Authority: Belonging to God
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
We all know what the Bible says about authority—we should be subject to them.
Why? Because God has ordained them to provide for the common good in this fallen world.
They have an important job in God’s plan, so let them do it.
But that logic doesn’t follow. What about when they don’t do it? And we have the power to stop them?
If the government has an important role in God’s plan, then it’s really important for us to control it, not submit to it.
The problem is, we have been reading the Bible through the lens of our civics classes for too long. This is not what the Bible says.
1. Church for the Common Good
1. Church for the Common Good
Roman 13:1-4 (920)
Roman 13:1-4 (920)
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
When did God establish authorities?
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except [from/under] God. The authorities that exist have been [ordered] by God.
They have been ordered by God.
For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
God’s servant—but this does not mean they are God’s representative.
They are agents of WRATH—it’s their ability to punish that is in view here. Like when they destroyed Jerusalem.
But notice, they are God’s servant for whose good?
For the good of the church.
What about everyone else?
Titus 3 966
Titus 3 966
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
God established THE CHURCH to provide for the COMMON GOOD. (Titus 2:11-14, Romans 13:1-4)
2. Doing good > holding power
2. Doing good > holding power
Where does the government come into all this?
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.
Being subject to authority is part of doing good.
We submit to authority because DOING GOOD is more important than HOLDING POWER. (Titus 3:1-2, Romans 12:17-21)
The government is not nearly as important as you think it is.
Local matters way more than federal.
State and local determine:
education
public safety, lawkeeping
land use and housing
business licensing
road maintenance
public transit
Water quality
Waste management
Health care
Doers matter way more than deciders.
What matters is the quality of the people who do—teachers, police officers, office workers, volunteers, etc.
Relationships matter way more than rules.
Civil society makes the difference in societies flourishing
Social capital matters more than spending or teacher ratios in schools
Social capital lowers murder rates
Social capital makes the economy more efficient
Social capital improves life expectancy—joining a group will cut the chance of death in half.
Social capital helps communities survive economic downturn.
We think the government matters so much because we think what we need is opportunities.
What we need is relationships.
OUR FOOD BANK.
Christians are good for the community.
The church is 50% of social capital in America.
“As a rough rule of thumb,” Putnam wrote in that book, “our evidence shows, nearly half of all associational memberships in America are church-related, half of all personal philanthropy is religious in character, and half of all volunteering occurs in a religious context.” Robert Putnam, Bowling Alone
Churchgoers are more likely to volunteer in community organizations too.
Give more
Trust more
Contribute more
This is the same point Paul is making in Romans:
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
3. Being a church
3. Being a church
The temptation here is to think that the point of the Gospel is just to make us better philanthropists.
But if philanthropy is what helps people, then Jesus isn’t the answer. It doesn’t matter that he’s alive.
The only thing we have that no one else has is Jesus. So what difference does Jesus make?
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
This is how Jesus “purifies for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”
Being a part of a church is good for you.
Religious people are better off socially and economically
Fewer negative behaviors (crime, teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, suicide)
Less likely to cheat, abuse, get divorced.
Higher well-being in every category except physical health (must be the casseroles)
Sense of purpose, supportive relationships, Financial stress, liking your community, physical health.
Kids: better relationships with parents, more friendships with high-performing peers, more involved, less prone to substance abuse and delinquency.
Notice: being religious here is defined by “going to church.”
People who say religion is important but don’t go to church are actually score lower than nonreligious.
Go to church—40% less likely to die young. Religious but don’t attend? 4% more likely.
Christians provide for to the common good by BEING A CHURCH—a community of GOD’s GRACE. (Titus 3:3-7, Romans 12:9-16)
4. Trust in God
4. Trust in God
This is why our current atmosphere is so tragic—when we, as Christians, get caught up in squabbling over who is in authority, we sacrifice the most power force for good in the world for the sake of an election that won’t change much.
This is what Paul is getting at in that uncomfortable part of Romans 13:
Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
This doesn’t mean that all rebellions are wrong—after all, God allows governments to be overthrown.
It means that, if you won’t accept the idea that God may have decided to allow the other guy in power, then you’re really fighting against him.
For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.
Why do they hold no terror for those who do right? Because doing right is the important part, and the government will never overcome that.
Christianity was born under hostile government.
It survived 200 years completely underground in China.
After 70 years of state atheism, former soviet nations had higher rates of church adherence than the west.
The biggest danger, then, is not the authorities’ power to oppress, but their power to distract.
For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
So we need to keep the main thing the main thing:
This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
Because Jesus is alive, we can TRUST IN GOD and devote ourselves to DOING GOOD. (Titus 3:8; Romans 13:3-4).
Paper Notes
Paper Notes
God established THE CHURCH to provide for the COMMON GOOD. (Titus 2:11-14, Romans 13:1-4)
We submit to authority because DOING GOOD is more important than HOLDING POWER. (Titus 3:1-2, Romans 12:17-21)
Christians provide for to the common good by BEING A CHURCH—a community of GOD’s GRACE. (Titus 3:3-7, Romans 12:9-16)
Because Jesus is alive, we can TRUST IN GOD and devote ourselves to DOING GOOD. (Titus 3:8; Romans 13:3-4).
