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
