Government The Civil Rom. 13:1-7 The Christian’s relationship to the civil government

“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities “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.” Rom. 13:1-2 Rom. 13:1-2 “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. a. “governing authorities” – refers to civil government in the country to which we are living b. God teaches us that we must be subject to the laws of the land – Federal, state, local

“We must obey God rather than man.” Acts 5:29 1. There is only one exception to that, if the laws of the land conflict with the laws of God - Acts 5:29 “we must obey God rather than man”

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” “We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions” 1. God ordained civil government for the benefit of mankind. 2. Declaration of Independence talks about our dependence upon God 5. Our Declaration of Independence affirms that government derives its just powers from God. (CLICK) a. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” b. last paragraph “We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions” c. These two statements indicate that the founding fathers of this country realized that our country was founded upon the principles that God has given in the Bible, and they recognize God as the Creator and Supreme Judge of the world d. That is what our declaration says, you would not hear many government workers today say the same thing 6. This is not a sermon about politics

People inherently born homosexuals Import/Exports/Trade Politics Moral / Biblical Size of government Abortion National Debt Same Sex Marriage Taxes People inherently born homosexuals Economy Euthanasia Education Reform Creation / Evolution Import/Exports/Trade All faiths are equal

Does not legislate morality Regulates civil matters Civil Government The Character of Does not legislate morality Regulates civil matters - Mk. 12:17 “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s...” 3. Protect the citizens I. THE CHARACTER OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT A. What is civil government? 1. It does not legislate morality a. It does not tell us what is right and wrong morally b. Dictates civil laws 2. Civil = pertaining to a city or a state and a citizen’s relation to his fellow-citizen 3. The civil laws define crime, not sin B. The Civil government pertains only to those things which are civil matters 1. Mark 12:17 “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.” – Jesus recognizes the idea that Caesar has to do with the things of civil government 2. The civil government enforces certain moral laws such as murder and robbery 3. These are enforced not as a violation of God’s commands, but as a violation of a civil command 4. If the civil government were to enforce the commands of God, then the civil authorities could not punish a man who had committed a crime and been forgiven by God. C. The civil government has the divine right to protect the lives of its citizens. 1. If it wasn’t this way, every man would take matters into his own hands and lawlessness would result. *** God does not ordain the particular ruler or type of government, but just the idea of government

Romans 13 v. 1 “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.” v. 1 1. “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities” a. governing authorities = civil government b. “every soul” = all people including, Christians c. Many Christians in 1st century did not like the Roman government, but they were commanded to be subject to them 3. “the authorities that exist are appointed by God” a. This does not mean: (1) That God always approves of the conduct of the civil authorities (2) That what they do is always right b. It means that God has ordained that men be governed 7

Romans 13 v. 2 “Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.” v. 2 1. “therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God” a. We must not resist these powers or authorities who rule over us b. Jesus never disobeyed any law, nor did He ever promote civil disobedience 2. “they that resist will bring judgment on themselves” a. Judgment = punishment b. To disobey civil law is sin in the sight of God, so as long as those civil laws do not contradict God’s laws Punishment 8

Romans 13 v. 3 “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same” v. 3 1. “rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil” a. If we are following the laws by doing good works, we should not be afraid of the authorities 2. “Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same” a. All governments are pleased with law-abiding citizens b. Praise = approval 9

Romans 13 v. 4 “For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.” v. 4 1. “God’s minister” a. Governments were meant to be servants of God for the good of the people, to guard and protect us 2. But if you do evil... Be afraid... He does not bear the sword in vain...to execute wrath on him who practices evil” a. Sword (1) Symbol of authority, to inflict punishment, including death penalty (2) God approves the concept of capital punishment - Gen. 9:6 "Whoever sheds man's blood, By man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man.” b. Avenger (1) Rulers can be the agents of God’s wrath to those who disobey the law (2) If a Christian does evil, he is not exempt from punishment 10

Romans 13 v. 5 “Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake.” v. 5 a. Obedient to laws of the land, even if we don’t like the laws, if they do not contradict God’s laws we must obey them 2. “but also for conscience sake” a. A duty we owe to God that we may have a good conscience b. 1 Pet. 2:13 “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether it be to the king as supreme” 1 Pet. 2:13 11

Romans 13 v. 6 “For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing.” v. 6 1. “because of this you pay taxes” Christians must pay their share of taxes, now we may disagree about how much we are being taxed, but because God has told us, we do what has been asked of us and pay. Voting allows us to change things 12

Romans 13 v. 7 “Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.” v. 7 1. “Render therefore to all their due” a. Give what is due them in the position they occupy 2. “Taxes to whom taxes are due” a. Pay your taxes, because that is your obligation 3. “fear to whom fear” a. Stand in subjection to those appointed to execute the laws of the land 4. “Honor to whom honor” a. (President) we may not respect the person in the office b/c of an ungodly stance they have taken on issues, but Respect for the office 13

Maintain order Protection Police Make laws Military Civil Government The Function of Maintain order Protection Make laws Police Military THE FUNCTION OF THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT 1. Purpose is to maintain order 2. Protection - Police and law enforcement 3. In order to maintain order...the different levels of government must make laws – federal, state, local 14

The Function of The Church Civil Government 1. There is a difference between the function of the civil government and the function of the church 2. The civil government does not have any right to legislate religious issues – when it does there will always be problems! 15

“Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world “Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” Jn. 18:36 1. John 18:36 “Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” a. The expression “not of this world” means that the kingdom of Christ (church) is of the another world than the civil government b. The opposite is true, the civil government is not in the nature of the spiritual kingdom (church) c. Each must act within its own sphere. d. One is a kingdom of this world; the other is not of this world. 16

The Christian has a relation to Both Civil Government The Church 1. The Christian has a relation to both the civil government and the church 2. He is not exempt from the duties to either the government or the church. 17

“Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people “Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.” Prov. 14:34 1. Prov. 14:34 “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” We as a nation need to apply this verse more than ever a. Any government will be exalted when it operates according to the principles taught in God’s word (Righteousness) b. Sin is a reproach to any people and a disgrace to any government 2. The Roman Empire fell because people forgot God and engaged in sinful activity 3. Pledge of Allegiance has “Under God” 18

1st Amendment “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech…” 1st amendment to constitution “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech… So we do have a right that the congress shall not make any law about prohibiting religion and the free exercise thereof a. Left wing judges in recent years have interpreted this to mean that there should be no mention of anything about God or religion in public (separation of church and state) b. This is not what the Constitution had states c. The 1st amendment of the constitution was not written to protect the people of this country from religious values; it was written to protect religious values from government tyranny.”

"Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's” Matt. 22:21 1. This is exactly what Jesus was teaching when he said in Matt. 22:21: “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” “those things that are Caesars” – the laws of the land, we are to be obedient to, pay taxes, etc. And those people in government are not to try to interfere with what God has said in His word We also must be obedient, or render, to God those things He has told us to do 4. As Christians we are members of the church which we read about in the Bible. Then we are to be under the civil laws of the country in which we live. The only exception would be if the laws of the country contradict the laws of God. 20

Application Obey laws of land Exception when contradicts God’s laws Vote for leaders that will implement godly principles Pray leaders might uphold godly principles 21

People inherently born homosexuals Problem Moral / Biblical Abortion Same Sex Marriage People inherently born homosexuals Euthanasia Creation / Evolution All faiths are equal 22

GOD’S SIMPLE PLAN FOR SALVATION Rev. 2:10 1 PET. 3:21 baptism JN. 12:42 confess LK. 13:3 UNTIL DEATH OBEDIENT repent JN. 6:29 believe ACTS 3:22 hear