Religion, Politics, and Prayer

Isaiah 62:6-7
I have appointed watchmen on your walls; they will never be silent, day or night. There is no rest for you, who remind the Lord. 7 Do not give him rest until he establishes and makes Jerusalem the praise of the earth.

1 Timothy 2:1-4
First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

1 Peter 2:13-17
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. 15 For such is the will of God, that by doing right you silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Act as free people, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bond-servants of God. 17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

Throughout MOST of Redemptive history, God’s people have lived under Oppressive and Hostile forms of ________________________ and Leadership.

Romans 13:1a
Every person is to be subject to the governing authorities.

Romans 13: 1-3
Every person is to be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;

So how does Paul say we are to live as good citizens in Romans 13?
Do what is ______________.

Romans 13:4-7
for it is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a servant of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. 5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; respect to whom respect; honor to whom honor.

Romans 13:1
Every person is to be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.

Paul begins with the _______________________________ of God.

John 19:10-11
So Pilate said to Him, “Are you not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?” 11 Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over Me at all, if it had not been given to you from above; for this reason the one who handed Me over to you has the greater sin.”

Exodus 9:16
But indeed, for this reason I have allowed you to remain, in order to show you My power and in order to proclaim My name throughout the earth.

Romans 13:5: Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for the sake of conscience.

Here is the Principle:  We obey the Governing Authorities up to the Point that obeying the Government means we DISOBEY GOD.

Exodus 1:17
But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt had commanded them, but let the boys live.

Acts 5:27-29
When they had brought them, they had them stand before the Council. The high priest interrogated them, 28 saying, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this Man’s blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.

Christians are to be Good Citizens UNTIL being a good Citizen means being a disobedient Christian.

What did God say to me today ?

Am I being obedient to this Text?

What adjustments do I need to make?