Making the cross count revised

Will you make the cross count? : 

Will you make the cross count?

Why are people cross? : 

Why are people cross? The Expenses Scandal Moat cleaning, duck houses etc etc Paying back Nothing to pay back 51%

Romans 13:1-7 : 

Romans 13:1-7 Everyone must submit to the governing authorities… They have been established by God…  ….he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted.

Is this how we view our government ? : 

Is this how we view our government ? Rom. 13:1-7

1 TIM 2:1-4 : 

1 TIM 2:1-4 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone for kings and all those in authority…

Is this a responsibility we take seriously – Ask yourself do I pray regularly (daily?) for our government and the opposition? : 

Is this a responsibility we take seriously – Ask yourself do I pray regularly (daily?) for our government and the opposition?

2 Chronicles 7:14 : 

2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people, ….. ….. ?????? … I will heal their land"

Should Christians bother with this political stuff? : 

Should Christians bother with this political stuff?

Matthew 22:36-39 : 

Matthew 22:36-39 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbour as yourself …”

Who is my neighbour? : 

Who is my neighbour? How did Jesus answer this? “Parable of the Good Samaritan” The person in need – a neighbour - being helped by a (dodgy!) passing neighbour, who sees that need! What are the implications for us…?

James 1:27 : 

James 1:27 Religion (worship) that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this: …to visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need, and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world. Don’t politics play a part in how we address these issues?

Leviticus 25:35 : 

Leviticus 25:35 The poor… ‘If one of your brethren becomes poor, and falls into poverty among you, then you shall help him, like a stranger or a sojourner (immigrant?), that he may live with you. Is this a political issue?

Immigration? : 

Immigration? Exodus 22:21 "Do not mistreat an alien (Immigrant?) or oppress him, for you were aliens in Egypt. Leviticus 23:22" 'When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God.' " Is this a political issue?

Politics? : 

Politics? Deals with real life issues, that impact our neighbours.Taxation, Health, Jobs, Security, Justice Etc…Etc… Can we love our neighbours and not show concern about the public policies which affect so much of their lives, for better or worse?

Doing anything? : 

Doing anything? “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. “ Edmund Burke “Can’t be bothered” “It’s hard to decide” “I’m too busy” “It’s boring”

What if ??? : 

What if ??? If no-one had bothered to vote for: Wilberforce – Slavery? Lord Shaftesbury - Child Labour Laws? William Gladstone - Working class vote?

To pray we need to understand : 

To pray we need to understand Pray for what? What problems do our leaders face? What does God say about the situation? Are their policies godly?

One problem we face : 

One problem we face Deficit = £2800 each and growing! = ~ £163bn (Approx 2 x the NHS) (NHS largest employer in the UK>1.5 million people employed)

Slide 19: 

The NHS

The Hole in our Finances : 

The Hole in our Finances The Deficit

The vote is a privilege : 

The vote is a privilege We get to exert our influence Salt and Light. Prophetic voice. A force for good.

What can I do? : 

What can I do? Pray for those in Power and in Opposition. Ask God to guide you - who to vote for! Research: the issues (Parties views and policies) the person (Character). Ask God to guide you about further involvement. www.eauk.org/public-affairs/elections/index.cfm