Citizenship in Christ: Power, Authority, and Humility
Summary
As we approach Independence Day, it’s important to reflect on the nature of power, authority, and our true citizenship. The world’s systems—governments, movements, even churches—often operate by grasping for power, protecting status, and making “winning” the highest goal. But the kingdom Jesus proclaims is radically different. Instead of sending in the powerful, Jesus sends the meek and the merciful. Instead of seeking self-advancement, he calls us to humility, justice, and sacrificial love.
Paul’s words in Romans 13 have been used throughout history to justify both blind obedience and outright rebellion. From Nazi Germany to the American Revolution, Christians have wrestled with what it means to submit to governing authorities, especially when those authorities are unjust. Paul wrote these words under the reign of Nero, one of the most corrupt and violent emperors in history. Yet he still calls believers to be subject to governing authorities, recognizing that all authority is ultimately instituted by God.
This doesn’t mean every ruler is godly or that we blindly obey evil. Rather, it’s a call to live in the tension of being citizens of both a nation and the kingdom of heaven. Our highest allegiance is always to King Jesus. All rulers and systems are accountable to God, and our submission is an act of trust in his sovereignty, not in the perfection of human leaders. We are called to honor, respect, and pray for our leaders, seeking the common good and being exemplary citizens—without confusing the nation-state with the kingdom of God.
Discernment is crucial. There are times when resistance is necessary, but it must be rooted in the way of Christ—humility, justice, and sacrificial love—not in pride or self-interest. Our civic responsibilities, like paying taxes and showing respect, become acts of worship and trust in God’s provision. We are to be known for integrity, generosity, and respect, even toward those we disagree with.
Ultimately, the logic of empire is domination and self-preservation, but the logic of the kingdom is cross-shaped—humility, service, and love. Our lives should be signposts pointing to the way of the Lamb, not the way of the dragon. In all things, we offer ourselves to the King of Kings, trusting that true freedom is found in allegiance to Christ alone.
Key Takeaways
- True Allegiance Belongs to Christ Alone
While we are called to be subject to governing authorities, our ultimate loyalty is to King Jesus. This means living in the tension of honoring civic leaders without surrendering our conscience or allegiance to Christ. Every earthly authority is accountable to God, and our submission is an act of trust in his sovereignty, not in the infallibility of human rulers. [13:36]
- Discernment in Resistance and Submission
Not all resistance is rebellion, and not all submission is faithfulness. The call is to discern, in community and with Scripture open, when to resist and when to submit—always in the way of Christ. Resistance rooted in justice and Christlikeness is different from resistance fueled by pride or anger; the former seeks the kingdom, the latter only self. [23:38]
- Civic Responsibilities as Acts of Worship
Paying taxes, showing respect, and fulfilling civic duties are not just obligations but opportunities to trust God’s provision and honor his order. Even when we disagree with how resources are used or with those in power, our integrity is shown in faithful obedience, trusting that God is the source of all blessings. [31:30]
- Cross-Shaped Living Over Empire Logic
The world’s way is to grasp for power, dominate, and preserve self at all costs. The way of Jesus is humility, sacrificial love, and justice—shaped by the cross, not by the sword. Our lives should reflect Christiformity, becoming living signs of the kingdom’s logic in a world shaped by empire. [36:47]
- Witness Through Integrity, Generosity, and Respect
The church’s witness is most powerful when marked by integrity, generosity, and respect—even toward those we disagree with. This is not weakness but a resilient dissidence that trusts God’s justice and refuses to play by the world’s rules. In doing so, we become signposts to the world, pointing to the way of the Lamb and the true freedom found in Christ. [33:27]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:05] - The Kingdom’s Radical Difference
[02:43] - Romans 13 in History: Obedience and Rebellion
[04:03] - Wrestling with Authority and Justice
[06:05] - Living as Citizens of Two Kingdoms
[08:06] - The Context: Nero’s Rome
[08:55] - Reading Romans 13:1-7
[10:02] - The Challenge of Submission
[12:52] - Jesus is Lord, Not Caesar
[16:26] - Allegiance, Honor, and Discernment
[18:26] - Christiformity: Shaped by the Cross
[20:30] - God’s Hand in Authority
[22:45] - The Spiritual Consequences of Rebellion
[24:46] - The Ideal of Just Authority
[26:32] - Conscience, Obedience, and Justice
[30:20] - Trusting God with Civic Responsibilities
[32:20] - Idolatry and the God of Mammon
[33:27] - Integrity, Generosity, and Respect
[34:43] - Empire Logic vs. Kingdom Logic
[36:47] - The Way of the Cross
[38:33] - Allegiance and the Image of God
[40:41] - Respecting the Office, Pledging to Christ
[42:12] - Humble, Cross-Shaped Leadership
[43:19] - The Way of the Lamb Triumphs
[44:29] - Responding to Injustice
[46:02] - Confession and Communion
[47:24] - Forgiveness and New Covenant
[48:45] - Closing and Invitation
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Allegiance, Authority, and the Way of the Cross
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### Bible Reading
- Romans 13:1-7
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
- Matthew 22:15-22
(“Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”)
- Philippians 3:20
(“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ…”)
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 13:1-7, what reasons does Paul give for being subject to governing authorities? What does he say about where their authority comes from?
2. In the sermon, what examples were given of how Romans 13 has been used throughout history, both for blind obedience and for resistance? [02:43]
3. What does Jesus say about paying taxes in Matthew 22, and how does that relate to the idea of ultimate allegiance? [38:33]
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between the “logic of empire” and the “logic of the kingdom”? [34:43]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Paul would call Christians to submit to authorities even when those authorities are unjust, like Nero? What does this reveal about Paul’s view of God’s sovereignty? [08:06]
2. The sermon says, “Not all resistance is rebellion, and not all submission is faithfulness.” How can Christians discern when to resist and when to submit? What role does community and Scripture play in this? [16:26]
3. The sermon talks about “cross-shaped living” as opposed to “empire logic.” What does it mean for our lives to be “cross-shaped,” and how is that different from the world’s way of seeking power? [36:47]
4. How does viewing civic responsibilities (like paying taxes or showing respect) as acts of worship change the way we approach them? [31:30]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon challenges us to honor, respect, and pray for our leaders, even when we disagree with them. Is there a leader (local, national, or otherwise) you struggle to respect or pray for? What would it look like to start praying for them this week? [40:41]
2. When you think about your own resistance to authority—at work, in government, or even in church—what usually motivates you? Is it a desire for justice, or is it pride or anger? How can you tell the difference in your own heart? [23:38]
3. Are there ways you have confused your national identity or political allegiance with your identity as a follower of Jesus? What would it look like to put your allegiance to Christ first in a practical way this month? [16:26]
4. The sermon says our civic duties (like paying taxes) can be acts of worship and trust in God’s provision. Do you tend to grumble about these responsibilities, or do you see them as opportunities to trust God? What might need to change in your attitude or actions? [32:20]
5. The “logic of empire” is about grasping for power and self-preservation, but the “logic of the kingdom” is about humility, service, and sacrificial love. Where in your life are you tempted to operate by the world’s logic instead of the way of Jesus? What is one step you can take to live more “cross-shaped” this week? [34:43]
6. The sermon asks if we are known for integrity, generosity, and respect—even toward those we disagree with. Think of a recent disagreement (political, social, or personal). How did you respond? What would it look like to respond with integrity and respect next time? [33:27]
7. The sermon encourages us to seek wisdom and community when we feel tension between our faith and civic expectations. Who are the wise people you can talk to when you’re unsure how to respond to authority? How can you invite them into your decision-making process? [42:12]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to help you live as a signpost to the way of the Lamb, showing humility, justice, and sacrificial love in all your relationships and responsibilities.
Devotional
Day 1: God’s Sovereignty Over All Authorities
Even when rulers are flawed or unjust, God remains sovereign over every authority.
In every age and nation, God’s hand is behind the rise and fall of leaders, even those who seem most unworthy or corrupt. This truth can be difficult to accept, especially when we witness injustice or suffering under human governments. Yet, recognizing God’s ultimate authority brings both humility and hope, reminding us that no earthly power is beyond His reach or outside His plan. Our challenge is to trust God’s wisdom and timing, even when we cannot see the full picture, and to remember that our highest allegiance is to King Jesus, not to any earthly ruler. [08:55]
Romans 13:1-2 (ESV)
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
Reflection: When you think about those in authority over you, do you see God’s hand behind the institution, or only the flaws of the people in charge?
Day 2: Living Honorably as Citizens of Two Kingdoms
Christians are called to be exemplary citizens while never surrendering their allegiance to Christ.
Living in the tension between earthly citizenship and heavenly allegiance is a mark of faithful discipleship. We are called to honor, respect, and pray for our leaders, seeking the common good and fulfilling our civic responsibilities with integrity. Yet, we must never confuse the nation-state with the kingdom of God, nor allow our loyalty to any flag or government to eclipse our devotion to Christ. Our public witness is shaped by humility, sacrificial love, and a commitment to justice, even when it means standing apart from the prevailing culture or challenging the status quo. [16:26]
Philippians 3:20 (ESV)
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflection: What is one practical way you can honor your civic leaders this week while keeping your ultimate allegiance to Christ clear in your heart and actions?
Day 3: Integrity, Generosity, and Respect in Public Life
Christians should be known for integrity, generosity, and respect—even toward those with whom they disagree.
Our attitude toward taxes, public obligations, and even those in authority we dislike reveals much about our trust in God and our witness to the world. Rather than grumbling or cutting corners, we are invited to see civic responsibilities as acts of worship and trust in God’s provision. When we pay what is owed, speak with respect, and act with generosity, we demonstrate a confidence in God’s sovereignty and a refusal to be shaped by the world’s logic of power and self-preservation. This cross-shaped way of living is a signpost to the watching world of the reality of Christ’s kingdom. [33:27]
Romans 13:6-7 (ESV)
For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
Reflection: Do you grumble about your civic responsibilities, or do you see them as an act of worship and trust in God’s sovereignty?
Day 4: The Way of the Cross, Not the Way of Empire
Empire shapes by force, but Christ shapes by the cross—through humility, sacrificial love, and justice.
The world’s systems often operate by domination, self-preservation, and violence, but the kingdom of God is marked by humility, mercy, and sacrificial service. Jesus calls His followers to resist the mold of empire and instead be formed by the cross, living as dissident disciples who seek justice, mercy, and the restoration of all things. This means refusing to grasp for power, breaking cycles of fear and division, and letting the logic of Jesus’ wisdom shape our daily choices and public engagement. [36:47]
Matthew 20:25-28 (ESV)
But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Reflection: Where in your life are you tempted to grasp for power or control, and how might you instead choose the way of humility and sacrificial service this week?
Day 5: Giving to God What Is God’s—Allegiance and Christiformity
We are made in God’s image and called to give ourselves wholly to Him, nurturing a life shaped by the cross.
Jesus’ teaching to “render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s” reminds us that while we fulfill our earthly obligations, our very selves—made in God’s image—belong to Him. True freedom and transformation come as we offer our lives in allegiance to Christ, allowing His Spirit to shape us into His likeness. This Christiformity is visible in our words, deeds, and the way we seek justice for the vulnerable, honor others, and resist the world’s patterns. Our ultimate calling is to be a signpost to the world, pointing to the way of the Lamb. [39:17]
Mark 12:16-17 (ESV)
And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.” Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at him.
Reflection: In what area of your life do you sense God inviting you to surrender more fully to Him, giving Him what is truly His—yourself?
Quotes
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