YOU AND YOUR GOVERNMENT 13:1-7
* This sermon was put together after much study and the influence of teachers such as Adrian Rogers, Tom Elliff, Warren Weirsbe, J. Vernon McGee, John McArthur, Chuck Swindoll and conservative Bible Commentaries, all of which were great helps to grow my understanding of the passage and to clarify it’s truths)
Idaho sheep rancher: was approached one day by a stranger in a suit. He said, ¡¥If I can guess how many sheep you¡¦ve got, may I have one?¡¦ Thinking this to be impossible the rancher agreed. ¡¥You have 1,795 sheep¡¦. Stunned by the correct answer the rancher told him to choose his sheep. The man selected an animal and slung it over his shoulder and started to walk away. The rancher said, ¡¥Hey if I can tell you who your work for can I have that animal back?¡¦ OK You work for the government. How did you figure that out? Well, put my dog down and I will tell you. Not much respect for government in America today, especially with all that we have experienced in the past month.
„h Paul moves from stressing what our individuals responsibilities are to each other to reminding us how we are to respond to the government.
„h Many drop-outs today from government involvement:
1) See government as social gospel. Only makes the world a better place to go to hell from.
2) Given up hope and believe we have passed the point of no return.
3) See politics as dirty and contaminating. Leaders as only corrupt individuals with wicked intentions.
4) Intimidated by anti-christian groups like ACLU, NOW, who feel that Christians should be quieted as a voice.
„h For Paul the question is no can you be a Christian and involved in government but can you be a Christian and not be involved in government. We have been called out of this world but still live in it. Being citizens of heaven does not minimize our responsibilities here on earth but actually the Christian citizen out to be the best citizen.
GOVERNMENT REDEFINED
„h Paul states that, ¡¥Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities¡¦. Strong statement about the right of governments to rule and our responsibility to support them. WHY
1. Human Government is Ordained by God For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.
Weirsbe: God has established three institutions( home ¡V church ¡V government) ordained means originated from God. His idea.
a. But what if a government is bad? Paul was writing this statement under a new edict that made Christianity illegal, a new Caesar named Nero in power. Jesus had been crucified by this same government. Homosexuality was rampant among Rome¡¦s leaders.
b. Governing authorities is literally ¡¥powers that be¡¦. It is more than just Presidents or Congress but all who are in positions of authority. Even respect for the dog-catcher
(2) Therefore whoever resists authority has oppposed the ordinance of God: and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.
c. What kind of Government is God¡¦s kind? Paul wrote under a Roman rule but made no distinction of kind.
Best kind a monarchy? Oligarchy?(few rule) republic?
Democracy? Rome had been a monarchy, a republic, a principate, and now was an Empire under Emperor rule.
Surprise many to know that we don¡¦t live in a democracy in America. We live in a republic( I pledge allegiance to the flag and to the republic for which it stands) What is the difference? Democracy is the will of people in charge, mob rule at the ballot box. Republic allows democratic processes to choose respresentatives but certain things are never up for a vote. There are certain principles and right things that are never to be debated or voted out.
1) Point to not miss: God has the ability to accomplish His will in spite of and even through less than godly rulers. Dan 2:21 ¡¥He removeth kings and setteth up kings¡¦
a) Rom 9:17 ¡¥for this very purpose I raised you up to demonstrate My power in you, and that My Name might be proclaimed throughout the whole earth¡¦. Allowed a wicked man like Pharoah to power that His will might be accomplished.
God has brought into being differing forms of government depending on that which is best for that time and place in history.
a) Rome and Greek were not our kinds of governments but accomplished much for the purpose of reaching this world for Christ.
1) Roman roads, pax romana, Greek language & culture
America has been blessed with a republic for nearly 225 years because of who we were as a people in 1776. But we should be warned by one of our forefather¡¦s who said, ¡¥Our form of government is meant for the rule of a religious and moral people and is wholely inadequate for any other. Our form won¡¦t work for a people without principle or conscious but will degenerate to chaos.
2) God works through all forms: Isaiah 6 Isaiah was Disturbed and discouraged in the year that king Uzziah died. He had ruled for decades. But he
Saw the Lord high and lifted up. Uzziah was dead but God was still on the throne.
d) Receive Condemnation ¡V worse than human
punishment but God¡¦s disfavor.
GOVERNMENT REQUIREMENTS (3) For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; (4) for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.
1. TO RESTRAIN EVIL But if you do what is evil be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing.
a. Governments have a God-given right to punish evil. They also have the responsibility to. Whoever caudles a criminal shows cruelty to a community.
Can¡¦t Legislate Morality: True. There is not a law on earth to make you moral that is why we have to legislate against immorality. No law can make you love me so I need one to keep you from killing me. No law can make you honest so we need ones to keep you from stealing. Government is not here to make you good but to keep you from evil.
(Lost focus today on restraining evil but more focused on forcing tolerance of the evil that surrounds us.) God is too good not to punish evil. Protect from attack from without and evil from within
NY CITY has a larger police force than some countries have armies.
b. Government must punish evil responsibly does not bear the sword for nothing. Speaking of the sword of punishment. Call today capital punishment. Often a very controversial subject: Both candidates claimed to be in favor of.
(1) Before the Law Genesis 9:6 Whoever shed¡¦s man¡¦s blood by man shall his blood be shed.
(2) In the Law Ex 20:13 ¡¥Thou shalt not kill¡¦(hebrew word used is for murder not killing in punishment or war) Next chapter 21:12 ¡¥He that strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death¡¦
(3) After the gospel: Paul here affirms the right of government to punish certain crimes with certain punishments.
a) Word for sword is the sword of execution
(4) In the gospel: Jesus before Pilot. Do you not know that I have the authority to crucify you? You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above¡¦
Jails and Prison are not a biblical pattern: Restitution for some crimes and death for others. It is not man taking man¡¦s life but God taking life by means of the state.
Henry VIII once pardoned a man who had committed murder. He went out and killed another man. Friends asked him to again pardon the man. NO. he killed the first man and I killed the second man. He will not kill anymore.
2. TO REWARD GOOD Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same.
Don¡¦t want to drive down freeway having to constantly look in your rear view mirror? Keep your speed down. Last part of our body to get saved is our right foot. Don¡¦t want to live in fear of getting audited by IRS? Pay the right taxes
a. Government should support and encourage what is right. Nothing that is morally wrong should be politically right. Honor good citizens and support right causes.
Separation of Church & State: Give a steak dinner to anyone who can find that phrase in our constitution. What you do find is this: Government shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion OR prohibiting the free exercise thereof. In other words stay out of God¡¦s way in the life of the people. England(anglican) German(lutheral) Italy & France(Catholic) Muslum states No state church but free exercise of religion without government interferance.
MISSIONARY who said they could do more for Christ in the Marxist schools of Zimbabwa than in the schools in America.
b. Government institutions should set the example in doing what is right. Servants of God
Man was hauled into court for stealing a loaf of bread. Judge investigated and found out the man stole to feed his family. Lost his job and couldn¡¦t find another and in desperation stole the bread. The judge said, ¡¥I am sorry, but the law can make no exceptions, you stole and therefore must be punished. I assess the fine of ten dollars.¡¦ He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a ten dollar bill and handed it to the man. ¡¥Now, I also want to remit the fine¡¨. Man was to keep the money. ¡§Furthermore, I am fining every person in the courtroom for living in a city where a man has to steal in order to eat¡¦. The baliff passed a hat through the entire courtroom and the money was given to the man.
GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITIES (5) Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience¡¦ sake. (6) For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. (7) Render to all what is due them; tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
1. I am to be in subjection not from fear of punishment but because of conscience; Because I know it is the right thing I should be doing. Many today feel that nothing is really wrong unless you get caught.
a. In the army you may not like one in authority but you learn to ¡¥salute the uniform¡¦.
Government ¡¥Conscience Fund¡¦ Special fund for people who pay debts anonymously. Send money in because they know they got away with something and want to feel better.
One city anounced that several citizens were to be indicted and that a list would be published the following week. That week a number of people came to City Hall to ¡¥straighten out their taxes¡¦. Most all of whom were not on the list to be published. Wrong motive.
IRS letter came in saying, ¡¥I did not pay the taxes I should have this past year and I have been unable to sleep, enclosed is $150. If I still have trouble sleeping I will send the rest.
TEDDY ROOSEVELT: The things that will destroy America are: Prosperity at any price - peace at any price - safety first instead of duty first - the love of soft living - get rich quick theory of life.
Don¡¦t really care: about how I am taxed ¡V how my social security is handled ¡V union vrs right to work ¡V gun control ¡V public schools vrs vouchers. I have opinions but I see nothing in the Bible to compel me to certain opinions. To vote my conscience I have to seek issues that I believe are concerns to God¡¦s heart: that a baby can be put to death in the very act of being born ¡V that a destructive lifestyle can be promoted as acceptable and even desirable ¡V that character doesn¡¦t matter as long as money is in good supply
2. Christian duties to government.
a. Pay for it Render all what is due them; tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom;
1) You may not like how much you are taxed but you cannot argue with the principle of taxation. Government must build roads, sewers, bridges, must provide armies, fire protection, city halls, policemen.
Government is in trouble when half the people get the idea that they don¡¦t have to work because the other half will take care of them and the other half feels it does no good to work because so much of what they earn is taken away from them.
FRANCE FELL WHEN the people saw the cow to be milked instead of a watchdog to be fed.
2) Jesus paid His taxes ¡¥lest their be offense¡¦ He also said to ¡¥Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar¡¦s¡¦
b. Pray for it 1 Tim 2:1-3 First of all I urge that ¡K.pray for all who are in authority that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and tranquility¡¦ Don¡¦t think we have been praying enough looking at Florida
c. Praise it honor to whom honor is due
1) Walk up to a policeman this week and say ¡¥thank you¡¦. Read about a child saved in a fire and find a fireman and say ¡¥you people are truly heros¡¦, ¡¥think about all your freedoms and find a serviceman or veteran and say, ¡¥God bless you¡¦.
d. Participate in it
1) Render unto Caesar not just your tax dollar but your vote, your voice, your volition(will). Be informed and become active. Get involved because the climate we live under effects our nation for the cause of Christ.
Power of One Vote: 1645-Oliver Cromwell control of England
1776-America have English as official language instead of German 1845-kept Andrew Jackson from impeachment 1876-Made Rutherford B. Hayes president. 1923-Gave Hitler leadership of Nazi party.
e. Persuade it Only hope for any people is truth. The Word of God. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.
Nathan came to David/Elijah stood up to Ahab/Daniel stood before Nebuchadnezzer John the Baptist called down Herod. If this country does not hear the truth from the Body of Christ, the church, there is no other place it will be found.
a. Somebody has well said that ¡¥Every nation gets the government it deserves¡¦. Is ours getting better or worse?
During Paul¡¦s days the Roman government filled the Collosium with 50,000 or more to watch Christians be murdered by wild animals and for sport. Underneath in the Catacombs other Christians prayed to God to change what was going on above. He did and He can in America.
2 Chron 7:14 When MY PEOPLE who are called by My Name Humble themselves and pray¡Kturn from THEIR wicked ways¡Kthen I will hear from heaven and will heal their land.
