WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 All right. Well, find your spots here. We'll get into Sunday school here. We got a lot of stuff to cover this morning. 00:00:07.459 --> 00:00:12.900 And hopefully in the next few weeks, I want to talk a little bit about being a citizen. 00:00:13.599 --> 00:00:19.920 But we're going to start today by looking at something very important that's coming up that I wanted to cover 00:00:19.920 --> 00:00:26.539 before you guys start filling out ballots and getting those things, because there's a couple of things 00:00:26.539 --> 00:00:34.259 that as believers, we need to understand about even our, number one, our responsibility to vote, 00:00:34.840 --> 00:00:43.879 but also just how these things are going to play out in our society. Because as a good citizen, 00:00:43.879 --> 00:00:47.579 one thing I want to encourage you to do, God gives us a blessing of being able to vote 00:00:47.579 --> 00:00:53.960 to make a difference. You know, there's many places in the world that don't get that opportunity 00:00:53.960 --> 00:01:01.439 and the influence that we have in our system that God has given to us with our government. 00:01:01.759 --> 00:01:06.540 And so let's go ahead and open in a word of prayer here this morning. Heavenly Fathers, 00:01:06.640 --> 00:01:10.599 we come before you today, Lord. We just thank you and praise you for this day. Lord, 00:01:10.640 --> 00:01:15.680 as we look at these very important topics and the things going on, Lord, that we might understand 00:01:15.680 --> 00:01:21.819 the truth of not only what things are, but Lord, to help us to see it in light of your word, 00:01:21.819 --> 00:01:27.239 of light of the scripture, of how these things, how you've put these things together. Lord, 00:01:27.279 --> 00:01:34.699 that we might apply them biblically and not just from opinion or conjecture, even as we've looked 00:01:34.699 --> 00:01:39.199 at this morning. Lord, we pray just have your hand upon each one today as we look at these things, 00:01:39.239 --> 00:01:43.899 that we might grab a hold of the truth of your word. And Lord, we ask all these things in your 00:01:43.900 --> 00:01:53.400 precious name. Amen. Okay. So we're 30 days from election. Okay. We're 30 days from an election 00:01:53.400 --> 00:02:02.620 and it will be casting votes both for and against many things. One of which is the conflicting 00:02:02.620 --> 00:02:05.740 initiatives that we're going to have here in the state. We're going to talk specifically about 00:02:05.740 --> 00:02:11.340 something. And this, there's two initiatives that deal with life. Life is an issue that as a Bible 00:02:11.340 --> 00:02:19.140 believer, you ought to be concerned about life entirely from the moment of conception, 00:02:19.140 --> 00:02:27.759 all the way to the time God takes somebody home. Life is important, but we're going to look at some 00:02:27.759 --> 00:02:34.520 of the conflicting initiatives that we're going to see here dealing with the topic of abortion. 00:02:35.860 --> 00:02:39.960 We're going to spend a few minutes this morning to address these in light of scripture, 00:02:39.960 --> 00:02:48.319 in light of our part of citizens of the state of Nebraska, in light of your reality of being a 00:02:48.319 --> 00:02:57.700 citizen of our republic. Yes, I said a republic. We are not a democracy. Words matter. 00:03:00.200 --> 00:03:06.600 The United States is not a democracy. We are a democratic republic. 00:03:06.599 --> 00:03:15.280 A republic is governed by rule of law. And so we need to understand the difference. A democracy, 00:03:15.500 --> 00:03:25.859 the mob rules. Whoever outvotes the other wins. A republic is by rule of law. Our nation was founded 00:03:25.859 --> 00:03:34.400 by rule of law, even though we have democratic input into the direction. It's a very good balance. 00:03:34.400 --> 00:03:45.020 It's a blessing that our founding fathers saw the insight to do so. And it's our responsibility to keep it. 00:03:46.300 --> 00:03:49.860 I want you to understand there's six initiatives on the ballot this year. 00:03:49.860 --> 00:03:57.880 From 434 to 439. We have the first one up is to protect women and children. 00:03:59.360 --> 00:04:01.320 We're going to talk about that this morning. 00:04:02.180 --> 00:04:09.820 435 is private education scholarships. We won't get into that too much this morning, but that's, 00:04:10.620 --> 00:04:14.320 there's some biblical things regarding that one too we need to pay attention to. 00:04:14.319 --> 00:04:25.540 You have paid sick leave on the initiative. You have medical cannabis and a medical cannabis board to be established. 00:04:27.219 --> 00:04:32.800 And then you have 439, protect our rights. In other words, the right to kill an innocent. 00:04:35.100 --> 00:04:39.800 I'm just going to tell you what it is. It's the right, they want to have a right to kill an innocent. 00:04:39.800 --> 00:04:43.879 And we're going to look at some of this this morning. 00:04:44.439 --> 00:04:47.960 But before we go there, I want to lay out a groundwork a little bit 00:04:47.960 --> 00:04:50.759 from the Word of God, because I want you to understand 00:04:50.759 --> 00:04:55.120 that God has institutions and responsibilities that He gives to us. 00:04:56.519 --> 00:04:57.580 Go ahead and take your Bible. 00:04:57.660 --> 00:04:59.699 Let's go to Matthew chapter 28 this morning. 00:05:01.139 --> 00:05:02.519 Matthew chapter 28. 00:05:03.080 --> 00:05:06.000 And we're going to look at the first thing that we need to pay attention to, 00:05:06.000 --> 00:05:09.899 because God gives a responsibility to the local church. 00:05:10.000 --> 00:05:11.959 God gives a responsibility to the church. 00:05:12.839 --> 00:05:15.600 He lists out some responsibilities that we have. 00:05:16.620 --> 00:05:18.500 Some things that are set before us. 00:05:19.439 --> 00:05:24.060 And we see here in Matthew chapter 28, verses 19 and 20. 00:05:24.120 --> 00:05:27.120 Who do I have this morning who can stand up and read that nice and loud for me this morning? 00:05:28.480 --> 00:05:29.300 Go ahead, James. 00:05:29.300 --> 00:05:29.360 Go ahead, James. 00:05:45.740 --> 00:05:46.220 Okay. 00:05:46.939 --> 00:05:49.040 In this verse, we find some responsibilities. 00:05:49.319 --> 00:05:52.980 One is to proclaim and teach the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:05:53.759 --> 00:05:56.939 As a church, we have a responsibility to proclaim the gospel. 00:05:56.939 --> 00:05:59.939 We secondly have a responsibility to baptize. 00:06:00.759 --> 00:06:04.600 And that baptism identifies those that have called upon the Lord. 00:06:05.899 --> 00:06:08.839 Identifies them into His people. 00:06:09.579 --> 00:06:12.959 It doesn't say, but identifies His people and His purpose. 00:06:13.920 --> 00:06:17.439 And then we have a responsibility to disciple and teach those 00:06:17.439 --> 00:06:21.439 that have identified with Christ to understand and do the will of God. 00:06:21.480 --> 00:06:24.339 Those are basically the three mandates of the church. 00:06:24.339 --> 00:06:25.919 Proclaim the gospel. 00:06:26.500 --> 00:06:28.819 Get people connected into the local church. 00:06:29.159 --> 00:06:33.500 And then continue to teach them to observe the things that God has given to us. 00:06:34.259 --> 00:06:37.139 That's the summary statement of what's going on here. 00:06:37.379 --> 00:06:39.239 And that's a whole message in itself. 00:06:39.339 --> 00:06:40.479 But we don't have time this morning. 00:06:40.539 --> 00:06:44.719 But I want you to understand, the local church, that's our primary responsibilities. 00:06:45.439 --> 00:06:49.679 To train and equip people for the proclamation of the gospel. 00:06:49.680 --> 00:06:51.579 And to go forth. 00:06:51.639 --> 00:06:53.660 And we understand this principle. 00:06:54.240 --> 00:06:57.939 But the second institution that God had, and we talked about that, was the government. 00:06:58.959 --> 00:07:02.180 The government God gives responsibilities to also. 00:07:03.019 --> 00:07:05.280 Look over to Romans chapter 13 for a moment. 00:07:05.899 --> 00:07:09.480 Romans chapter 13, in verses 3 and 4. 00:07:10.100 --> 00:07:10.840 And who do I got? 00:07:10.899 --> 00:07:12.639 Read those nice and loud for me this morning. 00:07:12.939 --> 00:07:13.639 Lou, you got that? 00:07:13.639 --> 00:07:29.639 Go read it. 00:07:33.639 --> 00:07:34.199 Okay. 00:07:35.159 --> 00:07:38.379 So we see here that God tells us government sums up this way. 00:07:38.379 --> 00:07:43.480 The responsibility of government that God has established is very clear. 00:07:43.939 --> 00:07:47.600 One of the primary purposes we find there is to restrain evil. 00:07:49.000 --> 00:07:51.680 Now I want you to understand, you cannot stop evil. 00:07:53.600 --> 00:07:57.480 The heart of an individual is desperately wicked and who can know it? 00:07:59.040 --> 00:08:02.439 Government's job will never stop evil. 00:08:02.800 --> 00:08:04.699 Their job is to restrain evil. 00:08:04.699 --> 00:08:10.519 To cause an accountability in this present time for evil that people do. 00:08:11.740 --> 00:08:14.899 But also to allow for good to be done. 00:08:16.199 --> 00:08:22.319 In other words, to give a context where those that to do good have a context in which to do it safely. 00:08:23.259 --> 00:08:27.279 Government has a responsibility to establish a safe society. 00:08:28.180 --> 00:08:29.620 Punish evildoers. 00:08:30.399 --> 00:08:32.080 Establish a safe society. 00:08:32.080 --> 00:08:34.740 And to promote that which is good. 00:08:35.080 --> 00:08:38.860 Because remember, you can't make somebody do good and you cannot prevent evil. 00:08:39.280 --> 00:08:43.100 But you can set a stage to promote good. 00:08:43.520 --> 00:08:45.320 To do that which is right. 00:08:45.920 --> 00:08:48.120 And also restrain evil. 00:08:48.240 --> 00:08:49.879 In other words, hinder that which is evil. 00:08:50.780 --> 00:08:52.639 That's government's responsibility. 00:08:53.879 --> 00:08:56.820 Now I want you to understand, as a citizen of the United States, 00:08:56.900 --> 00:08:59.259 you're part of our government whether you choose to be or not. 00:08:59.259 --> 00:09:03.559 A citizen is part of that whether you think you are or not. 00:09:04.480 --> 00:09:05.639 It doesn't matter. 00:09:05.919 --> 00:09:06.360 You are. 00:09:06.720 --> 00:09:11.279 And God gives us a responsibility to be a part of our government. 00:09:11.919 --> 00:09:14.059 And have a voice and to do that. 00:09:14.819 --> 00:09:18.899 But let's look third because we have church, we have government, and then we have individual. 00:09:20.100 --> 00:09:23.460 Yes, God gives responsibilities to us as individuals, doesn't he? 00:09:23.460 --> 00:09:28.340 What is our responsibilities that God gives to us? 00:09:28.980 --> 00:09:30.800 You know, think about Micah 6.8. 00:09:31.200 --> 00:09:31.500 He says, 00:09:31.620 --> 00:09:37.280 He had shown thee, O man, what is good, and what doth the Lord require of thee? 00:09:38.759 --> 00:09:41.620 Remember, this is what God's requirements are to an individual. 00:09:42.700 --> 00:09:43.160 We're to what? 00:09:43.240 --> 00:09:44.379 We're to do justly. 00:09:45.700 --> 00:09:48.440 In other words, do those things that are right and proper. 00:09:48.440 --> 00:09:53.360 And to do things just, you know, we hear words today like fair. 00:09:54.620 --> 00:09:56.640 Fair isn't as important as just. 00:09:57.020 --> 00:09:57.460 Justice. 00:09:59.140 --> 00:10:00.880 Accountability ties to justice. 00:10:02.440 --> 00:10:04.700 Justice will make things proper. 00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:10.460 The idea of fairness says everybody gets the same thing, and that's not always the case. 00:10:10.620 --> 00:10:11.620 There's too many variables. 00:10:11.620 --> 00:10:15.620 But justice can be dealt evenly. 00:10:16.779 --> 00:10:19.360 Secondly, we ought to love mercy. 00:10:21.279 --> 00:10:23.440 We ought to love mercy for a couple reasons. 00:10:23.639 --> 00:10:25.639 One, because God was merciful to us. 00:10:25.899 --> 00:10:29.840 And as God's people, we ought to see other people have mercy upon others also. 00:10:30.259 --> 00:10:32.299 Thirdly, to walk humbly with thy God. 00:10:32.620 --> 00:10:34.039 We're to walk humbly with God. 00:10:34.120 --> 00:10:37.159 In other words, God is to be the primary focus. 00:10:37.840 --> 00:10:39.220 That's our responsibility. 00:10:39.220 --> 00:10:47.879 We find here, even at Solomon in Ecclesiastes chapter 12, verse 13, he sums it up this way. 00:10:47.960 --> 00:10:50.660 He says, let's hear the conclusion of the whole matter. 00:10:51.040 --> 00:10:55.340 Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 00:10:57.180 --> 00:10:58.800 He lays it out there for us. 00:10:59.800 --> 00:11:02.139 So we have these three things that interconnect. 00:11:04.440 --> 00:11:07.700 Because you cannot separate the local church from individuals. 00:11:07.700 --> 00:11:12.020 We're individual members of this body of believers. 00:11:12.980 --> 00:11:16.600 Each with responsibilities within it as a corporate as a whole. 00:11:16.740 --> 00:11:17.740 That God gives to us. 00:11:17.820 --> 00:11:22.480 But also corporately as individuals under government. 00:11:23.340 --> 00:11:24.920 That God has established. 00:11:25.040 --> 00:11:26.300 We have a responsibility. 00:11:26.299 --> 00:11:30.339 To understand and to help government do. 00:11:30.339 --> 00:11:39.079 We're blessed to be able to direct and guide and influence our government to do those things that are right and good and to restrain evil. 00:11:39.359 --> 00:11:40.620 Those things are important. 00:11:41.740 --> 00:11:44.759 Because each of these plays a role in your life. 00:11:44.759 --> 00:11:52.879 So the question is how these apply to your responsibilities as both citizens of heaven and citizens of earth. 00:11:53.080 --> 00:11:57.059 Because literally as a believer, you're a member of both places. 00:11:57.360 --> 00:11:58.879 You say, I'm a citizen of heaven. 00:11:58.980 --> 00:12:00.759 Yes, you are, but you're still a citizen here. 00:12:02.759 --> 00:12:03.159 Why? 00:12:03.279 --> 00:12:04.179 Because you're still breathing. 00:12:04.299 --> 00:12:04.939 You're still walking. 00:12:05.299 --> 00:12:07.939 We have responsibilities that we can't just put away. 00:12:07.940 --> 00:12:10.780 In a few weeks, we're going to be called upon to cast a vote. 00:12:10.880 --> 00:12:12.800 And I pray you've taken measures to vote. 00:12:14.400 --> 00:12:16.380 I believe God has blessed us. 00:12:16.400 --> 00:12:20.160 And I believe it's a God-given responsibility to do your part. 00:12:20.440 --> 00:12:22.540 I think we've laid that case out many times. 00:12:22.640 --> 00:12:26.720 And hopefully as we go through here in the coming weeks, those things will be clear. 00:12:27.320 --> 00:12:31.480 Because sometimes people want to separate and ignore government. 00:12:31.600 --> 00:12:34.360 But you know, the reality is we have a responsibility to it. 00:12:34.380 --> 00:12:36.580 Because God has given it to us and we're a citizen of it. 00:12:36.580 --> 00:12:43.980 And you'll find even in the most wicked cultures, the most wicked governments upon the face of the earth. 00:12:44.060 --> 00:12:47.400 You'll be amazed when you study out, even look at the scripture. 00:12:49.139 --> 00:12:52.240 Daniel was cast into a very corrupt system. 00:12:53.379 --> 00:12:59.280 But yet God put him there and made a major impact in the government. 00:13:00.520 --> 00:13:04.440 Joseph, God placed him there and made an impact in the government that he was under. 00:13:04.440 --> 00:13:09.380 No different than us to have an impact, Nehemiah. 00:13:10.880 --> 00:13:18.500 I mean, the Bible's filled with people who made impacts on the government that God had put them under. 00:13:20.500 --> 00:13:22.400 And the influence that is there. 00:13:23.680 --> 00:13:26.760 While there are many things that we need to consider when we vote, 00:13:26.759 --> 00:13:32.679 I want to look specifically at the two measures before us this year because this is especially critical. 00:13:33.819 --> 00:13:34.939 Consider the question. 00:13:35.039 --> 00:13:36.860 Look over to Mark chapter 3 for a moment. 00:13:38.580 --> 00:13:40.340 Mark chapter 3 and verse 4. 00:13:40.600 --> 00:13:42.840 I want you to see here that Jesus makes a statement. 00:13:43.200 --> 00:13:46.559 He declares, it's almost a declarative statement you might say, 00:13:46.639 --> 00:13:48.399 but in the form of a question. 00:13:49.519 --> 00:13:51.279 But it's kind of a rhetorical question. 00:13:51.279 --> 00:13:54.779 Because when we look at it, we understand that it is rhetorical. 00:13:55.000 --> 00:13:57.240 Because when we understand it, look what it says. 00:13:57.339 --> 00:14:01.519 And he saith unto them, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day or to do evil. 00:14:03.500 --> 00:14:06.019 To save life or to kill. 00:14:06.360 --> 00:14:07.779 What ought we to do? 00:14:09.559 --> 00:14:12.639 It's a rhetorical question that we already know the answer to, isn't it? 00:14:12.720 --> 00:14:15.480 We ought to do good and we ought to seek to save life. 00:14:15.480 --> 00:14:19.019 When you study the scripture, you'll see that that's one of the principles 00:14:19.019 --> 00:14:23.080 that supersedes a lot of other things is the principle of life. 00:14:23.340 --> 00:14:24.700 We won't have time to get into it. 00:14:24.720 --> 00:14:26.740 If you want a good study on it, go study Rahab. 00:14:29.060 --> 00:14:31.680 Principle of life is a major factor in that account. 00:14:32.000 --> 00:14:34.519 But as a child of God, we should be for life. 00:14:35.159 --> 00:14:37.399 God is the one that made man a living soul. 00:14:37.920 --> 00:14:42.379 He formed us even before your mother knew who you are, God knew who you were. 00:14:44.019 --> 00:14:45.060 That's a scary thought. 00:14:46.379 --> 00:14:48.960 Because your mom, we often think, is the first one to know you 00:14:48.960 --> 00:14:51.440 because you let her know you're there when you kick her. 00:14:51.700 --> 00:14:53.779 But before that point, God already knew you. 00:14:54.039 --> 00:14:57.180 As a child of God, we need to understand the importance of it. 00:14:57.279 --> 00:14:58.840 Think about Proverbs 14. 00:14:59.700 --> 00:15:01.680 Proverbs 14, 34 says, 00:15:02.080 --> 00:15:06.159 Righteousness exalted the nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. 00:15:07.539 --> 00:15:12.680 I want you to understand that taking the life of the innocent is a reproach to God. 00:15:12.680 --> 00:15:14.300 It's a reproach to God. 00:15:14.299 --> 00:15:17.319 Proverbs 15, 9 says, 00:15:17.519 --> 00:15:20.339 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord, 00:15:20.839 --> 00:15:24.419 but he that loveth him that followeth after righteousness. 00:15:25.199 --> 00:15:28.699 In other words, our direction ought to be to do that which is right, 00:15:28.899 --> 00:15:31.779 to try to direct and try to guide that which is right. 00:15:32.039 --> 00:15:35.199 The reason I usually don't delve this deep into this type stuff, 00:15:35.279 --> 00:15:36.919 but I think this is important and critical, 00:15:36.919 --> 00:15:40.959 for us to understand the biblical application of this. 00:15:41.139 --> 00:15:50.799 Because what you're voting on here is a difference between promoting good and restraining evil. 00:15:50.939 --> 00:15:51.979 It's that critical. 00:15:51.980 --> 00:15:55.820 Because as we're going to see and understand, 00:15:56.019 --> 00:16:01.019 because how you vote is a critical importance this year, 00:16:01.039 --> 00:16:02.480 even more so than other years. 00:16:03.440 --> 00:16:04.220 You might say, 00:16:04.300 --> 00:16:05.860 If I show up and vote for a candidate, 00:16:06.080 --> 00:16:07.320 you know, it doesn't really make a difference. 00:16:07.399 --> 00:16:08.000 You can do all sorts. 00:16:08.000 --> 00:16:10.639 I want you to understand these ballot measures this year, 00:16:10.720 --> 00:16:12.340 the way the law is structured, 00:16:13.419 --> 00:16:15.700 your vote matters. 00:16:16.080 --> 00:16:18.460 And we're going to take some time and explain that. 00:16:18.980 --> 00:16:20.340 Because it's confusing, 00:16:20.779 --> 00:16:22.279 because a lot of times, 00:16:22.279 --> 00:16:23.419 I did a lot of research, 00:16:23.539 --> 00:16:26.200 I talked to a couple of lawyers on this, 00:16:26.299 --> 00:16:29.279 trying to figure out how does this fit? 00:16:29.419 --> 00:16:30.419 Because it is confusing. 00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:33.919 And so I think we need to talk about it, 00:16:33.919 --> 00:16:38.219 so we understand as God's people what's at stake and what's going on. 00:16:38.399 --> 00:16:41.399 Because when we understand this dynamic, 00:16:41.620 --> 00:16:42.099 it's critical. 00:16:42.339 --> 00:16:42.579 And so, 00:16:43.139 --> 00:16:46.379 I did a Nebraska Family Alliance, 00:16:46.519 --> 00:16:49.459 did a little podcast by one of their lawyers 00:16:49.459 --> 00:16:51.559 and one of their policy guys, 00:16:51.719 --> 00:16:52.599 Nate Graz. 00:16:53.360 --> 00:16:55.879 And we're going to play that audio here. 00:16:56.259 --> 00:16:58.159 And those handouts that I gave to you, 00:16:58.579 --> 00:17:00.980 he's going to talk about those handouts for a moment, 00:17:00.980 --> 00:17:03.879 and then we'll come back and we'll talk about some more. 00:17:03.919 --> 00:17:08.379 But I want you to hear him explain these things, 00:17:08.460 --> 00:17:11.639 because he's the expert. 00:17:13.379 --> 00:17:16.259 And I want to make sure that you understand 00:17:16.259 --> 00:17:18.079 what the best person is saying it. 00:17:18.159 --> 00:17:20.740 So follow along and listen here, 00:17:20.799 --> 00:17:24.420 as he's going to cover some different things on the ballot. 00:17:24.500 --> 00:17:25.899 So go ahead and play that if you can.