The Christians' Duty Before, On and After an Election - Audio
In this sermon, Pastor Neil debunks common arguments proffered by Christians to avoid political involvement. He reminds us that Christians are called to be "salt and light" in the world, which includes biblical stewardship within the political process.
- Duration
- 51m
- Broadcast on
- 16 Oct 2010
- Audio Format
- other
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Well, the election is coming up November 2, we have a varied, unique, and a unique election is being watched by so many Americans around the U.S. and around the world even. We're coming up on a very unique time in our country, and I think this election is one that I think many of us, regardless of what side of the political spectrum, we're on, I think everyone's interested in this election, and so I wanted to come here this morning and tell you precisely who to vote for, though the IRS would potentially revoke our tax exam status, I will, I'll refrain from doing that. No, you know what I want to talk about this morning, friends? I want to talk about the Christian's duty before an election, on an election, and after an election. A lot of people will say, "Oh, well come on now, you know, Pastor, why are you talking about politics? Why are you talking about government? There's, you know, separation of church and state here, you shouldn't be going into these matters." I totally disagree. In Acts 2027, Paul is appealing to the elders at Ephesus, and he says, "I am innocent of the blood of all men." Why? Why do you say that? He goes on to say, "For I have preached to all the whole counsel of God, the whole counsel of God, and whether it is a spiritual matter that pertains to salvation and the end of life, or whether it's a physical matter that pertains to the here and now, we are exhorted, and as Paul was exhorted, and I am exhorted as a pastor, to consider the whole counsel of God." And you know, when the scriptures speak about government, when the scriptures speak about politics, which they do, it is incumbent upon us to consider these passages, passages like Romans 13, passages like 1 Peter, chapter 2, passages like Genesis 9, which speaks of capital punishment. There are many sections of the scriptures that speak on politics, and we would be remiss to never discuss this issue. And so now is as good a time as ever to consider the Christian's duty before, on, and after an election. You've got a big handout here today, right? Everybody got their handout? Excellent. No power point, but we're going to go through this handout. I've made it a little bit more exacting, a little bit more precise, so that we could really follow along here this morning. And you know, I realize, normally I do my title at the very end of my message, like on Friday when I'm kind of wrapping it up in Saturday, final preparations, but on Friday afternoon I send the ladies my title, I send it to them early this week, I send it to them like Tuesday or Wednesday, and I realized after I'd given them my title that I presume something that maybe I shouldn't have presumed. My title assumes that Christians have duties to perform before, on, and after an election. But I don't think that all Christian people believe that. In fact, I think that a great many Christians believe that they don't have an obligation to the political process. There are a number of common, but I would argue inadequate reasons that people put forth for avoiding politics. You know, they just, they back away at even as Christians and they say, "That's not for me." I want to talk about four common reasons that I would argue are often said by Christians to avoid political involvement, but are totally inadequate. So let's consider these four things before we get into what a Christian's duty actually is. Number one, four common, but inadequate reasons for avoiding politics. Some people say, "All government is evil. All government is evil in your outline." This is patently false. It's just not true. And I know it's a, maybe it's a common theme among Christians and maybe religious people in general that, "Oh, well, government's just, you know, it's to the realm of Satan and to the ruler. The prince of this age, he rules over all governments." That's patently false. In Romans chapter 13, verses 1 through 4, Paul writes, "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities for there is no authority except from God. And the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore, whoever resists the authority, it resists the ordinance of God. And those who resist will bring judgment on themselves." He goes on in verse 4, "For he, who is he, the legislator, he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain, for he is God's minister and a ventured, execute wrath on him who practices evil." Friends,
Transcription truncated.
In this sermon, Pastor Neil debunks common arguments proffered by Christians to avoid political involvement. He reminds us that Christians are called to be "salt and light" in the world, which includes biblical stewardship within the political process.