We’re going to take a short break from the Book of Revelation to catch our breath for a moment. However, we’re not going to relax too much because we’re starting a short series called “Difficult Topics for Our Day.”
We’re starting the series with a very light topic: “Politics.”
What could go wrong by talking about politics? There’s a reason I’m calling this series “Difficult Topics for Our Day.”
Let’s pray together before we go any further.
(prayer)
Usually, I preach through a book of the Bible verse by verse. Yet, sometimes I stop to address topics that I believe are helpful for us to discuss. This series is one of those times.
What I want to do today is draw our attention to four biblical truths which we must remember.
By the way, as your pastor, let me just state very clearly that these truths are straightforward in the Bible. They are not difficult to understand, but they may be difficult to accept. That’s why I’m calling them difficult topics.
So, let’s focus on these four truths.
First, . . .
I. We must remember to honor those in authority.
The Bible declares this truth very clearly.
Romans 13:1–2 says:
Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God. So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves.
1 Peter 2:13–14 says:
Submit to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the emperor as the supreme authority or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good.
Titus 3:1 says:
Remind them to submit to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work.
Jesus said in Matthew 22:21:
“Give, then, to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
Now, think back to those verses that I just read. Where does it say that we should only honor those in authority with whom we agree? It doesn’t say that, does it?
Think about where it says we should only honor Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, or Independents? It doesn’t say that, does it?
You see, the Bible leaves no room for us to insert the qualifier that we will only honor those with whom we agree.
In fact, those in authority during the days of Jesus, during the days of the apostles, and during the days of the early church were the Big Bad Romans.
The Romans were godless, evil, oppressive, idolaters. Yet, those followers of Jesus, and (through the power of the Holy Spirit) followers of Jesus today, are told to honor those in positions of authority.
Think about this also: It’s not hard to honor those with whom we agree, but we don’t agree with all of them, do we?
God commanded us over and over again to honor those in authority because He knew that we would be tempted not to do so.
You might say, “Well, Pastor Matt, you don’t know how bad some of these politicians are.”
Do you think they’re worse than the Roman emperor Nero, who used the burning bodies of Christians as lanterns at his dinner parties? Yet, the early church was instructed to honor him.
Also, do you think that I live under a rock? I know about how bad some politicians are.
I get angry at government leaders, not only because some are liars and corrupt, not only because some support unbiblical and ungodly policies, not only because some seem to be incompetent, but also because some have deceived my brothers and sisters in Christ into thinking that they (the politicians) are Christians, even though their lives and character do not back up their claims to be followers of Jesus.
I get angry; trust me.
However, my anger, disagreement, and sometimes disgust are not valid reasons to cease showing honor to those in positions of authority.
Friends, we are not called to show honor to those in authority based upon their charisma or character. Rather, we are called to honor them based on the command of God.
When you show honor to those in authority, you show honor to God. When you dishonor those in authority, you dishonor God.
I didn’t make up that rule; God did.
I told you it’s difficult, didn’t I?
Second, . . .
II. We must remember to advocate for truth, justice, and peace.
The Bible does not command Christians to be silent on political issues.
Christians ought to be on the front lines advocating for biblical issues. We must do so with biblical truth, godly justice, and Holy Spirit-filled peace.
We ought to stand against the evils of racism. We ought to fight for the protection of the innocent, the weak, the elderly, and the unborn. We ought to demand fair treatment of minorities, immigrants, and those who are vulnerable. We ought to stand against the evils of human trafficking and pornography. We ought to hold politicians accountable when they lie to us. We ought to advocate for a biblical view of marriage, the family, gender, and sexuality. We ought to demand that our leaders are good stewards of the resources entrusted to them.
Followers of Jesus should not be shaped by culture and politics; we ought to be those who shape culture and politics.
If America is such a Christian country, why do both major political parties still support abortion on some level? Why are both parties plagued by corruption and cover-up? Why are those whom we elect unable to get along and get anything substantial accomplished? Why do we continue to irresponsibly spend money creating debt for our children and grandchildren?
The reason is that for far too long, Christians are willing to be spoon-fed what the political players of our day want us to consume. We’re more concerned about beating the other side than we are about shaping our culture and country with the influence that we have.
Church, let us not be shaped, let us be the shapers.
Matthew 5:14 says:
“You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden.”
Romans 12:2 says:
Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
2 Corinthians 5:20 says:
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us . . .
We must also be careful not to contribute to the division that is part of our country. Do you know what a hurting country needs? It needs healing, not more hurt. You don’t clean up a mess by slinging more mud.
Brothers and sisters, may we be people who bring peace, clarity, love, forgiveness, and grace to a culture that doesn’t know its left from right and truth from deception.
Will you join me in doing better when it comes to showing anger and hate to those with whom we disagree?
Will you join me in advocating for truth and justice?
Will you join me in seeking to bring peace and healing to a divided and hurting country?
As we do, let us do so in a way that would make King Jesus proud.
Third, . . .
III. We must remember that God is in control.
The Bible teaches this truth over and over again.
Psalm 115:3 says:
Our God is in heaven and does whatever he pleases.
Colossians 1:16-17 says:
For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and by him all things hold together.
God says of Himself in Isaiah 46:9-10:
“ . . . for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and no one is like me. I declare the end from the beginning, and from long ago what is not yet done, saying: my plan will take place, and I will do all my will.”
Listen, brothers and sisters: Your safety, prosperity, and security are not based on who is in the White House or the halls of Congress.
If you are in Jesus, you are blessed and kept by the Lord God.
Our earthly leaders will let you down. Some of us know what it’s like to be let down, don’t we?
Leaders have made promises that they haven’t kept. We’ve been lied to. We’ve not been represented well.
If you don’t know what it’s like to be let down, just become a Florida Gators football fan. We’ve been let down.
Or, you could have been a Seminoles fan this week, or all last year, for that matter.
Or, you could have been a Miami Hurricanes fan for the last twenty years.
Listen, brothers and sisters, human institutions will let you down, but God will never fail you!
You don’t have to lose your hope and lose your joy based on politics. Politics matter, but they do not matter the most.
God is in control. He’s not caught off guard. He’s got this, Church.
Remember that God is in control.
Finally, . . .
IV. We must remember that the world is not our home.
Jesus said in John 14:1-3:
“Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also.”
Hebrews 13:14 says:
For we do not have an enduring city here; instead, we seek the one to come.
Philippians 3:20 says:
Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.
I just spent a few days in Franklin, Tennessee this week. I was at a small conference with Church Answers, trying to equip and encourage other church leaders. I stayed at the Hampton Inn in Franklin. It was pretty nice. I even ate some waffles at the free breakfast. Do you know how I would react now if someone destroyed that Hampton Inn? I wouldn’t care too much because that was just a temporary home for me. However, do you know how I would react if someone destroyed my actual home over on Georgia Street? I’d be devastated.
You see, sometimes we put our hope and happiness in the things of this world. However, this world is not our real home, is it? It’s a temporary home for us. It matters, but it is not of the utmost importance.
Politics matter, but they are not of the utmost importance.
Brothers and sisters, don’t waste your joy, anger, and sorrow on that which is temporary.
This world is not our home.
Let this bottom line summarize what we’re learning today:
Bottom Line: Christians ought to be engaged with but not consumed by politics.
We ought to have an influence. We ought to vote our convictions. We ought to advocate for godly principles. However, we ought not be consumed by politics.
Church, listen carefully: We should never ever allow politics to become what’s most important to us. We should never ever bow to the political idols of our day.
Let us be engaged. Let us be a force for good in the political world in which we live, but let us not be consumed.
Challenge yourself in this one way:
Weekly Challenge: Consider and pray.
Consider how politics influences you. Consider how you influence politics.
Consider what your social media posts say about what you value most.
Consider if people can tell that you love Jesus more than you love your political party.
Consider if you are engaged in politics in a way that reflects your biblical values.
Then, pray. Pray for our political leaders. Pray for your own heart to be devoted to Jesus and His ways first and foremost. Pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ. Pray for God to accomplish His plans on this earth.
Consider and pray.
(Gospel presentation)
(closing prayer)
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