The Christian and Politics

Introduction:

1. America is headed to disaster for hating God and His Word, sinful living, and political folly.

2. Some have said, with some justification, God will have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrha, if He does not severely judge America, and soon. We leave judgment to Him (Deut 29:29; Rom 11:33-36).

3. Yet we have several weddings over the next number of months, and we have twins coming; these marriages and children could face some severe tests and trials in the next few years or decades.

4. Those living today, even the aged, have seen very little real trouble affecting this country painfully.

5. Yesterday (7/17/07), the DJIA passed above 14000, indicating a dangerous bubble economy to many.

6. We have had 25 years of unprecedented economic growth and stock market increases since 1982.

7. The investment banks in NYC are dividing unbelievable record profits while Rome burns.

8. Our nation may select Hillary Clinton / Barack Obama as the next President – Vice President.

9. We do not know the future – the Lord could judge America tonight or sustain her 100 years.

10. What should we as Christians do regarding the politics of our nation and His possible judgment?

11. I have seen and heard much ungodliness in my life from Christians about their government.

12. We want to avoid every related sin from joking about leaders to being fearful in a depression.

13. This is not a definitive or exhaustive study, but a few reminders to keep us sober and spiritual.

14. This subject helps us with the “do justly” and “walk humbly with thy God” of Micah 6:8 and the “righteousness” of Romans 14:17-18 and the “judgment” and “faith” of Matthew 23:23 and so forth.

15. Do you want a practical reason for learning the Old Testament Minor Prophets? Here is a good one!

We Are Strangers and Pilgrims Here

A. We are neither dependent on nor in love with our citizenship. We seek a heavenly country.

B. Like Abraham before us, our eyes and hearts are set on heaven (Hebrews 11:13; I Pet 2:11).

C. Since we do not trust our rulers or form of government, we are not in despair over confusion.

D. Since we do not get attached to things here, we are not disappointed when they disappear!

We Submit and Roll with the Punches Until God’s Word Is Crossed

A. We must submit fully to our civil authorities (Rom 13:1-7; Tit 3:1; I Pet 2:13-17; Eccl 8:2-5).

B. If they get angry with us for any reason, we will placate them (Eccl 10:4; Prov 16:14; 25:15).

C. We pay their taxes, even if God and we disagree how it is spent (Mat 22:15-22; Rom 13:6-7).

D. If our sons are drafted, we will use any legal maneuver to position them wisely (Luke 3:14).

E. If pushed far enough, we will say, “We ought to obey God rather than man” (Acts 5:29)!

We Guard Our Attitude and Speech Toward Rulers

A. The New Testament condemns despising those in authority with some of the strongest worded condemnations in the entire Bible (II Pet 2:10-12; Jude 1:8-10). Beware!

B. A little bird can easily carry your seditious thoughts to those in authority, which is a warning to not even allow such wicked imaginations even in your own heart (Eccl 10:20).

We Do Not Get Distracted with Conspiracy Theories

A. God sets up kings and removes kings; we should leave such events to His sovereign will, for it is not our duty or place to rebel, nor can we do anything about it anyway (Rom 13:1-2).

B. Who killed JFK? Who knows? Who cares? There is no profit at all in such wasted study.

C. The Bible strictly and severely condemns even seditious associations (Proverbs 24:21-22).

We Are Not Perplexed By Oppression or Perverting of Justice

A. There is plenty in the world today and coming in the days ahead to trouble us (Deut 15:11; Eccl 4:1; Luke 23:28-31; II Tim 3:13; Rev 20:7-9).

B. There is a great comfort in trusting the God of heaven to right all wrongs (Eccl 5:8).

We Know God Can Deliver Us in the Middle of Horrible Judgment

A. If God could rescue Rahab from the great collapse and ruin of Jericho, He can easily save us.

B. Nebuchadnezzar and Nebuzaradan protected Jeremiah and Ebedmelech (Jer 39:11 – 40:6).

C. The Lord carefully warned and taught His elect before destroying Jerusalem (Matt 24:15-22).

D. We can rejoice in the LORD our strength and salvation through anything (Hab 3:17-19).

E. The Lord will not put anything on us we cannot handle and escape (I Corinthians 10:13).

We Know Our God Will Revenge His Own Against All Adversaries

A. We have recently studied God’s answer to Habakkuk about punishing Babylon (Hab 2:1-20).

B. We have recently studied God’s comfort to the Jews about the Assyrians (Nahum 1:1-15).

C. As God heard the sighing of Israel in Egypt, so he hears the pain of His people (Psalm 12:5).

D. Moses never wanted his job, but God defended him against enemies (Num 12:1-15; 16:1-50).

E. God’s cases of revenge against enemies are many (I Kgs 21:19; Job 20:19-29; 27:8-23; etc.).

 

We Pray … and Pray … for our Nation and the Righteous in It

A. Jeremiah sent a wonderful message to the Jews captive in pagan Babylon (Jeremiah 29:4-7).

1. This is about as bad of a situation as can be imagined, but his instructive gives comfort.

2. It is the Lord God’s directive here to continue living as normal and to pray for Babylon.

3. When God’s providence brings a new government, even a tyrant, we submit to the new rulers and pray for peace in the realm, so that we and other saints might enjoy that peace.

B. Paul told Timothy, both under Rome, to pray for rulers for the same reason (I Tim 2:1-2).

We Live Conservatively to be Prudent

A. Prudence dictates that we consider what could happen and live defensively (Pr 22:3; 27:12).

B. Jonadab instructed his family to a simple lifestyle in order to survive in Israel (Jer 35:6-10).

C. Two small creatures will guide us – ants for savings and conies for security (Pr 30:25-26).

D. We stress the importance of our young men especially getting transferable skills (Pr 24:27).

E. Above all things, we live righteously, so that God will remember us for good (Mal 3:16-18).

We Glorify God By Our Cheerful Submission and Hope

A. We glorify God and silence the ignorance of foolish men by civil obedience (I Pet 2:12-17).

B. We want the pure record that our brothers Daniel and Paul had (Daniel 6:22; Acts 25:8-11).

C. If we show our hope in the face of their despair and fear, it declares much (I Peter 3:15).

D. Those living righteously with faith and hope in God will be saved (Nahum 1:7; II Chr 16:9).

Conclusion:

1. We do not know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future, and He holds our hands.

2. We do not know what the future holds, but we know how the Lord would have us to face the future.

For Further Study:

1. The document, The Christian and Taxes.

2. The sermon outline, God Bless the IRS.

3. The proverb commentary, Proverbs 24:21.

4. The proverb commentary, Proverbs 24:22.