10.31.21 Let’s Go: “Government Authority in the Hands of God”

Let’s Go: “Government Authority in the Hands of God”

Mark 12:13-17

Oct 31, 2021

I. Without authority sin runs rampant. (vs 13-14)

Romans 1:21

Romans 1:28-32

II. All human authorities are instituted and established by God. (vs 15-17)

Romans 13:1-2

John 19:11

I Peter 2:13-15

III. The proper response to human authorities.

1. They are to be obeyed by everyone.

Romans 13:1

I Peter 2:13-14

2. They are to be honored and respected.

Proverbs 24:21

3. They are not to be obeyed if their demands conflict with the law of God.

Exodus 1:17

Daniel 3:18

4. They are to be prayed for specifically.

I Timothy 2:1-2

5. Christians are to use rights granted by the authorities.

Acts 16:35-39

Acts 24:21-25

MY PLEDGE AS A DEVOTED FOLLOWER OF KING JESUS, MY SAVIOR, AND MY SOVEREIGN GOD: (Authored by David Platt, Tony Merida, and Daniel Akin)

1. I will be a good citizen living in subjection to governmental authority, even a pagan one. (Romans 13:1-7; I Peter 2:13-17)

2. I will live internationally like Joseph in Egypt, Daniel in Babylon, and Jesus Himself on earth.

3. I will obey the state but worship only God.

4. I will acknowledge that all governmental authority is established by and comes from God. (Mark 12:17; Romans 13:1, 4, 6).

5. I will acknowledge that all government serves in some measure the purposes of promoting good and punishing evil. (Romans 13:3-4)

6. I will pay all taxes levied upon me by my government, recognizing its right to do so. (Mark 12:17; Romans 13:6-7).

7. I will engage in “civil disobedience” only when my government prohibits me from doing what

the Bible commands, or when it commands me to do what the Bible prohibits.

FAITH SHEET QUESTIONS:

1. On what points do you disagree with our government? How does your situation compare with the Jews under Roman rule?

2. What groups are there in your country that can’t agree about much, but they agree to oppose Christianity?

3. What was the motive of those who asked Jesus this question? Have you encountered people who have this motive in their questions? How can you deal with them?

4. How can those who perform surveys bias the results by the way they formulate the questions? How can one person in a debate try to win a point by defining the nature of the question at hand?

5. What is the legitimate purpose of human government? What are the responsibilities of citizens?

6. Is there a danger in your country for its citizens to worship the political leaders? to worship the government? to worship the country? How can you balance patriotism with Christianity?