1. About 95% of “Christians” in America do not have anything close to a Biblical Worldview. Many draw unbiblical distinctions between “politics” and “religion.”

2. For an Adult God has established two institutions of authority

3. The Church and the State each with Distinct Roles Romans 13:1-4

4. Types of Authority Parental Parental Ecclesiastical (Church) Ecclesiastical (Church) Civil Civil

5. Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

6. Romans 13:1 Let every soul [person] be subject unto the higher [governing] powers [authorities]. Let every soul [person] be subject unto the higher [governing] powers [authorities]. For there is no power but of God: For there is no power but of God: The powers that be are ordained of God. The powers that be are ordained of God.

7. Biblical Worldview Fact Allegiance to God does not negate responsibility to secular authority.

8. God’s Sovereignty Compare Compare – Congregational Government (Baptist) – Representative Democracy Application In both cases, people vote; in both cases, God guides the vote

9. Matthias is Chosen Acts 1:24, 26 Acts 1:24, 26 – And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, – And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

10. God’s Sovereignty Is never an excuse for a lack of human responsibility! Every Christian must vote.

11. Romans 13:1 For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Everyone in authority derives their authority from God—which, in turn, establishes the ultimate in accountability.

12. Earlier Paul pointed to this idea Look back at Romans 9:17

13. Three Biblical Worldview Facts 1.God raised up Pharaoh to demonstrate God’s great power 2.Pharaoh resisted God (that was God’s plan) 3.God judged Pharaoh and Egypt for His sin

14. Now Look at Romans 9:18-23

15. Turn to John 19 1-11

16. John 19:11 Jesus answered, Jesus answered, – Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: – therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

17. Biblical Worldview God uses secular government to maintain the public good, direct the affairs of the state, and accomplish His will.

18. John 18:36 Jesus answered, Jesus answered, – My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

19. Biblical Worldview The fact that Jesus is your Lord is NOT a justification to overthrow or disobey the government.

20. Romans 13:2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. There is NO wiggle room here.

21. Point #1 Resisting God-ordained authorities is the same as resisting an authoritative decree from God—it is sin.

22. Application Hunting without a license is resisting God. Hunting without a license is resisting God. Not declaring cash income on a tax return is resisting God’s plan. Not declaring cash income on a tax return is resisting God’s plan. Text messaging while driving is resisting God. Text messaging while driving is resisting God. Paying someone cash to avoid paying income tax is resisting God’s plan to fund the govt. Paying someone cash to avoid paying income tax is resisting God’s plan to fund the govt.

23. Question What does it mean to receive damnation?

24. Damnation is Judgment from the State as the State deems appropriate. We reap what we have sown.

25. Consider your “testimony” when you are under damnation?

26. Romans 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

27. Romans 13:4 For he [the state] is the minister of God to thee for good. For he [the state] is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. The State is supposed to be a good thing.

28. Application What about civil liberties? The Bible is NOT concerned about my civil liberties.

29. Civil Liberties Is never presented as a reason for disobeying God in the Bible.

30. Application In America a Christian can vote and support libertarian candidates, but God’s moral law must be more important.

31. Jesus Said: Matthew 22:39 Matthew 22:39 – Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Voting for good candidates who will make good laws is a way of loving your neighbor as yourself. Good politicians and good laws bring many benefits to people.

32. Since governing authorities are servants of God, Christians should only vote for candidates who support God’s moral law, while affirming a separation of the state from the church.

33. Biblical Guidance Believers in the One True God whose Son is Jesus Believers in the One True God whose Son is Jesus Sanctity of Human Life Sanctity of Human Life Biblical Gender Distinctions Biblical Gender Distinctions Proper Role of Government Proper Role of Government – Limited Government – Punish Wrongdoers – Protect the Citizens

34. Separation of Church and State Matthew 22:21 Then saith he unto them, Then saith he unto them, – Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; – and unto God the things that are God’s.