“Politics and Jesus”
Politicked Series
AV First
Pastor Ed Carlson
11/3/24
1. Politics is no substitute for the
2.
“So often the contemporary church is a weak, ineffectual voice with an uncertain sound. So often it is an archdefender of the status quo. Far from being disturbed by the presence of the church, the power structure of the average community is consoled by the church’s silent—and often even vocal—sanction of things as they are.”
3. We must define what we mean when we say the church shouldn’t be “
God cares passionately about the poor, the unborn, the marginalized, the vulnerable. God hates the damage done by racism, or abuse, or trafficking, or crime, or unjust laws, or human rights violations.
4. The church should be
5. There is a difference between addressing political issues and being “
1. Care about
Psalm 82:3-4 (CSB)
3 Provide justice for the needy and the fatherless;
uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.
4 Rescue the poor and needy;
save them from the power of the wicked.”
Proverbs 8:13 says “To fear the LORD is to hate evil…” In other words…
If we fear the Lord, we will hate evil, not excuse it.
Ecclesiastes 5:8 (CSB)
8 If you see oppression of the poor and perversion of justice and righteousness in the province, don’t be astonished at the situation,because one official protects another official, and higher officials protect them.
2. Don’t Trust in
Psalms 118:8-9 (ESV)
8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in man.
9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in princes.
Psalms 146:3–4 (CSB)
3 Do not trust in nobles,
in a son of man, who cannot save.
4 When his breath leaves him,
he returns to the ground;
on that day his plans die.
3. If Your Candidate Doesn’t Win, God Is Still in Control…God Can Use
4. Honor The
1 Peter 2:13–17 (CSB)
13 Submit to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the emperor as the supreme authority 14 or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good. 15 For it is God’s will that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good. 16 Submit as free people, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but as God’s slaves. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brothers and sisters. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
5. Be Careful How You Communicate Your
Romans 14:1 (CSB)
Welcome anyone who is weak in faith, but don’t argue about disputed matters.
Romans 15:5–6 (CSB)
5 Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another,according to Christ Jesus, 6 so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with one mind and one voice.
6. When All Is Said and Done, Be Careful Not to Make Politics Your Pulpit…and Preach Jesus, Him Crucified, Risen and
1 Timothy 2:1–7 (CSB)
First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time.
7 For this I was appointed a herald, an apostle (I am telling the truth; I am not lying), and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
Pray and Preach
At some point this great nation will fade away. And this cultural moment will be looked on and Christians will be judged. And the thing we want to be judged by is not our fidelity to a political system, or to political parties, or to any given candidate. We want to be judged that we declared in our time and place that Jesus is Lord of all.