Titus 3:1
Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good.

There are seasons when I hate living in Iowa.  Not just talking about winter, but election season.

Newspaper article: About 100 TV commercials per day that are political adds.
Maybe we pay North Dakota to be first in the nation on the political Caucus… (Ha!)

We talk about Christians having a consistent worldview.  This means that you are to learn what the Bible says and apply it to every part of life.  This means we do not say, “There are certain parts of my life where God has no say…”  No, every area of your life is expected to be affected by the Gospel.

“I want to tell you how to vote today.”  Ed is tempted to say that every political issue is a moral issue.  Maybe it’s almost every political issue is a moral one.  We need to bring our Christian faith to bear on these moral issues.

One of the things we realize is that God-fearing people like you have different political views.  This also happens on church issues.

Example: Baptism.  Is it for adults or children?  Is it to be done by sprinkling or immersion.  Still, we can disagree on those issues yet still be the body of Christ together.  And so we don’t picket over these issues.  We don’t put bumper stickers up.

We can understand that well-intentioned people make these decisions in good faith.

Take a look at political issues and bring your Christian views to it.

Example: Welfare. How do we care for the under-resourced?

Ed first looks to God.  What direction does God bring to this?

We realize that God has a heart for the poor.  He cares for them.  In the Old Testament, God told the farmers to enable the practice of gleaning.  This mean to not go back and re-coup the crops that were left.  That way others could come along and have food.  But you wouldn’t glean in today’s world…

On the other hand, the Bible says that if you’re unwilling to work, you’re not going to eat.  So, what does that mean for those who want to work but don’t have jobs? Or the child who was born into poverty?

Can we really take Biblical examples and live it out in our world today?

In many cases, the Bible gives us principles to understand and interpret our culture today.

Deciding How To Vote:

1 – Make a list of political issues that are important.

2 – Look at the Bible for the principles that speak to these issues.

3 – Prioritize the issues.  Because not all candidates will agree on everything that you think.

4 – Pray about it.

How to Guard Your Heart:

Proverbs 4:23
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of your life.

God cares more about your heart attitude than he does about your vote.

It is possible to disagree with respect, to be wrong with integrity, and to be right with humility.
- All Pro Dad

God is sovereign.  He controls elections.  You believe that, don’t you? He can turn it any way he chooses to.

Proverbs 8:15-16
By me kings reign
and rulers make laws that are just;
 by me princes govern,
and all nobles who rule on earth.

There is no single God-ordained political party or candidate.  There are God-fearing people in all parties.  These are men and women who are seeking to do what is right and good.  So we must be careful with how we treat them and what respect we show to them.

This is a great opportunity for us to model Jesus Christ, isn’t it?  We can live differently and be salt and light in our nation at this time.

We need to be careful about what we put into our minds and what influences us during this time of year.  Many political commentators will say falsehoods.  If you have a constant diet of that kind of political rhetoric, it will have an influence on you.

God is concerned about our hearts.  When you go into that voting booth, go in with a joyful heart.  We ought to be grateful that we get to elect the officials who will govern us.  Praise God that we can vote.  Before you vote, thank God.  Thank him for this blessing and pray for his guidance in you voting and in the election process.

Responding to the Election:

The Sunday after the election, around half of us will be disappointed.  The party we resonate with will not be elected…

Three passages of scripture to help us understand what our role is in this process

1 Timothy 2:1-2
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— ² for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

When you have a government, part of your responsibility as a citizen is to pray for those who God has in authority over you.  You think it’s hard voting, try governing!

Romans 13:1-7
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.

This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

God has put these authorities in power for a reason.  To punish wrong-doing and provide an atmosphere where the good can prosper.

Hypothetical: Should the German have surrendered to the Nazi Government, or rebelled?  Well that government was not doing what God called it to do.

1 Peter 2:13-17
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

When we honor those in authority, we honor God.

Ed is struggling with his heart during this election season.  Rude, short-tempered, and judgmental.  This does not honor God or give good respect as a witness to Jesus.

Let’s pray for each other. Let’s pray that God would guard our hearts. Let’s pray for those who opinion is different than ours.  Let’s celebrate our ability to vote.

Voting: The Heart of the Matter
Pr. Ed Baker
Orchard Hill Church
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