O Brother, Where Art Thou in Civil Government
(Inspired by David Barton’s book, The Role of Pastors & Christians in Civil Government)
July 1, 2012 * FBC Chester, IL * Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker
Introduction
A Within the last 50 years there has been a straight jacket/muzzle placed upon the Christian Community & pulpits when it comes to her being involved in the civil arena (from the outside but often from the within our own ranks).
1 Many have embraced a concept of compartmentalization. (Many keep their faith in one arena, real life in another, and the two should never meet.)
a We have one set of faith & values in church and then divorce those same faith & values in the civil arena.
b The Bible rejects this concept of compartmentalization and for generations so did Christians, churches, & pastors.
2 This message will offend some (it is not aim to offend), anger some (it is not aim to anger).
a God sent prophets, called/anointed men of God, repeatedly to confront civil leaders.
b Elijah to Ahab & Jezebel; Samuel to Saul; Nathan & Gad to King David; Isaiah to Manasseh, Jeremiah to Josiah, . . .
aa When a called/anointed man of God gives his thoughts, convictions that have been formed from God’s Word, forged out of His time in the secret place . . . you might want to pay attention, listen because you may gain something of great value & learn something of massive significance.
bb There is no biblical model where God has His ministers remain silent in the civil arena, civil leaders, or civil issues.
3 I want to teach you what the Bible says about your role/responsibility as one who has simultaneous duel citizenship (heaven & earth).
a Matt. 22, Jesus was asked if it was alright to pay taxes to which He replied,
21 They said to Him, "Caesar's." Then He said to them, "Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's." Matt 22:21 (NASB)
b Jesus isn’t saying avoid/abstain from the governmental arena, rather we have responsibilities in both of them (heaven & earth)
c Romans 13.3-6, Paul writes three times that civil servants are “ministers of God.”
3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake.6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Romans 13:3-6 (NASB)
aa Significant when you consider that of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, over ½ were educated in schools established for the purpose of training ministers for the Gospel.
bb In today’s vernacular they had degrees from seminary or Bible College.
d Hebrews 11, we see the “Hall of Faith” full of great heros/held up as our examples.
aa 22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's edict.24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter,25 choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,26 considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen.28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them.29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.31 By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace. 32 And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets,33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions,34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Heb 11:22-34 (NASB)
Notice how many of our heros were involved with civil government!
bb Why would a Holy God hold these men up for as examples to emulate if He thought it were wrong for His people to be involved in the civil arena.
e 1 Timothy 2.1-2, we’re told to pray “first of all” for all people– for our leaders and all who are in authority (lit. high position).
1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men,2 for kings and all who are in authority , so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 1 Tim 2:1-2 (NASB)
aa Even before we pray for ourselves, our families, our churches ...pray for your civil leaders.
bb There are no other places in the Bible were God tells us to pray for “first of all.” Civil government is a pretty important to God.
f Luke 19, Jesus gives the parable of the minas (The Master gave minas to three servants/10,5,1) and the reward for the first two is very interesting.
aa 17 "And he said to him, 'Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, you are to be in authority over ten cities.'18 "The second came, saying, 'Your mina , master , has made five minas.'19 "And he said to him also, 'And you are to be over five cities.' Luke 19:17-19 (NASB)
The reward for their faithfulness was to placed in civil government.
bb Most of us would not think holding a position in civil government was a reward, but based upon what the Bible says, perhaps our beliefs should change.
4 The Church/Clergy helped shape the way that America approached its independence /issues of the formation of our nation.
a We know/hear names like Samuel Adams (Father of the American revolution), Thomas Jefferson (author of Dec. Of Ind.), John Hancock (Pres. Of Congress), John Adams (Signed Dec. Of Ind, but also negotiated/signed the peace treaty w/ Great Britian, securing our independence), but previous generations knew other names.
b John Adams said that Rev. Dr. Jonathan Mayhew and Rev. Dr. Samuel Cooper as “most conspicuous, the most ardent, and influential in the awaking and revival of American priciples and feelings” that lead to our independence. (George Whitefield, James Caldwell, etc.)
aa Adams knew that pastors were instrumental because they helped shape the thinking/ world view of the nation.
bb He knew the work of Christians were essential in the founding of our nation.
c Today, Christians agree that the Bible speaks to every area of life, but in the days of our founding fathers they lived it, believed it, and did it. (No separating their faith/values from the view & form of government.) Evident in our founding documents.
B No nation has ever been as long under the same founding document as America has under the Declaration.
1 The French Rev. (10 years after ours) are now in their 5th gov’t.
a Brazil (7 constitutions since 1822); Poland (7 cons. since 1921)
b Afghanistan (5 since 1921); Russia (4 since 1918); Same story all over Europe, Africa, South America, & the rest of the world.
2 What did we get right? Where did our founding fathers ideas come from that made the Declaration the most successful government document in the history of the world?
a Political scientists undertook a 10year project examining 15,000 writing from our founding fathers and isolated quotes in those writing.
aa Found the single most cited authority in the writings was the Bible.
bb 34% of the quotes were from Scripture (4x’s higher than the 2nd most quoted source.)
b The Scripture found its way into our Constitution.
aa 34 'The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God. Lev 19:34 (NASB)
Uniform Immigration. - Art. 1, Sec. 8 Clause 4
To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;
bb 15 you shall surely set a king over you whom the Lord your God chooses, one from among your countrymen you shall set as king over yourselves; you may not put a foreigner over yourselves who is not your countryman Deut 17:15 (NASB)
President must be a natural born - Art. 2 Sec. 1 Clause 5
No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty-five Years, and been fourteen years a Resident within the United States.
cc 6 "On the evidence of two witnesses or three witnesses, he who is to die shall be put to death; he shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness. Deut 17:6 (NASB)
Provision regarding witness/capitol punishment - Art. 3., Sec. 3 Clause 1
Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.
dd 20 "The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father's iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son's iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself. Ezek 18:20 (NASB)
Provision against attainder. - Art. 3, Sec. 3 Clause 2
The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.
c 22 For the Lord is our judge, The Lord is our lawgiver, The Lord is our king; He will save us— Isaiah 33:22 (NASB),
Defines the three branches of government (Judicial, Legislative, Executive.)
aa 24 "We also inform you that it is not allowed to impose tax, tribute or toll on any of the priests, Levites, singers, doorkeepers, Nethinim or servants of this house of God. Ezra 7:24 (NASB),
Establishes the type of tax exemptions the founders gave to our churches.
bb 21 "Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens. Ex 18:21 (NASB);
3 "The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me, 'He who rules over men righteously, Who rules in the fear of God, 2 Sam 23:3 (NASB),
Is the concept of a republic (officials elected by the people) has its origin.
Art. 4 Sec. 4 The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.
3 Our founding fathers were not simply religious, they were Christian.
a In 1854, after a one-year investigation, the U.S. Congress succinctly declared:
“Had the people, during the Revolution, had a suspicion of any attempt to war against Christianity, that Revolution would have been strangled in its cradle. At the time of the adoption of the Constitution and the amendments, the universal sentiment was that Christianity should be encouraged, but not any one denomination. . . In this age there can be no substitute for Christianity . . . That was the religion of the founders of the republic, and they expected it to remain the religion of their descendants.” -Reports of the Committees of the House of Representatives.
b 1892, The USSC reviewed American history (citing over 60 historical precedents) concluded:
“There is no dissonance in a universal language pervading them all, having one meaning; they affirm and reaffirm that this a religious nation . . . this is a Christian nation.”
c Regardless what today’s pseudo-historians write in our kid’s history books, media says, politicians say . . . our founding fathers and our nation were greatly influenced by Christianity.
aa Even “lest religious” leaders (Thomas Jefferson); recommend the Great Seal of the United States depicted Moses & Red Sea/ “God” in the national motto.
bb Also negotiated a federal treaty with the Kaskaskia Indians that included federal funding to pay for Christian ministers to work with the Indians and for the building of a church for the Indians to worship at. . . it was ratified by the U.S. Senate.
d There is no doubt that America has been a successful nation with a stable, successful government because of the foundation on which it was built . . . a foundation unlike any other nation in the world.
C Most citizens believe that it is the Constitution that governs America, but it does not (Constitution is a piece of paper).
1 Men/Women govern, the paper marks the form, mode, & structure.
a The Constitution gives citizens the power to elect leaders; but if the wrong kind of leaders are elected, the Constitution is worthless in their hands.
b We can have the best government on paper, but when it’s put in the hands of wrong leaders we’re sunk.
2 In Ancient Israel, they had the best civil laws ever. (God-given, inspired)
a The laws did little good when they had leaders like Ahab & Jezebel, Manasseh, Jeroboam, and Rehoboam, etc.
b One of the most often quoted Scriptures of our founding fathers was Prov. 29.2.
2 When the righteous increase , the people rejoice, But when a wicked man rules, people groan. Prov 29:2 (NASB)
D Why did America separate from Great Britain? (Taxation w/o Representation, right?)
1 There are 27 grievances in the Declaration of Independence and this reason is only one of 27 (Listed as 17)
a Abuse of representative powers (11 more times), Abuse of military powers (7 x’s), Abuse of judicial powers (4 x’s), stirring up domestic insurrection (2 x’s)
b Why does the taxation issue get all the play? Why are we unfamiliar with the rest of the grievances?
aa In the 1920's, 30's, 40's our history books were revised by Charles/Mary Beard, Fairfax Downey, W.E. Woodward, etc., to emphasize the “economic approach to American History.”
bb The most important thing in this approach to history is the economy & economics. (Money was the basis for the Constitution, Revolution in this approach.)
cc In other words, economics becomes the basis for everything; the only motivating factor in life is money.
2 In the most recent elections, 45% of the evangelical Christians who voted said that economic issues were more important than moral issues.
a A good gov’t is not how good your documents/economy are/is but how good leaders are!
a In America, whether the righteous/wicked rule depends totally upon the will of the voters: we have a choice.
E There are approximately 60 million Evangelical Christians in America.
1 Between 1992 & 2000, EC voter turnout decreased by 40%.
a In fact, 24 million of the 60 million are not even registered to vote.
b It is time we take our voting responsibility seriously if we want to get the right kind of leaders that reflect our values, faith.
aa 78% of the nation supports prayer in school.
bb 74% support the Ten Commandments back in classrooms.
cc 68% support creationalism taught in schools.
dd 66% oppose partial-birth abortions.
c Our public policies don’t reflect what most Americans believe.
2 Christians aren’t voting, therefore their not electing to office leaders who embrace their values.
a Our national leaders today are judged not on the basis of their personal competence, moral character or other leadership traits but rather on the basis of the economy is doing, what the unemployment rate is, or how the Dow Jones Industrial Average is performing.
b Money is not more important than morals. Finances are not more important than faith.
Conclusion:
Notice to Sermon Central Users:
My name is Mike Fogerson, and I pastor a Southern Baptist Church in Chester, Illinois. I have been a long-time user of Sermon Central and truly appreciate its content and contributors. Some of the best sermons I’ve ever preached have been reworked material from this website. As you use the material from my sermon bank, understand that it is work that has been done from not just myself, but from hundreds of other pastors as well. If you see part of your message, or a bunch of your message with my name on it and this upsets you, please email me and I will quickly respond and cite you as the main source. My intent is not to claim someone’s work as my own. I am disclaiming up front that I use the resources from Sermon Central and appreciate the tool. I simply want all those who use my work to know that some of these messages were inspired by the Holy Spirit working through other pastors. Because I do use the messages of other pastors I waive all claims of originality or origin of creativity for the messages posted under my messages. I pray God blesses your preaching ministry for the glory of His Kingdom.
Respectfully,
Mike Fogerson
