How Recognizing and Acknowledging Authority Releases God's Kingdom
Plus A focus on Spiritual Awakening
Romans 13
Keener Outline
13.1-7 Respecting the State
All authority is God's authority. Learning to respect and honor authority is another way to honor God because of this.
Special judgment rests on authorities. Ultimately they are accountable to God, not to men.
What was the case Paul was dealing with in Rome?
Jeremiah 29 summons Jews in captivity in Babylon (modern Iraq) to be loyal to their new government.
ESV 1 Peter 2:17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
What the deal was here had to do with the acceptance of the church in a hostile world. Paul was telling the Christians, although you could not offer worship to the government or sacrifice with them as the pagans do, you must pay taxes.
FEELING GUILTY
Nicky Gumbel tells us of a man who sent a check to the government for back taxes with a note attached that said:
“I felt so guilty for cheating on my taxes I had to send you this check. If I don’t feel any better, I’ll send you the rest.”
Ceasar was taxing the Romans to death.
A little boy wanted $100 very badly. He prayed for weeks, but nothing happened. So, he decided to write a letter to God requesting $100.
When the postal authorities received the letter to "God, USA", they decided to send it to the President. The President was so amused that he instructed his secretary to send the little boy a $5 bill. The President thought this would appear to be a lot of money to a little boy.
The little boy was delighted with the $5 bill, and sat down to write a thank-you note to God. The postal authorities forwarded this letter on to the President, too.
It read:
"Dear God, Thank you very much for sending the money. However, I noticed that for some reason you sent it through Washington, D.C., and those guys deducted $95 in taxes!"
How they paid taxes. Guilds, parades, union halls with parties, homage and eventually deification of Ceasar along with sacrifices of worship
left in front of the homes. Christians were to pay taxes, but were not to participate in worship of anyone other than Jesus.
Today we are called to honor our leaders and to pay taxes, but we must also exercise our right to vote and to help shape public policy.
Peter says similarly
ESV 1 Peter 2:17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
vs 4: sword bearer does not mean authorized to execute the death penalty. It is a title for police in their day. It means an enforcer
of the rules of society. It does not eliminate the death penalty either, which was very much in play in their day.
Two reasons are given to obey authorities
conscience sake
avoiding the wrath of God
Government workers who bear arms to defend a city, state or nation are in essence God's servants.
Marine Lance Corporal going to Afghanistan
13.8-14 Live God's Way
The law here probably refers to Jesus 'new commandment' to follow the law of love that is placed instead of Moses law.
So the love here is explicitly agape love. Once again it does not mean unconditional love. Agape means demonstration of love.
So fulfilling the law here means to be filled up with love so much that we can do no wrong to anyone.
Moo Outline
Citizens of the World and Citizens of Heaven
13:1-7 Submitting to governing authorities
2 Reasons why we should submit to governing authorities
a) God himself ordains them.
b) They have the right to punish evil doers or those who do not submit.
13:8-10 Fulfilling the law through love
13:11-14
Objectives
Explain what submitting to governing authorities means
Explain why Christians need to submit to governing authorities
Explain how love for the neighbor fulfills the OT law
Appreciate the time in which Christians live and how that time should affect the way we live
