Faithful Voting: Aligning Politics with Biblical Values

Devotional

Day 1: Reclaiming Our Voice in Politics

The phrase "separation of church and state" has often been misunderstood and misused to silence the church's voice in political matters. Originally, it was intended to protect religious freedoms from government intrusion, ensuring that the state could not interfere with the church's mission and message. Over time, this misinterpretation has led to the removal of God from the public square and has intimidated pastors and church leaders from addressing political issues. It is crucial for Christians to reclaim their voice and speak out on matters of faith and politics, as these issues often intersect and impact our daily lives. By understanding the true intent behind this phrase, we can confidently engage in political discourse and advocate for policies that align with our biblical values. [03:25]

Jeremiah 29:7 (ESV): "But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare."

Reflection: How can you actively seek the welfare of your community by engaging in political discussions and advocating for policies that align with your faith?

Day 2: God Uses Imperfect People

Throughout the Bible, God has used both righteous and unrighteous leaders to accomplish His purposes. This teaches us that we should not look for perfect candidates but rather focus on their policies and how they align with biblical values. It is important to remember that God can use flawed, sinful people to bring about His will. By evaluating candidates based on their policies rather than their personalities, we can make informed decisions that promote righteousness and justice. This perspective helps us to prioritize the impact of policies over the personal righteousness of the candidates themselves. [21:06]

1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV): "But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'"

Reflection: Think of a current political leader who may have personal flaws but whose policies align with biblical values. How can you support their policies while praying for their personal growth and integrity?

Day 3: Policies Over Personalities

When evaluating political candidates, it is essential to focus on their policies rather than their personalities. Key issues to consider include the appointment of judges, border security, support for Israel, religious liberty, biological sex, parental rights, and the protection of life. Policies have a lasting impact on society, while personalities come and go. By prioritizing policies that align with biblical values, we can influence public policy in a way that promotes righteousness and justice. This approach helps us to make decisions that have a long-term positive impact on our communities and nation. [28:30]

Proverbs 29:2 (ESV): "When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan."

Reflection: Identify one policy issue that is important to you and aligns with biblical values. How can you advocate for this issue in your community or through your vote?

Day 4: Being Salt and Light Through Political Engagement

As Christians, we are called to be salt and light in the world, influencing society for the better. Political engagement is one way to fulfill this calling. By voting for candidates who promote biblical values, we can influence public policy and advance the kingdom of God. Our involvement in politics is not just about supporting a particular party or candidate but about promoting righteousness and justice in our society. By being actively engaged, we can reflect Christ's love and truth in the public square and make a positive impact on our communities. [18:38]

Matthew 5:13-14 (ESV): "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden."

Reflection: In what ways can you be salt and light in your community through political engagement? How can you ensure that your involvement reflects Christ's love and truth?

Day 5: Voting as a Duty

Voting is not just a right but a duty for Christians. By remaining silent or disengaged, we allow evil to fill the vacuum. With 90 million self-identified evangelicals in America, our collective voice can make a significant impact. We must vote to stem the tide of evil in our land until Jesus comes. Our political engagement is a way to advance the kingdom of God and promote righteousness in our society. By fulfilling our duty to vote, we can help shape a society that reflects biblical values and honors God. [45:07]

James 4:17 (ESV): "So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin."

Reflection: Reflect on the importance of voting as a Christian duty. How can you encourage others in your community to take their responsibility to vote seriously and make informed decisions based on biblical values?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Welcome to Cornerstone Chapel and our Election Sermon 2024. Today, we delve into the intersection of faith and politics, a topic often avoided in polite conversation but crucial for our times. Historically, pastors have used the pulpit to address political issues through the lens of God's Word, and today, we continue that tradition. The phrase "separation of church and state" has been misinterpreted to silence the church's voice in politics, but it was originally intended to protect religious freedoms from government intrusion.

The Johnson Amendment of 1954 further intimidated pastors from speaking on political matters under the threat of losing tax-exempt status. However, our allegiance must be to God, not government benefits. Our church is currently involved in challenging this amendment in court to protect free speech.

As Christians, we must vote according to our biblical values and personal consciences. The culture has distorted moral and social issues into political ones, but God has already spoken on these matters. We must evaluate candidates based on their policies, not personalities, and vote for those whose policies align more closely with biblical values.

God uses flawed, sinful people to accomplish His purposes. No candidate is perfect, but we must choose the better option based on their policies. Key issues to consider include the appointment of judges, border security, support for Israel, religious liberty, biological sex, parental rights, and the protection of life. While neither candidate may fully align with pro-life values, we must still engage and vote to stem the tide of evil in our land.

Our political engagement is a way to be salt and light in the world, reflecting Christ and promoting righteousness. We must not remain silent or disengaged, as this allows evil to fill the vacuum. Voting is not just a right but a duty to advance the kingdom of God for His glory.

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Key Takeaways

1. identified evangelicals in America, our collective voice can make a significant impact. We must vote to stem the tide of evil in our land until Jesus comes. [45:07]
### [45:07]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:48] - Introduction to Election Sermon 2024
[01:32] - Historical Context of Election Sermons
[03:25] - Misinterpretation of Separation of Church and State
[05:09] - The Johnson Amendment and Its Impact
[07:52] - Encouragement to Vote According to Biblical Values
[09:14] - Addressing Accusations of Being Political
[10:25] - Biblical Issues and Cultural Distortion
[12:08] - Invitation to Stay or Leave
[13:49] - Opening Prayer
[14:55] - Reading from Ezekiel 33
[17:04] - The Role of a Watchman
[18:38] - Political Engagement as Salt and Light
[21:06] - God Uses Flawed People
[28:30] - Vote Policies Over Personalities
[45:07] - Voting is a Duty
[49:55] - Conclusion and Call to Action

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Ezekiel 33:1-5, what is the role of the watchman, and what are the consequences of ignoring his warning?
How does Proverbs 14:34 describe the impact of righteousness and sin on a nation?
What does Psalm 33:12 say about the nation whose God is the Lord?
In the sermon, what historical context was given for the tradition of election sermons in America? ([01:32])

Interpretation Questions

How can the role of the watchman in Ezekiel 33:1-5 be applied to Christians' responsibility in political engagement today? ([17:04])
What does it mean for a nation to be exalted by righteousness according to Proverbs 14:34, and how can this be reflected in our voting choices? ([24:24])
How does the concept of "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord" from Psalm 33:12 influence the way Christians should view their political responsibilities? ([11:33])
The sermon mentions that God uses flawed people to accomplish His purposes. How does this understanding affect the way we evaluate political candidates? ([21:06])

Application Questions

Reflecting on Ezekiel 33:1-5, how can you act as a "watchman" in your community to warn others about moral and social issues? What specific steps can you take this week? ([17:04])
Considering Proverbs 14:34, what are some practical ways you can promote righteousness in your local community or nation? How can your vote contribute to this? ([24:24])
Psalm 33:12 speaks of a nation being blessed when God is its Lord. How can you personally contribute to making God the center of your community or nation? ([11:33])
The sermon emphasizes voting based on policies rather than personalities. How can you research and evaluate candidates' policies to ensure they align with biblical values? ([28:30])
The pastor mentioned the importance of political engagement as a way to be salt and light in the world. What are some specific actions you can take to be more politically engaged while reflecting Christ? ([18:38])
How can you encourage other Christians to vote and engage in political matters without causing division or conflict? ([45:07])
Reflect on the idea that voting is not just a right but a duty. How does this perspective change your approach to upcoming elections, and what commitments can you make to fulfill this duty? ([45:07])

Sermon Clips

1. "Friends, government is not the answer for the soul of a nation. Jesus is, and may God bring revival again to the United States of America. So until Jesus comes, until Jesus comes, get out there, vote, be his ambassadors, be salt and light in this world, and advance the kingdom of God for the glory of God to stem the tide of evil in our land. And until Jesus comes, let your voices be heard, let your votes be counted, and let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered. Amen and amen for the glory of God, for the glory of God." [00:00] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The First Amendment is given to us in part to keep the government out of the business of the church, not the church out of the business of government. But over the years, Jefferson's phrase, separation of church and state, in that personal letter, has been used to remove God from the public square. And to remove church from government influence. And it is also intimidated a lot of pastors from addressing things that are referred to as political in the pulpit." [04:30] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "If I, as a pastor, don't say to you what I'm confident God wants me to say for fear of losing our tax-exempt status, for fear of losing our tax-exemption, then I am bowing to government instead of God. And I can't do that. But let me hasten to also say that if your giving to the church is only to get a tax write-off instead of giving to the Lord, then your giving is bowing to government instead of God." [06:44] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Do not look to a person to save us. Do not look to a person to save us. Our faith is not in a political hero. Our faith is in the savior. His name is Jesus. He is our only hope for America. Jesus is our only hope for America. But until he comes again, he has charged us with being his ambassadors in this world. To represent him. And he's charged us to be like salt and light. Salt to be sprinkled upon a decaying culture as a preservative, as an antiseptic. And light to shine the truth into a dark world." [18:08] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We have a moral obligation to represent Christ as ambassadors and to be salt and light in this world, reflecting him well. And so political engagement is one way, one way, to be ambassadors and to be salt and light in the world. And by political engagement, we have policies that promote righteousness. Voting for candidates who most closely represent our biblical values. Praying for our elected leaders. And holding them accountable. And even running for elected office." [18:38] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "God uses flawed sinful people. One of my biggest concerns this election cycle is the Christian who wants to do the right thing but can't vote for a candidate who doesn't have the total package. And I hear Christians talk like this. I hear them say things like, I don't like a few things about this person's personality or a couple of their positions. But I can't vote for the other candidate because they're too far from my biblical values. And so I'll just sit it out. Or I'll vote for a write in. Which is a vote for nobody." [21:06] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Please stop looking at the person and look at their policies. Some of you say, well I can't vote for the orange man. The orange man is a bully. He sends out mean tweets. And I don't like the guy. Terrible personality. Or on the other hand, you're like I can't vote for her. She's a cackling hen. She always is cackling about stuff. She repeats the same dumb phrases. About unburdened by what has been. And people make it about the two of their personalities." [27:22] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Righteousness exalts a nation. But sin is a reproach to any people. Every candidate is a flawed sinful human being. Including Kamala Harris. Including Donald Trump. And I think personally that evangelicals have for too long looked for the candidate based on likability and how strong their faith was in Jesus. And if those things don't line up, then they're not good enough for me to vote for. Because I need to vote for a good person. Because good people promote good policies. Right? Not always. And policies are always more important than personalities." [24:24] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "We have to fight for our children. God has designed the family. And entrusted children to our care. They don't belong to the state. They belong to God. And God has entrusted them to us. So we better manage what he's entrusted well. And realize that if government tries to intrude in the family. It's a violation of what God's design is intended. Children are a heritage from the Lord. They are a fruit of the womb from him." [39:13] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Friends. Government is not the answer. For the soul of a nation. Jesus is. And may God bring revival again. To the United States of America. So until Jesus comes. Until Jesus comes. Get out there. Vote. Be his ambassadors. And advance the kingdom of God. For the glory of God. To stem the tide of evil in our land. Until Jesus comes. Let your voices be heard. Let your votes be counted. And let God arise. And let his enemies be scattered. Amen and amen." [49:55] (61 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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