The 2012 Presidential Election

​Excerpts from James Baker  sermon on October 7th, 2012

Everyone is asking what makes a good president? Does our creator have answers to these questions? Read on to know.

How about a leader who rejects the word of God?

1Samuel 15:23: For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has rejected you as king.

Do we need a righteous nation?

Proverbs 14:34: Righteousness (not the candidate) builds up a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.

Do we want our city to be blessed?

Proverbs 11:11: Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.

Should we trust in the candidate?

Psalm 118:8,9: It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. Jeremiah 17:5: It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. This is what the Lord says: Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord.

Will God bless or curse American?

Deuteronomy 28:15: If you will not listen to the voice of the Lord your God, to observe to do all His commandments and His statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon you, and overtake you: Cursed shalt you be in the city, and cursed will you be in the field. Cursed will be your basket and your store. Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land...

Does God really appoint and depose as He sees fit?

Daniel 2:20-21: Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; He deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.

Can a leader make God mad?

1Samuel 15:1-30: Samuel said to Saul, The Lord anointed you king over Israel. And He sent you on a mission, saying, "Go and completely destroy those wicked people, the Amalekites; wage war against them until you have wiped them out" Why did you not obey the Lord? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the Lord?

What’s wrong with a few ungodly laws if we have fun and lots of jobs?

1Kings 12:25: Jeroboam made two golden calves and he said to the people, if it is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt. And this thing became a sin, because Jeroboam built shrines, and he instituted a festival. (Later, because of this, Israel was overthrown).

So, what qualities should we look for in our next ruler?

1Kings 3:4-11: Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, ask for whatever you want me to give you. (Solomon’s answer) Give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.
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The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for, both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.