Sermon Tone Analysis

How are we to live in an increasingly secular society?

Shift away from biblical ideas.

Redfinition of marriage.

Increasing leagalisation of abortion.

Pressure on churches to compromise.

We find ourselves increasingly disparing at the decisions being made on our behald, and tempted to join the mockery and critism of our government.

In series in Romans > power of gospel.

>Set us free from dominion of darkness > into new freedom - in right relationship with God through Christ.

Jesus is Lord.

His rule is supreme.

We saw over last few weeks Paul beginning to apply practically truths 1-11.

We are to live grace soaked lives.

In church and with unbelievers.

So how are Christians to live in society that doesn’t submit to Christs rule.

Paul anticipates this struggle for church in Rome.

Church that up to this point has enjoyed a degree of accpetance and freedom under Roman law, being still considered really part of Jewish sect, but increasingly tensions as Chritians proclaim Christ, and powers are threatened.

Would have been a temptation, certainyl amounst Jewsish converts to rebel, to look with scorn at Roman authortiy.

In many ways in terms of religious freedom, comparable to today in UK.

Paul’s words for us will be as challenging as it would have been for them.

Live as Christ like citizens in wait of his return.

Let words hit you.What is simple thing Paul is repeatedly says?

Reading: Romans 13:1-14

(one part of the bible we rather isn’t there)

If we are to live Christ honouring lives, grace soaked lives, what does that look like in relation to our life as citizens in a fallen world? 3 principles Paul gives that flow out of Lordship of Christ.

(Spend most time on the first one,)

SUBMIT TO AUTHORITY

Anticipate “What about, except” deal with it later.

But we must hear simply stated words of Paul.

This is about our ordinary response to the authority that God has placed over us.

Posture.

illustration

Our ordinary posture towards government authority and infact all authority recognised by society, from teachers to politicians, is to be of respectful submission.

Language of submission used throughout NT

Romans & Galatians (Romans 13:1–7)

Christians are called to submit to God, to Christ, to church leaders, and more generally to one another.

More specifically, Christian wives are to submit to their husbands, Christian slaves to their masters, and young men to their elders

The Christian life is one of submission.

First and foremost, above all to Christ.

Our live is no longer our own but his.

But in submission to him we are called to submit to those in authority.

Here call is clear.

Not submit when it suits you.

Not submit only when you personally agree with policiy or plan or position or personality.

or when you adequately trust those in power.

Not submit only as much as it’s convinient.

Not submit only when you risk prosecution and punishment.

Not submit only when under pressure.

generally speaking, as long as government are fulfilling their God given role in society to bring law and order, submission most of the time will mean obedience.

Where possible we are to be excemplary citizens.

Paul gives 3 reasons.

It’s right

Train on Friday, lads taking the glo sticks from plastic holders on the train.

I confront - stop.

Why should I? I tried to reason, how its for their safety, its disrespectful, its costing money to tax payers.

Can’t possibly think why - went over their heads.

Rules just seemed so irrelevent to them.

But how easily we can treat law same.

speeding, COVID guidelines, pircacy law.

Whhy obey, doesnt make sense, wont get caught, isnt harming anyone.

Why should we generally obey - because it’s a recognising God’s sovereign rule over the whole world and in our lives.

and to disobey is to go against what God has put in place.

It’s wise

It’s also the wise thing to do, government is designed by God to hold people accountable in a way that it possible to live together in society.

Swords language

Thank God that we live in a society where people are held accountable and punished for murder, violence, theft, abuse, assult and the rest.

That we don’t all go around weilding weapons taking matters into our own hands.

The system of human government God has put in place is a wise one, and so its wise to where ever we can live under it.

Caught speeding.

Friend says - speed limit is 30, if you were doing over 30, then deserve your fine.

It’s fair.

Paul seems to be saying that its hard work govening.

We only need to think about the last few years, and I don’t know about you but I wouldnt want to be priminister.

It must be incredibly hard.

Paul is calling us to recognise this, and respect it by paying what we owe.

By contributing to society as asked.

Where do you need to check your posture?

Challenging.

If you like to make notes here is question to reflect on later and pray.

Where do you struggle to submit to government authority.

Where is God calling you to have a more submissive heart?

What about when government misuses God given power?

Is there a time we are called not to obey.

Carefully - yes.

Too easy try and justify unsubmissive hearts.

Only time when we are called to disobey is when law demands that which God forbids or forbids that which God demands.

When as Peter in Acts 5:29

Think of Daniel.

Daniel was excemplary citizen who recognised that Nebuchanezzars, though pagan was appointed by God, and lived in great respsect and submission as far as he could.

Only drew line when law contradicted his worship of the one true God.

Number of occasions in recent years where churhc has rightly stood up.

in relationship to redfinition of marriage and attempts to force complicance in church leadership and services.

Street preachers who have defied police ruling in order to proclaim Christ.

Most recently in relation to government lockdowns.

First lock down -church leaders submittied for month, but made very clear that in obedience to God we must prioritise gathering and spiritual welfare of peopel above all.

There may be times when in order to do what God commands, or not do what God forbids, our conscience will require us to disbobey authorities.

When they misuse their power and overstep their reach into Christian worship.

But unless that is the case, in all other matters, we are to have a heart posture of submission, and respect under God and his sovereign choice to appoint them.

Love your neighbour v8-10

As Paul applies gospel, he can’t possibly anticipate every individual senario.

So through section from 12v1-14 he seems to provide principles in spheres of life.