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Should Christians be involved in Politics?. “Politics” in our studies does NOT mean:. Posturing for position and power Seeking favored positions Taking illegal contributions Bribing people Lying, Etc. Politics is:. Speaking out against Evil Making just laws Appointing impartial Judges
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“Politics” in our studies does NOT mean: • Posturing for position and power • Seeking favored positions • Taking illegal contributions • Bribing people • Lying, Etc.
Politics is: • Speaking out against Evil • Making just laws • Appointing impartial Judges • Ensuring that Justice is served • Making sure people are not oppressed • Ensuring equality in opportunity • Having Servant-Leaders not Leader-Kings
Governments • Where do governments come from? • Romans 13:1 NASB Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.
All Things by and for Him! • Colossians 1:16 NASB For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things have been created through Him and for Him.
God uses people • God rarely acts directly in human affairs • But when He does, we call this what? • Miracles! • Good News: In America, God gives us the power to choose our leaders for Him! • We should not wait on a miracle from God.
Christians shouldn’t be involved in Politics. Oh really? • So when Christians say we shouldn't be involved in Politics, what are they really saying? • The Bible says that God chooses the leaders and time after time in the Bible, God uses His people to bring about His plan. • And when His people fail to act, or act inappropriately, what happens?
Israel got what they deserved and we get what we deserve (ask for)! KINGS OF ISRAEL (930-722 B.C.) Jeroboam, Nadab, Baasha, Elah, Zimri, Tibni, Omri, Ahab, Ahaziah, Joram, Jehoahaz, Joash, Jeroboam II, Zechariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah, Pekah, Hoshea – All bad! Jehu – Better but still not good! KINGS OF JUDAH (933-586 B.C.) Jehoram, Ahaziah, Athaliah, Ahaz, Jehoahaz, Jehoiachin, Zedekiah, Rehoboam, Abijah, Manasseh, Amon, Jehoiakim – All bad! Asa, Jehoshaphat, Joash, Amaziah Uzziah, Jotham – All good! Hezekiah, Josiah – Very good!
So If Christians shouldn’t’ be involved in Politics, who should be? • Should we just give up and let the Atheists and Non-Believers choose our leaders?
Romans 13:3-6 NASB • For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.
We are to be Salt and Light Matthew 5:13-15 NASB • 13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. • 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
Some numbers • > 60 million Evangelical Christians of voting age • ~ 24 million are not even registered to vote • Of the 36 million who are registered to vote, not all do! • In 2004, 122 million people voted. George W. Bush won by barely 3 million votes! • In 2006, only 96 million people voted. Republicans lost the House by 3,000 votes.
So what? you say • In 2004, almost 28.9M Evangelicals voted and voted Biblical Values. The result, 78% of the new senators and 63% of the new representatives were Pro-Life! • But in 2006, only 20.5M Evangelicals voted and only 10% of the new senators and 31% of the new representatives were Pro-Life!
After these Elections, then what? • 2004 - 2006, most of the Pro-Family propositions passed in many of the states • After 2006, some of the worst Anti-Family and Anti-Biblical laws were passed by the Senate and House. • While 24 million Evangelical Christians sat on the sidelines, elections were lost by a few hundred thousand votes in various states
Your vote does count! • Remember, Bush won by 200 votes in Florida! • Bush was able to appoint Pro-Life Judges • Partial Birth Abortions were banned during Bush’s reign • Over 500 more state and federal laws against Abortion were also passed • Abortions are now not as common because of these laws
This Battle is only among Christians • There is no need to persuade a non-believer to vote our values • There is only the need to persuade like-minded Christians to vote Biblical values! • If enough of us could convince just 1 or 2 other Christians to become politically educated and to vote, we could improve our Country in one election cycle!
Conclusion • Consider fitting some of these concepts into a casual conversation with Christian friends, family and co-workers, especially those whom you know are not politically knowledgeable. • Next time the topic will be, “Jesus was involved in Politics”
