2. Daniel 1:8-16
3. Daniel 3:1-30
4. Acts 4:13-20
“Ask What You Should Do for Your Country”
Pastor Kevin Redding
October 6 & 7, 2012
Romans 13:1-7
I. Be ____________________ to governing authorities
A. Romans 13:1
B. Titus 3:1
C. I Peter 2:13-17
A. Theocracy - Genesis 17:1-7
B. Egypt
C. Israel/Canaan - Joshua 1:1-9
D. Monarchy/United Kingdom - I Samuel 10:17-19
E. Divided Kingdom/Israel & Judah
I Kings 14:21-31, II Chronicles 10:1-19
F. Assyria
G. Babylonia
H. Persia/Medes & Persians
I. Greece
J. Rome
K. Western and Eastern World Powers
- What to expect when you don’t obey - Romans 13:3-5
C. _____________ your _______________
- Romans 13:6-7, Matthew 22:15-22
D. _____________ God’s ___________________
E. Get _________________ and be _________________
IV. _________________ and ____________________
II. Historical Governments & World Powers
A. II Chronicles 7:14
- The Promise
- The Principles
1. We are called
2. We need to be humbled
3. We need to pray
4. We need to seek God’s face/will
5. He will heal the church
6. He will use the church to be salt & light
a. In the community
b. In the country
c. In the world
- Our Response
1. Be humble
- United States of America
2. Pray
3. Seek God’s will
4. Allow God to do His work
5. Allow God to use you if He chooses
1. Legislative Branch - Establishes Laws
2. Judicial Branch - Interprets and Enforces Laws
3. Executive Branch - Carries Out Laws
Notes: _________________________________________________________________
III. Believer’s ___________________ to Government Authorities
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A. Pray - I Timothy 2:1-3
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B. Obey/Submit
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- When not to obey
1. Exodus 39:6-20
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Week of October 6 & 7, 2012
I. GETTING TO KNOW YOU
• Share with the group how God revealed Himself to you at church this past week.
• Share with the group a time when you traveled to another country and experienced a different form of government.
o How did you respond to the difference of culture and government?
• After your trip to a foreign country, did you better appreciate our country or find youself seeing the foreign country more equal to ours?
II. DIGGING DEEPER
The first eleven chapters of the book of Romans (particularly the first 8 chapters) explain in
marvelous detail what it means to be saved—justified by God’s grace working through faith. This monumental miracle of salvation impacts every relationship of the believer. When we
are saved, our initial response should be to fully present our “bodies a living sacrifice, whole,
acceptable to God, which is our spiritual service of worship.” The apostle’s next concern is
for having right relationship in the church with brothers and sisters in Christ, and even with
our enemies.
After dealing with these matters, Paul focuses on the need to have right relationships
in the world. First, we must demonstrate respect for governing authorities. However, we
should not imagine that Paul was idealistic about governing authorities. The book of Acts
shows that he was well acquainted with both the best and the worst of civil government, and
that he practiced what he preached.
As you read and discuss this passage, pray that God will further reveal His truths and apply them into your life.
Discuss the following:
Read Romans 13:1-7
• Why should Christians submit to governing authorities from the following verses:
o Vs. 1-2
o Vs. 3-5
• Some people think that in verses 3-4, Paul is writing only of the ideal function of rulers, not necessarily of what real rulers do. Discuss the reasons for and against this interprestion.
• Paul says that if we do what is right, rulers will commend us, even unjust and
immoral rulers. How does even an unjust ruler unwittingly comment us if he punishes us for doing good?
o See also Luke 21:12-15; Acts 16:16-40; Philippians 1:12-14; I Peter 2:19-21, 4:12-14
• Even the oppressive, unjust ruler is “God’s servant to do you good.” How do cruel rulers like Pharaoh, Nero and Pilate serve God’s plan and do us good?
o See Romans 9:17 & Romans 8:28-29 for comparison.
• How did persecution in Jerusalem help to further God’s plan?
o See Romans 8:1 & Romans 1:8
• How do the authorities in our country and locally do you good?
• Paul told Christians to pay taxes, even though those taxes would support the luxury of pagan officials, oppressive policing of subject peoples, and wars on peoples outside the Empire. Are there any circumstances in which Christians should not pay taxes?
o Discuss in light of Romans 13:1-7, not just your personal opinion or desire
• In what ways are a Christian’s responsibilities in a democratic state the same as those of a Christian in an authoritarian state? In what ways are the responsibilities different?
• In verse 7, Paul tells us to give everyone what we owe him. To whom do you owe:
o Taxes and revenue?
o Respect (see I Peter 2:17)?
o Honor (see Ephesians 6:1-3; I Peter 2:17)
o Other debts?
Read Acts 4:1-22 & 5:17-42
• How did the apostles show submission to the authorities in these passages?
• The apostles disobeyed the clear command of the authorities. Why was this disobedience not a rebellion against the authority God established?
• What lessons can we draw for our own submission and obedience?
Read Acts 16:16-40, 18:12-18, 28:17-31
• Discuss what Paul says about submitting to authorities.
• How does this passage shed light on Romans 13:1-7?
• How did the public stance of the three God-fearing Jews enhance God’s reputation?
Read Luke 20:20-28
Read Daniel 3:14-30
III. TAKING IT HOME
• Describe some specific ways in which you can apply these verses in your own dealings with authority.
• Write down the name of three government officials for whom you can pray for this week.
o Consider writing them a note expressing your support and gratitude.
Notes: __________________________________________________________________
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