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.
God had a plan.
God gave Nebuchadnezzar the dream of the stature pointing to the end of the world.
There is however one acceptance on this rule! That is when the law is un-scriptural. Then God must be obeyed rather than man.
Look at Daniel 3
Kings brings a law that he must be worshiped. Shad rag, Mesach, Abed ego refuses for then it would be sin against God!
But they stayed submitted to the King.
Dan 3:17 – 18
If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. [18] But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
They didn’t say “We won’t do that you, dog!” No they kept their submissive hearts. Still call him O King.
What about Hitler?
God knew about him but what about King Herod in Jesus time.
He was just as bad. Mat 2:16 he massacred innocent people.
His son was just as bad, killed John the Baptist. Mat 14.
What was peter and Paul’s words; submit.
Paul writes these words while Nero has become king.
But when, law is un-scriptural. Then God must be obeyed rather than man.
Last example:
Acts 4:18-20
And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. [19] But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. [20] For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
[2] Whosoever therefore resisted the power resisted the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. [3] For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
So what is the function of the Authorities then?
To Protect: Against self Act 21:27-37
To punish: Don’t bear the sword for nothing
To promote: General welfare
[4] For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. [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] :17 -18Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
Let’s pray:
