Behind the Eight Ball: How Should Christians Vote in 2024?

Behind the Eight Ball: How Should Christians Vote in 2024?

Proverbs 21:1

Sunday, October 20, 2024, 10:30 AM

Emory BC

 

1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.

 

 

Introduction

This morning, I am taking a break from Luke to preach a topical sermon.  It is different than my normal Sunday morning sermons.  Therefore, if you are guest, please come back next Sunday.  We will be back in Luke 9.

 

So why am I preaching this message?  First, I am preaching this message because tomorrow begins early voting in our state and runs October 21-November 1.

 

Second, I believe that the United States is the greatest nation in the world because of the freedoms we enjoy. 

 

Third, I believe we have a responsibility as earthly citizens to vote.  I derive that application from Romans 13:1 and 1 Timothy 2:1-2.

 

1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.

 

1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

 

However, I believe how we vote should be determined by the Bible because not only do we have earthly citizenship, but we also have heavenly citizenship.  See Philippians 3:20.

 

20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Fourth, I have had multiple church members ask me about this election.  They have also requested I speak directly to the situation and to their concerns.

 

Fifth and finally, I believe this president election and our state senatorial election will have massive consequences for years to come.  I want to vote with my daughters in mind.

 

Therefore, let me direct your attention to Proverbs 21:1 for just a few moments.  My message is entitled, “Behind the Eight Ball: How Should a Christian Vote in 2024?”

 

If you have every played pool, you are familiar with the idiom, “behind the eight ball.”  That is not a position desirable position.

 

It means to be in an uncomfortable or tricky situation.  It means to be in trouble.  It is similar to being between a rock and a hard spot. 

 

For Christians, I believe we are behind the eight ball in this election.  I mean, we are in a very uncomfortable situation.  It is a tricky situation.  I’ll explain throughout my message. 

 

In Proverbs 21:1, King Solomon was the author.  Writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he gave us three truths that apply to our current election season.

 

1. Every human being has a spiritual heart including elected officials.

 

2. Life is often very hard to understand and difficult to predict much like water in a river and can leave us feeling like we are behind the eight ball.

 

3. Regardless, God is still sovereign and in control over all things including the USA and will be in control on Wednesday, November 6, 2024.

 

 

My Personal History

• As early as five years old, I have some political memories. I can remember staying at my babysitter’s and listening to her talk about how she was going to vote for Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale and not Ronald Reagan 1980.
• In 1984 and 1988, I can remember liking Jesse Jackson because he was a Baptist minister, and I was a Baptist.
• While in high school, I can remember admiring vice-president Dan Quayle because he was a champion of traditional family values and stood toe-to-toe with Murphy Brown.
• While in college, I can remember my father voting for Bill Clinton because he was a Democrat and because he was born in Hope, Arkansas.
• Since college and seminary, I have been a registered Republican, and I am not ashamed or embarrassed to be that or publicize that.
• However, I have voted for several Democrats in state and local elections in Arkansas simply to be able to participate in the process. Otherwise, when only Democrats were running, I would have not had a chance to vote.

 

 

What are my political options for our 2024 Presidential Election?

First, I could vote for the Republican nominee.  However, personally and candidly, I’m not a fan. 

 

I’m not a fan of how he conducts himself in public and of how he how he reportedly conducts himself in private.   In my opinion, his strength is not public speaking or thinking on his feet compared to someone like his running mate or our speaker of the house. 

 

In addition to changing his positions on multiple issues, he is a serial adulterer.  Furthermore, he has made his fortune gambling and alcohol.  Finally, I don’t believe he is saved. 

However, I am thankful for many of his accomplishments from 2016-2020.  First and foremost is his following through with who he said he would nominate for the Supreme Court and subsequently the overturning of Roe vs. Wade.

 

Second, I could vote for the Democratic nominee.  However, from my perspective, she is pro-abortion, completely supports the LGBT Agenda, is a threat to my religious liberty, and I personally don’t think is competent enough for the position. 

 

Third, I could vote for a third-party candidate because neither of the two major party candidates are not fit for the presidency of the United States, and I can’t endorse one’s character or the other’s policies.

 

Fourth, I could not vote. 

 

 

So what will I do when I feel like I’m behind the eight ball?

First, I WILL vote.  I have read some reports that are saying that 51% of Christians will not vote in this election. I believe that is the worst decision you could make. 

 

Second, I will NOT vote for a third-party candidate who has no chance of winning.  I think that is the second-worst decision you could make, but I have read an article from Baptist News last week advocating for such.  I think that is a terrible idea.

 

Third, I WILL vote against the Democratic nominee and her policies and for the Republican platform. 

 

Let me speak just a moment to that issue.  I have posted two articles on FB this past week.  They are from Baptist Press, and they compare the two parties’ platforms with recent Southern Baptist Convention resolutions. 

 

I want to put them on the screens for just a moment.  I will talk more about them on Wednesday night so if you want to hear more, come then.

 

BTW…I do predict that the Republican Platform will become less and less pro-life in the coming years, and I believe it will begin with this year’s Republican Nominee and his wife.  The rationale will be to become more electable by independents. I hope I’m wrong.

 

Does voting for the Republican nominee mean I like him?  I do not.  I do not like him or endorse him or defend him.

 

However, …

• I do believe he is the lesser of two evils;
• And I will vote whole heartedly for the world’s strongest and most powerful military who will defend our country and fight for the freedoms I cherish;
• I will vote whole heartedly for securing our border and legal immigration;
• I will vote whole heartedly against the LBTQ Agenda and their indoctrination of my children;
• I will vote wholeheartedly for religious liberty for all not just those who believe like I do;
• Finally, I will vote whole heartedly for the sanctify of every human life, especially those in the womb.

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

I want to close this morning by answering some objections. 

 

Some say voting for one candidate means I condone everything that candidate has done or will do.  It does not. 

 

Every candidate is flawed.  If your conscience won’t let you vote for a candidate, that is between you and the Lord. 

 

However, remember that your vote and your non-vote has earthly consequences.  Make sure you can live with those, and just like you will answer to God for who you will vote for, you will answer to God for who you don’t vote for.

 

Some say I won’t vote for either because of their lack of character, and I’ll vote for a third party.  Again, that is fine, but remember that your vote or non-vote has earthly consequences.  It can be argued that Bill Clinton was elected in 1992 over George Bush 41 and again in 1996 over Bob Dole because of Ross Perot. 

 

Some say I don’t live in a battleground state so my vote doesn’t matter.  Don’t be so sure.  Remember that 537 votes got George Bush 43 elected in Florida in the 2000 Presidential Election, and in Texas, this election is not only about the presidency but also about our United States Senator. 

 

At the end of the day, I’m voting for God’s design for marriage.

 

At the end of the day, I’m voting for religious liberty.

 

At the end of the day, I’m voting for the sanctity of human life.

 

The reason every life is sacred is because every life is created in the image of God, and God loves you so much that Jesus died on the cross in your place. 

 

If you’re here this morning and have never trusted Jesus to save you from your sins, I want you to know that your life matters to God, and Jesus is ready to save you today.