The Christian’s Vote
Intro: We start with the truth that we’ll end with. As a Christian, I am a citizen of the United States, but first and foremost, I am a citizen of heaven. Philippians 3:20 “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” My allegiance to my heavenly country comes first, and it directs my behavior of a citizen of this country we call America. However, my heavenly allegiance will make me a responsible and conscientious citizen of my earthly nation.
I. Human Government is ordained of God, Romans 13:1-2
A. God ordains and empowers both positions and people
1. Daniel 2:21 “And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding.”
2. When he was lifted up with pride, King Nebuchadnezzar got this message from heaven in Daniel 4:32 “And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.”
3. John 19:10-11 Then Pilate said to Him, "Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?" 11 -- Jesus answered, "You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin."
B. Therefore, as citizens of heaven, we owe the governing authorities on earth subjection, taxes, custom, fear, and honor.
1. Romans 13:1, 5-7
2. 1 Peter 2:13-17 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 -- or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 15 -- For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men 16 -- as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 17 -- Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
II. Human government can be improved by God’s people.
A. By evangelism
1. God’s people are not concerned with overthrowing government by radical movement or violence, Proverbs 24:21 My son, fear the LORD and the king; Do not associate with those given to change;
2. But Jesus directs us to change people both in and out of government the power of God’s word
a. Mark 13:9 "But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them.
b. Acts 9:15 But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.
c. In Acts 13:6-12 a Roman proconsul named Sergius Paulus was converted by Paul
d. Paul tried his best to convert Herod Agrippa, Acts 26:28-29 Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You almost persuade me to become a Christian." And Paul said, "I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains."
e. With this approach we could effect much positive change. Psalm 119:46 “I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings, And will not be ashamed.”
f. Imagine what a difference it would make just to have saints in the household of the President of governor? Philippians 4:22 All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar's household.
B. By encouraging righteousness, and opposing unrighteousness with our votes.
1. There are numerous references to the relationship between the character of leaders and the stability of a nation. There are in fact 3,343 references to kings in the Bible
a. Ecclesiastes 10:16-17 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes feast in the morning! (17) Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, And your princes feast at the proper time— For strength and not for drunkenness!
b. Proverbs 29:4 The king establishes the land by justice, But he who receives bribes overthrows it
2. Righteousness exalts a nation.
a. Righteousness in citizens. Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.
b. Righteousness in leaders. Proverbs 29:2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.
c. The practice of righteousness by leaders of a nation improves the nation. Psalm 72:1-4 (A Psalm of Solomon) “Give the king Your judgments, O God, and Your righteousness to the king's Son. 2 He will judge Your people with righteousness, and Your poor with justice. 3 The mountains will bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.
3. What are some pressing moral issues facing the Christian in politics today?
a. Abortion
• Proverbs 6:17 condemns hands that shed innocent blood. Unborn babies are innocent and completely defenseless.
• Since the Roe V. Wade decision in 1973, over 59 million babies have been killed by abortion in the U.S,
• The pace of abortions currently averages about 1 million a year in the U.S.
• The clearest path to altering this murderous tally is to have justices appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court who will overturn Roe V. Wade.
b. Homosexual activity – condemned in Romans 1:26-32.
• It tarnishes both the individual soul and society at large.
• The best of hope for a change in the law on this issue again relies on the make up of the Supreme Court.
c. The teaching of a godless system of origins in schools. (Genesis 1)
d. Gambling – Ephesians 5:5 says no covetous man will inherit the kingdom.
e. Equity for the poor, underclass, and those of different races.
• Psalms 82:3-4 Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy. (4) Deliver the poor and needy; Free them from the hand of the wicked.
f. Righteous standards of judgment in the justice system. 1 Peter 2:13-17
g. Decency standards for the broadcast networks. Ephesians 4:29 “no corrupt speech.”
4. In such matters, the Christian has an obligation to stand up for that which is right.
5. When the Christian votes, issues of righteousness should be the primary considerations that inform and direct his vote.
C. By distinguishing between issues of righteousness and opinion.
1. Many things in politics are not matters of right or wrong as legislated by God. In general, economic systems and policies, government healthcare plans, environmental issues, immigration policy, whether we drill or not for oil, fracking, etc. may fall largely into the area of human opinion.
2. Eric Reynolds noted the following: “Here are some views I have heard expressed over the past few months:
* My conscience says to vote for Trump because he promises to appoint judges who share my values, especially on abortion.
* My conscience says to stay out of politics altogether. God is in control.
* I normally vote, but I cannot conscientiously support either presidential candidate. I may not vote, or I may choose a third party candidate.
* I do not agree with Hillary on everything, but I believe Trump is evil and must be stopped, so I will vote Clinton.
In my opinion, this is a textbook case of a Romans 14:2-12 "scruples/opinions/personal judgement" issue.”
[That is, things which are allowed but not required (sk)]
“I don't believe that Paul intended to stifle discussion of these subjects. There is nothing wrong with expressing your opinion, or even trying to persuade others. What *is* forbidden is quarreling, judging, and despising each other over these types of issues. The election will come and go.”
3. Paul wrote, “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” (Romans 14:19).
D. By Praying. Let us also not underestimate the power of prayer in politics. Christians need to pray for their government. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 says, “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.”
E. Working to share the gospel, praying and supporting righteousness with your vote can make a difference in this world! Matthew 5:13-16 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. (14) "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. (15) Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. (16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Swing Vote is a 2008 Kevin Costner movie about an entire U.S. presidential election that is determined by the vote of one man. The candidates in the movie are willing to do and say anything to win over that deciding swing voter. As improbable as the plot of the movie sounds, it does have some similarity to our current national reality.
Our nation is in the midst of a heated presidential campaign. We’re told that there are many “swing voters” -- these are voters in the middle politically whose voting decisions are supposed to determine the outcome of the election.
Each candidate is doing all in his power to sway the swing votes in his direction, believing that key swing votes in states in the north, south and west will result in victory. Ultimately, there is really only One vote that matters, and His choice will determine who leads this country next.
“For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another” (Psalm 75:6-7).
God decides who rules. Consider the sovereignty of God.
III. The Sovereignty of God over the nations
A. God’s people need to recognize that God reigns in heaven and earth.
1. 1 Chronicles 16:31 “Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; And let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns."”
2. “God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne” (Psalm 47:8).
B. In the end, His counsel will hold sway in the affairs of men!
1. Psalms 33:10-11 “The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. (11) The counsel of the LORD stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations.”
2. Proverbs 21:30 “There is no wisdom or understanding or counsel against the LORD.”
C. Rulers receive their positions by His leave!
1. We cited earlier Daniel 2:21: “He removes kings and raises up kings. . .”
2. and Daniel 4:32 “the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses”
D. The Lord accomplishes His counsel among men by the leaders that He allows to rule.
1. The Lord can select a national leader who will bring peace, prosperity and encourage righteousness, or He can select one who will bring national disaster.
2. God’s word reveals that He may make these determinations largely on the basis of whether or not a nation is good or evil.
3. In Jeremiah 18:7-10 the Lord explains: “The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it. And the instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it, if it does evil in My sight so that it does not obey My voice, then I will relent concerning the good with which I said I would benefit it.”
4. God can use the most unlikely of rulers to accomplish His purposes.
a. A recent writer on Facebook, in trying to encourage Christians to serve in whatever capacities they can in elected office said, “Government cannot be a minister of God for good, if good men refuse to serve.”
• That sounds good, but it is patently false!
• Romans 13:4 states concerning the one God ordains to rule: “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.”
• The specific “he” in this passage is almost certainly Nero
b. Consider Nebuchadnezzar God’s “servant” (Jeremiah 25:9; 27:6)
E. Ultimately, the God of heaven possesses the “swing vote” that will determine who are national leaders are.
1. Let’s do everything we can to influence the One vote that matters in the upcoming election. We are certain that if we do our part, God will bless America indeed.
IV. God’s nation
A. At the first gathering of the Continental Congress, the chaplain rose to begin the meeting with the reading of scripture. He turned his Bible to Psalm 33:12-18, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance…. No king is saved by the multitude of an army…. Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him….” (Stephen Felker)
1. This passage (esp. Psalm 33:12) isn’t talking about America or any other modern nation. The “nation whose God is the Lord” refers to the “people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.” At the time this was written, it referred to Israel.
2. It was not meant to be a blanket statement for all nations and certainly not especially for the United States.
B. God’s nation today is neither physical Israel nor the USA. It is a spiritual nations which exists to serve and glorify God!
1. John 18:36 “My kingdom is not of this world…”
2. 1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light”
C. The church that Christ founded and built is His nation/kingdom. (Matt. 16:18).
1. It composed of His disciples or followers. (Colossians 1:13)
2. It is a nation that cannot be destroyed or shaken. Hebrews 12:28 “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.”
3. It is one from which physical death cannot remove us, and it is a nation into which God welcomes any and all who would flow to it.
4. Isaiah 2:2 declares, “Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the LORD's house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And all nations shall flow to it.”
5. It is an eternal nation which overarches every earthly kingdom. Daniel 2:31-44, esp. Daniel 2:44 “And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever
D. It is this eternal, all consuming nation to which Christians belong as citizens and to which they must commit all their allegiance to the glory of God Philippians 3:20 “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Conclusion: Let’s not put our trust in a modern political system, party politics, or weapons. If we remain faithful to God, we are blessed, regardless of what else is going on in the world, because we are citizens of heaven! While the world frets over political developments and social unrest that seems to plague every nation, in my country, my heavenly country, here’s what has been happening:
• The lost have obeyed the gospel by the dozens and were added to the body of Christ.
• Hungry Christians were fed through the love and generosity of their brethren.
• Christians all around the globe have met and rejoiced together in worshiping the Lord, their everlasting Redeemer!
• Fervent prayers were prayed for the sick, the suffering and for those facing spiritual challenges – and God heard those prayers.
• There’s been rejoicing as God has blessed young married couples with newborn babies; and there has been sorrow and yet greater rejoicing as faithful Christians have come to the end of this life only to move on to realms above where they will receive the crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous Judge will give to all those who have love His appearing.
I tell you: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20) I stand with the faithful of old who “desire(d) a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” (Hebrews 11:16)
