1. Memorial Day A Christian Thinks About Government. Romans 13:1-7 Grace Baptist Church May 24, 2015 AM

2. Review  Ch. 1-8 - What it means to be saved and how to become saved. (3:21-24)  Ch. 9-11 – Don’t forget about Israel!  Ch. 12 - Salvation impacts every relationship in the believer’s life.  1,2 - To God - a living sacrifice  3-16 - to brothers and sisters in Christ  17-21 - to non Christians and enemies  Ch. 13 - to human gov’t  As Christians  We are not here to est. good gov’t  But to give out the gospel and obey gov’t  We are not to be a kingdom of social activists  But 1 Pet. 2:9-25  Read MacArthur 209-211

3. Response to Government – Pt.1 Submitting  The Standard - Be subject to civil authority - 1a  Read Mac. 213  The Purpose - God’s reasons for our submitting to Human Authority - 1b-5  Gov’t is by divine decree  Resistance to Gov’t is rebellion against God - 2a  Those who resist gov’t will be punished - 2b  Gov’t serves to restrain evil - 3a  Gov’t serves to promote good - 3b-4a  Rules are empowered by God to inflict punishment for disobedience. - 4b  Gov’t should be submitted to for conscience sake.  Obey - for wrath’s sake, for conscience sake, for love’s sake 8-10, for Jesus sake 11-14.

4. Response to Government – Pt. 2 Pay Taxes  The Principle - read Mac. 231-232 - all through Jesus’ life he defended it.  The Purpose – 6b  For they are God’s ministers  Attending continually…  The Particulars  Render to all their dues  Tribute  Custom  Fear  Honor

5. Conclusion:  At least 4 applications can be made in conclusion  This passage can be obeyed under any form of government.  This passage leaves no alternative. It is our duty.  This passage should be obeyed despite the moral character of our government.  This passage when obeyed offers opportunity for a noble and effective witness.