Faith, Politics, and Divine Sovereignty: A Call to Action

Summary

### Summary

Today's sermon focused on the intersection of faith, politics, and the power of divine intervention. We began by discussing the miraculous survival of Donald Trump after an assassination attempt, emphasizing that God's protection is evident in his life. However, it's crucial to remember that divine protection does not necessarily equate to political endorsement. We must evaluate leaders based on their policies and actions rather than miraculous events alone.

We also touched on the importance of integrity and consistency in our Christian walk. The sermon highlighted the hypocrisy of some pastors who criticize political figures for not being "tough enough" on issues like abortion while they themselves closed their churches during minor pressures. This inconsistency undermines their credibility and the message of freedom they claim to uphold.

Furthermore, we explored the concept of divine timing and God's sovereignty in the political landscape. The recent political shifts and the potential stepping down of President Joe Biden were discussed as signs that elections are not entirely rigged, as some might believe. This should encourage us to participate actively in the democratic process, trusting that God is ultimately in control.

The sermon also delved into the cultural and societal impacts of diversity and the challenges it brings. We discussed recent events in the UK where diversity led to unrest, questioning the narrative that it is always a strength. This serves as a reminder to critically evaluate societal changes through a biblical lens.

Finally, we concluded with a call to action for Christians to stand firm in their faith, be consistent in their actions, and trust in God's ultimate plan. We prayed for those who have not yet accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior, inviting them to join the family of God.

### Key Takeaways

1. Divine Protection and Political Leadership: While God's protection over individuals like Donald Trump is evident, it is essential to evaluate leaders based on their policies and actions rather than miraculous events alone. Divine intervention does not equate to political endorsement. [10:01]

2. Integrity and Consistency in Faith: Criticizing political figures for not being "tough enough" on issues while failing to uphold the same standards in our own lives undermines our credibility. Consistency in our actions and words is crucial for maintaining integrity in our Christian walk. [34:52]

3. Divine Timing and Sovereignty: The potential stepping down of President Joe Biden and other political shifts remind us that God is ultimately in control. This should encourage us to participate actively in the democratic process, trusting in God's sovereignty over the political landscape. [15:44]

4. Evaluating Societal Changes: Recent events in the UK highlight the challenges that come with diversity. It is essential to critically evaluate societal changes through a biblical lens, understanding that not all changes are inherently positive or aligned with God's will. [19:58]

5. Call to Action for Christians: Christians are called to stand firm in their faith, be consistent in their actions, and trust in God's ultimate plan. This includes being active participants in society and politics, while always aligning our actions with biblical principles. [01:17:19]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[10:01] - Divine Protection and Political Leadership
[15:44] - Divine Timing and Sovereignty
[19:58] - Evaluating Societal Changes
[34:52] - Integrity and Consistency in Faith
[01:17:19] - Call to Action for Christians
[01:20:51] - Closing Remarks and Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 91:11-12 (NIV): "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone."
2. Proverbs 11:3 (NIV): "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity."
3. Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV): "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Psalm 91:11-12 say about God's protection over His people?
2. How does Proverbs 11:3 describe the role of integrity in guiding a person's actions?
3. According to Ecclesiastes 3:1, what is the significance of divine timing in our lives?
4. In the sermon, what example was given to illustrate God's protection over Donald Trump? ([10:01])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How should Christians interpret miraculous events like the survival of Donald Trump in light of Psalm 91:11-12? Does this mean God endorses all of his actions? ([10:01])
2. What does Proverbs 11:3 suggest about the importance of consistency and integrity in our Christian walk, especially when evaluating leaders? ([34:52])
3. How can Ecclesiastes 3:1 help us understand the recent political shifts and the concept of divine timing mentioned in the sermon? ([15:44])
4. The sermon mentioned the unrest in the UK as a result of diversity. How can we critically evaluate societal changes through a biblical lens? ([19:58])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on Psalm 91:11-12, how can you trust in God's protection in your own life without assuming it means His endorsement of all your actions?
2. Proverbs 11:3 emphasizes integrity. Can you identify an area in your life where you need to be more consistent in your actions and words? How can you work on this?
3. Considering Ecclesiastes 3:1, how can you better align your actions with God's timing and sovereignty, especially in the context of political participation? ([15:44])
4. The sermon highlighted the hypocrisy of some pastors who criticize political figures while failing to uphold the same standards. How can you ensure that your actions and criticisms are consistent with your faith? ([34:52])
5. How can you actively participate in the democratic process while trusting in God's ultimate control over the political landscape? ([15:44])
6. The sermon discussed the challenges of diversity. How can you approach societal changes with a critical yet loving perspective that aligns with biblical principles? ([19:58])
7. The call to action for Christians was to stand firm in faith and be consistent in actions. What specific steps can you take this week to stand firm in your faith and demonstrate consistency in your actions? ([01:17:19])

Devotional

Day 1: Divine Protection and Political Leadership
Description: God's protection over individuals, such as the miraculous survival of Donald Trump after an assassination attempt, is a testament to His power and care. However, it is crucial to remember that divine protection does not necessarily equate to political endorsement. As Christians, we must evaluate our leaders based on their policies and actions rather than miraculous events alone. This discernment helps us align our political choices with our faith and values, ensuring that we support leaders who uphold justice, mercy, and humility. [10:01]

Psalm 75:6-7 (ESV): "For not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up, but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another."

Reflection: Think about a political leader you admire. Are your reasons for admiring them based on their actions and policies, or are they influenced by extraordinary events? How can you ensure your support aligns with your faith and values?

Day 2: Integrity and Consistency in Faith
Description: Integrity and consistency are vital in our Christian walk. Criticizing political figures for not being "tough enough" on issues like abortion while failing to uphold the same standards in our own lives undermines our credibility. This inconsistency can damage our witness and the message of freedom we claim to uphold. As Christians, we must strive to be consistent in our actions and words, ensuring that our lives reflect the values we profess. This integrity strengthens our witness and builds trust within our communities. [34:52]

James 1:22-24 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like."

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where your actions do not align with your professed beliefs. What steps can you take today to bring your actions in line with your faith?

Day 3: Divine Timing and Sovereignty
Description: The potential stepping down of President Joe Biden and other political shifts remind us that God is ultimately in control. These events should encourage us to participate actively in the democratic process, trusting in God's sovereignty over the political landscape. While it may seem that elections and political outcomes are beyond our influence, we must remember that God works through these processes to accomplish His purposes. Our role is to engage faithfully, trusting that God is guiding the course of history according to His divine plan. [15:44]

Daniel 2:21 (ESV): "He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding."

Reflection: How can you actively participate in the democratic process while trusting in God's sovereignty? What specific actions can you take to engage faithfully in the political landscape?

Day 4: Evaluating Societal Changes
Description: Recent events in the UK highlight the challenges that come with diversity. While diversity can bring strength, it is essential to critically evaluate societal changes through a biblical lens. Not all changes are inherently positive or aligned with God's will. As Christians, we must discern the impacts of societal shifts, ensuring that our responses are rooted in biblical principles. This discernment helps us navigate complex cultural landscapes, promoting justice, peace, and unity in ways that honor God. [19:58]

1 John 4:1 (ESV): "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world."

Reflection: Think about a recent societal change or event. How can you evaluate its impact through a biblical lens? What steps can you take to ensure your response aligns with God's will?

Day 5: Call to Action for Christians
Description: Christians are called to stand firm in their faith, be consistent in their actions, and trust in God's ultimate plan. This includes being active participants in society and politics, while always aligning our actions with biblical principles. By standing firm and being consistent, we can be a light in a world that often lacks direction and hope. Our faithfulness in small and large matters alike demonstrates our trust in God's sovereignty and His plan for our lives and communities. [01:17:19]

1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV): "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to stand firm in your faith? How can you actively align your actions with biblical principles today?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Every single moment is a gift from God. Watch. Roll it. What's with the size of the bandage, huh? You get shot with a .50 caliber? Is it an AR-15 or a belt-fed machine gun? Continue. Pause. I love... That last part. If you can back it up ten seconds. That last voice inflection that he did, sounds like Trump doing an impression of someone doing an impression of Donald Trump." [10:40] (64 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Trump just sent a message to the deep state. This is interesting to me. I don't know. I haven't had time to. The research, whether it's true or not, but Trump just sent a message to the deep state just after Trump's speech. Opera singer sings the soon Dorma, the soon Dorma is played at the end of the film. The sum of all fears in which all the traders and deep state actors were executed. The sum of all fears is mentioned several times in the Q drops. Trump is very specific about his songs. He played this for a reason." [34:10] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Scott Adams, Trump has elevated from ex-president to legend, probably with the help of divine intervention. This is from a guy who doesn't believe in God. Meanwhile, seriously, meanwhile, dementia riddled Biden is being attacked by two thirds of his own supporters who are begging him to leave the race so they can replace him with a drunken cackler who is widely considered one of the worst politicians in history. Well summed up by Scott Adams." [01:16:35] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "When you're running for president, you have to govern the whole country. You can't start coming out before the election. You know. I mean, even this may turn people off, but like you have gay couples who have children they've adopted. So if you start saying stuff that you're going to start ripping people out of their homes, they're in and stuff as president, United States, then you you play into the Democrats hands that you're going to ruin people's lives that didn't vote for you." [33:12] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "All the pastors that complain about Trump not being tough enough. Close their churches. That would be what I would say to those guys. Did you keep your church open for Easter or was it closed? Because if it is, then shut up about freedom and talking tough. You cave, you don't talk about us. Somebody should stand up when you had a little like 0.1% of the pressure Trump faces every day. And you caved." [34:52] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "You know, God bless America, Ray Charles, America, the beautiful. Or Lee, Lee, uh, what's his name? I kind of believe that this is a message. He's going to take them out. And you know, that's what he said he was going to do in the beginning and didn't do on the first term. And I think, I think the deep state's in trouble this time. Cause you missed. You can't keep shooting. You had one shot and missed. And boy, did you pick a great person to take the shot." [36:46] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "If you never received Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior, please do that with me right now. Say this out loud. Heavenly Father. I admit that I've sinned. I repent. I believe in my heart. You raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth. Jesus is Lord and my savior. Right now, I receive forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved in Jesus name. Amen." [01:19:31] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "If you're 55. Or older and you want to join me for brunch Saturday morning at Revival Today Church in Pittsburgh, I will be there tomorrow morning somehow magically. And that's a great time. And we have a great breakfast. It's free to attend. You can bring your friends. So if you're in the Pittsburgh area, take a trip over. You'll meet people just like you that are probably on a government watch list, make some new friends." [01:20:13] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?