Saturday, November 2, 2024

D.L. Gardner: Election Sermon

Pastors, churches, denominations, and faith organizations usually have rules, written or otherwise about political endorsements. Politics has gotten downright testy the past couple of decades or so. Lordy, Lordy let’s not mix politics and religion, you know separation of sects and all. Heaven knows there’re more sects today than we started with back in the beginning.

Coincidentally, a number of readers have sent a copy of an “election sermon” to me and members of our church and community as a guide for the upcoming presidential election. I’ve never really cottoned to discussions of political topics as part of a worship service. Christians have one king. Jesus Christ is the One and Only Lord and King. Believers trust Him and follow Him regardless of earthly authorities. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Still, Christians want to discuss political issues particularly during election seasons. Pastor Gary Hamrick, Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, Virginia, gave a sermon recently to help church members and listeners view political issues in context with biblical teaching. Hamrick warned his listeners not to judge a candidate on personality alone, but to make biblically based judgments of positions the candidates support. Good advice.

Hamrick identified seven issues he found particularly pertinent to the presidential election. Voters want to know criterion presidents use to select judges. A number of cases in the federal courts have highlighted the power judges have over the laws of the land. The Bible has a lot to say about righteous judges vs. those who take bribes and rule against widows, orphans or the poor.

God Himself mandated borders and warned anyone who would move or disrespect borders. God also pronounced a blessing on those who bless Israel and a curse on those who cursed Israel. The world is watching to see what will happen to Israel. The first of the Ten Commandments establishes the Supremacy of the Lord God Almighty that … “overrides” all other gods. Religious freedom to worship God is a foundational right.

The Bible is crystal clear about two genders, i.e. male and female, and the biology of sexual relationships. The biblical family consists of a father, mother, and children. Parents raise their children and children respect their parents in the fear of the Lord. The inalienable right of Life is the Creator’s gift to all living. Who would question the most basic right to life?

This year the presidential election is between Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald J. Trump. How does each candidate’s policies align with these biblical teachings? Neither candidate’s policies align perfectly or even pretty closely. As far apart as their policies have been though, one should be able to discern which candidate might govern closer to biblical principles.

These guides are for Christians’ consideration. Unbelievers and those of other faiths have their own criteria with which to evaluate candidates’ acuity and suitability for the office of president. The whole body of voters will judge who we want to lead our nation. God has given us these few criteria along with volumes of examples teaching us why following and honoring God in every decision is best.

God has given us a stewardship of the riches of His grace. Let’s honor Him by following His way, truth, and Life.

Daniel L. Gardner is a columnist who lives in Starkville, MS. You may contact him at PJandMe2@gmail.com.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

The separation of church and state is as much to protect the church from politicians as it is to protect the public from a takeover by power-tripping preachers.

Saltwaterpappy said...

I think that Christians should stay out of politics, and not vote. After all, Jesus made it clear that his kingdom is not of this world. He told his followers to seek first the kingdom of god and his righteousness. If purported Christians followed this commandment and learned to love others, they would not have the time or inclination to get involved in these worldly matters.

Anonymous said...

The left are a literal death cult full of demon worshipping vampires.

Anonymous said...

Is Salty a member of that sect that makes the woodburning stoves, carriages and bridles? I've heard they don't have time for or the inclination to vote.

Anonymous said...

I am not 100% certain about the Amish. However, the Mennonites are voting. They are both Anabaptist sects.

Anonymous said...

Three guys from Dartmouth saw that churches were great political vehicles in the Civil Rights movement and decided to that the GOP should target churches. Their first success was in developing "ringers" to get control of church organizations by parading as moderates. The first major success was at the Baptist Convention in Mississippi. They developed an approved reading a movie "study" and would do it in the South with pretend early showings of Gods and Angels clips. They tried to take over the casinos but were less successful in that. We yet again see mainstream churches experiencing schisms. So DL, politics is successful when it can hijack religious organizations, but when those organization start to impose their Biblical or Koran interpretations on entire populations and enrich themselves in the process, it's BAD. It seldom turns out well as history documents. Those of us who are not political hacks want freedom OF religion to practice our faith and be the captains of our soul. We do not want your fundamentalist nonsense imposed on us and we do not like that you have all but hijacked the GOP. I pray you do not succeed because you will find yourself in a dictatorship that will likely tolerate you as long as you submit to the chosen Dear Leader.

Anonymous said...

Would you please describe fundamentalist nonsense so that I will know what Mr. Gardner is imposing?

Saltwaterpappy said...

10:20—-The Amish don’t vote because they consider themselves to be subjects of the Kingdom of God, not of this world. They realize that they have no business getting involved in worldly matters such as politics.

Anonymous said...

When I scan such think pieces as this post, it always leads Me back to this Clip. Rust Cole said it best....and His comments are timely as They could apply to any Trump rally

https://youtu.be/_RfUj09pWfM?si=-y35CtgOl9yUlKK3

Anonymous said...

Fundamentalist nonsense examples are that women must be subservient to men. That a man, no matter how morally bereft should make decisions for the family including picking the church one attends. Nonsense is life begins at conception even though not all sperm are successful so contraception that prevent the egg from being fertilized are to be banned. That there in only one way to interpret the Bible and live as pleasing in God's eyes.. If that were true, there wouldn't be different religions and different Protestant denominations. There have been some real doozies like women not cutting their hair or wearing any makeup or letting any part of their leg to show. I don't know here DL places Mormons, but that's a can of worms on its own. I'd be happy if every church actually supported not being a " false witness" and rid themselves of " false prophets". And, I 'd be particulary happy if churches who claim Christianity focused on Jesus' Sermon. You know DL, the one on the Mount.

Anonymous said...

A new low for Daniel?


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If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

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