Romans 13:1-7
Notes
Transcript
This morning is exciting that we are talking about Romans 13 so soon after a national election
Remember we said some of you will be upset and some of you will be happen
And yet Jesus is still King of Kings
It is important to be reminded that no matter the outcome of an election no matter how big or small
That God is still in charge
In light of any election we should always remember
8 God reigns over the nations, God sits on His holy throne.
What a great reminder
That no matter the situation that arises
The God of the universe is still very much in charge of the nations, and is still very much seated on the throne
To know that God was not surprised by who won our most recent election or any election for that matter is refreshing and soothing
So this morning we start off with this one
1 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.
This morning Paul starts a new sections with the same thought of allowing the Gospel effecting your actions and attitudes as you live your life
Just over 2 weeks ago we had an election
During that election you were able to vote for senators, house of representatives, city people, state board of education people, the sheriff, your county representatives, and of course the president of the united state of America
And understand no matter who is the president, or who the senator or house representative or city or county elected officials are
You and I are to be in subjection to the governing authorities
And here is where the rubber meets the road, it goes for even if the person you voted for didn’t win, and might I add that in 4 yrs when we do another national election it will be the same
We know that there is no authority except what comes from God
It is God who puts people into power
To know that who ever is in power does not catch God by surprise should bring us a lot of relief
And church it should also bring us a lot of peace in this world
To look at the history of the Nation of Israel and even our own nation
The nation of Israel was under the control of the Nation of Babylon and the Romans,
There were many good and even bad kings throughout their history
In the Old Testament we have some books written about the good and the bad kings of the nation of Israel and Judea
And yet with all the good and bad
It is refreshing knowing that God had a plan
And church it is faith empowering to know that God still has a plan
If you look at our own country, we have had good and bad leaders
And the beauty of it all no matter what you think of them good or bad or even who you voted for God has a plan in store for us
You can almost hear the exhale right
That God has a plan no matter who is in office or who is elected
What I think is absolutely amazing in our own country is the fact we get to participate in picking our leader
I know talking about how God puts them in place may not seem like we even need to participate much but we do
We get to go and cast a vote and as believers in Jesus Christ we are to praying about that and then we are to go and participate in our government
And to participate is to be in subjection to who ever is elected or put into power knowing that God has a plan
Paul continues
2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.
See as believers in Jesus we are to submit to the authority put in place because it is put in place by God
Paul is saying that if those in authority who have been put in place by God and if you happen to oppose them
Now I don’t believe Paul is saying that you can’t speak out against them if they are doing wrong or when or if the government keeps you from being obedient to the Lord
But to lose our minds and do nothing but complain about who is in power or who is not in power is wrong
If the government is not keeping you from being obedient to the Lord and yet you are resisting the government just because you don’t like them
If you are resisting them then you are resisting God since He is the one who put them into place
Then Paul says you know how to not fear authorities is to do good
Like last week we are not to curse them or to return evil to them but we are to live in such a way they see Jesus
We are to be a blessing to them, we are to be a light for them which is to do good
Kill their evil with kindness
That we are to do good
Jeremiah told the Nation of Israel as they were carried off into captivity
4 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon, 5 ‘Build houses and live in them; and plant gardens and eat their produce. 6 ‘Take wives and become the fathers of sons and daughters, and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; and multiply there and do not decrease. 7 ‘Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.’
That last part is where the rubber meets the road
That even if we don’t like it God calls us to be good
To be kind
To again church live a life worthy of what Christ did on the cross
To live in such a way that people see Christ and not you
That is how we are to live in subjection to the government even if you don’t like it
Church it is being part of the solution and not the problem
Often times we get so focus on who won and who didn’t
And then we start to complain and not help for the good and growth of our own country
Jeremiah calls the nation of Israel to go and be good, to work for the good of the country
I do believe that we are to be part of the solution to our countries problem rather than sit back and complain all the time
That is the difference between living as a citizen of the US and of Heaven
As believers we are citizens of heaven who just happen to live in the US
We are to be good and part of the solution
And lets not discount that we live in a great county that has allowed us some absolutely amazing freedoms
So as believers church we are to do good
Because when we do good we glorify God with our actions and attitudes
Because if we don’t do good, we should live in fear because church there will be wrath in store for those who do evil
5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.
Then Paul says this
Not only does it make sense for the sake of wrath that we be in subjection to the government
Not only does it make sense for the sake of living a holy life pleasing to God to be in subjection to the government
But church Paul says it just makes sense because it is the right thing to do
That is the Holy Spirit living inside you guiding and directing you
Church it is to much of a head and heart ache to loose our minds over who is going to be elected to whatever position
Yes participate and vote
But understand that no matter who wins God is still seated on the throne in heaven and we still have a responsibility to live in such a way He is glorified
6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. 7 Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
Then Paul reminds us that part of being good and living in such a way that is glorifying to God is to pay our taxes
Never thought you would hear that from the pulpit
But like Paul said we are to give the taxes to who the taxes are due
It is part of living right within our government
We should hide or sneak our taxes but are to pay them when they are due
Not only are to we pay what is due them even when and if we don’t like or agree with them
See we could sit back and begin to argue and complain about how long they are in office and how they don’t do anything we want
But that is not being part of the solution but rather continuing the problem
Not only should be participating in our government system
Not only should be paying taxes to whom and when they are due
But church I also believe we are to praying for them
1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
In another letter Paul urges and reminds Timothy to be praying for all people
Especially those in authority
Church not only are we to be living in subjection to our government
Not only are we to be good and kind and part of the solution not the problem
Not only are we to be paying taxes as that is part of being good in the government system
But church we are also called to pray for those in authority
We are to be praying for our local city and county leaders
We are also to be praying for state leaders, even if you didn’t vote for them
We are to also be praying for our national leaders, yes even the ones you didn’t personally vote for
So church this morning as we come to a close
The invitation is this
that you come to know Christ personally this morning
To allow the Gospel so affect your attitudes and actions that you live in subjection to the government and begin to pray for those elected officials
Or maybe there is another decision that needs to be made
