Gospel & Government

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DECLARATION:

Ephesians 2:20–22 (ESV)

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Our church family is built by God, upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.

We are joined together by union with Christ, we are growing, and we are a dwelling place of God by his Spirit.

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Prayer for...

INTRODUCTION:

Review:

WHY?… 4 Questions from Wayne Grudem:

*Should churches exert any influence in politics?

*Should pastors preach about political questions?

*Is there only one “Christian” position on political issues?

*Does the Bible teach anything about how people should vote?

TODAY: Gospel & [earth’s] Government

The Gospel itself is Political…it contains the announcement of the arrival of a King and His Kingdom!

Opening Scripture:

Jesus tells us…

John 18:36 (ESV)

36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”

Jesus Shows That While We Are on Earth There is a Purpose for Earthly Governments too…

Matthew 22:15–22 (ESV)

15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words.

16 And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances.

17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”

18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites?

19 Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius.

20 And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?”

21 They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

22 When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away.

“Things that are Caesar’s”

“Things that are God’s”

Transition: Let us consider now God’s further instructions for us believers under earthly governing authorities.

The Gospel and Government

(Rom. 13:1–7)

1. Instruction: Be subject to governing authorities

Romans 13:1 “1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”

3 Reasons…

a. God has appointed them

Romans 13:2 “2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.”

b. They are to encourage what is good

Romans 13:3 “3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval,

c. They are to avenge wrongdoing

Romans 13:4 “4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.”

2. Repeated Instruction: Be obedient to governing authorities

Romans 13:5 “5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.”

“subjection” means submission to or obedience

a. Pay taxes to governing authorities

Romans 13:6 “6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing.”

b. Governing Authorities are ministers of God

3. Four specific ways to be obedient

Romans 13:7 “7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.”

a. Tribute (tax to another nation)

b. Tax (revenue from goods and services)

c. Respect (causes fear)

d. Honor (revered)

Conclusion/Reflection:

Do you live obedient to governing authorities?

Do you see governing authorities as ministers of God?