The Role Of Government Series

1 Timothy 2

The Role of Government

October 30, 2022

1 Timothy 2:1-3 NIV

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior …”

A great government gives everyone the conditions, opportunities and the tools to have a flourishing life.

Miroslav Volf

1. Government needs prayer.

Governing authorities may be hypocritical or even incompetent, but the position must be respected.

“for all those in authority.”

The tone of our language must be respectful. Name calling and mocking are not the ways of Jesus, ever!

The best thing we can do for our politics is to follow Jesus more completely.

2. Government needs prophetic guides.

We should point out corruption and not tolerate injustice in any form.

V.2. - peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

That only happens when the power of Christ is present.

William Wilberforce was a believer and then led the British Parliament to end slavery in the British Empire.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer opposed Nazi rule as a pastor in Germany. He was hung in 1945.

Martin Luther King was a Baptist pastor who protested civil right’s abuses in the 1960’s.

We’re not pawns to any political party.

We’re prophets to the entire political system.

3. Government needs people with integrity.

1 Peter 2:13-14 NIV

“Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.”

We pray for government to do good, to be led by people with integrity.

We pray against corruption of any kind because corruption kills the soul of a nation.

Government has an important role to protect its citizens. This requires integrity, wisdom, and courage!

Power exacerbates rather than cures an absence of integrity.

Proverbs 11:10-11 NIV

When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness 11 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.

The Table:

Isaiah 9:6-7a NIV

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace

there will be no end.