Untitled Sermon

How many of you think that religion is an important part of the government?

How many of you think that religion already plays a big part in our government?

Are you aware that the United States Constitution does not mention God?

It is in the declaration of independence, the articles confederation, on our coins, and the pledge of allegiance, and in most states’ constitutions, but not in the US Constitution.

The only mention of religion in the constitution is found in the first amendment.

And this in and of itself does not really speak about religion,

it really only addresses the role that religion should not play in government.

All that our federal government guidelines suggests is that the church should not support one specific religion or religious doctrine or theology.

As the local church, we are instructed by legislation from 1954 to not endorse any candidate or law as a non-profit organization.

Essentially, the government has set in place provisions to keep religion from impacting the government.

There are certainly groups, specifically groups referred to as evangelicals, although this is a misnomer,

Evangelicals are all of us called to share the good news not to be political conservatives.

However, they have attempted to influence policy the various means with a specific Christian doctrine background.

This is not to suggest it is a terrible thing, merely an observation.

And, despite our beliefs as Christians as to how the government should address certain issues, the government has established boundaries to prevent religious influence and keep this from happening.

That is where we find ourselves today, with this question, what is the relationship between religion and government?

If we look at the passage today from first Peter in chapter 2, the recommendation is that we find ourselves subject to the government and leaders to which we are governed by.

If we were to stop there, the idea would be that we were to do whatever the government says and limit our voice.

But, we know this is not true.

The heart of democracy, or Republic as we live in, is that the voice of the people matters.

We are called to participate in government because we are called to be part of every element of our society for change!

Dr. Walter Judd, a Minnesota congressman fron 1943-63 says: “I don’t want the church working in politics.… I do want political action by Christians. It isn’t the job of the church to say what you should do. It is the job of the church to change men and send them into society as Christian missionaries and into politics to help change the government.”

In this passage from Peter, the role is not of submission, but of a commitment to the office and not to the personal goodness of the rulers or leaders.

The understanding of this statement involves recognition that this is a totalitarian state.

There ruler is believed to be given authority by God.

When Pilate asks Jesus if He understands what Pilate has the power to do, Jesus responds:

Thou would’st have no power against me, except it were given thee from above” (John 19:11).

When Peter and John are brought before the authorities in Acts 4 and are commanded not to teach in the name of Jesus

So let's consider the role of the people, as Christians and as part of the government.

James Madison -federalist papers #10

The latent causes of faction are thus sown in the nature of man; and we see them everywhere brought into different degrees of activity, according to the different circumstances of civil society. A zeal for different opinions concerning religion, concerning government, and many other points, as well of speculation as of practice; an attachment to different leaders ambitiously contending for pre-eminence and power; or to persons of other descriptions whose fortunes have been interesting to the human passions, have, in turn, divided mankind into parties, inflamed them with mutual animosity, and rendered them much more disposed to vex and oppress each other than to co-operate for their common good. So strong is this propensity of mankind to fall into mutual animosities, that where no substantial occasion presents itself, the most frivolous and fanciful distinctions have been sufficient to kindle their unfriendly passions and excite their most violent conflicts.

Madison is addressing this issue nearly 250 years ago

Simply, humanity is flawed and since democratic government is comprised of humanity it is essentially inherently flawed.

Prior to this statement, he makes the case that the options for effective governance fall to two ideas

One, take away liberties

Two, get everyone on the same page

We cannot conceive giving away our liberties yet this is the reason we wrestle with differences

We cannot get away from differences unless everyone is convinced to believe and desire the same thing

This would essential take away freedom.

The only solution is to focus on the effect, or outcome of the actions of the government.

And this is where the rub comes in.

Expecting that every policy, elected official, and statute will align with our ideas is foolish

And it is essentially selfish.