Sermon Title: Will you vote for shalom?
Text: Jeremiah 29:1-14

He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings. Dan. 2:21

The Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men. Dan. 4:17

Christian non-negotiables in regard to government:

A. Submit to government authority.
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Rom. 12:1

B. Pay our taxes.
Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” Mark 12:17

For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Rom. 13:6

C. Show honor to those in office.
Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. 1 Pet. 2:17

D. Pray for our leaders.
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. 1 Tim. 2:1-2

Point 1: This is not our home. We live on this earth as exiles, as aliens, and as strangers.

These are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders of the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. 2 This was after King Jeconiah and the queen mother, the eunuchs, the officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the metal workers had departed from Jerusalem. 3 The letter was sent by the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. Jer. 29:1-3

These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. Heb. 11:13-16

Point 2: As we live in exile, we’re supposed to be living and enjoying an abundant life.

“Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. 6 Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. Jer. 29:4-6

Aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you. 1 Thess. 4:11

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10

I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. John 17:14-15

Point 3: We are to seek the welfare of the city or town in which we find ourselves.

But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. Jer. 29:7

Point 4: To detect lies, we need to fact check those who go against the Word of God.

For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream, 9 for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, declares the Lord. Jer. 29:8-9

Point 5: God has a plan of which all believers in Jesus play a part.

“For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile. Jer.29:10-14

Application: We should be seeking the general welfare of the town, state, country in which we live. While we can and should be praying for peace and prosperity, we can also do other important things - like vote!

This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 1 Tim. 2:3-6

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! Ps. 122:6