Sermon Central
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Who Should We Vote For?
Contributed by Joel Santos on May 9, 2007 (message contributor)
Summary: Four qualifications of the candidates that God is looking for(Philippines National Election)
Who Should We Vote For
“Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens.”
This morning I have a simple goal. I hope to show you that Christ has much to say concerning the realm of politics, right down to the selection of those who rule.
Ask the typical Filipinos what they look for in a candidate, and you will get a wide variety of responses. Some look to see if he has a “good political flat-form?” Others look for “likeability.”
Still, others look to see how well he debates. How he advertise his purpose of getting involved in the political arena over the television.
Well, this morning I want to discuss some qualifications of the candidates that God is looking for. God wants us to base our choices on these Biblical qualifications in voting tomorrow morning.
I. The First Qualification is: God is looking for leaders who are ABLE
You shall select out of all the people able men…”
In 1 Chronicles 9:13, The Bible says, VERY ABLE MEN FOR THE WORK OF THE SERVICE OF THE HOUSE OF GOD.
The service of God needed men of God in that day, and it still hold true today. GOD NEED MEN OF GOD TO SERVE HIM
A chicken and a pig came upon a church building and read the advertisement on the billboard out front, which read, "Help Us Feed the Poor." Immediately the chicken suggested they help feed the poor with bacon and eggs. The pig thought for a moment and said, "There is one thing wrong with feeding bacon and eggs to the poor. For you it only requires a contribution, but for me it requires total commitment."
Many in the government today do not want to be totally committed because we put somebody in the position who are not “able men”.
What does it mean to become a “very able man for the work of God.”
A. Able means he is fit to the Position
- He must be qualified to the position he is aspiring for
B. Able means Faithful to his Work
- I Corinthians 4:2-Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
- Good and faithful servant
Why does God ask us to be faithful? Because He is faithful. I Cor. 1:9-God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Not everyone can be a President, Senator, etc, not every one can be a Pastor/ Teacher, but every one can be FAITHFUL.
Vance Hanver said, many saints prefer to be flashy comets instead of faithful stars. They go up like a rocket but come down like a rock.
II. The Second Qualification is: God is looking for leaders who FEAR Him.
”You shall select out of all the people able men who FEAR God…”
Psalm 2 reiterates the same idea…“Now therefore, O Kings, show discernment; Take warning O judges of the earth. Worship the Lord with reverence, and rejoice with trembling. Do homage to the Son…”
Did you notice the words, reverence, trembling, fear and homage in the verses I just read? In the Hebrew, these words convey the idea of leaders having an “exceeding dread of the Almighty” which comes as a result of realizing that they will one-day answer to Him. They are leaders who understand that God holds them to a higher standard of accountability.
Why is a fear of the Almighty so important?
#1- The “fear of God” safeguards leaders from an inordinate “fear of people.”
“He who kneels before God can stand before anyone.”
#2- The fear of God leads to great wisdom.
The Scriptures say, “The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.” Today we hear a lot of talk about how smart or dumb a candidate is. Intelligence is fine but wisdom is better. How are the two different? Intelligence speaks to how much a person knows; while wisdom addresses the proper usage of that knowledge.
#3- The fear of God keeps leaders from becoming arrogant. It helps them remember that they are but “Ministers of God” sent to do His bidding.
According to James Madison…“Before any man can be considered a member [leader] of civil society, he must be considered as a subject to the Governor of the Universe.”
Application: So, as you look at a candidate, examine their beliefs. Look deeply into what they say about the Almighty. If he says he is a Christian, “Does he walk the talk?” Is he arrogant or humble? Do his campaign promises is true or just for pogi points?
These are not easy questions to answer but they must be answered, none-the-less.
