Does Character Matter?

message #1 in the series
Thinking Biblically in a Political Season

A Chapter a Day

• Sunday, September 27, Matthew 21
• Monday, September 28, Matthew 22           
• Tuesday, September 29, Matthew 23
• Wednesday, September 30, Matthew 24
• Thursday, October 1, Matthew 25
• Friday, October 2, Matthew 26
• Saturday, October 3, Matthew 27

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We are in a political season.

• Last day to register: Monday, October 5
• Early voting: Monday, October 12 through Friday, October 30
• Election Day: Tuesday, November 3
• You may check your voter registration status at this website: https://www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do.

Matthew 14:1-12

14 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus, ² and he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” ³ For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, ⁴ because John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” ⁵ And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet. ⁶ But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod, ⁷ so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. ⁸ Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” ⁹ And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given. ¹⁰ He sent and had John beheaded in the prison, ¹¹ and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. ¹² And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus. (ESV)

1. Any time a leader speaks publicly about a leader some will want his head on a platter.

2. The issue that got John the Baptist beheaded did not have to do with Herod’s public , but rather his personal .  

3. Scripture teaches us that both  and are important to effective leadership.

 ⁷⁰   He chose David his servant
              and took him from the sheepfolds;
⁷¹   from following the nursing ewes he brought him
              to shepherd Jacob his people,
              Israel his inheritance.
⁷²   With upright heart he shepherded them
              and guided them with his skillful hand.
              Psalm 78:70-72, ESV)

      And David shepherded them with integrity of heart;
              with skillful hands he led them.
              (Psalm 78:72, NIV84)

4. As we consider for whom we will vote, we should evaluate carefully and prayerfully: 

 (1) The Person – “Does this candidate have a track record of integrity and skill, character and competence?” 

(2) Their  – “With whom does this candidate associate? Who are his supporters, allies, and closest confidants?”

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
     but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”
     (Proverbs 13:20, ESV)

(3) Their – “With which political party does this candidate identify, and what are the stated platform positions of that party?”

(4) Their – “What actions has this candidate taken or promised to take on a variety of public policy issues: taxes, regulatory issues, trade, immigration, healthcare, national security, foreign policy, jobs, law and order, sanctity of life, religious liberty, marriage, etc.?”

“You will recognize them by their fruits.”
(Matthew 7:16a, ESV) 

(5) Their – “What is the judicial philosophy guiding the nominations this candidate has made or will make to be judges and justices of the Supreme Court?” 

5. As we consider the stewardship of our vote, it may be wise to remember that the number of third-party or write-in candidates for president to be elected to office in the modern era is .