Paul Talks Politics
Rom. 13:1-7…………Notes on file/10/06*
Cf…politicians said, “We need an energy bill that will encourage consumption.”
It seems that is way they all think…
Apostle Paul gives us advice about government in this chapter.
I’d like to say that I think our government needs some advice today…doubt they ever listen to Paul…
Paul wrote this letter to Christians at Rome when Nero was in power…
Cf…Nero later blamed Christians for burning Rome and he burned many them at stake…
How could Paul write as he did knowing monsters would rule?
Simply because Paul knew God was Sovereign over all government.
Now when Adam fell, government became necessary and God begin to instruct man.
God established 3 institutions to gov. mankind.
1. Family…Gen.2:18-20 2. Church…Matt.16:18 3. Government…Rom. 13:1-7
I. OUR LORD IS SOVEREGIN OVER ALL GOVERNMENTS…V. 1-3
Lord instituted government…not men like Hitler, Saddamn Hussein. A. GOVERENMENT WAS ORDAINED BY GOD…who allowed men to govern themselves.
Cf…(expound these verses)…Is. 45:1-4…Jer. 25:9...Dan. 4:32
God is in control and He sees to the rise and fall of governments.
Our nation (suppose to be a republic) has a constitution written, greatest of all documents other than Bible.
But it was written assuming it citizens would always be a moral, God fearing people.
Founding Father held that view.
B. GOD ACCOMPLISHES HIS WILL THRU GOVERNMENT…as long as they are obedient. (Explain)
If they fail He can remove them…has done so thru the centuries.
Two reasons for gov. 1. To do good 2. Restrain evil
Cf…we look at gov. today and view so much of it as evil…
II. OUR LORD EXPECTS GOVERNMENT TO BE AS A SERVANT…V. 4
If they realize they answer to higher power…as well as…
A. TO THE PEOPLE…who pay them well…in fact most get elaborate salaries…
Cf…read that Mark Foley (recall) at 62 will get 32,000 year from public dole.
In verses we read earlier we see God expects public officials to act in responsible manner to those they serve.
Most act as if we owe them everything.
B. IN ORDER THAT ALL BE BLESSED…from above…
Cf…Solomon expressed himself best in 1 Kgs. 3:9-10…very appropriate prayer…
Cf…Joseph served the people well while he was prime minister over Egypt, during the famine…Gen. 47:14-26
That was government taking care of it’s citizens…
Lord expects government to serve.
III. OUR LORD EXPECTS CHRISTIANS TO BE SUBMISSIVE TO GOVERNMENT…V. 5-7
Now that may seem very hard to do today.
Cf…I recall telling others when went to middle east that when I got back to America; kiss ground, never fuss of taxes.
A. EVEN THOUGH WE DISAGREE...with much of what is said and done…
There is one exception to being submissive to gov…when gov. goes against law of God.
Cf…Daniel was told not to pray; he did; got into trouble, but Lord was with Daniel even in Lions den.
Peter, others told to stop preaching…Acts 4:18-20
Christians are to be submissive as long as gov. is acting appropriately.
CONCLUSION: (go over three points above.)
Yes, it appears that Paul was taking politics or rather how Christians should relate to government.
Our world is changing fast and those who are making change do not always take into consideration will of God.
We must be vigilante as to the events taking place within our nation.
I think God expects us to.
2 Chronicles 7:14