Here is a recap of our message from this weekend...

YOUNITED: Candidates or Christ?

It was the series finale this weekend. The message, titled "Candidates or Christ?" challenges believers to ground their political and life choices in Scripture, rather than simply following cultural trends or the loudest voices around them. Pastor Jared emphasizes three key warnings: don’t confuse good and evil, don’t hide the Word of God, and never leave Jesus off the ballot. By placing Christ at the center, Christians are called to approach their civic responsibilities through a lens of faith and unwavering allegiance to God.

Weekly Bible Study List

1. Isaiah 5:20 - "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter."
2. 2 Timothy 4:2 - "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction."
3. Romans 1:25 - "They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen."

3 PROPHETIC WARNINGS

1. Don’t Confuse Good and Evil - Pastor Jared starts by warning against moral confusion, referencing Isaiah 5:20. Just as the prophet Isaiah confronted the people of Judah for their moral compromise, believers today must be vigilant. Modern society often blurs moral boundaries, reshaping “right” and “wrong” to fit personal and political agendas. Jared emphasizes that the Word of God, coupled with the life of Jesus, provides the definitive guide to living a life reflective of Christ.
2. Don’t Hide the Word of God - The responsibility to share God’s Word isn’t exclusive to pastors; it extends to every believer. Drawing from 2 Timothy 4:2, Jared reminds Christians that they are called to preach the Word, especially in difficult times. Christians are not here to win political arguments but to lead others toward God’s truth. In a world in need of hope, Pastor Jared encourages the church to be fearless, sharing God’s Word boldly.
3. Don’t Leave Jesus Off the Ballot - While the Bible doesn’t dictate specific political positions, it offers principles that should inform a Christian’s political engagement. Pastor Jared draws examples from Joseph, Daniel, Esther, and Jesus, who all navigated politics while staying true to their faith. Ultimately, he reminds the congregation that while earthly leaders can offer temporary solutions, Jesus alone offers eternal hope and unchanging promises.

From Sermon to Action

Pastor Jared concludes by emphasizing that Jesus is King over all, and His kingdom will not be shaken. Voting is important, but Christians must choose Jesus first, aligning every decision with God’s Word and ensuring their ultimate loyalty remains with Him.

Worship Setlist

1. No One
2. King of Glory
3. Holy Forever

Notable Sermon Quotes to Repost on Social Media

1. "If we don't know where we are going, we’ll end up being led by the largest crowd."
2. "In politics, there will be efforts to confuse you about what’s good and evil, but God gave us His Word so we never have to question the difference."
3. "Our number one assignment as followers of Jesus is to live a life that reflects Him."
4. "The Bible doesn’t prescribe a political system but provides principles to guide our political engagement."
5. "If you're more passionate about a candidate than about your neighbor being saved, you've begun to worship created things over the Creator."
6. "A scared world needs a fearless church."
7. "While leaders offer hope for a season, Jesus offers hope for eternity."

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