Authority
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 10 viewsNotes
Transcript
aa
Bible speaks a lot about authority. Big question mark as the Church was growing and developing in the first century. [wouldn’t you know it, still a question today].
God’s eternal and heavenly kingdom among earthly kingdoms.
Peter calls us aliens in a strange land.
Romans 12
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
authority in Life
authority in Family
authority in the Church
authority in the Family
authority in the State
Romans 12:
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
Live at peace. Show genuine love, especially to those who you might otherwise show revenge.
The Lord is our head and he determines our fruit. Commitment to working as one [mind.]
But what about ungodly state Governments?
What about in Pagan Rome? What about in Communist China? What about North Korea? What if Christians are forced by government to bake cakes in celebration of ungodly activity?
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.
:!
[Given Godly Authority!]
This is the General Principle. And the Reasoning.
Authority: In addition to the Church and family… Government, Employment.
And as if that’s not clear enough, Paul - writing under wicked Nero - does not allow for exceptions. He states categorically (13:1b), “For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.” Therefore every person is to be subject to their civil government.
The ideal: [city on a hill]
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Given Authority. [gifts]
Told how to exercise that authority. [conduct: love]
Given to another Authority. [state, employment]
rulers, kings and queens, emperors, magistrates, presidents, dictators, legislatures.
submission is more subtle than obedience.
Obedience speaks of an outward performance; Submission, an inward attitude.
It’s a manifestation of Faith...
Believing and trusting that God can accomplish his will in your life using those he’s put in authority over you.
With that mindset… work for God’s glory and honor.
[Before we go on in ]
[1Peter2:9 called into his marvelous light]
Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
1 peter 2
Doing Good. [ - see your good works]
[Not, “you leave me alone i’ll leave you alone.”]
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
1 Peter 4:12
Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
For not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up, but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another.
Romans 13:2-
He is Unseen Hand at work in the nations of the world.
Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
Paul draws a simple conclusion in verse 2: To rebel against authority is to bring judgment on yourself. It may mean judgment by God, it certainly means judgment by the authority.
If you doubt that, just trying mouthing off the next time you are pulled over for speeding. If you argue too much, you may find yourself spending the night as a guest of the state; jail.
[Ministry of Governments]
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, 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.
If we want to Light the World, Christians ought to lead the way in showing honor to human authorities because we understand they are appointed by God. This touches all of us at a personal level when we see leaders making decisions that seem to be clearly evil. There are times when as a Christian, I must speak out in favor of what is right and against what is wrong. But no matter how stirred up I may be, even when I think life and death issues are at stake, when I am speaking to those in authority or when I am speaking about those in authority, I must treat them with respect–without regard to how I feel about their decisions–because they are God’s servants. Whom God has appointed, I must not treat lightly.
[Internet is Forever - Digital Footprint]
Governments:
Romans 13:3-4
Punish the Wicked. […but to bad.]
Reward the Righteous. [For your Good.]
Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 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.
Romans 13:5
But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
[Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow before Nebuchadnezzar’s idol (). In defiance of the king’s edict, Daniel continued to pray ().]
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Participate.
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,
To Timothy, my true child in the faith:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine,
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
Luke
Finally:
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.
invitation:
Believe that God is in Control
For not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up, but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another.
He stands beyond the ballot box, beyond new articles, and beyond armies, navies, and air forces.
He is Unseen Hand at work in the nations of the world.
By his Spirit in us, Live and act in submission to the Word he gives.
Victory in Jesus.
Fulfillment is in submission to God’s ordained order. Christ as our head; to the Body of brothers and sisters; to governments.
- What a Blessing to live in America.