THE PRESIDENT’S P. O. S. T.
( ROM. 13.1-7 )
13:1 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. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For 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, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
NKJV
OUR PRESIDENT IS THE HEAD OF THE STATE AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES, AS WELL AS THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, RESPONSIBLE FOR CARRYING OUT THE LAW.
WE ARE REMEMBERING 2 OF OUR GREATEST PRESIDENTS THIS WEEKEND, GEORGE WASHINGTON AND ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
GEORGE WASHINGTON WAS BORN ON FEB. 22, 1732 AND BECAME OUR FIRST PRESIDENT ON APRIL 30TH, 1789.
HE WAS COMMANDER AND CHIEF OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION AND IS CALLED THE FATHER OF OUR COUNTRY.
HE WAS BORN INTO A WEALTHY FAMILY AND LIVED A GOOD LIFE AND BECAME A MILITARY OFFICER AND COMMANDER AND WAS GREATLY USED BY GOD TO BRING FREEDOM TO OUR COUNTRY.
HE SERVED 2 TERMS AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN WAS BORN ON FEBRUARY 12TH, 1809 IN A LOG CABIN IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY. HE WAS SELF-EDUCATED AND WORKED AS A STOREKEEPER, A SURVEYOR, AND A POSTMASTER WHILE HE WAS STUDYING LAW.
IN 1860 HE BECAME PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND LED OUR COUNTRY IN A TIME OF GREAT TURMOIL AND PAIN.
IT IS GENERALLY AGREED THAT ABRAHAM LINCOLN HANDLED THE VAST PROBLEMS OF THE CIVIL WAR WITH SKILL AND VIGOR. HE HAD TO FACE GREAT OPPOSITION WITH THOSE ON THE OUTSIDE AND EVEN MORE OPPOSITION AND HATRED FROM THOSE IN HIS OWN CABINET.
THAT IS WHY HE PRAYED FOR WISDOM REALIZING HIS OWN WEAKNESS AND LACK OF WISDOM THAT WAS NEEDED IN THE TIME OF NATIONAL CRISIS SUCH AS THE CIVIL WAR BROUGHT TO THE COUNTRY.
HOW DOES THE PRESIDENT’S POST SPEAK TO US ? HOW DOES THE PRESIDENT’S POST SPEAK TO US AS INDIVIDUALS?
IN OUR PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE THAT WE READ AT THE BEGINNING I NOTICED THAT THE BIBLE SPOKE ABOUT OUR GOVERNMENT LEADERSHIP AS:
- THE HIGHER POWERS
( WE ARE SUBJECT TO THEM )
- ORDAINED OF GOD
( POWERS ARE OF GOD )
- RULERS
( FOR THE GOOD AND THE BAD )
- MINISTERS OF GOD
( FOR OUR GOOD IF WE ARE DOING GOOD
AND FOR OUR JUDGMENT IF WE
ARE EVIL )
THE PRESIDENT’S P. O.S.T. SPEAKS TO ALL OF
US BECAUSE THIS HIGH POSITION IS:
- PROVIDENTIAL - SPIRITUAL
- OFFICIAL - TEMPORAL
THIS IS THE SAME HIGH CALLING THAT GOD
HAS ORDAINED FOR EVERY PERSON!!!
THE PRESIDENT’S POST IS:
* PROVIDENTIAL ( DESTINY )
( ORDAINED BY GOD - BY THE WILL OF GOD - GUIDED BY GOD )
( TO FORESEE - TO HAVE FORESIGHT )
Forethought and foresight imply a future end, a goal and a definite purpose and plan for attaining that end . The word "providence" has come to be used...to signify that preparation, care, and supervision which are necessary to secure a desired future result ...
NOT SO MUCH THE PERSON BUT THE POSITION. HOWEVER, THE PERSON WHO FILLS THE POSITION OF PRESIDENT AT ANY TIME WOULD BE THERE BY THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD!!!
"For He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." - 1 Pe 3:10-12
I Timothy 2:1-2
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
Titus 3:1
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work.
I Peter 2:13-17
Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
ONE OF THE GREAT CHRISTIAN LEADERS DURING THE TIMES OF THE CAESARS WROTE THIS ABOUT THEIR SUPREME RULER:
" WE OFFER PRAYER FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR PRINCES TO THE ETERNAL, THE TRUE, THE LIVING GOD, WHOSE FAVOR, BEYOND ALL OTHER THINGS, THEY MUST THEMSELVES DESIRE - WITHOUT CEASING FOR ALL OUR EMPERORS WE OFFER PRAYER. WE PRAY FOR LIFE PROLONGED; FOR SECURITY TO THE EMPIRE; FOR PROTECTION FOR THE IMPERIAL HOUSE; FOR BRAVE ARMIES, A FAITHFUL SENATE, A VIRTUOUS PEOPLE, THE WORLD AT REST - WHATEVER, AS MAN OR CAESAR, AN EMPEROR WOULD WISH. "
HE WENT ON TO SAY THAT THE CHRISTIAN CANNOT BUT LOOK UP TO THE EMPEROR BECAUSE HE, "...IS CALLED BY OUR LORD TO HIS OFFICE." HE ENDED THIS PRAYER BY SAYING THAT, ..."CAESAR IS MORE OURS THAN YOURS BECAUSE OUR GOD APPOINTED HIM."
IT WAS THE CONSISTENT AND OFFICIAL TEACHING OF THE EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH THAT OBEDIENCE MUST BE GIVEN TO, AND PRAYERS MADE FOR, THE CIVIL POWERS, EVEN WHEN THE USER OF THAT CIVIL POWER WAS A NERO!!!
OUR PRESIDENT IS IN HIS POSITION BY THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD WHETHER YOU THINK HE IS DOING A GOOD JOB OR NOT.
WHAT IS THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD FOR YOUR LIFE?
WHAT IS YOUR DESTINY?
John 1:12
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
- TO BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST - THE SON OF GOD
- TO CONFESS HIM WITH YOUR MOUTH
- TO BELIEVE THAT JESUS WAS RAISED FROM THE DEAD
Acts 2:36-39
36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" 38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." NKJV
IT WAS THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD THAT THE WOMAN OF SAMARIA IN THE BOOK OF JOHN CHAPTER 4. MET JESUS CHRIST BY JACOB’S WELL AND THAT SHE WAS READY TO BELIEVE IN JESUS AS HER SAVIOR AND LORD. SHE SAID, "COME, SEE A MAN, WHO TOLD ME ALL THINGS THAT EVER I DID. IS NOT THIS THE CHRIST?"
THE SCRIPTURES ARE FULL OF THE PROVIDENTIAL WILL AND
GUIDANCE OF THE GREAT LORD OF THE UNIVERSE!
OUR LIVES HAVE BEEN TOUCHED MANY TIMES BY THE PROVIDENCE OF THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE.
YOU ARE HERE TODAY BY HIS LOVING AND CAREFUL PROVIDENCE AND HE WANTS TO TOUCH YOUR LIFE WITH HIS SALVATION, HIS JOY, HIS PEACE, HIS LOVE, HIS GUIDANCE, HIS HEALING, HIS DELIVERANCE, HIS PROTECTION, HIS BLESSINGS, HIS SPIRIT, HIS ANOINTING, HIS MERCY & HIS GRACE ...
I PRAY THAT YOU WILL RESPOND TO THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD!!
LET US ALL PRAY THAT OUR PRESIDENT & NATIONAL LEADERS WILL BE RESPONSIVE TO GOD’S PROVIDENCE IN THEIR LIVES AND WILL SERVE HIM!!!
Ps 33:12
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
The people He has chosen as His own inheritance. NKJV
Prov 14:34
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
But sin is a reproach to any people. NKJV
THE PRESIDENT’S P.O.S.T. IS, SECONDLY:
* OFFICIAL ( AUTHORIZED, TRUSTFUL, RELIABLE, DUTIFUL, ADMINISTRATIVE, POSITIONAL, APPOINTED, DECREED, WITH MUCH AUTHORITY )
" THE POWERS TO BE ARE ORDAINED OF GOD..."
ORDAINED - INSTALLED, ELECTED,ESTABLISHED,
DESTINED ...
Dan 4:17b
... In order that the living may know
That the Most High rules in the kingdom of men,
Gives it to whomever He will,
And sets over it the lowest of men.’ NKJV
OUR PRESIDENT IS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL AND HE IS THERE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE!!!
Jer 27:4-5
"Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel--thus you shall say to your masters: 5’I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are on the ground, by My great power and by My outstretched arm, and have given it to whom it seemed proper to Me. NKJV
OUR PRESIDENT’S POST IS ORDAINED BY GOD AND THAT CARRIES WITH IT AN AWESOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR USING HIS POSITION, HIS AUTHORITY, HIS POWERS AS A GOOD STEWARD OF HIS HIGH CALLING IN GOD.
YOU AND I HAVE BEEN ORDAINED AND APPOINTED TO
BE FAITHFUL OFFICIALS OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD!!!
John 15:16-17
16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another. NKJV
- CHOSEN AND ORDAINED TO BE A FRUITFUL
CHRISTIAN & TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER ...
Eph 2:8-10
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. NKJV
AS OFFICIALS OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD WE HAVE BEEN APPOINTED AND ORDAINED TO REPRESENT THE LORD JESUS WITH FAITHFULNESS IN OUR SERVICE TO HIM AND TO OTHERS!!!
THE PRESIDENT’S P. O.S.T IS OFFICIAL AND HE IS TO SERVE HIS POSITION WITH UTMOST RESPECT, HONOR, AND DUTY!!!
YOU AND I ARE OFFICIALS ( REPRESENTATIVES ) OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD. WE ARE TO SERVE OUR KING WITH UTMOST RESPECT, REVERENCE, HONOR, FAITHFULNESS, AND LOVE.
WE BOTH NEED TO BE GODLY OFFICIALS!!!
THE PRESIDENT’S P.O.S.T. IS THIRDLY:
* SPIRITUAL ( SACRED, RELATING TO VALUES - GODLY OR
UNGODLY )
Daniel 6:
Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.
And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. NKJV
( HE WAS A VERY SPIRITUAL & GODLY LEADER )
ROBERT LEWIS WAS GEORGE WASHINGTON’S PRIVATE SECRETARY. DURING THE FIRST PART OF THE PRESIDENCY, HE SAID THAT HE ACCIDENTALLY WITNESSED WASHINGTON’S PRIVATE DEVOTIONS, BOTH MORNING AND EVENING.
HE SAW HIM IN A KNEELING POSTURE, WITH AN OPEN BIBLE BEFORE HIM; AND HE SAID THAT HE BELIEVED SUCH WAS HIS DAILY PRACTICE. HIS CUSTOM WAS TO GO TO HIS LIBRARY AT 4 O’CLOCK IN THE MORNING FOR DEVOTIONS.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN WROTE AN ADDRESS TO THE NATION DURING THE CIVIL WAS THAT WAS AT LEAST AS IMPORTANT AS THE GETTYSBURG ADDRESS - SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING AT LEAST.
IT WAS HIS PROCLAMATION FOR A NATIONAL FAST-DAY, BY WHICH HE DID DESIGNATE AND SET APART THURSDAY THE 30TH DAY OF APRIL, 1863, AS A DAY OF NATIONAL HUMILIATION, FASTING, AND PRAYER.
LINCOLN WROTE: "IT IS THE DUTY OF NATIONS AS WELL AS OF MEN TO OWN THEIR DEPENDENCE UPON THE OVERRULING POWER OF GOD; TO CONFESS THEIR SINS AND TRANSGRESSIONS IN HUMBLE SORROW, YET WITH ASSURED HOPE THAT GENUINE REPENTANCE WILL LEAD TO MERCY AND PARDON; AND TO RECOGNIZE THE SUBLIME TRUTH ANNOUNCED IN THE HOLY SCRIPTURES AND PROVEN BY ALL HISTORY, THAT THOSE NATIONS ONLY ARE BLESSED WHOSE GOD IS THE LORD...!"
OUR PRESIDENT NEEDS TO BE A PERSON OF SPIRITUAL STATURE WHO IS NOT AFRAID TO STAND ON THE HOLY WORD OF GOD AND WILL LEAD THE NATION TO PRAYER. A PERSON WHO IS NOT AFRAID TO LIVE WHAT THE WORD OF GOD TEACHES AND PROCLAIM IT TO THE WHOLE NATION. WHO WILL LEAD THE NATION IN NATIONAL PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS, HEALING, AND RESTORATION. A PERSON WITH GODLY MORALS - GODLY INFLUENCE - GODLY WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE. GOD, GIVE US A PERSON WHO WILL LEAD US TO SPIRITUAL REVIVAL!!! LET GODLINESS COME TO OUR PRESIDENT’S POST FOR IT IS INDEED A SPIRITUAL AND HIGH CALLING!!!
Luke 6:12-13
12 Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. NKJV
Luke 18:1-2
1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart... NKJV
2 Tim 2:14-16
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. NKJV
YOU AND I NEED TO BE SPIRITUAL AND GODLY. YOU & I SHOULD BE PRAYING REGULARLY, EARNESTLY AND READING THE WORD OF GOD WITH ALL DILIGENCE - STUDYING IT WITH ZEAL - BEING ZEALOUS OF GOOD WORKS.
ARE YOU A SPIRITUAL PERSON? ARE YOU GODLY? ARE YOU AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT A REAL CHRISTIAN SHOULD BE? YOU SHOULD BE - YOU MUST BE!!! YOU CAN BE!
THE PRESIDENT’S P. O. S. T. IS, FINALLY:
*TEMPORAL ( TIME VS. ETERNITY )( BRIEF, SHORT-LIVED,
PASSING, TEMPORARY )
MR. PRESIDENT, AT THE MOST, CAN SERVE ONLY TWO TERMS.
HIS SERVICE IS TEMPORAL BUT HIS INFLUENCE AND FRUIT OF HIS LABORS WILL GO ON LONG AFTER HE HAS LEFT THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENCY.
WE ARE STILL BE INFLUENCED AND TOUCHED BY THE LIVES OF GEORGE WASHINGTON, ABRAHAM LINCOLN, AND THE MANY OTHER PRESIDENTS THAT HAVE LED OUR NATION OVER THE LAST 200+ YEARS.
IN THE SCRIPTURES WE READ THE STORIES OF GODLY RULERS AND WICKED RULERS WHO SET THE TONE OF EVENTS FOR THE FOLLOWING GENERATIONS. EITHER BLESSINGS OR JUDGMENTS FOLLOWED THEIR TEMPORAL REIGNS. THEY WERE ONLY IN POWER FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME BUT THEIR INFLUENCE AND FRUIT OF THEIR POWER FOLLOWED THEM LONG AFTER THEY WERE GONE.
THIS LIFE, MY FRIEND, IS INDEED TEMPORAL, SHORT, BRIEF AND ETERNITY FOLLOWS. YOUR WORKS, YOUR DEEDS, YOUR INFLUENCE WILL FOLLOW YOU LONG AFTER YOU LEAVE HERE. THEY WILL EVEN FOLLOW YOU INTO ETERNITY AND YOU WILL BE JUDGED BY THEM.
Hebrews 9:27
And as it is appointed unto men once to die,
but after this the judgment:
2 Corinthians 5:10 ( YOUR WORKS )
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
1 Corinthians 3:13
Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
Rev 20:11-15
11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. NKJV
THE PRESIDENT’S P. O. S. T. IS:
A. PROVIDENTIAL
B. OFFICIAL
C. SPIRITUAL
D. TEMPORAL
YOU ARE HERE BY THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD. HE IS CALLING YOU TO BE AN OFFICIAL IN HIS KINGDOM. ONE THAT IS SPIRITUAL REALIZING THAT YOUR TIME IS TEMPORAL AND SOON YOU WILL HAVE TO GIVE AN ACCOUNT TO THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE FOR YOUR LIFE.
ARE YOU READY FOR THAT? HAVE YOU GIVEN YOUR HEART AND LIFE OVER TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST? ARE YOU SERVING HIM IN HOLINESS?
IF YOU WERE TO MEET THE LORD JESUS TODAY WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO HIM? WHAT WOULD HE SAY TO YOU?
