What Hath Washington to Do with Jerusalem? Part 1

This is Part 1 of 5. This sermon was preached at Mt. Gilead UMC in Georgetown, KY on Sept 27, 2020. Click here for Part 2.

I. Introduction

“What hath Athens to do with Jerusalem? And the Academy with the Church?”
- Tertullian
  - Trinity
  - Athens and Jerusalem?
    - Tongue in cheek.
“What hath Washington to do with Jerusalem? Church and state/government? Politics and theology? The Bible and the Declaration of Independence?”
- New sermon series
- Same spirit as Tertullian: Maybe they don’t have as much in common as some today claim.
The Goal
- Not to persuade you to vote one way or another.
- Christian/biblical perspective on voting and politics.
- The Kingdom of God, not the kingdoms of this world.

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matt 28:18)
- Jesus is the King, not any presidents or politic leaders.
“Therefore go and make disciples…” (Matt 28:19a)
- Make disciples, not make a country with Christian laws.
“…of all nations…” (Matt 28:19b)
- Not “America first!” We are called to make disciples in every nation in the world.
- America is a unique place where we have people from all nations living here.
“…and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matt 28:20a)
- Not “forcing” them to obey everything I have commanded you.
- We can’t force our pagan culture to become Christians, and making Christian laws won’t change people’s hearts.
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt 28:20b)
- The King is coming and will return soon!
- King of Kings and Lord of Lords – every knee will bow.
- “Your kingdom come, here on earth as it is in heaven.”

Click here for Part 2.