Sermons on Governing Authorities:

The Final Authority Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Dec 6, 2012

What is our hope? For the Israelites it was for a Messiah, their nation seemed to be constantly under attack. We now have a Messiah, and we are still under constant attack form the enemy, so what do we hope for now?

When Jesus was born into the world at the first Christmas, the beginning of the prophecy of hope was fulfilled, Isaiah 9:6, “For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, ...read more

Scripture: John 5:19-29

Final Authority? Series

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Jan 29, 2008

Every person in America believes that they are the final authority on who Jesus is, period. Our downfall? When one is the final authority, all others must be sidelined.

In high school I was on the track team – I was a sprinter. Our coach would make us sprinters run long distance as well as run sprints for practice. We hated running long distance, it was so boring, it was so tedious, we felt it was against our nature. But still we had to run a three mile loop that ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Faith In Politics Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on May 28, 2011

When it comes to the believer's involvement in politics, this principle should guide us: God calls us to submit to all human authority because of Christ, because of our critics, and because we are free in Him!

Deborah Horn, of McLeansboro, Illinois, was brushing her 9-year-old daughter’s hair on a Sunday morning when she began to pepper her mother with a lot of questions. Mom was doing her best to answer them until her daughter looked up and asked, “Are we Christians or Republicans?” ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:13-17

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Apostolic Authority Series

Contributed by Antonio Silveira on Feb 12, 2011

Paul is talking about the way some people questioned the way himself and other men of God were being paid by the Church. Questioning about administration is something natural.

1 Corinthians 9:1-9 1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? 2 If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. 3 This is my defense to those who would examine me. 4 Do ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

Authority Acknowledged

Contributed by Leonard Davis on Mar 1, 2016

Why did God create mankind and establish a relationship with man? Why did God speak through prophets, through angels, and why did He send Jesus?

AUTHORITY ACKNOWLEDGED John 2:1-16 People are curious about many things. Some are trivial and others are quite profound. Many questions we raise do not have clearly defined answers and we often wind up with a multitude of opinions that are likely to be in conflict. Many of life’s ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Believer's Authority Series

Contributed by Grant Van Boeschoten on Feb 17, 2008

Empower your Church to use the Authority that Jesus delegated to Christians. (Identity, Faith, Keys, Hinderances, Great Commission).

The Believer’s Authority Grant van Boeschoten February 17, 2008 1. Jesus Sends out the 70 When Jesus walked the earth he was followed around by many people. Some people stayed around just because it was exciting. Where you found Jesus you found miracles, and many people liked to get the goose ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:1-20

Caesar Or God? Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Apr 13, 2022

Conflict between the monarchs and the spiritual leaders was a time-old problem. The spiritual could be arrested for condemning the political leaders, and systems. Politicians saw the religious leaders as a threat to their survival and existence.

Holy Wednesday Theme: Caesar or God? Text: Luke 20:20-26 Introduction: Conflict between the monarchs and the spiritual leaders was a time-old problem. The spiritual could be arrested for condemning the political leaders, and systems. Politicians saw the religious leaders as a threat to their ...read more

Scripture: Luke 20:20-26

Denomination: Methodist

Freedom In Jeopardy Series

Contributed by Dr. Lewis W. Gregory on Oct 26, 2020

The United States of America began on a firm foundation.

The United States of America began on a firm foundation. “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” So said the leaders who signed the Declaration of ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 14:34, Romans 13:1, Proverbs 22:28, 2 Chronicles 7:14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Godly Submission Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Apr 23, 2021

1) The Command (1 Peter 2:13a), 2) Motive (1 Peter 2:13b), 3) Extent (1 Peter 2:13c-14), 4) Reason (1 Peter 2:15), 5) Attitude (1 Peter 2:16), and 6) The Application of Submission (1 Peter 2:17).

1 Peter 2:13-17 [13] Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, [14] or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good [15] For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:13-17

Denomination: Other

The Great Dilemma

Contributed by Hans Krause on Nov 1, 2018

Does our faith permit us to disobey the government or to evade taxes? Are Romans 13 and Acts 5 incompatible? How can we sincerely and creatively live as citizens of two kingdoms? What is the underlying principle that governs our choices?

[Sermon preached on 4 November 2018, 24th Sunday after Pentecost / 3rd year, ELCF Lectionary] Some years ago, we needed to get a little home renovation done. I asked someone for a quotation. When he had given me the price, he added: “That’s without a receipt. If you want a receipt, I will have to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1-7, Matthew 17:24-27, Acts 5:29

Denomination: Lutheran

Appointing Elders Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 15, 2013

What is entailed in appointing elders? What rights and authority is conferred in the appointment process?

“When they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.” [1] The New Testament model for a church of the Lord Jesus differs significantly from what has been commonly accepted among the churches of our ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:23

Denomination: Baptist

The Key To Exercising Biblical Authority Series

Contributed by Ralph Juthman on Oct 16, 2011

God wants each of us to exercise biblical authority; but before we can exercise authority we must be UNDER authority.

THE KEY TO EXERCISING BIBLICAL AUTHORITY 1 Peter 2:11-25 INTRODUCTION: Submit. It is a word that is distained by so many people. No one wants to submit to anybody. Many people treat submission much like the little boy who was told repeatedly by his mother to sit down on the seat in church. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:11-25

Denomination: Pentecostal

Submission Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Mar 16, 2022

Submission Series: Spiritual Practices Brad Bailey – Dec. 12, 2021

Submission Series: Spiritual Practices Brad Bailey – Dec. 12, 2021 Intro Now less than two weeks from Christmas... I want to welcome us into the wonder of how God came to us. It begins with the will of heaven... the good will being declared to earth... a world of defiant independence... like a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:35-38, Ephesians 5:21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Integrating Spirituality In Our Citizenship Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Jul 30, 2009

The issue of Christian involvement in politics has been one of the most debated and divisive issues not only of our times… but throughout much of history.

Continuing in series focused on Integrating Spirituality into Everyday Life. We’ve considered spiritual dimensions and dynamics involved with our living spaces… workplace… recreational life… and today… our CITIZENSHIP. Perhaps a less conscious role for many of us… not something that we think ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Righteousness Exalts A Nation Series

Contributed by Dr. Lewis W. Gregory on Oct 26, 2020

What criterion should be used in selecting government leaders? What does God say? “Righteousness exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).

What criterion should be used in selecting government leaders? What does God say? “Righteousness exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). Do right by God and He will do right by you. Honor the Lord God Almighty. Stay true to His standard of Righteousness—the Word of ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 14:34, Romans 13:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational