WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.240 Thank you, Mainline. Good job. 00:00:08.800 --> 00:00:14.280 It's been a tough week for conservative Americans and Bible-believing Christians. 00:00:15.740 --> 00:00:17.440 How have you responded? 00:00:18.859 --> 00:00:21.179 How will you respond? 00:00:22.339 --> 00:00:28.339 Today I want us to look at one of the ways that God wants us as His people to respond 00:00:28.339 --> 00:00:33.320 to our government's leaders regardless of who they are. 00:00:34.320 --> 00:00:41.500 And as we look at this, I want us to note this is not a suggestion. 00:00:42.880 --> 00:00:44.379 It's not an option. 00:00:45.379 --> 00:00:49.100 It is a responsibility. It's a part of our Christian duty. 00:00:50.019 --> 00:00:53.700 We're going to look at one thing today from 1 Timothy chapter 2. 00:00:53.700 --> 00:00:59.260 It is our Christian duty to pray for our government's leaders. 00:01:00.040 --> 00:01:01.020 I want you to look with me. 00:01:01.420 --> 00:01:03.880 1 Timothy chapter 2 verses 1 through 5. 00:01:05.060 --> 00:01:09.460 Paul is writing to Timothy who is the leader of the church in Ephesus. 00:01:10.480 --> 00:01:10.879 He says, 00:01:10.879 --> 00:01:37.199 This is good and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 00:01:37.200 --> 00:01:42.219 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 00:01:42.600 --> 00:01:47.320 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, 00:01:47.900 --> 00:01:49.760 the man, Christ Jesus. 00:01:50.939 --> 00:01:53.439 As we go through this passage, I want us to think 00:01:53.439 --> 00:01:56.740 in terms of what's going on in our country today. 00:01:56.739 --> 00:02:08.639 I want us to try to see how this might apply to our prayers for our current and future leaders. 00:02:09.180 --> 00:02:11.859 First thing I want us to note is very, very simple. 00:02:12.359 --> 00:02:14.560 We are to pray for our government's leaders. 00:02:15.500 --> 00:02:21.479 Now Paul begins with a real general statement about prayer. 00:02:21.639 --> 00:02:22.199 Look at this. 00:02:22.199 --> 00:02:28.560 First of all, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings 00:02:28.560 --> 00:02:30.419 be made for all people. 00:02:31.060 --> 00:02:33.459 He uses four different words to describe prayer. 00:02:34.519 --> 00:02:37.019 Sort of an unusual thing for him to do. 00:02:37.939 --> 00:02:41.379 The first three, supplications, prayers, and intercessions, 00:02:41.519 --> 00:02:43.979 are talking about making requests generally. 00:02:44.919 --> 00:02:48.799 The third one, or the fourth one, real obvious, thanksgiving, 00:02:49.839 --> 00:02:51.120 giving thanks to God. 00:02:52.199 --> 00:02:53.500 Why would he do that? 00:02:54.459 --> 00:02:57.039 Why would he sort of lump together four words? 00:02:57.199 --> 00:03:02.419 Well, evidently, he's emphasizing that we need to make prayer a priority. 00:03:02.599 --> 00:03:03.899 All kinds of prayers. 00:03:05.379 --> 00:03:09.000 Prayer ought to be a priority for every Christian, period. 00:03:09.859 --> 00:03:12.000 And by using these different words, 00:03:12.560 --> 00:03:15.639 he would be emphasizing that we need to make all kinds of prayers. 00:03:15.819 --> 00:03:17.719 We do need to ask God for things. 00:03:17.719 --> 00:03:21.819 We do need to intercede on behalf of other people, 00:03:22.020 --> 00:03:24.300 making specific requests, 00:03:24.620 --> 00:03:27.340 as we're going to see in a minute, government leaders. 00:03:28.280 --> 00:03:30.699 He also says we should pray for all people. 00:03:32.099 --> 00:03:33.079 Do you do that? 00:03:35.020 --> 00:03:36.500 You pray for everybody in the world? 00:03:37.719 --> 00:03:39.479 You pray for everybody you know? 00:03:40.560 --> 00:03:41.219 Well, no one. 00:03:41.280 --> 00:03:41.939 You couldn't. 00:03:42.340 --> 00:03:43.400 That would be impossible. 00:03:43.400 --> 00:03:47.039 That helps us to understand that Paul is speaking generally here. 00:03:48.120 --> 00:03:50.620 No one can pray for all people, 00:03:51.439 --> 00:03:53.460 even all people that we know. 00:03:54.259 --> 00:03:56.400 So he's telling us generally. 00:03:56.939 --> 00:03:58.379 We need to be people who pray. 00:03:58.939 --> 00:04:00.700 We need to pray all kinds of prayers. 00:04:00.699 --> 00:04:04.019 And we need to pray for all kinds of people, 00:04:04.139 --> 00:04:07.699 not just ourselves and our immediate family, 00:04:08.500 --> 00:04:10.199 or maybe even our church family. 00:04:10.619 --> 00:04:13.000 But we need to pray for all kinds of leaders, 00:04:13.399 --> 00:04:15.000 or all kinds of people. 00:04:15.139 --> 00:04:19.659 And he goes on in verse 2 to talk about government leaders. 00:04:20.480 --> 00:04:26.000 Note that we're specifically called to pray for our government leaders. 00:04:26.000 --> 00:04:30.459 He says, for kings and all who are in high positions. 00:04:31.459 --> 00:04:32.439 Now in Paul's day, 00:04:33.259 --> 00:04:37.319 most people lived under the authority of the Roman emperor. 00:04:38.220 --> 00:04:39.600 And that was not good. 00:04:41.079 --> 00:04:42.980 Paul is a Christian, 00:04:44.319 --> 00:04:45.560 writing to Christians. 00:04:46.639 --> 00:04:49.220 And when he was writing those words, 00:04:49.600 --> 00:04:52.240 he knew Nero, the Roman emperor, 00:04:52.480 --> 00:04:54.240 was a persecutor of Christians, 00:04:54.240 --> 00:04:57.500 responsible for Christians being put to death 00:04:57.500 --> 00:04:59.620 because of their faith. 00:05:01.160 --> 00:05:04.120 It was not easy to write something like that. 00:05:05.319 --> 00:05:06.879 But also in that day, 00:05:07.000 --> 00:05:10.259 there were still kings under the emperor. 00:05:12.340 --> 00:05:14.420 Some should come to your mind, 00:05:14.879 --> 00:05:15.660 as a Christian, 00:05:17.120 --> 00:05:17.939 King Herod, 00:05:19.079 --> 00:05:20.300 King Agrippa. 00:05:20.300 --> 00:05:22.819 Paul appeared before him 00:05:22.819 --> 00:05:24.600 in Acts chapter 25, 00:05:24.800 --> 00:05:25.480 we read about. 00:05:27.319 --> 00:05:29.340 Paul is calling attention to Christians. 00:05:30.400 --> 00:05:30.720 Pray. 00:05:31.480 --> 00:05:32.840 Pray for all kinds of people. 00:05:33.259 --> 00:05:36.139 And pray for those who are our leaders, 00:05:36.360 --> 00:05:36.980 our kings, 00:05:37.100 --> 00:05:37.759 for all who are in, 00:05:38.019 --> 00:05:40.400 or any kind of authority over us. 00:05:41.420 --> 00:05:41.900 Today, 00:05:42.660 --> 00:05:44.980 the highest position of leadership in our government 00:05:44.980 --> 00:05:47.560 is the president of the United States. 00:05:47.560 --> 00:05:51.620 So we need to pray for our president. 00:05:52.439 --> 00:05:54.740 We need to pray for others in high positions, 00:05:55.399 --> 00:05:56.319 for congressmen, 00:05:56.439 --> 00:05:57.120 for governors, 00:05:57.680 --> 00:06:01.160 for all of our local and state leaders, 00:06:01.240 --> 00:06:02.540 all kinds of leaders. 00:06:02.699 --> 00:06:05.500 We should make it a matter of prayer, 00:06:06.240 --> 00:06:09.360 a part of our regular prayer lives 00:06:09.360 --> 00:06:11.699 to lift up these people. 00:06:11.699 --> 00:06:13.060 Now, 00:06:13.459 --> 00:06:14.379 let's be more specific. 00:06:15.180 --> 00:06:16.779 It appears that Joe Biden 00:06:16.779 --> 00:06:17.560 has been elected 00:06:17.560 --> 00:06:19.740 our next president. 00:06:20.659 --> 00:06:20.839 Now, 00:06:20.939 --> 00:06:21.779 I know that 00:06:21.779 --> 00:06:24.079 lawsuits have been filed 00:06:24.079 --> 00:06:27.120 and will continue to be filed 00:06:27.120 --> 00:06:29.120 challenging the legitimacy 00:06:29.120 --> 00:06:30.719 of this election 00:06:30.719 --> 00:06:32.959 in some states. 00:06:32.959 --> 00:06:37.479 But as it stands right now, 00:06:39.120 --> 00:06:40.039 Joe Biden 00:06:40.039 --> 00:06:42.799 is our president-elect 00:06:42.799 --> 00:06:45.919 because he has unofficially 00:06:45.919 --> 00:06:50.599 over 270 electoral college votes. 00:06:52.519 --> 00:06:53.259 There are 00:06:53.259 --> 00:06:57.099 the leading conservative news organization 00:06:57.099 --> 00:06:57.560 in this country, 00:06:57.679 --> 00:06:58.479 Fox News, 00:06:59.039 --> 00:07:00.319 they're already calling him 00:07:00.319 --> 00:07:01.899 president-elect. 00:07:01.899 --> 00:07:04.299 one of President Trump's 00:07:04.299 --> 00:07:06.179 most staunchest 00:07:06.179 --> 00:07:09.560 evangelical supporters, 00:07:10.379 --> 00:07:11.579 Robert Jeffries, 00:07:11.899 --> 00:07:12.319 the pastor 00:07:12.319 --> 00:07:13.759 at First Baptist Church of Dallas. 00:07:14.319 --> 00:07:15.459 He's called Biden 00:07:15.459 --> 00:07:17.539 president-elect. 00:07:18.639 --> 00:07:18.879 Now, 00:07:19.979 --> 00:07:20.739 the Supreme Court 00:07:20.739 --> 00:07:22.679 may intervene in some way. 00:07:24.179 --> 00:07:25.179 There may be things 00:07:25.179 --> 00:07:26.620 that happen in states 00:07:26.620 --> 00:07:30.139 where ballots are thrown out, 00:07:30.139 --> 00:07:32.379 invalidated, 00:07:33.060 --> 00:07:34.579 or more ballots are counted. 00:07:35.219 --> 00:07:37.079 Things could change. 00:07:37.599 --> 00:07:38.719 We do not know 00:07:38.719 --> 00:07:40.019 for a fact today. 00:07:41.620 --> 00:07:43.379 But it looks like 00:07:43.379 --> 00:07:45.439 Joe Biden 00:07:45.439 --> 00:07:46.479 will be our nation's 00:07:46.479 --> 00:07:48.680 46th president. 00:07:50.680 --> 00:07:52.879 And we've got to start praying for him 00:07:52.879 --> 00:07:54.279 if that's true. 00:07:54.279 --> 00:07:57.060 And if we are wise, 00:07:57.659 --> 00:07:59.079 we will pray 00:07:59.079 --> 00:08:00.100 that he will turn out 00:08:00.100 --> 00:08:01.500 to be a great president 00:08:01.500 --> 00:08:02.839 for our country, 00:08:03.360 --> 00:08:05.360 for all people, 00:08:06.159 --> 00:08:07.540 including those of us 00:08:07.540 --> 00:08:09.980 who did not vote for him. 00:08:11.079 --> 00:08:11.319 Now, 00:08:11.420 --> 00:08:12.420 I remember when Obama 00:08:12.420 --> 00:08:13.159 was elected, 00:08:14.159 --> 00:08:15.339 I made a statement 00:08:15.339 --> 00:08:16.139 on Wednesday night 00:08:16.139 --> 00:08:17.159 similar to that, 00:08:17.860 --> 00:08:19.199 citing this passage 00:08:19.199 --> 00:08:20.040 and some others. 00:08:20.040 --> 00:08:22.420 And it was a smaller group, 00:08:22.500 --> 00:08:23.120 but I could see 00:08:23.120 --> 00:08:25.280 the obvious eye rolls 00:08:25.280 --> 00:08:28.220 and the size 00:08:28.220 --> 00:08:31.080 and the anger 00:08:31.080 --> 00:08:32.779 that I would even say 00:08:32.779 --> 00:08:33.759 something like that. 00:08:36.220 --> 00:08:38.460 But doesn't it make sense 00:08:38.460 --> 00:08:41.539 that if whoever 00:08:41.539 --> 00:08:43.639 is our president, 00:08:44.639 --> 00:08:46.539 we would want him 00:08:46.539 --> 00:08:48.459 to be successful 00:08:48.459 --> 00:08:51.159 for our good, 00:08:51.219 --> 00:08:52.079 I'm talking about? 00:08:53.699 --> 00:08:54.639 That's biblical. 00:08:55.779 --> 00:08:56.759 Remember how God 00:08:56.759 --> 00:08:58.039 told the people of Israel, 00:08:58.659 --> 00:08:59.439 think about this. 00:09:00.480 --> 00:09:01.559 They had been captured 00:09:01.559 --> 00:09:04.919 by the Babylonians, 00:09:05.860 --> 00:09:07.740 taken into exile, 00:09:07.919 --> 00:09:09.959 taken from their land 00:09:09.959 --> 00:09:12.480 to Babylon, 00:09:12.480 --> 00:09:15.860 forced to live there, 00:09:16.360 --> 00:09:17.379 a foreign land, 00:09:17.659 --> 00:09:18.639 foreign culture, 00:09:19.639 --> 00:09:21.240 foreign pagan leaders. 00:09:22.639 --> 00:09:23.659 But God spoke 00:09:23.659 --> 00:09:25.279 through the prophet Jeremiah, 00:09:25.480 --> 00:09:26.200 you know this, 00:09:26.259 --> 00:09:27.220 we've looked at it before, 00:09:28.019 --> 00:09:28.899 and told them, 00:09:29.000 --> 00:09:29.440 look at this, 00:09:29.519 --> 00:09:30.700 Jeremiah 29, 7, 00:09:30.700 --> 00:09:33.500 but seek the welfare 00:09:33.500 --> 00:09:34.720 of the city 00:09:34.720 --> 00:09:36.360 where I have sent you 00:09:36.360 --> 00:09:37.460 into exile, 00:09:38.000 --> 00:09:39.399 and pray to the Lord 00:09:39.399 --> 00:09:40.740 on its behalf, 00:09:40.740 --> 00:09:42.740 for in its welfare 00:09:42.740 --> 00:09:44.620 you will find 00:09:44.620 --> 00:09:46.159 your welfare. 00:09:48.240 --> 00:09:49.860 I want our country 00:09:49.860 --> 00:09:51.159 to prosper. 00:09:52.720 --> 00:09:54.000 I want whoever 00:09:54.000 --> 00:09:55.379 is in the White House, 00:09:55.500 --> 00:09:56.560 whoever is in Congress, 00:09:56.879 --> 00:09:58.019 whoever is in Columbia, 00:09:58.419 --> 00:09:59.720 whoever is the mayor 00:09:59.720 --> 00:10:00.419 of Pickens, 00:10:01.460 --> 00:10:02.480 I want them 00:10:02.480 --> 00:10:04.259 to be good leaders. 00:10:05.299 --> 00:10:06.080 I want them 00:10:06.080 --> 00:10:07.659 to help us 00:10:07.659 --> 00:10:08.399 as people 00:10:08.399 --> 00:10:09.779 in this country, 00:10:09.940 --> 00:10:10.600 in this state, 00:10:10.600 --> 00:10:11.320 in this town, 00:10:12.060 --> 00:10:12.820 to make life 00:10:12.820 --> 00:10:14.000 better for us. 00:10:14.399 --> 00:10:15.360 We should pray 00:10:15.360 --> 00:10:15.960 that way. 00:10:16.300 --> 00:10:17.019 That's how God 00:10:17.019 --> 00:10:18.159 told His people, 00:10:18.519 --> 00:10:19.800 His conquered people, 00:10:19.940 --> 00:10:21.200 living in exile, 00:10:21.759 --> 00:10:22.440 to pray 00:10:22.440 --> 00:10:24.759 for in its welfare, 00:10:24.960 --> 00:10:26.040 the city you're living in, 00:10:26.100 --> 00:10:27.139 the place you're living, 00:10:28.720 --> 00:10:29.340 with the leaders 00:10:29.340 --> 00:10:30.080 that you have, 00:10:30.180 --> 00:10:31.500 that you did not choose, 00:10:32.019 --> 00:10:32.800 you will find 00:10:32.800 --> 00:10:33.440 your welfare. 00:10:34.600 --> 00:10:35.460 Now that's basically 00:10:35.460 --> 00:10:37.019 what Paul says next 00:10:37.019 --> 00:10:39.040 about how we should pray 00:10:39.039 --> 00:10:39.679 for our leaders 00:10:39.679 --> 00:10:40.699 in this passage. 00:10:41.259 --> 00:10:41.919 Look at this. 00:10:42.259 --> 00:10:42.939 We are to pray 00:10:42.939 --> 00:10:43.599 for our leaders 00:10:43.599 --> 00:10:44.579 to lead in such a way 00:10:44.579 --> 00:10:45.399 that we are able 00:10:45.399 --> 00:10:47.519 to live a peaceable 00:10:47.519 --> 00:10:49.759 and godly life. 00:10:49.819 --> 00:10:50.799 Look at it specifically. 00:10:50.919 --> 00:10:51.419 The last part 00:10:51.419 --> 00:10:52.240 of verse 2 and 3. 00:10:52.240 --> 00:10:54.240 That we may lead 00:10:54.240 --> 00:10:55.059 a peaceful 00:10:55.059 --> 00:10:56.399 and quiet life, 00:10:57.179 --> 00:10:58.500 godly and dignified 00:10:58.500 --> 00:10:59.399 in every way. 00:11:00.159 --> 00:11:01.219 This is good. 00:11:01.659 --> 00:11:02.639 And it is pleasing 00:11:02.639 --> 00:11:03.480 in the sight 00:11:03.480 --> 00:11:04.199 of God, 00:11:04.500 --> 00:11:05.240 our Savior. 00:11:05.240 --> 00:11:07.259 We need to pray 00:11:07.259 --> 00:11:07.960 for our leaders 00:11:07.960 --> 00:11:09.460 to lead wisely 00:11:09.460 --> 00:11:11.200 and justly. 00:11:12.560 --> 00:11:14.340 And that includes 00:11:14.340 --> 00:11:16.120 Joe Biden 00:11:16.120 --> 00:11:18.320 if he becomes president 00:11:18.320 --> 00:11:20.519 on January the 20th. 00:11:21.379 --> 00:11:22.740 We need to pray 00:11:22.740 --> 00:11:24.779 that he and those 00:11:24.779 --> 00:11:25.759 who will be 00:11:25.759 --> 00:11:26.720 in his administration 00:11:26.720 --> 00:11:28.740 fill his cabinet spots, 00:11:29.379 --> 00:11:30.220 that they will lead 00:11:30.220 --> 00:11:31.200 with wisdom 00:11:31.200 --> 00:11:33.139 for our benefit, 00:11:33.139 --> 00:11:35.899 that they will lead 00:11:35.899 --> 00:11:37.279 justly, 00:11:37.600 --> 00:11:39.279 do the right thing. 00:11:40.559 --> 00:11:41.519 We need to ask God 00:11:41.519 --> 00:11:42.220 to give our leaders 00:11:42.220 --> 00:11:43.740 on every level 00:11:43.740 --> 00:11:44.480 of government 00:11:44.480 --> 00:11:46.699 wisdom and strength 00:11:46.699 --> 00:11:48.240 to stop 00:11:48.240 --> 00:11:49.539 the lawlessness, 00:11:50.840 --> 00:11:52.399 the anarchy even 00:11:52.399 --> 00:11:53.919 that's taking place 00:11:53.919 --> 00:11:54.980 all across our country 00:11:54.980 --> 00:11:55.659 right now 00:11:55.659 --> 00:11:56.819 in some of our 00:11:56.819 --> 00:11:57.899 major cities. 00:11:59.200 --> 00:12:00.559 We need to ask God 00:12:00.559 --> 00:12:02.599 to so work 00:12:02.599 --> 00:12:03.979 through our current 00:12:03.979 --> 00:12:04.479 leaders 00:12:04.479 --> 00:12:06.919 and our future 00:12:06.919 --> 00:12:07.439 leaders 00:12:07.439 --> 00:12:09.259 to bring an end 00:12:09.259 --> 00:12:09.759 to this 00:12:09.759 --> 00:12:11.479 craziness, 00:12:11.899 --> 00:12:12.739 violence, 00:12:13.159 --> 00:12:14.219 unrestraint 00:12:14.219 --> 00:12:15.259 lawlessness 00:12:15.259 --> 00:12:16.239 that's taking place. 00:12:16.839 --> 00:12:17.779 We need to ask God 00:12:17.779 --> 00:12:18.399 to protect our 00:12:18.399 --> 00:12:19.179 law enforcement 00:12:19.179 --> 00:12:19.899 officers, 00:12:21.279 --> 00:12:22.359 keep them safe 00:12:22.359 --> 00:12:23.659 as they're trying 00:12:23.659 --> 00:12:24.699 to keep the peace, 00:12:25.119 --> 00:12:26.099 trying to keep it 00:12:26.099 --> 00:12:27.399 as confined 00:12:28.239 --> 00:12:29.139 as they can 00:12:29.139 --> 00:12:29.859 in these places. 00:12:30.559 --> 00:12:31.519 We also need to pray 00:12:31.519 --> 00:12:32.379 that God would open 00:12:32.379 --> 00:12:33.419 people's eyes 00:12:33.419 --> 00:12:34.059 to the fact 00:12:34.059 --> 00:12:35.839 that these law enforcement 00:12:35.839 --> 00:12:36.539 officers are not 00:12:36.539 --> 00:12:37.059 the enemy. 00:12:38.139 --> 00:12:39.719 They're not the problem. 00:12:40.939 --> 00:12:41.259 Rather, 00:12:41.419 --> 00:12:42.179 they are a 00:12:42.179 --> 00:12:43.899 valuable friend 00:12:43.899 --> 00:12:45.339 of law-abiding 00:12:45.339 --> 00:12:45.899 citizens 00:12:45.899 --> 00:12:48.899 and 00:12:48.899 --> 00:12:50.539 they're a force 00:12:50.539 --> 00:12:51.000 for good 00:12:51.000 --> 00:12:51.659 in this country. 00:12:52.299 --> 00:12:53.119 They're agents 00:12:53.119 --> 00:12:53.559 even 00:12:53.559 --> 00:12:55.039 of the government 00:12:55.039 --> 00:12:56.739 to enforce 00:12:56.739 --> 00:12:57.319 the law, 00:12:57.619 --> 00:12:58.019 to keep 00:12:58.019 --> 00:12:59.519 us safe. 00:13:00.779 --> 00:13:01.500 We need to pray 00:13:01.500 --> 00:13:02.039 that our new 00:13:02.039 --> 00:13:02.600 leaders 00:13:02.600 --> 00:13:04.519 will respect 00:13:04.519 --> 00:13:05.899 religious liberty 00:13:05.899 --> 00:13:07.740 and not persecute 00:13:07.740 --> 00:13:08.679 Christians who seek 00:13:08.679 --> 00:13:09.620 to live in obedience 00:13:09.620 --> 00:13:10.439 to the truth 00:13:10.439 --> 00:13:11.259 of God's word. 00:13:11.799 --> 00:13:12.659 For an example, 00:13:13.579 --> 00:13:14.220 right now, 00:13:14.340 --> 00:13:15.319 many Democrats 00:13:15.319 --> 00:13:16.960 in places 00:13:16.960 --> 00:13:17.480 of leadership 00:13:17.480 --> 00:13:18.480 across this country, 00:13:18.679 --> 00:13:19.840 governors and mayors 00:13:19.840 --> 00:13:20.519 in particular, 00:13:20.519 --> 00:13:23.159 some of them 00:13:23.159 --> 00:13:24.000 have targeted 00:13:24.000 --> 00:13:25.000 churches 00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:26.500 or church 00:13:26.500 --> 00:13:27.259 gatherings 00:13:27.259 --> 00:13:28.419 as one of the 00:13:28.419 --> 00:13:29.559 major spreaders 00:13:29.559 --> 00:13:30.840 of COVID-19 00:13:30.840 --> 00:13:33.600 with no evidence 00:13:33.600 --> 00:13:34.779 to support this. 00:13:36.079 --> 00:13:37.259 Some of these 00:13:37.259 --> 00:13:38.899 Democratic leaders 00:13:38.899 --> 00:13:39.860 in some states 00:13:39.860 --> 00:13:40.519 and cities 00:13:40.519 --> 00:13:41.860 have either 00:13:41.860 --> 00:13:42.519 tried to stop 00:13:43.179 --> 00:13:44.860 in-person 00:13:44.860 --> 00:13:45.860 worship services 00:13:45.860 --> 00:13:46.480 altogether 00:13:46.480 --> 00:13:48.120 or they place 00:13:48.120 --> 00:13:50.120 such ridiculous 00:13:50.120 --> 00:13:50.820 limits 00:13:50.820 --> 00:13:51.639 on the numbers 00:13:51.639 --> 00:13:52.700 that can gather 00:13:52.700 --> 00:13:54.480 that the churches 00:13:54.480 --> 00:13:55.519 really cannot gather. 00:13:56.960 --> 00:13:58.159 We need to pray 00:13:58.159 --> 00:14:00.519 that Joe Biden, 00:14:00.980 --> 00:14:01.580 if he becomes 00:14:01.580 --> 00:14:02.279 our president, 00:14:03.080 --> 00:14:04.519 will not single 00:14:04.519 --> 00:14:05.340 out churches 00:14:05.340 --> 00:14:06.279 like this 00:14:06.279 --> 00:14:08.220 in his attempt 00:14:08.220 --> 00:14:08.700 to deal 00:14:08.700 --> 00:14:09.779 with the coronavirus. 00:14:10.379 --> 00:14:11.000 He said 00:14:11.000 --> 00:14:11.820 this is going to be 00:14:11.820 --> 00:14:12.720 one of his major 00:14:12.720 --> 00:14:14.320 first initiatives 00:14:14.320 --> 00:14:15.039 dealing with the 00:14:15.039 --> 00:14:15.399 coronavirus. 00:14:15.399 --> 00:14:16.679 We need to pray 00:14:16.679 --> 00:14:17.000 that God 00:14:17.000 --> 00:14:17.439 will give him 00:14:17.439 --> 00:14:17.980 wisdom 00:14:17.980 --> 00:14:18.840 about what 00:14:18.840 --> 00:14:19.980 not to do 00:14:19.980 --> 00:14:21.299 as well as 00:14:21.299 --> 00:14:22.279 what to do. 00:14:23.319 --> 00:14:24.179 And we need to pray 00:14:24.179 --> 00:14:24.620 that God 00:14:24.620 --> 00:14:25.220 will help him 00:14:25.220 --> 00:14:26.019 to understand 00:14:26.019 --> 00:14:27.459 that Christians 00:14:27.459 --> 00:14:28.899 gathering together 00:14:28.899 --> 00:14:32.019 are an essential 00:14:32.019 --> 00:14:33.039 part of American 00:14:33.039 --> 00:14:33.579 life. 00:14:34.399 --> 00:14:35.039 It's essential 00:14:35.039 --> 00:14:35.720 for our 00:14:35.720 --> 00:14:37.720 spiritual well-being. 00:14:37.879 --> 00:14:38.259 It's essential 00:14:38.259 --> 00:14:39.939 for many things 00:14:39.939 --> 00:14:40.579 that benefit 00:14:40.579 --> 00:14:41.600 our country. 00:14:42.720 --> 00:14:43.939 We need to pray 00:14:43.940 --> 00:14:47.000 for President-elect 00:14:47.000 --> 00:14:47.520 Biden. 00:14:47.520 --> 00:14:48.600 If he truly is 00:14:48.600 --> 00:14:49.020 going to be 00:14:49.020 --> 00:14:49.860 our next president, 00:14:50.620 --> 00:14:51.380 that he will be 00:14:51.380 --> 00:14:52.820 wise in dealing 00:14:52.820 --> 00:14:54.100 with this pandemic. 00:14:54.920 --> 00:14:55.880 We also need to pray 00:14:55.880 --> 00:14:56.920 that our new leaders 00:14:56.920 --> 00:14:58.660 will see 00:14:58.660 --> 00:15:00.100 clearly 00:15:00.100 --> 00:15:01.660 the failures 00:15:01.660 --> 00:15:02.900 of socialism 00:15:02.900 --> 00:15:04.440 every place 00:15:04.440 --> 00:15:05.300 on this planet 00:15:05.300 --> 00:15:06.000 that has ever 00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:06.960 been practiced. 00:15:07.960 --> 00:15:08.720 We need to pray 00:15:08.720 --> 00:15:09.340 that Biden 00:15:09.340 --> 00:15:10.120 will not be 00:15:10.120 --> 00:15:11.960 led further 00:15:11.960 --> 00:15:12.620 left 00:15:12.620 --> 00:15:14.740 and lead 00:15:14.740 --> 00:15:15.620 our country 00:15:15.620 --> 00:15:16.320 to adopt 00:15:16.320 --> 00:15:17.940 more socialistic 00:15:17.940 --> 00:15:19.259 programs 00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:20.139 and policies. 00:15:21.539 --> 00:15:21.740 Now, 00:15:22.279 --> 00:15:22.840 in light of what 00:15:22.840 --> 00:15:23.279 we know about 00:15:23.279 --> 00:15:24.139 Joe Biden's 00:15:24.139 --> 00:15:24.940 positions on 00:15:24.940 --> 00:15:25.980 such issues 00:15:25.980 --> 00:15:27.539 and the stated 00:15:27.539 --> 00:15:28.659 platform of 00:15:28.659 --> 00:15:29.560 the Democratic 00:15:29.560 --> 00:15:30.060 Party, 00:15:31.060 --> 00:15:32.299 we should pray 00:15:32.299 --> 00:15:32.919 that God 00:15:32.919 --> 00:15:34.080 would change 00:15:34.080 --> 00:15:35.899 Biden's mind 00:15:35.899 --> 00:15:38.279 on these issues 00:15:38.279 --> 00:15:38.740 of major 00:15:38.740 --> 00:15:39.279 importance. 00:15:41.559 --> 00:15:42.379 I'm not trying 00:15:42.379 --> 00:15:42.620 to be, 00:15:42.679 --> 00:15:43.100 I'm trying 00:15:43.100 --> 00:15:43.339 to be 00:15:43.339 --> 00:15:44.299 anti-political. 00:15:44.399 --> 00:15:44.659 I'm trying 00:15:44.659 --> 00:15:45.079 to tone 00:15:45.079 --> 00:15:45.679 things down 00:15:45.679 --> 00:15:46.159 this morning. 00:15:46.259 --> 00:15:46.480 I want you 00:15:46.480 --> 00:15:46.860 to understand 00:15:46.860 --> 00:15:47.120 that. 00:15:48.579 --> 00:15:49.379 But I must 00:15:49.379 --> 00:15:49.899 say, 00:15:50.899 --> 00:15:52.100 if you've 00:15:52.100 --> 00:15:52.519 looked at any 00:15:52.519 --> 00:15:53.000 of the history 00:15:53.000 --> 00:15:53.659 of Joe Biden, 00:15:53.740 --> 00:15:54.220 he's changed 00:15:54.220 --> 00:15:54.659 his mind 00:15:54.659 --> 00:15:55.120 a lot. 00:15:56.500 --> 00:15:57.059 He's flipped 00:15:57.059 --> 00:15:57.620 a lot more 00:15:57.620 --> 00:15:58.179 than you flip 00:15:58.179 --> 00:15:59.319 most hamburgers 00:15:59.319 --> 00:16:00.000 when you grill. 00:16:01.439 --> 00:16:02.399 He is not 00:16:02.399 --> 00:16:03.740 above changing 00:16:03.740 --> 00:16:04.740 his positions 00:16:04.740 --> 00:16:05.919 on anything. 00:16:05.919 --> 00:16:08.240 So, 00:16:08.439 --> 00:16:09.179 seriously, 00:16:09.539 --> 00:16:09.959 we as 00:16:09.959 --> 00:16:10.339 Christians 00:16:10.339 --> 00:16:11.120 should pray 00:16:11.120 --> 00:16:13.500 that God 00:16:13.500 --> 00:16:13.959 will so 00:16:13.959 --> 00:16:14.719 work in 00:16:14.719 --> 00:16:15.939 him and 00:16:15.939 --> 00:16:17.059 put around 00:16:17.059 --> 00:16:18.659 him people 00:16:18.659 --> 00:16:18.939 who will 00:16:18.939 --> 00:16:19.699 influence him 00:16:19.699 --> 00:16:21.479 to cause 00:16:21.479 --> 00:16:21.839 him to 00:16:21.839 --> 00:16:22.779 change his 00:16:22.779 --> 00:16:23.679 mind and 00:16:23.679 --> 00:16:26.079 approach to 00:16:26.079 --> 00:16:26.719 dealing with 00:16:26.719 --> 00:16:27.599 the lawlessness 00:16:27.599 --> 00:16:28.299 in this 00:16:28.299 --> 00:16:28.699 country. 00:16:30.279 --> 00:16:31.299 To change 00:16:31.299 --> 00:16:31.799 his mind 00:16:31.799 --> 00:16:32.339 on dealing 00:16:32.339 --> 00:16:33.259 with religious 00:16:33.259 --> 00:16:34.199 liberty. 00:16:34.200 --> 00:16:36.879 and to 00:16:36.879 --> 00:16:37.340 cause him 00:16:37.340 --> 00:16:37.860 to totally 00:16:37.860 --> 00:16:38.620 reject 00:16:38.620 --> 00:16:39.780 socialism. 00:16:41.180 --> 00:16:41.879 We should 00:16:41.879 --> 00:16:42.520 also pray 00:16:42.520 --> 00:16:42.940 that God 00:16:42.940 --> 00:16:43.320 will work 00:16:43.320 --> 00:16:43.759 in his 00:16:43.759 --> 00:16:44.500 mind and 00:16:44.500 --> 00:16:44.840 heart 00:16:44.840 --> 00:16:46.820 to cause 00:16:46.820 --> 00:16:47.160 him to 00:16:47.160 --> 00:16:48.480 see that 00:16:48.480 --> 00:16:49.140 life is 00:16:49.140 --> 00:16:49.600 sacred. 00:16:50.759 --> 00:16:51.520 Life is a 00:16:51.520 --> 00:16:52.280 sacred gift 00:16:52.280 --> 00:16:52.800 from God 00:16:52.800 --> 00:16:53.180 that must 00:16:53.180 --> 00:16:53.900 be protected 00:16:53.900 --> 00:16:54.660 from the 00:16:54.660 --> 00:16:55.200 life of 00:16:55.200 --> 00:16:55.680 the baby 00:16:55.680 --> 00:16:55.940 in the 00:16:55.940 --> 00:16:56.320 mother's 00:16:56.320 --> 00:16:56.600 womb 00:16:56.600 --> 00:16:56.940 to the 00:16:56.940 --> 00:16:57.400 life of 00:16:57.400 --> 00:16:58.020 the elderly 00:16:58.020 --> 00:16:59.280 Alzheimer's 00:16:59.280 --> 00:16:59.700 patient 00:16:59.700 --> 00:17:00.840 in a 00:17:00.840 --> 00:17:01.160 nursing 00:17:01.160 --> 00:17:01.660 home 00:17:01.660 --> 00:17:02.640 or any 00:17:02.640 --> 00:17:03.040 home. 00:17:04.200 --> 00:17:04.960 life is 00:17:04.960 --> 00:17:05.340 sacred 00:17:05.340 --> 00:17:05.680 and must 00:17:05.680 --> 00:17:06.380 be protected. 00:17:07.480 --> 00:17:08.100 We need 00:17:08.100 --> 00:17:08.580 to pray 00:17:08.580 --> 00:17:09.700 like this 00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:11.120 now. 00:17:12.880 --> 00:17:13.519 We need 00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:13.740 to pray 00:17:13.740 --> 00:17:14.440 like this 00:17:14.440 --> 00:17:16.500 if he 00:17:16.500 --> 00:17:17.259 becomes our 00:17:17.259 --> 00:17:17.620 actual 00:17:17.620 --> 00:17:18.160 president. 00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:19.580 And we 00:17:19.580 --> 00:17:19.779 need to 00:17:19.779 --> 00:17:20.140 pray like 00:17:20.140 --> 00:17:20.600 this the 00:17:20.600 --> 00:17:21.200 whole time 00:17:21.200 --> 00:17:21.720 he is in 00:17:21.720 --> 00:17:22.180 office. 00:17:22.920 --> 00:17:23.440 We should 00:17:23.440 --> 00:17:24.080 be praying 00:17:24.080 --> 00:17:24.660 for our 00:17:24.660 --> 00:17:25.140 president 00:17:25.140 --> 00:17:26.200 now. 00:17:26.700 --> 00:17:27.299 Should have 00:17:27.299 --> 00:17:28.759 been always. 00:17:29.480 --> 00:17:29.819 But we're 00:17:29.819 --> 00:17:30.360 looking now 00:17:30.360 --> 00:17:30.960 at where we 00:17:30.960 --> 00:17:31.559 are in light 00:17:31.559 --> 00:17:34.240 of the 00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:34.919 election this 00:17:34.919 --> 00:17:35.279 week. 00:17:35.919 --> 00:17:36.539 It's important 00:17:36.539 --> 00:17:36.799 that we 00:17:36.799 --> 00:17:37.399 understand that 00:17:37.399 --> 00:17:37.700 one of the 00:17:37.700 --> 00:17:38.359 major reasons 00:17:38.359 --> 00:17:38.960 Paul wanted 00:17:38.960 --> 00:17:39.359 us to pray 00:17:39.359 --> 00:17:39.859 like this. 00:17:40.659 --> 00:17:41.179 Paul's not 00:17:41.179 --> 00:17:41.700 just talking 00:17:41.700 --> 00:17:44.599 about just 00:17:44.599 --> 00:17:45.960 having a 00:17:45.960 --> 00:17:46.460 peaceful and 00:17:46.460 --> 00:17:47.460 tranquil life. 00:17:47.960 --> 00:17:48.539 Look at this. 00:17:48.879 --> 00:17:49.359 We're to pray 00:17:49.359 --> 00:17:50.000 for our leaders 00:17:50.000 --> 00:17:50.460 to lead in 00:17:50.460 --> 00:17:50.980 such a way 00:17:50.980 --> 00:17:52.179 that our 00:17:52.179 --> 00:17:52.899 ability to 00:17:52.899 --> 00:17:53.319 share the 00:17:53.319 --> 00:17:54.000 gospel is 00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:54.659 not hindered. 00:17:55.519 --> 00:17:56.139 Look again 00:17:56.139 --> 00:17:56.419 at the 00:17:56.419 --> 00:17:56.740 scripture. 00:17:57.579 --> 00:17:58.019 That we may 00:17:58.019 --> 00:17:58.759 lead a peaceful 00:17:58.759 --> 00:17:59.779 and quiet life, 00:17:59.779 --> 00:18:01.359 godly and 00:18:01.359 --> 00:18:02.160 dignified in 00:18:02.160 --> 00:18:02.839 every way. 00:18:03.500 --> 00:18:04.559 This is good 00:18:04.559 --> 00:18:05.399 and it is 00:18:05.399 --> 00:18:06.180 pleasing in 00:18:06.180 --> 00:18:06.980 the sight of 00:18:06.980 --> 00:18:07.680 God our 00:18:07.680 --> 00:18:09.039 Savior who 00:18:09.039 --> 00:18:09.920 desires all 00:18:09.920 --> 00:18:10.579 people to be 00:18:10.579 --> 00:18:12.019 saved and to 00:18:12.019 --> 00:18:12.519 come to the 00:18:12.519 --> 00:18:13.119 knowledge of 00:18:13.119 --> 00:18:13.599 the truth. 00:18:14.119 --> 00:18:14.619 For there is 00:18:14.619 --> 00:18:15.480 one God and 00:18:15.480 --> 00:18:15.899 there is one 00:18:15.899 --> 00:18:16.819 mediator between 00:18:16.819 --> 00:18:17.339 God and 00:18:17.339 --> 00:18:18.399 men, the 00:18:18.399 --> 00:18:19.899 man, Christ 00:18:19.899 --> 00:18:20.379 Jesus. 00:18:21.519 --> 00:18:22.039 New Testament 00:18:22.039 --> 00:18:23.119 commentator Tommy 00:18:23.119 --> 00:18:23.700 Lee. 00:18:24.680 --> 00:18:25.319 He taught at 00:18:25.319 --> 00:18:26.200 Southwestern Seminary 00:18:26.200 --> 00:18:26.759 when I was 00:18:26.759 --> 00:18:27.039 there. 00:18:27.619 --> 00:18:28.220 He makes an 00:18:28.220 --> 00:18:28.799 important, 00:18:28.799 --> 00:18:31.279 point about 00:18:31.279 --> 00:18:31.779 one of the 00:18:31.779 --> 00:18:32.980 purposes of 00:18:32.980 --> 00:18:33.579 our prayers 00:18:33.579 --> 00:18:34.000 for our 00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:34.299 leaders. 00:18:34.419 --> 00:18:34.720 Look at what 00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:35.079 he said. 00:18:36.059 --> 00:18:36.680 Freedom from 00:18:36.680 --> 00:18:37.299 anarchy, 00:18:38.139 --> 00:18:38.740 persecution, 00:18:39.440 --> 00:18:40.220 and economic 00:18:40.220 --> 00:18:41.919 hardship can 00:18:41.919 --> 00:18:42.960 facilitate the 00:18:42.960 --> 00:18:43.500 spread of the 00:18:43.500 --> 00:18:43.919 gospel. 00:18:44.819 --> 00:18:45.700 Wise rulers 00:18:45.700 --> 00:18:46.399 can provide 00:18:46.399 --> 00:18:48.200 sound, solid 00:18:48.200 --> 00:18:50.180 leadership to 00:18:50.180 --> 00:18:50.980 accomplish these 00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:51.419 goals. 00:18:52.500 --> 00:18:54.399 Paul benefited 00:18:54.399 --> 00:18:57.180 by the 00:18:57.180 --> 00:18:58.000 leadership of 00:18:58.000 --> 00:18:58.359 Rome. 00:18:58.359 --> 00:18:59.519 even the 00:18:59.519 --> 00:19:00.240 persecuting 00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:01.839 Emperor Nero. 00:19:02.479 --> 00:19:03.539 Paul benefited 00:19:03.539 --> 00:19:04.559 by the 00:19:04.559 --> 00:19:05.339 freedom he 00:19:05.339 --> 00:19:06.179 was accorded 00:19:06.179 --> 00:19:07.919 to travel, 00:19:08.279 --> 00:19:09.319 to preach, 00:19:09.799 --> 00:19:10.319 to start 00:19:10.319 --> 00:19:11.959 churches, to 00:19:11.959 --> 00:19:12.419 do all the 00:19:12.419 --> 00:19:12.939 things that he 00:19:12.939 --> 00:19:13.219 did. 00:19:14.059 --> 00:19:15.259 Paul benefited 00:19:15.259 --> 00:19:16.740 by a 00:19:16.740 --> 00:19:17.399 government that 00:19:17.399 --> 00:19:18.359 kept peace and 00:19:18.359 --> 00:19:19.179 order, didn't 00:19:19.179 --> 00:19:20.199 allow anarchy, 00:19:21.199 --> 00:19:22.299 allowed economic 00:19:22.299 --> 00:19:23.019 flourishing. 00:19:24.479 --> 00:19:25.639 It benefited the 00:19:25.639 --> 00:19:26.039 spread of the 00:19:26.039 --> 00:19:26.439 gospel. 00:19:26.440 --> 00:19:26.500 people. 00:19:27.720 --> 00:19:28.620 We must 00:19:28.620 --> 00:19:29.440 never lose 00:19:29.440 --> 00:19:30.380 sight of the 00:19:30.380 --> 00:19:31.680 fact that we 00:19:31.680 --> 00:19:31.940 have a 00:19:31.940 --> 00:19:32.700 responsibility to 00:19:32.700 --> 00:19:33.640 be witnesses of 00:19:33.640 --> 00:19:34.380 the Lord's. 00:19:35.660 --> 00:19:36.420 Understand that. 00:19:37.180 --> 00:19:38.059 All of us in this 00:19:38.059 --> 00:19:38.740 room right now who 00:19:38.740 --> 00:19:39.519 claim to be 00:19:39.519 --> 00:19:40.840 Christians, we are 00:19:40.840 --> 00:19:42.160 responsible for how 00:19:42.160 --> 00:19:42.900 we live in this 00:19:42.900 --> 00:19:43.340 world. 00:19:43.840 --> 00:19:44.779 We are to be 00:19:44.779 --> 00:19:46.240 faithful, positive 00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:47.279 witnesses of the 00:19:47.279 --> 00:19:48.140 Lord's by the way 00:19:48.140 --> 00:19:49.940 that we live, and 00:19:49.940 --> 00:19:50.380 we have the 00:19:50.380 --> 00:19:51.039 responsibility to 00:19:51.039 --> 00:19:51.779 share the gospel, 00:19:51.779 --> 00:19:53.579 to help people to 00:19:53.579 --> 00:19:55.559 understand that 00:19:55.559 --> 00:19:57.940 alone, on their 00:19:57.940 --> 00:19:58.740 own, they are 00:19:58.740 --> 00:19:59.700 separated from God 00:19:59.700 --> 00:20:01.759 by their sin, and 00:20:01.759 --> 00:20:02.480 the penalty for that 00:20:02.480 --> 00:20:03.500 sin is death. 00:20:04.160 --> 00:20:04.960 But the good news of 00:20:04.960 --> 00:20:05.879 the Bible is that God 00:20:05.879 --> 00:20:06.899 has provided a way of 00:20:06.899 --> 00:20:07.980 salvation through 00:20:07.980 --> 00:20:09.720 Jesus Christ that 00:20:09.720 --> 00:20:10.480 whoever would turn 00:20:10.480 --> 00:20:11.220 from their sin and 00:20:11.220 --> 00:20:12.440 trust him can be 00:20:12.440 --> 00:20:13.139 forgiven, made 00:20:13.139 --> 00:20:16.319 children of God, and 00:20:16.319 --> 00:20:17.259 prepared to live in 00:20:17.259 --> 00:20:18.059 fellowship with God 00:20:18.059 --> 00:20:18.819 forever. 00:20:18.819 --> 00:20:18.939 forever. 00:20:20.139 --> 00:20:21.279 That's part of our 00:20:21.279 --> 00:20:22.519 responsibility as 00:20:22.519 --> 00:20:23.759 Christians in this 00:20:23.759 --> 00:20:24.179 world. 00:20:25.240 --> 00:20:26.339 We need to pray that 00:20:26.339 --> 00:20:28.559 our new president will 00:20:28.559 --> 00:20:29.720 not do anything to 00:20:29.720 --> 00:20:30.500 interfere in our 00:20:30.500 --> 00:20:32.480 ability to live as 00:20:32.480 --> 00:20:33.659 faithful followers of 00:20:33.659 --> 00:20:35.919 Jesus and to 00:20:35.919 --> 00:20:37.679 actively share the 00:20:37.679 --> 00:20:39.720 gospel with people 00:20:39.720 --> 00:20:40.220 who are not 00:20:40.220 --> 00:20:42.639 Christians, people who 00:20:42.639 --> 00:20:45.399 don't care even about 00:20:45.399 --> 00:20:46.379 their relationship with 00:20:46.379 --> 00:20:46.659 God. 00:20:46.660 --> 00:20:48.779 We also need to pray 00:20:48.779 --> 00:20:52.080 that Joe Biden, if 00:20:52.080 --> 00:20:52.500 he is elected 00:20:52.500 --> 00:20:55.259 president, will be 00:20:55.259 --> 00:20:57.360 convicted to live like 00:20:57.360 --> 00:20:59.560 a Christian if he is 00:20:59.560 --> 00:21:01.880 truly a child of God, or 00:21:01.880 --> 00:21:03.160 that he'll be saved if 00:21:03.160 --> 00:21:04.320 he is not a Christian. 00:21:05.160 --> 00:21:06.240 Now, he claims to be a 00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:06.540 Christian. 00:21:07.759 --> 00:21:08.920 He is a member of the 00:21:08.920 --> 00:21:10.519 Roman Catholic Church. 00:21:10.519 --> 00:21:13.740 But the real test of a 00:21:13.740 --> 00:21:15.879 person's faith, Joe 00:21:15.879 --> 00:21:20.200 Biden, Donald Trump, you 00:21:20.200 --> 00:21:24.119 and me, the real test of 00:21:24.119 --> 00:21:26.319 our faith is found in the 00:21:26.319 --> 00:21:27.279 way that we live. 00:21:27.859 --> 00:21:29.220 Not the church we're a 00:21:29.220 --> 00:21:31.180 member of or anything like 00:21:31.180 --> 00:21:31.519 that. 00:21:32.819 --> 00:21:34.279 Jesus would say it like 00:21:34.279 --> 00:21:35.420 this from time to time. 00:21:35.859 --> 00:21:37.579 We're known by the fruit 00:21:37.579 --> 00:21:38.519 that we bear. 00:21:38.519 --> 00:21:41.200 Our fruit give evidence of 00:21:41.200 --> 00:21:43.039 the root within us. 00:21:44.379 --> 00:21:45.420 There's one point in this 00:21:45.420 --> 00:21:46.599 passage we must not miss 00:21:46.599 --> 00:21:48.400 this morning because it 00:21:48.400 --> 00:21:49.539 applies to all of us. 00:21:49.599 --> 00:21:50.720 I've just alluded to that. 00:21:51.240 --> 00:21:52.759 It does matter how you and 00:21:52.759 --> 00:21:53.279 I live. 00:21:53.359 --> 00:21:54.099 Look at verses two and 00:21:54.099 --> 00:21:54.660 three again. 00:21:55.859 --> 00:21:57.900 That we may lead a peaceful 00:21:57.900 --> 00:22:02.559 and quiet life, godly and 00:22:02.559 --> 00:22:05.599 dignified in every way. 00:22:05.599 --> 00:22:09.059 this is good and it is 00:22:09.059 --> 00:22:10.699 pleasing in the sight of 00:22:10.699 --> 00:22:12.359 God, our Savior. 00:22:13.419 --> 00:22:14.379 Now, Paul said something 00:22:14.379 --> 00:22:16.659 similar to this in his 00:22:16.659 --> 00:22:17.579 first letter to the 00:22:17.579 --> 00:22:18.359 Thessalonians. 00:22:18.599 --> 00:22:19.359 Look at it. 00:22:20.639 --> 00:22:21.899 Make it your ambition to 00:22:21.899 --> 00:22:23.179 lead a quiet life. 00:22:23.659 --> 00:22:24.699 You should mind your own 00:22:24.699 --> 00:22:25.740 business and work with your 00:22:25.740 --> 00:22:27.399 hands, just as we told you, 00:22:27.819 --> 00:22:29.619 so that your daily life may 00:22:29.619 --> 00:22:30.980 win the respect of 00:22:30.980 --> 00:22:31.539 outsiders. 00:22:31.539 --> 00:22:35.579 Thomas Lee made an important 00:22:35.579 --> 00:22:38.579 point about why Paul would 00:22:38.579 --> 00:22:39.500 have said this. 00:22:40.819 --> 00:22:42.399 Talking about why it matters 00:22:42.399 --> 00:22:43.099 how we live. 00:22:43.180 --> 00:22:43.819 Look at what he said. 00:22:44.579 --> 00:22:46.259 Paul desired that believers 00:22:46.259 --> 00:22:49.639 live peaceful and quiet lives. 00:22:50.319 --> 00:22:51.759 He may not have intended that 00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:53.759 this quiet life be free of all 00:22:53.759 --> 00:22:55.759 conflict and persecution because 00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:57.220 Paul said if we truly live the 00:22:57.220 --> 00:22:58.059 Christian life we will be 00:22:58.059 --> 00:22:59.700 persecuted at times. 00:23:00.460 --> 00:23:02.639 Perhaps strife and discord in 00:23:02.639 --> 00:23:05.240 the church caused outsiders to 00:23:05.240 --> 00:23:07.879 scoff at the religion of the 00:23:07.879 --> 00:23:08.859 Ephesian Christians. 00:23:09.759 --> 00:23:12.599 Paul wanted his readers to live an 00:23:12.599 --> 00:23:15.519 orderly life free of strife and 00:23:15.519 --> 00:23:17.879 discord so as to convince 00:23:17.879 --> 00:23:20.859 unbelievers that Christianity was 00:23:20.859 --> 00:23:22.879 worthy of their attention. 00:23:24.379 --> 00:23:26.019 Here's how I want to apply this. 00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:32.119 For the past four years there have 00:23:32.119 --> 00:23:34.240 been thousands upon thousands of 00:23:34.240 --> 00:23:39.160 Trump haters in this country who 00:23:39.160 --> 00:23:43.759 have whined, complained, screamed, 00:23:44.480 --> 00:23:49.019 shouted, cursed, did everything they 00:23:49.019 --> 00:23:52.259 could do to show their hatred and 00:23:52.259 --> 00:23:54.639 displeasure of Donald Trump. 00:23:54.640 --> 00:23:58.060 Many of them said things like they 00:23:58.060 --> 00:23:59.980 refused to acknowledge him as 00:23:59.980 --> 00:24:01.180 their president. 00:24:02.180 --> 00:24:04.220 They did everything they could to 00:24:04.220 --> 00:24:08.380 disrespect the man, to put him 00:24:08.380 --> 00:24:13.700 down, show him no honor as the 00:24:13.700 --> 00:24:15.120 president of this country. 00:24:15.119 --> 00:24:22.659 We as God's people cannot, must not, 00:24:22.659 --> 00:24:27.379 act that way toward a President 00:24:27.379 --> 00:24:31.000 Biden no matter what. 00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:35.039 In fact, it would be better for you to 00:24:35.039 --> 00:24:37.899 renounce your faith, don't call 00:24:37.899 --> 00:24:40.719 yourself a Christian, than to become a 00:24:40.720 --> 00:24:44.579 Biden hater like so many have been 00:24:44.579 --> 00:24:48.860 Trump haters and lived the opposite 00:24:48.860 --> 00:24:52.779 life of what God calls us to live as a 00:24:52.779 --> 00:24:53.140 Christian. 00:24:54.640 --> 00:24:59.019 Now, make no mistake, we can disagree 00:24:59.019 --> 00:25:03.579 with liberal and unbiblical policies all 00:25:03.579 --> 00:25:04.380 day long. 00:25:04.380 --> 00:25:06.200 We've got to do it the right way. 00:25:07.160 --> 00:25:14.080 We can work for change the right way with 00:25:14.080 --> 00:25:15.880 all that is within us. 00:25:17.040 --> 00:25:20.720 But we must as Christians now, and it's, 00:25:21.340 --> 00:25:23.200 being a Christian is a higher calling than 00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:23.900 being an American. 00:25:23.900 --> 00:25:31.200 Our ultimate and final citizenship is in 00:25:31.200 --> 00:25:33.220 heaven, not the United States of America. 00:25:35.560 --> 00:25:38.640 We have the responsibility to show a 00:25:38.640 --> 00:25:43.759 watching world that Jesus Christ does make a 00:25:43.759 --> 00:25:46.540 difference in how we live. 00:25:47.820 --> 00:25:51.660 He has an effect on our attitudes, our 00:25:51.660 --> 00:25:56.380 words, and our actions, whether we win or 00:25:56.380 --> 00:26:00.400 lose in politics, regardless of who's in 00:26:00.400 --> 00:26:01.160 the White House. 00:26:03.160 --> 00:26:06.620 As I said at the beginning, it's been a 00:26:06.620 --> 00:26:12.440 tough week for conservative Americans and 00:26:12.440 --> 00:26:13.840 Bible-believing Christians. 00:26:15.440 --> 00:26:18.500 The election did not turn out like we wanted 00:26:18.500 --> 00:26:21.640 it to, or at least it has not to this point. 00:26:21.660 --> 00:26:27.060 But what we must never lose sight of, God is 00:26:27.060 --> 00:26:28.300 still on the throne. 00:26:29.460 --> 00:26:32.100 God is still in charge of this world and this 00:26:32.100 --> 00:26:32.580 country. 00:26:33.800 --> 00:26:34.660 God is sovereign. 00:26:36.019 --> 00:26:37.180 And He can be trusted. 00:26:37.960 --> 00:26:40.240 We can trust Him. 00:26:41.300 --> 00:26:45.160 And if we trust Him, we'll obey Him. 00:26:45.160 --> 00:26:52.240 And what I am emphasizing only this morning, we need to 00:26:52.240 --> 00:26:53.040 pray for our leaders. 00:26:53.360 --> 00:26:54.100 It's just simple. 00:26:55.519 --> 00:26:59.120 We need to pray for President Trump because he is 00:26:59.120 --> 00:27:05.720 still our president and will be for another few months 00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:09.480 unless the election results are changed. 00:27:09.480 --> 00:27:10.480 We need to pray for our leaders. 00:27:10.480 --> 00:27:10.779 We need to pray for our leaders. 00:27:10.779 --> 00:27:14.900 We need to pray that he will be a wise leader at this time. 00:27:15.259 --> 00:27:18.240 That he will do the right things the right way. 00:27:19.620 --> 00:27:25.079 If Joe Biden is to be our president, we must pray that he will do the same. 00:27:25.079 --> 00:27:29.759 That he will surround himself with the right kind of people. 00:27:31.759 --> 00:27:33.740 We also need to pray for ourselves. 00:27:35.599 --> 00:27:45.399 We need to pray that we will do the right things, the right ways, for the right reasons. 00:27:45.400 --> 00:27:54.120 And I want us to note, when we do things like this, look again at the verse. 00:27:57.120 --> 00:28:03.460 That we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 00:28:04.320 --> 00:28:10.300 This is good and it is pleasing in the sight of God, our Savior. 00:28:10.299 --> 00:28:23.680 Bottom line, if we're Christians and God is our Father, our greatest desire should be to please Him. 00:28:25.680 --> 00:28:34.359 And one of the ways we can please Him is by praying for our government leaders. 00:28:35.419 --> 00:28:36.440 Let's pray together.