7/27/2014
The Christian Heritage of America Pt. 3
What Should We Do?
Those who are citizens of God’s kingdom are best equipped to be citizens of the kingdoms of men…St. Augustine
Proverbs 29:7…A good man knows the poor man’s rights, but the godless do not care.
In the first 88 years of the 20th Century, atheistic, secular, humanistic leaders gained control in Europe, Asia, & Africa, the result? …170 million men women and children have been shot, beaten tortured bombed burned starved frozen or worked to death… (because the governments were led by wicked leaders…) Historian R J Rummel Author of “Death By Government”
Only through a return to faith in God, as God revealed Himself to man in Jesus Christ, can modern man and his society find redemption from the tyranny of evil…Historian John Hallowell
1st Timothy 2:1-4 “…pray for our leaders so that we might live peaceable and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Savior who wants all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.“ God has given government the duty to dispense justice and the restrain evil (Romans 13:1-4). For God to demonstrate His justice in government, He uses godly men and women in government, to accomplish this. When Christians are NOT obedient to influence governmental policies then Non-Believers who do not care for God’s Ways Legislate against His people and His ways and we then CANNOT live quiet and peaceable lives so that all men may be saved!
The Gospel is Meant to Change the World
2nd Corinthians 10:3-5 …though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they (our weapons) have Divine Power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
The Gospel’s Commission is Meant to have Effect on the Political Systems of Mankind
Matthew 28:18-20 …Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
God Established America’s Form of Government
Romans 13:1-7 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established…. he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted…
Our Government IS OUR Government!
Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers and it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest of a Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers. John Jay First Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court
Those who are Mahometans, (Muslims) or any others who are not professors of the Christian religion, should never be elected to the office of President or other high office, (unless) the people of America lay aside the Christian religion altogether, (then) it may happen. Samuel Johnston—Member of the Continental Congress.
The Church has Government
Eph 4:11-13 — It was He Who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Heb 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.
Political Authority is Not Excused by God
Matt.28:18 “All authority is given unto Me in heaven and in earth…”
John 19:11 Jesus answered, “You would have no power over Me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” (implied…politicians will be accountable to God)
No one has any authority unless it’s allowed by God. All authority is delegated to mankind by the highest authority, God. All governmental rulers have their authority from God & are ultimately accountable to Him for it.
Early Christians Changed a Corrupt Roman Government
Roman governors appointed early church leaders to positions as judges because Roman Courts had become corrupt and the only way to correct this was to appoint godly men as administrators of Justice.
Proverbs 31:8-9 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Politicians Without the Holy Spirit Bring damnation to the People
John Adams Letter to Benjamin Rush …There can be no legitimate government but what is administered by the Holy Ghost. There can be no salvation without it. All (government) without it, (God’s Spirit) is rebellion and perdition, or in more orthodox words damnation.
Proverbs 29:2 When good men rule the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule they groan.
Proverbs 29:18 When there is ignorance of God, the people run wild, but it is a wonderful thing for a nation to know and keep His laws!
Believers Have been involved in Politics throughout the ages of Human History!
Christian involvement in government through the ages gave us hospitals, civil liberties, abolition of slavery, modern science, the elevation of women, regard for human life, great works of art and literature, a workable system of justice, education for common people, the free-enterprise system, and much, much more…When we see the good that results from applying God’s principles, and the horror that results from rejecting them, doesn’t it seem cruel and irresponsible to keep Jesus’ teachings about truth, love and compassion to ourselves? Dr Jeff Myers Distinguished Service Professor and Senior Fellow for Leadership Studies , President, Summit Ministries Founder at Bryan College
Christian Political Involvement Paves the Way for Future Blessings on Generations to Come!
In 1768 a Christian minister named John Witherspoon became president of the College of New Jersey, now Princeton. He taught Biblical principles of government to his students. Of the 478 young men who were graduated during his tenure, 114 became ministers; 13 were state governors; 3 were U. S. Supreme Court judges; 20 were U.S. Senators; 33 were U.S. Congressmen; Aaron Burr, Jr., became Vice-President; and James Madison became a U.S. President!
Christians should Vote (at least!)
A church thought it was against God’s will to vote. Concerned that a corrupt politician would win a local election, church members gathered for an all-night prayer vigil. In the morning, however, they refused to vote and the good candidate lost – by fewer than the number of votes represented by those at the prayer meeting!
Things We Should Do:
We must share the heritage we share!
We Must Be Involved in the Political Processes of our Country
We Must Support Christians Whenever and Whenever Possible
We Must Keep Our Politicians Accountable to God
We Must Consider Runs for Public Office Ourselves
You must accept Jesus Christ as Savior
In the “Gettysburg Address” Abraham Lincoln expressed hope that “government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” Hundreds of thousands have died to establish freedom and justice. Do not let their deaths be in vain!