Church, Unite for the Soul of America – Gary Hamrick, Cornerstone Chapel

We share this powerful message from Pastor Gary Hamrick, senior pastor of Cornerstone Chapel, Leesburg, VA.  This must-see video offers the information necessary to make an informed voting decision.

As explained in the video, “There are 90 million self-identified evangelicals in America eligible to vote, but 40 million of them do not vote, and 15 million are not even registered to vote.” Those statistics are staggering…and sad.  Get out and vote!!!

Highlights from the Message

• Pastors in early America understood their duty to speak out about issues, policies, and politicians from the pulpit. 
• The church has historically played a critical role in speaking out about faith and politics in the United States. 
• The phrase “separation of church and state” does not appear in the founding documents but was mentioned in a personal letter from Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptist in 1802. The intent behind the “separation of church and state” was to limit government intrusion and protect religious liberties. 
• The First Amendment is meant to keep the government out of the business of the church, not the church out of the business of government. The phrase “separation of church and state” has been used to remove God from the public square and intimidate pastors from addressing political issues in the pulpit. 
• The 1954 Johnson Amendment prohibited 501c3 organizations, including churches, from engaging in political campaign activities under the threat of losing their tax-exempt status. Despite the Johnson Amendment, activities such as election registration and recruiting election officers are perfectly legal for churches. 
• Having tax-exempt status is a benefit from the government, but pastors should not bow to the government instead of speaking what they believe God wants them to say.
• The Johnson Amendment is currently being challenged in the US District Court in the eastern district of Texas for prohibiting free speech. 

19:32 What Can We Do?

• We need to advance the Kingdom of God for the glory of God and to stem the tide of evil in our land until Jesus comes. 
• We can affect public policy and stay politically engaged, as seen through examples in the Bible, such as Moses, Elijah, Daniel, Isaiah, and Jeremiah, who confronted kings, influenced national laws, and shaped the social conscience.   John the Baptist and Jesus are also examples of not being afraid to speak truth to power and engage in topics that would be considered political today.
• Being politically aware and engaged and confronting societal issues is part of fulfilling our Christian responsibility.

20:43 God uses flawed, sinful people

• We shouldn’t expect perfection in candidates. We should vote for the better choice.  Every candidate is a flawed, sinful human being. Evangelicals have often looked for candidates based on likability and faith, but policies are more important than personalities because they have a lasting impact. 
• A nation will not thrive because of the righteousness of the leader.  We are called to be salt and light in the world, impacting it for the better.  We should seek to influence national laws and social conscience.  It’s important to speak truth to power, just as the prophets and Jesus did. 
• We should not sit out of an election or vote for nobody, as it is a binary choice. We should make decisions based on the majority sense and what makes sense for us. No decision in life meets 100% of the criteria. There’s no perfect spouse, church, child, job, or neighborhood. There is no perfect candidate. We should vote for the better choice, not a perfect choice. 
• Leaders come and go, but policies will live long after them. We should be mindful of the impact of policies on the nation’s future. We are called to be responsible citizens and vote for our nation’s betterment.

28:10 Vote Policies over Personalities

28:35  Judges

• Judges play a crucial role in bringing righteousness to the land through their decisions, so it’s important to consider the policies and Biblical support related to judges when voting in an election. 
• The president of the United States holds significant power in selecting federal judges, including Supreme Court Justices, so it’s important to consider the potential impact on the nation’s judicial system when electing a candidate. 
• Federal judges, including those appointed to the nation’s 13 Federal appeals courts, have a substantial influence on legal appeals around the country.
• Supreme Court Justices have the power to judge and rule in righteousness. 
• When evaluating candidates, it’s essential to consider which candidate will likely appoint the best judges and justices, as this decision can have far-reaching implications for the nation’s future.  The number of federal judges and justices appointed by a president can have a significant impact on the judicial system and the direction of the country. The quality and values of the judges and justices appointed will shape the future of the nation. 
• Ultimately, the consideration of judicial appointments and the impact of potential judges and justices on the nation’s future should be a key factor in the decision-making process when electing a candidate.

30:44  Border Security

• God supports the concept of borders and boundaries according to Acts 17:26 and the division of land in Israel. 
• National defense is important as God is in favor of defending defined borders. 
• While God supports borders, He also shows favor toward the alien, the widow, the fatherless, and the poor. t’s important to not oppress the alien and to take care of those in need, but there is a right and legal way for aliens to immigrate into a country. 
• Concerns about illegal immigration include the strain on resources, potential impact on national security, and exploitation of the immigration system for personal or political gain. 
• It’s important to evaluate which political candidate will best protect national security. 
• The immigration debate involves balancing compassion and national security. 
• It’s essential to have informed and thoughtful discussions about immigration policies and border security.

33:10  Israel

• The importance of the subject of Israel is emphasized based on Genesis 12:3, which states that those who bless Israel will be blessed, and those who curse Israel will be cursed. This is a call for strong support for Israel and a caution against cozying up to Israel’s enemies. 
• There is a need for unwavering support for Israel due to the threats it faces from groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, which are proxies of Iran. Pressure on Iran and a halt to unfreezing their assets are measures to support Israel. 
• It’s important to consider which candidate will best support Israel and align with biblical principles. 

35:04 Religious Liberty

• Religious liberty is important to the nation of Israel, with 613 laws in the Old Testament and the the Ten Commandments in Exodus chapter 20. 
• The first of the Ten Commandments, Exodus 20:3, emphasizes having no other gods before God, making it a conscience clause, meaning that we must choose not to bow down or submit to anything conflicting or competing with loyalty and allegiance to our God.
• It is important to consider who will defend religious freedom in the upcoming election. 
• Religious freedom includes doctors who object to performing abortions on religious grounds, individuals in creative professions who object to providing their services on religious grounds, companies objecting to providing abortifacient drugs as part of their health care program, Christians who object to taking a vaccine on religious grounds, etc. 
• It’s crucial to consider which candidate will preserve religious liberties, thereby protecting individuals and entities from being forced to act against their religious beliefs. 
• The election’s impact on religious freedom and conscience should be carefully considered. The nation’s conscience and religious liberties should be safeguarded, recognizing the importance of allegiance to the one supreme God.

36:41 Biological Sex

• The issue of biological sex is a topic of concern, as mentioned in Genesis 1:27, “God created man…male and female He created them.”
• God assigns biological sex in the womb, and it is not for individuals to decide their gender.
• Fourteen states currently have transgender healthcare shield laws. Minnesota has been mentioned as a “trans Refuge State,” with specific legislation related to gender-confirming care for minor children. Such laws have led to biological boys competing in girls’ sports and using girls’ restrooms. 
• We must protect God’s design of biological sex.

38:36 Family

• Children are a heritage from the Lord and a reward (Psalm  127:3). 
• Parental rights have been incrementally stripped, and there is a need to fight for them. 
• Children are being targeted by progressive agendas, and it is important to protect them. 
• Children do not belong to the state. God has designed the family and entrusted children to our care. It is important to manage what God has entrusted well. 
• Government intrusion on the family is a violation of God’s design. We must stand for parental rights and protect children from harmful influences. 
• The responsibility of raising and protecting children is a sacred trust given by God.

39:34 Life

• Acts 3:15 and Proverbs 6:17 tell us the importance of protecting life. 
• There is no pro-life candidate in the race for President. The Republican stance on abortion is a 15-week ban.The Democratic position will allow late-term abortions, and Kamala Harris is advocating for no restrictions on abortion. 
• The presence of a mobile abortion clinic outside the Democratic National Convention is an example of evil. Abortion is “murdering babies.” 
• As Christians, we must understand the current political landscape regarding abortion and stand strong for the sanctity of life by voting to best protect babies in the womb. 

43:29  Voting is not just a right; it’s a duty!

• Voting is not just a right but also a duty, as mentioned in Luke 12:2, where Jesus taught a parable about two servants entrusted by their master to take care of his possessions. We, as Americans, have been entrusted with the privilege of living in a great and free country, and it is our responsibility to make the most of it. 
• Freedom is never free; we must make wise choices with what has been entrusted to us.
• It is important to stay engaged and not remain silent, as doing nothing allows evil to take over. 
• There are 90 million self-identified evangelicals in America eligible to vote, but 40 million of them do not vote, and 15 million are not even registered to vote. 
• It is a disgrace to let evil take over by doing nothing, and we have no one to blame but ourselves. 
• It is our right and duty to vote, even if we are not enthusiastic about the choices. 
• It is important to speak up against injustices and confront those in power when necessary.  
• It is crucial to consider the greater good and the long-term consequences of our decisions. 
• We must not remain silent and passive in the face of evil. Our choices and actions have a significant impact on the world around us. Sometimes, we have to make difficult choices, not because they are enjoyable, but because they are the better of the options. We must stand for righteousness and justice.

We MUST Vote!  And when you do, let God and His Word guide your choice.

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• What Did President Reagan Say About Racism and Marxism?
• President Reagan’s Letter Proclaiming the Gospel
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• What Would Billy Graham Say…about the Election?
• Watch Presidents Who Prayed with Faith in God (videos)
• Is America a Christian Nation?
• Watch 24 Reasons Why I Love America, by John Wayne (a must-see, moving video)
• Biblical Faith During WWII
• Measured By Our Words: The Wisdom of Calvin Coolidge
• Church, Unite for the Soul of America - Gary Hamrick, Cornerstone Chapel