Can you think of an authority figure in your life whom you knew that you had to respect but you really didn’t care for that person? Perhaps it was a coach, a teacher, a boss, or maybe a government official.

Did you know that person was in a position of authority because God designed authority to be part of our world and in God’s sovereign plan, that person was placed in that position?

Well, today, we’re going to talk some about authority, specifically governmental authority.

Most of you know that I’m not a big fan of discussing politics in worship services. I’m here to talk about Jesus and the Word of God.

However, today Paul takes us down the road of talking about governmental authorities and how a follower of Jesus is supposed to relate to governmental authorities.

Today’s sermon is entitled “God and the Government.”

This is a very important issue, so let’s go to the Lord in prayer and ask Him to speak to us.

(prayer)

Remember, in chapter 12 of Romans, Paul is giving us some practical advice about how to live out our lives as followers of Jesus.

You may remember that Paul said such statements as “Bless those who persecute you,” and “live at peace with everyone.”

Now, Paul wants to talk to us about how to relate to the government.

Of course, the topic of governmental rulers is a hot topic in our culture. Just with the last two presidents, we’ve had people who said “that’s not my president,” about one and others who’ve said “that’s not my president” about the other.

Since I’ve been a voter we’ve had some who acted as if certain presidents were the antichrist and others who’ve acted like certain presidents were the Messiah.

In my lifetime, we’ve had multiple presidential impeachments, multiple FBI probes, voter fraud accusations, pregnant chads, birth certificate concerns, a storming of the capital, and more; and I’m only forty years old and that doesn’t even include governmental authorities on the state or local levels.

This is a topic that concerns us and as we will discover, this is a topic that concerns God.

Needless to say, this is a topic that concerns us and as we will discover, this is a topic that concerns God.

So, let’s read the passage and see what we can learn from God’s Word.

Look at Romans 13:1-7:

1 Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God. 2 So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Do what is good, and you will have its approval. 4 For it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For it is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong. 5 Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath but also because of your conscience. 6 And for this reason you pay taxes, since the authorities are God’s servants, continually attending to these tasks. 7 Pay your obligations to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, and honor to those you owe honor.

Now then, let’s discover two realities concerning governing authorities as discussed by Paul.

First, . . .

I. Governing authorities are from God.

Paul is very clear about this reality and it’s not hard for us to discover this.

Look again at what Paul says:

Verse 1 – “ . . . there is no authority except from God . . . ”

Verse 1 – “ . . . the authorities that exist are instituted by God.”

Verse 2 – “ . . . the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command . . . ”

Verse 4 – (speaking of authorities) “For it is God’s servant . . . ”

Verse 4 (again, speaking of authorities) – “For it is God’s servant . . . ”

Verse 6 – “ . . . the authorities are God’s servants . . . ”

In these seven verses, Paul says very plainly, no less than six times, that the governing authorities are from God.

Paul even says that these authorities are servants of God.

How could Paul say that these rulers are God’s servants?

We’re the rulers of Paul’s time Christians? No! Not at all! They were often terribly evil towards the people of God.

So, Paul does not mean that these rulers are followers of God. Rather, Paul means that are put in place by God. That’s why Paul says in verse 1, “ . . . the authorities that exist are instituted by God.”

So, when we acknowledge that God is sovereign, all-knowing, and all-powerful; when we acknowledge that every office of authority is under His control; then we understand that not only are positions of authority instituted by God, but also, those in those positions are instituted by God.

Don’t forget what God said concerning Pharoah of Egypt. God said in Exodus 14:4, “I will harden Pharaoh’s heart so that he will pursue them. Then I will receive glory by means of Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.”

God was at work through a ruler like Pharaoh and He is at work through rulers today as well. They are there by God’s authority and they will be used by God for His purposes and for His glory.

So, first, we acknowledge that governing authorities are from God.

Second, . . .

II. Governing authorities are for good.

So, generally speaking, if something is from God, it is ultimately for our good.

This is simply basic reasoning. If God is our Creator and He knows what is best for us, then something that is instituted by Him and given for His creation, is good for His creation.

However, we not only come to the conclusion that governing authorities are good for us by using reason, we can also come to that conclusion by what Paul says.

Paul is very clear in verse 4. He says, “For it is God’s servant for your good.”

The authority figure that God has put in place to rule over us is being used as God’s servant and that governing authority is for our good.

Paul also speaks about what happens when we decide to perhaps go against those in authority. Paul says . . .

Verse 2 – “ . . . the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command . . . ”

Verse 2 – “ . . . those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves.”

Verse 4 – “ . . . if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason.”

Verse 4 – “For it is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong.”

You see, because God has designed authority to be a part of our world and because God has instituted those in authority, when we fight against those in authority or when we disobey those in authority, we are not only fighting against God, but bad things can happen.

You may remember the words of Sonny Curtis: “I fought the law, and the law won.”

When we fight against what God has designed for our good, bad things can come our way.

Now, again, it’s important to remember that Paul is speaking in general terms.

He’s not saying that there’s never an evil ruler.

He’s not saying that we’re to do anything that violates God’s law.

He’s not saying you even have to agree with rulers.

Paul is saying that in general, God has designed authority and He has instituted those in authority for our good.

Let this bottom line summarize what Paul is teaching us today:

Bottom Line: We submit to governing authorities because we submit to God.

If we trust God and His ways, if we believe that God intends good for us, if we believe God’s Word shows us how He wants us to live, then we will submit to governing authorities; we will show honor to those in positions of honor.

This act of obedience is the right thing for a Christian to do. In fact, Paul says in verse 5, “Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath but also because of your conscience.”

He goes on in verses 6 and 7 to say that we should pay our taxes, tolls, and obligations; and that we should respect those who deserve respect and honor those who deserve honor.

Notice, the reason that we do those things is not because these are the rulers that we like, or these are the rulers from our political party, or these are the rulers who benefit us.

Paul bases this entire command upon the fact that God has established these authorities. Again, verse 1 says, “ . . . there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God.”

Now, one might ask, “Pastor Matt, what if a ruler commands us to violate God’s law?”

Well, I’m glad you asked. The Bible addresses this in multiple places, most notably with the apostles in Acts 5:29. When they were commanded not to teach about Jesus any longer, this is how they replied, “Peter and the apostles replied, ‘We must obey God rather than people.’”

So, if the authorities command you to stop talking about Jesus, you do not have to obey that. If the authorities command you to kill those who are innocent, whether in the womb or not, you don’t have to do that. If the authorities command you to teach a child that God’s biological design for them is not good, you don’t have to do that.

However, unless the law of governing authorities violates God’s law, we are called to honor them and obey their command.

Now, some of you I know are thinking, “Pastor Matt is off his rocker. I’m not going to honor anyone that I didn’t vote for.”

Well, there are a thousand different reasons that I may be off my rocker, but preaching the Word of God is not one of them.

So, if you’ve got a problem with this command, take it up with God.

On that note, let’s look at our weekly challenges:

Weekly Challenge #1 – Examine God’s view of governing authorities.

Dig more into today’s passage.

Study how Paul reacted to the high priest.

Study how Paul honored the governor and the King.

Study how Daniel, Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael submitted to King Nebuchadnezzar.

Read 1 Peter 2:13-14.

Read Matthew 22:15-22.

Dig more into the Word of God concerning this matter.

Weekly Challenge #2 – Examine your view of governing authorities.

What is your view of the governing authorities?

How does that line up with God’s view?

If your view and God’s view are out of alignment, what will you do about it?

God not only has a design for how we interact with governing authorities, He also has a design for every part of your life.

(Gospel presentation)

(closing prayer)

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