Faith Over Politics: A Call to Righteous Voting

Summary

In today's message, I felt compelled to address the upcoming election, a topic that weighs heavily on many of our hearts. As we navigate this complex political landscape, it's crucial to remember that our faith must always come before our politics. Our ultimate hope and trust should be in God, not in any political leader or party. The passage from Ezekiel 33 reminds us of our responsibility as watchmen, to sound the alarm and guide our community towards righteousness, even when the choices before us are challenging.

The political climate is messy, and often we find ourselves choosing between the lesser of two evils. However, it's essential to remember that no political leader can save us; only God can. Our role as Christians is to engage in our civic duties with a heart aligned to God's will, seeking to honor Him above all else. This means voting not just based on personality or party affiliation, but on policies that align with biblical principles and values.

We must also understand the true meaning of the separation of church and state, which was intended to protect the church from government intrusion, not to silence the church's voice in public matters. As we approach the election, I urge you to vote for what honors God, your neighbor, and our nation. This requires being informed and discerning, looking at the broader picture rather than focusing on a single issue.

Our choices are between flawed individuals, but we must remember that God can use anyone to fulfill His purposes. Our responsibility is to be salt and light in the world, preserving righteousness and shining truth. With millions of evangelical Christians not voting, it's imperative that we step up and fulfill our spiritual responsibility to influence our nation positively.

As we prepare to vote, let us do so with a heart of prayer, seeking God's guidance and wisdom. Let us pray for our leaders, for our nation, and for a revival that aligns our hearts with God's will. May we always put our faith before our politics, trusting in the Lord with all our hearts.

Key Takeaways:

1. Faith Before Politics: Our faith must always come before our political affiliations. No political leader can save us; only God can. We must engage in our civic duties with a heart aligned to God's will, seeking to honor Him above all else. [35:14]

2. Understanding Separation of Church and State: The separation of church and state was intended to protect the church from government intrusion, not to silence its voice in public matters. We must not let this concept be misused to remove God from the public arena. [39:53]

3. Informed Voting: It's crucial to be informed and discerning when voting, looking at the broader picture rather than focusing on a single issue. Our vote should reflect policies that align with biblical principles and values. [42:16]

4. God Uses Flawed Individuals: Throughout history, God has used flawed individuals to fulfill His purposes. Our responsibility is to be salt and light, preserving righteousness and shining truth in our nation. [48:22]

5. Prayer and Revival: As we approach the election, we must pray for our leaders, our nation, and a revival that aligns our hearts with God's will. Let us put our faith before our politics, trusting in the Lord with all our hearts. [01:10:31]

Youtube Chapters:

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [31:06] - Church's Response to Hurricane Helene
- [32:22] - Change of Sermon Topic
- [33:05] - Responsibility to Address the Election
- [33:39] - Politics and Faith
- [35:14] - Faith Before Politics
- [36:46] - Ezekiel 33: The Watchman's Role
- [39:03] - Separation of Church and State
- [41:36] - Call to Vote
- [42:16] - Informed Voting
- [43:45] - Jesus is Not on the Ballot
- [48:22] - God Uses Flawed Individuals
- [49:26] - Righteousness Exalts a Nation
- [50:21] - Evangelical Voting Statistics
- [51:27] - Policy Over Personality
- [01:10:31] - Prayer for the Nation

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Ezekiel 33:1-6: This passage serves as the primary text for the sermon, emphasizing the role of a watchman and the responsibility to warn others of impending danger.

#### Observation Questions
1. What is the role of a watchman as described in Ezekiel 33:1-6, and how does it relate to the responsibilities of Christians today? [36:46]
2. According to the sermon, what is the intended purpose of the separation of church and state, and how has it been misused over time? [39:53]
3. What are some of the key policies mentioned in the sermon that Christians should consider when voting? [53:11]
4. How does the sermon describe the current political climate and the choices we face as voters? [33:39]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of being a watchman in Ezekiel 33 apply to the way Christians should engage with political and social issues today? [37:54]
2. In what ways might the misuse of the separation of church and state impact the church's ability to influence public matters? [39:53]
3. How can Christians discern which policies align with biblical principles when faced with complex political choices? [42:16]
4. What does the sermon suggest about God's ability to use flawed individuals for His purposes, and how should this influence our perspective on political leaders? [48:22]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own voting habits. How do you ensure that your faith comes before your political affiliations when making decisions at the polls? [35:14]
2. How can you become more informed about the policies and positions of candidates to ensure your vote aligns with biblical values? [42:16]
3. In what ways can you actively participate in being a "watchman" in your community, sounding the alarm on issues that go against God's will? [37:54]
4. How can you engage in political discussions with others in a way that reflects Christ's love and truth, even when you disagree? [33:39]
5. What steps can you take to pray more intentionally for political leaders and the nation, seeking God's guidance and wisdom in these areas? [01:10:31]
6. Consider the role of prayer in your decision-making process. How can you incorporate prayer more deeply into your preparation for voting and civic engagement? [01:08:09]
7. How can you encourage others in your church or community to fulfill their spiritual responsibility to vote and influence the nation positively? [50:21]

Devotional

I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:

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Day 1: Faith as the Foundation of Civic Engagement
Our faith should guide our political actions, ensuring that our civic duties are performed with a heart aligned to God's will. In a world where political affiliations often take precedence, it's crucial to remember that no political leader can offer salvation; only God can. As Christians, our engagement in politics should reflect our commitment to honoring God above all else. This means making decisions that align with biblical principles, rather than being swayed by personalities or party lines. [35:14]

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV): "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."

Reflection: In what ways can you ensure that your political decisions are rooted in your faith and not influenced by external pressures or affiliations?

Day 2: The Church's Voice in Public Matters
The separation of church and state was designed to protect the church from government interference, not to silence its voice in societal issues. It's important to understand this distinction and ensure that the church remains a guiding light in public discourse. As believers, we must not allow this concept to be misused to remove God from the public arena. Instead, we should confidently express our faith in public matters, advocating for policies that reflect biblical values. [39:53]

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: How can you actively participate in public matters while ensuring that your actions and words reflect the light of Christ?

Day 3: Discernment in Voting
Being informed and discerning when voting is crucial. It's not just about focusing on a single issue but understanding the broader picture and how policies align with biblical principles. As Christians, our votes should reflect a commitment to values that honor God and promote righteousness. This requires careful consideration and a willingness to look beyond surface-level attributes of candidates or parties. [42:16]

Proverbs 2:6-9 (ESV): "For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints."

Reflection: What steps can you take to become more informed about the policies and values of the candidates you are considering supporting?

Day 4: God’s Use of Imperfect Leaders
Throughout history, God has used flawed individuals to fulfill His purposes. Our responsibility is to be salt and light, preserving righteousness and shining truth in our nation. While the choices before us may be between imperfect individuals, we must trust that God can work through anyone to achieve His divine plans. This perspective encourages us to engage with hope and faith, knowing that God is ultimately in control. [48:22]

1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (ESV): "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God."

Reflection: How can you maintain hope and trust in God's sovereignty when faced with the imperfections of leaders and systems?

Day 5: Prayer and Revival for the Nation
As we approach the election, prayer is essential. We must pray for our leaders, our nation, and a revival that aligns our hearts with God's will. By putting our faith before politics, we trust in the Lord with all our hearts, seeking His guidance and wisdom in every decision. This spiritual discipline not only prepares us for civic engagement but also fosters a deeper relationship with God. [01:10:31]

2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV): "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

Reflection: What specific prayers can you offer for your community and nation as you seek God's guidance in the upcoming election?

Quotes

1) "Our faith must come before our politics. Do you hear that? Say it with me. Our faith must come before our politics. And that gets to the last thing. We must never forget that no matter who you vote for, who becomes president, who becomes governor, who becomes senator, this is really important, not one of them is going to save us. Not one of them. Our hope and our trust for our nation must be in God. And we must bend our knee and bow our hearts to him no matter what." [35:14] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "See, in this passage, God was telling Ezekiel that he had called him to serve as a watchman to warn the people of his impending judgment because the people of God were drifting away from the things of God. And he looks at Ezekiel and says, Ezekiel, you're the watchman. And if you don't sound the trumpet and my judgment comes, then there will be no judgment. Their blood is on you, but you must give the warning so that it's on them. It made me think of a quote by William Wilberforce who said, let it not be said that I was silent when they needed me." [37:54] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "We're voting for a president, not for a savior. And so we have to be careful not to confuse patriotism and national pride and Western culture with biblical Christian faith and practices. See, I don't know about you, but I already have a savior, and his name is Jesus. And aren't you glad it's not Trump? And aren't you glad it's not Harris? And aren't you glad it's not Trump? And aren't you glad it's not the Democratic Party? And aren't you glad it's not the Republican Party? See, my savior stretched out his arms and died on an old rugged cross because it was the only solution to the problem of sin. And because of that, he's the only solution to the problems of our nation." [47:20] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. Righteousness exalts a nation. Not a leader, but the righteousness, the desire of the people who desire the righteousness of God. That's what exalts a nation. But sin is a reproach to any people. What it means is that the fate of a nation is on its citizens as much as it is on their leaders. It means God has called us to be salt and light. Salt to preserve the decay that's going on in our nation. And light to shine truth where there's darkness." [49:26] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "Policy is more important than personality. Why? Number one, because the personality is going to be gone in four to eight years. But their policies will not be. Their policies are going to go on. We still have the policies of FDR called Social Security. We have the policy of Obama of the Affordable Care Act. We have all kinds of policies. I could sit here and lay them out from one president after another president after another president because their policies last far longer. Than the person. And so it's important that we educate ourselves. That we know why each candidate, why each party values and believes what they believe. We need to understand their policies. And then we need to compare their policies to scripture." [53:11] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "And so what my encouragement to you to do is to get out your Bible, to pray, and then look at these policies, compare them to what the scripture says, become biblically informed so that when you are done, you can say, this is the best, this is the best decision I can make that would honor God. That's my encouragement." [01:01:10] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7) "And if we're gonna love our families, if we're gonna love our neighbors, if we're gonna love our nation and the nations of the world, then every Christian should and must vote. Every Christian, it matters. So how do we vote? Some of you say, do I vote my conscience? Well, that depends on your conscience. Do I vote my morals and my values? Well, that depends on your morals and your values. What I would suggest is that as a follower of Jesus, you vote as closely as possible on the basis of scripture and on the basis of a biblical worldview that you believe would honor Jesus. That's what I think we do." [01:01:48] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

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