Living God’s Way in a Broken World
Notes
Transcript
Scripture
Scripture
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.
For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.
Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake.
For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing.
Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.
For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.
The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
Introduction
Introduction
Hook:
"Have you ever felt torn between obeying the rules and doing what
feels right? Maybe it’s a speeding ticket you didn’t deserve, a boss you
can’t stand, or a neighbor who drives you up the wall. We live in a world
where authority can frustrate us and love can feel optional—but God has
something to say about it."
In his
iconic Gettysburg Address, Abraham Lincoln uttered the now-famous quote,
"Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not
perish from the Earth." These words encapsulate the essence of
democracy and serve as a reminder of the fundamental principle on which
nations are built: the power and authority lie with the citizens.
However,
not all people live in a nation governed by representatives. Not all have democratic processes in
place to allow their voices to be heard.
Tie-In:
"In Romans 13, Paul wrote to Christians under Roman rule—a government
far from perfect. Nero, as the emperor, held supreme authority,
controlling the military (via the Praetorian Guard), enacting laws, and
serving as the final judicial arbiter. While the senate still existed, it
was ceremonial in nature.
Paul wrote to people living under that system.
1: Submission to Authority Reflects Trust in God (vv. 1-7)
1: Submission to Authority Reflects Trust in God (vv. 1-7)
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.
For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.
Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake.
Explanation:
o Grammatical-historical lens:
§ Paul uses "be subject" (hypotassō), a military term for orderly submission, not blind obedience.
Soldiers were to obey their superior officers.
Even soldiers today must obey all LAWFUL orders
A lawful military order is a clear, specific command that relates to a military duty and doesn't violate constitutional rights
They aren’t to blindly follow.
They are to weigh the order.
§ In the Roman context, Nero’s early reign (before his tyranny escalated) framed this teaching, but Paul roots authority:
§ In God’s sovereignty, not human perfection (v. 1).
§ Be subject
§ God granted authority to them
God granted all authority on Earth
He has instituted 4 authorities on earth:
1) the government over all citizens;
2) the church over all believers;
3) the parents over all children;
4) the masters over all employees
All authority is God’s authority. He grants authority to governments and people on Earth.
Many times, they were/are evil
Babylon- Nebuchadnezzar was used by God as an instrument of judgment on Judah.
They had failed to follow God’s Law.
They specifically were not observing the commanded Sabbath Year (not planting in year 7) 2 Chron 36:21, Jeremiah 25:11-12, Jeremiah 29:10
For thus says the Lord: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place.
And this whole land shall be a desolation and an astonishment, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.
‘Then it will come to pass, when seventy years are completed, that I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans, for their iniquity,’ says the Lord; ‘and I will make it a perpetual desolation.
to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her Sabbaths. As long as she lay desolate she kept Sabbath, to fulfill seventy years.
v. 2 Resisting Authority is resisting God!
Yes, even the Roman Emperor
§ Taxes and honor (vv. 6-7)
were practical duties for Roman citizens, yet Paul elevates them as acts of faith.
Give what is owed
Taxes, honor, respect, etc.
Though these are responsibilities of citizenship, they are also acts of faith!
o Meaning: God establishes authority to restrain evil and promote order, even when flawed
(v. 4-7).
Paul now addresses the reason.
People sin. Often those sins are oppressive to others. Some sins even victimize others.
Governments have authority and the responsibility to STOP such evil. They “bear the sword” to punish wicked.
OT
Law included this for Israel.
They had to make restitution
They faced consequences.
It is a deterrent to taking advantage of others.
It even applied between nations. God uses nations to judge other nations.
Render:
For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing.
Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
“Render” translates a Gr. word signifying the payment of something owed—not a voluntary contribution—and is reinforced by the word “due
Illustration: "Think of a referee in a chaotic game—imperfect calls still keep the game from falling
apart. God’s the ultimate coach, using even broken systems for Hispurpose."
Application:
Modern Christians should respect and obey governmental laws (e.g., traffic rules, taxes) as part of honoring God’s order, unless those laws directly contradict divine commands (e.g., Acts 5:29).
But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.
We should pray for leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2) rather than just criticize them.
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,
for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
In our society, we should also participate in government.
Chuck Colson (Evangelical Leader, 1931–2012
Context:
Colson, a former Nixon aide turned Christian author, frequently urged believers to see political involvement as part of their faith. This statement, paraphrased from his writings (e.g., Kingdoms in Conflict, 1987), reflects his view that Christians should serve in public roles to advance God’s justice and truth.
Quote:
"Christians are called to redeem cultures, not just to save souls. That means engaging in the public square, including politics, as a matter of obedience to Christ."
You have the ability make an impact:
Vote!
Speak up:
Most elected boards and councils have times for public comment.
Go to meetings.
Speak out on items of interest.
Contact our representatives
Serve- juries, councils, boards, judges, clerks, etc.
Reflect Christ wherever you are.
When you’re tempted to rebel against a frustrating rule or leader, pause—pray for them instead. Trust God’s bigger plan, even if it’s hard to see.
2: Love Fulfills God’s Law (vv. 8-10)
2: Love Fulfills God’s Law (vv. 8-10)
Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.
For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Explanation:
o Grammatical-historical lens:
Paul says pay what you owe when it is due
Taxes, debts, etc.
Paul adds another obligation:
LOVE
Paul echoes Jesus (Matt. 22:39) and Leviticus 19:18, using "love" (agapaō)—active, selfless care—as the debt always owed.
And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
§ Love your neighbor… fulfill the Law!
§ V. 9
Ro 13:9
The 10 commandments are summarized by love your neighbor as yourself!
Paul cites 4 of the commandments which address our human relationships
For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
There is no room left to take advantage or victimize neighbors
Remember also the Parable of the Good Samaritan: essentially, everyone sharing Earth is our neighbor!
o Roman culture prized power and status; Paul flips this, saying love trumps legalism.
"Love does no harm" (v. 10) was radical in a society tolerating exploitation.
o Meaning: Love isn’t just sentiment—it’s the practical outworking of God’s commands.
If we truly love our neighbor, we will do what is best for them.
Illustration: "Imagine paying off a credit card but keeping a tab open for kindness—like a neighbor who needs your patience more than you need to win an argument."
Application:
Forgive what needs to be forgiven
Open up a never ending flow of kindness to the people you find yourself with.
This is how God has treated us!
He forgives
He gives amazingly good gifts to us
"This week, pick one person you owe nothing to—except love. Help them, forgive them,
or just listen. That’s God’s law in action."
We should choose to put love into action daily!
3: Holy Living Prepares Us for Eternity (vv. 11-14)
3: Holy Living Prepares Us for Eternity (vv. 11-14)
And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.
The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
Explanation:
o Grammatical-historical lens:
"The night is far spent" (v. 12) reflects an urgent eschatological hope—Christ’s return was near in their minds.
Scripture has this urgency throughout the NT in reference to Christ’s return
It could happen any moment!
Time is running out!
Roman excess (revelry, drunkenness, v. 13) clashed with this call to "put on Christ" (v. 14), a metaphor for clothing oneself in His character.
o Meaning:
Time’s short—live intentionally, shedding sin for Christ’s likeness.
There is no time for spiritual apathy and lethargy,
i.e. unresponsiveness to the things of God
Paul reminds the reader that we have a set number of days on Earth and we should make the most of them.
He is summarizing this whole line of thought:
Submit to authority
Love your neighbor
Why? Time is short!
How? Putting on Christ
To put on Christ summarizes sanctification
Take off the old clothing (sin) and put on Christ!
Illustration: "It’s like packing for a trip you know is coming soon—you ditch the junk and grab
what matters. Christ is what matters."
Application: "Cut one habit this week that pulls you from Jesus—screen time, grudges, whatever—and replace it with prayer or scripture. Get ready for Him."
Think about it.
What in your life makes you less Christlike?
Are there any habits which don’t reflect His character?
Are there any amusements which lead you away from him instead of closer?
LOSE those!
What can you replace them with which makes you more Christlike?
Time- prayer, scripture (read, meditate, memorize, etc.)
Actions- love more! Reach out and do something kind for someone
Pick 1 thing to change at a time.
Just imagine the difference it will make over the weeks ahead!
Conclusion
Conclusion
Summary: Romans 13 shows us God’s way in a broken world:
Submit to authority because He’s in control
Love others because it’s His law
Live holy because He’s coming back.
It’s not easy, but it’s peace-giving.
Call to Action: Start small—pray for your leaders, love someone tough to love, and lean into Jesus
this week. Trust His order over the chaos.
Works Cited:
Google. (2025, March 1). AI summary of search results for 'military lawful orders'. Retrieved from https://www.google.com/search?q=military+lawful+oders&rlz=1C1GCEA_enUS1131US1133&oq=military+lawful+oders&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIJCAEQABgNGIAEMgoIAhAAGAgYDRgeMgoIAxAAGIAEGKIE0gEINTExOWowajSoAgCwAgE&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
Grok (AI). "Sermon
Outline: Romans 13 (NKJV) – Living God’s Way in a Broken World." Generated by xAI, February 27, 2025.
MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
Socratic Method.
"Abraham Lincoln: ‘Government of the people, by the people, for the
people, shall not perish from the earth’ – Quote Meanings and
Interpretations." Socratic-Method.com, accessed February 27, 2025, https://www.socratic-method.com/quote-meanings-and-interpretations/abraham-lincoln-government-of-the-people-by-the-people-for-the-people-shall-not-perish-from-the-earth#google_vignette.
