1. A reminder to consider others Please:
Turn off your cell phone or set to vibrate only
Turn off sound to all electronic devices
Use the nursery or cry room if your child is fussy
Get up during the preaching only if absolutely necessary (please sit in back if you must leave early) 1

2. Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ2

3. Biblical Principles for Politics
Historical Background
The “separation of church and state” clause is not anywhere in the U.S. Constitution or its amendments
Churches are tax exempt by virtue of being a church - not a 503 (c)(3) organization
Politics and Politicians were not always words with negative connotations.

4. Types of Government
The Bible has great tolerance for many types of governments
Patriarchal – Abraham
Tribal – early Israel
Theocratic – Joshua – Judges
Kingdom – Saul / David
Representative – Sanhedrin
Dictator – Jesus in Millennium

5. The Christian & Government Government’s Foundation
It is God that establishes or removes those in positions of power - Daniel 4
Those in office should be humble. God put you in office and can easily remove you.

6. The Christian & Government Government’s Foundation
Those running for office need to be more concerned about pleasing the Lord than people
Believers have hope regardless of who is in office and how good or bad they may be

7. The Christian & Government Government’s Foundation
Romans 13:1-2.
Christians submit to government as long as it does not require disobedience to God

8. Government’s Purpose Romans 13:3-4.
Government should promote what is good
Governments that cause those who do good to fear risk being replaced (Isaiah 5:20)

9. Government’s Purpose Romans 13:3-4.
Government must cause fear to those who do evil because they carry the sword as an avenger
Government officials are “a minister of God to you for good” (Romans 13:4)

10. Government’s Purpose Romans 13:3-4.
They will give an account of their stewardship of office to God (2 Chronicles 19:6,7)
God has chastised or replaced governments that do not fulfill their God given duties

11. Responsibility to Government Romans 13:5-8
We are to submit to government out of both fear and conscience
We are to pay our taxes whether we like them or not
We are to render proper respect to the authorities

12. Christians & Politics in a Democracy
The Christian citizen has a responsibility in selecting our representatives and petitioning them on the issues
The people get what they choose

13. Christians and Politics in a Democracy Responsibilities
We must be serious about voting for who would best fulfill God’s purposes
We have a responsibility to see God’s standards upheld and seek a godly government – Proverbs 29:2

14. Christians and Politics in a Democracy Responsibilities
We must not substitute the quest for a godly human government as a quest for the kingdom of God
We are to oppose people and policies that are contrary to the clear teachings of God’s word - as did the prophets

15. Christians and Politics in a Democracy Priorities
Do not allow the propaganda sway you from God’s priorities
God’s priorities are often different from personal ones – Example: Justice over economics
Look for the best candidate your conscience allows you to vote for in a multiparty system

16. Evaluating the Candidates and the Issues Life
Life is the first moral priority
(Gen. 1:26,27; 9:6; Num. 35, 2 Kings 24:2)
Human life begins in the womb
(Psalm 139:13; Jer. 1:5-6; Luke 1:41-44)
Abortion, infanticide and euthanasia are all murder

17. Evaluating the Candidates and the Issues Life
Questions:
What value does the candidate put on human life?
Are they pro-life, indifferent or pro-abortion?
What is their position on euthanasia?
Do they uphold capital punishment for murder?

18. Evaluating the Candidates and the Issues Protection
Protection of its people against internal and external threats is a primary purpose of government

19. Evaluating the Candidates and the Issues Protection
Questions:
Does the candidate understand the protective role of government both locally and nationally?
Does he understand the necessity and proper use of armed force as well as diplomacy

20. Evaluating the Candidates and the Issues Justice
Justice: To the degree a government deviates from God’s standard of justice, it fails
True social justice is not equal outcome, it is equality of opportunity or fairness in the application of law

21. Evaluating the Candidates and the Issues Justice
Micah 6:8 –
Justice is to be tempered by mercy. Mercy without justice is injustice.

22. Evaluating the Candidates and the Issues Justice
Questions:
Does the candidate uphold the rule of law?
Is he fair in his dealings with supporters and opponents?
Is the candidate subject to political corruption either in or outside of government?

23. Evaluating the Candidates and the Issues Morality
Isaiah 5:20 - woe to those who call evil good, and good evil
Some things are especially evil and God pronounces them as abhorrent and abominations

24. Evaluating the Candidates and the Issues Morality
Leviticus 18 - immoral sexual practices and perversions and child sacrifice
Sexual perversions destroy families and spread diseases, some of which are deadly

25. Evaluating the Candidates and the Issues Morality
Questions:
Do they seek to protect marriage or make divorce easy?
Do they uphold the sacredness of marriage or redefining marriage and the family?
Do they advocate laws against sexual perversions or do they advocate forcing society to accept them

26. Evaluating the Candidates and the Issues Personal integrity - Proverbs 6:16-19.
Seven things that are abominations to the Lord.
Haughty eyes - The condescending look of the proud & arrogant.
Is the candidate proud or humble?

27. Evaluating the Candidates and the Issues Personal integrity - Proverbs 6:16-19.
A lying tongue - Liars cannot be trusted.
Is the candidate characterized by honesty or lying?

28. Evaluating the Candidates and the Issues Personal integrity - Proverbs 6:16-19.
Shed innocent blood - Accomplices advocate laws allowing it or are complacent in preventing it.
What is the candidate’s position on abortion, infanticide, euthanasia, law enforcement, justice?

29. Evaluating the Candidates and the Issues Personal integrity - Proverbs 6:16-19.
A heart that devises wicked plans –
Do the candidate’s policies better match the policies of God or Satan?

30. Evaluating the Candidates and the Issues Personal integrity - Proverbs 6:16-19.
Feet that run rapidly to evil –
What is their response to evil?
Intervene?
Watch ?
Join in?

31. Evaluating the Candidates and the Issues Personal integrity - Proverbs 6:16-19.
A false witness - done to destroy the other person.
Does the candidate lie / slander others?

32. Evaluating the Candidates and the Issues Personal integrity - Proverbs 6:16-19.
Spread strife among brothers - either generate it or perpetuate it by lies, rumor and innuendo
Is the candidate known for antagonism or graciousness and cooperation?

33. Evaluating the Candidates and the Issues Personal integrity - Proverbs 6:16-19.
Is the candidate able to hold firmly to his convictions and still be gracious and have a spirit of cooperation?

34. Conclusions
Strive to approach politics according to Biblical values and priorities instead of political ones
The Christian’s first priority is always to be pleasing to our Lord & trust Him whether voting, running or serving

35. Conclusions
The goal of every Christian should be to one day stand before our Lord and hear “Well done thou good and faithful servant.”

36. Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ36