Christ is Lord
Dear OBC Family,
Politics is downstream from culture. And culture is downstream from worship. And so, if we want to see any change in politics, or culture, it must begin in the church.
Today, if there is any degradation in our politics (and who can deny that there is?), then it stems not from the culture by itself, but from churches who have failed to order themselves by God’s Word. And it also stems from too many churches who water down worship such that their saltiness has lost its salt—a truth that explains, in part, our surrounding culture and our forthcoming election.
In recent conversation with Glenn Sunshine, the church historian and author said with respect to the coming election, our nation has two choices before us—to go over a cliff quickly or to go over a cliff more slowly. Indeed, neither of these options is good or cheerful. But it does remind us of the condition of our country and our desperate need for God to bring revival to our land.
As we go into election week, the largest problem we face goes deeper than a platform, person, or party; our greatest problems are spiritual and ethical. There are undeniable differences between Democrats and Republicans, and these will have very different impacts on the coming years. Yet, in all future scenarios, our greatest need is revival. And without that, our degraded culture will remain cliff ward bound.
Still, as Christians, such an imminent threat is not one that leads us to despair. For we know who rules the heavens and the earth. And more, Scripture gives us wisdom to walk in the best and the worst of times. Equally, church history informs our path of faithfulness too. And that history includes what American Christian’s used to take for granted—that during a time of national election or government transition, the pastors would preach “election sermons."
As Baptist Historian, Obbie Tyler Todd, has noted, "one cannot really understand how early Americans viewed themselves and their covenant with God without the election sermon.” Indeed, throughout the generations leading up to and following America’s War for Independence, pastors—especially Puritans pastors—took time to preach Election Sermons, Artillery Sermons, Fifth-Day Lectures (Thursday Lectures). Respectively, these sermons were preached throughout the colonies to instruct the saints and to call upon God’s mercy in times of election, war, and other social needs.
While biblical exposition was the staple of Puritan preaching, these pastors often delivered sermons that helped Christians think about civil magistrates. And they preached sermons to help civil servants (magistrates and others) think about God's expectation for their service. What a world of difference it would make if our elected officials fear God, his Word, and his judgment.
Tragically, somewhere along the way, as religion in America became increasingly democratic and individualistic, and then postmodern and pluralistic, election sermons fell by the wayside. Admittedly, there were and are abuses of the pulpit to promote candidates. But by and large, the separation of church and state has grown so wide as to expect pastors and churches to avoid speaking to political matters. Yet, such a posture of religion and state is a modern invention and one that is both a cause and effect of our secular age.
Biblically, however, God’s Word speaks to all areas of life. The statement “Christ is Lord” is a political declaration and it is one that should impact the home, the church, and the state. And more, when we read Scripture, especially the Old Testament, but also Acts and Revelation, we discover how the growth of God’s church has direct impact on local institutions of commerce and government.
To that end, with our minds and prayers directed to the election next week, we are going to look at Psalm 2 this Sunday. Psalm 2 declares the Lordship of Christ and it gives us confidence that God is truly sovereign over all things, while also instructing us on the part we are to play in the world. Indeed, Psalm 2 stresses God’s sovereignty and our stewardship. And on Sunday, we are going to consider both elements.
By God’s grace, we can cast all our cares and concerns at his feet, as we trust him for the future of our country and the place we live in it. And we can also be reminded that we who are in Christ have an obligation to pray for the nations and for our nation. We are seek the welfare of the city and promote peace, justice, and prosperity in our day, such that the church of Jesus Christ can flourish and the gospel can have free reign to gather the sheep.
Truly, there are many snares to avoid when discussing church and state, religion and politics, but the greatest trap is the snare of silence. Christians, of all people, are given the Spirit to speak truth in love, to proclaim the Lordship of Christ in public, and to order their lives by the Word that gives life. Indeed, as Proverbs 24:11 says, we are to "Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.”
As we approach Tuesday, we know that the policies of certain candidates are committed to public celebrations of death (abortion) and public funding for all manner of vice (e.g., transgender surgery). For this reason, we need God’s help to think carefully about his sovereignty and our stewardship. What should we pray? And what can we do?
And to that end and in preparation for Sunday, I invite you to read Psalms 1–2. Then pray for God to have mercy on our nation and our church, as we consider what part we can play to see God grant peace in our day, so that his purposes of salvation might be accomplished in our generation.
I look forward to worshiping our risen Christ together on Sunday, and to considering what Psalm 2 has to say to us.
For His Glory and your joy in Christ,
Pastor David
Politics is downstream from culture. And culture is downstream from worship. And so, if we want to see any change in politics, or culture, it must begin in the church.
Today, if there is any degradation in our politics (and who can deny that there is?), then it stems not from the culture by itself, but from churches who have failed to order themselves by God’s Word. And it also stems from too many churches who water down worship such that their saltiness has lost its salt—a truth that explains, in part, our surrounding culture and our forthcoming election.
In recent conversation with Glenn Sunshine, the church historian and author said with respect to the coming election, our nation has two choices before us—to go over a cliff quickly or to go over a cliff more slowly. Indeed, neither of these options is good or cheerful. But it does remind us of the condition of our country and our desperate need for God to bring revival to our land.
As we go into election week, the largest problem we face goes deeper than a platform, person, or party; our greatest problems are spiritual and ethical. There are undeniable differences between Democrats and Republicans, and these will have very different impacts on the coming years. Yet, in all future scenarios, our greatest need is revival. And without that, our degraded culture will remain cliff ward bound.
Still, as Christians, such an imminent threat is not one that leads us to despair. For we know who rules the heavens and the earth. And more, Scripture gives us wisdom to walk in the best and the worst of times. Equally, church history informs our path of faithfulness too. And that history includes what American Christian’s used to take for granted—that during a time of national election or government transition, the pastors would preach “election sermons."
As Baptist Historian, Obbie Tyler Todd, has noted, "one cannot really understand how early Americans viewed themselves and their covenant with God without the election sermon.” Indeed, throughout the generations leading up to and following America’s War for Independence, pastors—especially Puritans pastors—took time to preach Election Sermons, Artillery Sermons, Fifth-Day Lectures (Thursday Lectures). Respectively, these sermons were preached throughout the colonies to instruct the saints and to call upon God’s mercy in times of election, war, and other social needs.
While biblical exposition was the staple of Puritan preaching, these pastors often delivered sermons that helped Christians think about civil magistrates. And they preached sermons to help civil servants (magistrates and others) think about God's expectation for their service. What a world of difference it would make if our elected officials fear God, his Word, and his judgment.
Tragically, somewhere along the way, as religion in America became increasingly democratic and individualistic, and then postmodern and pluralistic, election sermons fell by the wayside. Admittedly, there were and are abuses of the pulpit to promote candidates. But by and large, the separation of church and state has grown so wide as to expect pastors and churches to avoid speaking to political matters. Yet, such a posture of religion and state is a modern invention and one that is both a cause and effect of our secular age.
Biblically, however, God’s Word speaks to all areas of life. The statement “Christ is Lord” is a political declaration and it is one that should impact the home, the church, and the state. And more, when we read Scripture, especially the Old Testament, but also Acts and Revelation, we discover how the growth of God’s church has direct impact on local institutions of commerce and government.
To that end, with our minds and prayers directed to the election next week, we are going to look at Psalm 2 this Sunday. Psalm 2 declares the Lordship of Christ and it gives us confidence that God is truly sovereign over all things, while also instructing us on the part we are to play in the world. Indeed, Psalm 2 stresses God’s sovereignty and our stewardship. And on Sunday, we are going to consider both elements.
By God’s grace, we can cast all our cares and concerns at his feet, as we trust him for the future of our country and the place we live in it. And we can also be reminded that we who are in Christ have an obligation to pray for the nations and for our nation. We are seek the welfare of the city and promote peace, justice, and prosperity in our day, such that the church of Jesus Christ can flourish and the gospel can have free reign to gather the sheep.
Truly, there are many snares to avoid when discussing church and state, religion and politics, but the greatest trap is the snare of silence. Christians, of all people, are given the Spirit to speak truth in love, to proclaim the Lordship of Christ in public, and to order their lives by the Word that gives life. Indeed, as Proverbs 24:11 says, we are to "Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.”
As we approach Tuesday, we know that the policies of certain candidates are committed to public celebrations of death (abortion) and public funding for all manner of vice (e.g., transgender surgery). For this reason, we need God’s help to think carefully about his sovereignty and our stewardship. What should we pray? And what can we do?
And to that end and in preparation for Sunday, I invite you to read Psalms 1–2. Then pray for God to have mercy on our nation and our church, as we consider what part we can play to see God grant peace in our day, so that his purposes of salvation might be accomplished in our generation.
I look forward to worshiping our risen Christ together on Sunday, and to considering what Psalm 2 has to say to us.
For His Glory and your joy in Christ,
Pastor David
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