Let’s make sure that our political divide does not cause a divided heart.

God’s purpose for you and me is never divided!

Prayer