United in the Gospel: Citizens of Heaven

United in the Gospel: Citizens of Heaven

Romans 13

8-23-20

Three common governments:

1. Theocracy.
2. Authoritarian.
3. Partnership.

I.       We submit to authority. (Romans 13:1-11)

Willingly place oneself under another’s authority for God’s glory and others’ good.

II.    God ordained all authority.

John 19:11 – “Jesus said, ‘You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above.’”

III.   Authority is to promote good.

IV.     Authority is to punish evil.

V.        We are to do good to authorities.

Jeremiah 29:7 – “Seek the prosperity of the city to which I have sent you as exiles. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for if it prospers, you too will prosper.” 

1 Timothy 2:1-4 – “…I urge…prayers…and thanksgivings be made for all people…kings…all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is…pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved…”

VI.     We are to give what we owe to the authorities.

Matthew 17:27 – “Jesus said, However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook & take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.”

Matthew 22:20-21 – “And Jesus said to them, ‘Whose likeness and inscription is this?’ They said, ‘Caesar’s.’…He said…'Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God’s.’” 

Acts 5:29-30 – “But (the apostles) answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus…’”

VII.  Honoring authority gives opportunities for Gospel conversations.

Acts 26:2-3, 23 – “Paul said, ‘I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense…I beg you to listen to me patiently…(I proclaim) that the Christ must suffer and…rise from the dead…’” 

1. How am I doing praying for those not yet believing in Christ?
2. How prepared am I to have Gospel conversations with others?
3. How am I participating in engaging the unbelieving?
4. How am I doing in making disciples who make other disciples?

Monthly Transformation Verse: Romans 10:9 – “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Weekly Transformation Verse: Romans 13:10 – “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”  

Weekly Reading Plan: Romans 13; Psalm 47; 2 Corinthians 3 

Going Deeper This Week

1. Read Romans 13 with someone. What do you appreciate about God? What does the Lord want you to live out from Romans 13?

2. How would you describe your relationship with local government? With local police? What do you value the most in both? Do your loved ones hear you speak respectfully of authority?  Read Titus 2:1-2 and stop and pray for our authorities.

3. How can we put Paul’s teachings about authorities into practice? What aspects of our culture are the same as Paul’s day? What is different? What would be different for Christians living under a dictatorship?  Read https://www.christianpost.com/news/iranian-pastor-wife-lose-appeal-of-prison-sentences-for-house-church-participation.html?uid=b4c32969db

4. Paul used the phrase “put on” to describe the activity of all Christians (Romans 13:12,14). Read the following passages to gain deeper insight to what it means to “Put on.”  Ephesians 6:11-18; 1 Thessalonians 5:8; Galatians 3:27; Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10. Pray for one another.