Election Sermon
The following are notes taken from an excellent sermon by Pastor Gary Hamrick of the Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, VA on September 8, 2024.
I encourage any of you to view the sermon on Youtube. I begins about 24 minutes in. https://www.youtube.com/live/yVI9VZ0Dv20?si=iYWV8QMf5S7JW9nA
Notes:
In the time of the founding Fathers, pastors would speak to the issues of the day by giving election sermons.
These helped people understand their world through the lens of Scripture.
Some people wonder if it is right for the Church to speak about politics. They say, "What about Separation of Church and State?"
The church and state separation concept comes from a letter by Thomas Jefferson answering freedom of religion concerns by a Baptist group in Connecticut.
He used the phrase "wall of separation between Church and State" in his letter. His intention was to calm the fears of that Baptist association by noting the first Amendment meant the government should stay out of the business of the church, not the church out of the business of government.
That concept has been bastardized to remove God from the public square and to remove church from government influence. Adding insult to injury came the Johnson Amendment in the 1950's. It threatens Church's 501(c)3 tax exempt status if they engage in prohibited political activity. There's plenty Church's can legally do under the Johnson amendment, but the chilling effect of it prompts pastors to self-censor. That means that they're bowing to the government and not God.
Addressing cultural issues is a legitimate function of the Church. It should be done, and it should be done based on biblical truth. It isn't being 'political.' It's being biblical if done right.
God had the first word on: life, national borders, immigration, economic prosperity, biological sex, marriage and parental authority.
Those who wish to silence the church levy the term "Christian Nationalism" to blunt and intimidate the Church into silence. Let it be known we will not be a theocracy until the New Jerusalem arrives. We Christians can change America because we love God and country. Psalm 33:12: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”
The Watchmen sounding the trumpet is a responsibility (Ezekiel 33:1-5)
Jesus has charged us as his ambassadors to be salt and light. That light portion is really a First Amendment charge. And we must, in that case, be politically engaged.
Engagement means advocating for policies that promote righteousness. Voting for candidates that most closely represent our values and praying for them and holding them accountable.
And even occasionally maybe running for office ourselves if we are called.
What will fill the political vacuum if we don't engage?
Good government cannot save us. But bad government can destroy us.
What can we do to advance the Kingdom of God for the glory of God and to stem the tide of evil in our land until Jesus comes?
All the prophets spoke truth to power, confronted kings and influenced laws, and spoke to the social conscience of their time. For example, John the Baptist addressed moral issues of his day. Jesus spoke on taxes. No aspect of society is beyond the churches intended influence.
The difference between the ancient world and the world here in the United States today is that we have a vote. We have a collective say in who we'd like to represent us.
And what is that current state that we're in?
Well, we have runaway inflation which is crushing the people. We have open borders threatening national security. We have abortion touted as reproductive health. We have gender bending, government overreach, polarization, politicization of the justice system, censorship, an assault on religious liberties, and antisemitism on college campuses, to name just a few.
Proverbs 29:2 says, "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;
But when a wicked man rules, the people groan."
Every election comes to a choice of the lesser of two evils, because there are none who are righteous. Elections are not pure, but necessary.
What are the means to advance the Kingdom of God?
I. God uses flawed, sinful people.
There are no perfect candidates. Jesus is not on the ballot. Get over it.
II. Vote Policies over Personalities.
III. Voting is not just a right, It's a Duty
A nation will not thrive because of the righteousness of the leader, but because of the Leader governs with righteousness.
Personalities will come and go, but policies live long after them. What other decision do we make in life where something meets 100% of our criteria? Do not let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
Proverbs 14:34 says, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." Every candidate is a flawed human being.
The Bible shows us there were righteous Kings who did unrighteous things. And there were unrighteous Kings who did righteous things. And God used them both to accomplish his ends. Remember Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus were both flagrant pagans, and God used them to bring good things about for his Divine purposes.
Which would you rather have: An Orangeman bully who sends out mean tweets, but puts three Supreme Court justices on the court that strike down Roe v. Wade, or a joyful hen that believes in killing babies even up to the 9th month?
Luke 18:19 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.
Important Issues to Weigh
Booker T. Washington said, "A lie doesn't become truth, wrong doesn't become right and evil doesn't become good just because it's accepted by a majority."
14 states have what are called Transgender Healthcare Shield laws. Governor Tim Walz made Minnesota one of those states. Going further passing a law in Minnesota making it a 'Trans refuge state.' In those with such a law the state government can take your child away from you if you object to them transitioning.
This gender bending has led to biological boys competing against girls in sports. Using girls restrooms and denying girls the fundamental protection and the Title Nine rights that they deserve.
Which candidate will best protect God's design of biological sex?
6. Family.
Psalm 127:3 "Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is a reward."
Parental rights are being incrementally stripped. They are going after your children. Our children deserve our protection and do not belong to the state. They belong to God and are entrusted to us as parents.
Which candidate will best protect parental rights?
7. Life - Acts 3:15 God is "the called author of life."
Proverbs 6:17 God "hates hands that shed innocent blood."
Which candidate will
best protect life?
Right now, we do not have a pro-life candidate running for President. Trump has moved to the middle since 2020. He's moved to endorsing a 15 week ban on abortion. Not so fun fact, 95% of abortions happen in the 1st 15 weeks (according to the CDC). That means Trump is OK with killing 95% of babies. The GOP today has pretty much become what the Democratic party was 30 years ago on this issue.
But the Democrats have gone even further left on abortion. So much so that at their convention recently they had a free mobile
abortion clinic. They believe abortion should be legal even up to the moment of delivery. They call this 'reproductive rights.'
Seth Gruber quote. “Those who murder the unborn cannot be trusted to govern the born.”
III. Voting is not just a right, it's a duty.
Luke 12:48 In the Parable of the Servants. Jesus said, "For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required."
God gave us a great privilege of living in the US. This is a sacred trust where freedom isn't free. We must cherish what God has entrusted to us. We have been entrusted a beautiful country that must not be turned over to an evil agenda. We may not be silent and refrain from voting. If we do, we are allowing evil to triumph.
Christian William Wilberforce was used by God to end slavery in Great Britain. He said, "Let it not be said I was silent when they needed me.”
Voting Demographics and the Evangelical
There are 90 million. Self-identified
evangelicals in America old enough to vote. 40 million don't vote. 15 million are
not even registered to vote. That's 55 million evangelicals that are sitting it out.
Frederick Douglass said, “I will unite with anyone to do right and no one to do wrong.”
In the 1940's Hitler gathered all the prominent clergy in Germany and spoke to them. brought the pastors together and spoke to them promising security to them. One of
them, Deitrich Bonhoeffer, went up to Hitler and said, "We are not concerned about the church for Jesus Christ will
take care of her. What we are concerned about is the soul of Germany. To which Hitler responded, "Herr Bonhoffer, you do not need to worry, I will take
care of the soul of Germany."
Well, let us understand, people, that government is never the answer to the soul of a nation..
Big mac with another big post! :)
ReplyDeleteI found Pastor Hamrick's insights on the separation of church and state particularly thought-provoking. I hadn't considered how the original intent was to protect the church from government interference, not to silence the church's voice in public matters. It’s a reminder of how easily concepts can be misunderstood and manipulated over time.
I also resonate with his perspective on voting as a duty. It ties directly into how God accomplishes His purposes, often through us as His instruments. People sometimes misinterpret God's sovereignty, thinking that our actions don’t matter. Yet, throughout history, God has used flawed individuals to bring about His will. Our responsibility to vote is part of that greater calling.
And what a powerful reminder with historical examples like Wilberforce and other leaders who took a stand in their times! It challenges us to consider how we can be faithful in our context today, advocating for righteousness and justice in every area of society.