Jesus, Elephants, & Donkeys

In just over three weeks, we will elect the 44th

President of the United States.

In just over three weeks, we will elect the 44th

President of the United States.Who will control the this nation after noon on

January 20, 2009?

In just over three weeks, we will elect the 44th

President of the United States.Who will control the this nation after noon on

January 20, 2009?

I don‟t know who will be inaugurated as President.

In just over three weeks, we will elect the 44th

President of the United States.Who will control the this nation after noon on

January 20, 2009?

I don‟t know who will be inaugurated as President.

But, God will continue to control this nation.

“The LORD will reign forever and ever” (Ex 15:18, ESV).

“The LORD will reign forever and ever” (Ex 15:18, ESV).

“The LORD is king forever and ever; the nations perish from his land” (Ps 10:16, ESV).

“The LORD will reign forever and ever” (Ex 15:18, ESV).

“The LORD is king forever and ever; the nations perish from his land” (Ps 10:16, ESV).

“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness” (Ps 45:6, ESV).

For many years, the Israelites had no formal human leader.

For many years, the Israelites had no formal human leader.God would raise up leaders as needed.

For many years, the Israelites had no formal human leader.God would raise up leaders as needed.

In time, the Israelites wanted a king.

For many years, the Israelites had no formal human leader.God would raise up leaders as needed.

In time, the Israelites wanted a king.

God to Samuel: “They have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them” (1 Sm 8:7, ESV).

When God instituted human leaders, he remained in control.

When God instituted human leaders, he remained in control.“O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The

kingdom has departed from you, and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will” (Dan 4:31-32, ESV).

When God instituted human leaders, he remained in control.Dan 4:31-32.

“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” (Rm 13:1, ESV).

When God instituted human leaders, he remained in control.Dan 4:31-32.

“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” (Rm 13:1, ESV).

This idea doesn‟t fit well with American political philosophy.

“We hold these trust to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness—That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed” (Declaration of Independence).

“We the people of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America” (Preamble of the US Constitution).

“This nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and . . . government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth” (Gettysburg Address).

SIN!

Sin forever changed the relationship between husbands & wives.

Sin forever changed the relationship between husbands & wives.“Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall

rule over you” (Gn 3:16, ESV).

Sin forever changed the relationship between husbands & wives.“Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall

rule over you” (Gn 3:16, ESV).

Prior to the Fall, we don‟t see that Eve was to be in submission to Adam.

The NT shows that civil governments were ordained to deal with sin.

The NT shows that civil governments were ordained to deal with sin.“He is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out

God‟s wrath on the wrongdoer” (Rm 13:4, ESV).

The NT shows that civil governments were ordained to deal with sin.“He is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out

God‟s wrath on the wrongdoer” (Rm 13:4, ESV).

The placement of this text is quite interesting.

The NT shows that civil governments were ordained to deal with sin.“He is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out

God‟s wrath on the wrongdoer” (Rm 13:4, ESV).

The placement of this text is quite interesting.

“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, „Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord‟” (Rm 12:19, ESV).

The NT shows that civil governments were ordained to deal with sin.“He is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out

God‟s wrath on the wrongdoer” (Rm 13:4, ESV).

“Be subject for the Lord‟s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good” (1 Pt 2:13-14, ESV).

Morality can be legislated.

Morality can be legislated.“You cannot legislate morality.”

Morality can be legislated.“You cannot legislate morality.”

That doesn‟t work out logically.

Morality can be legislated.“You cannot legislate morality.”

That doesn‟t work out logically.

Many laws are based on morality.

Morality can be legislated.“You cannot legislate morality.”

That doesn‟t work out logically.

Many laws are based on morality.

Murder.

Morality can be legislated.“You cannot legislate morality.”

That doesn‟t work out logically.

Many laws are based on morality.

Murder.

Taxes.

Morality can be legislated.“You cannot legislate morality.”

That doesn‟t work out logically.

Many laws are based on morality.

Murder.

Taxes.

Perjury.

Morality can be legislated.“You cannot legislate morality.”

That doesn‟t work out logically.

Many laws are based on morality.

The Founders understood the importance of morality.

Morality can be legislated.“You cannot legislate morality.”

That doesn‟t work out logically.

Many laws are based on morality.

The Founders understood the importance of morality.

George Washington: “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. . . . Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”

Morality can be legislated.“You cannot legislate morality.”

That doesn‟t work out logically.

Many laws are based on morality.

The Founders understood the importance of morality.

George Washington.

United States Congress, 1787: “Religion, morality, and knowledge, [are] necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind” (Northwest Ordinance, Art III).

“If you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God‟s wrath on the wrongdoer” (Rm 13:4, ESV).

“If you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God‟s wrath on the wrongdoer” (Rm 13:4, ESV).Civil authorities carry out “God‟s wrath.”

“If you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God‟s wrath on the wrongdoer” (Rm 13:4, ESV).Civil authorities carry out “God‟s wrath.”

Can we properly think of people being punished for any reason other than violating God‟s will?

“If you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God‟s wrath on the wrongdoer” (Rm 13:4, ESV).Civil authorities carry out “God‟s wrath.”

Can we properly think of people being punished for any reason other than violating God‟s will?

Peter says that the civil authority is “to punish those who do evil” (1 Pt 2:14, ESV).

Whose morality are you going to legislate?

Whose morality are you going to legislate?Many say that any “god” is equal to our God.

Whose morality are you going to legislate?Many say that any “god” is equal to our God.

Most people will readily admit that many things are immoral.

Whose morality are you going to legislate?Many say that any “god” is equal to our God.

Most people will readily admit that many things are immoral.

“When Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness” (Rm 2:14-15, ESV).

Whose morality are you going to legislate?

You want to create a police state!

Whose morality are you going to legislate?

You want to create a police state!Any such attempt would surely fail.

Whose morality are you going to legislate?

You want to create a police state!Any such attempt would surely fail.

Such an attempt would be unbiblical.

Whose morality are you going to legislate?

You want to create a police state!Any such attempt would surely fail.

Such an attempt would be unbiblical.

“If it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell” (Josh 24:15, ESV).

Whose morality are you going to legislate?

You want to create a police state!Any such attempt would surely fail.

Such an attempt would be unbiblical.

“If it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell” (Josh 24:15, ESV).

“If a man is found lying with the wife of another man, both of them shall die, the man who lay with the woman, and the woman” (Deut 22:22, ESV).

Bill Clinton‟s farewell address: “I am profoundly grateful to you for twice giving me the honor to serve, to work for you and with you to prepare our Nation for the 21st century.”

Bill Clinton‟s farewell address: “I am profoundly grateful to you for twice giving me the honor to serve, to work for you and with you to prepare our Nation for the 21st century.”

Dwight Eisenhower‟s farewell address: “So, in this my last good night to you as your President, I thank you for the many opportunities you have given me for public service in war and in peace.”

“He is God‟s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God‟s wrath on the wrongdoer” (Rm 13:4, ESV).

“He is God‟s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God‟s wrath on the wrongdoer” (Rm 13:4, ESV).Term for “servant” is the term for “deacon.”

“He is God‟s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God‟s wrath on the wrongdoer” (Rm 13:4, ESV).Term for “servant” is the term for “deacon.”

The concept is that civil authorities are carrying out justice on God‟s behalf.

Some in the Restoration Movement have said that we can‟t serve in the government.

Some in the Restoration Movement have said that we can‟t serve in the government.David Lipscomb: “The Christian has been clearly

forbidden to take vengance [sic] or execute wrath, but he is to live peaceably with all men, to do good for evil. Then a Christian cannot be an officer or executor of this higher power.”

Some in the Restoration Movement have said that we can‟t serve in the government.David Lipscomb: “The Christian has been clearly

forbidden to take vengance [sic] or execute wrath, but he is to live peaceably with all men, to do good for evil. Then a Christian cannot be an officer or executor of this higher power.”

If civil authorities are “deacons” of God, how can such service be wrong?

“It is clear that, for these purposes to be achieved, the nature and extent of the punishment must be carefully evaluated and decided upon, and ought not go to the extreme of executing the offender except in cases of absolute necessity: in other words, when it would not be possible otherwise to defend society. Today however, as a result of steady improvements in the organization of the penal system, such cases are very rare, if not practically non-existent” (Pope John Paul II).

Scripture teaches the proper use of the death penalty.

Scripture teaches the proper use of the death penalty.“If you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the

sword in vain” (Rm 13:4, ESV).

Scripture teaches the proper use of the death penalty.“If you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the

sword in vain” (Rm 13:4, ESV).

“You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above” (Jn 19:11, ESV).

Scripture teaches the proper use of the death penalty.“If you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the

sword in vain” (Rm 13:4, ESV).

“You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above” (Jn 19:11, ESV).

“Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image” (Gn 9:6, ESV).

Scripture teaches the proper use of the death penalty.“If you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the

sword in vain” (Rm 13:4, ESV).

“You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above” (Jn 19:11, ESV).

“Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image” (Gn 9:6, ESV).

The same idea is repeated in the NT.

Scripture teaches the proper use of the death penalty.“If you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the

sword in vain” (Rm 13:4, ESV).

“You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above” (Jn 19:11, ESV).

“Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image” (Gn 9:6, ESV).

The same idea is repeated in the NT.

The reason God says this is that man bears his image.

Paul asks us to pray “for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Tm 2:2, ESV).

Paul asks us to pray “for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Tm 2:2, ESV).

Some Jews plotted to kill Paul (Acts 23).

Paul asks us to pray “for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Tm 2:2, ESV).

Some Jews plotted to kill Paul (Acts 23).Paul‟s nephew informs him of this plot & Paul sends

him to the tribune.

Paul asks us to pray “for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Tm 2:2, ESV).

Some Jews plotted to kill Paul (Acts 23).Paul‟s nephew informs him of this plot & Paul sends

him to the tribune.

The tribune instructs 2 centurions to prepare 200 soldiers, 70 horsemen, & 200 spearman to protect Paul on the way to Caesarea.

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