Romans 13_1-7 Godly Citizens

Secular:

•  Chris and Stephanie… Mya and Zoe
• Prepared a skit for us
• Stephanie due in less than a week
• So….. when Chris called this morning….
• And starts with… “we had to go to the hospital last night….”
• I was prematurely excited
•  Then I found out about the fever… (she is a home resting)… Chris at her side
•  We love Good News… we are going to have a baby…
• Then the reality of pregnancy… parenthood… a blessed mixture of happiness and trials
• Not so unlike our Gospel hope… hope of the Good news
•  We love having Saviour
• We love having the promises of God to cling to…
• We love knowing God
• But… like a fever… or dirty diapers…
• We have to deal with challenges… and face with joy the ramifications of being a child of God and ambassador of Christ.

Biblical:

Romans 13:1-8

1 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.

2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.

3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behaviour, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;

4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.

5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake.

6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.

 7 Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

Personal:

Bridge:

Body:

A Godly perspective…

1 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.

2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.

• Foundation of our society… respect for governing authorities
• Subjection… “In a position of subordination”
• For the common good… theme in scripture…
• One we often oppose…. (common good)
• One another’s
• Really does take a God centred life…
• Is God sovereign?
• Our reaction either acknowledges he is…
• And Government is his representative
• Or we deny it ….
• And “submit” according to our own standard
• Remember, “For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.”
•  Opposition is opposition to God’s appointed!
• Penalty?... Condemnation…. hmmmmm
• | + |

Expectation….  Christ centred…

• Condemnation… comes with living ego-centric
• Condemnation for once

• Context Roman Empire
•  To Christians in Rome
• New Law in Christ…
• Didn’t understand Christ’s fulfillment of the law
• Became antinomians
• Paul is correcting…
• Tough… Caesar as deity, Apartheid, ego-centric
• But need to recognize God’s sovereignty…
• In control / appointed
• Need to be a testimony to Christ…
• A Godly perspective…

A godly citizen…

3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behaviour, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;

4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.

• Government laws that do not force you to disobey God must be obeyed!
• That don’t breech God’s law…
• Taxes… Zoning…. Spending
• Work with the System….
• Appeal to Rome….
• Good citizens, respectful, blessing and blessed…
• Those who stand against the common good…. Bears the sword
• Minister of God… for order…
• God used Egypt… Used Babylon… Used Assyria… used Rome
• God wants order… parachute… up right
• Organized society… orients people
• Even in China obey until conflict
• Submit… they can’t touch your soul…
• But you can touch theirs through Christ
• What about us?
• Godly Citizens

A godly purpose…

5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake.

6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.

• Humility, subjection, obedience
• Good to develop… good for conscience
• Smile when you pay Revenue Canada
• Money to ministers of God
• Devoting themselves to the administration of society
• Good citizens are (+)
• Witness… conscience… testimony
• 1 Timothy 2:1First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
• It’s good for you
• It’s good for the gospel
• A godly purpose…

Godly love and honour….

7 Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

• To God… God’s
• To Caesar… Caesar’s
• Matt 22:21They said to Him, "Caesar's." Then He said to them, "Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's."
•  Martin… Harper… Campbell… Layton
•  Lacking respect?
• Tax evasion… GST
• Honour evasion….  Your Mouth
• Fear (respect) evasion… Your actions
• Love them… Pray for them… Encourage… use system appropriately…. Honestly
•  1 Timothy 2:1First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
• Living Christ
• Living Christ-centred
• Godly love and honour….

Conclusion:

A Godly perspective…

•  In Control
• His Appointed
• Christ-centred… God Sovereign

A godly citizen…

• Supporting Order
• Submit… they can’t touch your soul…
• But you can touch theirs through Christ
• Best citizen… Best Witness

A godly purpose….

• Witness… conscience… testimony
• It’s good for you
• It’s good for the gospel

Godly love and honour….

• Testimony?
• Tax evasion…
• Honour evasion….
• Fear (respect) evasion…
• Living Christ
• Living Christ-centred