You Can't Vote For Jesus: Here's Why | E. Dewey Smith | Podcast Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

You Can't Vote For Jesus: Here's Why

The House of Hope Atlanta • Jun 6, 2026 • 15 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

In this teaching, Pastor E. Dewey Smith addresses the misconception that believers can vote for Jesus on a political ballot, emphasizing that human government and political candidates are distinct from the kingdom of God. While Christians reside in an earthly nation and engage civically, their true citizenship is in heaven, and reducing Jesus to a political candidate diminishes His eternal authority. Believers are encouraged to vote for human leaders based on values of equity, fairness, and human dignity (imago Dei) while seeking God's kingdom first above any political ideology.

Themes

Kingdom of God vs. Human GovernmentPolitical IdolatryCivic Responsibility and ValuesImago Dei and Human DignityChristian Diversity and HistoryPersonal Theology vs. Public Policy

Key Points

1.
Earthly political systems and human government are distinct from the kingdom of God, as Jesus explicitly declared His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36).
2.
Believers hold residency in an earthly nation, but their true and ultimate citizenship is in heaven.
3.
Jesus is not on any political ballot, and reducing the eternal King of kings to a mortal political candidate devalues His authority.
4.
God originally desired a theocracy governed through judges for Old Testament Israel, but yielded when the people requested a human king like surrounding nations.
5.
God allowing or authorizing human leaders to take office is not the same as divinely endorsing or ordaining every ruler's platform or actions.
6.
Christianity is not monolithic, and history demonstrates that human believers across various denominations have sometimes used religious rhetoric to justify division and harm.
7.
Authentic Christian practice aligns with Christ's mission in Luke 4:18–19 to preach good news to the poor, heal the brokenhearted, and set the oppressed free.
8.
Believers should evaluate human leaders and policies by how individuals made in the image of God (imago Dei) are treated.
9.
Draping faith in national politics or conflating political ideologies with Jesus Christ degrades true faith into political idolatry.

Sermon Moments

“You can't vote him in office. He was there before Abraham was. There's a difference between American government and the kingdom of God.”

“Our residency is in America, but our citizenship is in heaven.”

“God's ultimate desire for Old Testament Israel in terms of government was called theocracy... but it was Israel who saw the pagan nations and requested monarchal rule.”

“Be careful about saying God put leaders in place... Do we only say that based on your political preference?”

“Christianity is not monolithic... we have to really be careful that we understand the juxtaposition of personal theology with public policy.”

“Any policy that disenfranchises, that does not allow equity and allows the maltreatment of a specific group of people... does not fit in with the imago Dei.”

“Jesus is not up for election. You can't vote him in. His sweep is from everlasting to everlasting.”

This Week

Evaluate political candidates and public policies based on whether they promote equity, fairness, and care for human beings made in the image of God.

Refrain from conflating any political party, candidate, or national identity with Jesus Christ or the Kingdom of God.

Align your personal values and public engagement with Christ's mission in Luke 4 to care for the poor, brokenhearted, and oppressed.

Examine your heart for political idolatry, ensuring you seek God's kingdom and righteousness first above political preferences.

Recognize that human government exists to maintain order and prevent chaos, but it can never substitute for the eternal lordship of Christ.

Vote thoughtfully for human leaders who best represent biblical values without claiming or expecting that any candidate is divine.

Study scripture directly rather than using personal or political pre-understandings to justify spiritual positions or policy views.

Remember This

Jesus Christ is the eternal King of kings who cannot be voted onto a human ballot, so believers must prioritize God's kingdom and righteousness above political ideologies.

A Challenge for You

Release any political idolatry, stop putting anything on the same level as Jesus Christ, and seek first the kingdom, reign, and righteousness of God.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.