Boldness A-Z
G- Boldness concerning Government
1 Timothy 2:1-3, Romans 13: 1-7
A little review, 2 weeks ago we were on the the letter E and we spoke about being bold in our EXAMPLE. Our scripture was from 1 Timothy 4:12. In that scripture Paul wrote to Timothy and ancouraged him to be an example of the believer, in word, in conversation, in charity, in faith, and in purity. We as believers should set the same kind of example.
Last week we looked at the letter F and we discussed being Bold in our Finances. We looked at the scripture in Luke chapter 21verses 1-4. In those verses Jesus comments about what He sees concerning the offering at the temple. He sees many wealthy men drop in thier offering. They were probably a sizeable sum, but He comments on what the widow gives, a mere 2 mites. He says that she has given more than any of those wealthy men because she gave not out of abundance but out of her lack. She gave all she had.
We talked about Boldness in our finanaces has to be a matter of trusting God.
We noted that it went beyond the tithe.
We also recognized that Boldness in our Finances is a way of showing God our Thanks!
This week we are going forward with our sudy of Boldness. we will look at the letter G and discover that the christian should be Bold concerning Government. No I’m not politicing. I’m not going to stand up here and tell you who to vote for. But the christian has a resposibility to our Government. It is a Two fold responsibility.
1. Pray for our Government.
PRAY!
1 Timothy 2 says "1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;"
The first thing I want you to see here is the second word (Exhort) it means to admonish, to beg, to encourage. It sounds like Paul is trying to say that "this is important"!
a. He then tells Timothy and us what is so important. First of all that supplications be made. Supplications are another word for penury. We talked about penury last week, it means lack. We should pray first for the immediate needs. Wait, who’s needs? All men, for kings and those in authourity. He goes on to tell Timothy that prayers, and intercessions should be made for this same group. The word prayer has as much to do with attitude as it does words. This greek word used here is defined as praying to God, but also being deliberate in our prayers. It speaks of having a specific place to pray. We often refer to Jesus as our Interceder, because part of what he does for us is continually intercede on our behalf. Hence, He is ever Interceding! That is what Paul has told Timothy to do on behalf of some men, NO all men includding kings and those in authourity! Interceding is to pray on someone’s behalf. They may not pray. They may not be a christian. They might be of a different religion. Should we not pray that they will come to the knowledge of truth in Jesus Christ. Look what verse 4 says "4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."
2. PURPOSE
There are two good reasons to do this.
a. That we may lead a quiet and peacable life in all godliness and honesty. Maybe if people quite grumbling and complaining about our leaders and started praying for them they would have more peace! Maybe we would have better leaders!
But Jamie I really think so and so is a bum and I can’t support him! Oh, okay then your excused or maybe not. The reason we need to do this is because it is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour! Who puts leaders in the position they are in? We like to think that that the people do. Think again! In Daniel chapter 2 verse 21, Daniel is speaking of the Lord when he writes "And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:"When Pontius Pilate washes his hands of the issue regarding Jesus and his pending death, Jesus said in John 19:11 “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given to you from above.” Paul wries in Romans 13 verses1 & 2 "1 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. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation."
Paul instructs Timothy and us to Pray Boldly for our Goverment and our leaders
We are to do a second thing concerning our Government
Paticipate in Government
How?
1. Preach To Our Government.
Listen we need to be civil but not silent! The Bible is filled with examples when leaders and governments need to be preached to.
For example:
• Elijah preached to king Ahab
• Eliazar preached to king Jehoshaphat
• Daniel preached to Nebuchadnezzar
• Moses preached to Pharaoh
• John the Baptist preached to Herod
• Jesus preached to Pontius Pilate
• Paul preached to King Agrippa
May I remind all of us, as long as our leaders are aborting the pre-born we should preach to them. As long as we have leaders trying to normalize sexual perversion we should preach to them. As long as we have Americans who cannot pray wherever they want – we need to keep preaching! We must continue to preach from the highest hill top - whatever is morally wrong is not politically right!
2. PAY!
While were here in Romans 13 look at what it says in verses 5-7 "5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour." Heres a word you love "Taxes" That is what Paul means when he says tributes. He is saying pay your taxes because in doing so you are supporting God’s ministers in goverment
You are Participating in Goverment when you Pay. You also participate when you VOTE!
We have a government that our Founding Fathers envisioned all people involved – that’s why the Constitution says, “Of the people, by the people and for the people.”
If we don’t vote we are not participating – this also “Rending unto Caesar”!
It is inconceivable that God would have ordained government and then have His people stay out of it! And if we stay out of it, then I ask - who does that leave running this country?
Ok so this land is not my home I’m just apassing through. I am a citizen of Heaven so that means I should stay out of Govermental things, Right? Wrong, Jesus tells us we are salt and Light, Salt preserves... Light chases away the darkness..,they effect things. They cause change. That’s what the christian should be doing!
