I am still in South Asia (thus the sparce blog updates). I plan to return tomorrow.
Well, it's over and Barack Obama is our new president. As you (at the Summit Church) know, I have refrained from giving public support, either explicit or implicit, to either candidate. As I have explained before, I have chosen not to do that--not because I don't believe the Christian worldview applies to politics or because I don't think Christians should be in politics (they very much should!). It is just that God has called me to the preaching of the Gospel and the leading of a local church. As a pastor, I represent a Gospel community and that one identifying mark must remain crystal clear to the community I am seeking to reach. Personally, I have to say no to many good things that would keep me from the fulfilling the one thing I have been given to do.
I do not intend to renege on that commitment here. What I do want to do is make the following observations concerning our role as Christians in the culture in light of this election:
1. Whether you personally like it or not, Barack Obama is our president now. As such, he deserves the prayer, support and respect due to someone in that office. Paul commands us to honor and serve our rulers as the ministers of God (so far, of course, as conscience allows) Speaking disrespectfully of them is an offense against God and a bad testimony to the name of Christ. (1 Peter 2; Romans 13). He is our president and he has my prayer and respectful support.
2. Politics aside, I rejoice that our nation has elected an African-American man as president. In a nation scarred with the hideous sin of slavery, it marks an important milestone of healing in our country.
3. There will be a peaceable transfer of power, even though opinions on how to govern are at a fever pitch. Being here in S. Asia makes me realize just how rare that is in the world. That is a blessing we probably take for granted.
4. Abortion is an horrific practice, which, as John Piper says, "the true horrors of which are recognized by very few of us." It is an unmitigated slaughter of the weak, and a worse scourge on our country than was slavery--it is more evil, and just as racist (it affects more African-American children than others. 12 million murdered African-American children since Roe vs Wade in 1973!)
I am troubled by President Obama's stand on this issue, as up until now he has been the most pro-choice member of Congress and most pro-choice candidate to ever run for executive office. While I am grateful he is committed to reducing the number of abortions, I am troubled that he will not speak with conviction about the full humanity of the unborn baby and that he has pledged to ensure that the willful disposal of human life shall remain an option in our culture. I pray Obama will change his heart on this issue.
Abortion is something I believe we must unequivocally condemn as murder. For both those who voted and who did not vote for Obama, we must pray and work to bless our country by bringing an end to this great tragedy. Ending abortion will include not only seeking justice and legal protection by law for those who cannot protect themselves, but also praying for our leaders; working to end the poverty that sometimes makes abortion seem like a good alternative; being clear on the immorality of the pratice; loving and sharing the forgiveness of Jesus with those who have had an abortion; offering hope to those who are considering abortion; and being involved in adoption. You can be involved right here locally, through our church and our partner, Pregnancy Support Services. For more info, click here.
5. Our citizenship as Christians is not ultimately in the United States of America, but in heaven. Our hopes and our loyalties lie first and foremost there.
The work of the Gospel is not dependent on who is in office. I love our country and I desire her peace and prosperity. But I care more about the spread of the Gospel, and my first prayer about this election has been that it will result in the spiritual prosperity of the churches in America and the promulgation of the healing Gospel of Jesus into all the world. Paul told us to pray for freedom of speech (1 Tim 2:1-4) that we might freely teach the Gospel. Jeremiah tells us to pray for the prosperity of our city (Jer 29:7), which also contributes to the preaching of the Gospel. I pray for both continued freedom in our country and prosperity, not just as ends unto themselves, but as means to spread the Gospel. Ultimately, because I am a citizen of heaven it is the spread of the Gospel to which I am most committed. God promises that, to that end, He that begun a good work in us will complete it regardless of who is in office (Philippians 1:6).
If you are one of the ones that was discouraged by this election, don't be. Our true King is always on the throne and His purposes He promises will go ever forward.
Now, church, let's get on with our work of preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom and bringing the healing of Jesus in every nation on earth.
Well tomorrow I am preaching at our Sarasota campus so please pray for me.... I have been uploading some old videos.....so I'll be posting them randomly....hope you enjoy. Here's one of a trip we took to Scotland back in 1999....here are just some random shots of all kinds of different MC's Are you in there?
We have been so busy....we are taking over a church so we will now have 2 campuses....this weekend is our commissioning service. We just got back from a leadership retreat....and been getting ready for our students to arrive. Here is the latest Ava video we recorded this morning.
