240816-Fighting Politics or Standing in Liberty

The topic of discussion is about political freedom and standing in liberty. The speaker talks about connecting what is happening in the political space in Nigeria with the topic. They discuss the freedom and liberty found in Christ and how it is different from the freedom offered by the world. They also mention false prophets who try to take away our freedom through deception. The main point is that our freedom in Christ is independent of political circumstances. The question is raised about whether God's people should fight when their freedom is threatened by governments and leaders. And so, Faber, I'd just like to ask you, fighting for political freedom or standing in his liberty, in his liberty, this is the topic that I feel led to share on today in Seeking God's Wisdom. Brother Zebedee's already been reacting to that. What's your reaction? Okay, sir. Thank you, Reverend. First thing that came to me was I felt the topic was really an interesting one. Then I began to think about what is going on in the political space here in our country, Nigeria. And so I just began to think, how do I connect what's going on in this country with the topic for today? It just put my mind straight to work because I began to think, how do I connect all the many parts of the things happening in this country and then connect it to today? But it felt very interesting to me, yes, sir. Yes, and I think that's the purpose of the topic, is so we can look into the Word of God and understand really what is true freedom, liberty, also the word independence. All of these words are similar. Are they the same? Are we fighting for freedom spiritually, politically, physically? Where should we stand with these things? Let's look into this after we pray and see what does the Word of God say about some of these things? And perhaps the Lord will give us wisdom. Undoubtedly, the Lord is leading. He will give us wisdom in these situations. Father, we come before you with gratitude in our hearts that your spirit is moving. And God, you are able to impart to us an understanding and a wisdom, Lord, how to act and what is your heart in these situations that we face personally, our families, our countries. Lord God, we cry out to you tonight, speak to us, Lord, that we could be those who understand the times and what should be done about it. Lord, we cry out for that spirit of wisdom and understanding and knowledge and the spirit of the fear of the Lord. Oh, God, we need your spirit tonight. We cry out for you. Open this beautiful law of liberty, your word, and teach us, God. What is this freedom? What is liberty? What, oh God, how should we stand in times like these? Lord, we just bless this time. Humbly, Lord, come before you. We're trembling even, God, because we know that unless you give an answer, we stand with our mouths open. And we thank you, Lord, mighty God. In Jesus' name. Amen. Hallelujah. So I start with a quote from Billy Graham from his book. From cover to cover, he says in his book, God's word points to freedom in Christ. It doesn't leave us wondering how we should grab hold of this freedom in Christ that Jesus offers without cost, without money, at a great cost. It starts with acknowledging our brokenness, admitting we're slaves to sin, and ends with choosing Jesus and following him daily. Only he can break the bonds of slavery and lead us to true freedom now and forever. So what kind of freedom is Billy Graham talking about? Obviously, freedom from sin. Freedom from demands of our flesh to do what is not pleasing to God. Freedom from the society around us that would influence us to do what is normal in the society, rather than what is right before God. And this is one kind of freedom that the Bible talks about. It talks about it in many places. But thank you, Billy Graham. Freedom in Christ. Many scriptures. You know, which is that John 8, 36. Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. Therefore, if the Son sets you free, you shall be free indeed. Good scriptures, and you know, we can think probably of many more. And many more scriptures talk of liberty. That we've been given a liberty, we've been given a freedom in Christ. And I think we understand this. But let's just take a few steps in that to refresh our memory, and to take our minds back to the Word of God regarding freedom from the world, the flesh, and the devil, that's been purchased to us by Jesus Christ. We'll be brief, and then we can carry on. We're free from what? So Romans 6. David, if you'd begin, and then we'll turn to David. Romans 6 first. Let's read all the way from 15 to 23. It's a powerful passage. Very familiar to us, I know. Romans 6. unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness. But God be thanked that ye were servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became servants of righteousness. Verse 19. I speak after the manner of men, because of the infirmities of your flesh. For as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity, and unto iniquity, even so yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. Verse 20. For when ye were servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. Verse 21. What fruit had ye then in those things? Wherefore ye are now ashamed, for the end of those things is death. Verse 22. But now, being made free from sin, and became servants to God, ye have your fruits unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. Verse 23. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life. Amen. Amen. Now this freedom is freedom from sin, freedom from death, freedom to serve the living God. So we're free from one master, our flesh, the world, the devil, sin, and we become the servants, love servants of our master, the Lord Jesus Christ. What a blessing to be free. It says in Galatians, Stand fast, therefore, in the liberty wherein Christ has made you free. Then he says, Don't be tangled again in the yoke and bondage. So there's a kind of liberty and freedom. Galatians 5 again, in verse 13, says, Brethren, you've been called unto liberty. Only don't use this liberty for an occasion to obey the flesh, but rather, by love, serve one another. So we are free. So many times we hear this, you know, it's a familiar thing. Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. But this freedom is often an occasion for people's flesh, isn't it? So 2 Peter describes that process of how we become entangled again by what? Deceptive people. People who don't really intend to give us freedom, they're actually trying to, well, Peter says, they're trying to just get money from you. That's what he said. That's quite interesting, right? They're trying to just get money from you, he says. And 2 Peter, let's take a look at that one. 2 Peter 2. 2 Peter 2, verse 19. Read 18 as well. I didn't get to that? Yeah, if you can read 18 through 20, that would be good. Okay. For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lust of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that we acclaim escape from them who live in error. Verse 19. Why they promise them liberty, they themselves are servants of corruption. For of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. Verse 20. For if after they have escaped the pollution of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, they are again entangled, daring, overcome. The latter end is worse with them than the beginning. Amen. This is a different kind of bondage. Jesus set us free from the bondages of sin, of having to serve the devil and do what he says and just obey our flesh. We have the power to walk. But now he says in this one, 2 Peter 2.1, where false prophets came in unawares. They brought in damnable heresies and they're trying to seduce you. In 2 Peter 2 verse 3 is where it says they're covetous and they're trying to use these false words to gain money from you. I want to read that one in English Revised Version and it says it like this. 2 Peter 2 verse 3 in the English Revised Version says, These false teachers only want your money. That's pretty clear. So they will use you by telling you things that are not true. The judgment against these false teachers has been ready for a long time. They will not escape God who will destroy them. Pretty straight. And they came in to steal your liberty, it says. To take your liberty in the Lord and to try to teach you that you're free to do things which are not pleasing to the Lord. This is foundational, brothers. We understand this and we should understand this already. This is a kind of taking away our freedom through heresies, false teachers. Those in verse 17. These false teachers, verse 17 of 2 Peter 2. I read these false teachers are like springs that really have no water. They're like clouds that are blown away by a storm. Their place in the deepest darkness has been kept for them. God help us. Because within our churches, within our societies, there are people who are false prophets. They are not speaking the words of God and they try to use you for their own purposes. For their own. This is an English revised version so simply. Try to make money from you. Try to keep power by you. So if this applies to anyone you're thinking of, it was fully unintentional. But if the shoe fits, God knows they should wear it. This is the second kind of liberty and bondage. We're free but there are people that want to come in and take that freedom through. Flowery words and flattering things and deception. And I think that's more what Galatians is talking about. When he says you stand fast in the liberty where Christ set you free. Don't be tangled again in a yoke of bondage. But rather be servants of righteousness. Rather serve one another. Be free to love. This is the kind of bondage and freedom that I see the New Testament talk about. So our first freedom doesn't have anything to do with politics. Our number one freedom, our number one liberty, is independent of political things. Whatever country we're in, under whatever political leadership, there's one kind of liberty they can't take from us. There's one kind of freedom that we need to be standing for. It's the liberty we have in Christ Jesus. So now I can hear somebody asking the question. What's the question? Should God's people fight when governments and leaders are trying to take our liberty from us? David, I'd like to hear from you. What do you say? What do you find in the word of God? When leaders and governors, systems try to take freedom and liberty and put us again, you can't say this without going to jail. You can't do that without what are God's people to do. What does the word of God say about that, David? Well, Reverend, it's really, really bad for leaders to try to take freedom from us. Because I know very well that there are areas or parts of the world where Bible is prohibited, fellowship, you're not allowed to have fellowship. And if they see you having fellowship, you'll go to jail or possibly be put to death. Right. But one thing is sure. One thing is certain. Like Galatians 5, verse 13. Hold on to, hold on to that liberty. The liberty or the freedom we seek is not of this world. The freedom we seek is freedom from sin. That we may enjoy the life to come. Because whatever that we see now, Paul was talking in his book, I think 1 Peter 2.7 or 2 Peter 2.7, about trials. And it was like Paul was saying, Peter was saying, not Paul, sorry. Peter was saying that these trials that we see, that we are facing now, are just temporal, that the faith will soon pass. But we should hold on to that which we have received, so that in the next world to come, we will enjoy. So my advice or my words of encouragement to anybody who is facing a fight to deprive him or her the freedom, is that that person should hold on to the Word of God. Do not let this fight deprive you or take you away from the Word. Praise God. Thank you, David. So our primary fight is a spiritual one. And we're not fighting to be free. That's an interesting thing as well. We're never instructed by the Lord to fight to be free. Have you ever noticed that? Even when he says all the spiritual warfare, and he teaches us about the armor of the Lord, he doesn't teach us to fight to gain freedom, to gain liberty in the Lord. No, he says for us to stand in that which Christ purchased for us. And this is something that took me a while to learn. I was fighting the question, fighting the devil, and not gaining the victory. And I didn't understand why. And this was a struggle. This was a struggle the Lord did not allow me to escape from, honestly, until I surrendered. And like Billy Graham says, we come with brokenness. We come with all humility. And we say, Lord, I need a Savior. Acknowledging my brokenness, acknowledging I cannot do it on my own. If I hadn't done it on my own, I would have been proud about it, I would have been more obnoxious, religious than I already was. The Lord would not allow me to overcome some things by the strength of my might. It was impossible. And I had to come to the place where I say, Lord, this bondage I cannot overcome without you. And suddenly, when I came to the end of my efforts, I came to a revelation. It's a beautiful revelation, actually. It said, Jesus, unless you deliver me, empower me, and help me, I cannot. And as I fell upon the Lord at the foot of his cross, the resurrection power of Jesus, his righteousness, his righteousness came, freedom came. You know, when we're teaching people, we have to be careful that we're not just teaching them, you should do this, and you should not do that, and you have to do this, and stop doing that, and this is sin, and you need to stop. These are true things to teach. But without the balance of understanding, the price for our freedom has already been paid. Jesus won the victory. Jesus offers the free gift of righteousness, a right heart. I think David said, create in me a clean heart for God. Renew a right spirit. We need a right spirit, and it doesn't come through our own efforts. It doesn't come through much Bible reading, or even much prayer. It comes through a humbling of ourselves, and recognizing that without Christ in me, I'm hopeless. And the moment that we become surrendered to the Lord, then his power comes. You know, even in James, he talks to us how to overcome the enemy, and the first step is, submit yourselves unto the Lord. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. And he says, continue, steadfast, pressing into the Lord, and it comes to start with from the submission unto the Lord. This is the foundation of our freedom. David, without Christ. And in ministry, young ministers will endeavor in their own charisma, their own strength, their own study and knowledge of the word to become a minister to others. But unless it's Christ in me, ministering grace to those, I am nothing. No mental understanding of the word of God is going to be enough. It's good to know the word. It's good to be able to share experiences. However, unless we come to a place where Christ is dwelling in us, and ministering through us, this is what Paul had to come through. Paul had to come to an end of himself and admit, I have been going the wrong way. I'm the worst of sinners when I thought I was the most righteous. And he met Jesus. And when he met Jesus, the Lord took him on a journey to know him, to trust him, and to obey him, to humble him, so that he was not anything that was good or mighty, but he was broken before the Lord. And Jesus said to him, go into the town, and I will show you there what to do. And for the rest of his life, he led his life, waiting for the next instructions from the Holy Spirit. He said, and then he says later in Galatians 1, that Christ was revealed in me that I might preach. I don't think that our own human effort can minister, can deliver us, can keep us from sin. It's standing in the liberty where we've already been made free. Romans says, reckon ye yourself dead to sin and alive to righteousness. He says, realize that's who you are, a new creature in Christ Jesus. I am free. I have liberty because of what Jesus has done for me. But here's another step. So what if I am a slave or a prisoner, or if I'm under a system that doesn't give me freedom? What am I to do then? So there are definitely instructions in the Word of God for that. All right, David. Are you ready? First Corinthians chapter 7, verse 22. First Corinthians 7, verse 22. For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's free man. Likewise, also, he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant. It says it in the English revised version in verse 21 even. If you were a slave when God chose you, don't let that bother you. But if you can be free, well, do it. If you were a slave when the Lord chose you, you're now free in the Lord. You belong to the Lord. In the same way, if you were free when you were chosen, you are now Christ's slaves. It doesn't say to that slave you should just declare your freedom and leave. Whatever position you find yourself in, live for Christ. How about Galatians 3, verse 28? Let's see it, David. Galatians 3, verse 28. Galatians 3, verse 28. There is neither Jew nor Greek. There is neither born nor free. There is neither male nor female. For ye are one in Christ Jesus. Amen. So, as far as walking with the Lord, the slave is not lower than the free man. The Jew or the Greek, neither one is higher, lower. Neither male nor female. I'm a man, so God should hear me. It doesn't go that way. When we stand before the Lord, there's an equality. It says, you are all the same in Christ Jesus. That is really something. This is what he says to those who are bond and bond are free. Maybe one more, Colossians 3, verse 11. Colossians 3, verse 11. Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarians, born nor free, but Christ is all and in all. Amen. You know, something I find interesting is the disciples of Jesus, they expected, and this was how they made so many of their mistakes, they expected Jesus had come to set them free from the political system that they were under. They were under the Romans. The Romans had the iron fist, and everything was regulated. You were not allowed to say one word against Nero. Not one word was allowed to be said against the government. They were in an oppressive iron-fisted rule, and they expected that Jesus was the king, the descendant of David, who would sit upon the throne and deliver his people on earth in a kingdom. And that they would be wealthy beyond measure. But Jesus said, I didn't come. I didn't come to rule as king in earthly things. I came to bring a new kingdom, a kingdom that cannot be shaken. I came, Jesus said, not to rule but to die, to be a sacrifice. So Peter said, it shall never be. No, Jesus. And Jesus redeemed Peter and said, you don't know what spirit you're of. So their expectation was, and their desire was, I want to be free. We want to be free from this oppressive system. But Jesus said, I come to bring you a kingdom. And through you bring the kingdom to the whole world. That freedom that you desire, it will come. But first, we enter the spiritual kingdom. First, we enter into the spiritual kingdom of God. See, we're laying a foundation of understanding what does the word of God say. Hallelujah. You came to bring a new kingdom. That kingdom is described in Isaiah chapter 9. I'll read it. Isaiah 9 says, of the increase of his government and peace, there shall be no end. Upon the throne of David and upon his kingdom to order it, to establish it with judgment. Oh, I cry out for judgment. People get away with judgment and justice. Lord, we need some justice. Evil things are being done to good people, to children, to our youth, being destroyed by these drugs and by these sexual things that have been allowed to. Lord, we need some justice. And upon your kingdom, Lord, the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform it. Why haven't we yet seen this? It's a prophecy and it will come to pass. Daniel describes it in this way. And in the days of those kings shall God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed. This kingdom will not be left to other people and not be conquered by other kings. No, it'll break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms and it shall stand forever. Even Jesus talked about it in one of his prophetic chapters. It says in Matthew 25, verse 34 says, Matthew 25, verse 34. Then shall the king say to them on his right hand, Come ye blessed to my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. And yet Jesus said, my kingdom is not here, it's not there, but my kingdom is within you. Interesting. So a kingdom, Peter says it's a kingdom of priests and kings. The book of Revelation, it says it the same way several times. He's going to make us a kingdom of priests unto God and his father. To him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Wow, I like glory. I like dominion. I like authority. Revelation 5, verse 10 says, and he has made us unto our God kings and priests and we shall reign on the earth. Lord, I want to start reigning right now. It's challenging, isn't it? And yet they never saw it. Rome came and destroyed the temple. 70 AD overthrew, killed however many hundreds of thousands of Jews. They were driven into exile. How is this your kingdom being fulfilled, Jesus? What is going on here? Politically we are wrecked. How can your kingdom be prospering in the midst of this? Lord, I don't understand. Many, many have said that. And I believe it's because we have not understood our true assignment. And we've misunderstood our true freedom, our true liberty. Which is in Christ Jesus. Now, you're still asking the question. Yeah, we'll get to it. What should a people do in the midst of an oppressive and ungodly where good is called evil and evil is called good. Where people are imprisoned for sharing the gospel. But what they do in China is they get out of prison and they share again. What do the disciples do? Whether you put us in prison or whether you don't. We cannot stop speaking this name of Jesus. We respect this government. We don't want to go against it. But this one thing we cannot stop speaking the name of Jesus. They had a kingdom that they understood the new kingdom. They were building the souls of people. They were not fighting. Come on, somebody help me. They were not fighting a political war. They had their focus upon the kingdom of God. Preaching the gospel. Healing the sick. Setting the captives free. Casting out the devils. And thousands were coming. In China it's the same way. The government doesn't have an answer. They say, oh, everybody shares everything and it will be utopia. It's bondage for all. Basically, you work where we tell you. You do what we ask and you'll get somewhat of a life to live. You'll be free as long as you do what we say. So what do they do? They preach the gospel. They worship the Lord. They love the word of God. I love teaching to the Chinese people. Thank you, Lord. Because there's freedom where the spirit of the Lord is. David, would you read that one? 2 Corinthians 3.17, David. 2 Corinthians 3.17. Now the Lord is God's spirit. And where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. What is there, David? Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is what? Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. Wow. Example, Paul and Silas in the prison. Their bodies were bound in stocks. And the Philippian jailer had instructions. Don't let them go. Put them in bondage. But they began to worship. Our bodies might be bound, but our spirits cannot be bound. We are free. And so the effect of their worship, the effect of their singing, shook. God shook. Oh, come on, somebody help me out. God shook. God shifted. God changed the rule of laws that these shall be put in stocks. These shall be whipped. But God shifted. But God changed. Because the weapons of our warfare are not carnal. But they're mighty. And we need to learn the weapons of warfare of heaven. Mighty to God. Yes, there's a time to speak truth to power. But only by the spirit of the living God. Only as God directs. And only when God directs. And it's not God's primary purpose to see you come out from under a regime of bondage. I'm sorry to tell you. This is the only thing I can gather from reading the word of God. Let's read Galatians chapter 4. Galatians 4, 28. I'll read through even into the fifth chapter. My brothers and sisters, you are children who were born because of God's promise, just as Isaac was. But the other son of Abraham, who was born in the normal way, caused trouble for the one who was born by the power of the spirit. It's the same today. What do the scriptures say? Throw out the slave woman and her son. The son of the free woman will receive everything his father has. But the son of the slave woman will receive nothing. So my brothers and sisters, we're not children of the slave woman. We're children of the free. We have freedom now because Christ made us free. So go stand strong in that freedom. Don't go back to slavery again. Don't go back to following the law, is what he's talking about, right? Living in a new kingdom. We're not fighting for freedom. We have freedom already because the son has already made us free. We're free indeed. I believe our focus needs to be very careful and very clear. We need to be about our father's business, seeing people know Jesus. Now, an interesting thing is the Constitution of the United States, in putting my own words, is we take this one thing and understand it to be true. That we have been given a right by our creator. That we are free. That freedom is not given us, even in the Constitution. It says we're not given that freedom by a government. We are free because God created all men equal. And we are free to pursue liberty and happiness, pursue our lives. And when governments come to take away that freedom, is there a time to fight? And how do we fight? I think this is your question. Having laid the foundation, we can approach the question. Let me stop before we go there. Brother Zebedee, talk to me a minute. From what we've been reading so far, my brother, how does this affect the question that you are asking? Have you discovered any wisdom in what we've shared up to now? Yes. It's becoming clear that the freedom is just for me to work in that understanding. Not to do eternal fight, thinking that is what will bring true freedom. It is a great wisdom, sir. Thank you very much. Hallelujah. Brother David, what is speaking to you from what we've read from the Word of God so far? Well, I have really understood this topic very well because I was like, how do I break down this topic? I think I have really understood them. That we don't even need to fight for this liberty. The Bible said, where the Spirit of the Lord is, that is where the liberty we seek for lies. Paul and Silas were in prison. The Jews thought they had bound Paul and Silas, that they can no longer do anything. They can no longer preach the Gospel. But I remember the prayer Peter and John made in Acts chapter 3 concerning boldness. Even if we are bound, even if you will kill us, we are not going to stop preaching the Gospel. Because it is the liberty that we have. So I really think good, I really think good about this event. Thanks, David. So should a Christian be involved in politics? Is there a place for a man and woman of God to seek a seat or a platform to make change? To guide things according to God's principles here on earth? Is there a place, should people who are Christians seek to become involved in government? What do you think, Brother Zev? Yes, I believe wholeheartedly that God provides us opportunity to be in government. As a platform to preach Christ, to be the light. The Bible says we are a candle that is not under, that should not be hidden, but should be on the lampstand. So God has prepared us to be in position of power to provide kingdom influence. Because man is not different from what he has and what he carries. So if wrong people are in power or in government, you should expect wrong administration. And if right people are there, you should expect. And the Bible says when the wicked are in authority, the people mourn. So I believe God provides opportunity. However, I think the concern is that God's people are not always prepared for some exposure. Because many that go in there early, you see that their faith are weakened or they lose track of it. Sometimes I keep asking, Jesus being God and man 100%, how to lead the disciples for 3 years? You should have that same day anoint them and allow them to go and perform miracles. Because they should have carried the God kind of power instantly and do what God is doing. But he has to pass them through a training process. So I think that is where the wisdom of the elders comes in there. But sometimes even God is afraid to take us to the political scene or in government because of the fear of losing one's salvation. But I wholeheartedly believe that God provides us that opportunity for kingdom influence. Look at the examples in the Bible. There are many. The extensive training that was needed for Joseph. What kind of training? David, you've talked about this early. All of the testing that you had to go through. All of the losing confidence in your own self through those circumstances. All of the testing to see would you stand true to God. Look at Joseph. Rejected by his brothers. Sold as a slave. Accused falsely. Spent years in prison and yet in each circumstance he did not lose his Godly character. And he did not lose his testimony. He became a servant in every situation. He served his father. His father loved him. He served Potiphar's house. And Potiphar trusted him. He served in the prison and was given to be in charge of all the food and whatever for all of the prisoners. In charge of every affair in the prison. He was put next to the Pharaoh, second in command. In charge of millions of pounds of food that had to be sold and accounted for correctly. Joseph was in charge of all of that. How did he get there? Through that testing. Through that working of the Holy Spirit within him. And only God can bring us to that place. We want to be ready already. But God is the one, and we read in many places, the Lord is the one who sets up kings and deposes them. The Lord is sovereign over all the kingdoms of men. He gives them to whoever he wishes. Look at Daniel. Daniel survived and influenced at least five heathen kings and kingdoms. And his influence was felt from many generations. Daniel. But look what he went through. Moses. His training began more easily for the first 40 years. But he spent 40 years in solitude with nothing but sheep. The desert and the Lord. Preparing him for leadership. Jesus. Daniel brought King Nebuchadnezzar. I'm thinking back to Daniel. He brought King Nebuchadnezzar to the place. He had such influence. Brought him to the place where he acknowledged there is one true God. And he does whatever he purposes. And he will bring it to pass. And no government is above him. He's above all. So yes, does God want us to be a voice? And to learn to speak? And to learn to have influence? I believe yes. And God desires to have leaders that are godly leaders. Even within secular governments. Never should the officer lose the purpose. And lose the understanding that it is God who has placed him. And has given him a large place in which to stand. The Lord has enlarged me. David said. We should not take matters into our own hands. Ahead of God. Not at all. We should wait for the Lord to vindicate and justify us. And to lead us and to command us even. It's a dangerous, dangerous place to be. Because it's a secular government. I know a good man of God in the city where we live, Lancaster. Everybody seems to be the mayor. For two separate terms. Separated by one term out of office. He's now in his 90s. And still has such influence in that community. And I remember him saying. Back in the time when it wasn't politically correct to say the name of Jesus and to pray. He says. I'm going to pray and I'm going to pray how I've always prayed. I'm the same person and you elected me. I'm going to pray in the name of Jesus. And his lawyers came to him and said, you're going to cause us so much trouble. And he says, well, that's what they pay you for. That's why they pay you. Do your job. And, you know, he was in the newspaper across the United States. Because this man was praying in the name of Jesus. They couldn't stop him because the Lord was with him. They couldn't stop him because he stood for righteousness. And he spoke out on these matters. Because God had given him the platform. You see, sometimes we want to speak, but we have no platform. We speak in rebellion of authority rather than. Under authority. We haven't learned to respect. Authority. Because the word of God says all authority has been given by God. Every government official. Whether they're evil, whether they're good. They're only allowed by God. They should be prayed for. These are the things they should be prayed for. They should be respected and they should be entreated. As a father. Those are the only three things I see in the word of God. That were to do with leaders. Honor them, respect them. Honor them, respect them is one. Pray for them. If you haven't prayed for your leader, don't be fighting against them. And then they should be entreated. Correct me if I'm incorrect. Show me in scripture. If you find others. I'll be happy to learn. Romans 13 makes it clear. Romans 13 verse 1 to 8 says. We need to obey the government authorities. Honor them. Respect them and pray for them. That's their hard word. I'm sorry. But should should we obey the Lord and walk with God? He can give us a platform. And a voice. And we can speak not out of the fire of our flesh. But out of the wisdom of God. So should should God's people be involved in government? Absolutely. I don't believe in the separation of church and state. Except I believe that the state needs to stay out of the church's business. That's how I believe that it was first created. The state needs to stay out of the church's business. That's originally. But it's been twisted now that church needs to stay out of government. No, not at all. God will raise up godly leaders. One of the blessings found in Deuteronomy 28. And other places in Deuteronomy. One of the blessings of a people that fear and obey the Lord is godly leaders. One of the curses is corrupt leaders. Full of alcohol. And the tables are full of vomit. Yeah. They just don't have any wisdom. That's a curse. So until God's people begin to repent. On behalf of their nation. And begin to seek the Lord that God would intervene in their life. This is the level of spiritual warfare that we need to fight. Until we have fought on a spiritual level. We will never succeed on a political level at all. We'll be destroyed. Unless God be with us. Because the weapons of our warfare must be mighty through God. To pull down strongholds. I admire some of these political leaders who won't name any names. But they're not afraid to speak truth. But they've been given the platform to do so. By God. Amen. Lord Jesus. Father, tonight we've launched into and addressed some very serious situations. Lord, help us to understand that. Lord, help us to understand that. Even secular government is under the authority. Of the King of Kings. And Lord, when we are working with you. And then we have rights and authorities that you give us. And freedoms that you bought us, Jesus. Oh, mighty God, help us in this hour to understand. That we are. We are. Living in a kingdom that cannot be shaken. A kingdom that will grow. And a kingdom where Jesus, you will. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords over all the earth. Lord Jesus, help us never to lose sight from. Lose sight of. That which is our primary purpose. Is to see people come into. Your kingdom. And see them grow in you. Lord, and help us. To grow in character and knowledge and understanding. And authority. Lord, until we can come to a place where we can. Make a difference in our communities. God, increase our stature and our capacities in the land. Lord, mighty God, help us. Help us to. Have that vision and be possessed of. Of a purpose. That you give us, Lord. And not by. Lord, being inflamed by. The words and the. Deceptions. Of news and government manipulations of people. God, help us to rise above that. And to move and to act. According to your will and your words. Lord, I thank you. Open our understandings to see things as they are. To know things, God. How you would have us to behave. Mighty God. I pray, Lord, for Brother Zebedee's church. And for. The churches in that area that he's referred to, Lord. God, that there could come a unity. The devil's already winning. In this division. Truth has already fallen in the streets, Lord. If there's animosity and anger. Between leaders and them. But we pray for our leaders. God, convict them and speak to them and give them wisdom, Lord. We pray for our leaders. God, that they would not compromise. But God, that you would convict and work with them. God. Lord, if they be not of you, that you remove them. But Lord will not touch them. With our hands. But Lord, you're the one who raises up. Lord, they're your anointed at this time. God, help us to fear you. And David feared you. He wouldn't touch Saul. And Saul was an evil man. Lord, help us, God. To understand that you are the one who raised up and cast down. God, help us, Lord. To avoid the zeal of you. But not lose the fire of your spirit, Lord. God, mighty God. To allow you to develop our character. God, you gave Joseph that vision. That dream. Many years before he ever saw any of it. Because the rest of the time, Lord. You were preparing him. To sit in that seat. God, help us. Lord, mighty God. That we would realize. We stand in freedom. We live in liberty. We're bound by no man but you, Lord. Should we rather obey God or man? Lord, mighty God. Help us. To honor and reverence the leadership. Pray for them. Obey them. Almighty God. Help us. To know how to walk in this crazy time. Amen. Amen. Pray, Father. We praise you, Father. We praise you, Father. For the spirit of wisdom. For the spirit of power and might to be upon us, Lord. Oh, Lord. That when we would speak your words, Lord. It would be with authority. For those prophets. Prophets were not afraid to be sent by you. And to rebuke kings. But only at your word. Oh, forgive us, Lord. For running before you send us. And help us to spend that time before you, Lord. Until we have truly your words. Let us not be as those who ran and you didn't send us, God. Lord, let us be those who speak truly. The words of God and bring the fear of God upon all. We pray in the precious and wonderful name of Jesus. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Thank you, Reverend. Thank you, Reverend. Brother David, love you. I hope it helps. Thank you very much. You're welcome. I hope it helps and blesses each of you. Yes. Amen, David. Thanks for your contributions. I'm reading the text now before I close. I close because once I close it, I lose the text. I don't record the text to keep it. Amen. Good night. Good night, sir. Thank you very much. Good night. I respect you guys so much in the place where you are. God use you and bless you. Amen. Good night.