Sermon Tone Analysis

Intro:

While on earth, we will have interactions with governments and civil authorities.

While it is true, we are citizens of God’s Kingdom, we are also citizens of communities, counties, states, national, and even international systems.

Throughout the centuries, there has been much conflict between churches, Christians and civil authorities.

Big issues;

State religions- the government chooses one religion and outlaws or deeply restricts all others.

Tax issues

tax except with strings

we don’t pay taxes

Recent years that is being used to silence us on “political issues”

Can you think of other issues?

Human government was instituted by God to protect the innocent and punish the guilty.

It is separate from the church, though both church and state exercise complementary ministries for the benefit of society ().

Purpose of Government-

protect the innocent

punish the guilty

Separate from Church

We answer to Christ alone

Church and state exercise complementary ministries

They benefit society

both are moral restrainers

laws to curtail behaviors such as theft, murder, etc.

commands and principles about how to treat each other

Both are benevolent forces

Rescuers, first repsonders, etc.

Charitable deeds

feed hungry, take in orphans, etc.

Christians should submit to the authority of the government under which they live, obeying all laws which do not contradict the laws of God, respecting officers of government, paying taxes, rendering military service, and praying for the welfare of the nation and its leaders (; , ; , ).

They should vote, hold office, and exercise influence to direct the nation after the principles of Holy Scripture.

Us to the Government

Christians should submit to the authority of the government under which they live,

1 Peter 1

obeying all laws which do not contradict the laws of God,

respecting officers of government,

paying taxes,

paying taxes,

rendering military service,

praying for the welfare of the nation and its leaders

Us in the government

They should vote, hold office, and exercise influence to direct the nation after the principles of Holy Scripture

we can participate in our government

vote

hold office

we must influence

elect candidates with similar morals

Protecting right to life of the unborn

Protecting religious liberty

dangerous times

moral issues have become political

abortion, homosexual marriages, transgender, etc.

Some are labeling any discussion of these issues:

political speech- thus trying to silence us under tax law

hate speech- many are willing to give up freedom of speech if it is deemed “hate speech”

Sadly, reading what the Bible says counts as hate speech if it declares a behavior is sin.

Civil authority is not to interfere in matters of conscience or disturb the institutions of religion (), but it should preserve for every citizen the free exercise of his religious convictions.

Because Christ the head of the of the church, His word trumps all laws

, when arrested and threatened for preaching Jesus, Peter and John were told to stop.

Principle: we can disobey any law which violates God’s law

, when arrested and threatened for preaching Jesus, Peter and John were told to stop.

If they say don’t pray, pray anyway.

If they say you can’t read the Bible, keep reading

If they say you can no longer witness, keep witnessing.

We should expect government to preserve religious liberty

Note- this is distinctly American

Hover, the UN declared this:

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966)

In 1966 the UN adopted the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, expanding its prior statement to address the manifestation of religion or belief.

In 1966 the UN adopted the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, expanding its prior statement to address the manifestation of religion or belief.

Article 18 of the Civil and Political Covenant is widely regarded as one of the most important—if not the most important—articles on freedom of religion or belief.

It reads:

Article 18 of the Civil and Political Covenant is widely regarded as one of the most important—if not the most important—articles on freedom of religion or belief.

It reads:

1.

Everyone shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

This right shall include freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice, and freedom, either individually or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching.

2. No one shall be subject to coercion which would impair his freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice.

3. Freedom to manifest one’s religion or beliefs may be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safety, order, health, or morals or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others.

4. The States Parties to the present Covenant undertake to have respect for the liberty of parents and, when applicable, legal guardians to ensure the religious and moral education of their children in conformity with their own convictions.

1.

Everyone shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

This right shall include freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice, and freedom, either individually or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching.

2. No one shall be subject to coercion which would impair his freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice.

They should preserve our religious freedom, but sadly, many nations do not.

3. Freedom to manifest one’s religion or beliefs may be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safety, order, health, or morals or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others.

4. The States Parties to the present Covenant undertake to have respect for the liberty of parents and, when applicable, legal guardians to ensure the religious and moral education of their children in conformity with their own convictions.

Churches should receive no subsidy from the government, but they should be exempt from taxation on property and money used for the common good through worship, education, or benevolence.

This is distinctly American

It grows out of the other Biblical beliefs

The idea that we are 2 separate institutions in society

With subsidies would come strings

However, tax except status also has its strings attached.

we are recognized as tax exempt like other non-profit organizations.

To be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, an organization must be organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes set forth in section 501(c)(3), and none of its earnings may inure to any private shareholder or individual.

In addition, it may not be an action organization, i.e., it may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities and it may not participate in any campaign activity for or against political candidates.

Purposes: charitable, religious, educational, scientific, literary, testing for public safety, fostering national or international amateur sports competition, and preventing cruelty to children or animals.

The term charitable is used in its generally accepted legal sense and includes relief of the poor, the distressed, or the underprivileged;

advancement of religion; advancement of education or science; erecting or maintaining public buildings, monuments, or works;

lessening the burdens of government; lessening neighborhood tensions; eliminating prejudice and discrimination; defending human and civil rights secured by law; and combating community deterioration and juvenile delinquency.

Conclusion: