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Saturday, November 02, 2024

One Vote, One Voice, One Vision for the Future

Scripture Text: Proverbs 29:2 (KJV)

"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn."

Introduction: Saints, we are standing at a pivotal moment in history, a moment where each of us has been given a gift—a single vote, a voice, a choice for the future. I come before you today not to declare allegiance to any party, not to proclaim the virtues of men and women who have their flaws, but to speak of responsibility, of discernment, and of choosing a path forward. Because even when I don’t trust any party fully, I still must lean on the side of the lesser of two evils and seek out the way forward.

The Word tells us that "when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice.” There is a call upon us to consider not only what is comfortable or convenient but what is righteous. And if dozens of voices, those who were once close to the seat of power, are telling us, "For God's sake, don't go this way again," we must pay attention. There’s a message in that warning, and I am compelled to speak on it today.

Point 1: Listening to the Warnings Sometimes God uses the most unlikely sources to speak a word of warning. Even when the ones speaking were once aligned with the very force they now caution us against, their warning is something we cannot ignore. These voices—men and women who served alongside power—are not shouting from the sidelines, but crying out from firsthand experience. They are telling us, “For God’s sake, don't repeat this.” Now, saints, when that kind of alarm is sounded, we have a responsibility to listen. Even one voice, in the right moment, can change the course of history.

But here we have not one, but dozens—warning, imploring, urging us to heed the call. Just as the prophets in the Bible warned the people of Israel to turn from their ways, so these voices cry out, “Choose wisely. Do not go backward.” I’ve got one vote, saints, just one voice, and I’m going to use it with the wisdom God has granted me.

Point 2: The Lesser of Two Evils Saints, let me be clear—I don’t trust any party completely. We all know that human institutions are flawed, that politics is imperfect. But we are called to choose, even when our choices are limited. And sometimes, we must lean on the side of the lesser of two evils, not because it’s perfect, but because it’s a step closer to what’s right.

It may not be the complete vision of righteousness, but it’s closer to a path that reflects integrity, justice, and compassion. Sometimes, making that choice means discerning which path will do the least harm, will uplift rather than suppress, will bring a future rather than take us back. When I cast my vote, I am casting it forward. I am choosing Kamala Harris, because my spirit tells me that forward is where we need to go. It’s not about perfection; it’s about progress.

Point 3: Moving Forward with Faith Moving forward, saints, is an act of faith. The Apostle Paul said, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Forward is our calling. We cannot stand still, clinging to what we think we know. We can’t afford to romanticize the past when God has a future waiting. It’s time to press forward, to move beyond rhetoric and division, and to choose a future that brings us closer to justice, unity, and truth.

Each of us, though imperfect, has a role in building this future. Your one vote is part of that future. Your voice, your vision—it matters! This election, I am going to vote for Kamala Harris, not because I trust any party to fulfill every promise, but because I trust God to make a way through the choices we make. I trust that by moving forward, we are leaning on the side of righteousness, even if it’s one step at a time.

Conclusion: Beloved, we have an opportunity, a responsibility, and a choice. Let us be wise, let us be vigilant, let us be discerning. We know the stakes. We’ve heard the warnings. And with one voice, we can declare that we choose the future over the past, that we choose wisdom over familiarity, that we choose to lean on the side of progress—even if it means choosing the lesser of two evils.

Let us pray, saints, that God will guide our hearts, guide our hands, and make us instruments of His peace, His wisdom, and His will. Amen and Amen.

Eιɖεર Dરε

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About Me

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I'm just a nobody, trying to tell everybody about Somebody who can save anybody. I give all honor to the Father for the privilege of being His instrument, through whom He lives and works for His glory alone. I served in the U.S. Navy for 21 years, retiring in September 2003. In my final three years, I was co-pastor at Greater New Refuge COGIC in Fallon, Nevada, under Pastor Gregory L. Brown. I supported my pastor and church by helping with a new sanctuary's construction and caring for all ministry needs while staying true to my mandate to preach the Word of God without compromise. In November 2002, I was licensed to preach and ordained in June 2003. While stationed in Virginia Beach, I served at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church for 17 years under Bishop-Elect W.D. Scott, Sr., and now I serve at Calvary Revival Church in Norfolk, VA, under Bishop B. Courtney McBath. I also earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Religion from Saint Leo University, deepening my foundation and commitment to this path of faith.

MY THEOLOGICAL TRAINING:

It brings to my face a unadulterated smile each and every occasion I am asked, “Elder Dre, What Theological Training do you have?”

My heart beams with joy at the opportunity to humbly give full glory to God as I reflect on on how the prophets, patriarchs and apostles of old would have respond: Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joshua, Gideon, King David, Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, Matthew, Mark, Peter, James, John and the other disciples, not forgetting the Saviour Himself.

How would they have answered the question: “What theological training do you have?”

The words of the prophet Amos also came to mind: “Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:” Amos 7:14

I surely am not impliedly decrying theological preparation, education or training: I consider it essential, but not as much as some think. For the fact is, the Almighty raises up believers according to His own standards.

Educational qualifications, wealth, fame, talent, social standing, outward appearance etc. are useful; but they are secondary in His sight. Qualities like faith, obedience, holiness, humility, honesty, absolute loyalty to one’s spouse, the ability to raise one’s family to fear God and keep His commandments etc.; these are the things the Most High values.

“Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”

Only on the Day of Judgment will it be known how truly educated, weighty and effective I have been. That is why I have to smile when the question arise.

The vanity of the question is only matched by the foolishness of my answer.

As the wise man wrote: “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; all is vanity.” Ecclesiastes 1: 2 or as the apostle Paul commented in 2 Corinthians 11:16-30 when rattling off a long list of impressive qualifications “... I speak as a fool.”

Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. All who proclaim that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. 1 John 4:14-15 (NLT)

I am a preacher, but most of all, I proclaim that Jesus is the Savior with various applications of that truth in my everyday life. My dear friend, if you are a Christian, you are a preacher also. Whether you have been ordained or not, hired by a church or not, or ever been recognized as a preacher or not is beside the point. All who have God living in them are called to proclaim the Savior to the world. It is a Holy calling, and a demanding one. It will pull you out of your comfort zone, challenge your commitment, and help to develop you into the person God has created you to be.

John spoke as an eyewitness to Jesus' saving power. We speak as heart-witnesses; ones who have not seen Jesus with our eyes, but have experienced Him through personal transformation. I speak, and you speak, as a representative of Christ on earth. The message that we bring is simple, yet profound; that God the Father sent God the Son into the world to save those who are lost to bring them into relationship with Him. As you tell the story, and I tell the story, some will listen and receive the grace that God has sent us into the world to proclaim.

PRAYER THOUGHT: Father, what a privilege to be a spokesperson for You.

Thank you for stopping by. Stay encouraged and please do come back.