Thesis: Christians have a responsibility both to God and to civil government.
Intro.:
1. Sing: "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," by Julia Ward Howe.
a. In Ken Burns' PBS Civil War documentary, he tells how Julia Ward Howe wrote that song as the Civil War was beginning. She was in a Washington D.C. hotel room at night and heard the sound of Union troops marching to battle. She was so moved that she wrote this song. JWH passionately believed in justice--that God was at work making right what was wrong in our world. She believed she was involved in that. So did others. That's why this song became so popular in its day.
b. QUESTION: Does our nation still believe God is at work? Would a song like "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" be written today? If it was, would it be as popular now as it was then?
2. THE BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC, CORRECTED
(chanted to no tune in particular) Paul V. Mankowski First Things, number 36
BEFORE: by Julia Ward Howe
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored.
He has loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword.
His truth is marching on!
He has sounded forth the trumpet that will never call retreat.
He is sifting out the hearts of men before his judgment seat.
Be swift, my soul, to answer Him; be jubilant my feet.
Our God is marching on!
In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
with a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me.
As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free.
While God is marching on!
CHORUS:
Glory, glory, Hallelujah!
Glory, glory, Hallelujah!
Glory, glory, Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on!
AFTER: Sanitized for your protection
I see God's approach; it is good.
God makes wine with God's feet, from non-union grapes.
Brightness flashes from the decision-making apparatus.
God's worldview is currently earning widespread respect.
A musical instrument is summoning many people, including women of color,
into God's presence for ongoing evaluation.
I must walk quickly and say yes to this invitation.
God's worldview, after all, is earning widespread respect.
Our Faith Leader had a non-Western agrarian background.
His talents and abilities changed our lives for the better.
We shuld make great efforts for civil rights because he died for world peace.
God's worldview, we recall, is earning widespread respect.
CHORUS:
Give honor repeatedly to the god of our tradition.
We have owned our values.
3. Illust. This past week on the CBS Evening News (with Dan Rather and Connie Chung), I saw a disturbing news report. About a particular state election that featured a candidate for lieutenant governor who was also an outspoken Christian. The report predictably raised concerns about hidden agendas and separation of church & state. One of the supporters of this candidate asked, "Is it a crime to believe in anything anymore?"
4. This A.M. we want to talk about Christians and civil government.
a. Biblical teaching.
b. Application.
I. BIBLICAL TEACHING ON CHRISTIAN RESPONSIBILITY TO CIVIL GOVERNMENT.
A. PAY (Mark 12:14-17).
B. PRAY (1 Tim. 2:1-2).
1. Do not slander! (Titus 3:1-2).
2. Illust. A group of prominent evangelical preachers met with president-elect Clinton, after election and before inauguration. Began discussing different views, among them homosexuals in the military. Discussion became rather strident. Chuck Swindoll interrupted and said words to this effect: "Mr. Clinton, you don't have to worry about bitter opposition from us. We're Christians, we're going to be praying for you."
C. OBEY (Rom. 13:1-7).
1. Purpose of gov't: Suppress evil, administer justice.
2. Obedience for us is NOT to avoid fines, or jail, or the electric chair--it's because God said to obey government!
II. POINTS OF APPLICATION.
A. A Christian's ultimate allegiance is to God, not government.
1. The two must not be confused (Acts 5:29).
2. Illust. As a teenager I remember seeing patches on the uniforms of law enforcement officers. Had an American flag on it with these words: "For God and Country." The two were equated. Christians don't confuse the two!
3. Illust. Or do they? In the front of many church auditoriums in our country there are two flags--A Christian flag and an American flag--one on each side of the auditorium. Something dangerous about that symbolism. Flag and the Cross are NOT of equal importance to us!
4. Illust. It is time to be concerned when one goes to a Christian singing group concert and one of the songs is "I'm Proud to be an American" and have that song receive the greatest applause. Something's wrong when we can get more excited about a Lee Greenwood song than we can over "Amazing Grace."
B. It is not wrong for a Christian to become involved in politics.
1. Not commanded in Scripture--individual decision.
2. Why does the NT show absolutely no interest in political action, other than to simply command us to be good citizens?
a. Christianity is inherently a-political; works just as well in a democracy as it does in a totalitarian state!
b. Illust. Could it be that the NT envisions something that transcends political action? In a book by Tom Robbins, Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, there is a conversation between two of the characters: "You really don't believe in political solutions, do you?" one asks. Other responded: "I believe in political solutions to political problems. But man's primary problems aren't political; they're philosophical. Until humans can solve their philosophical problems, they're condemned to solve their political problems over and over and over again. It's a cruel, repetitious bore."
3. Some citations from the NT reflect this truth:
a. "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight ..." (John 18:36).
b. "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Eph. 6:12).
c. "The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds" (2 Cor. 10:4).
C. Christian voices need to be heard in politics and society.
1. Illust. Just this past week some scientists doing work with embryos have declared they can clone an embryo. Can take fertilized egg, split it in two, end up with identical twins. Done it with animals. On verge of doing it with humans. Called for a national discussion on the ethics of such a practice. Who's going to speak to this issue? Secular humanists? You bet! Christians need to be heard as well!
2. The 1st Amendment of the American Constitution reads, in part: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
a. TWO CLAUSES:
1) No establishment clause.
2) Free exercise clause.
b. Many today want to highlight the "no establishment" clause.
1) As if gov't can never have any involvement in religion.
2) Misses what Founding Fathers were calling for; trying to insure the free exercise of religion by outlawing
state churches, such as they had in Europe!
c. The 1st Amendment does not call us to separate religion and politics; it calls us to separate church and state.
3. Christian voices need to be heard in politics, society, education, medicine, micro-biology, government, the military .....
a. Illust. Nearly ten years ago Richard John Neuhaus argued that when religion and democracy are totally separated from each other society is the loser. He called his book The Naked Public Square. In a pluralistic society different viewpoints ought to be encouraged and brought to the marketplace so the best one may prevail! It's in the public interest!
b. May God raise up Christians who can speak to the issues that face our society in a cogent, passionate, and respectable way!
1) Let's not expect every decision to go our way; the KOG does not stand/fall on the abortion issue, or homosexuals in the military issue.
2) Our voices need to be heard nevertheless!
Conclusion:
1. This coming Tuesday your voice can be heard.
a. We ought to be grateful we live in a country where we have a voice, even if it is a small one!
b. Exercise your freedom to vote this Tuesday.
1) Does God command it? No.
2) Is it part of what it means to be a good citizen? Yes.
2. Invitation.
