Reclaiming America

Why Pastors (and Christians in general) need to be involved in the political arena

Rafael B. CruzGrace for America

For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

- 1 Corinthians 3:11.

Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ: the solid foundation

A free society with respect for the individualContributing to the lives of others

Purpose in lifeLove, joy, peace

A Judeo-Christian ethicA relationship with a living God

If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?

- Psalms 11:3

SocialismA life of dependency

Social justiceSocial gospel

No moral absolutesYou are your own god

Secular humanism

The world has set other foundations

The unfortunate reaction of the church

to these trends has been to become less and less

relevant upon society and

government

Why are we silent?

The excuse:

“Separation of Church and State”

In a letter to the Danbury Baptist Association, Thomas Jefferson said: Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God; that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship... that their legislature should “make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,”… thus building a wall of separation between Church and State.

In 1962 and 1963, prayer and Bible reading were taken out of public schools.

…and the church remained silent!

The excuse: It is a political issue!

The consequence: Increased teen pregnancy, violent crime

In 1973, the Supreme Court decided that unborn babies had no civil rights and legalized abortion.

…and the church remained silent!

The excuse: It is a political issue!

The consequence: 55 million babies slaughtered by abortion.

Recently, the Supreme Court ruled against Defense of Marriage Act

…and the church remained silent!

The excuse: It is a political issue!

The consequence: The decay of the traditional family.

How long will we remain silent????

Will we have to answer to God for our silence?

The excuse:

“God just called me to share the Gospel”

The question:

What all does the Gospel encompass?

The witness of the Apostle Paul:

Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. - Acts 20:26-27

Are we declaring the whole counsel of God?

The witness of Jesus:

You are the light of the world…

- Matthew 5:14

For light to have its effect, it has to shine on darkness!

The witness of Jesus:

You are the salt of the earth…

- Matthew 5:13

For salt to have its effect, it has to be applied to that which you want to preserve!

The witness of Scripture:

He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just,Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.

- Proverbs 17:15

Are we justifying the wicked by remaining silent?

The witness of Scripture:

When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan

- Proverbs 29:2

Have we been encouraging our congregations to vote for righteous leaders?

The witness of Scripture:

Whom should we elect?

Did you know that the Bible speaks very clearly

about this issue?

The witness of Scripture:Whom should we elect?

Moreover you shall select from all the people (1) able men, (2) such as fear God, (3) men of truth, (4) hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

- Exodus 18:21

Have we been encouraging our congregations to vote for righteous leaders?

The essence of Federalism:

Moreover you shall select from all the people… and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens… Then it will be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they themselves shall judge. - Exodus 18:21-22

Article 1 Sec 8, 9th & 10th Amendments

Our historical significance

Every one of the grievances against the King of England listed in the Declaration of Independence were preached from the pulpits of America before they were penned on the Declaration of Independence!

Pastors were largely at the forefront of the movement for independence. They were feared by the British Army who called them “The Black Robe Regiment”.Source: Wallbuilders

“The British are coming”

Did you know that in Paul Revere’s famous ride he was going to the home of Jonas Clark, a pastor, where John Hancock and Samuel Adams were staying?

Pastor Jonas Clark was one of many Preacher-Patriots that were part of the Continental Army!Source: Wallbuilders

The foundation of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S.

Constitution

29 of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence were seminary

graduates, and the great majority of the rest were committed Christian

leaders who spoke boldly about their faith.

Source: Wallbuilders

The witness of Charles Finney:

Brethren, our preaching will bear its legitimate fruits. If immorality prevails in the land, the fault is ours in a great degree.

If there is a decay of conscience, the pulpit is responsible for it.

The witness of Charles Finney (cont):

If the public press lacks moral discrimination, the pulpit is responsible for it.

If the church is degenerate and worldly, the pulpit is responsible for it.

If the world loses its interest in religion, the pulpit is responsible for it.

The witness of Charles Finney (cont.):

If Satan rules in our halls of legislation, the pulpit is responsible for it.

If our politics become so corrupt that the very foundations of our government are ready to fall away, the pulpit is responsible for it.

The witness of Charles Finney (cont.):

Let us not ignore this fact, my dear brethren; but let us lay it to heart, and be thoroughly awake to our responsibility in respect to the morals of this nation.

Rev. Charles Finney, 2nd Great Awakening

Pastor Martin Niemöller (Nazi Germany)

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out--Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out-- Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Pastor Martin Niemöller (Nazi Germany)

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out-- Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me--and there was no one left to speak for me.

We have a responsibility to elect righteous leaders!

Let’s not be politically correct,

Let’s be Biblically correct!

We have a responsibility to be light to those that are in darkness

May we hear God say: Well done,

good and faithful servant

Action Steps:

1. Set up a voter registration table in the foyer of your church (Your civic responsibility!)

2. Preach messages on relevant Christian principles

3. Provide Voter’s Guides showing how candidates have voted on Christian issues(Many Christian organizations provide them)

4. Encourage people to vote for candidates that uphold and defend Biblical values

If you don’t vote you are part of the problem!

The Declaration of IndependenceLast sentence

And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

We can do no less!