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Home Sermons 2011 Jesus: Democrat or Republican? (Part 1 of 'Christian Responsibility in Civil Society')
 
Jesus: Democrat or Republican? (Part 1 of 'Christian Responsibility in Civil Society') PDF Print E-mail
Written by David Charlton   

Scripture

Romans 13:1-5
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore he who resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of him who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain; he is the servant of God to execute his wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be subject, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience.

  Core Idea, Challenge & Summary

Core Idea: Biblically revealed truths should shape our political views.

Challenge: To challenge Christians to re-think their political views in light of
                    Biblically revealed truth.

 Summary: As committed followers of Jesus Christ, we have dual citizenship. When we repent and trust Jesus as Savior and Lord, we remain citizens of whatever country we live in but also become citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. Our first loyalty is to the Kingdom of Heaven. Scripture, however, also makes it clear that we remain good, productive and law-abiding citizens of our respective countries. So, as Christians, who happen to also be Americans, we must seek to be good U.S. citizens.

To be a good citizen in America, we must stay abreast of the current political, economic and social issues. We can then develop political opinions and vote accordingly. As Christian Americans, however, we must base our political opinions on Scripturally revealed truth. When we look at a political issue, we must ask, “Is there a Biblical principal that relates to this issue?” 

The Sermon

I. Introduction: Tarzan: A man of two worlds

     A. I love the Tarzan story

  • I read the Edgar Rice Burroughs novels
  • Watched the old Johnny Weissmuler movies as a kid
  • Saw “Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan” as a teenager
  • Saw the Disney animated movie “Tarzan”

     B. Tarzan was a torn character

  • Raised in the African jungle by Apes
  • Found out he was from a rich, high-society family in England. As a result, he lived in high-society England for a while
  • Was torn between the two worlds. In some ways, he belonged to both worlds but, in other ways, he didn’t belong to either world.
  • Tarzan couldn’t live in both worlds. He had to choose and he chose the jungles of Africa.

     C. In a similar way, we Christians are torn between two societies.

  • We remain citizens of whatever country we live in.
  • We are also citizens of the Kingdom of God
  • Our primary loyalty is to the Kingdom of Heaven.
  • However, God’s word makes it very clear we are to be good citizens in whatever country we live in.

II. We are to be good citizens of whatever country we live in

     A. Jeremiah 29:7 – “But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile,
          and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”
     B. Mark 12:17 – “Jesus said to them, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's,
          and to God the things that are God's."

     C. Romans 13:1-5   

  • Romans 13:1-2: Obey the just laws of the state
  • Romans 13:3-4: God instituted governments to restrict the spread of evil on this earth – Governments have police forces, courts and militaries to keep evil from gaining to much power
  • Romans 13:5: Reiteration of God’s command to follow the just laws of the state
III. As Christians, who happen to also be Americans, we must be good, law-abiding,
     productive citizens.
     A. In a country like the U.S.A., to be a good, productive, law-abiding citizen we
          must…
  • Stay informed on the current political, social and economic issues of the day
  • Develop political opinions and then vote according to our consciences

     B. As American Christians, Biblically revealed truths should shape our political views.   

IV. Allowing Scripture to shape our political views

     A. This doesn’t mean we listen to a pastor’s point of view and repeat what he/she
          says. The pastor may be all screwed up.

     B.  We study the entire Bible

  • From Genesis to Revelation
  • We study the Bible throughout our lives and become intimately familiar with Biblical principals – The more we understand Scripture, the better our political views will be
  • We study the Bible individually and in small groups
  • We apply Biblical principals to the political, social or economic issue under consideration

     C. When we allow Scripture to shape our political views we realize…

  • Jesus is not a Republican
  • Neither is He a Democrat
  • Both parties have some serious flaws!!!!!!!!!!!

V. My political journey

     A. I grew up a liberal democrat.

  • My parents were democrats
  • In High School I vehemently argued the liberal cause in most issues
  • At 18 YOA I registered to vote as a Democrat

     B. Then I went to the Virginia Military Institute (VMI)

  • VMI is the last bastion of conservatism (I attended VMI because I wanted to be a military officer. Yes, I was a liberal Democrat who wanted to serve in the military.)
  • After VMI, I became an Army Officer. About a year later I changed my party affiliation to Republican.
  • I went from being a die-hard liberal to being a die-hard conservative
     C. Then I rededicated my life to Jesus and conducted serious and continuous Bible
          Study
  • I realized that God wanted us to take care of the poor and down trodden. Governments do need to protect the ‘little man’. Some of the social issues of the Democrats might be good. 
  • I also realized that the unborn child is the most vulnerable in society. It became apparent that the Republicans have a valid argument on the abortion issue.
  • So, when I realized that, from a Biblical point of view, both parties have serious flaws, I became an independent.   

     VI. Conclusion: This is not to say you should become an Independent.

  • We need Christians in both political parties
  • If you are conservative, however, some Bible study may make you a little more liberal
  • If you are liberal, some Bible study may make you a little more conservative
  • All this assumes, of course, that you study the Bible with an open mind
  • Allow Biblical revealed truths to be the major influence in your political thinking.
 
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