Discerning Genuine Faith in Political Leadership

Devotional

Day 1: Identifying True Christian Faith

True Christian faith is evidenced by the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These fruits are essential markers that distinguish true believers from false ones. As Christians, we must examine these fruits in our own lives and in the lives of those who profess faith, including political leaders. The presence of these fruits indicates a life transformed by the Holy Spirit, reflecting the character of Christ.

In our daily walk, it is crucial to continually assess whether our actions and attitudes align with these fruits. This self-examination helps us grow in our faith and ensures that we are living authentically as followers of Jesus. By doing so, we not only strengthen our relationship with God but also become effective witnesses to others, demonstrating the transformative power of the gospel. [00:47]

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Reflection: Reflect on your daily interactions and identify one area where you can better exhibit the fruits of the Spirit. How can you intentionally cultivate this fruit in your life today?

Day 2: God Uses Imperfect Leaders

Throughout history, God has used ungodly leaders to fulfill His divine purposes. Examples include Cyrus, the Persian king, the Egyptian Pharaoh, and King Nebuchadnezzar. This demonstrates that God can work through anyone, regardless of their personal faith, to achieve His plans. Therefore, we should seek God's wisdom in discerning His will in our political choices.

Understanding that God can use imperfect leaders helps us navigate the complexities of political decisions. It reminds us that our ultimate trust should be in God's sovereignty rather than in human leaders. By seeking God's guidance, we can make informed decisions that align with His will, even when the choices are not clear-cut. [05:29]

Isaiah 45:1 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped, to subdue nations before him and to loose the belts of kings, to open doors before him that gates may not be closed."

Reflection: Think about a current political leader you struggle to support. How can you pray for them and seek God's wisdom in understanding His purposes through their leadership?

Day 3: The Sanctity of Life

The issue of abortion is a critical moral concern for Christians. The Bible teaches that life begins in the womb, and as such, we must protect the unborn. Our voting decisions should reflect our commitment to the sanctity of life, and we should advocate for policies that uphold this fundamental value.

As believers, we are called to be a voice for the voiceless and to stand up for the most vulnerable in society. This includes advocating for the unborn and supporting policies that protect life at all stages. By doing so, we honor God's creation and demonstrate our commitment to His principles. [09:52]

Psalm 139:13-14 (ESV): "For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."

Reflection: Consider how you can actively support the sanctity of life in your community. Is there a local organization or cause you can get involved with to advocate for the unborn?

Day 4: Personal Accountability Before God

Each of us will stand before God on Judgment Day and give an account of our lives. Jesus taught that even our thoughts and words are subject to God's judgment. This underscores the need for genuine repentance and a heartfelt commitment to live according to God's standards.

Personal accountability before God is a sobering reminder of the importance of living a life that honors Him. It calls us to examine our actions, thoughts, and words, and to seek forgiveness for our shortcomings. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's will and prepare for the day we will stand before Him. [11:23]

2 Corinthians 5:10 (ESV): "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil."

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you need to seek God's forgiveness. How can you take steps today to align your actions and thoughts with His standards?

Day 5: The Power of the Gospel

Jesus' sacrifice on the cross paid the penalty for our sins, offering us the gift of eternal life. To receive this gift, we must repent of our sins and place our trust in Jesus. This transformative act of faith leads to a new life characterized by a desire to follow God's will and share the gospel with others.

The power of the gospel is the foundation of our faith. It transforms lives, bringing hope and redemption to those who believe. As recipients of this incredible gift, we are called to share the good news with others, helping them experience the same transformation and hope that we have found in Christ. [16:04]

Romans 1:16 (ESV): "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who needs to hear the gospel. How can you share the message of Jesus' love and sacrifice with them this week?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

In today's sermon, we explored the critical issue of discerning genuine Christian faith, particularly in the context of political leaders like Donald Trump and Joe Biden. We began by discussing the importance of identifying the fruits of the Spirit as evidence of true regeneration by the Holy Spirit. These fruits include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We then examined whether Donald Trump exhibits these fruits and considered the implications of voting for a politician who may lack godly character but supports policies that align with Christian values.

We also delved into biblical examples of God using ungodly leaders to fulfill His purposes, such as Cyrus, the Persian king, the Egyptian Pharaoh, and King Nebuchadnezzar. This led us to question whether God could similarly use contemporary political figures to achieve His divine plans. We then turned our focus to Joe Biden, questioning his profession of faith and his stance on critical issues like abortion.

The sermon transitioned into a broader discussion about the moral responsibilities of Christians, especially concerning the sanctity of life. We emphasized the gravity of abortion and the need for Christians to vote in alignment with their pro-life convictions. The conversation also touched on personal accountability before God, urging individuals to reflect on their own lives and repent for their sins.

Finally, we highlighted the importance of genuine repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. We explained that Jesus' sacrifice on the cross paid the penalty for our sins, and through repentance and faith, we can receive eternal life. The sermon concluded with a call to action, encouraging everyone to live out their faith authentically and to share the gospel with others.

###

Key Takeaways

1. control. These fruits are essential markers that distinguish true believers from false ones. As Christians, we must examine these fruits in our own lives and in the lives of those who profess faith, including political leaders. [00:47]
2. God Uses Imperfect Leaders: Throughout history, God has used ungodly leaders to fulfill His divine purposes. Examples include Cyrus, the Persian king, the Egyptian Pharaoh, and King Nebuchadnezzar. This demonstrates that God can work through anyone, regardless of their personal faith, to achieve His plans. Therefore, we should seek God's wisdom in discerning His will in our political choices.

3. The Sanctity of Life: The issue of abortion is a critical moral concern for Christians. The Bible teaches that life begins in the womb, and as such, we must protect the unborn. Our voting decisions should reflect our commitment to the sanctity of life, and we should advocate for policies that uphold this fundamental value.

4. Personal Accountability Before God: Each of us will stand before God on Judgment Day and give an account of our lives. Jesus taught that even our thoughts and words are subject to God's judgment. This underscores the need for genuine repentance and a heartfelt commitment to live according to God's standards.

5. The Power of the Gospel: Jesus' sacrifice on the cross paid the penalty for our sins, offering us the gift of eternal life. To receive this gift, we must repent of our sins and place our trust in Jesus. This transformative act of faith leads to a new life characterized by a desire to follow God's will and share the gospel with others.

### [00:47]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:47] - Identifying True Christian Faith
[05:29] - God Uses Imperfect Leaders
[06:32] - Examining Joe Biden's Faith
[09:27] - The Sanctity of Life
[11:23] - Personal Accountability Before God
[16:04] - The Power of the Gospel
[17:42] - Call to Repentance and Faith
[18:51] - Living Out Genuine Faith
[19:14] - The Importance of Authentic Faith in Politics
[20:06] - Living Waters Ministry and Resources

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What are the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23?
How does Isaiah 45:1 describe Cyrus, the Persian king, in relation to God's purposes? [05:29]
What role did the Egyptian Pharaoh play in God's plan according to Exodus 9:16? [05:29]
What are some of the policies enacted by Donald Trump that were mentioned in the sermon? [05:29]

Interpretation Questions

Why are the fruits of the Spirit important in identifying genuine Christian faith? [00:47]
How can the examples of Cyrus, Pharaoh, and Nebuchadnezzar help us understand God's use of contemporary political leaders? [05:29]
What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between a politician's personal faith and their policies? [05:29]
How does the issue of abortion highlight the moral responsibilities of Christians in their voting decisions? [09:27]

Application Questions

Reflect on your own life: Do you see the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—evident in your daily actions? Which one do you need to work on the most? [00:47]
Have you ever struggled with the idea of supporting a political leader who may not exhibit godly character but supports policies that align with Christian values? How do you reconcile this in your voting decisions? [05:29]
The sermon emphasized the sanctity of life and the importance of being pro-life. How does this belief influence your actions and decisions, both politically and personally? [09:27]
Personal accountability before God was a key point in the sermon. How often do you reflect on your own life and seek genuine repentance? What steps can you take to ensure you are living according to God's standards? [11:23]
The power of the gospel and Jesus' sacrifice were highlighted as central to Christian faith. How can you share this message with others in your community? What practical steps can you take to live out your faith authentically? [16:04]
Think about a recent political decision or vote you made. Did you consider the candidate's personal faith and character, or were you more focused on their policies? How might this sermon change your approach in the future? [05:29]
The sermon concluded with a call to action. What is one specific way you can live out your faith more authentically this week? How can you hold yourself accountable to this commitment? [17:42]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "There are certain fruits that should be in the life of every Christian. This is how we tell the genuine from the false. The Bible not only warns of false prophets, false apostles, false teachers, and false brethren, it says to beware of them. When Jesus said that we're to make judgments, he told us we should judge righteously. So it's legitimate to look for certain fruits in the life of someone who professes to be a Christian." [00:47] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Does God use the ungodly to fulfill his purposes? Here are three biblical examples of that happening. Number one, Isaiah 45 verse 1 tells us that God refers to Cyrus, the Persian king, as his anointed one, even though Cyrus was not a follower of the God of Israel. Secondly, in the book of Exodus... In the book of Exodus, we see God using the idolatrous Egyptian pharaoh to display his power and deliver the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. And thirdly, King Nebuchadnezzar, a pagan ruler, was used by God to fulfill his plan." [05:29] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Jesus said if you look at a woman and lust for her, you commit adultery with her in your heart. Have you ever looked at a woman with lust? Do you want to plead the fifth? So that's the standard God's going to judge you with on Judgment Day. That's why you need to flee to the cross, put your trust in Jesus as your Savior, and then bring forth fruit that's worthy of repentance. That's what the Bible says. There should be things that accompany salvation." [11:23] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The Ten Commandments are called the moral law. You and I broke the law. Jesus paid the fine. That's what happened on that cross. That's why he said, it is finished. Just before he died, he was saying paid in full. If you're in court and you've got speeding fines, the judge will let you go if someone pays those fines. You see, you're out of here, you're guilty, but you can leave because someone paid you fine. And it's legal. Well, God can legally let you live forever. He can take the death sentence off you because of what Jesus did on that cross through his death and resurrection." [16:04] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "If you're going to jump out of a plane 10,000 feet, why would you put on a parachute? So you don't die, you know. And your motivation is fear. And that fear is your friend. It's not your enemy. And because it's making you put on a parachute. And guys, because I love you, I've tried to put the fear of God in you today. I've tried to make you scared, hoping you'll see that fear as your friend, not your enemy, because it'll make you serious with the God that gave you life. And it'll bring you to the foot of the cross where you'll find everlasting life." [16:40] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "So the question becomes, should we vote for a politician who clearly lacks Godly character, simply because his policies stand for righteousness? That's a question each of us has to answer according to our conscience in the light of Scripture." [05:29] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "If she was raped, she'd have the baby and have it adopted. It's a human life. Yeah. You could be the product of rape. Your dad could have raped your mum years ago when he was drunk and without permission, but we won't kill you for the crime of your father. That's a terrible thing to do. She lives with it anyway, and if she kills the baby, she has that on her conscience. Here's a question for you. What does God think of abortion? How are you going to do on Judgment Day?" [10:37] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "And God made your hearing. He made your eyesight. He made your brain. And if He can make an eye, He can see what you're doing. If He can make an ear, He can hear what you're saying. And if He can make your brain, He knows what you're thinking. How does that make you feel? Okay, let me see if I can change that for you. All right. When's your last look at pornography? It's been two weeks. It's been a while. Yeah. It's been a while. What do you think God thinks of that? You think you're a good person? I do. How many lies have you told in your life? Zero. Are you lying to me? Of course. Have you ever taken something that belongs to somebody else? Probably. Have you ever used God's name in vain? All the time." [13:50] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Guys, sin is so serious to a holy God. He's given you the death sentence. You're on death row, and your death will be evidence to you that God is deadly serious about sin. Does it concern you that if you died today, you'd end up in hell? Guys, it horrifies me. I've just met you, but I love you. I don't want you to go to hell. So here's the question. All right. What did God do for guilty sinners so we wouldn't have sin? Why do we have to go to hell? We die for our sins. You know that. And did you know that? I just learned that right now. Most people know that Christ died for their sins, but they don't know this. And guys, if you can get a grip of this, it's going to change everything for you." [15:37] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Guys, this will be as real for you as you are with God. If you leave here and go back to porn and doing things you know are wrong, morally wrong, nothing will happen. But if you're genuine in your repentance and really want to please the God that gave you life, he'll give you a new heart with new desires so you're thirst after righteousness. And that'll be your own personal miracle. And you'll get a hunger for God's word and you'll have the knowledge you have everlasting life all because of God's grace. Does that make sense?" [18:51] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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