How Kings and Leaders Are Elected
Notes
Transcript
Handout
HOOK
HOOK
God helped us through the month of October when it was so filled with so much spirit of hate and divisiveness
In a nutshell— we are told to wear the Armor of God all the time and specially in seasons such as this
Election divides that’s why it was never a practice taught to us by the apostles— when they needed to replace Judas, they cast lots and the favor fell on Matthias
Here in Agape, we also departed from that practice in choosing our servant leaders— I remember, the last time they voted before I came ended up splitting this church— and it was a dreadful process of recovery, revival and restoration!— but God, who is full of grace, brought us to where we are now— “A small church with a big heart!”
It was not long ago when we celebrated our 40th year— and in our journey to being 40, we will remain committed unto God and unto each other
Doing what brings delight to the Father— worshipping like we never did before!— coming back to the real heart of worship— trusting the Lord completely— following Him obediently
I was gonna start a new series today to set the tone of our conversation this month— but, I am strongly prompted by the Holy Spirit to talk to you about “Elections”— did you know that from out of the 13 different translations of the Bible that I like using whenever I study and share the Word, the word “election” was only mentioned 3 times— and I will get to that shortly, meanwhile.. I’d like to post this question as a pitch for today’s conversation
How Kings and Leaders Were Elected?
Not very long ago, China had done extensive research as to why America has had such a powerful influence economically and otherwise in the world
They concluded it was because of our long standing foundation of faith— Sadly, as we move away from our foundational faith the opposite begins to happen.
When the truth of God’s word is applied properly it brings blessing— Without a doubt!— everybody wants purely blessings to our country— we want what is best for our nation—
A lot of people dreams to be in this country— early on in my life, like many others— I was dying to come here!— It didn’t happen at first because obviously God has taken me to a different route— but when I finally came here, I asked myself this question:
Why does it seem that America is loosing its former glory?— you know why?— I’ll tell you why!
When you have leaders that hates the faith that this nation is founded on! — that’s why!
Solomon was told not to intermarry with foreign women that will surely turn his heart after their gods— nevertheless, stubborn Solomon held fast to them in love
He had 700 wives of royal birth, and three hundred concubines that led him astray away from the God of his father David— his heart was no longer fully devoted to the Lord his God— he followed Ashtoreth the goddess of Sidonians— Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites
Solomon did evil in the eyes of the Lord; He did not follow the Lord completely, as David his father had done— what was the consequence of that?
9 The Lord became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice.
11 So the Lord said to Solomon, “Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates.
America has to go back to its former glory!— and the only way to do that is for it to go back to his first love— the pilgrims endured all possible adversities, struggles and challenges that you can think of— but they set foot and built this nation to what is now because of their faith— their faith that you and I now share
And to do that— we need God-fearing & loving leaders that will lead us back to it— but...
How Kings and Leaders Were Elected?
I will let God Himself address that question through His Word— If you open your Bible and read with me, you will find that answer to this question in DANIEL 2:20-23
BOOK
BOOK
20 and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. 21 He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. 22 He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. 23 I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.”
These words of God through prophet Daniel came about after Nebuchadnezzar [king of Babylon] had a dream [vision], and he was willing to kill his own magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers if they will not be able to interpret the meaning of his vision
His astrologers answered him saying— there’s no one on earth who can do what the king asks!— they said that what king Nebuchadnezzar had ask was too difficult and no one can reveal it except the gods
That made Nebuchadnezzar very angry!— he was furious!— and ordered the execution of all wise men of Babylon
When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard [like our modern day secret service] had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon— Daniel intervened and asked the king’s officer why?— after Arioch explained the matter to Daniel, he went to the king and asked for some time so that he might the dream for him
Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends— he urged them to pray with him— then God revealed the mystery to Daniel in a vision— he then praised the God of heaven and said those words
LOOK
LOOK
HE CHANGES TIMES AND SEASON
He is the God of all season
HE DEPOSES KINGS AND RAISES UP OTHERS
This is my main point today— it is God who raised up leaders— and it is he who overthrows them!— He seats and unseats presidents! — he put kings into their thrones and it is also He who dethrones them
If that is the case, which actually is, why then do we still have to vote?— you will get your answer to this question when I close.. meanwhile, Daniel further said..
HE GIVES WISDOM TO THE WISE
And knowledge to the discerning—
HE REVEALS DEEP AND HIDDEN THINGS
He will reveal to us what is unknown— Jesus said ...
17 For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.
22 For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open.
26 “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.
HE KNOWS WHAT LIES IN DARKNESS
When Paul gave his instructions on how we must live as Christians, he wrote..
11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
Now we know that:
He is the God of all seasons
He seats and unseats presidents
He gives wisdom to the wise
He reveals deep and hidden things
He knows everything even our darkest secrets
So, with all these truths— why do we still have to elect and cast our votes?— well, because it is part of our purpose!
Remember earlier I said that— from the 13 different translations of the Bible that I like using whenever I study and preach— the word “election” was only mentioned 3 times!— one of those three occasions where the word “election” was used was when Paul spoke about “God’s sovereign choice”— he said..
11 Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand:
The twins that was referred to here was Jacob and Esau— before they were born— they had not done anything— but God elected for His purpose to be fulfilled
It is our part of our purpose to fulfill God’s will— from the NLT translation of the Bible this is how it was written
11 But before they were born, before they had done anything good or bad, she received a message from God. (This message shows that God chooses people according to his own purposes;
HOW KINGS AND LEADERS ARE ELECTED
HOW KINGS AND LEADERS ARE ELECTED
TOOK
TOOK
GOD ELECTS PRESIDENTS AND LEADERS
21 He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
HE WILL GIVE ME WISDOM TO CAST MY VOTE
21 He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
HE WILL REVEAL TO ME WHAT IS HIDDEN IN DARKNESS
22 He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.
PRAY & SING
PRAY & SING
Surrounded— fight my battles