Faith and Politics

I. Kingdoms and Nations  Distinguishing the spiritual and the natural

 The Spiritual ●Philippians 3: ▪We are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. ▪We are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior ●Aliens on earth (1 Peter 1:1; 1 Peter 2:11)  The Spiritual ●Philippians 3: ▪We are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. ▪We are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior ●Aliens on earth (1 Peter 1:1; 1 Peter 2:11)

●Hebrews 12:28 Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. ●Matthew 6:33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. ●Hebrews 12:28 Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. ●Matthew 6:33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

 Revelation 11:15 Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices shouting in heaven: “The world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever.”

 The Natural ●Psalms 33:12 "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.“ ●Proverbs 14:34 "Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people." ●Proverbs 29:2 "When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, But when a wicked man rules, people groan."  The Natural ●Psalms 33:12 "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.“ ●Proverbs 14:34 "Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people." ●Proverbs 29:2 "When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, But when a wicked man rules, people groan."

II. Environment for the Gospel  1 Timothy 2:1-6 ●Pray for all in authority ●So we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity ●This pleases God who wants everyone to be saved and to understand truth ●The message of God given to the world – Jesus the mediator reconciled God and humanity  1 Timothy 2:1-6 ●Pray for all in authority ●So we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity ●This pleases God who wants everyone to be saved and to understand truth ●The message of God given to the world – Jesus the mediator reconciled God and humanity

 Pray for ●Religious freedom ●Freedom of speech  Pray for ●Religious freedom ●Freedom of speech

III. Why Politics?

J.C. Ryle (First Anglican bishop of Liverpool) - “Separation from the world does not mean that Christians should take no interests in anything except religion. Some may think it very spiritual to neglect science, art, literature, and politics, to read no books except spiritual ones, to read no newspapers and to know nothing about the government or their country. I think that is an idle and selfish neglect of duty. Paul valued good government, he quoted heathen writers in sermons, he knew the law and customs of the world as we see in his illustrations. Christians who pride themselves on ignorance bring religion into contempt”

 Elections – opportunity to choose leadership  Selecting Leaders with moral character  Elections – opportunity to choose leadership  Selecting Leaders with moral character

 Exodus 18:21 – elders of Israel ●Select from the people ▪Capable ▪Honest - Trustworthy ▪Fear God - Proverbs 9:10 Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. ▪Hate bribes  Exodus 18:21 – elders of Israel ●Select from the people ▪Capable ▪Honest - Trustworthy ▪Fear God - Proverbs 9:10 Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. ▪Hate bribes

 Acts 6:3 – selecting deacons (servers) ●Well respected ●Full of the Spirit ●Full of wisdom  Evaluating Character  Acts 6:3 – selecting deacons (servers) ●Well respected ●Full of the Spirit ●Full of wisdom  Evaluating Character

 How do you know? ●Evaluate voting record ●Evaluate statements and positions ▪Saddleback Church Debate ●Evaluate sources of campaign finances ●Evaluate associations  How do you know? ●Evaluate voting record ●Evaluate statements and positions ▪Saddleback Church Debate ●Evaluate sources of campaign finances ●Evaluate associations

 No one is perfect!!

●No church

●No pastor

●No candidate

 If the Antichrist is elected president…

 Pray for all in authority – Proverbs 21:1 The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; he guides it wherever he pleases.

 2 Chronicles 7:14 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.

IV.