Sermons on Romans 13:1-4

Romans 13:1-4 Interpretation:

Reflecting God's Character in Our Daily Lives (Reach City Church Cleveland) offers a nuanced interpretation of Romans 13:1-4 by emphasizing the distinction between the institution of government as divinely established and the perversions that occur within that institution. The sermon uses the analogy of marriage—another institution created by God but often perverted by humanity—to illustrate that Christians should not reject the institution of government simply because it is sometimes corrupted. The preacher also draws a linguistic insight from the Greek word for "subject" (hypotass?), explaining it as submission in recognition of an ordained structure, not blind obedience. The sermon uniquely frames government as God’s “servant” or “avenger,” connecting this to the flow from Romans 12 (leaving vengeance to God) into Romans 13, suggesting that government is the practical means by which God enacts justice on earth. The preacher further clarifies that Paul is not calling for uncritical obedience to every law, but rather for obedience to “every good deed,” distinguishing between just and unjust commands. This is illustrated with biblical examples (Hebrew midwives, Daniel, Peter and John) who resisted government when it contradicted God’s law, reinforcing that Christian submission is conditional upon the government’s alignment with God’s justice.

Embracing Life's Gifts Amidst Injustice and Death (Sojourn Church) interprets Romans 13:1-4 as a call to submit to governing authorities as an extension of submitting to Christ’s authority, even when those authorities are corrupt or not of one’s choosing. The sermon highlights that God’s sovereignty is ultimate, and that all rulers are in place by God’s allowance, not merely by human action. The preacher notes that submission to authority is part of Christian discipleship, but also acknowledges, with reference to Acts 5:9, that there are times when obedience to God must supersede obedience to human authorities. The analogy of “wearing” one’s Christian identity above all other identities is used to reinforce that, regardless of the government’s character, the believer’s primary allegiance is to Christ.

Radical Love: Transforming Justice Through Forgiveness (Corinth Baptist Church) provides a unique interpretive angle by situating Romans 13:1-4 within the broader biblical context of justice and personal retaliation. The preacher explains that Romans 13:1-4 is not a call for personal vengeance or subjective justice, but rather a directive that justice is to be administered by the civil government, not individuals. The sermon uses the metaphor of the “scales of justice” and the image of Lady Justice’s blindfold to illustrate the biblical principle that justice should be impartial and measured, not driven by personal vendetta. The preacher also draws a hermeneutical connection between Romans 12 and 13, arguing that the chapter break is artificial and that the flow of thought is continuous: personal vengeance is forbidden (Romans 12), and the government is God’s appointed agent for justice (Romans 13).

God's Covenant with Noah: Life, Justice, and Grace (David Guzik) interprets Romans 13:1-4 as a New Testament affirmation of the Old Testament principle that government is divinely instituted to restrain evil and administer justice, including capital punishment. The sermon draws a direct line from Genesis 9 (the Noahic covenant and the institution of capital punishment) to Romans 13, emphasizing that the “power of the sword” given to government is a God-ordained means of upholding justice and restraining human depravity. The preacher notes the distinction in the original languages between “killing” and “murder,” clarifying that not all killing is forbidden, and that government’s role in executing justice is biblically sanctioned.

Just War Theory: Morality and Warfare in Christianity (Ligonier Ministries) interprets Romans 13:1-4 as foundational for the Christian doctrine of just war and the legitimacy of state-sanctioned force. The sermon highlights that the “power of the sword” given to the civil magistrate is not only a right but a responsibility to protect the innocent and restrain evil. The preacher distinguishes between personal ethics (turning the other cheek) and the public responsibility of government, arguing that Romans 13 provides the theological basis for the use of force in defense of justice, both in capital punishment and in warfare. The sermon also references the original context of Jesus’ teaching on turning the other cheek, explaining it as an idiom for enduring insult, not a prohibition of self-defense or state action.

Christian Freedom Through Submission to God's Authority (Desiring God) offers a distinctive interpretation of Romans 13:1-4 by emphasizing the phrase "for the Lord's sake" as the controlling principle for Christian submission to governing authorities. The sermon insists that Christian submission is not absolute or rooted in fear or personality, but is always subordinate to a higher allegiance to God. The preacher uses the analogy of a dam holding back the river of human depravity to describe the function of government, and he frames submission as a "godward" act, not a mere civic duty. The sermon also draws on the language of "bond-slaves of God," arguing that true Christian freedom is paradoxically found in being enslaved to God, which liberates believers from all human authorities. This is illustrated with references to Martin Luther's treatise "The Freedom of the Christian," which holds that the Christian is both "slave of all and free from all." The preacher also uses the metaphor of "image is everything" versus substance, critiquing a culture of rebellion and superficiality, and contrasting it with the biblical call to honor, love, and fear in proper order.

Christ, Law, and the Foundations of Justice (SermonIndex.net) provides a unique and robust interpretation of Romans 13:1-4 by framing the passage within the broader question of "who will rule us?" The sermon asserts that all law is ultimately about authority, and that Romans 13 teaches that civil rulers are "God's deacons" or servants, whose authority is always delegated and limited by God's law. The preacher insists that when civil law contradicts divine law, Christians are obligated to obey God rather than men, and he draws a sharp distinction between moral law (rooted in God's commands) and civil law (organizational, sometimes morally neutral). The sermon uses the analogy of the state as a "god" in secular societies, and critiques the modern tendency to treat the state as the ultimate authority, rather than God. The preacher also employs the metaphor of "pre-political" or "creational" laws—such as the right to life, marriage, and worship—which no government has the authority to override, and he critiques the reduction of Romans 13 to a blanket command for obedience, instead arguing for a nuanced, theologically grounded resistance to unjust laws.

Embracing Holiness: Living as God's Distinct People (SermonIndex.net) interprets Romans 13:1-4 by focusing on the government's divinely ordained role as a "terror to those who do evil." The preacher highlights that the biblical role of government is limited to protecting, administering justice, and defending, and warns against government overreach into areas reserved for the church or individual conscience. The sermon uses the analogy of a foundation in construction to illustrate the unchanging nature of biblical truth and the proper limits of government authority, and employs the metaphor of Christians as "set apart" or "distinct," like ping pong balls separated from the world, to emphasize the call to holiness and resistance to cultural drift.

Engaging Faith in Society: A Call to Action (SermonIndex.net) interprets Romans 13:1-4 as a divinely instituted framework in which God establishes all forms of authority—family, church, and government—each with distinct roles. The sermon uniquely emphasizes that the church is to be the "conscience of the nation," while the government is "the sword," drawing a sharp distinction between the church’s prophetic, moral voice and the government’s role in restraining evil. The preacher uses the metaphor of the government as the sword not to promote violence but to highlight its God-given responsibility to deter wrongdoing and protect the innocent. He also challenges the common comparison between the Roman government of Paul’s day and modern democratic systems, arguing that, unlike in Rome, American Christians have a participatory role in government and thus a responsibility to influence it toward godliness. The sermon further distinguishes between the roles of "pastor-in-chief" and "commander-in-chief," suggesting that Christians should not expect political leaders to fulfill pastoral functions but should evaluate them based on their alignment with biblical principles of justice, security, and the protection of life. The preacher also addresses the American Revolution, countering interpretations (like John MacArthur’s) that see it as a violation of Romans 13, by arguing that it was an act of local magistrates (lesser government officials) rather than a lawless mob, thus remaining within the biblical framework of submission to legitimate authority.

Romans 13:1-4 Theological Themes:

Reflecting God's Character in Our Daily Lives (Reach City Church Cleveland) introduces the theme that Christian submission to government is not absolute but is bounded by the higher law of God’s justice. The sermon develops the idea that Christians are called to obey “every good deed” rather than every law, and that civil disobedience is warranted when government commands contradict God’s commands. This is further nuanced by the assertion that Christians should continue to call government to its God-given purpose, even when it is perverted, rather than abandoning the institution altogether.

Embracing Life's Gifts Amidst Injustice and Death (Sojourn Church) adds the theological theme that submission to government is an act of trust in God’s sovereignty, even when the reasons for God’s allowance of corrupt rulers are inscrutable. The sermon also introduces the idea that Christian identity supersedes all other social or political identities, and that submission to authority is ultimately submission to Christ.

Radical Love: Transforming Justice Through Forgiveness (Corinth Baptist Church) presents the theme that justice is a communal, not individual, responsibility, and that the government’s role as God’s agent is to ensure impartial justice. The sermon also explores the danger of subjective justice and personal vengeance, contrasting it with the biblical model of measured, impartial justice administered by the state.

God's Covenant with Noah: Life, Justice, and Grace (David Guzik) brings in the theme that the sanctity of human life is the foundation for the government’s authority to administer justice, including capital punishment. The sermon also emphasizes that the failure to punish murder defiles the land, and that government’s role in justice is a continuation of God’s covenantal order established with Noah.

Just War Theory: Morality and Warfare in Christianity (Ligonier Ministries) introduces the theme that all war is evil, but not all participation in war is necessarily evil, provided it meets the criteria of just war as derived from Romans 13. The sermon also distinguishes between the ethics of personal conduct (non-retaliation) and the ethics of public justice (use of force by the state), arguing that the latter is biblically mandated for the protection of the innocent.

Christian Freedom Through Submission to God's Authority (Desiring God) introduces the theme of "godward submission," arguing that all Christian obedience to civil authorities is ultimately an act of worship and allegiance to God, not to the state itself. The sermon develops the paradoxical theme that true freedom is found in slavery to God, and that this spiritual freedom relativizes all earthly authority. It also explores the moral foundations of law, insisting that government must rest on objective right and wrong, not mere opinion, and that the collapse of this foundation leads to societal chaos (e.g., Rwanda).

Christ, Law, and the Foundations of Justice (SermonIndex.net) presents the theme that all civil authority is derivative and contingent upon God's ultimate authority, and that rulers are "God's deacons" only insofar as they uphold God's standards of justice. The sermon adds the facet that when civil authorities reward evil and punish good, they forfeit their legitimacy as God's servants, and Christians are not bound to obey such laws. The preacher also introduces the idea of "pre-political" or "creational" rights—such as worship, family, and property—which are inviolable and not subject to state control, and he critiques the idolatry of the state in secular societies.

Embracing Holiness: Living as God's Distinct People (SermonIndex.net) adds the theme that government is divinely instituted but strictly limited in its scope, and that Christians must resist both moral drift and government encroachment into areas of conscience and worship. The sermon uniquely connects personal holiness and resistance to cultural conformity with the proper understanding of government’s biblical mandate.

Engaging Faith in Society: A Call to Action (SermonIndex.net) introduces the theme that the church’s prophetic role is to serve as the conscience of the nation, not its ruler or servant, echoing Martin Luther King Jr.’s assertion that the church must maintain its moral voice or risk becoming irrelevant. The sermon also presents the idea that freedom is not primarily for personal benefit but is a God-given opportunity to advance the gospel, making the stewardship of national liberty a spiritual responsibility. Another distinct theme is the assertion that while laws cannot change hearts ("you can't legislate morality"), they can deter evil, and thus the government’s punitive function is biblically justified and necessary for societal order. The preacher also explores the tension between prayer and action, insisting that true Christian engagement requires both fervent intercession and practical involvement in societal affairs, particularly in upholding justice and righteousness. Additionally, the sermon warns against conflating American patriotism with Christian identity, cautioning that pride in nation must not supersede allegiance to Christ and the global body of believers.

Romans 13:1-4 Historical and Contextual Insights:

Reflecting God's Character in Our Daily Lives (Reach City Church Cleveland) provides historical context by noting that Paul wrote Romans 13 during a time of severe Roman tyranny, likely under the reign of Nero, when Christians were being persecuted, burned, and executed. The preacher emphasizes that Paul’s call to submission was not made in a context of peace or just governance, but in the midst of governmental wickedness, making the command all the more striking. The sermon also draws a parallel to the institution of marriage, noting that both government and marriage are divine institutions that have been perverted by human sin, yet remain fundamentally good in God’s design.

Radical Love: Transforming Justice Through Forgiveness (Corinth Baptist Church) offers historical insight into the Old Testament context of “an eye for an eye,” explaining that it was originally a guideline for judges in Israel to ensure proportional justice, not a license for personal vengeance. The preacher also explains the cultural significance of the Roman practice of conscripting Jews to carry burdens, and the legal distinctions in Jewish law regarding insults (slaps) and their corresponding penalties.

God's Covenant with Noah: Life, Justice, and Grace (David Guzik) provides historical context by tracing the biblical foundation of government’s authority to Genesis 9, where God institutes capital punishment as a means of upholding the sanctity of life. The sermon also references the ancient distinction between killing and murder in the original languages, and notes the historical development of the death penalty in Western societies.

Just War Theory: Morality and Warfare in Christianity (Ligonier Ministries) situates the discussion of Romans 13 within the broader historical development of just war theory, referencing Augustine and Aquinas, and contrasting the Christian rejection of “holy war” with the Islamic concept of jihad. The sermon also references the historical context of the Crusades and the development of the castle law in Western legal tradition.

Christ, Law, and the Foundations of Justice (SermonIndex.net) provides detailed historical context by tracing the development of Western legal systems from biblical and Roman law, explaining how Christianized nations historically rooted their laws in biblical principles. The preacher discusses the shift away from these foundations in modern times, leading to increased tyranny and the erosion of freedoms. He also references the historical example of Nazi Germany, explaining how changes in law and propaganda paved the way for the Holocaust, and draws parallels to contemporary issues of state overreach and the loss of rights. The sermon further explains the historical role of the church in recording marriages and the shift to state control, and discusses the Roman tax rate at the time of Christ to contextualize Jesus' teaching on rendering to Caesar.

Christian Freedom Through Submission to God's Authority (Desiring God) offers historical context by referencing the persecution of Christians under Nero, noting that Peter and Paul were executed by the Roman state, which did not always fulfill its God-ordained role of rewarding good and punishing evil. The preacher also references Augustine's and Luther's two-kingdoms theology to situate the Christian's dual citizenship in the "city of God" and the "city of man."

Engaging Faith in Society: A Call to Action (SermonIndex.net) provides extensive historical context, noting that the American system of government was influenced by biblical principles, such as the separation of powers (executive, legislative, judicial) derived from Isaiah’s depiction of God as judge, lawgiver, and king. The sermon references the original intent of the Founding Fathers, citing their frequent use of the Bible in foundational documents and their vision of America as a "city upon a hill" with a mission to honor God. The preacher also discusses the 3/5 clause in the Constitution, explaining its purpose as a means to reduce the political power of slaveholding states rather than to dehumanize enslaved people. He contrasts the context of Paul’s letter to the Romans—written under an autocratic regime where Christians had no political voice—with the participatory democracy of the United States, arguing that American Christians have a unique responsibility to influence government in ways that were not possible in the first-century Roman Empire. The sermon also references the role of lesser magistrates in the American Revolution, suggesting that the rebellion was not a violation of Romans 13 because it was initiated by legitimate local authorities rather than by lawless individuals.

Romans 13:1-4 Cross-References in the Bible:

Reflecting God's Character in Our Daily Lives (Reach City Church Cleveland) cross-references Romans 12, highlighting the flow from the command to leave vengeance to God (Romans 12:19) to the establishment of government as God’s avenger (Romans 13:1-4). The sermon also references biblical examples of civil disobedience: the Hebrew midwives (Exodus 1), Daniel (Daniel 3, 6), and Peter and John (Acts 4-5), to illustrate the limits of submission to government. Additional references include Matthew 5:9 (peacemakers), 1 Peter 2:21-23 (Christ’s example of non-retaliation), Galatians 6:1 (gentleness in correction), and 2 Timothy 2:24-26 (gentleness with opponents).

Radical Love: Transforming Justice Through Forgiveness (Corinth Baptist Church) references Exodus 21, Leviticus 24, and Deuteronomy 19 to explain the Old Testament context of “an eye for an eye.” The sermon also cites Romans 12:17-21 and Romans 13:1-4 as a continuous thought, emphasizing the transition from personal non-retaliation to the government’s role in justice. Matthew 5:38-42 is the primary text, with additional references to Matthew 22 (love God, love people), Matthew 18 (parable of the unforgiving servant), and Matthew 5:10-12 (persecution for righteousness).

Embracing Life's Gifts Amidst Injustice and Death (Sojourn Church) references Ecclesiastes 8:2-5 as the Old Testament foundation for submission to the king, and then explicitly connects this to Romans 13:1-4 as the New Testament parallel. The sermon also references Acts 5:9 (obeying God rather than men), Daniel 3 (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego), and Proverbs 24:21 (fear the Lord and the king).

God's Covenant with Noah: Life, Justice, and Grace (David Guzik) cross-references Genesis 9 (Noahic covenant), Leviticus 17 (life is in the blood), Numbers 35:31-34 (unpunished murder defiles the land), and Romans 13:1-4 (government’s authority to wield the sword). The sermon also references Hebrews 11:7 and 2 Peter 2:5 (Noah’s faith and righteousness), and Isaiah 54:9-10 (God’s covenant of peace).

Just War Theory: Morality and Warfare in Christianity (Ligonier Ministries) references Matthew 5 (Sermon on the Mount, turning the other cheek), Luke 22 (Jesus instructing disciples to carry swords), and Romans 13:1-4 (government’s authority to wield the sword). The sermon also references Old Testament examples of self-defense and the conquest of Canaan as the only biblically sanctioned “holy war.”

Christian Freedom Through Submission to God's Authority (Desiring God) explicitly cross-references Romans 13:4, quoting Paul’s teaching that civil authority is "a minister of God to you for good" and "an avenger who brings wrath upon those who practice evil." The sermon uses this to reinforce the idea that government’s purpose is to restrain evil and reward good, and that this is God’s design for civil order. The preacher also references Jesus’ teaching on fearing God rather than men (Matthew 10:28), and alludes to the biblical narrative of Adam and Eve’s rebellion as the root of humanity’s anti-authoritarian impulse.

Christ, Law, and the Foundations of Justice (SermonIndex.net) references multiple biblical passages to support and expand on Romans 13:1-4, including: Matthew 27:11 (Jesus before Pilate, affirming his kingship), Revelation 17:14 (Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords), Genesis 1:26-28 (creational mandates for stewardship, life, marriage), Proverbs 22:28 (property boundaries), Genesis 9:6 (capital punishment), and Hebrews 10:25 (not forsaking the assembly). The sermon also references Judges 21:25 to illustrate the chaos of lawlessness, and Romans 3:23 to ground the need for grace in the reality of sin. These cross-references are used to argue that all authority and law are ultimately subject to God’s revealed will, and that civil disobedience is warranted when human law contradicts divine law.

Embracing Holiness: Living as God's Distinct People (SermonIndex.net) references Romans 13 to support the claim that government is to be a "terror to those who do evil," and also draws on Matthew 7 (false conversions), Philippians 2 (Christ’s humility), and 1 Corinthians 3 (the foundation of Christ) to build a holistic biblical vision of holiness, authority, and the church’s distinctiveness.

Engaging Faith in Society: A Call to Action (SermonIndex.net) references several biblical passages to support and expand on Romans 13:1-4. Psalm 78 is cited to emphasize the importance of passing down God’s commandments to future generations, while Judges is mentioned as a warning about the consequences of a generation forgetting God. Isaiah is referenced in the context of the separation of powers, with God described as judge, lawgiver, and king. Psalm 33:12 ("Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord") is used to underscore the importance of national allegiance to God. The sermon also alludes to the stories of Moses, Jesus, and Esther, highlighting how the actions of governing authorities have historically impacted the fate of God’s people. Matthew 11:28-30 is quoted at the conclusion to invite listeners to find rest in Christ, reinforcing the ultimate authority and sufficiency of Jesus above all earthly powers.

Romans 13:1-4 Christian References outside the Bible:

God's Covenant with Noah: Life, Justice, and Grace (David Guzik) explicitly references Martin Luther, quoting him as saying, “God establishes government and gives it the sword to hold sinfulness in check less violence and other sins proceed without limit.” This citation is used to support the biblical rationale for government’s authority to wield the sword and restrain evil.

Just War Theory: Morality and Warfare in Christianity (Ligonier Ministries) explicitly references Augustine and Thomas Aquinas as the foundational theologians of just war theory, explaining their premise that “all wars are evil” but that some wars may be just if they meet certain criteria. The sermon also references the historical development of just war theory in contrast to pacifism and the Islamic concept of jihad.

Christian Freedom Through Submission to God's Authority (Desiring God) explicitly references Martin Luther’s treatise "The Freedom of the Christian," summarizing its two theses: "The Christian is the slave of all and the Christian is free from all." The preacher uses Luther’s work to illustrate the paradoxical nature of Christian freedom and submission, and to reinforce the idea that true liberty is found in bondage to God, not in rebellion against authority. The sermon also references Augustine’s "city of God" and Luther’s "two kingdoms" theology to frame the Christian’s dual citizenship and responsibilities in the world.

Engaging Faith in Society: A Call to Action (SermonIndex.net) explicitly references several Christian figures and their perspectives on the relationship between faith and government. John MacArthur is mentioned for his view that the American Revolution was a violation of Romans 13, which the preacher respectfully disagrees with, offering a counter-argument based on the role of lesser magistrates. William Penn is quoted as saying that all human power originates from God and that government’s purpose is to "terrify evil doers" and "cherish those who do well," viewing government as an extension of religion. Martin Luther King Jr. is cited for his assertion that the church must be the conscience of the state, not its master or servant, and that losing prophetic zeal leads to irrelevance. The sermon also references Leonard Ravenhill’s admonition that "you must weep before you whip," emphasizing the need for brokenness before prophetic action. Augustine’s Just War Theory is briefly mentioned as a framework for evaluating the morality of warfare, and the preacher alludes to the reforming efforts of Martin Luther, John Calvin, and the Puritans in shaping Christian engagement with civil government.

Romans 13:1-4 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

Radical Love: Transforming Justice Through Forgiveness (Corinth Baptist Church) uses the example of the “scales of justice” and the image of Lady Justice’s blindfold as a metaphor for impartial justice, explaining that biblical justice is meant to be blind to status, wealth, or power. The sermon also references the film “Batman Begins,” describing the scene where Bruce Wayne contemplates personal vengeance for his parents’ murder, only to have the criminal killed by someone else, illustrating the futility and danger of subjective, personal justice. The preacher uses this to reinforce the biblical principle that vengeance belongs to God and is to be administered through proper channels, not personal retaliation.

Just War Theory: Morality and Warfare in Christianity (Ligonier Ministries) provides several secular illustrations: the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the U.S. response in Afghanistan, the Vietnam War and the public debate over its justness, and the liberation of France and the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. The preacher also references the “Diary of Anne Frank” and the Holocaust as examples of the necessity of just war to stop evil. Additionally, the sermon recounts a personal anecdote involving the preacher’s daughter learning self-defense against a bully, and a humorous story about illustrating “turning the other cheek” with NFL player L.C. Greenwood, to demonstrate the difference between personal insult and physical threat. The preacher also discusses the “castle law” in American legal tradition as a modern application of the right to self-defense.

Christian Freedom Through Submission to God's Authority (Desiring God) uses several detailed secular illustrations to illuminate Romans 13:1-4. The preacher describes driving through Chicago and seeing a billboard with the slogans "image is everything" and "rebel," using this as a cultural critique of American society’s emphasis on superficiality and rebellion against authority. He also references the Rwandan genocide as a vivid example of what happens when the moral foundations of law collapse and government fails to restrain evil, contrasting this with the biblical vision of government as a dam against human depravity.

Christ, Law, and the Foundations of Justice (SermonIndex.net) provides an extensive secular illustration by recounting the rise of Nazi Germany, explaining how changes in law, propaganda, and the gradual erosion of rights led to the Holocaust. The preacher draws explicit parallels to contemporary issues such as property confiscation, bank account freezes, and restrictions on worship and assembly, arguing that these are symptoms of a society that has abandoned God’s law. The sermon also references economic policies in communist Romania, the Canadian Charter of Rights, and the shift from church to state control of marriage as examples of the consequences of secularism and statism. The preacher critiques the modern media’s role in shaping public opinion and contrasts it with the historical role of reporters as neutral fact-finders, using this to illustrate the dangers of abandoning objective moral standards.

Engaging Faith in Society: A Call to Action (SermonIndex.net) draws on several secular historical and cultural references to illustrate its points about Romans 13:1-4. The preacher recounts a legal case presided over by Judge Kent, in which a man was jailed for three months for blaspheming Jesus and his mother, using this as an example of freedom of speech being exercised with moral responsibility in early American jurisprudence. The sermon references the 3/5 clause in the U.S. Constitution, explaining its historical context and intent. The founding of Harvard University is cited, with its original rules requiring students to lay Christ as the foundation of all knowledge, highlighting the Christian roots of American education. The preacher also quotes John Winthrop’s vision of America as a "city upon a hill" and references the Supreme Court’s 1892 declaration of the United States as a "Christian nation." The famous words of Nathan Hale ("I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country") are adapted to emphasize sacrificial commitment to Christ. The sermon also references the famous statement by Martin Niemöller about the dangers of remaining silent in the face of injustice, using it as a warning against Christian apathy. Finally, the preacher mentions a Newsweek article from 1982 that described the Bible as America’s founding document, further illustrating the deep interweaving of biblical and secular history in the nation’s origins.