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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:
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!
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