A Call To Action

A Call To ActionCalling Christians to the Voting BoothCalling Christians to the Voting Booth

November 2014November 2014

Three InstitutionsEstablished by God

1.1. The FamilyThe Family

2.2. The ChurchThe Church

3.3. Civil GovernmentCivil Government

God is the authority over each of these God is the authority over each of these Institutions and His Word provides earthly Institutions and His Word provides earthly

authority structure for their proper operation.authority structure for their proper operation.

Three InstitutionsEstablished by God

The FamilyThe Family

(Genesis 18:19 KJV) (Genesis 18:19 KJV)

For I know him, that he will command his children and his household For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.spoken of him.

Three InstitutionsEstablished by God

The ChurchThe Church(Matthew 16:18 KJV) (Matthew 16:18 KJV)

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Titus 1:5 (KJV) For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

Three InstitutionsEstablished by God

Civil GovernmentCivil Government(Romans 13:3-4 KJV) For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to (Romans 13:3-4 KJV) For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister he is the minister of Godof God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of Godhe is the minister of God, a , a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

We have been instructed from God’s Word regarding family We have been instructed from God’s Word regarding family and church, but most have received very little instruction and church, but most have received very little instruction

regarding God’s will for civil government.regarding God’s will for civil government.

As a result, our government has become increasingly godless.As a result, our government has become increasingly godless.

Separation of Church and StateReally?Really?

At the time of the Founders, it was a common practice for ministers to preach "Election Sermons," and it was very common for a clergyman to be invited to give a sermon before the newly-elected government officials. This 1790 election sermon by Rev. Daniel Foster was given before the Massachusetts Governor (John Hancock), Lieutenant-Governor (Samuel Adams), and both houses of Legislature. Rev. Foster admonished these elected officials using Proverbs 8:16 (By Me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth), and encouraged them to govern according to God's ways.

There was no “There was no “separation of church and stateseparation of church and state” as we hear ” as we hear of it today. The phrase “separation of church and state is of it today. The phrase “separation of church and state is found nowhere in any of the founding documents. found nowhere in any of the founding documents. Christians and Christianity were integrated into the fabric Christians and Christianity were integrated into the fabric of the nation. The modern interpretation that is so of the nation. The modern interpretation that is so common today is simply an attempt to discourage common today is simply an attempt to discourage Christians from participating in civil government.Christians from participating in civil government.

The Purpose of Civil Government

(Romans 13:3-4 KJV) For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to (Romans 13:3-4 KJV) For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the samegood, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister : 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evilrevenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil..

To encourage those who do good.To encourage those who do good.

To punish those who do evil.To punish those who do evil.

The Purpose of Civil Government is:The Purpose of Civil Government is:

Defined in the BibleDefined in the Bible

The Purpose of Civil Government

To encourage those who do good.To encourage those who do good.

To punish those who do evil.To punish those who do evil.

……all men are created equal, that they are all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That That to secure these rights, Governments to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among men are instituted among men … …

The Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence

To secure citizens’ God-given rights.To secure citizens’ God-given rights.

Defined in Declaration of IndependenceDefined in Declaration of Independence

Bible:Bible:

Declaration:Declaration:

“The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were ....the general principlesprinciples of Christianity... Now I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.”

John Adams

The Source of Good Government

The Holy Bible

Separation of Powers Separation of Powers (the three branches of our government)(the three branches of our government)

For the LORD is our Judge, The LORD For the LORD is our Judge, The LORD is our Lawgiver, The LORD is our King… is our Lawgiver, The LORD is our King…

(Isaiah 33:22) (Isaiah 33:22)

JudgeJudge: Judicial Branch: Judicial Branch

LawgiverLawgiver: Congressional Branch : Congressional Branch

KingKing: Executive Branch: Executive Branch

Example:

The Source of Good Government

The Holy Bible

Our President Must Be A Our President Must Be A Natural Born CitizenNatural Born Citizen

"you shall surely set a king over you "you shall surely set a king over you whom the LORD your God chooses; one whom the LORD your God chooses; one from among your brethren you shall set from among your brethren you shall set

as king over you; you may not set a as king over you; you may not set a foreigner over you, who is not your foreigner over you, who is not your

brother.”brother.”

(Deuteronomy 17:15)(Deuteronomy 17:15)

Example:

The Source of Good Government

The Holy Bible

Witnesses on Capital Witnesses on Capital PunishmentPunishment

““Whoever is deserving of death shall be Whoever is deserving of death shall be put to death on the testimony of two or put to death on the testimony of two or three witnesses; he shall not be put to three witnesses; he shall not be put to

death on the testimony of one witness.”death on the testimony of one witness.”

(Deuteronomy 17:6)(Deuteronomy 17:6)

Example:

The Source of Good Government

The Holy Bible

Tax Exemption for ChurchesTax Exemption for Churches

……it shall not be lawful to impose tax, it shall not be lawful to impose tax, tribute, or custom on any of the priests, tribute, or custom on any of the priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, Nethinim, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, Nethinim,

or servants of this house of God.or servants of this house of God.

(Ezra 7:24)(Ezra 7:24)

Example:

The Source of Good Government

Responsible Voting

[I]t is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue.

For Whom Should We Vote?

John Adams

Think not that your interests will be safe in the hands of the Think not that your interests will be safe in the hands of the weak and ignorant; or faithfully managed by the impious, the weak and ignorant; or faithfully managed by the impious, the dissolute and the immoral. dissolute and the immoral. -Matthias Burnett-Matthias Burnett

Vote and Vote ResponsiblyFor Christians, this is really quite simple. For Christians, this is really quite simple.

1)1) We must voteWe must vote. To vote, we must register and go to the polls.. To vote, we must register and go to the polls.

2)2) We must vote responsiblyWe must vote responsibly. To be responsible, we must do two . To be responsible, we must do two things.things.a)a) Know the biblical position on the issues.Know the biblical position on the issues.b)b) Know where the candidates stand on these issues.Know where the candidates stand on these issues.

This has been made easy with Voter Guides that are available This has been made easy with Voter Guides that are available from different sources.from different sources.

The Christian Vote 1992-20001992-2000

1992-2000 saw a 40% 1992-2000 saw a 40% decrease in Christian voters.decrease in Christian voters.

The Power of the Christian Vote

A national effort among A national effort among Christians saw the Christian Christians saw the Christian vote increase in 2002 by 2%. vote increase in 2002 by 2%.

Does 2% make a Does 2% make a difference?difference?

20022002

The Power of the Christian Vote: 2002Since Roe v. Wade (1973) Congress had not passed one bill that reduced the scope of abortions or the type of abortions, but only restricted some funding. The 2002 congress became the first to pass not just one but three bills that protected unborn life; all three were signed by President Bush

1. Infant Born-Alive Protection Act1. Infant Born-Alive Protection Act

2. Unborn Victims of Violence Act2. Unborn Victims of Violence Act

3. Partial-Birth Abortion Ban3. Partial-Birth Abortion Ban

Yes, 2% makes a difference!Yes, 2% makes a difference!

The Christian Vote 20042004

2004 saw a 2% increase in Christian 2004 saw a 2% increase in Christian voters. If 2% had such a result, voters. If 2% had such a result, imagine the power of 10% or even imagine the power of 10% or even more!more!

What will happen in 2014?It depends upon us!

A SimplePlan of Action…

Vote forLife

Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; these were stated in this Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; these were stated in this order for a reason. order for a reason.

1)1)Without life, what good is liberty? Life must be protected above all Without life, what good is liberty? Life must be protected above all things.things.

2)2)Liberty is the natural state of life. Liberty is a primary factor that defines Liberty is the natural state of life. Liberty is a primary factor that defines the quality of life.the quality of life.

3)3)Pursuit of happiness Pursuit of happiness (which means the right to property and to enjoy the fruit (which means the right to property and to enjoy the fruit of one’s labors) of one’s labors) is the natural expression of liberty.is the natural expression of liberty.

If a person will not protect your life, neither If a person will not protect your life, neither will they protect your liberty or your will they protect your liberty or your property.property.

A SimplePlan of Action

Learn the basics of civic responsibility. (use this presentation as you wish)

Register To Vote.

123 Vote for those who represent life and Christian values

(vote early at your county court house or administration building)

Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.

-Proverbs 14:34

The Holy Bible

Pray for America!Pray for America!

Feel free to use this presentation in any way you like.Use all of it, part of it, edit it.

I just want to help restore righteousness to our nation.

This presentation compiled by Brad Sherman

Purpose MinistriesP. O. Box 5004

Coralville, Iowa 52241www.getpurpose.org

Quotes and data taken from research done byDavid BartonWallBuildersP.O. Box 397

426 Circle DriveAledo, TX 76008-0397

www.wallbuilders.com

AddendumThe following slides are for pastors and Christian group leaders considering the

Pledge.

You don’t need to be a “pastor” to sign the pledge. If you lead a group and can carry out

the three steps in the pledge you qualify.

We only ask that you sign the sign up at:bradshermanmobile.com

The Pastor’s Pledge

1. Teach your church or group about Civic Responsibility in September or early in October before the November elections.

2. Help your members to register and vote.

3. Find a suitable voter guide to educate your group on where the candidates stand regarding Christian values and issues.

  - the people who know their God will display strength - the people who know their God will display strength and take action and take action (Dan 11:32 NASB)(Dan 11:32 NASB)

Sign The Pastor’s Pledgeat:

The PledgeBy signing on at BradShermanMobile.com, your name will be By signing on at BradShermanMobile.com, your name will be automatically added to the GOPautomatically added to the GOPFAITHFAITH.com mailing list and .com mailing list and

you will be updated on important information.you will be updated on important information.

Visit GOPFAITH.comVisit GOPFAITH.com

for helpful Tips and Toolsfor helpful Tips and Tools

Two Reasons to Sign UpTwo Reasons to Sign Upeven if you are doing this on your own or with even if you are doing this on your own or with

another organization.another organization.

1. In off-year elections it is easy to forget. Many people have made similar pledges, but need to refresh it in their minds.

2. We need to make an impact on the GOP leaders. Christians are significant and we need to get their attention.

Standing UpStanding Up

Makes a DifferenceMakes a DifferenceOf Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: they were not of double heart.

(1 Chronicles 12:33 KJV)