Respecting Authority: A Christian's Call to Citizenship

Devotional

Day 1: Respecting Authority as Divine Order

In 1 Peter 2:13-17, believers are called to submit to governing authorities for the Lord's sake, recognizing that government is a divine institution ordained by God. This respect is crucial, even when we disagree with those in power, as it reflects our commitment to God's order. The passage challenges us to be model citizens, living out our faith in a way that silences the ignorance of foolish people. By doing good, we can quiet criticisms and demonstrate the transformative power of the gospel. This call to respect extends beyond government to all areas of life, including the workplace and home, where authority is also divinely instituted. [09:20]

"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." (Romans 13:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a situation where you struggle to respect authority. How can you begin to see this authority as part of God's divine order and respond with respect?

Day 2: Freedom to Serve and Love

Christian freedom is not a license to do as we please but a call to do what we should. Guided by the Holy Spirit, believers are free to live lives of service and love, using their freedom to honor God and serve others. This freedom is about being liberated from the constraints of sin and empowered to live righteously. It is a freedom that calls us to act responsibly and lovingly, reflecting the character of Christ in all we do. Our actions should be a testament to the freedom we have in Christ, which is not self-serving but self-giving. [20:54]

"For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." (Galatians 5:13, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you use your freedom in Christ to serve someone in your community today?

Day 3: Living as Model Citizens

By living out our faith and doing good, Christians can silence the ignorance of foolish people and demonstrate the transformative power of the gospel. Our conduct should reflect the excellence of the message we proclaim, showing the world the difference that faith in Christ makes. This involves being proactive in doing good, seeking peace, and promoting justice. As model citizens, our lives should be a testimony to the hope and love we have in Christ, influencing those around us positively and drawing them to the gospel. [19:10]

"Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation." (1 Peter 2:12, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific action you can take this week to demonstrate the love of Christ in your community?

Day 4: Universal Honor and Love

Believers are called to honor everyone, love the brotherhood, fear God, and honor the emperor. This call to respect and love extends to all people, regardless of their beliefs or actions. As Christians, we are to be the best of citizens and neighbors, proclaiming an excellent message about an excellent God through our excellent behavior. This involves showing kindness, respect, and love to all, even those who may oppose or disagree with us. It is a call to live out the gospel in every interaction, reflecting the love and grace of God. [23:25]

"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." (Romans 12:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you find difficult to honor or love? How can you take a step towards showing them respect and love this week?

Day 5: Proclaiming an Excellent God

Our behavior in relation to government and authority is a powerful testimony to the world. By respecting those in power and living out our faith, we proclaim the excellencies of an excellent God. This involves being intentional about how we conduct ourselves, ensuring that our actions align with the values of the kingdom of God. Our lives should be a reflection of God's character, drawing others to Him through our integrity, humility, and love. In doing so, we become ambassadors of Christ, representing His kingdom in a world that desperately needs His light. [28:37]

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)

Reflection: How can your actions today reflect the excellencies of God to those around you? What specific behavior can you change to better represent Christ?

Sermon Summary

In our time together today, we explored 1 Peter 2:13-17, a passage that speaks to the importance of order and respect within a nation, particularly in relation to government. This message is especially timely as we stand on the eve of a presidential inauguration. We reflected on the life of Harry Truman, a man who understood the weight of authority and the necessity of respect within leadership. Truman's humility and recognition of his role as President remind us of the importance of respecting ordained authority, whether in government, the workplace, or the home.

Peter's message is clear: we are called to submit to governing authorities for the Lord's sake. This submission is not just about obedience but about respect, recognizing that government is a divine institution ordained by God. This respect is crucial, even when we find ourselves in disagreement with those in power. The text challenges us to be model citizens, to live out our faith in a way that silences the ignorance of foolish people. By doing good, we can quiet criticisms and demonstrate the transformative power of the gospel.

We also discussed the concept of Christian freedom. While we are free from the law and alive to God, this freedom is not a license to do as we please. Instead, we are free to do what we should, guided by the Holy Spirit to live lives of service and love. Our freedom should be used to honor God and serve others, not as a cover-up for sin.

Finally, we are reminded to honor everyone, love the brotherhood, fear God, and honor the emperor. This call to respect and love extends to all people, regardless of their beliefs or actions. As Christians, we are to be the best of citizens and neighbors, proclaiming an excellent message about an excellent God through our excellent behavior.

Key Takeaways

1. Respect for Authority: We are called to submit to governing authorities for the Lord's sake, recognizing that government is a divine institution ordained by God. This respect is crucial, even when we disagree with those in power, as it reflects our commitment to God's order. [09:20]
2. Christian Freedom: Our freedom in Christ is not a license to do as we please but a call to do what we should. Guided by the Holy Spirit, we are free to live lives of service and love, using our freedom to honor God and serve others. [20:54]
3. Model Citizenship: By living out our faith and doing good, we can silence the ignorance of foolish people and demonstrate the transformative power of the gospel. Our conduct as Christians should reflect the excellence of the message we proclaim. [19:10]
4. Universal Honor and Love: We are called to honor everyone, love the brotherhood, fear God, and honor the emperor. This extends to all people, regardless of their beliefs or actions, as we strive to be the best of citizens and neighbors. [23:25]
5. Proclaiming an Excellent God: Our behavior in relation to government and authority is a powerful testimony to the world. By respecting those in power and living out our faith, we proclaim the excellencies of an excellent God. [28:37]
** [28:37]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:33] - The Example of Harry Truman
[03:24] - Understanding Authority
[04:41] - Applying Excellence
[07:16] - Silencing Ignorance
[08:10] - Christian Conduct in Society
[09:20] - Command to Submit
[10:06] - Biblical Examples of Respect
[11:44] - Divine Institution of Government
[12:39] - Origins of Government
[13:50] - When to Resist
[14:46] - Struggles with Government
[16:13] - Respect for All Institutions
[17:13] - Purpose of Government
[19:10] - Result of Good Conduct
[20:09] - Misunderstanding Freedom
[22:03] - True Christian Freedom
[23:25] - Honor and Love for All
[24:24] - Treating Others Well
[26:09] - Respecting Authority
[27:04] - Proclaiming God's Excellence
[28:37] - Call to Respect and Pray

Sermon Clips

"For him to disrespect me is nothing, because I am nothing. How humble. To disrespect me is nothing, because I am nothing. But I am the President of the United States, and by God, he is fired. Now, Truman understood something in saying that. I don't know if you picked it up. I mean, he'd been a World War II hero, soldier. He understood that you have to have authority." [00:03:30]

"Somebody has to be able to govern, and there has to be a willing respect underneath them. And whenever that breaks down, you have the total disillusion of that organism. Well, this text is about order in a country. And I want to show you this, how this text fits. Right here, the day before our inauguration. And if we're willing to admit it, I mean, we live in a country where no matter who wins the election, half the country wins." [00:04:13]

"You cannot peddle unapplied truth you know you cannot call people to a standard that you are not willing to live by and that gives us the right if we live by this standard if we are excellent in our behavior it gives us the right in verse 5 to be the priesthood of God now now most of us if we were writing this we would have stopped right there." [00:06:16]

"And the word that's going to be used all three times in these institutions is a word that means to willingly place yourself under an ordained authority. It's the word submission or to be subject to. It has the identity. It has the idea of respect. And so I'm going to tell you here why this text is here. It's here because of verse 15. If you look there." [00:06:58]

"How do we act, especially in regards to the government? Verse 13. And if you want to write down a word, write down the word command. Command, that Peter here has a command for us. It says there to submit yourselves or willingly place yourself underneath somebody. It's the idea, not just that, not just of obedience, but of respect. Submit yourselves." [00:08:51]

"Ecclesiastes chapter 8 He who keeps a royal command experiences no trouble. So from one end of the Bible all the way to the other, we are exhorted to be respectful to the governing authorities. If you scan the Scriptures, you'll see that Jesus, Peter and Paul, all three of those encountered Roman centurions and between them on four occasions." [00:10:06]

"And I will assure you, Pontius Pilate was a worse leader than Donald Trump. I assure you. And some of you go, What? I promise you, he was worse. It's a fact. Daniel said to Nebuchadnezzar, Wherever the sons of men dwell, God has made you ruler. And I will assure you that Nebuchadnezzar is a far worse ruler than Donald Trump. And he said, You are where you are because God let you be there." [00:11:22]

"Are there times where we have to rebel against God? Are there times where we have to rebel against God? Are there times where we have to rebel against the government? Well, yes, and you will know when they are. When we are told to stop preaching in the name of Jesus, like Acts chapter 5. Or when we are told not to worship God or to pray, like in the book of Daniel. There are times where you have to bow up to the government for the Lord's sake." [00:13:27]

"Model citizens put down criticisms. Criticisms. Christians that live out their faith quiet criticisms. There's a great quote from Tertullian who was a Christian writer in the early days of the faith. And he was writing to the Roman Empire and he said the following words, Search your prisons. They are full of criminals and none of them are Christians. And the idea was, that by doing right, you silence the ignorance of foolish men." [00:18:52]

"See, one of the early errors of Christianity, one of the... Verse 15, one of the ignorances of foolish people is that because a Christian was free, he was free. because he was free from the law and alive to God, because his salvation was certain and could never be taken away from him, because he had an absolute that was higher than the government, that he would have no sense of law." [00:20:09]

"And we have the governance of the Holy Spirit that changes us from the inside out and we have a bent to do what is right. We have a bent to do what we should. We have a bent to service because of His presence in our lives. And thus Peter says, act as free men. Don't use your freedom as a cover up for your own sin, but use your freedom for love. We are living as servants of God." [00:22:29]

"You love Christians, but you have to honor everyone. That you and I, New Union Baptist Church, you and I as believers, we are to be the best of citizens. We are to be the best of neighbors. Why? Because we are proclaiming an excellent message about an excellent God, and we can't share it unless we are excellent in all of our behavior in these institutions that Peter has given us." [00:23:51]

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