Social Conservatives Trapped in a Liberal Party

If you were to survey African American Christians, you would discover that most are Social Conservatives. Wiktionary define a social conservative as; “One who favors social policies based on a particular reading of Judeo-Christian values, generally in favor of public prayer and the right to own guns, and opposed to abortion rights, same-sex marriage and the teaching of evolution in public schools”.

My question is why are people who are social conservatives so loyal to a party that is so opposed to social conservative values?

The Democratic Party is the home of the ACLU (a organization that attacks everything Christian). The Democratic Party is the home of Americans United For Separation of Church and State. The Democratic Party is the home of feminism. The Democratic Party is the home of the homosexual movement. The Democratic Party is the home of Planned Parenthood (a organization that uses the murder of babies as a means of birth control). The Democratic Party is the home of the Pornography industry.

With that being said, why would any Christian remain loyal to a party that is defined by what is so opposed to what we value?

Can we, who are representatives of the Kingdom of God, go to the voting booth and in good conscience cast a vote for someone who’s values are so radically different from the values of the Kingdom of God?

Somebody please straighten me out… I just don’t get it.

Putting Your Desires In Check

Last week, we looked at James 4:1-4 for the purpose of "Understanding Fights and Quarrels" in the church. Although contexually James seems to be talking about fights and quarrels in the church (among us), a proper understanding will help us in dealing with fights and quarrels in other areas of our lives. This week we looked at verses 7-10 in light of verses 1-4. James makes it clear in verses 1-3 that fighting and quarreling is just the surface issue. The deeper issue is our desires and our motives. The fundamental problem with fighting and quarreling (verse 4) is that it is spritual adultery. It is worldy in its nature.

Here is my outline for the sermon I preached from James 4:7-10:

My thesis statement: If our unhealthy desires are causing problems in our relationships, we must put our desires in check.

How To Put Our Desires In Check

I. Surrender Totally to God's influence

a. By Submitting to God (Line yourself under God's authority)
verse 7a. "Submit yourselves, then, to God"

1. Submit to the Son’s Lordship
2. Submit to the Sprits Leading
3. Submit to God’s Word

b. By Drawing Near to God (Pursue an intimate love relationship with God)
Verse 8a "Come near to God" This command has a promise attached to it. If
we draw near to God, He will come near to us.

c. By Humbling yourself in His presence (Take the low position)
Verse 10a "Humble yourselves before the Lord" This command also comes
with a promise. If we humble ourselves in the presence of God, He will exalt
us.

II. Resist The Devil (Take a stand against)
Verse 7b "Resist the devil"

1. With Scripture Matt 4

2. With the Armor on Eph 6:11-12

This is another command that comes with a promise. If we resist the
devil, eventually, he will leave us alone.

III. We must be broken over our sin
Verses 8b & 9 "Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-
minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your
joy to gloom

a. Internally Broken: "purify your hearts", "Grieve", Change "your joy to gloom"

b. Externally Broken: "Wash your hands", "mourn and wail", "Change your
laughter to mourning"

We can have healthy desires, but we must first put our desires in check.