GOD, GOVERNMENT, AND THE GOSPEL

LESSON ONE - INTRODUCTION

1. Presuppositions:

Ÿ America was founded by Christian men and on Christian principles.

Ÿ America, through its history, has been an unrivaled source for much good to its citizens and to the world.

Ÿ It is good and proper for a believer to be a good and active citizen--to be respectful of governing authorities, to obey the laws of the land, to be knowledgeable of political candidates and issues, to vote, etc.

Ÿ Many of us have served our country in the military (some have fought for our country).

Ÿ America, as a nation, is in decline. Immorality and injustice are increasingly . Much of what we witness and observe is contrary to the intent of our founding fathers, and more importantly, to God and to His Word. It is easy to believe that we will soon face a national crisis of some sort.

Ÿ The ever increasing immorality and injustice that exists in our nation grieves our hearts.

2. We should not be surprised by the immorality and injustice that exists in our world:

Ÿ Man is sinful by nature (Rom. 5:12; Rom. 5:6,8,10; Col. 1:21).

Ÿ “The days are evil” (Eph. 5:16).

Ÿ Scripture warned that these last days would be “difficult times” (2 Tim. 3:1-5).

Ÿ We, as believers, exist in “the midst of a crooked and perverse generation” (Phil. 2:15; Cf. Acts 13:10; Isaiah 5:20).

3. It is natural (and beneficial) for us, as believers, to be grieved by injustice and immorality (wherever we find it):

Ÿ Habakkuk was grieved by the injustice he witnessed (Hab. 1:1-4).

Ÿ The Psalmist implored God to intervene (Psa. 94:1-7).

Ÿ Lot’s righteous soul was vexed by the lawless deeds of unprincipled men (2 Pet. 2:8).

Ÿ Paul was burdened by his own sin (Rom. 7:24).

4. The question is: “How do we direct our thoughts and activities in response?”

Ÿ Complaining is not the answer (Phil. 2:14; Col. 2:7).

Ÿ It will do us no good to worry (Phil. 4:6-7; 1 Pet. 5:6-7).

Ÿ We dare not take matters into our own hands (2 Cor. 10:3-5).

Ÿ Or make the lost our enemy (Matt. 5:44; 2 Tim. 2:24-26).

5. How does God want for us to respond to the current state of affairs that we find ourselves in? We need to be careful not to allow ourselves to be driven by the dictates of our flesh or the opinions of others. We need to formulate a Biblical response (2 Tim. 2:13-14; 2 Pet. 1:19):

Ÿ That reflects our dispensational and premillenial viewpoint.

Ÿ That takes into account the true nature of lost humanity.

Ÿ That trusts sincerely in the sovereignty of God over the affairs of men.

Ÿ That focuses on God’s mandate for His church.

Ÿ That understands the true nature of the warfare we are engaged in.

Ÿ That is not deterred from the clear and faithful proclamation of the gospel.

Ÿ That fixes its hope on heaven as the ultimate goal and object of salvation.

Ÿ That does not diminish our witness or unnecessarily limit opportunities to share the gospel with others.

CONCLUSION

1. What bothers you the most about the current direction of our country?

2. How are you prone to respond to political decisions or issues that are contrary to your own ideas?

3. To what extent are your responses governed by: the flesh? the opinions of others? the Scriptures?

4. What steps can you take to help ensure that your responses will honor and please God?

5. How might political discussions with others lead to opportunities to share the gospel? What kinds of attitudes and actions work to limit or undermine your witnessing efforts?