The outline from Andrew Jackson’s article, “How to Engage in Politics Without Losing Your Soul,” printed in the Christian Research Journal has been adapted for this sermon.
DO SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
DON’T EQUATE THE BIBLICAL KINGDOM OF GOD WITH ANY A) HUMAN POLITICAL PARTY B) NATION.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (MATTHEW 6:33).
DO LOOK TO CHRIST ALONE AS SAVIOR
DON’T ELEVATE ANY POLITICIAN TO SAVIOR-LIKE STATUS.
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect (I PETER 3:15, CF. PSALM 146:3; JEREMIAH 17:5;ROMANS 14:9)
DO PRAY
DON’T PRAY SELECTIVELY
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness (I TIMOTHY 2:1-2).
DO STAY UNITED IN CHRIST
DON’T DIVIDE THE FAMILY OF GOD INTO POLITICAL TRIBES.
I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them (ROMANS 16:17; CF. COLOSSIANS 3:1-8).
DO LIVE A LIFESTYLE OF REPENTANCE, FORGIVENESS AND LOVE.
DON’T FORFEIT YOUR FAITH IN YOUR POLITICAL WALK AND TALK.
“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner’’’ (LUKE 18:10-13; CF. ROMANS 13:13-14).
5 comments:
Do seek first the kingdom of God
Don't ignore your stewardship of citizenship/Ceasar
Matt 22:21
Do look to Christ alone as Saviour
Don't neglect your God-delegated responsibility to promote righteousness and resist evil
Matt 6:33 / Eph 5:11-13
Do pray for all
Don't forget to pray especially for those who God has placed over us in order that we might lead peacable and quiet lives
1 Tim 2:1 & 2
Do maintain unity in Christ
Don't avoid issues of His righteousness even though they may clash with the culture and trends of our time
Matt 10:34-36
Do live a life-style of surrender to God, forgiveness and love
Don't sacrifice your permanent standing in the kingdom of God or the altar of the immediate need for peaceful co-existence
Rom 14:12
DAD
Are you listing these points in addition or in place of the others? Just curious...
Just a different point of view.
Dad
I like the day counters they are pretty cool!! Quick comment and/or question. I remember being told for a long time that we need to pray specifically. In my research I can never really find were the Bible says to do that, only examples, which i understand. In your outline is says not to pray selectively. Whats the difference? I am not going to pray that bad things happen to someone, but if I know his leadership will not bring "...peaceful and quiet lives..." then what context do I pray for him? Hope you can understand were I am coming from. Love ya'll
-Curtis
Curtis called me last night and we discussed together the meaning of praying selectively vs. praying specifically. There is VAST difference. One thing that we talked about is the interpretation of 1 Timothy 2:1-2. I offer this explanation from John Piper. (I don't think Piper is perfect, but I do think he is wise in his exposition of Scripture):
Pray with Thanksgiving for the Spread of the Gospel
"We can confirm that this is the way Paul is thinking when we take up our third and final major point, namely, the content of our prayers for kings and all in high positions. I'll only mention briefly that according to verse 1 our prayers must include thanksgivings. Even a bad king is better than anarchy. When Paul wrote this, he was probably under house arrest in Rome, awaiting trial before Nero who finally executed him. Therefore, Paul is not naïve when he says, "I urge that . . . thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all in high positions." He sees things in much larger perspective than merely in relation to his own life or even his own ministry. The same emperor who executes Paul maintains the peace in the provinces where the gospel is spreading like wildfire. So, our prayers for kings should be seasoned with thanks.
But the main thing Paul mentions as the content of our prayer for kings and those in high positions is "that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and respectfulness" (verse 2). Taken by itself, that request might seem to fly right in the face of everything we've said so far. Is it true in the last analysis that all we are really after in praying for our leaders is peace and tranquility? O, how many professing Christians there are who seem to think so!
But that would be a terrible misunderstanding of God's Word. Verses 3 and 4 sharpen the focus of what Paul is really after. Why pray that rulers will keep the peace? Because "this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior who desires all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." God approves of our prayers for peace and tranquility because he approves of the advance of the gospel. Peace is not the main thing; salvation is the main thing. Tranquility is not the goal; the knowledge of the truth of God, that's the goal.
May we never forget, brothers and sisters in Christ, we are also aliens and exiles in this land. We are not at home in America or Russia or Israel or anywhere in this world. We do not pray simply for the prosperity of any land. We pray for magnificent advancement of the saving purposes of God in every land."
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