2020-10-27 – A Service of Prayer for the Elections and our Nation
The Rev. Christopher M. Klukas
Colossians 3:1-17; Psalms 33 & 133; Matthew 5:43-48
- Why should we, as Christians, be involved in worldly politics?
- Trevon Wax, Sr. VP of Theology and Communications at Lifeway – “Our involvement in the political process is a way that we love our neighbors. It’s a way that we care for the world that God has entrusted to us, for the culture and the society that’s around us. ”
- Jeremiah 29:7 “Seek the welfare of the city…”
- I am titling this sermon “How to Vote as a Christian” but I am not going to tell you WHO you should vote for.
A Process of Discernment
- Begin with prayer, asking the Lord to grant you wisdom and discernment.
- Consider the issues of the day. What issues are important to you? What issues are important to God? Imigration, creation care, healthcare, abortion, marriage, etc.
- Evaluate the issues with the Bible, not with your emotions or your anger, and be discerning about who you allow to influence you.
- Colossians 3:16 – “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…”
- The importance of a Christian worldview.
- Ephesians 4:11-14
- My job is to help you reach Christian maturity, with a Christian worldview, so that you are not fooled into popular contemporary ideologies.
- Political polarity – “…progressive activists and devoted conservatives, 8% and 6% of Americans respectively, have the loudest voices in American socio-political discourse because of their high levels of engagement and large amounts of money. They often frame the issues for the majority of us…this has resulted in high levels of polarization.”
- Neither of Republican party nor the Democratic party have a platform that is perfectly aligned with the Bible.
- Conservative and liberal have become unhelpful terms.
- “We have allowed our political affiliations to become religious in nature and have followed others into frameworks and actions that run counter to biblical teachings…We must enter politics with a healthy skepticism, always questioning assumptions and evaluating the methods and outcomes of those around us.”
- Consider the character of the candidates.
- Fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23
- Colossians 3:12-14 – “Above all these put on Love.”
- Pray before you decide who to vote for. Ask the Lord to give you wisdom and discernment.
Don’t let your politics destroy your Christian witness or your Christian Relationships
- There are probably people in this church who disagree with your political positions, but if they feel like they are in the minority, the may not share their views.
- I want our church to be a place where everyone feels welcome, regardless of who they choose to vote for.
- Colossians 3:11 – “Here there is not Greek and Jew…”
- Here there is not Democrat and Republican.
- As the body of Christ, we are to be united in the Gospel and in Christ himself, all other ideologies must take a back seat to this primary unity.
- Where we disagree with one another on matters that are not core Christian doctrine, remember Paul’s admonition to “bear with one another.” (Col. 3:13).
- Furthermore, I don’t want your Christian witness to be damaged by the way you communicate your politics.
- I’m not trying to censor you, but I am asking you to listen to the voices of those who disagree with you and carefully consider what they have to say before you speak.
- Seek to understand people who are opposed to you, especially if you would like to influence their thinking.
- Ephesians 4:15 – Speak the truth in LOVE
- Be careful in how you speak.
- Be careful in what you post.
- Be careful what stickers adorn the bumper of your car.
Pray for and respect your leaders regardless of who is elected
- Your preferred candidates may not win. Prepare yourself for that even now.
- In our family, we call this “accepting a “no” answer”. It is an important life skill.
- Remember that whatever happens, it is all in God’s hands. He is still in control.
- Romans 13:1-2, 7 – Submission to and respect for authorities
- Trevon Wax – “And so I just would encourage people: do your duty. Vote. Follow the issues. Look at the party platforms. Consider the issues at stake. At the same time, step back and remember that God is sovereign. Jesus Christ is still king and there’s a whole world out there with a kingdom that’s growing because of what happened on Easter morning, not on election day.”
- Colossians 3:1-2 – “Set your mind on things that are above…”
