Sermon notes from 26 February 2017
Romans 13 verses 1 - 14
Looking at the government from a biblical perspective. The responsibility a Christian has in this political arena. The first thing to notice is the formation of the government. As I open up the word of God I find that theme through every book from Genesis to Revelation. Look at God`s plan from the beginning. Man has his view of it but what is God`s plan? What does he have to say? Maybe the politicians need to learn a lesson from God`s word.
The formation of government - verse 1 "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers for there is no power but of God; the powers that be are ordained of God." Notice it is "every soul" not just one. The God of heaven is working behind the scenes. Maybe you need that word of encouragement today, in your life, in your situation, in your home, in your life, in your family. God is working in the realms that you do not see for your benefit and mine even though times are difficult for us "for all things work together for good to them that love God." (Romans 8 verse 28) God is working out a plan for this province even today. We would do well to remind ourselves of that. God raises and brings down kingdoms. It is good to remind ourselves how powerful God is. If we were to watch our TV screens we would think man is an elevated being and God is somehow listening to his dictates. He is almighty, he does not need anything of us whatsoever yet he took his very best from heaven to save our souls. Maybe you haven`t allowed him to save your soul. Think of Joseph, the youngest son of the patriarch Jacob. God had a plan and purpose for this young man. He was hated and despised by his brothers. 30 years of age he was sitting on the most influential throne of that day, second in line to Pharoah. Before that he was sold as a slave into Potiphar`s house where lies and slander were told of him. He had to spend years in a prison. God was working it out. A time of crisis. Pharoah knew nothing about him. God had it in his plan and purpose to bring him to the throne of Egypt. That is what God does. Genesis 41 verse 40 "thou shalt be over my house and according unto they word shall all my people be ruled." What did he say to his brothers? "You meant it for evil but God meant it for good." We wrestle not against flesh and blood. Man is not our enemy. He can give himself over to Satanic powers to come against us. Think of Esther - "who knew you would come to this kingdom for such a time as this." God used her to reign over his people of Persia. God raiseth up the kingdoms of the world and bringeth down the same as quickly too. It is God who brings all the power, the formation of the government who raises up and puts down. See that by illustration in the book of Daniel. Nebuchadnezzar couldn`t sleep when he dreamed of a great image of different materials portrayed. As he looked at this image he saw a head of gold, the most expensive of all materials. "Thou, O king, art a king of kings, for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power and strength and glory." (Daniel 2 verse 37) It was a gift because Israel had rebelled against the King of heaven and God had allowed Nebuchadnezzar to take them captive. God had the authority here. In chapter 4 verse 29 we have a picture of the same king out strolling in his garden. "Is not this great Babylon that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power and for honour of my majesty?" He was taking the power back to himself. Daniel had told him God had given him this great kingdom, power and authority. In verse 31 we read "While the word was in the king`s mouth there fell a voice from heaven, saying O king Nebuchadnezzar to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee." God was listening to this man`s very thoughts. God gave the kingdom to him and now he was going to take it away from him. As this man was raised up so too God will take them away. Man can do nothing but from God today.
The function of the government. What has God purposed for the government? Verse 3 "For rulers are not a terror to good works but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same." Today we see the opposite happening. Call good evil and evil good. We think of Esther again. There we see in that palace a man rising to great prominence through the normal system - Haaman. The king honoured him with a position of authority - Esther 3 verse 1. He came to power in the kingdom of Persia but that kingdom is gone today as is Babylon in Nebuchadnezzar`s day. God is working behind the scenes. He will replace Haaman. He was a pompous man, a proud man, a glory seeking man. He would hatch a plot against the Jewish people - Esther 3 verses 8 and 9. Maybe there are those today trying to destroy this province. We have a greater God who has better plans than we could ever think. God brought Esther to the throne. He overthrew all Haaman`s plans. Haaman was hanged on his own gallows. Esther was there to save the day. Genesis 50 verse 20 God had a plan for Joseph "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." We should vote for candidates that defend the rights of the vulnerable, the week, the poor and needy, for the unborn child, who believe in marriage according to the Bible.
The fruits of government. Paul has said here in verse 4 "For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain; for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil." We are to be subject to those powers. Paul was a Roman citizen, I`m sure it wasn`t easy to be subject to that government when those powers disagreed with the word of God. How do we respond to things that are against God`s government? We are told to be subject to them. There has to be revival prayer. The Christian has got to give himself to prayer. We are subject but don`t agree with all that comes from this government. There will be a shopping list at the end of the election - equality of marriage, a man can marry a man, a woman can marry a woman, new abortion laws. Wouldn`t it be awful to see things coming in against the word of God whether it be right in the sight of God. Paul encourages our prayer support - "I beseech thee therefore that all prayers should be made for all men, for kings and those in authority that you may lead a quiet and peaceable life in godliness and honesty." In Acts 16 when Paul was beaten and thrown into prison word had got back to the magistrates. They told someone to go and let them go free. Paul says we are Roman citizens, wrong has been done to us, if they want us to go out from prison let them come in and tell us to go. (Acts 16 verse 37) We are subject to a higher authority. I encourage you this week to come to prayer. The province is at stake. What we believe is at stake, everything we believe is at stake this week.
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