Governors, Kings, Caesar, and Glory

Great sermon by Matt Chandler (The Village Church, Dallas, Texas) on Paul's passion to share the gospel and his opportunity to share it with government leaders.

Governors, Kings, Caesar, and Glory.

Capitol Bible Study: "When the Innocent is Condemned..."

25 Years in Prison for a Crime He Didn’t Commit.

  

That’s what happened to Michael Morton of Williamson County, Texas. In 1986 his wife Christine was brutally murdered in front of their three year old son. Even though he was at work at the time, authorities still suspected him and he was arrested, tried, convicted, and sentenced to life in prison. Many years later it was discovered that the prosecutor had suppressed evidence that may have shown his innocence. After the evidence was tested for DNA it proved Morton was not guilty and soon another violent criminal was convicted of his wife’s murder. In 2011, after nearly 25 years in prison, Morton was released from prison.

Whenever we hear an account such as this, we are saddened and angered. However this is just a small illustration that might help us understand the message of the gospel. Jesus Christ, who was completely innocent, was convicted and paid the ultimate sentence for crimes He did not commit. He suffered and died and bore the wrath and punishment for OUR crimes – for our sin against a Holy God. Rather than being saddened or angered that the Innocent One was so brutally punished for crimes He did not commit, we rejoice in grace and mercy that God has shown to us through Christ!

Right after His baptism, Jesus passed a test that proved His innocence and sinlessness. This was His temptation by Satan in the wilderness. Jesus proved His innocence and worthiness to become the perfect sacrifice for our sin. This is the subject of this week’s study at the West Virginia capitol as we consider “When the Innocent is Condemned…”

• Pray that the legislators, elected officials, lobbyists, and staff who attend the study or who read the notes as they are distributed throughout the statehouse might understand the enormity of what Christ did for us.

• Pray that each of might grow in our love and worship for Christ as consider the Innocent who was condemned in our place.

Capitol Bible Study: "Inauguration Day"

Inauguration and swearing in ceremonies are a big deal in the West Virginia capitol. At these events our leaders are formally recognized and approved to perform the duties of their offices. We see that the higher the office, the more dignified and elaborate are these ceremonies.

At Jesus' baptism by John we see Jesus' "Inauguration Day" as He is approved by the Father and empowered by the Holy Spirit to begin the work God had given Him to do. This was the work of living a life of perfect obedience, suffering and dying on the cross, and rising again. All this done on our behalf so that our sin might be laid upon Him and His obedience credited to us.

This is the topic of this week's Bible study at the West Virginia capitol. You can download the notes for our Bible study here.

Capitol Bible Study: "The People's Business & The Father's Business"

From this week's Bible study at the West Virginia Capitol:

Jesus’ utmost commitment was to be about the Father’s business – that of redeeming sinful people. As followers of Christ we are called to be about our Father’s business as well. In the midst of all the “people’s business” at the capitol, it is easy to lose sight of the ultimate business of the Father. We may get caught up in standing for certain issues and fighting for particular legislation and forget that what every person REALLY needs is to understand what Jesus has done on the cross. We should let Jesus’ example be a reminder to constantly seek to be about the Father’s business even as we conduct the people’s business in the capitol.

Download the complete study here.

Why is it Difficult to Pray for Leaders as We Should?

John Piper preached a good message from 1 Timothy 2:1-4 on the importance of praying for all people, particularly for our government leaders.

He shared two reasons why it may be difficult to pray for our leaders as we should:

• Government leaders may seem distant and remote; if not in miles, then at least in accessibility.

“It is hard to pray earnestly for someone you don't know, and especially hard to pray for somebody you never see. Yet, this difficulty must be overcome, Paul says. You must pray for them: emperors like Nero, proconsuls like Gallio, governors like Pilate, kings like Herod. They may seem remote and inaccessible, but remember, they are not remote and inaccessible to God. And by prayer you can get as close as one of their intimate advisers.”

• Government leaders may be unbelievers who are insensitive to the Holy Spirit.

“This should not cause us to hesitate one moment to pray for them, first, because God may save them and bring them to a knowledge of the truth, and second, because God uses rulers to accomplish his purposes whether they believe in him or not.”

Let us seek to be faithful in pursuing God’s priority of praying “for kings and all who are in authority”.

Capitol Bible Study: "The Great Lawmaker"

Legislators, elected officials, and other government leaders have an extremely important role to play in our state and throughout our nation. At the statehouse level these leaders propose, pass, interpret, and enforce laws that affect every citizen. The term “legislator” comes from two Latin words that mean “law bringer”. Indeed, the making of laws is a daunting responsibility. Our legislators have the authority to make laws because it has been given them by the people.

As lawmakers, our leaders need to consider their relationship with The Great Lawmaker. This is the topic of this month’s Bible study during the interim committee meetings at the West Virginia state Capitol. These meeting will be held on September 10-12 with our Bible study taking place on Tuesday, September 11 at 12:00 noon.

Our study entitled "The Great Lawmaker", will consider the important issue of the purpose of God’s law. Most in the capitol believe that Christianity or religion is all about being a good person. God’s law was given to show us that none us are good and that salvation only comes through Christ, His goodness, and His work on our behalf on the cross. You download a copy of our Bible study here.

This is a vital message for those serving in the capitol community, and again we are overjoyed to share the good news of the gospel in the statehouse. Please be in prayer for the notes as they are distributed to every legislator and elected official and for our study on Tuesday.

Pray for Interim Committee Meetings and Bible Study

Every month our legislators gather in Charleston for three days of interim committee meetings. Each lawmaker is assigned to one or more committees in order to work on various issues throughout the year.

In these meetings they deal with a variety of topics, many of which will be taken up during next year’s regular session.This month's interim meetings will be held on September 10-12.

During the interim meetings, Capitol Commission provides Bible studies for our legislators and elected officials at the capitol. Our study for this month is entitled "The Great Lawmaker" and will be held on Tuesday, September 11.

Please pray for our legislators as they gather for these meetings:

Pray for safety as they travel.

Pray for them as they take this time away from their families and jobs.

Pray for them as they deal with many issues important to our state.

Pray that our Bible study and other aspects of our ministry will be a challenge and encouragement to our leaders.

You can learn more about the legislative interim committee assignments and meetings at the West Virginia Legislature web site.