Summer Playlist - God & Government
August 10, 2019

The Church Has A Key Role to Play

“Building a real connected community is not done by governments, or laws or programs. It is done by people who care about each other at their core, and help to lift each other up. That is community. It cannot be created by governments.”

Jesus did not instruct His followers to withdraw from society, but to work to

it.

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven”
— Matthew 5:13-16

Salt that remains in the salt shaker, or light that is hidden under a cover,

nothing and no one.

A God-Sized Vision for Canada

The work of the church will always be about one person

for another. The Canada we desire is nurtured between neighbors.

Jesus said,

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself”
— Luke 10:27

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”
— Galatians 5:13-15

We must remember that politicians are not God, but they are certainly made in the image of God.

Politicians deserve neither our impossible expectations nor our rage-filled hatred.

Practical Principles to Politics

1. Recognize that politicians are

“Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor”
— 2 Peter 2:17

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking at your own interests but each of you in the interests of the others”
— Philippians 2:3,4

2. Do not vote in

3.

need safe places and people

4. Politicians need our

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness”
— 1 Timothy 2:1,2

We need to pray for our country.

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth – he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.”
— Psalm 33:12-15, 20-22