Being a Disciple in a Democracy

2 Chronicles 7:13-14 NIV 13 “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

• Do you want the Kingdom to grow. • Do you trust God to govern it fairly • Are you as concerned with others wellbeing/welfare as you are your own? • Are you willing to use faithfully what God has entrusted to you? Gifts, Talents Resources and Abilities.

Matthew 16:5-6 KJV 5 And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. 6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

Philippians 3:20 CEV 20 But we are citizens of heaven and are eagerly waiting for our Savior to come from there. Our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 22:22-30 NIV 22 The crowd listened to Paul until he said this. Then they raised their voices and shouted, “Rid the earth of him! He’s not fit to live!” 23 As they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, 24 the commander ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks. He directed that he be flogged and interrogated in order to find out why the people were shouting at him like this. 25 As they stretched him out to flog him, Paul said to the centurion standing there, “Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been found guilty?” 26 When the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and reported it. “What are you going to do?” he asked. “This man is a Roman citizen.” 27 The commander went to Paul and asked, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” “Yes, I am,” he answered. 28 Then the commander said, “I had to pay a lot of money for my citizenship.” “But I was born a citizen,” Paul replied. 29 Those who were about to interrogate him withdrew immediately. The commander himself was alarmed when he realized that he had put Paul, a Roman citizen, in chains.

Foundation Jesus is King, and He Has a Government. Isaiah 9:6-7 King James Version 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

We Are Empowered by Holy Spirit to Confront the Empire. Ambassadors Acts 17:6-7 King James Version 6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; 7 Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. Romans 13:1 NIV 13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

2 Corinthians 5:20 NIV 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

John 20:21 NIV 21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

Voting is a Stewardship Issue.
Acts 1:8 NIV 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Colossians 3:23 NIV 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,

Jesus is Our Lasting Hope Hebrews 6:19 NIV 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” —Jeremiah 29:11