11/18/2020
This is a short sermonette from Sunday, preached by Sam Forrester as a word of encouragement in light of the election.
Facing Today’s World
What I want to do is a special lesson concerning the election and the confusion it has brought into many of our lives. As believers we should be able to take such things and deal with them in a way that will bring glory to our Lord.
We will start with a look at I John 5:1-5 which should be a background for our talk.
"Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten
of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of
God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whoever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world –our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God."
In this passage we are told how to
overcome the world. In turn this also teaches us how to face these election results. I have talked with a number of you about the election we are going through. I have heard you express anger, frustration, anxiety, confusion and sorrow over its results. None of these things are good for you over something that is beyond your ability to change.
How are we suppose to handle such events in our lives?
First, you cannot allow your anger to cause you to sin. Some of you have said you won’t participate again because you don’t trust those running things. That is your anger trying to divert you from what your Lord has called you to do and that is to be salt and light in this imperfect world and to live by faith.
God gave us this nation and we must do what we are called to do and that is to participate in her elections. Our voices must be heard.
Others are overwhelmed with anxiety and depressed because it didn’t go their way. Some are filled with anger because they believe the government or maybe even God let them down.
What I want you to know is that anxiety and anger are real enemies to God’s children. This election has caused many to have to deal with this in their lives. That also includes me. I know how hard it is.
Paul in II Timothy 1:7 says "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."
The question is how to activate these gifts?
The first thing we need to ever keep before us is that our God is sovereign. That means He is
in control of everything and He has a plan for each nation and every individual in this world.
Daniel 2:21 says, "And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding." This tells us God’s plan is the one being worked out, even in this election.
I Peter 2:13-14 "Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme or to governors, as those sent by Him for the
punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good."
If this election result holds up, Joe Biden will have been placed in office by the sovereign will of God. The only reason I can see for this, would be to punish this nation and those responsible for the sins that have drawn us away from our love of God and what He has done for us in Jesus Christ.
How many children, the most helpless among us, have been slaughtered through abortion? We have recognized the sin of homos*xuality and declared God was wrong in condemning it. We have allowed men to outwardly change their s*x and declare God made a mistake in making them what they were. Many of our churches have abandoned the preaching of the Word for the entertaining of the people.
All of these things deserve the wrath of God. This could be the beginning of the time of judgment or just another warning that it is coming.
Paul says in Roman 13:1 "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God."
He shows those who do good will be rewarded and those who do evil will be punished. Should we, as believers, be overcome with anxiety or
anger because this election has not gone as we had hoped? No! We must not give in to such hopeless behavior.
Psalm 22:28 says
"For the kingdom is the Lord’s, and He rules over the nations."
This nation of America is in the hands of the sovereign Lord regardless of who is president.
He tells us in Proverbs 21:1 "The
king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes."
How do we fight this anxiety or anger we are facing? With the knowledge of who our God is and what He can do. No man, no president or tyrant can thwart the will of God.
Asaph in Psalm 75:7-10 tells us "But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another. For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup, and the wine is red; It is fully mixed, and He pours it
out; Surely its dregs shall all the wicked of the earth drain and drink down. But I will declare forever, I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. All the horns of the wicked will be cut of, but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted."
I know we all have our preference as to who our president should be, but don’t be guilty of
ignoring God’s plan. If you believe He is sovereign, the Creator of man and nations and the One who sent His Son to save your soul, then lift your voice and rejoice that His plan is being fulfilled because it is a plan that exalts those who believe and trust in Jesus.
So, how do you activate these gifts?
II Timothy 1:7 says, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."
These gifts of power, love, and a sound mind come from only one place, your absolute commitment to Jesus Christ, which is faith
generated.
Please, keep your attention on Jesus and what He did for you and let God direct the affairs of this nation as only He can do.
You live and approach your duty by faith and through that faith you will overcome this world and the affairs of nations will not turn your heart from the truth.
