So, You Want to Change America Do You?

Acts chapter 19 records the Apostle Paul’s 3^rd Missionary Journey.  He is in Ephesus, and God uses him in mighty ways.  Take a look at Acts 19:11-20 NLT.

“God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles. When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled.  A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying, “I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!” Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?” Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them, overpowered them, and attacked them with such violence that they fled from the house, naked and battered.  The story of what happened spread quickly all through Ephesus, to Jews and Greeks alike. A solemn fear descended on the city, and the name of the Lord Jesus was greatly honored. Many who became believers confessed their sinful practices. A number of them who had been practicing sorcery brought their incantation books and burned them at a public bonfire. The value of the books was several million dollars.  So the message about the Lord spread widely and had a powerful effect.”

Pay special attention to the results of the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit displayed through Paul………………” A number of them who had been practicing sorcery brought their incantation books and burned them at a public bonfire. The value of the books was several million dollars!”  The Ephesian society had been impacted and genuinely changed for the glory of God!”  And when society was changed in Ephesus, here is what happened…………”So the message about the Lord spread widely and had a powerful effect!” 

There are 3 institutions that the Lord created.  First, is the family.  Second, is government.  And third, is the Church.  Each of these Godly institutions has distinct elements to it, and roles to play within human societies.  One of the responsibilities of the Church is to change the hearts of people through the two-fold aspect in the proclamation of the Kingdom of God.  First, through the preaching of the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and second, through the validation of that message and the Kingdom of God through the demonstration of signs, wonders, healings, and the miraculous. 

Here is what concerns me about the Church and the election cycle we are in.  While I am very much involved in the political process, and believe that we as Followers of Christ need to be educated, involved in the process, and vote; there is one thing that genuinely concerns me as I talk to Evangelical Believers.  That one concern is the abdication of our responsibility to effect change within our societies.  As I watch and listen to Evangelical Believers, I am deeply concerned that what many Believers are doing, is abdicating their responsibilities to change our society through the two-fold proclamation of the Gospel.  The message coupled with the power is the ONLY thing that will truly change America!  That is NOT the responsibility of government, …..BUT IT IS the responsibility of the Church of Jesus Christ!  In fact Our Lord instructed us in the Great Commission to “go into all the world and preach the gospel,” in essence, go into all the world and “CHANGE” nations through the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ!  And with that proclamation He would demonstrate the validity and power of that message through various “signs” through the power of the Holy Spirit.  With this “dynamic-duo” of the presentation and the power of the Gospel, Nations would be……….CHANGED!

On the flip side, the Apostle Paul instructs us on the God-created roll of the government in Romans 13:1-5 NIV.

“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. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.”

Notice that the distinct role of Governmental authorities is to punish those who rebel against what is “right,” break laws, threaten the safety of those who do what is “right,”  and to keep those who do what is “right” safe!  However, while government’s role against those who do “wrong” is punitive, the role of changing their hearts lies solely with the CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST!  For those, who like myself, are students of history, please recall Prohibition!  We tried to “change” the hearts of people through the legislation of morality by passing laws against alcohol.  It was an utter failure and an exercise in futility as it only drove the industry of alcohol underground!  And on numerous occasions, we have elected people who identify themselves as “CHRISTIAN,” only to see that the change we were hoping they would bring, ……NEVER CAME!  Why? ……..Because it’s the CHURCH’S job to effect CHANGE within the hearts of people, and hence society, ……..NOT the government! 

If we are honest with ourselves, most of the Church of Jesus Christ in America has NOT been involved with society to effect change through the proclamation of the Gospel.  Instead, we have CELEBRATED the fact that we have WITHDRAWN from society and are NOT like those horrible sinners!  Perhaps you’ve read this attitude in the Bible, in Luke 18:9-14 NIV.

“To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’   “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

So, here we are in the election of 2016 and I have to honestly wonder if given our “track record” in the past, we are not trying to once again abdicate our responsibility as God’s “CHANGE-AGENT” to America, when we speak of electing a “Christian” as our President.  I sincerely believe that many Followers of Christ are looking to elect a President who will “FIX” all our moral and spiritual problems!  However, this is the role of the Body of Christ not our elected President!  Now while a President who professes Christ as their Lord and Savior DEFINITELY positions that President to receive guidance and direction from the Lord!  And it also establishes a Judeo/Christian “value system” by which that President can protect the people who do “right” and punish those who do “wrong!”  The “ROLE” of bringing about societal change lies squarely with the Church of Jesus Christ!  Many of us are so quick to pronounce judgment upon America for its moral decline and spiritual bankruptcy but let’s remember what 1 Peter 4:17-18 NLT.

“For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? And also, “If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?”

Judgment begins with the Church of Jesus Christ, partly for our willingness to drift into being merely “religious” rather than being the true “Bride of Christ.”  A Bride that effects change in society through changing the hearts of people through the proclamation and demonstration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!  Message plus Miraculous gets the attention EVEN of the most ardent agnostic or atheist!  This is how Ephesus was impacted for the glory of Christ, and this is how AMERICA will be impacted for the glory of Christ,………NOT THROUGH AN ELECTION! 

How about another Scripture informing God’s People that the “turn-around” and redemption of their nation begins with them?  You most likely know it well, the often quoted 2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT.

“Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land!”

Verse 14 of Second Chronicles 7, is the response God directs His people to assume after He has sent judgment upon His People and their nation!  This passage coupled with the above passage of 1 Peter 4:17-18, identifies that the PEOPLE OF GOD, are the TRUE AGENTS OF CHANGE in their societies and their nations! 

My Brothers and Sisters, this is a BIBLICAL teaching from a PASTOR who loves the Lord and each of you!  You will notice I have not stated ANY candidate I am in favor of.  I learned my lesson several years ago to NOT post my political positions via Social Media.  Through the many years as serving the Lord as one of His Shepherds, I have had the honor to Pastor Republicans, Democrats, and Independents alike.  I have my political positions, and when I am NOT in a Pastoral role or on Social Media, I am willing to talk about them (a position I truly wish other Pastors would embrace).  Sit down with me over coffee (you buy), and we can talk about who we each support, but I will NOT divide my followers on Facebook over political opinions!

PLEASE HONOR MY DESIRE CONCERNING SOCIAL MEDIA BY NOT POSTING “YOUR” POLITICAL CHOICE FOR PRESIDENT!  I humbly and respectfully ask that of each of you to honor my request! 

With that in mind,………..BE INVOLVED IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS and …..VOTE!  But understand, YOUR candidate CANNOT correct AMERICA!....... Only YOU, as a Follower of Jesus, have that kind of POWER!..............IT’S CALLED THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST! ………BE THE CHURCH,……..WITH THE MESSAGE AND POWER OF THAT GOSPEL, and…….CHANGE THIS NATION!  God bless you and I love each of you my Facebook Family and Friends!

~~~Pastor Steve Gardner