Godly Citizenship
Being A Godly Citizen • Sermon • Submitted
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Historical Parallels
Historical Parallels
Roman Gov’t drafted edicts that greatly and tragically effected the lives of both Jews and Christians alike.
Orosius references Jewish expulsion in 19 AD and 50 AD during the reign of Claudius.
Jews & Christians return after Claudius’ death in 54 AD and by 57 AD Jewish & Christian communities were flourishing.
“After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome.”
Roman historian Suetonius describes Christ and Christians as, “a pernicious and baneful class of people.”
US Gov’t becoming more and more antagonistic to a Biblical World View.
Laws protecting and promoting abortion.
Laws that redefine marriage
Incorrect interpretation of 1st Amendment phrase “freedom OF religion” as “freedom from religion.”
Responses
Responses
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. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
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. 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.
1 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. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 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. 4 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. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
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. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 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. 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.
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. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 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.
Essential Truths
Essential Truths
Roman Gov’t drafted edicts that greatly and tragically effected the lives of both Jews and Christians alike.
Orosius references Jewish expulsion in 19 AD and 50 AD during the reign of Claudius.
Jews & Christians return after Claudius’ death in 54 AD and by 57 AD Jewish & Christian communities were flourishing.
“After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome.”
Roman historian Suetonius describes Christ and Christians as, “a pernicious and baneful class of people.”
Jews & Christians return after Claudius’ death in 54 AD and by 57 AD Jewish & Christian communities were flourishing.
US Gov’t becoming more and more antagonistic to a Biblical World View.
Laws protecting and promoting abortion.
Laws that redefine marriage
Incorrect interpretation of 1st Amendment phrase “freedom OF religion” as “freedom from religion.”
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), .
Essential Truths
Essential Truths
These truths ought to encourage us and help us have peace during a political environmental of unprecedented toxicity.
God blesses the world by giving GOVERNMENT to the people and for the poeple.
Gov’t as an objective institution is a blessing from God.
God places men and women in authority to govern - to provide order to life to ensure prosperity.
Roman laws actually protected many Jewish customs and rites. By extension early Christians enjoyed these same protections because the gov’t saw the as a subset of Judaism.
Gov’t chief purpose is to reward good and punish evil behavior. ()
For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state, or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.
Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme,
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.
Not all government is GOOD government.
Not all government is GOOD government.
Why? SIN.
The “political crisis” that we are experiencing is the result of sin and is nothing new and is not unknown to God.
Gov’ts go astray - they always have. And when they do we must stand on the Word of God.
Jesus himself recognizes the tension and reminds the crowd in “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at him.
Early in Peter’s ministry he comes face to face
But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
Acts
We must remember that God grants authority to fallen men and women so that they may do good and reward good. Therefore, when they pass laws and try to enact controls that go against what God has determined to be Good we must stand
Despite the extreme brokenness of government, God is still in CONTROL.
Throughout the Bible God uses foreign governments to accomplish his purposes.
God is
Government is
Many of us go into this time with a great deal of fear because we forget that God is in control.
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.
Yes we will experience hardships,
Yes, laws will be
How should we to respond?
How should we to respond?
Christian citizens are called to REPENT.
The mark of the Christians life is to be honest about our present condition and to turn away from - not just once but continually.
We all have gone astray in how we think and act towards those in authority and those across the political aisle.
We must look inward and ask the Holy Spirit to search our hearts to identify and weed out sin.
VERTICALLY - in our lack of faith and the God truly is in control no matter who is in the White House or the Governor’s Mansion. Regardless of which party control which house or who might be appointed to as State, Federal, and Supreme Court Judges - GOD IS IN CONTROL!
HORIZONTALLY - in our own disobedience to PRAY for those in authority and to PARTICIPATE in the process.
Communion will offer us the opportunity
Christians are called to PRAY.
1 But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children,
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, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Titus
SUPPLICATION - the ask
Clement at the end of the 1st Century offered this prayer even after the fiery persecution from Nero and Domitian that occurred during the last half of the 1st Century.
His prayer was that those who have recieved “glory and honour and power” over earthly things from God, the eternal King, “that they may administer with piety, in peace and gentleness, the authority given to them.”
Even in light of terrible persecution Christians prayer earnestly for their rulers.
INTERCESSION - Passionate and persistent prayer on behalf of another person.
THANKSGIVING - Praising God for the good he accomplishes through men and women in leadership. This is also publically and privately recognizing their good work.
Christians are called to PARTICIPATE.
I is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth.20
For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state, or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.
It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king.
Jews & Christians return after Claudius’ death in 54 AD and by 57 AD Jewish & Christian communities were flourishing.
SUBMIT
This is an action of the will. Every man, woman, and child must determine that they will place themselves under the authority of another.
Obvious meaning - that as citizens we are to obey the laws of the land.
Nuanced meaning - Every candidate that has ever run has wished that more people would participate in the process. They have asked and we should respond
VOTE with an informed position and not just down party lines.
Volunteer for candidates that need your support and align with what is good - THEY MAY NOT BE OF THE SAME FAITH and that is okay.
Write letters and let your voice be heard.
Support organizations that fight for Good and defend the Character of God.
Throughout Bible God uses men and women of faith to exert His influence in the political sphere
Daniel to nebuchadnezzar
Joseph to Pharoh
Paul to the Roman Proconsul Sergius Paulus
It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
Wayne A. Grudem, Politics according to the Bible: A Comprehensive Resource for Understanding Modern Political Issues in Light of Scripture (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2010), 75.
It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
Wayne A. Grudem, Politics according to the Bible: A Comprehensive Resource for Understanding Modern Political Issues in Light of Scripture (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2010), 75.