A. Brooks Hayes was a Congressman from Arkansas in the 1940s and 50s.
1. One day he sought the advice of a clergyman who suggested that he go out in the rain and lift his head toward heaven.
2. The clergyman said, “It will bring a revelation to you.”
3. The next day Congressman Hayes reported to the clergyman: “I followed your advice and no revelation came. The water poured down my neck and I felt like a fool.”
4. “Well,” said the clergyman, “isn’t that quite a revelation for the first try?”
B. Brothers and sisters, if any one of us takes time to lift our head toward heaven, a most basic and important revelation should come to us and it is this: in the presence of an all-knowing and all-powerful God all of us should feel like a fool.
1. God is sovereign (which means that He is in charge) and we are not.
2. God is on the throne and we are not.
3. God always knows what is best and we do not.
4. And God can accomplish His purposes in ways beyond our understanding.
C. This is true about all matters facing us in our lives, but it is especially true in matters of politics and elections.
1. As you are all too aware, we are one month away from electing a new president.
2. Over the course of the past 20 years, when presidential elections were taking place in our country, I have devoted a sermon to addressing a Christian perspective on things.
3. It is so important for Christians to not get swept up into worldly thinking, and lose our spiritual perspective and spiritual mission.
4. Here are a few of the sermon titles from my past sermons at the time of an election:
a. Christians, Countries and Kingdom.
b. I Am Proud To Be A Citizen Of…
c. Set Your Minds On Things Above.
3. I have titled today’s sermon: God Is On The Throne.
a. From that title, I assume you can guess what my main point will be today.
D. If you know me and are familiar with my ministry and my preaching, then you know that I try to keep politics out of my ministry and out of our church family.
1. As a church, we strive to be a non-political church and want only to be truly a “church of Christ.”
2. In keeping with that goal, we have followed the example of Jesus and Who consistently steered clear of all partisan politics.
3. Jesus taught us to “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s” (Mt 22:21).
4. Following Jesus’ example, both Peter and Paul tell us to pay our taxes, pray for our leaders, and pay proper respect to their position of authority, no matter who they are (Rom. 13:1-7, 1 Tim. 2:1-2, 1 Pt. 2:13-17).
5. As citizens of the United States of America, we should be thankful that we are free to participate in the democratic process and openly register our displeasure when we personally disagree with the policies of our leaders.
a. We can write letters to the editor, send messages to congress, and support those candidates whose views reflect our own – what a gift this is!
6. But as Christians, however, we must not carry our political disagreements over into church activities.
a. When Jesus stood before the representative of Roman power in Judea, Jesus said: “My kingdom is not of this world.” (Jn. 18:36).
b. To use the church of Jesus Christ in service to partisan political positions would be a disservice to the spiritual nature of the Lord’s kingdom.
7. For that reason, we always encourage two things:
a. First, we encourage everyone to refrain from discussing political issues during church gatherings such as worship, Bible classes, or other times of fellowship.
b. Second, we encourage everyone respect your brother's and sister’s liberty of personal opinion in matters not related to faith (like Paul discusses in Romans 14).
1. We can only experience the unity that Jesus desires for His church if we choose to set aside personal opinions and focus on what unites us: our common faith in Christ and our participation in His kingdom.
E. Now, let’s spend the rest of this sermon reinforcing our biblical understanding of how Christians, whose most valuable and most important citizenship is in heaven, are supposed to live in an earthly kingdom in whatever time and place they find themselves living.
1. Let’s spend a few minutes with Peter’s instructions in 1 Peter 2:13-17.
2. Peter wrote: 13 Submit to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the emperor as the supreme authority 14 or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good. 15 For it is God’s will that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good. 16 Submit as free people, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but as God’s slaves. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brothers and sisters. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
3. Peter’s letter was not written to a single church, like many of Paul’s letters were written to churches, instead, Peter addressed his letter to…
a. God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia. (1 Pt. 1:10, NIV)
b. The CSB renders the same verse: To those chosen, living as exiles dispersed abroad in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.
4. From that introduction, we see that the original recipients of Peter’s letter were Christians living in various parts of the Roman Empire.
a. The purpose of the writing was to offer encouragement and fortification for the trials they all faced, which Peter acknowledged first in 1:6: You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials…
b. The fact that Peter addressed them as “strangers” or “exiles” set the agenda for the letter.
5. Overall, Peter’s teaching focused on their calling as God’s chosen people.
a. This calling led to an understanding that the world offered no lasting home.
b. Here, in this world, Christians are just “aliens (exiles) and strangers” (2:11)
c. Peter proceeded to lay out what it looks like for Christians to live out their faith in a hostile and ungodly world.
d. One point of emphasis within this involved living in such a way to counter criticism.
e. And one important way to do that would be to submit to governing authorities.
6. Peter’s command to submit to all governing authorities—specifically to emperors and governors—is called upon “for the Lord’s sake” or “because of the Lord.”
a. That qualifier is significant.
b. Remember the type of government under which these Christians lived was not at all favorable to Christian faith.
1. It was often oppressive, unjust and cruel.
2. Why submit to such an immoral governmental system?
c. Because that is what God asks of his people.
1. God commands it because even such evil governments are used to “punish those who do wrong and commend those who do right.”
2. He commands it because it is His will for His people—these strangers, exiles, aliens—to demonstrate their heavenly citizenship by “doing good” everywhere they happened to live.
7. If you compare this text to both Romans 13:1-7 and 1 Timothy 2:1-5, you will notice that there is remarkable consistency of message.
a. In each of these passages, it is taught that if Christians become involved in rebellion against those in governmental authority, then it would be counterproductive to the spread of the gospel of Christ.
b. Peter further explains why it is vital for Christians to submit to their rulers—to counter criticism or as he states, “silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.”
c. Christians were subjects of incredible rumors and misinformation—blamed for incidents not their doing.
d. So, it was crucial for Christians to not add any fuel to the false flames.
8. So, the mandate from the apostles is to live “peaceful and quiet” lives.
a. This includes at least four things:
1. Showing proper respect to everyone.
2. Loving each other—the brotherhood of believers.
3. Fearing God.
4. Honoring the king or emperor, or president, or governor.
9. But what if everyone was not worthy of respect?
a. What if the king was corrupt?
b. According to Peter, that does not matter.
c. This approach and this principle come from a respect of God and His will.
d. This is all done first “for the Lord’s sake.”
e. It is a kingdom first perspective, which takes maturity to understand and practice.
10. Christians are not to rebel but to respect and submit to those in authority even if that authority is unjust—because in so doing the principles and message of God’s kingdom are furthered.
a. This is exactly why Jesus endured the insults and sufferings without retaliation.
b. We benefit from his submission and others will benefit from ours.
c. Ultimately, in the end, the kingdom of God will triumph.
d. We have to think more broadly than just the here and now.
e. And so, we honor the king (even if he is Nero), we pray for him, we do our best to live at peace with everyone by living out the kingdom values as aliens and strangers in our world.
f. This is God’s calling and will for us.
F. Now let’s turn our attention specifically to the upcoming election in November.
1. None of us have any idea what’s going to happen on election day.
2. So, let’s resolve right now that we will keep our focus on Jesus and that we will act the way followers of Jesus are supposed to act as citizens of the heavenly kingdom living in this earthly kingdom.
3. I’m not saying don’t vote - it is your right as a U.S. citizen to vote.
4. And I’m not saying don’t be disappointed if your candidate doesn’t win.
5. What I am saying is don’t lose your religion or damage your witness over an election.
6. This world is not our home.
7. And the president is not our god.
G. Let’s consider this important truth: God is not on your or my side.
1. I don’t have to tell you how divided our country is right now about lots of things.
2. People on all sides of issues believe that they are right and the other side is wrong.
3. And people who believe in God on the different sides think God is on their side.
4. But what we need to understand is that the only side God is on is His own side.
5. Let’s be reminded of in interesting thing that occurred in Joshua chapter 5.
a. God’s people, the Israelites were about to invade the Promised Land.
b. As they approached Jericho, Joshua looked up and saw an angel standing before him with a drawn sword in his hand.
c. Joshua approached the angel, who happened to be the commander of the Lord’s army and asked him, “Are you for us or for our enemies?”
d. In other words, “Are you on our side or on the side of our enemies.”
e. What would you expect the angel’s answer to be?
f. We would expect the angel to say that he was on Israel’s side – after all, they were God’s people, right?
g. But how did the angel answer the question as to whose side he was on – Israel’s or Israel’s enemies? - He said, “Neither, I have now come as commander of the Lord’s army.”
h. In other words, “who’s side are you on?” Answer, “I am on the Lord’s side.”
6. Ultimately, God is not on anyone’s side but His own.
a. God’s not a Democrat.
b. God’s not a Republican.
c. God’s not even an American!
d. No country or political party has God on an “exclusive rights” contract.
e. God is not on anybody’s side but his own!
7. And, so, the most important question is not: Whose side is God on?
a. Rather, the most important question is: Who is on God’s side?
H. Another important truth to keep in mind is: God is on the throne no matter who is in the White House.
1. The person who God wants to be president is going to be president after the election occurs.
2. Daniel 2:20-21 says: May the name of God be praised forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to him. He changes the times and seasons; he removes kings and establishes kings.
3. Romans 13:1 says: Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God.
4. This truth is illustrated quite well in a story from the time of Isaiah.
a. Isaiah 6:1 says: In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, and the hem of his robe filled the temple.
b. King Uzziah’s death had to have been an extremely unsettling event for the people of Judah.
c. A leader’s death always is, but especially Uzziah’s, for he had been king for fifty-two years and under his reign the people of Judah experienced unprecedented peace and prosperity.
d. So, the people must have been wondering:
1. How would the stock market respond to the news of the king’s death?
2. And what would Judah’s enemies in response to the news?
e. Well, in a moment of worship, in the midst of all this uncertainty Isaiah reported, “I saw the throne, and guess what? It is still occupied.”
f. The leader of the empire may be dead and gone, but the King of the Cosmos is alive and well and He’s in control.
5. Our God will still be on the throne no matter what happens on November 5, 2024.
a. No matter who wins or loses the election, God will be on the throne and will be exalted and the earth will be full of His glory.
b. Do you think the outcome of our piddling little election will phase God or catch Him off guard?
c. The Bible tells us that God places kings and He re-places kings.
d. They accomplish His will, not the other way around, because He is the Sovereign Creator and Sustainer of the Universe, and His will is being done and will be done.
e. No matter who is in the White House...God is still on His throne.
I. Let’s finish up by circling back to what God expects His people to be doing: No matter who is president or who is elected to be the new president, God expects us to pray for our leaders and expects us to live as good citizens.
1. In spite of the fact that our earthly citizenship is here, our heavenly citizenship should be first and foremost, and our mission here is to point people to heaven.
2. We are called to be salt and light in this dark and decaying world.
3. Our conduct and our words must reflect God’s glory and goodness.
4. Our treasures and priorities must be heavenly directed.
5. We should make every effort to be good neighbors and friends who speak words of grace seasoned with salt and be people who build people up rather than tear them down.
6. And we should be people of prayer who pray for our leaders.
7. Paul wrote: 1 First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time. (2 Tim. 2:1-6)
8. So, there are our simple marching orders:
a. Pray for our leaders.
b. Live godly lives.
c. Point people to Jesus.
J. Jesus is our Savior and King.
1. Jesus is the only hope for the world. Jesus is the only hope for the United States. Jesus is the only hope for every one of us.
2. When and if God’s people think that politics is the answer, then they have forgotten their first Love.
3. That’s why we must preach Jesus and be whole-heartedly devoted to Jesus.
4. If anyone disagrees with us, we should love them and point them to Jesus.
5. For Jesus if our only hope.
K. I hope we can keep all these important truths in mind, both before and after the election.
1. We are aliens and strangers in the world and our citizenship is in heaven.
2. God is not on anyone’s side but His own.
3. God is on the throne no matter who is in the White House.
4. Regardless of the government over us, our mission is the same.
a. Pray for our leaders.
b. Live godly lives.
c. Point people to Jesus.
5. Let’s not get sucked-in and be over-whelmed by earthly politics, but let’s remain humble and hopeful by looking upward toward our heavenly Father, Creator, and King – He is seated on an everlasting throne – His kingdom will never end.
Resources:
God, Governments, and Us, Article by Danny Dodd
Things to Remember on Tuesday, Sermon by Devin Swindle
