Did God Know About Hitler? Series

Did God know about Hitler?

Rom 13:1-7

Let’s continue in our series on Authority and move to Governmental Authorities.

Introduction:

I’m going to talk on the following today;

The answer to the question I’ve posed to you “Did God know about Hitler?"

Who is subject to authority?

Where authority comes from.

What is our responsibility towards governments, Christian and non-Christian?

Finally what is the function of governments?

I’m reminded of Amy Carter, former USA president Jimmy Carters, daughter. She came home one Friday with an assignment from school on the industrial revolution. She went to her mom and asked the question. Her Mom didn’t know the answer. She o went to ask an aide to seek clarification from the Labor Department. A "rush" was placed on the request since the assignment was due Monday. Thinking the question was a serious request from the Prez himself, a Labor Department official immediately cranked up the government computer and kept a full team of technicians and programmers working overtime all weekend...at a reported cost of several hundred thousand dollars. The massive computer printout was finally delivered by truck to the White House on Sunday afternoon and Amy showed up in class with the official answer the following day. But her history teacher was not impressed. When Amy’s paper was returned, it was marked with a big red "C."

I can hear you say, “That’s typical of governments, they waste our money on silly things”

How can you support them? The answer is “We must!”

Let’s go to the Word:

V1 let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

I can keep you busy all day just on this one verse; let’s try to keep under six.

To whom is Paul talking here?

Is he talking to the Roman Church, New Zealanders, Japanese, Whites, Coloureds, Fat people, thin people, Blondes, Brunettes, rich people, Poor people? YES!

He says “every Soul” (turn to person next to you and say that means you as well)

Let every soul do what?

Let every soul be subject unto higher powers.

Subject comes from the Greek word Hupotasso

Means

A Greek military term meaning "to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader". In non-military use, it was "a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden".

This is our responsibility to our Governments. Ordered from God!

Go to 1 Pet 2:13

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

He says: Hupotasso (cooperate, give in to, assume responsibility) to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake.

It is impossible for a Christian to be a good believer and a bad citizen!

You might say “But wait a minute, wait a minute, what about an atheist” Do I have to submit to him if he is the president? YES!

The Bible is full of examples of the Israelites being obedient to heathen Kings:

In fact God knows about everybody on this little planet. He will use heathen kings to fulfil His plans.

Joseph

Go with me to Gen. 41:1

Now tell me “Who had a dream? C’mon!

Pharaoh

Who was he?

King of Egypt

Where was Jacob? Why didn’t God give this dream to Jacob?

God had a plan!

Notice that Jacob and his sons didn’t come into Egypt demanding. They came with humble submissive hearts.

Daniel

Now go with me to Daniel Cpt 1

V1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. [2] And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.

God gave The King of Judah in the hands of this king!

Obvious a heathen king re: he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.

Jeremiah writes about Nebuchadnezzar that he is God’s servant

Jer 25:9 Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant,

Jer 27:8 And it shall come to pass, that the nation and kingdom which will not serve the same Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, and that will not put their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, that nation will I punish, saith the LORD, with the sword, and with the famine, and with the pestilence, until I have consumed them by his hand.

Wow, he is a heathen King, Why did God use him.