Grace Baptist Church Decatur, IL

 

 

 

 

 

Revelation PowerPoint Sermons Series               Gospel of Matthew PowerPoint Sermons Series

Acts PowerPoint Sermons Series

Angels

Holiday Sermons

 

Topical Sermons - free PowerPoint

Topical Series

 

Bible Study Lessons

Bible Study Series

 


 

Sales & Instant Downloads

 


Top Sermons


 

 

 

2007 PowerPoint Sermons 

 

 

 

 

 


Audio / Video     PowerPoint     Text     Recommend     Subscribe     Help


 

Streaming Audio:

Use the controls, below, just like you would a VCR.  Double-click the "Play" arrow to begin.  This page must remain open to continue listening. To browse the internet while you listen, open a new browser window by clicking on "File", then "New", then "Window".

 
PowerPoint Presentation:
Click here after starting sermon audio to bring up slides and visual aides which go along with the sermon. [May take 1-3 minutes to open.]  Once the first slide appears you can follow along with the message and use the arrow keys to advance the slides. How to edit and use

 

powerpoint_icon.gif PowerPoint Viewer can be used to view our pps slideshow files if you do not have PowerPoint

 


 

Please help keep this ministry free by honoring our system...

 

Please Choose:

  • Recommend this sermon to others.  [A new window will open.  Rate this sermon from 1 to 5 'stars' with just a click, then close.]
  • Post a brief testimony about Grace Notes at SermonCentral

  • Tell a Friend to Visit
    Once 3 other sermon seekers subscribe, mentioning your name, you get a free sermon series download!

  • Or, do nothing, it's still free!  But many thanks go to those who take a second to advance the gospel message for God's glory!
Help spread the Word by using the recommendation links, above...it's a proven system that keeps this ministry free!

 

Grace Notes Sermon Ministry:

Subscribe for free     Learn More

 

NOTICE!  Our sermons are free to download, copy and paste, edit and use as you see fit...but only our free subscribers get the newest messages, featured sermons, and some gifts we shower on them from time to time!

 


How to Vote

Proverbs 29:2

   

[Helpful links at bottom...]

 

It’s hard to imagine voting for someone who doesn’t believe and practice what their church teaches.  But it’s become a common theme these days, and some churches are having to disown the politicians who are claiming them!  We’ll come back to this in a moment.


Story—In 1938 the name Boston Curtis appeared on the ballot for Republican Committeeman from Wilton, Washington. The town’s mayor sponsored him to demonstrate that people know very little about the candidates...and this is his picture. [slide of mule] He proved his point. The mule won!  Looks more like a democrat!
It’s sad but true--Americans know very little about their government...

 

Let me remind you:  We live in a Republic...we are governed by the consent of the people. -We are a Democracy...we have a voice & a vote to choose!
-We don’t live under Monarchy! Our leaders aren’t royalty and shouldn’t be worshipped!

-We are not an Anarchy!

-We aren’t Communists or Socialists!
When it comes to our country...our government...& the elections... What we are...I’m afraid...is Apathist...Many just don’t care! -Many are Indifferent & Passive! They don’t want to get involved. -Many are ignorant!  They don’t know & don’t care to know the issues.
 

Quote: “The penalty that good men pay for not being interested in politics is to be governed by men worse than themselves.” ~Plato

 

I want to give you some things to consider as you get informed & involved in politics & the election that is not far away!

1.     You have the Right to vote

Psalm 33:12

    Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord: and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

Romans 13:1

    Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

 

Again, this is a democracy! You have a voice...You have a vote!  Use It!

Ill.—Last night marked 88 years of the women’s right to vote.

-You’re an American! -Born in the land of the free & home of the brave! -Thousands before us have bled & died for the rights & freedoms we enjoy! -As I speak, young men & women are in harms way in Iraq & Afghanistan, and around the globe!

My friend, you are blessed by God to live in this nation...

You’re not: -Struggling in Iraq or Afghanistan due to war & civil unrest!

Nor... -Starving in Sudan for lack of food!

Nor... -Searching for hope & meaning in some remote quadrant, or afraid to board a bus in the west bank or Gaza Strip in Israel.

You live in the land of ...baseball...hotdogs...apple pies & Chevrolet!

You have the right to vote...take it & make it count for good!
Quote: “When it comes to a showdown, Washington must never forget who rules…the people.” ~Will Rogers


You have the opportunity to be heard through your vote.

You have the right…

 

2.     You have the Responsibility to vote

James 4:17

    Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.


The Year is:
1800  1 vote gives Thomas Jefferson the presidency over Aaron Burr
1839  1 vote wins the Massachusetts governorship for Marcus Morton

[these are not urban legends that circulate emails…]
In 1868, one vote saved President Andrew Johnson from impeachment.
In 1876, one vote gave Rutherford B. Hayes the Presidency of U.S.
In 1960, one vote change in each precinct in Illinois would have denied John F. Kennedy the Presidency…[debated!]

1993  1 vote by Al Gore approves the largest tax increase in history
2000  NM, where I grew up, chose President of US by 306 votes, out of 5 million!

2000  Much larger state of Florida decided Presidential Race by 537 votes…less than 1% of Christians who registered to vote but didn’t vote!

2008  1 vote, your vote, can make the difference.


As a citizen of this great nation...&...as a child of God you have the responsibility and mandate to get involved!
There’re plenty of examples in scripture where God’s people got involved in politics!
For example:
-Genesis 41:39-41 Pharaoh gave Joseph political control of all Egypt.
-Exodus 5:2-4 Moses went before Pharaoh as God’s ambassador asking for the freedom of God’s people.
-Samuel 3 Samuel the prophet & judge choose Saul as Israel’s king.
-Esther 1 Esther the queen saved the whole Jewish nation from execution.
-Daniel 1 Daniel served in the king’s court, while obeying God.
-And of course there was Jesus who was one for the most divisive figure in history religiously....socially...& politically!

As Americans & as Christians we have a responsibility to vote!

We also have the responsibility to pray & support our leaders.
Jeremiah 29:7

    …seek the peace of the city…and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.

We have the right, responsibility…

 
3.     You have a Reason to vote

Proverbs 29:2

We are Christians first...Americans second!

Christians live under a Theocracy ~ in other words we are subject to divine authority!  *We answer to God first & foremost!  It’s about His agenda!  And instead of fearing losing our tax exempt status, ‘we ought to obey God rather than men’.

 Therefore, we should seek to elect those whose beliefs...morals...& values best line up w/ the word of God!

-It’s not about party...personality...or promises! -It’s about character ... integrity...truthfulness & uprightness!

The reason we vote is to bring about an atmosphere & environment in this nation that honors God & draws us closer to Him!
However, the mindset seems to be...I’ll vote for the one who honors me & draws me closer to the things I want in life!

 

Timing:    There’s never been a more urgent voting year come around…several supreme court justices on way out likely in next 4 years, in war on terror, marriage amendment, cloning, stem cells, energy crisis, etc.

We have the right, responsibility, and reason to vote!

 

Let me tell you who not to vote for:  [can you believe I’m saying that?]

Don’t vote for the Republicans.

Don’t vote for the Democrats.

 

Rather, vote for “principles.”  I don’t mean the head of your school [principal].  Joke—kid said, “I don’t mind being sent to the office, it’s the ‘principal’ of the thing!”

 

So what principles should we vote for?  Several actually, but as much as possible, look for these top 2 qualities in a person:

I won’t tell you who to vote for, but I will tell you How to vote…

 

·       Vote Righteously
 Proverbs 14:34 says “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people”.
*Righteous= “what is right
        Do they follow the 10 Commandments?
Exodus 20:13 “Thou shalt not kill.”
        40 million babies have been killed.
                That is more than all the wars of human history.
The Bible says that abortion is murder!
Any candidate who promises to continue the slaughter ought to be rejected.

 

*Allow God to lead you in your voting selection.
Psalm 23:3

    …he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

 

·       Vote Morally
 Abortion / Stem Cells / Cloning / Federal Marriage Amendment…

Hebrews 13:4

    Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

 

Also:  Pornography / Gambling…


Homosexuality is a moral issue.  …anyone running for a political office who says they disagree w/ God and feel homosexuals were born that way, and anyone who supports giving homosexuals equal rights and says that it is ok and should be accepted should not be voted for by Christians.

 

·       Vote Family [see voter guides!]
Don’t vote for anything that undermines the family.
The family is the building block of society.

 

·       Vote Principally

Vote on principle…

Here’s six directives for letting principles guide your vote:

- Vote for principle over party.
Some of you here are probably straight-ticket Republicans, and would die at the thought of voting for a Democrat, even if the Republican was a sleaze-bag.

But let me tell you, I would vote for a moral Democrat over an immoral Republican any day of the week, and vice versa.  And the same goes for those who would vote for the devil if only he was a  Democrat!

Folks, if you are a slave to your party affiliation, you are setting aside Biblical principles for political expediency and let me be so bold to say that that is a sin.

 - Vote for principle over pocketbook.
President John F. Kennedy, in his inaugural address, spoke those famous words, “Ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.”

But we seem to forget those words when it comes to election time.  Don’t ask primarily, what will this person do for me, or my job, or Decatur, or that highway project, nearly as much as what is this person’s principles.  You will be held accountable for using your voting power to advance Biblical principles, even if your candidate doesn’t win, God sees!

 

Is it wrong to want to be prosperous, and to strive to expand and upgrade business?  No, but the Scriptures are very clear that it is God who brings the increase, not politicians.

- Vote for principle over popularity.
(of the candidate, or of yourself among your peers, the crowd isn’t right!)
Galatians 1:10

    For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.


- Vote for principle over political speech.
What I mean by this is to see if their personal life and voting record match their talk.
For instance, if by some chance you ever hear of a candidate that says they are personally against abortion, yet consistently vote for it, they cannot be trusted, and therefore have no right to serve in a position of trust.

If they constantly try to bring their faith into the picture, quoting scripture, even speaking in churches, yet support ungodly and immoral legislation, then they cannot be trusted, and therefore have no right to serve in a position of trust.
If they claim to support the family, yet do not stand up for legislation to protect it, then they cannot be trusted.

Who should we vote for?

Exodus 18:21

    Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them…

 

Conclusion:
Vote righteously. Vote morally. Vote family. Vote principally…for what you know is scripturally correct. Pray! Pray! Pray!

 

 

Helpful Links:

 

Saddleback forum – Candidates with Pastor Rick Warren:

http://www.foxnews.com/video/index.html?playerId=videolandingpage&streamingFormat=FLASH&referralObject=3035002&referralPlaylistId=a73f99c49226cad17893b626010d8c8c5ce49cf9

 

Barna report on morality among liberals/conservatives:

http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdateNarrowPreview&BarnaUpdateID=315

 

Faith info. on John McCain:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-john-mccain-religion,0,1583353.story

 

Presidential Voter Guide:

http://afanet.www3.capwiz.com/election/home/

 

Register to Vote:

http://afanet.www.capwiz.com/afanet/election/register_vote/

 

You decide!

 


Grace Notes Sermon Ministry:

Subscribe for free     Learn More

 

NOTICE!  Our sermons are free to download, copy and paste, edit and use as you see fit...but only our free subscribers get the newest messages, featured sermons, and some free gifts we shower on them from time to time!

 

Help keep this service free by recommending it

using the links above the sermon

   

All Sermons and PowerPoint Slideshow Presentations ©Copyright Jerry Shirley and Grace Notes Ministries® unless otherwise credited.  These resources are yours to use freely, but only in public worship services or private study groups and devotions.  They may not be sold, republished or retransmitted in any form without written permission.