“Biblical Perspectives for Election Day”

“Biblical Perspectives for Election Day”

Pastor Cameron Jungels

Eastside Baptist Church

Sunday AM, November 6, 2016

1. God knows the outcome of the election for every office and issue on the ballot on Tuesday.

If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. (1 John 3:20, NIV)

From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; 14 from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth-- 15 he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. (Psalm 33:13-15, NIV)

You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely. (Psalm 139:1-4, NIV)

And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. (Matt. 10:30, NIV)

He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. (Psalm 147:4, NIV)

The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. (Prov. 15:3, NIV)

Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who has perfect knowledge? (Job 37:16, NIV)

2. Not only does God know the outcome of the election, the outcome of the election has been ordained by God.

11 In him we were also chosen,1 having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,  12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. (Eph. 1:11-12, NIV)

Who can fathom the Spirit of the LORD, or instruct the LORD as his counselor? 14 Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge, or showed him the path of understanding? (Isa. 40:13-14, NIV)

8 "Remember this, keep it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels.  9 Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.  10 I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.'  11 From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do.  (Isa. 46:8-11, NIV)

13 Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money."  14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.  15 Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."  16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.  (Jas. 4:13-16, NIV)

3. No one in this world holds a position of power or influence apart from the sovereign permission of God.

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. (Romans 13:1, NIV)

Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin." (John 19:11, NIV)

He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. (Dan. 2:21, NIV)

"'The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people.' (Dan. 4:17, NIV)

4. Jesus Christ is the ultimate ruler of the universe, and all authorities are ultimately subject to him.

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matt. 28:18-20, NIV)

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,  10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,  11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  (Philippians 2:9-11, NIV)

5. God’s eternal plan and purpose will not be derailed by the outcome of this week’s election.

6. In God’s eternal decree, Christ will return at the appointed time to judge all of humanity and bring his eternal kingdom to earth.

7. Let us remember where our ultimate loyalty lies, and live as citizens of the kingdom of heaven.

20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,  21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. (Philippians 3:20-21, NIV)

13   All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.  14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own.  15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.  16 Instead, they were longing for a better country-- a heavenly one.  (Heb. 11:13-16, NIV)

13   Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.  14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.  15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;  16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."1  17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person's work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. (1 Pet. 1:13-17, NIV)

11   Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.  12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.  13   Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority,  14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.  15 For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.  16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God's slaves.  17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. (1 Pet. 2:11-17, NIV)

8. Biblically, how should you vote?

a. Vote for those who will uphold what is right and just.

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.  2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.  3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.  4 For the one in authority is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.  5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.  6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing.  7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. (Romans 13:1-7, NIV)

b. Vote for people who will allow us as Christians to peacefully live out our faith and lovingly tell the good news of salvation through Christ.

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people--  2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior,  4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.  5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,  6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.  7 And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle-- I am telling the truth, I am not lying -- and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles. (1 Timothy 2:1-7, NIV)