Have you noticed it’s an election year yet?
• Endless TV ads, surveys, mailings, and phone calls.
We’re getting down to the wire now. In just over three weeks we’ll head to the polls and America will make it choices.
Someone said to me this week: “I’ll be glad when this is all over.”
It’s a true statement for many of us, yet it’s a shame at the same time. A process that is peaceful and the envy of the world becomes so laborious and tiresome all too quickly.
I don’t intend to add to that weight today, but I do want to talk to you about this election. What I will not do is talk to you about any particular candidate or party … those choices are yours to make. What I will do, however, is talk about our position as believers and the election.
It’s obvious that this is important to a lot of people. What we spend our money and time on tells us what matters, and it is clear that this matters to a lot of folks.
I’m afraid, though, that there are many who take the “so what” approach to these important elections.
• There’s an election, so what (school’s out)?
• There’s an election, so what (plenty of other people will participate)?
• There’s an election, so what (really doesn’t matter who’s in or who’s out … my situation remains the same)?
• Could go on …
My real fear is that too many Christians will say, “I’m a Christian and it’s an election year … so what?”
Let’s read our text today: Matthew 10:16
“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”
Jesus had just finished commissioning His disciples for ministry. He gave them very specific instructions about what they were to do and say. But then He turns their minds to a reality: it’s going to be difficult. You will be opposed. You will not always be welcome.
When this happens, you must take the wisest course and remain peaceful.
I admit, this is an odd text to work into this type of message, but I believe it is relevant to our times and our positions as believers.
We’re living in some difficult times. Never has it been more difficult in America to be a believer. It’s not popular, it’s not supported, it’s not the cool thing to do or be. It’s much like believers are put to the wolves, so to speak.
So how do we respond, especially when there’s something as critical as an election going on?
First of all, I believe we must be willing to honestly admit …
# 1: Our Nation is at Risk …
• A day like never before in our history.
• Massive national debt and economic problems.
• Political gridlock and hopelessness.
• Threats of terror attacks.
• International dangers … Syria and Iran.
• It would seem that these are our greatest threats and problems, and they ARE serious, but I believe they are only indicators of greater foundational problems.
Proverbs 14: 34 …
“Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.”
Could it be that some of what we face in America today is the reproach of sin? We are a nation at risk because we have abandoned God and the principles of His Word.
• Erosion of morality.
• Consumer mindset, even in the church.
• God has been removed from the public discourse.
• Devalue of human life/abortion.
• Dwindling support for the nation of Israel.
Our nation is at risk on many fronts, but the greatest risk our nation faces is that we stand to lose the blessings and protection of God by our own doing. We are at great risk …
# 2: But our nation is also great …
• In spite of our problems and difficulties, people still risk their lives and fortunes to get here.
• In spite of our problems, the freedom of our nation is still the envy of the world.
• Founded on ideas and principles, rather than the ego of some dictator.
• Founded in prayer and fueled in the pulpits of pioneer churches.
• Countless thousands have bled and died for this nation and the freedoms that we enjoy.
• Indeed, freedom has been put in the heart of every person. We yearn to be free and live without encumbrances. That’s why the devil fights so hard against us – he desires to keep us enslaved to sin because he knows that freedom is in our hearts. God created us in His image and likeness with the ability to have knowledge, think rationally, and reason. He has given us the gift of freedom.
• Our founders said it well when they signed a document that contained the words:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.
• John Quincy Adams (6th president) said: “you will never know how much it cost my generation to procure your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it.”
• So here we are as believers. Not only have we been freed through the blood of Christ, but God in His sovereign plan has placed us in a free nation.
• We’re Christians, and it’s an election year … so what? How do we do what Christ said … live “wise as serpents and harmless as doves” ?
I believe it begins with understanding that Biblically we have responsibilities...
# 3: Biblically, we have responsibilities …
We have some responsibilities to uphold as believers in our nation. These things make up the “so what” of the election year for us as believers.
(1) Vote
• I believe that one of the chief privileges and responsibilities we have as citizens is that of voting.
• I understand that it is not perfect. There is corruption and room for error, but it’s the most perfect system that exists, and we have the opportunity to be part of it.
• So what does the scripture say about this?
• Well, let’s say it like this:
Deuteronomy 1:13 (Israel given a choice of tribal leaders – words of Moses):
“Choose wise, understanding, and knowledgeable men from among your tribes, and I will make them heads over you.”
Luke 12:48 (words of Christ):
“For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required …”
• You say “well Pastor, it’s really not much … I only have one vote.” And that may be true, but your one vote matters and I’m just crazy enough to believe that your one vote in the hands of God carries more weight than you and I can imagine because God somehow gets in the arrangements and works in ways that nobody can understand when we do what is given to us.
• Don’t be like the man in the parable of the talents who held onto what he was given. You remember what the master said to him? He was called wicked and foolish.
• Instead, be like the little widow who came into the temple one day with two mites. Some sneered at her contribution, but Jesus honored it.
• Vote and exercise your choice.
• If you’re not registered to vote, it’s not too late. On the back of your handout today is a listing of ways you can get registered by the deadline, which is tomorrow.
(2) Pray
• It seems so simple to say “just pray”. I mean, we say that for so many things: “just pray about it”.
• No matter how simple it may seem, it’s what we need to be doing.
• Our nation and future is at risk in this country. I know that God is sovereign and in control, but that does not mean that we can coast along in life, nor carry on as if nothing matters because the truth of the matter is this: what happens to and in this nation affects us all.
• We need not think that somehow there’s an exemption for trouble and difficulty that may come in our country.
• And Irishman named Edmund Burke said it like this in the late 1700s:
“All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”
• God Himself said it like this in II Chronicles 7:14 …
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
• The command is simple: pray.
• The promise is great: forgiveness and healing.
• The implication of inaction: nothing changes.
• When we pray, God responds. When we take time to talk to Him, He listens. When He listens, He acts.
• We need to be praying about our nation’s plight.
• We need to pray for our leaders.
• We need to pray for God’s direction through the electoral process.
• We need to pray that the advancement of a righteous agenda will permeate from the courthouse to the White House.
• We must pray and seek God’s face!
• To that end, here’s another very practical thing you can do. We are going to gather on Sunday evening, November 4 at 6 pm “To Pray for a Nation”. We’ll spend some time in corporate prayer praying for our nation and community in a directed time of prayer. It’s going to be powerful time as we pull back from all that is happening and simply pray.
(3) Stand for righteousness …
• Here, I believe, is where we as believers have exercised the power of our “so what” all too often.
• Righteousness is simply pursuing things that are right. To be righteous means that you are in right standing in God’s sight.
• We look around our society and nation and we clearly see that not everything is right about it.
• Society and the public media tell us that we need to just take a back seat and leave all the decisions to those who are qualified to do the right thing.
• Especially for believers, we are constantly being told that our ideas, beliefs, and worldview is flawed and intolerant. And too many times and in too many circles we’ve just taken it on the chin and remained silent.
• If ever there was a day when we need to stand strong for righteousness it is now. This world is confused and looking for leadership, and we have at our fingertips the most clear and comprehensive statements about what is right – God’s Holy Word.
• If you want to know whether or not something is all right with God, this book can tell you.
• If you want to know about some question that is being posed, this book can tell you.
• Many people say “the Bible is only a myth … it cannot be trusted.”
• “The Bible is an ancient book … it’s principles no longer apply.”
• So we stood by idle as the 10 commandments were stripped from our public buildings.
• We’re fearful of offending somebody with the mention of Jesus.
• Pastors increasingly back off of issues like homosexuality in the pulpit because they don’t want to be branded as promoting “hate speech”.
• Pulpits that once fueled the passion to pursue a new nation built upon the foundation of God and “inalienable rights” are now silent to matters of righteousness.
• Listen, we don’t need to hide away in fear nor shriek back from God’s Holy Word.
• For this is the infallible, inerrant Word of the Living God.
• “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my Words shall remain forever.”
• You can take it down from the courtrooms. You can remove it from the public discourse. You can make it illegal to have it school. But you can’t remove the authority of God’s Word.
• Collect all the bibles and burn them, but this book will resurrect itself with full power and authority. It’s more than words upon a page … it is God’s message to the world!
• So stand men and women of God – stand upon the righteous authority of God’s Word. Some will laugh, some will jeer, some will be offended, but with the gentleness of a dove and the wisdom of a serpent stand strong for what you know is right according to God’s Word.
• So what’s that got to do with an election year? I’m glad you asked. When you pray and stand for righteousness, ask God to show you who or which side of an issue is most likely to stand for righteousness.
• No, they’re not perfect – neither are you, but ask God for the wisdom and courage to side with righteousness.
(4) Do what Jesus said to do …
• If we believe it’s God’s Word, then we’ve got to do what He told us to do.
• Matthew 28:19 …
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
• He said, “I’m sending you to the wolves…”
• It’s not going to be easy. It will be hostile at times, but stand for Me and represent Me in the world.
• In being a wise as serpents – attune to the reality of the times and acting accordingly – and as gentle as doves – always representing Christ in love, grace, and humility – you can change the world and make disciples.
We have choices to make this election year, but the greatest choice we can ever make is Christ. The best and most important vote you will cast is for Christ as your Lord and Savior.
I don’t know what will happen on November 6. I don’t know what America will look like a year from now. I don’t know what things we may be involved in five years from now, but I do know this: no matter who is in the White House or the Senate or the Mayor’s office downtown, Christ will still be Lord and that makes all the difference.
In the parable Jesus told in Luke 19, the master told the servants to “occupy until I come”. We believe Christ is coming again soon, but until then we must “occupy”.
So what? I’m going to vote, pray, stand for righteousness, and do what Jesus said to do. That’s what we can do. That’s what we should do. And the rest is the hands of God, as Proverbs says: “the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord.” If it all goes well, we’ll cling to Christ. If it all falls apart, we’ll cling to Christ.
I love the old song written by Rhea Miller – “I’d Rather Have Jesus” …
I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands;
I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand
Than to be the king of a vast domain
And be held in sin’s dread sway;
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.
I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;
I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame;
I’d rather be true to His holy name
Oh church, we serve an awesome Savior who’s very much aware that we face a choice at the ballot this year. Let’s trust Him all the more to guide us and lead us as we do what we have been entrusted to do.
Prayer.
