1 Corinthians 6:9-20 – please look this up in your Bibles. We will read this passage in a moment …
Did you know that there is an election coming up?
Did you know that there are more than two people running for office?
When all of the mudslinging is set aside do you know what they support regarding Biblical beliefs?
When all of the name calling is over do you know where they stand on issues that are important to the Lord?
If you are an American this election may be the most important thing on your mind.
Who is the best candidate?
Will the candidate you support win?
What will happen to the country if your candidate wins?
What will happen to the country if your candidate loses?
On the other hand if you are such a committed follower of Jesus that your greatest desire is that whatever happens it will be the best thing for the Kingdom of God, then the election is inconsequential.
The conundrum is that we are both citizens in the Kingdom of God and citizens in the United States of America!
Let’s go ahead and read our Scripture for today.
Now look at a part of the Scripture we just read … (1 Corinthians 6:9-20)
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
“Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
Is there one sin in that list that pops out as being Biblically sinful but at the same time politically correct?
Homosexuality.
Now this and many other Scriptures clearly state that homosexuality is a sin and those who live in that way will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
So, we know what the Bible says about homosexuality.
What do the candidates for election support?
Not just the candidates for president but for the senate and the house of representatives and the state senate and state representatives and the mayor of the town where you live and the village officials and the justice of the peace and the dog catcher?
Will they uphold the rights of Christians to preach what the Bible teaches about homosexuality and other sins?
Will they try to stop us?
Will they label Biblical teaching as “hate speech?”
Georgia health officials retracted a job offer made to Pasadena's former public health director, who had come under fire for remarks he made on homosexuality in sermons.
In an incident in London, Tony Miano, a retired deputy sheriff and former chaplain with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept., was charged with “using homophobic speech that could cause people anxiety, distress, alarm or insult.”
Reading about the arrest was amazing. Mr. Milano was preaching about all forms of sexual sin but the only one that got him arrested was the sin of homosexuality.
Satan has a great interest in promoting homosexuality!
If you want to read the full story I can provide you with the link.
http://radio.foxnews.com/toddstarnes/top-stories/preacher-arrested-for-calling-homosexuality-a-sin.html
Ironically, while Mr. Milano was being held in jail he was given a Bible to read for his comfort …
The very same things could happen here; not just losing jobs but jail time.
Where do the candidates stand on this issue and the freedom of religion?
What about abortion? No one seems to be talking about abortion this election cycle.
Where do the candidates stand on abortion?
What does the Bible say about abortion?
Proverbs 6:16-19 NIV
“There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.”
Innocent blood. Is there any more innocent blood than that of the unborn?
Abortion is detestable to the LORD. It should be detestable to us as well.
If we vote for someone who promotes abortion are we not an active participant in abortion?
There is at least one candidate for the highest office in the land who promotes abortion at every level in every place on earth. That person even endorses what is called “partial birth abortion” which is the slaughter of a fully developed newborn infant who was delivered feet first so that only the head is still inside the mother. That is nothing less than infanticide and it is fully promoted by one of the presidential candidates.
That candidate is also in favor of paying for abortion around the globe with US taxpayer dollars.
If we as Christians participate in such a crime against innocent blood by giving our votes to such a candidate then we too become responsible for that innocent blood.
So, we need to find out where each candidate stands on this crucial issue as well.
In the past I have spoken with many born again Christians who seemingly based their votes on the ability of the candidate to keep our economy strong. That seemed to be the basis of their vote because that is all they talked about.
Can that be our highest priority? Can we serve both God and money?
Other people will speak at length about securing our borders against terrorists?
As Americans that certainly is important but at the same time as devoted followers of Jesus we know that there is the devil, the ultimate terrorist who comes only to steal, kill and destroy.
Should be concerned about terrorism? Certainly we should.
As we look at all of these issues and we look at the candidates for the government offices of the land where do they stand on moral issues such as abortion and embracing homosexuality as just another way to live?
If we are convinced that these are issues of righteousness vs. sin don’t we have a responsibility to find out and support those who have a Biblical stance on the issues?
In some cases we may find that neither follows the teachings of Scripture.
So, yes, we have an election coming up and as Americans it is important.
How important is the election to those of us who are trusting Jesus as our Savior?
Can we say, “Lord, Thy will be done?”
Can we say, “Do whatever You desire. You are God and we are not.”?
What if it pleased the Lord to destroy America because of our wickedness?
Would we shake our fist at Him or would we say, “Thy will be done.”?
Jeremiah 18:5-15 NLT says
“ Then the Lord gave [Jeremiah] this message: “O Israel, can I not do to you as this potter has done to his clay? As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand. If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed, but then that nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had planned. And if I announce that I will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom, but then that nation turns to evil and refuses to obey Me, I will not bless it as I said I would.
“Therefore, Jeremiah, go and warn all Judah and Jerusalem. Say to them, ‘This is what the Lord says: I am planning disaster for you instead of good. So turn from your evil ways, each of you, and do what is right.’”
But the people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires.”
So, as we look at the coming election should we be fearful? Should we be anxious about what is ahead of us in the coming days?
Here is a precious and awesome gift that belongs only to those who are saved; to those who have their full faith and trust in Jesus.
We do not need to tremble and fear for we know the God who not only holds the future in His great hands but He holds us as well.
Here is a promise for us who believe in these troubled times:
This promise was made to the Nation of Israel, for a promise to be kept in a time of obedience. No matter what happens to the nation in which we live, if we belong to Jesus we, too, can cling to this promise.
Isaiah 43:1-3a NLT
But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
O Israel, the One who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are Mine.
When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
Closing comments and prayer.
