Theme: The power of God at Work in us
Brethren,
Good evening. I trust you are well and rejoicing in Jesus despite the challenging times.
Last week, our quarter study through Romans took a look at how believers are to relate with one another and with others. This SUnday we continue with a look at how believers are to relate with constituted authorities. This SUnday’s topic is: The Christian and Civil Authority.
The key lessons are outlined as follows:
1. Governing authorities are from God, and they are servants of God appointed over us for good. Romans 13:1-5
a. Because Civil authorities are God’s design, they derive their authority from God and so, we are expected to submit to all such constituted authority.
b. When we disobey constituted authority, we are essentially rebelling against God Himself. Romans 13:2,5
2. The way to demonstrate our acknowledgment of civil authorities as institutions ordained by God is by paying our taxes and other fees, and in showing respect to those in authority. To do otherwise is to dishonor God. Romans 13:6-8
3. Although civil authorities are God’s design, they were never meant to usurp or free us from God’s authority. We were always designed to be under God’s authority. So, when man’s authority challenges God’s authority, we have a choice to make, and that choice is to obey God and leave the consequences in God’s hands.
“… No government would exist if it hadn’t been established by God. The governments which exist have been put in place by God.” ROmans 13:1 (GW).
0 Comments