Faithful Citizenship: Balancing God and Government

"Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities for there is no Authority except from God and the authorities that exist are appointed by God therefore whoever resists The Authority resists the ordinance of God and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves." [00:03:33]

"God establishes certain orders certain hierarchies that's how God works in this world and I know people resist people resist it people resent it people want to as if it doesn't lay out that way but the Bible is very clear on this there's a God ordained order of authority in the home in the church in the workplace and in the community or the nation and Believers are commanded to respect these orders these hierarchies if you want to put it that way while at the same time recognizing the Supreme y of Jesus Christ over all." [00:04:41]

"Therefore if the government tells me to do do something and it isn't contradictory to any of God's commands I should do it they're governing Authority now look I I know we we could get into the Weeds on a lot of this couldn't we a favorite place to get into the weeds and actually I think we could have a very spirited discussion about this you say David you're preaching this tonight but I saw you driving on the 101 the other day and you were going more than the posted speed limit how much do you really believe Romans 13: 1-2 and we could have a very spirited discussion about uh traffic flow expectations of law enforcement uh what law enforcement would want us to do safe driving practices we could have quite a discussion about that couldn't we but but really we understand those things are interesting to talk about but but there side issues look that there's a general way that we should live as law-abiding citizens and Christians should live that way." [00:07:26]

"God appoints a nation's leaders I I don't know if you notice we're coming up you know to the fall of 2023 and we all know what happens in the fall of 2024 there's going to be an election a presidential election in the United States and I don't know if you're looking forward to it or not um it it's going to be quite a year between now and the election is it not but I can tell you this I can say this with great confidence that when it's all said and done whoever is recognized and you know voted in or however you want to say it as the President of the United States coming into the new uh term of the president in the year 2025 that person is going to be appointed by God that's what it says right here no Authority except from God." [00:14:00]

"Christians should work for good and godly government I hope you do I hope you think about that when you vote I hope you think about whatever candidates you support that we want good and godly government but we don't work for good and godly government because Christianity needs good and godly government to survive or to thrive I've used this analogy before but I'll use it again the church is like that weed in the lawn of your backyard that you cannot kill that's what the Church of Jesus Christ is like no Christians work for good and godly government because it's morally right and because it shows love for our neighbor by making a better Community when there are just and wise laws and policies that come forth from the government that's a way that Believers love their neighbor and so we should advocate for such things as much as we are able we should seek good for our community." [00:17:08]

"Jesus recognized the legitimate authority of government when he told people to pay their taxes to give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar you remember that from Matthew chapter 22 don't you that very famous scene where Jesus answers the question is it lawful to pay taxes and it gets into sort of that that Dynamic with certain parts of the Jewish community at that time that refused to pay taxes on and on remember Jesus's answer in Matthew 22: 211 this is what Jesus said render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesars and to God the things that are Gods my friends there's so much that can be said about that one profound statement of Jesus so forgive me for what I don't say about that verse but let me focus in on one aspect of what Jesus said when he said render to Caesar the things that are Caesars and to God the things that are gods in this Jesus recognized note this that not everything belongs to Caesar that some things belong to God alone and this is something for Christians to both understand and Proclaim that God is greater than any state any government and governments must not exceed their Authority there is part of our devotion of our worship of our obedience that belongs to God Alone that was true in Paul's day and it's true in our day." [00:19:18]

"God uses governing authorities to resist to hinder and to block sinful desires and tendencies government can be effective or Can Be an Effective tool in resisting some of the effects of man's fallenness look do do you know what happens in a society when the government declares we're not going to punish evil anymore you you know what happens in a society when the government makes it clear um we're not going to punish anybody who steals something if the value is less than $1,000 $2,000 whatever you want to say well you you see what happens when that's the case it's just an open invitation and I would say that government is not living up to its Goda appointed Authority and that is to keep order." [00:22:51]

"Paul describes government officials as God's Minister isn't that fascinating so the next time a policeman pulls you over and walks up to your door when he asks to see your driver's license and your car registration and your insurance say yes I'm happy to do that God's Minister because that's what he is they have a Ministry in the plan and the administration of God just as much though in a very different way of course as church leaders do the word that Paul used here for minister is the ancient Greek word dionos Deacon servant that same term is applied in a broad context it's a broad word that same term was applied to Jesus to Paul to Phoebe to Apollos to the apostles in General to tyus to apris to Timothy it's also applied though to Satan's servants to deceptive servants it's just a general word for a minister a servant but here's the point because God has a purpose a role for human government those who do the work of government are his servants whether they recognize it or not but here's the point they are his servants even if they are bad or Unfaithful servants and when they do their work well they're doing God's work in the world when they do their work with corruption or with stupidity or with whatever well then they are not serving God's purposes and they're going to be judged by that think about what that means so to the councilmen supervisors Mayors elected officials police policemen District Attorneys probation officers correctional officers government Servants of all kinds who do their work well who do it with Integrity morality Justice and wisdom Christians say thank you you are God's Minister you are serving God's purpose and you know what you're doing a lot of good in our community and I thank God for it." [00:24:09]

"Christians should be involved by voting supporting candidates in issues running for office and doing all this to be a voice of biblical Integrity morality Justice and wisdom especially in a democracy why should Believers abandon the realm of government to pagans but it is to say this we get involved with government but knowing the fallenness of man we don't think that we're above a good system of checks and balances and when Christians engage politically which they should do they must do it listen to me carefully Christians that engage politically must do it without putting their hope in politics their hope in politicians that's difficult to do because the political process is hard and if you're going to engage with it there's a sense of you got to be all in on something but Christians must always Reserve that place listen I'll labor for for the parties or the policies or the politicians that I think I should support I I'll do this in my conscience but I'll never put my hope in them my hope will remain in Jesus Christ." [00:36:38]

"Father in Heaven there's so much more that could and should be said about how we as Believers should react and and live in times of such political Strife Lord I think it would be glorious if you do through miracles of changed hearts of poured out Revival brought a much greater Unity to our nation we look at our nation Lord and it's so divided Lord sometimes I think that the fate of our nation will either be a a civil war or Revival well Lord we we ask for Revival yes and we just say pour it out Lord not because we deserve it no Lord that train left the station a long time ago but because you're a merciful god who hears the prayers of his people and Lord I pray that you'd move upon the conscience of each individual believer as to how you want them to participate in the political process Lord there's so many issues and politicians and propositions and things that come before us Lord there's no way that we can give great attention to all of them so Lord I pray that you'd move in the heart of every believer as to if there's anything you want them to say Lord you want them to be involved with lead us by your spirit Lord not by fear not by Panic but by your spirit and thank you Jesus that you are Lord of Heaven and Earth we give you praise King Jesus and we look to you to continue to build your church and do your work in and through this world we pray this in Jesus name amen." [00:43:14]