God, Government, and the Gospel

My pastor, Will Tuboren of Calvary Baptist Church, preached on this subject today in light of the upcoming election on Tuesday. I take notes every week, but I felt the need to share the message in this way this week because I think it challenges us all (including me!) to rethink our attitude and to get rid of any fear that we may have about Tuesday's perceived outcome.

Will gave us four specific challenges that I will share with you, the heart of the message comes from Romans 13:1-7. I encourage you to read it along with all of the other references posted.

Challenge #1:

Remember to keep things in perspective!
-Our hope is in Jesus Christ
-Our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20-21)

Challenge #2:

Remember that God is Sovereign above all things!
-All governing authorities, both good and bad, are ordained by God. (Romans 13:1)
-Examples:
I Kings 12- wicked king
John 19- Just before the crucifixion Pilot tells Jesus that he (Pilot) has the power to crucify Him. Jesus tells Pilot that the only reason Pilot has this authority is because God allowed him to have it.
Romans 9:16-18- Pharaoh is in place because God ordained it to be that the Jews could leave and go into the Promised Land

Challenge #3:

Remember that we must submit to governing authorities, unless our submission leads to sin (what God has called us to do as followers of Jesus Christ).
-Romans 13:2-5: Paul says that to fail to submit to governing authorities is failure to submit to God and it will result in punishment from both the government and God.

Example: Our government says we have to pay taxes (no matter how high!) and we must do so in accordance with the law and with God's Word. (Romans 13:6-7 and Mark 12)

However, there is cause for civil disobedience! Examples of this from the scriptures:

-Daniel 6: Daniel couldn't submit to a law that said he couldn't pray. The consequence? Daniel was thrown in to the lion's den, but the Lord delivered him.

-Daniel 3: Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego wouldn't worship and idol. They were thrown into a fiery furnace and the Lord delivered them.

-Acts 4: Peter & John were punished for telling people about Jesus. They were released and told they were not allowed to witness anymore but they did it anyway because they knew that they were ambassadors for Jesus Christ and for heaven.

Considering Civil Disobedience?

-Consider the grievousness of the action that is sanctioned by the law
-Consider the extent of the unjust law's effect.
-Consider how the civil disobedience gives a witness of the gospel.

THE WAY WE SUBMIT TO GOVERNING AUTHORITIES SPEAKS OF THE WAY WE THINK ABOUT GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY! (wow! those words really spoke to me!)

Challenge #4: God's values must become our values!

-We must consider what each candidate says about the value of LIFE, MARRIAGE & FAMILY, and the POOR and OPPRESSED.


Prayer:

What do we need to pray for? Join Will, my church, the community of Winston-Salem, and the nation in prayer for:

-God's will to be done
-God to be glorified in all things
-and for the glorious Gospel to go forward


Final Thoughts...

"Some of us are going to be jubilant over the outcome of the election, others bitterly disappointed. But remember, regardless of who wins, the City of God endures."
--Chuck Colson, from the article, "A Sacred Duty: Why Christians Must Vote"