Whom Shall We Obey, God Or Man?

1 Today is a different sort of Sunday her at Praise and across our entire nation, and because some may not be aware of what Pulpit Freedom Sunday is I want to take a few minutes to explain before getting into the heart of the message.

Let me state that everything I will say and do this morning is in the same vein as Peter and the other apostles found in both Acts 5:29 and Acts 4:19-20. And in the spirit of those pastors who both preceeded the American Revolution and those who led during the American Revolution.

Acts 5:29 reads - Peter and the Act’s 4:19-20 reads - But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard."

other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than human beings!

Fix that thought in your mind. Memorize that vs. That must be the stand of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.

None of what I will say violates in any way Paul’s writings in Romans chapter 13concerning govt.

But rather affirms that and the words of - Prov. 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.

With that in mind I want us to read together what Romans 13 tells us about govt.

13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.

I need to insert here that the governing authorities here speaks of the form of Govt that is set up to rule. ( The powers by which one acts.) It is not speaking about the individual person presently occupying a particular position.

The authorities that exist have been established by God.( Prophet/ priest/ King ) 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

Last I checked the authorities that ruled this nation was a form of govt. called a Republic, not a Democracy. A nation ruled by laws, and the chief of that being the Constitution of this nation.

3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.

• Here the word switches from Authorities to rulers.

• Rulers are the individuals who enforce the authorities of a nation.

• And their role is clearly defined: They are to be Gods servant for our good. Underline that

• Not all rulers are good and that is what Peter and John were facing in Acts 4 or 5

• Prov. 29:2 When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.

Government is a neutral term – But the implications of what God meant are clear in this passage of scripture.

Government –

1. the group of people who control and make decisions for a country, state, etc. Senate, Executive, Supreme Court. State and County. Its who occupies these offices.

2. a particular system used for controlling a country, state, etc. Christian, atheistic, communistic.

3. the process or manner of controlling a country, state, etc. In our nation it’s a Republic, a nation of laws, under the Constitution.

AMERICA MADE A CHOICE IN GOVT at her inception.

Our Federal Government – was drawn from the Bible, Isa. 33:22 For a. the Lord is our judge, - Judicial

b. the Lord is our lawgiver, - Legislative

c. the Lord is our king; - Executive

it is he who will save us. Dependence on Gods Word.

Were going to look at 3 important pieces of why the pulpit must be free to preach all of Gods Word, at all times, to every part of mankind, from family to human govt. And to call out sin regardless of who.

1. Historical - What does history teach us about human govt that is important to our Christian beliefs

2. Constitutional – What did our founders leave us as a road map to continue on a right Godly path.

3. Biblical - Most importantly, and the key reason for my being part of this event. Where is the line between obedience to God vs. obedience to human got.

How does the government that our founders gave us compare to what we have today.