1. Cartoon: Two men on a park bench; one lets out a loud SIGH; the second man stands and says, “Well, if you are gonna’ talk politics, I’m outta’ here!”
2. Three Great Institutions of God:
a. Family
b. Church
c. Government
3. Mixed reviews on how we look at government
a. Support (blindly? – Acts 5.29)
b. Oppose (Romans 13.1)
c. Ignore (Southern Restoration Leaders after Civil War)
4. Our Founders believed that Christians should influence the government:
Benjamin Franklin: “Whoever shall introduce into the public affairs the principles of primitive Christianity will change the face A Change Sourceof the world.”
John Adams: “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
John Quincy Adams : “So great is my veneration of the Bible, that the earlier my children begin to read it the more confident will be my hope that they will prove useful citizens of their country and respectable members of society.”
John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court:
“Providence has given our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.”
5. What is the reason for bad government? It is the absence of Christian influence:
James A. Garfield (20th US President) – Now, more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature. . . If the next centennial does not find us a great nation . . . it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces.”
I. Government – A Creation of the Sovereign
A. Government’s Origin – Genesis 8-9
1. Permanence of Life – Genesis 8.21
2. Propagation of Life – Genesis 9.7
3. Protection of Life – Genesis 9.6
B. Various Forms Through the Years
1. Noah (Noahide Laws – include setting up courts)
2. Moses – Exodus 18
3. Judges – Kings (chaos to order – Judges 21.25)
4. Even Pagan Kings – Nebuchadnezzar; Cyrus, etc.
5. Ultimate Governor – God
II. Government – A Continued Stewardship
11 As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 12 He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. 13 Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’ 14 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ 15 When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. 16 The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’ 17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ 18 And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’ 19 And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ 20 Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ 22 He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’ 24 And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ 25 And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’ 26 ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 27 But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.’” Luke 19.11-27
A. A Choice – Be Active or Passive?
1. Shall we keep silent? 9 Then they said to one another, “We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news. If we are silent and wait until the morning light, punishment will overtake us. Now therefore come; let us go and tell the king’s household.” 2 Kings 7.9
2. Is there not a cause? 1 Samuel 17.29
B. Stewardship Demands Action!
1. Preoccupation with Heaven can distract us from Contemporary Stewardship
2. Yeshua (Jesus) Said do business NOW – Luke 9.13
a. This was not requested by the servants
b. Told to multiply the money they had been entrusted with
c. Rewarded with Government Positions – Luke 9.16-19
d. Punished with removal
3. In light of coming accountability
a. What did you do with your soul/life?
b. What did you do with your family?
c. What did you do with your church?
d. What did you do with your government?
III. Government – A Change Source – How?
A. A Change in Who We Are
Prayers of the Righteous – First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 1 Timothy 2.1-2
1. A Matter of Priority
2. Even in Hostile Cultures –
7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. Jeremiah 29.7
3. Valuable to Us – Oral Law of Jews, Avot 3.2
“Pray for the welfare of the government for if it were not for the fear of it, one man would swallow his fellow.”
B. A Change in What We Know
Educate Ourselves
1. Biblical ideals
2. Political Ideals – candidates and parties – Positions on:
Marriage; Value of Human Life; National Defense; Economics (spending more than we have)
Wallbuilders.com
Thomas.loc.gov
C. A Change in the Way We Think – Proverbs 23.7
1. “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t--you’re right.” Henry Ford
2. Often feel insignificant – only one vote
Back in 1984, the California Secretary of State compiled this list:
In 1645, one vote gave Oliver Cromwell control of England
In 1649, one vote caused Charles I of England to be executed.
In 1776, one vote gave America the English language instead of German.
In 1845, one vote brought Texas into the Union.
In 1868, one vote saved President Andrew Johnson from conviction in his impeachment.
In 1876, one vote changed France from a monarchy to a republic.
In 1876, one vote gave Rutherford B. Hayes the Presidency of U.S.
In 1933, one vote gave Adolph Hitler leadership of the Nazi Party.
In 1960, one vote change in each precinct in Illinois would have denied John F. Kennedy the Presidency.
3. Accountable for how we vote
D. A Change in What We Do
Do Our Duty –
5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6 And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. 7 “Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? 8 Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? 10 So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’” Luke 17.5-10
1. Do what is right even if unappreciated
2. Context of increasing faith
3. Vote Righteously – Charles Finney (American Revivalist; 2nd Great Awakening) – Christians must vote for honest men and take ground in politics; God will bless or curse this nation according to the course Christians take in politics
4. [Only 1/4 of Evangelical Christians vote
Conclusion
1. Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls
a. Big, Confusing Job
b. Everyone had a hand in building
c. Completed in 52 days
2. Application
a. We’ve got a big, confusing job to rebuild a nation of Christian principles
b. Find a place and get to work
c. Education; Economy; Immigration; Nutrition
3. Ultimate Reliance on God – Prayer and Dunkirk
BRITAIN’S NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER – May 24th, 1940. A half million of Britain and France’s soldiers huddled hopelessly at Dunkirk, waiting for their inevitable death or imprisonment at the hands of the Nazi war machine.
It was at that desperate moment that the churches of Britain called for a national day of prayer. It had been suggested during April, but the Archbishop of Canterbury had opposed it. He said he didn’t want the call to prayer to be misinterpreted - whatever that meant.
But with the alarming deterioration of the military situation in France, he and many others decided that it was, indeed, time to pray.
On May 23rd, numerous political leaders, newspaper editors and King George VI issued a call for a national day of prayer to be held on Sunday, May 26th.
No one could have anticipated what was to happen during those 3 momentous days.
Just 24 hours after the call for prayer, Adolf Hitler inexplicably ordered his armies to halt - to the surprise and dismay of even his own generals. Two days later, on May 26, the nation gathered to pray. Church attendance skyrocketed, including a large gathering at Westminster Abbey, during which people pleaded with the Almighty to spare their husbands and fathers at Dunkirk.
Former Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain wrote this in his diary: “May 26. Blackest day of all… This was the National Day of Prayer.” In reality, it turned out to be one of the most dramatic turning points of the war. At 7 o’clock that evening, a critical order was issued to attempt a desperate evacuation of Dunkirk. Every tiny vessel and private craft was sent across the often treacherous waters of the English Channel with orders to rescue as many men as possible before the arrival of the Germans.
Hitler’s armies remained largely in place NOT ONLY on the 24th, 25th and 26th, but, incredibly, until early June.
To this day, no one knows exactly why. The Fuhrer held victory in the palm of his hand, yet he prevented his combat troops from finishing the job.
Some have speculated that Hitler didn’t want to risk unnecessary losses in a final battle.
Others think Hermann Goering prevailed upon Hitler to let his Luftwaffe get the credit for destroying the British and French armies.
There is a more valid explanation. Hitler’s armies were halted… halted by the same God who shut the mouths of the lions during Daniel’s night of peril.
Just as the Lord heard the prayers of the Israelites so long ago, I believe He was listening when hundreds of thousands of believers in the United Kingdom were praying for divine intervention.
For 9 critical days, the Germans were content to shell and bomb Dunkirk from the air and from a distance. Meanwhile, large numbers of Allied soldiers were scrambling aboard the little boats and yachts.
On May 29, 47,000 were rescued; on May 30, 53,000; on May 31, 68,000; on June 1, 64,000.
In all, 336,000 men found their way to safety in the British Isles!
