WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.900
 Why don't you listen carefully to this question?

00:00:02.879 --> 00:00:03.540
 Think it through.

00:00:03.780 --> 00:00:04.820
 Don't answer out loud.

00:00:06.259 --> 00:00:09.359
 But do you think that all people should be held to the same

00:00:09.359 --> 00:00:14.839
 biblical standards of right and wrong, good and evil,

00:00:16.379 --> 00:00:17.940
 morality and immorality?

00:00:19.500 --> 00:00:20.400
 Think about it.

00:00:20.760 --> 00:00:24.140
 Should all people throughout the world,

00:00:25.359 --> 00:00:28.679
 regardless of what they believe or even if they believe,

00:00:28.679 --> 00:00:33.799
 should they be held to the same biblical standards of right and wrong?

00:00:34.700 --> 00:00:37.019
 And why would you say whatever it is that you would say?

00:00:38.359 --> 00:00:41.700
 Well, the overwhelming majority of people who are unbelievers

00:00:41.700 --> 00:00:45.340
 would answer that absolutely not,

00:00:45.420 --> 00:00:49.340
 and they'd give a list of reasons why they would say absolutely not.

00:00:50.420 --> 00:00:55.420
 Many would say there's no one standard of right and wrong

00:00:55.420 --> 00:00:59.359
 for everyone in life.

00:01:00.539 --> 00:01:01.719
 They would say things like,

00:01:02.440 --> 00:01:04.320
 what may be right for you is not right for me.

00:01:05.140 --> 00:01:09.579
 What you say is wrong may not be wrong for me.

00:01:10.480 --> 00:01:15.159
 It's the common way of explaining all points,

00:01:15.359 --> 00:01:17.620
 all views are equally valid today.

00:01:17.620 --> 00:01:21.359
 People who would be more gracious may say,

00:01:21.500 --> 00:01:23.380
 well, if it works for you, then fine.

00:01:24.359 --> 00:01:25.219
 That's good.

00:01:26.040 --> 00:01:29.439
 But I believe everyone, deep down,

00:01:30.120 --> 00:01:31.980
 should just follow their heart.

00:01:33.659 --> 00:01:34.920
 You've heard that.

00:01:35.719 --> 00:01:37.820
 I hope you've not said that.

00:01:38.800 --> 00:01:42.240
 You hadn't thought it through if you said that.

00:01:42.239 --> 00:01:46.319
 Now, the overwhelming majority of Christians should say,

00:01:46.759 --> 00:01:47.979
 yes, it is absolutely right,

00:01:48.099 --> 00:01:52.039
 that all people will be held accountable

00:01:52.039 --> 00:01:55.640
 to the same biblical standards.

00:01:57.039 --> 00:01:58.719
 And can you explain why?

00:01:59.579 --> 00:02:02.640
 Can you give a reason for saying yes?

00:02:03.099 --> 00:02:04.739
 Well, that's what I want us to do first.

00:02:05.159 --> 00:02:06.419
 I want us to answer the question,

00:02:06.739 --> 00:02:08.740
 why are all people held accountable

00:02:08.740 --> 00:02:12.939
 to the same biblical standards of right and wrong,

00:02:13.600 --> 00:02:14.460
 good and evil?

00:02:15.360 --> 00:02:16.879
 I want to sort of summarize it.

00:02:17.659 --> 00:02:20.580
 First, God created this world.

00:02:20.820 --> 00:02:21.620
 You know that.

00:02:22.900 --> 00:02:24.159
 We have looked at that.

00:02:24.280 --> 00:02:26.620
 You just know that because most of you in this room,

00:02:26.760 --> 00:02:28.400
 you are faithful Christians,

00:02:28.640 --> 00:02:30.800
 you've studied God's word, but look at it.

00:02:31.280 --> 00:02:32.800
 The very first sentence of the Bible,

00:02:33.020 --> 00:02:35.939
 in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

00:02:35.939 --> 00:02:38.320
 And the rest of the first chapter of Genesis,

00:02:38.740 --> 00:02:39.460
 Genesis,

00:02:39.460 --> 00:02:42.300
 sort of gives us a step-by-step process

00:02:42.300 --> 00:02:45.100
 of when God made what.

00:02:45.960 --> 00:02:47.900
 As you move on into Genesis 1,

00:02:47.980 --> 00:02:50.520
 you come to the real climax of creation,

00:02:51.240 --> 00:02:52.840
 the creation of human beings.

00:02:53.200 --> 00:02:54.320
 And we've looked at that

00:02:54.320 --> 00:02:59.719
 in several different messages over the last month,

00:03:00.080 --> 00:03:02.219
 thinking about socialism and so forth.

00:03:02.360 --> 00:03:04.000
 But look at it, just one verse,

00:03:04.000 --> 00:03:05.000
 Genesis 127.

00:03:05.000 --> 00:03:07.659
 So God created man in His own image,

00:03:07.780 --> 00:03:09.300
 and the image of God, He created him.

00:03:09.659 --> 00:03:12.780
 Male and female, He created them.

00:03:13.659 --> 00:03:16.000
 God is the creator of everything that exists.

00:03:17.280 --> 00:03:19.500
 Therefore, the entire creation,

00:03:20.879 --> 00:03:25.159
 all people, all things belong to God.

00:03:25.159 --> 00:03:27.159
 Look next.

00:03:27.560 --> 00:03:32.639
 God reigns, rules, supremely over His creation.

00:03:33.680 --> 00:03:36.039
 God is actively involved in what He's created,

00:03:36.460 --> 00:03:37.960
 this world, our lives.

00:03:38.379 --> 00:03:40.419
 He is actively guiding all things

00:03:40.419 --> 00:03:42.859
 according to His purpose,

00:03:43.300 --> 00:03:44.979
 His plan, His will,

00:03:45.219 --> 00:03:47.500
 and He's doing it for His glory.

00:03:48.180 --> 00:03:49.939
 The Bible is filled with references,

00:03:49.939 --> 00:03:51.599
 both Old and New Testament,

00:03:52.240 --> 00:03:54.319
 on how God is involved in this world

00:03:54.319 --> 00:03:55.099
 and in our lives.

00:03:56.099 --> 00:03:56.979
 Directing things,

00:03:57.300 --> 00:03:59.680
 governing His creation.

00:04:00.219 --> 00:04:01.939
 Here's one of the most comprehensive statements

00:04:02.539 --> 00:04:06.079
 about how God is working out His purpose

00:04:06.079 --> 00:04:08.419
 in this world and in our lives.

00:04:08.479 --> 00:04:08.900
 Look at it.

00:04:09.479 --> 00:04:12.180
 In Him we have obtained an inheritance,

00:04:12.840 --> 00:04:14.259
 having been predestined

00:04:14.259 --> 00:04:16.399
 according to the purpose of Him

00:04:16.399 --> 00:04:18.379
 who works all things

00:04:18.379 --> 00:04:19.919
 according to the counsel of His will.

00:04:20.079 --> 00:04:22.739
 God is working in all things in this world,

00:04:23.479 --> 00:04:25.679
 all things in creation

00:04:25.679 --> 00:04:28.379
 according to, as it says here,

00:04:28.679 --> 00:04:30.039
 the counsel of His will,

00:04:30.560 --> 00:04:32.539
 His plan, His purpose.

00:04:33.339 --> 00:04:35.459
 Now, this next statement

00:04:35.459 --> 00:04:39.459
 shows us how God has made each of us

00:04:39.459 --> 00:04:42.679
 specifically as we are.

00:04:42.959 --> 00:04:43.539
 Look at this.

00:04:43.539 --> 00:04:45.379
 It's from Psalm 119.

00:04:45.379 --> 00:04:48.540
 For you formed my inward parts.

00:04:49.100 --> 00:04:50.779
 You knitted me together

00:04:50.779 --> 00:04:52.699
 in my mother's womb.

00:04:53.579 --> 00:04:55.500
 You are not an accident.

00:04:56.579 --> 00:04:58.839
 You are you by God's design.

00:04:59.680 --> 00:05:01.319
 The height you are.

00:05:02.219 --> 00:05:04.480
 With the abilities that you have.

00:05:05.680 --> 00:05:08.800
 With the ability to develop some things

00:05:08.800 --> 00:05:10.339
 that maybe you didn't have

00:05:10.339 --> 00:05:12.159
 or weren't naturally gifted with.

00:05:12.160 --> 00:05:16.020
 God created you to be you.

00:05:17.700 --> 00:05:21.160
 Now, the reason why all people

00:05:21.160 --> 00:05:23.000
 are held to the same standards

00:05:23.000 --> 00:05:26.860
 is because everyone has been created uniquely

00:05:26.860 --> 00:05:28.520
 by God,

00:05:29.260 --> 00:05:30.820
 in the image of God,

00:05:31.320 --> 00:05:34.120
 to live in a world governed by God

00:05:34.120 --> 00:05:36.920
 according to God's will.

00:05:36.920 --> 00:05:39.400
 Look at that on the screen

00:05:39.400 --> 00:05:40.220
 and think about that.

00:05:41.540 --> 00:05:44.680
 As a result of how God has created us like this,

00:05:46.100 --> 00:05:50.140
 everyone possesses at least some basic knowledge

00:05:50.140 --> 00:05:52.100
 of who God is,

00:05:52.400 --> 00:05:53.520
 that there is a God,

00:05:54.360 --> 00:05:56.319
 and everyone possesses

00:05:56.319 --> 00:05:58.280
 at least some basic understanding

00:05:58.279 --> 00:06:02.119
 of His moral standards,

00:06:02.979 --> 00:06:04.959
 right and wrong generally.

00:06:06.459 --> 00:06:07.819
 What's revealed in the Bible

00:06:07.819 --> 00:06:09.539
 about right and wrong.

00:06:10.000 --> 00:06:11.000
 Let me give you some examples.

00:06:11.559 --> 00:06:13.199
 Paul describes how all people

00:06:13.199 --> 00:06:15.419
 have some understanding of God

00:06:15.419 --> 00:06:16.519
 in Romans chapter 1.

00:06:16.519 --> 00:06:18.219
 In Romans chapter 1,

00:06:18.279 --> 00:06:19.500
 beginning in verse 18,

00:06:19.719 --> 00:06:21.019
 through chapter 3,

00:06:21.240 --> 00:06:22.279
 verse 19,

00:06:23.099 --> 00:06:25.819
 Paul describes how all people

00:06:25.819 --> 00:06:26.519
 have sinned

00:06:27.139 --> 00:06:29.959
 and come short of God's glory,

00:06:30.099 --> 00:06:30.519
 God's expectations,

00:06:31.799 --> 00:06:32.879
 how all people are sinners

00:06:32.879 --> 00:06:33.979
 in need of a Savior.

00:06:35.120 --> 00:06:36.500
 And as he begins that

00:06:36.500 --> 00:06:37.939
 in Romans 1,

00:06:38.000 --> 00:06:39.000
 verses 19 and 20,

00:06:39.159 --> 00:06:40.339
 he talks about how everybody

00:06:40.339 --> 00:06:42.439
 has some concept of God.

00:06:42.560 --> 00:06:43.019
 Look at it.

00:06:43.479 --> 00:06:45.139
 For what can be known about God

00:06:45.139 --> 00:06:46.259
 is plain to them

00:06:46.259 --> 00:06:48.620
 because God has shown it to them

00:06:48.620 --> 00:06:51.019
 for His invisible attributes,

00:06:51.439 --> 00:06:51.779
 namely,

00:06:52.120 --> 00:06:53.259
 His eternal power

00:06:53.259 --> 00:06:54.199
 and divine nature

00:06:54.199 --> 00:06:56.319
 have been clearly perceived

00:06:56.319 --> 00:06:58.800
 ever since the creation of the world

00:06:58.800 --> 00:07:01.439
 and the things that have been made,

00:07:02.060 --> 00:07:03.399
 so they're without excuse.

00:07:04.399 --> 00:07:05.599
 Paul is saying that

00:07:05.599 --> 00:07:07.939
 as you live in this world

00:07:07.939 --> 00:07:11.019
 and you look around at creation,

00:07:12.459 --> 00:07:13.399
 the complexity,

00:07:13.399 --> 00:07:15.419
 the orderliness,

00:07:16.519 --> 00:07:20.279
 there has to be some grand plan.

00:07:20.699 --> 00:07:22.799
 There has to be an ultimate designer.

00:07:23.679 --> 00:07:26.719
 There has to be some kind of divine power,

00:07:26.939 --> 00:07:27.339
 at least.

00:07:28.359 --> 00:07:31.039
 There has to be some concept of God.

00:07:31.139 --> 00:07:33.439
 Not as we know God revealed

00:07:33.439 --> 00:07:34.299
 throughout Scripture,

00:07:35.519 --> 00:07:36.599
 but there is just,

00:07:36.799 --> 00:07:38.120
 by living in this world,

00:07:39.079 --> 00:07:42.079
 enough awareness of the existence of God,

00:07:42.079 --> 00:07:42.819
 Paul says,

00:07:43.819 --> 00:07:45.839
 that everybody is accountable to God.

00:07:46.399 --> 00:07:47.879
 People who reject

00:07:47.879 --> 00:07:50.000
 what they know about God,

00:07:51.180 --> 00:07:52.419
 they're without excuse.

00:07:52.539 --> 00:07:53.139
 They're sinners

00:07:53.139 --> 00:07:55.500
 under the condemnation of death

00:07:55.500 --> 00:07:57.319
 because they've rejected

00:07:57.319 --> 00:07:59.639
 what they did know about God.

00:08:00.759 --> 00:08:02.319
 Look on in chapter 2.

00:08:03.199 --> 00:08:04.680
 Paul describes how all people

00:08:04.680 --> 00:08:06.579
 have some basic understanding

00:08:06.579 --> 00:08:07.659
 of right and wrong

00:08:07.659 --> 00:08:08.879
 as revealed in Scripture,

00:08:08.879 --> 00:08:10.800
 even if they have never heard

00:08:10.800 --> 00:08:11.279
 of Scripture.

00:08:11.399 --> 00:08:12.540
 They've never read it.

00:08:12.579 --> 00:08:13.920
 They've never had it read to them.

00:08:14.319 --> 00:08:14.879
 Look at this.

00:08:16.079 --> 00:08:16.459
 He says,

00:08:16.680 --> 00:08:17.719
 For when Gentiles,

00:08:17.839 --> 00:08:19.339
 who do not have the law,

00:08:19.680 --> 00:08:22.139
 by nature do what the law requires,

00:08:22.839 --> 00:08:24.659
 they are a law to themselves,

00:08:25.180 --> 00:08:27.360
 even though they do not have the law.

00:08:27.779 --> 00:08:30.100
 They show that the work of the law

00:08:30.100 --> 00:08:31.579
 is written on their hearts,

00:08:32.220 --> 00:08:32.879
 while their conscience

00:08:33.519 --> 00:08:35.840
 also bears witness.

00:08:35.840 --> 00:08:38.259
 What Paul is saying is,

00:08:39.160 --> 00:08:41.720
 human beings created in the image of God,

00:08:42.500 --> 00:08:44.740
 we have this innate sense

00:08:44.740 --> 00:08:47.280
 of basic morality,

00:08:48.259 --> 00:08:51.180
 basic right and wrong.

00:08:52.000 --> 00:08:53.280
 We have a conscience.

00:08:54.420 --> 00:08:55.480
 That's what he's talking about.

00:08:56.379 --> 00:08:58.639
 Now, here's an example

00:08:58.639 --> 00:09:00.160
 of how all people possess

00:09:00.160 --> 00:09:01.379
 a basic understanding

00:09:01.379 --> 00:09:03.820
 of God's standards of right and wrong.

00:09:03.820 --> 00:09:06.000
 If someone breaks

00:09:06.000 --> 00:09:07.800
 into an unbeliever's house,

00:09:08.360 --> 00:09:09.580
 if someone breaks

00:09:09.580 --> 00:09:11.400
 into an atheist's house

00:09:11.400 --> 00:09:13.600
 and steals his money

00:09:13.600 --> 00:09:15.480
 or his computer

00:09:15.480 --> 00:09:17.080
 or his TV,

00:09:18.240 --> 00:09:19.680
 he or she is going to call

00:09:19.680 --> 00:09:20.400
 the police

00:09:20.400 --> 00:09:21.540
 with the expectation

00:09:21.540 --> 00:09:22.720
 that the police are going to try

00:09:22.720 --> 00:09:24.020
 to find this person,

00:09:24.160 --> 00:09:25.580
 and if they find this person,

00:09:25.700 --> 00:09:26.440
 this thief,

00:09:26.940 --> 00:09:27.760
 they're going to arrest him.

00:09:27.920 --> 00:09:28.920
 They're going to put him in jail,

00:09:29.140 --> 00:09:30.200
 and hopefully,

00:09:30.960 --> 00:09:32.620
 they'll get their property back.

00:09:32.620 --> 00:09:35.519
 Every atheist knows

00:09:35.519 --> 00:09:37.419
 what every Christian knows.

00:09:38.220 --> 00:09:39.639
 There's a universal standard

00:09:39.639 --> 00:09:41.419
 of right and wrong.

00:09:42.679 --> 00:09:43.960
 What is mine

00:09:43.960 --> 00:09:46.000
 is mine

00:09:46.000 --> 00:09:48.000
 and not yours.

00:09:49.120 --> 00:09:49.759
 Theft.

00:09:50.259 --> 00:09:52.060
 There's just something within us

00:09:52.060 --> 00:09:53.799
 that tells us

00:09:53.799 --> 00:09:54.560
 it is unjust

00:09:54.560 --> 00:09:56.060
 for you to take,

00:09:56.539 --> 00:09:57.120
 steal,

00:09:58.340 --> 00:09:59.580
 that which is mine.

00:09:59.580 --> 00:10:03.300
 Everyone understands that.

00:10:04.240 --> 00:10:04.420
 Now,

00:10:05.500 --> 00:10:06.940
 stealing is a violation

00:10:06.940 --> 00:10:10.000
 of God's revealed law

00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:11.480
 in Scripture.

00:10:13.480 --> 00:10:14.580
 It is a violation

00:10:15.120 --> 00:10:16.900
 of the basic concept

00:10:16.900 --> 00:10:17.920
 of justice

00:10:17.920 --> 00:10:19.740
 that is written

00:10:19.740 --> 00:10:20.660
 in the heart

00:10:20.660 --> 00:10:22.759
 of every human being.

00:10:22.759 --> 00:10:25.519
 That's why

00:10:25.519 --> 00:10:27.259
 every normal person

00:10:27.259 --> 00:10:28.240
 in this country,

00:10:29.019 --> 00:10:29.819
 black or white,

00:10:30.779 --> 00:10:31.480
 rich or poor,

00:10:32.139 --> 00:10:33.919
 knows that rioting

00:10:33.919 --> 00:10:35.439
 and looting

00:10:35.439 --> 00:10:37.759
 is morally wrong.

00:10:38.679 --> 00:10:40.580
 It can never be excused

00:10:40.580 --> 00:10:41.080
 as anything

00:10:41.080 --> 00:10:42.159
 other than

00:10:42.159 --> 00:10:43.500
 unlawful

00:10:43.500 --> 00:10:45.419
 and sinful.

00:10:45.419 --> 00:10:47.919
 I say every normal person

00:10:47.919 --> 00:10:49.379
 because there are people

00:10:49.379 --> 00:10:50.899
 who are trying

00:10:50.899 --> 00:10:51.539
 to deny

00:10:51.539 --> 00:10:51.919
 that

00:10:51.919 --> 00:10:53.419
 what's happening

00:10:53.419 --> 00:10:53.839
 is

00:10:53.839 --> 00:10:55.439
 rioting,

00:10:55.699 --> 00:10:56.199
 looting,

00:10:57.219 --> 00:10:57.839
 anarchy,

00:10:58.599 --> 00:10:59.259
 lawlessness.

00:11:00.419 --> 00:11:01.519
 Some of them

00:11:01.519 --> 00:11:03.279
 want to just

00:11:03.279 --> 00:11:05.419
 let it go

00:11:05.419 --> 00:11:07.419
 until it gets

00:11:07.419 --> 00:11:08.339
 close to home.

00:11:08.340 --> 00:11:10.040
 the liberal

00:11:10.040 --> 00:11:11.500
 mayor of Chicago

00:11:11.500 --> 00:11:13.960
 at first

00:11:13.960 --> 00:11:15.379
 closed her eyes

00:11:15.379 --> 00:11:16.420
 to the anarchy

00:11:16.420 --> 00:11:17.660
 that was taking place

00:11:17.660 --> 00:11:18.940
 in her city

00:11:18.940 --> 00:11:20.899
 until they got

00:11:20.899 --> 00:11:22.519
 close to her house

00:11:22.519 --> 00:11:24.540
 and then she

00:11:24.540 --> 00:11:25.420
 calls out

00:11:25.420 --> 00:11:26.340
 the police,

00:11:27.620 --> 00:11:28.780
 the bad guys

00:11:28.780 --> 00:11:29.620
 according to her,

00:11:30.379 --> 00:11:31.139
 to come

00:11:31.139 --> 00:11:32.040
 and defend

00:11:32.040 --> 00:11:33.560
 her property

00:11:33.560 --> 00:11:35.220
 and her life

00:11:35.220 --> 00:11:37.259
 against those

00:11:37.259 --> 00:11:38.279
 who are

00:11:38.279 --> 00:11:40.620
 rioting,

00:11:41.200 --> 00:11:41.539
 looting

00:11:41.539 --> 00:11:42.460
 and sometimes

00:11:42.460 --> 00:11:43.580
 murdering

00:11:43.580 --> 00:11:45.039
 innocent people.

00:11:46.799 --> 00:11:48.340
 Put it another way,

00:11:49.399 --> 00:11:50.600
 if our non-Christian

00:11:50.600 --> 00:11:51.620
 neighbor steals

00:11:51.620 --> 00:11:52.559
 from us,

00:11:54.179 --> 00:11:56.279
 we're not going

00:11:56.279 --> 00:11:56.819
 to excuse

00:11:56.819 --> 00:11:57.740
 their behavior

00:11:57.740 --> 00:11:58.279
 because

00:11:58.279 --> 00:12:00.960
 they didn't know

00:12:00.960 --> 00:12:02.059
 the eighth commandment,

00:12:03.000 --> 00:12:03.919
 do not steal.

00:12:05.919 --> 00:12:06.960
 I'm going to say

00:12:06.960 --> 00:12:07.639
 there's not a person

00:12:07.639 --> 00:12:08.100
 in this room

00:12:08.100 --> 00:12:09.860
 who does not expect,

00:12:10.379 --> 00:12:10.860
 if you've got

00:12:10.860 --> 00:12:11.920
 an unsaved neighbor,

00:12:12.620 --> 00:12:13.240
 you expect

00:12:13.240 --> 00:12:13.940
 that unsaved

00:12:13.940 --> 00:12:14.540
 neighbor

00:12:14.540 --> 00:12:16.300
 to not steal

00:12:16.300 --> 00:12:17.879
 your stuff.

00:12:19.000 --> 00:12:19.700
 You expect

00:12:19.700 --> 00:12:20.220
 that neighbor

00:12:20.220 --> 00:12:20.879
 to follow

00:12:20.879 --> 00:12:22.080
 the commandment,

00:12:22.200 --> 00:12:23.160
 do not steal,

00:12:24.240 --> 00:12:25.240
 whether they've

00:12:25.240 --> 00:12:26.040
 heard it or not

00:12:26.040 --> 00:12:28.259
 because you know

00:12:28.259 --> 00:12:30.980
 it's just something

00:12:30.980 --> 00:12:31.500
 that we know

00:12:31.500 --> 00:12:32.540
 in our conscience.

00:12:33.280 --> 00:12:34.139
 It's wrong

00:12:34.139 --> 00:12:34.720
 to steal.

00:12:34.720 --> 00:12:37.319
 And if that neighbor

00:12:37.319 --> 00:12:38.120
 does steal

00:12:38.120 --> 00:12:38.779
 from us,

00:12:39.039 --> 00:12:40.059
 we're going

00:12:40.059 --> 00:12:40.539
 to consider

00:12:40.539 --> 00:12:41.179
 him or her

00:12:41.179 --> 00:12:42.159
 a lawbreaker

00:12:42.159 --> 00:12:43.439
 and we're going

00:12:43.439 --> 00:12:43.759
 to consider

00:12:43.759 --> 00:12:44.559
 it right

00:12:44.559 --> 00:12:46.580
 for him or her

00:12:46.580 --> 00:12:47.500
 to be punished

00:12:47.500 --> 00:12:49.120
 for breaking

00:12:49.120 --> 00:12:49.899
 this law

00:12:49.899 --> 00:12:51.919
 even if they've

00:12:51.919 --> 00:12:53.059
 never heard

00:12:53.059 --> 00:12:54.659
 of that eighth

00:12:54.659 --> 00:12:55.379
 commandment,

00:12:56.139 --> 00:12:56.759
 do not steal.

00:12:58.080 --> 00:12:59.120
 The Bible

00:12:59.120 --> 00:13:00.259
 makes it clear

00:13:00.259 --> 00:13:02.019
 that the moral

00:13:02.019 --> 00:13:03.379
 standards of God,

00:13:04.419 --> 00:13:05.200
 the standards

00:13:05.200 --> 00:13:07.240
 revealed in the Bible

00:13:07.240 --> 00:13:09.319
 are the moral

00:13:09.319 --> 00:13:10.659
 standards of all

00:13:10.659 --> 00:13:11.200
 people.

00:13:12.600 --> 00:13:13.200
 They're the moral

00:13:13.200 --> 00:13:14.139
 standards that all

00:13:14.139 --> 00:13:14.720
 people are going

00:13:14.720 --> 00:13:15.939
 to be judged by

00:13:15.939 --> 00:13:16.600
 on the day of

00:13:16.600 --> 00:13:17.000
 judgment.

00:13:18.000 --> 00:13:19.059
 Peter makes this

00:13:19.059 --> 00:13:19.980
 clear in his

00:13:19.980 --> 00:13:20.899
 first letter

00:13:20.899 --> 00:13:22.500
 in our New Testament.

00:13:22.740 --> 00:13:23.659
 First Peter

00:13:23.659 --> 00:13:25.080
 was written

00:13:25.080 --> 00:13:25.899
 to encourage

00:13:25.899 --> 00:13:26.519
 Christians who

00:13:26.519 --> 00:13:26.860
 were being

00:13:26.860 --> 00:13:27.460
 persecuted.

00:13:28.779 --> 00:13:29.500
 Peter was writing

00:13:29.500 --> 00:13:30.200
 to Christians

00:13:30.200 --> 00:13:30.879
 living in a

00:13:30.879 --> 00:13:32.039
 hostile environment.

00:13:33.299 --> 00:13:34.299
 At one point

00:13:34.299 --> 00:13:35.860
 he told them

00:13:35.860 --> 00:13:37.159
 that the non-Christians

00:13:37.159 --> 00:13:37.840
 around them,

00:13:37.899 --> 00:13:38.500
 look at this,

00:13:39.460 --> 00:13:40.500
 are surprised

00:13:40.500 --> 00:13:41.600
 when you do not

00:13:41.600 --> 00:13:42.259
 join them

00:13:42.259 --> 00:13:43.200
 in the same

00:13:43.200 --> 00:13:44.820
 flood of debauchery

00:13:44.820 --> 00:13:46.279
 and they malign

00:13:46.279 --> 00:13:46.620
 you,

00:13:47.480 --> 00:13:48.200
 but they will

00:13:48.200 --> 00:13:49.019
 give an account

00:13:49.019 --> 00:13:49.960
 to him who is

00:13:49.960 --> 00:13:50.779
 ready to judge

00:13:50.779 --> 00:13:51.159
 the living

00:13:51.159 --> 00:13:51.659
 and the dead.

00:13:53.299 --> 00:13:54.100
 Peter's saying

00:13:54.100 --> 00:13:54.539
 the people

00:13:54.539 --> 00:13:55.240
 around you,

00:13:56.039 --> 00:13:56.399
 they don't

00:13:56.399 --> 00:13:57.080
 understand why

00:13:57.080 --> 00:13:57.820
 you don't join

00:13:57.820 --> 00:13:58.539
 them in living

00:13:58.539 --> 00:13:59.519
 an ungodly

00:13:59.519 --> 00:13:59.939
 life.

00:14:00.860 --> 00:14:01.399
 While you're

00:14:01.399 --> 00:14:02.179
 not drunk,

00:14:02.919 --> 00:14:04.480
 being sexually

00:14:04.480 --> 00:14:05.079
 impure,

00:14:06.579 --> 00:14:07.199
 taking advantage

00:14:07.199 --> 00:14:07.639
 of people,

00:14:08.360 --> 00:14:09.139
 things like that.

00:14:09.959 --> 00:14:10.319
 They don't

00:14:10.319 --> 00:14:11.199
 understand it.

00:14:11.899 --> 00:14:12.500
 But Paul says

00:14:12.500 --> 00:14:14.279
 they will give

00:14:14.279 --> 00:14:14.939
 an account to him

00:14:14.939 --> 00:14:15.240
 who is ready

00:14:15.240 --> 00:14:15.740
 to judge the

00:14:15.740 --> 00:14:16.139
 living and the

00:14:16.139 --> 00:14:16.819
 dead for the

00:14:16.819 --> 00:14:17.259
 way that they

00:14:17.259 --> 00:14:17.639
 are living.

00:14:18.919 --> 00:14:20.019
 This shows us

00:14:20.019 --> 00:14:20.419
 that even

00:14:20.419 --> 00:14:21.299
 unbelievers

00:14:21.299 --> 00:14:22.819
 will stand

00:14:22.819 --> 00:14:23.500
 before God

00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:24.539
 and be judged

00:14:24.539 --> 00:14:26.480
 based on God's

00:14:26.480 --> 00:14:27.659
 moral standards

00:14:27.659 --> 00:14:29.340
 that we see

00:14:29.340 --> 00:14:29.960
 revealed in

00:14:29.960 --> 00:14:30.300
 scripture,

00:14:30.800 --> 00:14:32.539
 but on the

00:14:32.539 --> 00:14:33.259
 basic level

00:14:33.259 --> 00:14:33.580
 are written

00:14:33.580 --> 00:14:34.200
 in our hearts.

00:14:35.860 --> 00:14:36.639
 God has only

00:14:36.639 --> 00:14:37.519
 one standard.

00:14:38.519 --> 00:14:39.460
 He has revealed

00:14:39.460 --> 00:14:40.440
 it in his word.

00:14:41.279 --> 00:14:41.740
 He has put it

00:14:41.740 --> 00:14:42.460
 on our conscience,

00:14:42.580 --> 00:14:42.980
 written it on

00:14:42.980 --> 00:14:43.500
 our heart,

00:14:44.220 --> 00:14:44.779
 and we are

00:14:44.779 --> 00:14:45.340
 responsible.

00:14:45.460 --> 00:14:45.860
 All people

00:14:45.860 --> 00:14:46.379
 are responsible.

00:14:46.759 --> 00:14:47.340
 The book of Acts

00:14:47.340 --> 00:14:48.120
 tells us that Paul

00:14:48.120 --> 00:14:48.800
 believed the same

00:14:48.800 --> 00:14:49.820
 thing, taught the

00:14:49.820 --> 00:14:50.379
 same thing.

00:14:50.379 --> 00:14:51.740
 The book of Acts

00:14:51.740 --> 00:14:52.620
 tells us in chapter

00:14:52.620 --> 00:14:54.820
 17 about Paul's

00:14:54.820 --> 00:14:55.480
 encounter with

00:14:55.480 --> 00:14:56.680
 unbelieving Greek

00:14:56.680 --> 00:14:58.120
 philosophers in

00:14:58.120 --> 00:14:58.540
 Athens.

00:14:59.500 --> 00:15:00.379
 Look at it.

00:15:00.800 --> 00:15:01.440
 He told them

00:15:01.440 --> 00:15:02.120
 that the God

00:15:02.120 --> 00:15:02.760
 who made the

00:15:02.760 --> 00:15:03.100
 world and

00:15:03.100 --> 00:15:03.620
 everything in

00:15:03.620 --> 00:15:04.640
 it, verse 24,

00:15:05.260 --> 00:15:06.260
 also commands

00:15:06.260 --> 00:15:07.180
 all people

00:15:07.180 --> 00:15:08.200
 everywhere to

00:15:08.200 --> 00:15:09.460
 repent because

00:15:09.460 --> 00:15:10.160
 he has fixed

00:15:10.160 --> 00:15:10.820
 a day on which

00:15:10.820 --> 00:15:11.680
 he will judge

00:15:11.680 --> 00:15:12.860
 the world in

00:15:12.860 --> 00:15:14.440
 righteousness by

00:15:14.440 --> 00:15:15.280
 a man whom

00:15:15.280 --> 00:15:16.020
 he has appointed

00:15:16.020 --> 00:15:17.320
 and of this

00:15:17.320 --> 00:15:17.760
 he has given

00:15:17.760 --> 00:15:18.420
 assurance to

00:15:18.420 --> 00:15:19.800
 all by raising

00:15:19.800 --> 00:15:20.500
 him from the

00:15:20.500 --> 00:15:20.780
 dead.

00:15:22.060 --> 00:15:23.020
 Now Paul was

00:15:23.020 --> 00:15:23.600
 speaking to

00:15:23.600 --> 00:15:23.960
 people.

00:15:24.820 --> 00:15:26.080
 Who didn't

00:15:26.080 --> 00:15:26.640
 believe in the

00:15:26.640 --> 00:15:27.260
 authority of the

00:15:27.260 --> 00:15:28.060
 Bible if they

00:15:28.060 --> 00:15:29.500
 even knew what

00:15:29.500 --> 00:15:30.260
 the Bible taught?

00:15:31.040 --> 00:15:31.780
 They didn't care.

00:15:32.920 --> 00:15:33.540
 They didn't know

00:15:33.540 --> 00:15:34.620
 about Jesus or

00:15:34.620 --> 00:15:35.360
 what they did

00:15:35.360 --> 00:15:35.560
 know.

00:15:35.640 --> 00:15:36.180
 They certainly

00:15:36.180 --> 00:15:38.300
 did not believe

00:15:38.300 --> 00:15:38.940
 that he was the

00:15:38.940 --> 00:15:39.640
 son of God.

00:15:40.560 --> 00:15:41.200
 They didn't

00:15:41.200 --> 00:15:41.660
 believe in the

00:15:41.660 --> 00:15:42.900
 idea of his

00:15:42.900 --> 00:15:44.280
 dying on the

00:15:44.280 --> 00:15:45.040
 cross for their

00:15:45.040 --> 00:15:46.020
 sins and they

00:15:46.020 --> 00:15:46.520
 certainly didn't

00:15:46.520 --> 00:15:47.000
 believe in a

00:15:47.000 --> 00:15:47.680
 resurrection.

00:15:49.380 --> 00:15:50.080
 But Paul made

00:15:50.080 --> 00:15:50.860
 it clear that God

00:15:50.860 --> 00:15:51.600
 will judge all

00:15:51.600 --> 00:15:53.000
 people according

00:15:53.000 --> 00:15:54.120
 to his righteous

00:15:54.120 --> 00:15:55.919
 standards which

00:15:55.919 --> 00:15:56.679
 are revealed in

00:15:56.679 --> 00:15:58.399
 scripture and

00:15:58.399 --> 00:15:59.279
 God will judge

00:15:59.279 --> 00:16:00.340
 all people by

00:16:00.340 --> 00:16:01.879
 Jesus Christ.

00:16:02.740 --> 00:16:03.519
 Wayne Grudem

00:16:03.519 --> 00:16:04.399
 has described

00:16:04.399 --> 00:16:05.919
 things like this,

00:16:05.960 --> 00:16:06.820
 all of this kind

00:16:06.820 --> 00:16:07.679
 of stuff in

00:16:07.679 --> 00:16:09.919
 great detail in

00:16:09.919 --> 00:16:10.379
 his book,

00:16:10.500 --> 00:16:11.240
 Politics According

00:16:11.240 --> 00:16:11.820
 to the Bible.

00:16:13.060 --> 00:16:13.539
 And then he

00:16:13.539 --> 00:16:14.120
 makes this

00:16:14.120 --> 00:16:14.860
 application.

00:16:15.039 --> 00:16:15.480
 Look at this.

00:16:16.200 --> 00:16:17.679
 This truth has

00:16:17.679 --> 00:16:19.200
 significant implications

00:16:19.200 --> 00:16:20.160
 for how Christians

00:16:20.160 --> 00:16:22.100
 understand political

00:16:22.100 --> 00:16:23.560
 questions that

00:16:23.560 --> 00:16:24.280
 involve right and

00:16:24.280 --> 00:16:24.520
 wrong.

00:16:24.860 --> 00:16:26.440
 For example, if God

00:16:26.440 --> 00:16:27.560
 says that murder is

00:16:27.560 --> 00:16:29.440
 wrong, Exodus 20,

00:16:29.480 --> 00:16:31.320
 13, and if it is

00:16:31.320 --> 00:16:32.580
 determined that the

00:16:32.580 --> 00:16:33.540
 command to not

00:16:33.540 --> 00:16:34.520
 murder applies to

00:16:34.520 --> 00:16:36.080
 pre-born children and

00:16:36.080 --> 00:16:36.800
 to those who are

00:16:36.800 --> 00:16:38.440
 elderly or very ill,

00:16:38.840 --> 00:16:40.620
 it clearly affects how

00:16:40.620 --> 00:16:41.800
 one views laws

00:16:41.800 --> 00:16:44.320
 regarding abortion and

00:16:44.320 --> 00:16:45.620
 euthanasia.

00:16:47.879 --> 00:16:48.900
 Seven weeks from

00:16:48.900 --> 00:16:50.400
 today, or seven weeks

00:16:50.400 --> 00:16:51.320
 from Tuesday, rather,

00:16:52.680 --> 00:16:53.860
 Americans will go to

00:16:53.860 --> 00:16:57.040
 the polls to elect a

00:16:57.040 --> 00:16:59.340
 president, United States

00:16:59.340 --> 00:17:01.920
 senators, and House of

00:17:01.920 --> 00:17:03.360
 Representatives members

00:17:03.360 --> 00:17:06.519
 who will determine laws and

00:17:06.519 --> 00:17:10.400
 policies of right and

00:17:10.400 --> 00:17:10.740
 wrong.

00:17:10.740 --> 00:17:14.180
 The Bible addresses many

00:17:14.180 --> 00:17:15.680
 of those questions of

00:17:15.680 --> 00:17:18.660
 right and wrong as it

00:17:18.660 --> 00:17:19.940
 addresses issues related

00:17:19.940 --> 00:17:23.680
 to abortion, racism,

00:17:24.920 --> 00:17:27.299
 homosexuality, religious

00:17:27.299 --> 00:17:29.519
 liberty, as we've seen in

00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:30.359
 the past few weeks,

00:17:30.700 --> 00:17:31.279
 socialism.

00:17:33.400 --> 00:17:34.660
 Now, Democrats and

00:17:34.660 --> 00:17:37.220
 Republicans, according to

00:17:37.220 --> 00:17:39.900
 their own platforms, have

00:17:39.900 --> 00:17:43.580
 very different answers to

00:17:43.580 --> 00:17:46.240
 the questions of those

00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:46.720
 issues.

00:17:47.840 --> 00:17:49.460
 We as Christians have a

00:17:49.460 --> 00:17:51.340
 responsibility to evaluate

00:17:51.340 --> 00:17:52.900
 how each candidate answers

00:17:53.519 --> 00:17:55.200
 those questions in light of

00:17:55.200 --> 00:17:56.100
 what the Bible teaches.

00:17:57.620 --> 00:17:58.500
 And then it's our

00:17:58.500 --> 00:17:59.680
 responsibility to vote for

00:17:59.680 --> 00:18:01.860
 the candidates whose answers

00:18:01.860 --> 00:18:06.960
 are more closely aligned with

00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:07.740
 the teaching of Scripture.

00:18:07.740 --> 00:18:11.160
 Now, I know that some

00:18:11.160 --> 00:18:12.200
 Christians think that

00:18:12.200 --> 00:18:15.039
 political matters should not

00:18:15.039 --> 00:18:16.059
 ever be brought up in

00:18:16.059 --> 00:18:16.599
 church.

00:18:18.059 --> 00:18:20.960
 Such Christians are wrong to

00:18:20.960 --> 00:18:21.500
 think that.

00:18:23.279 --> 00:18:24.680
 And I want to show you why.

00:18:25.779 --> 00:18:26.920
 Number two, question number

00:18:26.920 --> 00:18:27.480
 two this morning.

00:18:27.819 --> 00:18:28.839
 Why should Christians be

00:18:28.839 --> 00:18:29.700
 involved in the political

00:18:29.700 --> 00:18:31.500
 process in our country?

00:18:32.240 --> 00:18:34.519
 Well, throughout the Bible, we

00:18:34.519 --> 00:18:37.920
 see God's people involved in

00:18:37.920 --> 00:18:39.480
 what we would call politics

00:18:39.480 --> 00:18:42.480
 or governmental affairs.

00:18:43.740 --> 00:18:44.660
 I want to give you one

00:18:44.660 --> 00:18:47.619
 example that's well known from

00:18:47.619 --> 00:18:49.619
 the prophet Daniel's life.

00:18:50.279 --> 00:18:51.559
 Daniel's one of the most, one

00:18:51.559 --> 00:18:53.299
 of the, a lot of Christians'

00:18:54.079 --> 00:18:55.980
 favorite Old Testament

00:18:55.980 --> 00:18:56.599
 persons.

00:18:56.599 --> 00:18:58.779
 I want you to look at how

00:18:58.779 --> 00:19:01.919
 Daniel spoke to King

00:19:01.919 --> 00:19:03.199
 Nebuchadnezzar.

00:19:04.139 --> 00:19:04.719
 Look at this.

00:19:05.439 --> 00:19:07.000
 He said, therefore, O king,

00:19:07.519 --> 00:19:09.819
 let my counsel be acceptable

00:19:09.819 --> 00:19:10.500
 to you.

00:19:11.119 --> 00:19:13.639
 Break off your sins by

00:19:13.639 --> 00:19:15.699
 practicing righteousness and

00:19:15.699 --> 00:19:17.259
 your iniquities by showing

00:19:17.259 --> 00:19:19.519
 mercy to the oppressed that

00:19:19.519 --> 00:19:21.879
 there may perhaps be a

00:19:21.879 --> 00:19:23.879
 lengthening of your prosperity.

00:19:23.880 --> 00:19:26.940
 Now, you can imagine Daniel

00:19:26.940 --> 00:19:31.820
 took a risk to say that to

00:19:31.820 --> 00:19:33.300
 an unbelieving king.

00:19:34.980 --> 00:19:37.140
 But Daniel was committed to

00:19:37.140 --> 00:19:38.980
 faithfully upholding God's

00:19:38.980 --> 00:19:41.320
 moral standards even to an

00:19:41.320 --> 00:19:45.060
 unbelieving secular leader who

00:19:45.060 --> 00:19:46.920
 had power over him, over his

00:19:46.920 --> 00:19:48.180
 life and death.

00:19:49.420 --> 00:19:51.220
 Daniel knew, he understood that

00:19:51.220 --> 00:19:52.780
 God holds all people accountable

00:19:52.779 --> 00:19:54.220
 for living by his moral

00:19:54.220 --> 00:19:55.259
 standards even though

00:19:55.259 --> 00:19:57.299
 Nebuchadnezzar had not been

00:19:57.299 --> 00:19:58.379
 brought up, had not been

00:19:58.379 --> 00:20:00.180
 taught these things other than

00:20:00.180 --> 00:20:01.920
 what Daniel and maybe some

00:20:01.920 --> 00:20:04.420
 other Jews had taught him.

00:20:05.240 --> 00:20:07.819
 The prophet Jeremiah told the

00:20:07.819 --> 00:20:09.599
 Jewish people who were in exile

00:20:09.599 --> 00:20:13.379
 in Babylon, seek the welfare of

00:20:13.379 --> 00:20:13.879
 that city.

00:20:14.359 --> 00:20:15.420
 Now, let me back up a moment.

00:20:16.420 --> 00:20:18.519
 Daniel was taken as a boy from

00:20:18.519 --> 00:20:22.539
 his home as a captive prisoner of

00:20:22.539 --> 00:20:24.839
 war to Babylonia.

00:20:24.839 --> 00:20:29.480
 And he did not compromise what he

00:20:29.480 --> 00:20:29.859
 believed.

00:20:30.079 --> 00:20:31.599
 You can read about that in Daniel.

00:20:31.960 --> 00:20:34.619
 The first few chapters, he stood

00:20:34.619 --> 00:20:36.420
 firmly in who he was, what he

00:20:36.420 --> 00:20:37.859
 believed, being a man of God.

00:20:38.559 --> 00:20:40.359
 And God blessed his faithfulness.

00:20:40.759 --> 00:20:43.220
 He became an officer in the

00:20:43.220 --> 00:20:46.279
 government of a pagan power.

00:20:46.279 --> 00:20:49.100
 And he spoke the word of God.

00:20:49.500 --> 00:20:52.120
 He held that king accountable to

00:20:52.120 --> 00:20:53.100
 live according to the truth of

00:20:53.100 --> 00:20:53.740
 God's word.

00:20:54.559 --> 00:20:56.860
 Well, Jeremiah told the Jewish

00:20:56.860 --> 00:20:58.279
 people who had also been taken

00:20:58.279 --> 00:21:01.539
 captive, taken as prisoners of war

00:21:01.539 --> 00:21:02.960
 far from their homeland.

00:21:03.960 --> 00:21:07.539
 He told them, look at this, seek the

00:21:07.539 --> 00:21:11.380
 welfare of the city where I have sent

00:21:11.380 --> 00:21:12.120
 you into exile.

00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:12.880
 Think about this.

00:21:13.840 --> 00:21:17.100
 The Babylonians defeated the nation

00:21:17.100 --> 00:21:17.640
 of Judah.

00:21:18.960 --> 00:21:21.640
 God's chosen people took those

00:21:21.640 --> 00:21:23.000
 people, many of them into

00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:23.620
 captivity.

00:21:25.620 --> 00:21:29.520
 The scripture says, I have sent you

00:21:29.520 --> 00:21:30.160
 into exile.

00:21:31.680 --> 00:21:32.600
 God said that.

00:21:32.820 --> 00:21:33.720
 God is sovereign.

00:21:34.060 --> 00:21:35.000
 God's in control.

00:21:35.480 --> 00:21:37.240
 God used the Babylonians to punish

00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:39.240
 his unfaithful people.

00:21:39.380 --> 00:21:40.480
 That's what happened.

00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:41.420
 But look at it.

00:21:41.980 --> 00:21:43.400
 Seek the welfare of the city where

00:21:43.400 --> 00:21:45.360
 I have sent you into exile and pray

00:21:45.360 --> 00:21:47.480
 to the Lord on its behalf for in

00:21:47.480 --> 00:21:50.880
 its welfare you will find your

00:21:50.880 --> 00:21:51.660
 welfare.

00:21:53.240 --> 00:21:57.960
 If the Jewish people were going to

00:21:57.960 --> 00:22:01.579
 seek the welfare of the city, they

00:22:01.579 --> 00:22:03.400
 needed to be involved in everything

00:22:03.400 --> 00:22:05.220
 they could possibly be involved in,

00:22:05.559 --> 00:22:06.039
 didn't they?

00:22:06.039 --> 00:22:10.139
 They needed to influence the leaders of

00:22:10.139 --> 00:22:12.139
 the city to the best of their ability

00:22:12.139 --> 00:22:14.139
 even though they had no opportunity

00:22:14.139 --> 00:22:14.940
 to vote.

00:22:15.740 --> 00:22:17.819
 They couldn't say a whole lot or at

00:22:17.819 --> 00:22:20.440
 least they wouldn't be heard a whole

00:22:20.440 --> 00:22:20.740
 lot.

00:22:22.319 --> 00:22:24.579
 But Jeremiah, God spoke through him

00:22:24.579 --> 00:22:26.399
 and told them, you seek the welfare of

00:22:26.399 --> 00:22:26.879
 this city.

00:22:27.720 --> 00:22:29.680
 Note two specific things about this.

00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:31.819
 They were to pray for the welfare of

00:22:31.819 --> 00:22:34.639
 everyone, even those unbelievers who had

00:22:34.639 --> 00:22:36.579
 taken them captive, their enemies.

00:22:37.960 --> 00:22:40.200
 But what it says here, they would find

00:22:40.200 --> 00:22:43.240
 that as the city prospered, they would

00:22:43.240 --> 00:22:43.759
 prosper.

00:22:45.319 --> 00:22:46.879
 No matter what we think about what's

00:22:46.879 --> 00:22:48.480
 going on in our country today, we must

00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:49.519
 never give up.

00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:53.339
 We, as Christians, we need to pray.

00:22:53.980 --> 00:22:56.220
 We need to do all that we can, work for

00:22:56.220 --> 00:22:59.660
 the welfare of our country, our state, our

00:22:59.660 --> 00:23:00.200
 county.

00:23:01.539 --> 00:23:06.480
 And as the country prospers, we will

00:23:06.480 --> 00:23:06.900
 prosper.

00:23:07.900 --> 00:23:11.259
 Just like God told the people, His chosen

00:23:11.259 --> 00:23:12.859
 people, living in exile.

00:23:14.119 --> 00:23:16.220
 Wayne Grudem says that this includes our

00:23:16.220 --> 00:23:17.859
 political involvement.

00:23:17.859 --> 00:23:18.419
 But look at this.

00:23:19.139 --> 00:23:22.519
 The true welfare of such a city will be

00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:24.559
 advanced through governmental laws and

00:23:24.559 --> 00:23:27.039
 policies that are consistent with God's

00:23:27.039 --> 00:23:30.159
 teachings in the Bible, not by those that

00:23:30.159 --> 00:23:32.799
 are contrary to the Bible's teaching.

00:23:34.939 --> 00:23:37.579
 Being actively involved in influencing this

00:23:37.579 --> 00:23:41.679
 world is our Christian responsibility.

00:23:41.679 --> 00:23:47.579
 Jesus clearly stated that He expects us

00:23:47.579 --> 00:23:52.980
 His followers to be living in the world, making

00:23:52.980 --> 00:23:57.019
 a difference, having influence, having an

00:23:57.019 --> 00:23:57.519
 impact.

00:23:57.859 --> 00:23:59.019
 Look at how He said this.

00:23:59.559 --> 00:24:03.319
 We're to be like salt, having a preserving

00:24:03.319 --> 00:24:07.639
 effect, preserving what we can that is good and

00:24:07.639 --> 00:24:07.960
 right.

00:24:08.480 --> 00:24:11.379
 Having a flavoring on our community.

00:24:11.379 --> 00:24:13.579
 Look at what Jesus said.

00:24:13.579 --> 00:24:15.159
 You're the salt of the earth.

00:24:15.799 --> 00:24:19.879
 But if the salt has lost its taste, how shall its

00:24:19.879 --> 00:24:21.339
 saltiness be restored?

00:24:21.639 --> 00:24:24.099
 It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown

00:24:24.099 --> 00:24:26.299
 out and trampled under people's feet.

00:24:26.939 --> 00:24:29.039
 When Jesus said, you're the salt of the earth, what does

00:24:29.039 --> 00:24:29.699
 He focus on?

00:24:30.099 --> 00:24:33.579
 He talked about, He's focusing on here, if we don't do

00:24:33.579 --> 00:24:34.639
 that, we're useless.

00:24:34.640 --> 00:24:40.160
 He's trying from a backhanded sort of way to say, get

00:24:40.160 --> 00:24:40.960
 involved.

00:24:41.720 --> 00:24:43.300
 Be involved in your community.

00:24:43.440 --> 00:24:44.640
 Be involved in this world.

00:24:45.700 --> 00:24:48.240
 Preserve flavor, influence.

00:24:49.060 --> 00:24:53.420
 Then He also said we're to be like light, shining light, the

00:24:53.420 --> 00:24:56.780
 light of the gospel, the light of the truth of God on our

00:24:56.780 --> 00:24:57.080
 community.

00:24:57.180 --> 00:24:57.560
 Look at this.

00:24:57.800 --> 00:24:58.759
 You're the light of the world.

00:24:59.280 --> 00:25:03.259
 A city set on a hill cannot be hidden, nor do people light a

00:25:03.259 --> 00:25:06.099
 lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand.

00:25:06.500 --> 00:25:09.140
 And it gives light to all in the house.

00:25:09.500 --> 00:25:13.619
 In the same way, let your light shine before others so that

00:25:13.619 --> 00:25:18.119
 they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who

00:25:18.119 --> 00:25:18.599
 is in heaven.

00:25:18.599 --> 00:25:25.160
 We are supposed to be in this county, wherever we go.

00:25:25.960 --> 00:25:29.460
 We're supposed to be agents of God's grace and truth.

00:25:29.460 --> 00:25:36.000
 We're supposed to have this kind of influence in our schools, in

00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:39.480
 our businesses, and in government.

00:25:40.620 --> 00:25:45.039
 And one of the ways we accomplish this in government is by voting

00:25:45.039 --> 00:25:49.980
 according to the truth of Scripture on the issues that are

00:25:49.980 --> 00:25:51.100
 addressed in Scripture.

00:25:51.420 --> 00:25:53.180
 All issues are not addressed in Scripture.

00:25:53.180 --> 00:25:56.940
 And next week, we're going to come back and look at some of the

00:25:56.940 --> 00:26:00.820
 issues addressed in Scripture and see how the platforms of the

00:26:00.820 --> 00:26:07.320
 Republican and Democratic parties line up with the principles of

00:26:07.320 --> 00:26:07.880
 God's Word.

00:26:09.019 --> 00:26:14.299
 But before we do that, we must be convinced that the teaching of

00:26:14.299 --> 00:26:16.500
 Scripture has universal application.

00:26:16.500 --> 00:26:24.900
 Do you understand that the moral standards of God, the moral standards

00:26:24.900 --> 00:26:30.059
 that God has revealed in His Word, are the moral standards that all

00:26:30.059 --> 00:26:32.460
 people will be judged by?

00:26:34.839 --> 00:26:37.160
 That we will be judged by?

00:26:37.160 --> 00:26:47.700
 You know, if we are truly Christians, born again by the Spirit of God, have true

00:26:47.700 --> 00:26:52.980
 saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the penalty for our sins has been paid.

00:26:54.759 --> 00:26:55.960
 That's been determined.

00:26:57.240 --> 00:26:59.980
 Heaven is our home, as I'll point out in just a moment.

00:26:59.980 --> 00:27:10.620
 But we will be judged by the way that we've lived in this world, our works, and that will

00:27:10.620 --> 00:27:14.500
 have something to do with our reward in heaven.

00:27:16.860 --> 00:27:22.960
 It matters how we live now and on judgment day.

00:27:23.640 --> 00:27:29.519
 And by the way, our works, according to the New Testament,

00:27:29.980 --> 00:27:37.019
 according to James in a big way, our works show the reality of our faith.

00:27:40.240 --> 00:27:47.860
 James will tell us, if there is no evidence that we are Christians by the way that we live,

00:27:48.420 --> 00:27:53.079
 in relationship to God, in relationship to one another, we shouldn't have assurance of salvation.

00:27:53.079 --> 00:27:59.240
 But going back to this, are you seeking right now as a Christian,

00:28:00.679 --> 00:28:03.720
 trusting in Jesus Christ and Him alone for your salvation,

00:28:04.339 --> 00:28:13.059
 or are you seeking to live by the moral standards that God has revealed in His Word?

00:28:14.500 --> 00:28:15.599
 Let me ask you this.

00:28:15.599 --> 00:28:20.419
 When you have to make moral or ethical decisions,

00:28:21.259 --> 00:28:27.480
 do you first think about, if you already know, or look, study,

00:28:28.379 --> 00:28:30.740
 and try to figure out what does the Bible say about this?

00:28:33.679 --> 00:28:36.059
 When you have to make a moral or ethical decision

00:28:36.059 --> 00:28:40.659
 that involves you or your family or some matter of business,

00:28:40.660 --> 00:28:48.960
 do you seek God's guidance based on what He has revealed already in His Word?

00:28:50.720 --> 00:28:54.259
 Sometimes that's hard to do.

00:28:54.920 --> 00:28:58.759
 I'm talking about sometimes it's hard to put it into practice.

00:28:59.860 --> 00:29:06.279
 Sometimes it might cost us more financially or time-wise.

00:29:06.279 --> 00:29:09.899
 But let me ask you this.

00:29:10.639 --> 00:29:15.139
 Are you so convinced that God's Word is true, His standards are right,

00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:18.920
 that when it comes to making a decision, you're going to be faithful to God,

00:29:19.399 --> 00:29:22.559
 you're going to do His will, even if it costs you a lot of money,

00:29:23.299 --> 00:29:27.460
 even if it costs you a lot of time, even if it conveniences you?

00:29:27.460 --> 00:29:35.660
 Are you convinced that God's Word reveals the moral standards

00:29:35.660 --> 00:29:38.079
 by which all people are going to be judged, including yourself?

00:29:39.539 --> 00:29:42.460
 Are you seeking to understand what they are personally?

00:29:43.420 --> 00:29:45.500
 Are you seeking to obey them,

00:29:46.620 --> 00:29:50.279
 no matter what anybody else may say or think?

00:29:51.200 --> 00:29:52.500
 One final thought.

00:29:52.500 --> 00:29:58.380
 Our absolute loyalty and unwavering commitment

00:29:58.380 --> 00:30:00.819
 must never be to our country

00:30:00.819 --> 00:30:04.779
 or to a political party

00:30:04.779 --> 00:30:08.099
 or to any leader.

00:30:09.279 --> 00:30:14.619
 Our absolute loyalty, unwavering commitment

00:30:14.619 --> 00:30:19.259
 must be to Jesus Christ first and foremost.

00:30:19.259 --> 00:30:25.859
 Let's never forget that our ultimate and eternal citizenship

00:30:25.859 --> 00:30:30.819
 is not in this county, this state, or this country,

00:30:31.019 --> 00:30:31.960
 or even this world.

00:30:32.460 --> 00:30:33.519
 It's in heaven.

00:30:33.980 --> 00:30:36.240
 Look at what Paul writes to the Philippians.

00:30:37.019 --> 00:30:39.660
 But our citizenship is in heaven.

00:30:40.900 --> 00:30:42.019
 Paul talked a lot about

00:30:42.019 --> 00:30:44.799
 and was involved in this world,

00:30:44.859 --> 00:30:45.839
 the affairs of this world,

00:30:46.079 --> 00:30:47.900
 influencing even government.

00:30:47.900 --> 00:30:49.840
 But he says,

00:30:50.060 --> 00:30:51.340
 our citizenship is in heaven

00:30:51.340 --> 00:30:53.980
 and from it we await a Savior,

00:30:54.240 --> 00:30:55.259
 the Lord Jesus Christ,

00:30:55.320 --> 00:30:57.160
 who will transform our lowly body

00:30:57.160 --> 00:30:59.440
 to be like His glorious body

00:30:59.440 --> 00:31:01.700
 by the power that enables Him

00:31:01.700 --> 00:31:04.519
 even to subject all things to Himself.

00:31:06.740 --> 00:31:07.920
 Don't misunderstand.

00:31:08.780 --> 00:31:10.840
 We need to be involved in

00:31:10.840 --> 00:31:13.580
 the political process.

00:31:13.579 --> 00:31:15.579
 We need to be concerned about

00:31:15.579 --> 00:31:17.960
 what is happening around about us.

00:31:19.359 --> 00:31:21.639
 But nothing is going to last forever.

00:31:23.460 --> 00:31:26.339
 It is all going away one day.

00:31:27.939 --> 00:31:29.859
 It's all going to be going away

00:31:29.859 --> 00:31:31.240
 or gone when we die.

00:31:31.919 --> 00:31:33.460
 Tomorrow or whenever that may be.

00:31:34.919 --> 00:31:35.720
 As Christians,

00:31:36.139 --> 00:31:38.740
 we can look forward to living in a new heaven

00:31:38.740 --> 00:31:40.519
 and a new earth

00:31:40.519 --> 00:31:43.779
 where Jesus Christ is Lord

00:31:43.779 --> 00:31:46.500
 and the things of this world,

00:31:47.180 --> 00:31:48.839
 we won't even think of them anymore.

00:31:50.680 --> 00:31:51.920
 I encourage you.

00:31:55.000 --> 00:31:56.460
 Think biblically

00:31:56.460 --> 00:31:59.740
 about your political involvement.

00:31:59.740 --> 00:32:05.039
 It matters how we live here.

00:32:06.180 --> 00:32:08.079
 It matters that we exert

00:32:08.079 --> 00:32:09.579
 Christian influence.

00:32:10.460 --> 00:32:11.660
 It matters that we vote.

00:32:13.319 --> 00:32:16.740
 But this is not an ultimate matter.

00:32:19.740 --> 00:32:20.299
 Ultimately,

00:32:21.279 --> 00:32:22.700
 we are the children of God

00:32:22.700 --> 00:32:24.220
 who are one day going to leave

00:32:24.220 --> 00:32:25.339
 everything in this world behind

00:32:25.339 --> 00:32:27.140
 and live with Him

00:32:27.140 --> 00:32:28.859
 and the Lord Jesus Christ.

00:32:29.740 --> 00:32:31.859
 Think about that

00:32:31.859 --> 00:32:35.220
 as the ultimate goal of our lives.

00:32:35.640 --> 00:32:36.380
 Let's pray together.

00:32:36.839 --> 00:32:37.240
 Father,

00:32:38.400 --> 00:32:39.839
 Lord,

00:32:39.920 --> 00:32:41.079
 help us to see now

00:32:41.079 --> 00:32:43.819
 in light of all that we have seen

00:32:43.819 --> 00:32:44.160
 about

00:32:44.160 --> 00:32:47.200
 how you are in control.

00:32:47.660 --> 00:32:48.640
 You've created everything.

00:32:48.920 --> 00:32:49.819
 Everything is yours.

00:32:50.779 --> 00:32:53.120
 You've given us ultimate standards

00:32:53.120 --> 00:32:55.079
 in your word

00:32:55.079 --> 00:32:56.740
 that apply to everybody,

00:32:56.839 --> 00:32:58.079
 that everybody will be judged by.

00:32:58.079 --> 00:33:00.559
 Help us to see, Father,

00:33:00.619 --> 00:33:01.699
 how important it is

00:33:01.699 --> 00:33:03.419
 that we exert

00:33:03.419 --> 00:33:05.259
 our influence

00:33:05.259 --> 00:33:06.019
 as Christians

00:33:06.019 --> 00:33:07.179
 who believe your word

00:33:07.179 --> 00:33:09.359
 on our community,

00:33:09.599 --> 00:33:10.399
 state, and country.

00:33:12.199 --> 00:33:13.099
 Help us to see

00:33:13.099 --> 00:33:13.679
 that it matters

00:33:13.679 --> 00:33:14.439
 how we vote,

00:33:15.619 --> 00:33:16.599
 the issues

00:33:16.599 --> 00:33:18.559
 that we back.

00:33:20.179 --> 00:33:21.159
 Help us

00:33:21.159 --> 00:33:23.039
 to seek your wisdom

00:33:23.039 --> 00:33:26.299
 in making the right decisions

00:33:26.299 --> 00:33:31.339
 in being involved

00:33:31.339 --> 00:33:33.279
 and then voting

00:33:33.279 --> 00:33:35.700
 seven weeks from Tuesday.

00:33:37.539 --> 00:33:38.759
 Let's just pray now

00:33:38.759 --> 00:33:39.659
 and listen to the Lord

00:33:39.659 --> 00:33:41.279
 about how we should

00:33:41.279 --> 00:33:42.440
 respond to Him,

00:33:42.980 --> 00:33:43.980
 about how we think,

00:33:44.079 --> 00:33:45.000
 how we speak,

00:33:45.500 --> 00:33:46.819
 and how we act

00:33:46.819 --> 00:33:48.159
 concerning these matters.

00:33:48.740 --> 00:33:49.779
 Make your word