No matter whom you voted for last November you have to recognize what a historic event this month will bring for our county as Barak Obama is sworn in as our nation’s first African American president. There were many who thought this day would never come. Now I have to be honest…I did not vote for Senator Obama. It had nothing to do with his race. I disagreed with many of his policies and stands. But, my guy lost. As a Cleveland Browns fan, I am use to seeing my team lose, so I’m okay with it. But how am I supposed to respond to a new President that I didn’t vote for? How am I to respond to a new President who I disagree with on many issues? This month at Grace Church we are going to answer that very question in our new series, “Hail To The Chief!”
We are going to begin this Sunday with a look at Romans 13:1…“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.”
This verse is written to every single Christian. “Subjection” is a military term referring to soldiers who line up for battle under the authority of their ranking superior. This isn’t just obedience. This also is the idea of honoring and respecting. And it is important to note that this is a command, not an option. We are to willingly place ourselves under our governing authorities. Paul gives a similar command in Titus 3:1-2. The same command is also given by Peter in 1 Peter 2:13-15. There appears to be no general exception to the admonition of Paul and Peter.
This command applies whether the leader is competent or incompetence!
This command applies whether the leader is moral or immoral!
This command applies whether the leader is cruel or kind!
This command applies whether the leader is godly or ungodly!
This command applies whether the leader is a Democrat or a Republican!
This command applies whether I voted for the leader or against the leader!
The only exception given in Scripture is when a leader’s command or law would require us to disobey God’s Word. For example, take time to read about the Jewish Midwives in Exodus 1; The three Hebrews in Daniel 1 and Daniel 3; Daniel himself in Daniel 6; and Peter and John in Acts 4 and Acts 5
Human government is ordained by God. When Paul wrote this the Roman leader was a man named Nero who was one of the cruelest persecutors of Christians in the history of the world. Nero’s reign was ordained by God. So was the Bush administration. So is the Obama Administration. One person said it this way…
“No human government at any time in history, at any place on earth, among any people on earth, at any level of society, has ever existed or will exist apart from the sovereign authority of God.”
We are going to begin this Sunday with a look at Romans 13:1…“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.”
This verse is written to every single Christian. “Subjection” is a military term referring to soldiers who line up for battle under the authority of their ranking superior. This isn’t just obedience. This also is the idea of honoring and respecting. And it is important to note that this is a command, not an option. We are to willingly place ourselves under our governing authorities. Paul gives a similar command in Titus 3:1-2. The same command is also given by Peter in 1 Peter 2:13-15. There appears to be no general exception to the admonition of Paul and Peter.
This command applies whether the leader is competent or incompetence!
This command applies whether the leader is moral or immoral!
This command applies whether the leader is cruel or kind!
This command applies whether the leader is godly or ungodly!
This command applies whether the leader is a Democrat or a Republican!
This command applies whether I voted for the leader or against the leader!
The only exception given in Scripture is when a leader’s command or law would require us to disobey God’s Word. For example, take time to read about the Jewish Midwives in Exodus 1; The three Hebrews in Daniel 1 and Daniel 3; Daniel himself in Daniel 6; and Peter and John in Acts 4 and Acts 5
Human government is ordained by God. When Paul wrote this the Roman leader was a man named Nero who was one of the cruelest persecutors of Christians in the history of the world. Nero’s reign was ordained by God. So was the Bush administration. So is the Obama Administration. One person said it this way…
“No human government at any time in history, at any place on earth, among any people on earth, at any level of society, has ever existed or will exist apart from the sovereign authority of God.”
Thank you for the wonderful sermon today. In a time when political feelings can run hot, it's refreshing to hear a timeless Christian message that's straight from the Word.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Anonymous. As you can imagine, a message like the one I gave Sunday is difficult to hear, especially in a place like Lancaster County. I appreciate your encouragement.
ReplyDeleteSorry, didn't here your sermon, but I'm curious about your thoughts on whether America is or was blessed given that those who came here for religious freedom and our founding fathers rebelling and fighting against the governing authority of King of England.
ReplyDeleteNone of this seems to fit the exceptions you listed. Certainly God was recognized in Europe; groups fled trusting God and explorers sailed trusting his guidance. But we didn't want to render unto the King what was his to tax. For those who thought so much of God for this nation, I wonder how they justified breaking the command of God which they were likey aware of.
It's hard to imagine how the world might be had this broken command not taken place and we were a divided country of possible English, French and Spanish.
As you have said, there is always a penalty for sin; maybe it's now that we as a country are paying for the sins of our founding fathers?
Was this God's plan or not? Is it possible all the good the US has done in the world came from disobedience. This isn't exactly an example as some biblical stories of what man purposed for evil, God purposed for good, ....but maybe of what many of us now see as a great evil coming to lead, elected by lukewarm nation which God could just as easily spit out, God may show us again that something good can happen through BHO; that is, good that glorifies God, not man.
There's no longer anywhere to flee except maybe Antarctica, and it certainly will be a cold day ..... if that happens, and of course that would be a sin.
Anonymous, I am actually going to answer that question in my blog posting this Thursday so be sure to read it!
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