What If Jesus Were Running for President?
Introduction:
When Jesus was born,
politicians worried that He would undermine their authority and
become King. (Matthew
2)
As an adult, people tried to force a crown on His head. He was
judged by Pilate on charges of seeking political power. (Matthew
27)
At every instance, Jesus said that He had no interest in running
for political office. (John
18:36)
“Jesus
answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were
of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be
delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here’ ”
NKJV
But for a little while contemplate the question: “If Jesus ran
for President, would He win?”
Body:
I.
Who Is This Jesus?
·
“An attractive candidate?” Jesus was not handsome or
physically attractive. (Isaiah 53:2) “For He shall grow up
before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground.
He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no
beauty that we should desire Him.” NKJV But the common
people heard him gladly. (Mark 12:37) “ ‘Therefore David
himself calls Him Lord; how is He then his Son?’ And the common
people heard Him gladly.” NKJV Jesus did possess
attractive qualities that would make Him a great president. He
was a friend of publicans and sinners; He was concerned for the
elderly and the poor. Jesus was very honest and sincere; He was
courageous and fair. He loved widows and children. He had no
skeletons in the closet, no hidden acts of shame.
·
“A controversial Figure!” Jesus was more concerned about a
person’s heart than his wallet, more interested in his service
than his race, more concerned about his walk than his talk. He
was also more concerned about truth than being politically
correct [the opinions of men]. (Matthew 15:7-9)
“Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These
people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their
lips, But their heart is far from Me, And in vain they worship
Me, Teaching us doctrines the commandments of men.’ ” NKJV
II.
Where Would Jesus Stand on Today’s Issues?
·
Racism Jesus saw all people [Jew, Gentile, male, female]
as made in God’s image. (Genesis 1:26) “Then God said,
‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; Let
them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of
the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every
creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ ” NKJV All were
in need of salvation. (Galatians 3:28) “There is neither
Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither
male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” NKJV
· Economics Jesus encouraged people to work for
wages. (Luke 10:7) “And remain in the same house, eating
and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy
of his wages. Do not go from house to house.” NKJV His
gospel discouraged laziness. (II Thessalonians 3:10) “For
even when we were with you we commanded you this: If anyone
will not work, neither shall he eat.” NKJV
· Poverty/Welfare Jesus encouraged love for one’s
neighbors and helping the poor [those who could not help
themselves]. (Luke 14:13-14) “But when you give a feast,
invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will
be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be
repaid at the resurrection of the just.” NKJV Followers of
Jesus are to give to those in need. (Ephesians 4:28) “Let
him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working
with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give
him who has need.” NKJV But Jesus also taught that those
who could work and provide, had the obligation to do so.
(I Timothy 5:8) “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and
especially for those of his household; he has denied the faith
and is worse than an unbeliever.” NKJV
· Freedom of Religion/Freedom of Speech In our
society, these are pushed to the back burner. Tolerance is
practiced but only for certain ones. If someone dares to take a
view that differs from the mainstream, especially if it comes
from the Bible, then tolerance is no longer practiced.
(Isaiah 5:20) “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put
bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” NKJV
· Abortion Jesus was definitely pro-children, even
unborn children. (Luke 1:41) “And it happened, when
Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in
her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” NKJV
The Lord hates hands that shed innocent blood. (Proverbs
6:16-17) “These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an
abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that
shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet
that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who
speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.” NKJV
· Marriage/Homosexuality Jesus would definitely run
on a pro-family ticket. (Matthew 19:4-6) “And He answered
and said to them, ‘Have you not read that He who made them at
the beginning made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this
reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to
his wife, and the two shall become one flesh? So then, they are
no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined
together, let not man separate.’ ” NKJV He would certainly
speak out against LGBT lifestyles. (I Corinthians 7:2)
“Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have
his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.”
(Romans 1:26-27) “For this reason God gave them up to vile
passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for
what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the
natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another,
men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in
themselves the penalty of their error which was due.” NKJV
Conclusion:
When Jesus comes, He will not be president. He will be King and
every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess. (Romans
14:11) “For it is written: ‘As I live, says the Lord, Every knee
shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.’ ” NKJV
This sermon is from the publication: House to House Volume 21
Number 5
Bobby Stafford October
23, 2016
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