REBC Adult Bible Study - Romans 13
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Good evening church
Please turn your Bibles to
As we continue our study of the Book of Romans
This chapter’s first half will focus on the hard truth of surrendering and how that relates to the government
The chapter’s second half will focus on the power of love and our short time remaining on earth
Opening Prayer
Opening Prayer
Before we dive into the text...Please join me one more time in prayer before we start
Reading:
Reading:
Verse 1: Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities.
“be in subjection” means in Greek a soldier’s absolute obedience to his superior officer
Scripture makes one exception to this command
When obedience to civil authority would require disobedience to God’s Word
“governing authorities” refers to every position of civil authority
And that is without regard to competency, morality, reasonableness, or any other caveat
So, this verse is as clear as it sounds
That is the government under Trump
And that is the government under Obama
That is the government under George Washington
And That is the government under Hitler
And the type government is a condition
Do you know who was in power when Paul wrote this?
Nero
Who is Nero?
I’m glad you asked
Nero was the emperor who tried to blame Christians for a huge fire that broke out
This was called the Great Fire of Rome
The city burned for 6 days before it was brought under control
However, the fire was reignited and then burned for another 3 days
Two thirds of Rome was destroyed
Rumor has it the Nero was the one who started the fire himself to make room for a new palace
But he needed someone to blame so he picked the Christians
Do you know how Christians reacted to Nero?
They followed Paul’s writing's and the teaching of Jesus
They did not pay back violence with violence
Christians where hunted down
They where used during gladiator matches, being feed to lions
They where tied to the poles and light on fire to light up Nero’s garden
Paul was eventually beheaded under the orders of Nero
Paul was eventually
When Paul wrote these words, inspired by the Holy Spirit in mid 50 AD
He was no hypocrite 10 years later when Roman persecution under Nero started
He was obedient to God and His command
Shouldn’t we be obedient too
Being persecuted is no excuse to violently react
Don’t forget what Jesus said when Peter used his sword in
52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword.
Jesus didn’t resist the government
The apostles didn’t resist the government
The
And we shouldn’t resist the government
When we are persecuted, that is our time to show others Christ-like love
(cont.) Verse 1: For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.
Human government’s authority derives from and is defined by God
Every aperson 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.
He instituted human government to reward good and to restrain sin in an evil, fallen world
All who hold a position of authority is given that authority by God
Whether they are a beloved President or an evil Dictator
God is the one who placed them there
Don’t forget what Jesus said in
11 Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.”
God has His purpose for Joseph Stalin and He has His purpose for Winston Churchill
God has His purpose for Pharaoh and He has His purpose for Moses
God has His purpose for a righteous preacher and He has His purpose for a false prophet
We have a completely sovereign God
Keep this in mind
,
21 “It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men And knowledge to men of understanding.
1 The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes.
Stop worrying about who is ruling over you because Jesus rules over all
Jesus said in
18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
Jesus is the King of Kings
Verse 2:Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God;
The reality of resisting authority is opposing the very ordinance of God
We show a lack of trust in God and a full sense of pride when we resist authority
If we really trust God, then we know God will handle all those in authority
He will rise them up when He wants them to rise up
And He will knock them down when He wants to
Our job is to pray and obey
The only time we do not follow the law of the land is if it violates God’s law
Daniel continued to pray to God when it was illegal
The apostles continued to preach when the Jewish authority told them to stop
But anything outside of this is violating God’s command
(cont.) Verse 2: And they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.
The price of violating this command is to bring condemnation to oneself
Why such strong words?
If you can’t surrender to authority, to someone you can see in the flesh...
Chances are you will not surrender to God, whom you can’t see
You see, the reason we don’t surrender to authority
Is that we have not yet surrendered to God
Because if we genuinely did surrender to God
We would be faithfully following this command
Verse 3: For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil.
If we are obedient to God’s Word, then we will live lives that reflect good behavior
If we display good behavior we will not have fear of government authority punishing us
It is wicked people who have broken varies laws that are in constant fear of the government
If the government is unfair and ungodly then we still have no fear for God will be with us
Even if a government is unfair and ungodly, a wicked person has no guaranteed protection from God
(cont.) Verse 3: Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;
Remember authority is not just the government
This includes religious leaders, teachers, bosses, managers, coaches, etc.
If we do good, generally we will have no issues with authority
In fact, doing good will lead to those in authority to praising you
For example, many who do a good job at work will receive promotions
If you do your homework or assignment you will get credit
Verse 4: For it is a minister of God to you for good.
God is using those in authority to do His good will, even if those is authority are not good
Your boss may be wicked and immoral but they are still to be respected
God put them in your life for a purpose and if you are in Christ it is for a good purpose
(cont.) Verse 4: But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing;
If you live the life of a criminal, then be very afraid
By God’s authority, those in authority can punish whose who are wicked
Hear it makes it clear that you don’t have to just go to the Old Testament to make a defense for the death penelty
The government has the authority to use deadly force
, police officers,
So soldiers are not the bad guys
Police officers are not the bad guys
And the court system that hands down the death penalty are not bad guys
(cont.) Verse 4: For it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.
When justice is served by the government
They are being used by God to deliver His wrath
God uses the government as He so pleases
Verse 5: Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.
Notice what the Bible says
It is necessary to be in subjecation
Why?
Because our level of obedience to authority is reflective of our obedience to God
By disobeying and disrespecting those in authority
We will find ourselves with guilt and worry
Being submissive to those in authority
Will result in feeling content and joyful as our conscience will not be troubled
Additionally, an individual must not have revenge on another
Paul said in
(), the state, as God’s servant with a distinctive calling, may legitimately do in the pursuit of justice.
19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
The state, as God’s servant with a distinctive calling, may legitimately punish someone (even to the point of taking their life) in the pursuit of justice.
Verse 6: For because of this you also pay taxes,
Christians must not refuse to pay taxes simply because they think some of the money is used unjustly
The Roman Empire surely did not use all of its money for godly purposes
So, too, believers are to honor their leaders, even if they are not fully admirable
No matter how much we don’t like it
We need to pay our taxes
We are not called to follow those in the American Revolution who didn’t want to pay unfair taxes
We are called to follow God
Jesus made it clear in
21 They 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.”
20 And He said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?”
21 They 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.”
If the government wants you money then give it to them
It does have their name on it
But no worries
God will always provide for His sheep
(cont.) Verse 6: For rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.
Remember this fact
Rulers are servants of God
Whether they acknowledge God or not
Rulers are servants of God
Even the devil is God’s devil
Verse 7: Render to all what is due them:
Not a prohibition against borrowing money, which Scripture permits and regulates
But we still need to do our best to make sure we don’t owe anybody anything when it is due
And if we do owe somebody something, then we need to make sure we pay them back
So, Paul’s point is that all our financial obligations must be paid when they are due.
Any obligations we may have
We need to make sure we are faithful to do them
(cont.) Verse 7:Tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
So give your taxes, fees, dues, bills, etc. to anyone who has a right to them
And show respect, honor and high esteem for those that we are obligated to
Questions or Comments?
Reading:
Reading:
Verse 8: Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another;
Instead of owing anybody anything we are called to give them
We should go beyond the requirements
We should go above and beyond
We should show love to everyone
Let love be what people identify us for
(cont.) Verse 8: For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
If we love our neighbor then we are fulfilling the law God commanded us to do
In the Gospel of Matthew is records:
36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”
37 And He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
38 “This is the great and foremost commandment.
39 “The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
40 “On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”
So, in addition to loving our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ
We are to love all those in authority in our lives
We are to love even our enemies
Remember Jesus said in
46 “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
And in
35 “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Verse 9: For this, “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET,”
Paul they makes this clear on what loving your neighbor looks like
As he quotes and which we refer to as the 10 commandments
And here Paul is focusing on those that affect other people
(cont.) Verse 9: And if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”
And Paul continues to quote the Old Testament with this reference to
18 ‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.
So, the treatment you would like to receive for yourself should be how you treat others
So, you have no excuse for not knowing how to treat your neighbor
Verse 10: Love does no wrong to a neighbor;
Paul further clarifies
Displaying love to your neighbor means to do then no wrong
(cont.) Verse 10: Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
And Paul clarifies that the sum up of fulfilling all the law is love
As Jesus said, fist love God and then love your neighbor
Anytime we sin we are acting unloving
So, show love to all
Questions or Comments?
Reading:
Reading:
Verse 11: Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep;
The Greek word for “Time” is not in terms of chronology, but as a period, era, or age
And “sleep” refers to the spiritual apathy and lethargy or overall unresponsiveness to the things of God
We need to be on alert
The hour is at hand
The end is closer that many may realize
(cont.) Verse 11: For now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.
“salvation” that is being used here is not our justification, but the final feature of our redemption
So, this is referring to our future glorification
We are closer than ever to the second coming
We do not know the exact time time but many signs are happening that is signalling the end
37 “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah.
38 “For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,
39 and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.
Many will not realize we are at the end until it is too late
Verse 12: The night is almost gone, and the day is near.
“Night” is referring to man’s depravity and Satan’s dominion
“Day” is referring to Christ’s return and reign
We see this used in Paul’s other writings
2 For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.
3 While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.
4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief;
5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness;
A new day is about to come
And this is the day the righteous will celebrate
And the wicked will mourn
For on that day every knee will bow as so clearly stated in Scripture
10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
11 For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall give praise to God.”
(cont.) Verse 12: Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
The time is now to stop our sinning
Stop this life of wickedness
We are stumbling in the flesh because we are not well equipt
We need to realize our enemy is not flesh and blood
Our enemy is so much more dangerous than that
We need to put on the full Armor of God as it says in
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.
11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,
Verse 13: Let us behave properly as in the day,
We are to live a life that is pleasing to God
This should manifest in our outward behavior of the inner reality of a redeemed life
So, the way we act in the day
Or the way we act on the job
Or the way we act in church
That should be how we genuinely act everywhere
(cont.) Verse 13: Not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy.
We do not want to act like those who sin in darkness
“Carousing” means wild parties, sexual orgies, brawls, riots, etc.
So, we should avoid all these demonic behaviors
Additionally, we need to avoid drunkenness
Our relief is found in God not the bottom of a bottle
We need to stop being sexually immoral
Which included sex outside of marriage, adultery, premarital sex, homosexuality, etc.
We need to stop all jealousy and strife amongst others
Verse 14: But put on the Lord Jesus Christ,
This phrase summarizes sanctification
Of taking off our old filthy clothes and putting on pristine royal clothes which identifies us as being the King’s
This is the continuing spiritual process in which those who have been saved by faith are transformed into His image and likeness
So, instead of this life of sin
So, instead of this life of sin
We need to put on Christ as it says
27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Christ is our new identity when we become born again
And we need to spend the rest of our life working to become more like Chrsit
(cont.) Verse 14: And make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.
“No provision” refers to a Greek word that has the basic meaning of planning ahead or forethought
The reason for using this word is that most sinful behavior results from wrong ideas and lustful desires we allow to linger in our minds
So, we need to take our thoughts captive and not fuel or feed our flesh with our lusts
15 not boasting beyond our measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but with the hope that as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you,
and not fuel or feed our flesh with our lusts
As this will hinder our relationship with God
We need to focus on feeding and fueling our spirit and not our flesh
Questions or Comments?
Closing Prayer
Closing Prayer