Why Vote in 2024? | Armor Up
ARMOR UP
WHY VOTE in 2024?
1 Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV) First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
Deuteronomy 1:13 (ESV) 13 Choose for your tribes wise, understanding, and experienced men, and I will appoint them as your heads.’
Matthew 22:37-39 (ESV) 37 Jesus replied, “ ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
SOUL TATTOO: Just Vote.
If we don’t vote, we are ignoring history and giving away the future. Pat Mitchell
“Bad officials are elected by good citizens who don’t vote.”
George Jean Nathan
“Nobody will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote except the American people themselves and the only way that they could do this is by not voting.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Can I tell you today…Revolutionary War 25,700, Civil War 620,000, WWI 120,144, WWII 406,000, Korean 33,000, Vietnam 58,226, Gulf War 148 (Desert Storm), Iraq/Afghanistan War 7,013 Total 1,270,231 soldiers, airmen, marines and sailors have sacrificed their lives for America…or showed their allegiance…for our freedom…
Vote according to your convictions based on the Word of God! Jesus is neither republican nor democrat…He is the Savior of the world! Social issues are the dividing line! Too much television and talk radio has the ability to make us combative rather than constructive! We need Godly men and women in culture shaping occupations who have the right values and the power to leverage these values in a way that influences society. The CHURCH has to be the solution to the world’s brokenness! The CHURCH must be a safe place where we hear a dangerous message…not a political message, but the message of the CROSS! Destination Church we must…Fix our eyes on Jesus and let the Cross be the center of our message!
How not to vote:
- Forget God & His ways.
- Don’t Pray.
- Vote straight party line.
- Ignore your conscience, that should be led by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.
James 1:5 (ESV) If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
How to vote:
- Ask for God’s wisdom and His ways with every candidate and policy.
- Pray.
- Vote policy or issues not party.
- Vote your conscience, led by the Word and the Holy Spirit.
John 6:14-15 (NIV) 14 After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” 15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.
SOUL TATTOO: Just Vote.
5 Reasons to Vote:
1.) Voting is an act of Spiritual Authority.
Ephesians 6:12 (NIV) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
2.) Voting promotes justice and defends the oppressed.
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) 22The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control.
3.) Voting is an opportunity to influence society for good.
Romans 12:21 (ESV) 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Philippians 4:5 (NIV) 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all.
4.) Voting reflects stewardship of our God given resources.
1 Corinthians 4:2 (ESV) 2Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.
Proverbs 14:34 (NIV) 34Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
Matthew 5:13 (NIV) 13You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
5.) Voting shows respect for authority as ordained by God.
Romans 13:1-2 (NIV) 1Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
SOUL TATTOO: Just Vote.
3 Closing Thoughts:
- If you don’t vote don’t complain.
“If you don’t vote, you lose your right to complain.”
George Carlin
Numbers 14:26-28 (NIV) 26 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron: 27 “How long will this wicked community grumble against me? I have heard the complaints of these grumbling Israelites. 28 So tell them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord, I will do to you the very thing I heard you say:
Matthew 5:44-45 (NIV) 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven.
- Every vote matters.
If we don’t vote, we are ignoring history and giving away the future. Pat Mitchell
- When I vote, I have an impact on future generations.
Psalms 127:3 (NIV) 3Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.
“Duty is ours, results are God’s”- John Quincy Adams
Luke 17:10 (NIV) 10 So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.
Proverbs 20:7 (NKJV) 7The righteous man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him.
“What is more important than how we vote on November 4th is how we live on November 3rd and November 5th. We vote everyday with our lives. We vote every day with our feet, our hands, our lips, and our wallets…. ultimate change does not just happen one day every four years, it happens day after day after day after day.” Shane Claiborne
SOUL TATTOO: Just Vote.