Rev. David Holwick ZM
First Baptist Church
West Lafayette, Ohio
November 6, 1988
Proverbs 21:1
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I. Presidential Campaign in 1988.
A. Bush / Dukakis.
B. Nasty? Neither overwhelmingly popular.
1) Large number of undecided.
2) Maybe we hold politicians up too high.
C. Many will not vote at all.
1) Nothing new - Lincoln's election saw only 28% vote.
2) But election is important.
a) We are choosing a leader.
b) It reflects on us personally.
1> We get leaders we deserve.
2> To some extent, we are all leaders in our own
little sphere.
II. Proverbs has many verses on Leaders.
A. Ideally, we would not need any.
1) Prov 6:6-7. Ants have no leaders, but get provisions.
2) Prov 30:27. Locusts have no leaders, but are organized.
B. Prov 14:34 - "Righteousness exalts, sin disgraces."
1) Leaders are needed due to conflict between
sin and righteousness.
2) This is also the test of their accomplishments.
III. Character of Leaders.
A. All of them are guarded. Prov 25:3.
1) Bush / Dukakis with David Frost on TV -
"I really don't know him."
2) Prepared, scripted answers.
B. Bad qualities.
1) Wrath - power goes to head. Tyrant. Prov 20:2
a) Power to hurt, and help. Prov 16:14-15
2) Deception (lying). Prov 17:7
a) Ike Eisenhower - lied about U-2 flights.
Made him look bad.
b) Jack Kennedy - Bay of Pigs.
c) Richard Nixon - Watergate tapes.
3) Being a misfit. Prov 19:10
a) God can lift the humble up, but some should stay down.
C. Good qualities.
1) Be in right mind:
a) Detest wrong. Prov 16:12
b) Love truth. Prov 16:13
2) "Hesed" - covenant love. Prov 20:28
a) Committed to laws of land.
3) Personally disciplined. Prov 31:4
a) No wine or beer.
1> Gary Hart.
IV. Conduct of Leaders.
A. Choice of staff.
1) Bad counsel.
a) "Yes" men. Prov 29:12
b) Sleaze. Prov 25:5
1> President Harding.
A> American Baptist.
B> Popular. Big tomb.
1: Two mistresses in White House.
2: Corrupt aides - Tea Pot Dome scandal.
2) Good counsel. Prov 11:14
B. Personal conduct.
1) No attempt for personal gain.
a) Bribes. Prov 29:4
b) Old-fashioned?
Pentagon case about to break.
2) Know what's going on. Prov 25:2
a) Current issue - Fernald radiation leaks. Forty years.
C. Justice issues.
1) Bad - calling guilty "innocent." Prov 24:24
a) Famous person in this campaign - Willie Horton.
Black criminal on furlough.
2) Good - being fair to the poor. Prov 29:14
a) Test of a person in power, and their hidden strength,
is how they treat those who have no power, who can't
put any pressure on them.
3) Perceiving evil. Prov 20:8
4) Acting on correct perceptions. Prov 20:26
V. Status of Leaders.
A. Respect them as we do God. Prov 24:21-22
1) They have real power - today, nuclear.
B. His words are like an oracle/message from God. Prov 16:10
1) Shows finality of his words.
a) Harry Truman - "The buck stops here."
2) Does not mean leaders are infallible. Still sinners.
C. But God is still in charge.
1) God directs. Prov 21:1
a) Good and bad leaders alike.
b) Leaders are no better than anyone else.
2) God alone can give true justice. Prov 29:26
a) Some politicians can be a great help. Disability.
b) But no leader can save us.
VI. Is God your Leader?
Copyright © 2024 by Rev. David Holwick
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