How Should a Christian Vote?
Special Occasions: • Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 2 viewsA sermon regarding how we should let biblical principles guide our voting habits.
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Introduction:
Introduction:
On November 8, 2022 our nation will head to the polls to participate in the mid-term elections. One would have to be living under a rock to not realize that our nation is at a crossroads perhaps like never in its history. While we as believers understand that ultimately, God is in control, that does not negate our responsibility to vote. Frankly, you really have no right to complain about the direction of our county if you do not vote. I’m not sure I would go as far to say that it is sinful not to vote, but it is certainly irresponsible not to do so.
17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
For the most part, politicians and rulers at every level of government, I think, seek what they think will best prosper and exalt their nations.
In the end, however, only one factor determines whether a nation rises or falls: righteousness.
Nations that follow God’s standards—that are governed by His Holy Word—are great nations. Countries that embrace selfishness and sin over righteousness suffer disgrace and shame.
World history repeatedly proves this to be true.
The most obvious illustration is Israel. When Israel obeyed and followed God, she became the greatest nation on the face of the earth. But when she forsook God for idols and all manner of sins, she fell. To this day, Israel has yet to be restored to her former glory. And, sadly, Solomon, the king who wrote the proverb we read at the start, actually set Israel’s decline in motion.
This emphasizes the critical importance of individual righteousness and responsibility. Israel had reached her peak of greatness during Solomon’s reign, but then began her downward slide when the king stooped to living in brazen and unrestrained immorality with 1,000 women. To make matters even worse, Solomon exposed his nation to the false gods of all these foreign women.
So, the question arises; “If righteousness exalts a nation, how should I, as a Christian, who is living in the USA, vote?”
As believers, we must cast our votes according to the Bible and we should do so regardless if it has political ramifications or is unpopular to do so.
This means that we must have an understanding of the moral and ethical issues that the Bible is 100% clear about and vote accordingly.
The only way to do this is to set aside the personalities of the candidate's and engage with the platform of the party with which that candidate identifies and then compare that to Biblical principle.
We can only do this if we have a biblical worldview.
13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Our Job is to take the light that Jesus has given us and shine it out into the world in order to point them to Jesus. In order to do this, we have to take what the scriptures say and let it shine out in our speech and in our actions. Everything we approach must be through the lens of scripture. There is no distinction in scripture between spiritual and political.
Here is what we believe the Bible teaches as our worldview:
Here is what we believe the Bible teaches as our worldview:
God created the heavens and the earth. Therefore, He makes the rules and He has specifically defined right and wrong. People are responsible for their own choices of right and wrong and the consequences. God is the author of life and death and determines its beginning and end, not man. The purpose of government is to make laws to protect from evil and wrongdoing. Government should not do or sanction evil. Marriage and sexuality were created and ordained by God and therefore defined by Him. It is a picture of salvation according to a specific pattern and not to be altered.
God created the heavens and the earth. Therefore, He makes the rules and He has specifically defined right and wrong. People are responsible for their own choices of right and wrong and the consequences. God is the author of life and death and determines its beginning and end, not man. The purpose of government is to make laws to protect from evil and wrongdoing. Government should not do or sanction evil. Marriage and sexuality were created and ordained by God and therefore defined by Him. It is a picture of salvation according to a specific pattern and not to be altered.
We then are to reflect this worldview in all of our choices. They should shape how we make decisions. When we live them out and speak them out to a lost world, the world is pointed to Jesus. They may choose to accept or reject, but we are to point them to Jesus through biblical example and speech.
1. We are to vote for a biblical worldview.
1. We are to vote for a biblical worldview.
1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
This passage warns and instructs christians that we will live in a society that is dominated by a non-biblical worldview. We live in that society today.
There is a major political philosophy in our nation that has exploded in astronomic proportions. It has overtaken one major political party and deeply infected the other. Neither is immune. This philosophy is very consistent and presents a coherent world-view that is opposite the Bible.
God is not the creator and therefore there is not a God to make any permanent rules.
Man is the only judge and is free from any absolute standard but his own expedience. This produces certain clear and consistent philosophies.
Government is the most important provider.
Everyone is free to do what is right in their own eyes and the only vice is to judge something wrong.
Government is also a force for social engineering without absolute boundaries.
Government is there to provide instead of protect.
Equity as “we” see it is the goal since there is no such thing as an absolute standard of right and wrong.
Abortion is therefore acceptable.
The Homosexual (LGBTQ+IA) agenda is therefore acceptable.
Taxing and harming the poor in society is acceptable because it fosters the “greater good”, i.e. the growth of government.
Speaking to, paying homage to, or acknowledging God is wrong because He does not exist and to admit His existence would be to admit the need to submit to His standards as the Creator.
Those who believe in God are radical and intolerant because they have standards.
This world-view wears many faces, but is clearly evident in how liberals approach most issues.
All liberal politicians validate most or all of these positions, thus proving it is a clearly defined philosophy and worldview. They are in absolute agreement on certain values which to them form core of beliefs: no absolute truth, abortion, homosexual (special) rights.
These same politicians to a person believe in restricting the rights of Christians to speak while claiming the 1st amendment is so broad in its protection of free speech that drag queens can dance and preform in front of children.
Again, even a cursory review of their positions – positions they hold universally- reveal they have a consistent and clear worldview in opposition to scripture.
It is our responsibility as believers to combat this worldview in the public arena of ideas. In order to advance the cause of Christ.
2. Evaluate individual issues by scripture.
2. Evaluate individual issues by scripture.
We then are to vote on issues which relate to our biblical worldview.
We are not to vote on candidates, but on biblical worldview issues.
Allow me just to give you a handful of examples.
A.) Abortion.
Thank God that he saw fit to allow our supreme court to overturn Roe v. Wade this year and making it so that Abortion is no longer a federal right. But don’t kid your self for one minute that the fight for the life of the unborn is over. As of July 25th of this year 21 states plus D.C. still have laws that keep abortion legal in spite of federal regulation.
We also have a political party who has not been silent that they stand on a platform that seeks to codify the right to kill the unborn (and even those outside the womb after birth) into federal law.
Joe Biden Twitter
The abortion issue isn't nuanced and hard to figure out from the Bible.
1. The Bible clearly teaches that God is the author of life, God plans our lives from the moment of conception and even before we are born, and He numbers our days.
13 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.
10 I was cast upon You from birth. From My mother’s womb You have been My God.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. 6 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.
3 “May the day perish on which I was born, And the night in which it was said, ‘A male child is conceived.’
4 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace,
The circumstances of the conception bring nothing to bear upon the sanctity of human life! No child is illegitimate to God.
Not only does life begin at conception but, the sixth commandment in Exodus 20:13 says:
13 “You shall not murder.
Murder- is always used to describe the taking of innocent human life. Abortion is the epitome of taking an innocent human life.
We do not get to play God in order to determine when life begins or ends. Only God as the sovereign Lord of the universe gets to decide that.
Christians cannot not vote for political candidates who are backed by a platform that endorses the legalization and codifying into federal law infanticide.
WE MUST VOTE TO PROTECT HUMAN LIFE!
17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
The destruction of a human life in the manner referred to as abortion is a horrible and sinful practice against God’s laws.
We may differ on whether a war should be fought or not, but war is not always outlawed by God’s word. We may differ on an economic plan, but that is not outlawed by God’s word. The murder of an innocent, unborn life is just that – murder. It is sin for a Christian to knowingly vote for a politician who is pro abortion.
2. Human sexuality.
The Bible isn't nuanced on this issue either. The LGBTQ+IA agenda is a sin against God!
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,
23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,
25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.
27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,
30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;
32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
Human sexuality, including all its physical, emotional, and spiritual intricacies, was God’s invention. He gave sexuality to His human creations as a gift with two functions: to perpetuate the human race and to create an intimate bond between husband and wife.
The right use of sexuality leads us to understand intimacy with God in greater ways; the wrong use of it destroys intimacy with God and substitutes sexuality in His place.
27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Whatever God creates, Satan perverts. It did not take long for fallen humanity to distort and destroy God’s sacred gift of sexuality. By the time God gave the Law to the Israelites, He had to forbid all sorts of sexual perversions that were accepted by the cultures at the time. God had already designated one man for one woman since creation but now had to clarify and forbid all manner of perversions people had invented.
Leviticus 18-20 and you will see detailed many of those forbidden practices, such as sex with a close family member, adultery, and all forms homosexuality.
22 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.
13 If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.
5 “A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the Lord your God.
9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
It is prohibited by scripture and therefore as Christians we are to vote against any granting of rights or validation of this aberrant sexual behavior. Biological sex isn’t fluid and the adopting of the LGBTQ+IA agenda does nothing more than put women and especially children at risk.
Christians shouldn't vote for those who openly endorse such things.
These are just two issues, there are much more than these. In fact, as you leave today I will be handing out a guide of biblical principles and how they relate to current political issues for you to study the scriptures for yourself.
These are just two issues, there are much more than these. In fact, as you leave today I will be handing out a guide of biblical principles and how they relate to current political issues for you to study the scriptures for yourself.
3.Evaluate individual candidates by their worldview.
3.Evaluate individual candidates by their worldview.
I am not going to endorse any candidates or political parties.
Don’t come up after the service and even ask me who I am going to vote for because I am talking about principles, not people and parties.
Not every candidate is going to be a Christian.
It is unfortunate, but we live in a post-christian nation. We are going to be forced more and more to choose among candidates with whom we have little or nothing in common. Se we must learn how to choose the candidate based upon how their view of biblical issues reveals their (and their parties) worldview.
Christians aren't defined by whether or not they are republican or democrat, we are defined by Christ.
If they stand for things that are against a biblical worldview, we must not cast a vote for them.
This may mean we have to vote against someone who claims to be a Christian. The bible is the bible. It is the standard. All of us as Christians make mistakes and can be misguided. There are liberal theologians that misinterpret and are dismissive of scripture. Certainly, then there can be candidates who make mistakes and follow those same pastors and theology. Again, the issue is a biblical worldview. It is standing firm as closely as we can to guide our society towards biblical behavior.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
I am deeply concerned about the next election, I feel as if the very fabric of our nation is at stake like never before, but I am not afraid.
God is in control and always at work. He doesn’t get panicked or defeated over the outcome of elections or anything else. I know this because the Bible tells me this and thats where we stand and must put our trust.
“Pastor, what about our economy? It is scary.”
I know it is, like you I have I have a 401k that is now a 201k.
As Christians economics shouldn't be a primary issue for us. I understand we are in difficult times, but Economics does not reveal worldview as clearly as pro-life and human sexuality do. .
This is the truth for us as believers. We are to be following biblical guidelines as to managing our money. If you have done that, then you are not at risk. Moreover, our hope lies in Jesus and not in Washington D.C. or Richmond or Charleston!
God provides for His children. That is the promise of scripture. If we are obedient to living out a biblical worldview then God will be blessing us in such a way that it will give testimony to our belief in Him.
Look to God to provide and vote to hold up scripture!
We must stand up for biblical values and choose candidates in a biblical fashion.
Choose candidates that support as closely as possible our biblical worldview, even if they do not appear to be a Christian. Start with the clearest issues: abortion and sexuality. Remember that these issues reveal an underlying world view. We will not be able to evaluate the heart of a candidate, but they will reveal themselves and their worldview through such issues.
We should vote for a strong, positive character as often as possible. Vote on what they do and have done, not on what they say. If they favor things like we’ve discussed today, then we know their character because we know their worldview. Character is revealed in your actions and not your words.
11 Even a child is known by his deeds, Whether what he does is pure and right.
3. Consider their allies and enemies. Who do they stand with and against? If they chose to stand with those who believe in government instead of God, then we know their worldview.
Give the Gospel by talking about our hope for salvation isn't in a politician but in Jesus!