This past week, course of our nation took a turn. After a long and often bitter campaign, we went to the polls and, after over 100 million votes were counted, a new President was selected. The vote reflected a lot of interest, a lost of discussion and the realization that we are a nation of people with greatly differing values. One political party now will have power in the White House and both houses of Congress. The ability to make policy and drive the direction of the nation will be as one-sided as we have seen in many years, perhaps ever in our nation. People voted with their values and they voted with the wallets. They voted out of anger, frustration and a desire for a new direction. Both candidates parties and supporters believed that their candidate was the one who could bring the change people said they want. One won and one lost – The consensus is that a more liberal, what is called “left-leaning” agenda will be the direction of the country.
Some are concerned that this could so far as to threaten the liberties we have as Christians. Tony Perkins, head of the Family Research Counsel, said "We are going to see, I think, unprecedented attacks against our faith through measures like the hate crimes [legislation] to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act," he says. "We’re going to see attacks on innocent human life through the Freedom of Choice Act, trying to erase all the gains that have been made in the pro-life movement. And I think even our freedoms are going to come under attack."
Others believe that this is a challenge to Christians to quit looking to politicians and Washington for life solutions and start to look to God. People claiming the name Christian were on both sides of the political line. One thing that unites many on both sides of the spectrum is the relief that the campaign is finally over – no more flyers on doors, no more infomercials, no more debates, no more automated telephone calls from either side. The fighting is over in one arena – with new fights being prepared for another one.
In this time of change, when what we have known could be different, when the values that have been foundational are challenged, when holding a biblical value as truth can be called hateful, when a cultural tsunami is possible, what do we do as the church – how do we have an impact – how do we try to persuade people about the eternal importance of a relationship with Jesus Christ?
First, we need to STAY ON MESSAGE.
One of the mistakes we make as the church too often is trying to make the gospel too complicated. How we do it changes from person to person, but the message stays the same. How it is received changes from person to person, but the message stays the same. When that moment of crossing the line of faith into the Kingdom changes from person to person, but the message stays the same, as Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (NLT) The Apostle Paul knew the message was not complicated. In 1 Corinthians 2:1-2, he said, “When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” (NIV)
No matter what happens, no matter who is in charge of the government, no matter who passes what laws, God is still in charge of the universe and His will is going to be accomplished, through government leaders or in spite of them. Our job is continually share the gospel of Christ with the people we meet, letting them know that there is a Father who loves them and a Savior who died for them. No matter what happens in government, Sawmill Baptist Church will still be at work “Connecting with people to connect them with Jesus.” Our worship will be focused on God, our outreach will be focused on people, our fellowship will be focused on relationship-building, our discipleship will be focused on growing strong Christians, our ministry will be helping people serve.
As the church, we do need to speak with a strong voice about the moral issues of our day – the sanctity of human life, God-ordained standards of marriage, the need to help the poor and needy and other issues that touch the heart of who we are. But, unless our first priority is bringing people to Christ, then we are only sharing half a gospel. We might be improving people’s lives, but we aren’t helping save their souls. The Great Commission tells us to “Go in the world and preach the gospel . . .” Preaching the gospel is first on the list. The first priority is making sure that people know about God’s love through Jesus. Everything else we do needs to be because we know that this is true. Then it is a message of power and change the really makes a difference, because it doesn’t start with the wallet, it starts with the heart.
The 2nd this we need to do is KEEP MOVING FORWARD.
In life, we are either growing or shrinking, progressing or regressing, getting stronger or getting weaker. In Philippians 3:13-14, Paul says, “. . . I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” (NLT) Every day, life throws challenges at us that test the strength of our maturity. Tests of words, tests of actions, tests of temptations – all of them will either be a source of moving forward or falling backward, depending on how you respond. In 1 Corinthians 9:24, we are told, “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!” (NLT) In Psalm 143:7, David says, “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.” (NLT)
Forward is the direction of faith – the direction of growth – the direction of changed lived – the direction of heaven. Don’t aim for what you were – aim for what you can be. Forward is the direction of spiritual maturity. 2 Corinthians 13:11 reminds us, “Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.” (NLT)
The 3rd thing we must do is PRAY FOR OUR ELECTED LEADERS.
God was not surprised by the outcome of Tuesday’s election. He knew who would win and who would lose. Daniel 2:21 says, “[God] controls the course of world events; He removes kings and sets up other kings.” (NLT)
As a new presidential administration starts in January 2009, one thing will stay the same – there will be people looking for every mistake that is made to magnify it. President-elect Obama will make mistakes because he is a human being. He will sometimes take bad advice – sometimes get wrong information – sometimes simply choose the wrong option. He will make them are there is nothing wrong with debate on the decisions made by our government leaders. But, as God’s ambassadors on this planet, we are told this in 1 Timothy 2:1, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” (NLT)
Paul is saying this when Nero, one of most vicious rulers of Roman times and one who hated Christians with an intense passion, was in power. It doesn’t say we have to agree with elected leaders. It doesn’t even say we have to like praying for them. It does say that we are to pray for them if they do right or wrong, if they are Democrat, Republican or some other brand, if they are liberal or conservative or if they are moral or immoral. We are to pray for them. Why should we pray for them? First, because God has allowed them to be where they are. Second, because it is a testimony that we trust the God’s will is the final word.
Prayer is the tool we are giving to moving the hand of God in this world. We live in a nation that is divided, is hurting, lacks hope and a nation in which many believe that the answer to a better life lies in Washington, DC while many others believe that our problems start there. What is true is that the church is the hope of the world because the church has the power of God behind it.
I have never yet met a person who was offended when I said I would say a prayer for them. For elected leaders, pray that they will receive godly wisdom. If they are unsaved, pray for their salvation. Pray that they will seek to govern fairly. Pray that God will work His will through them for His glory.
2 CHRONICLES 7:14 says something very direct to God’s people. “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.” (NLT) The darker the world, the brighter our light must shine. To do that, God’s people need to follow the pattern give to us:
• HUMBLE OURSELVES (Turn away from self)
• PRAY (Turn to God)
• SEEK GOD’S FACE (Look for what He wants)
• REPENT (Deal with our sin first)
Then our prayers will have power and we will see God do a work of revival in our land – people will come to Christ, the church will prosper and the Kingdom will grow – the change that is eternal will be a reality.
The greatest influence we can have on our world are lives that consistently reflect the value of God’s grace lived out every day. When it comes to values and politics, the answer to 10 million angry, obnoxious people on one side is not 10 million angry, obnoxious people on the other side. Our call is to respond to hate with love, anger with people and despair with hope. We are to be living testimonies of what it means to be a fully-devoted follower of Jesus Christ, loving people with what we say and what we do. In Matthew 5:43-45, Jesus said, “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.” (NLT)
We don’t have to agree with government leaders or people on the “other side” of issues. We need to stand our ground on the great moral issues of our day. But, we do that best when we remember that people who do not embrace the values we embrace are people created by God, people loved by God, and people God wants in His family. In Washington, we have elected representatives who do work that is only significant here. In this world, God has us as His representatives doing work that has significance forever. Let’s do it well.
