Listen to this Sermon: 10072012WhatMotivatesYouPoliticallyDonRuhl

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What Motivates You Politically?

Morality or Money? Faith or Finances? Rebellion or Righteousness?

Luke 12.13–21

Don Ruhl • Savage Street, Grants Pass, Oregon • October 7, In the year of our Lord, 2012

Scripture Reader and Reading: Lake Thomason – Psalm 33.10–12

Prelude: 

  1. Why did the American colonies declare their independence from Britain? 
    1. The majority will give one answer, but
      1. that one answer is the seventeenth reason listed among twenty-seven
      2. that our Forefathers listed for declaring independence from Britain.
    2. That one reason we have made into a rhyme.
  2. Here it is: Taxation without representation. 
    1. Thomas Jefferson wrote it: “For imposing taxes on us without our consent…”
    2. The king of Great Britain taxed the colonies, but
      1. did not allow them representation in Britain.
      2. We remember this one because it is a…
    3. Concern about money
      1. drives the current election,
      2. drives our memory of the Revolution, and
      3. drives the lives of most people,
        1. so much so that Christians will vote for their slice of the pie
        2. before matters of morality and righteousness and the kingdom.
  3. Money is still the general issue, whereas 
    1. the specific is not so much lack of representation, but
      1. making sure that I get what is coming to me from the government and
      2. making sure that the government creates jobs.
    2. In our day-to-day affairs, let us keep some things in mind.

Persuasion: 

  1. What Motivates You Politically? 
    1. What makes you sad? Happy? Fired up? Angry?
    2. Is it
      1. Morality or Money?
      2. Faith or Finances?
      3. Rebellion or Righteousness?
    3. Luke 12 shows what drove a man’s life, and
      1. Jesus used the incident to teach what is important, and
      2. He illustrated it with a scenario that actually happened,

        13 Then one from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But He said to him, “Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” 15 And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” 16 Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. 17 And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ 18 So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ 21 So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12.13–21).

        1. The man did not know the purpose of Jesus.
        2. The man was covetous.
        3. The man thought a good life came from getting from others.
        4. The man placed material things over spiritual things.
        5. The man did not know the brevity of life.
        6. The man was poor toward God.
  2. Morality or Money? 
    1. If we cannot see it, does that mean it does happen?
      1. Atheists say that about God.
        1. If they cannot see Him,
        2. He does not exist.
      2. If we cannot see abortions happening,
        1. does that mean they do not happen?
        2. Are we okay with it as long as it is kept out of sight?
      3. Psalm 106 shows that the Lord knows what happens, and
        1. abortion pollutes the land, and
        2. so does endorsing people who support abortion.

          35 But they mingled with the Gentiles
          And learned their works;
          36 They served their idols,
          Which became a snare to them.
          37 They even sacrificed their sons
          And their daughters to demons,
          38 And shed innocent blood,
          The blood of their sons and daughters,
          Whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan;
          And the land was polluted with blood.
          (Psa 106.35–38)
      4. If I have a choice between
        1. stopping abortion or
        2. getting my slice of the pie,
          1. which shall I choose?
          2. How shall you vote?
    2. If we cannot see it, does that mean it does not happen?
      1. Evolutions say that about creation.
        1. If they cannot see it happening,
        2. it must not have happened.
      2. If we pretend same sex marriages do not affect us,
        1. does that mean they will have no bearing on our nation?
        2. Are we okay with it as long as it is kept out of sight?
      3. According to First Timothy 1,
        1. the government should make laws against homosexuality, because
        2. it is contrary to sound or healthy doctrine,

          8 But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, 9 knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, 11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust (1Ti 1.8–11).
      4. However, if I have a choice between
        1. stopping same sex marriages or
        2. getting my slice of the pie,
          1. which shall I choose?
          2. How shall you vote?
  3. Faith or Finances? 
    1. Christianity presents a wonderful balance between rights and obligations.
      1. Our Forefathers built rights into the Constitution, but
      2. unfortunately they did not build obligations into it.
    2. Therefore, the average American thinks more about
      1. his rights that he demands from the government and from others, but
      2. rarely thinks of his obligations to the government and his fellow-citizens.
    3. However, how did Jesus summarize the Scriptures?
      1. He taught that loving God and loving your neighbor
      2. summarize the whole Scripture as far as what God wants us to do.
    4. When it comes to politics and many other segments of our society’s thinking,
      1. most people are looking for someone else to pay their way,
      2. rather than thinking how they can be a blessing to everyone.
    5. In Galatians 6, the Holy Spirit presented this,

      2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Gal 6.2).

      5 For each one shall bear his own load (Gal 6.5).

      1. Are you expecting others to carry your load, or
      2. do you let faith run your life and you do things as God directs?
  4. Rebellion or Righteousness 
    1. Since God created the earth,
      1. since God raises up and lowers nations, and
      2. since God provides us with everything we need,
        1. should we hear what He says exalts and lowers a nation?

          34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
          But sin is a reproach to any people.
          (Pro 14.34)
        2. What are you doing to promote righteousness in our nation?
    2. When you vote, does your vote reflect that belief?
  5. Enduring Economic Hardships 
    1. What if making morality, faith, and righteousness,
      1. our primary reason for viewing politics, voting, and so on,
      2. brings about economic hardships for us?
        1. Are we willing to suffer economically for righteousness’ sake?
        2. Do you know what believers have suffered since the first century?
          1. They stood for the right,
          2. even if it meant losing everything, including their lives.
    2. Do we realize that the suffering of past generations
      1. for their belief in the Bible and righteousness, especially in Europe,
      2. is a major reason for the existence of America?
  6. Things to Remember 
    1. God controls a nation’s leader.

      1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD,
      Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.
      (Pro 21.1)

      17 “This decision is by the decree of the watchers,
      And the sentence by the word of the holy ones,
      In order that the living may know
      That the Most High rules in the kingdom of men,
      Gives it to whomever He will,
      And sets over it the lowest of men.”
      (Dan 4.17, repeated in verses 25 and 32)

      34 “And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever:

      For His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
      And His kingdom is from generation to generation.
      35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing;
      He does according to His will in the army of heaven
      And among the inhabitants of the earth.
      No one can restrain His hand
      Or say to Him, “What have You done?”
      (Dan 4.34, 35).

      23 “…God…holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways…” (Dan 5.23).

      1. If these passages are true,
      2. what should we do about it?
        1. Do whatever promotes God’s will, such as when you vote.
        2. Pray (1Ti 2.1, 2).
    2. Repent

      “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2Ch 7.14).
    3. God gives peace.

      17 The work of righteousness will be peace,
      And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.
      18 My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation,
      In secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places,
      19 Though hail comes down on the forest,
      And the city is brought low in humiliation.
      (Isa 32.17–19)
    4. Rejoice in all circumstances.

      17 Though the fig tree may not blossom,
      Nor fruit be on the vines;
      Though the labor of the olive may fail,
      And the fields yield no food;
      Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
      And there be no herd in the stalls—
      18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
      I will joy in the God of my salvation.
      19 The LORD God is my strength;
      He will make my feet like deer’s feet,
      And He will make me walk on my high hills.
      (Hab 3.17–19)

Exhortation: 

  1. Political freedom means nothing, 
    1. if you do not have spiritual freedom, and
    2. if heaven is not your destination!
  2. In Matthew 6, the apostle recorded the words of Jesus 
    1. that show what should be of primary importance for His disciples.
    2. What Jesus said here should rule everything in our lives,

      33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt 6.33).

      1. The context began at verse 24, that we cannot serve God and money.
      2. In verses 25–30, Jesus taught that worry does not accomplish anything.
        1. Our lives mean more to Him than what we need for life.
          1. Therefore, He will take care of those things
          2. so we can focus on His kingdom and His righteousness.
        2. He takes care of the birds,
          1. He will take care of us, because
          2. He values us more than the birds.
        3. God beautifies the flowers and the grass,
          1. although they die quickly, but
          2. He cares more for us than flowers and grass.
      3. Accordingly, Jesus said in verses 31 and 32,

        31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things” (Matt 6.31, 32).
      4. He wants us to focus on promoting His kingdom and His righteousness.
        1. If we fail to promote those things,
        2. we can elect whomever we desire, but
          1. the God of heaven will humble our nation, or
          2. He can exalt it,
            1. even if everything is not in place perfectly politically.
            2. Who rules our nation, and who rules your life?
  3. Do you not believe that Jesus is Lord? 
    1. If so, do you know what you mean?
    2. If you believe it,
      1. show it.
      2. In Luke 6, the physician reminded us of a saying of Jesus,

        46 “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6.46).
  4. Confessing the Lordship of Jesus of Nazareth 
    1. will bring peace to your life, because
    2. you will know who truly takes care of you, and
      1. who has charge of your future.