Submitting to Governing Authorities

October 14, 2024

Notes from Scott Sutton's sermon on Sunday, October 13, 2024.

Sermon text: Romans 13:1-7


Verse 13 "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment." 


1.) Biblical truth leads to Biblical behavior

This is why preaching verse-by-verse is what we think is best. Tim Killer says that it allows God to set the agenda for your church. So here we are, about a month from a pretty significant election... emotions are high... and God, in His agenda for our church, wants us to focus on submitting to governing authorities. 

Now, I am well aware that some of you may bristle at such a notion. Distrust of governing authorities and politicians and legislators seems to be pretty high right now. That is our context. But consider Paul's context. He is writing to a young Christian church under the governing authority of the Roman Empire currently led by Emperor Nero. These governing authorities that he is speaking of would go on to kill him... and many others who would profess the Gospel. And still he puts forth these principles, which have been mentioned previously by him and others, because it is part of what is best for Christian living... these are real Biblical truths that are supposed to lead the real Biblical behavior. 


2.) Christians should be subject to governing authorities.

  • Civil obedience is the general posture of believers... living in such a way as to be subject... allowing governing authorities to do their jobs without getting in the way, knowing that it is always beneficial to have good order in a society. 
  • All authority is from God
  • Resisting will incur judgment

This is the point where many natural objections quickly come to mind... For example... "The wrath of God is toward unrighteousness. What if the government is unrighteous? I am not supposed to be conformed to the world. What if the government is trying to use legislation to conform me to the world? I am called to abhor what is evil. What if the government is evil? What about tyrannical governments like those under the leadership of Hitler, Stalin, and others?" 

  • Instituted by God and approved by God are not the same thing


3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. 

You'll notice that just having rules isn't always enough to keep good order. That goes all of the way back to the Garden of Eden. After Adam and Eve broke the one rule/law that was in place, what happened? 


"God placed an angel with a flaming sword at the entrance to Eden to guard it from further trespassing by Adam and Eve and their progeny. So the first law enforcement officer who appears in Scripture is an angel, a minister of God, sent from heaven with an instrument of coercion, an instrument of force at his command, to enforce the barring of access into Eden. The first action of government is to use the methods of force to restrain evil." - RC Sproul


Our God is a God of good order, and as part of that good order we not only have laws, but we also have law enforcement... methods of force to restrain evil... and in these verses we find some standards for the governing authorities...


3.) Governing authorities have standards from God

  • They are not a terror to good conduct
  • They are servants of God for our good
  • They carry out God's wrath on wrongdoers

So under this kind of governing, Christians should have a posture of civil obedience. Peter, after referring to God's people as a chosen race and a royal priesthood, says this... "Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, where it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor." 


5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 


In verses 5-6 we see the important consideration of our own conscience. There is a practicality of paying taxes so that authorities (named here as ministers of God) can do their jobs. Paul cares very much about making sure that our behaviors are in fact Biblical, and in step with a clear conscience. What happens when governing authorities resist their standards from God? When they are a terror to good conduct? When they no longer serve God for our good? When they no longer carry out God's wrath on wrongdoers?


4.) Sometimes civil disobedience is the Christian's only option

This was the case for Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

  • When governing authorities forbid what is required by God
  • When governing authorities require what is forbidden by God

Civil disobedience says, "Rather than go against God, I will trust God and receive whatever penalty the ungodly law requires."


7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. 


"This is a clear echo of Jesus’ famous saying: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s” (Matthew 22:21). Paul surely has in mind this teaching of Jesus, who is clearly saying that the civil magistrate has a limited sphere of authority. Jesus was undercutting a common conception of the state in his era; namely, that the king or emperor was a deity in the pantheon, or so closely allied with the god of the region that the state had a divine authority. Jesus, however, says “yes” to paying Caesar taxes but “no” to paying Caesar worship; that is, “no” to unqualified obedience." – RC Sproul


Trust in God allows us to submit to governing authorities. And trust in God is what keeps us faithful should those governing authorities lead us into temptation and sin. Scripture refers to believers as alien exiles, citizens of heaven, only here for a short time until time melts back into eternity. Our hope is in Jesus, not humans. Our eternal reality should impact every single part of our temporary home here on earth. So when it comes to submitting to governing authorities and voting on who those governing authorities will be, we can cast our vote full of hope because our hope is in God, not man. 



Discipleship Questions:

  1. How do you initially respond to a call to "submit to governing authorities"?
  2. How does trust in God temper your response? 
  3. How do these verses help you during this election season?
  4. Why is it important to know that governing authorities have standards from God?
  5. What happens if governing authorities forbid what God requires or require what God forbids?
  6. Should you ever follow governing authorities into temptation and sin?
  7. How should these verses impact how we pray during this election season?

Everything We Need

July 29, 2025
Notes from Ky Martin's sermon on Sunday, July 27, 2025. Sermon text: 2 Peter 1:3-4 We have everything we need for a godly life. Sentence has: 68 words 9 prepositional phrases 5 dependent clauses God called us. “By His divine power” The word here is summon Like Lazarus, come forth. English readers are apt to understand calling in terms of an invitation that can be accepted or rejected. Peter has something deeper in mind. Christ’s call is effective, awakening and creating faith. -Thomas R. Schreiner 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. By revealing Christ to us. “Through the knowledge of Him” Side note, ambiguity: The ambiguity in the text indicates that Peter does not clearly distinguish between God and Christ, which indicates that God and Christ were venerated equally. - Thomas R. Schreiner Excuses are Eliminated We need to note that this comes to us by grace, but also that we have a part to play here. Effort is not a 4 letter word. You have no excuse for: Pornography- You have everything you need. Substance Abuse- You have everything you need. Pride- You have everything you need Laziness- You have everything you need Anger- You have everything you need. Prayer and Scripture Reading- You have everything you need. Evangelism- You have everything you need. He’ll go on to mention supplementing He has given us what we need for godliness now, and He promises us even greater things to come. We will share in Christ’s Divine Nature 2 Pe 1:4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature Unusual word… The “divine nature” (Theos) appears only here and in Acts where Paul addresses the Areopagus an odd work choice and would have appealed to his pagan readers. Acts 17:29 Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. Redefining what it means to become like God. Christ shared in our nature that we might share in His. 1 John 3:2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. In 1:3, it’s through the knowledge of Christ that we are called to Him. Here, we see that a fuller revelation of Christ will conform us even more fully into His likeness. How so? Purity Immortality Restoration to Eden Christians also share in God’s immortality. They are not trapped in this world. Though ‘perishable’ now, Christians will be raised ‘imperishable’ -Paul Gardner Glory John 17:22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, We have everything we need for a godly life. English readers are apt to understand calling in terms of an invitation that can be accepted or rejected. Peter has something deeper in mind. Christ’s call is effective, awakening and creating faith. -Thomas R. Schreiner 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. The ambiguity in the text indicates that Peter does not clearly distinguish between God and Christ, which indicates that God and Christ were venerated equally. - Thomas R. Schreiner Excuses are Eliminated We will share in Christ’s Divine Nature Acts 17:29 Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 1 John 3:2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. Purity Immortality Christians also share in God’s immortality. They are not trapped in this world. Though ‘perishable’ now, Christians will be raised ‘imperishable.’ -Paul Gardner Glory John 17:22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one. Discipleship Questions: 2 Peter 1:3 says we’ve been given everything we need for life and godliness… Do you find that verse encouraging, challenging or both? Are there any areas of your walk where you struggle to believe that you already have everything you need for success? Do you ever make excuses to yourself or others for a lack of godliness? If yes, explain. How much work does it take to live as a Christian? What does it mean that we will be “partakers in the divine nature”?

The Genuine Gospel

July 21, 2025
Notes from Lance Shumake's sermon on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Sermon text: 2 Peter 1:1-2  Peter is warning us about counterfeit teaching and false teachers The genuine gospel came from Jesus through His apostles —servant (humility and honor) —apostle (called, unique, sent) The genuine gospel is just as precious to us today —received and believed “How does someone become a Christian? One person might say, ‘Because I believe,’ and another, ‘Because God chose me.’ According to Peter, both ways of stating it are correct. On the one hand, we believe. It is a fundamental definition of a Christian that he or she is a ‘believe-er’; that he or she ‘has faith’ But Peter also knows that it is not our feeble faith that holds us close to God. It is God who does all the holding, and that is the reality behind the word received.” —R. C. Lucas and Christopher Green, The Message of 2 Peter & Jude The genuine gospel is centered on the person and work of Jesus —God —Savior —Christ —Lord “This fourfold description of Jesus is important because it puts him at the focal point of human history. As God, he guarantees that his words and his works cannot be replaced or revoked; as Christ, he fulfills all the Old Testament promises; as Savior, he died on the cross for our salvation in the past, present and future; and as Lord he claims the right to our individual love and obedience—notice how Peter calls him our Lord.” —R. C. Lucas and Christopher Green, The Message of 2 Peter & Jude The genuine gospel transforms us as we grow in knowledge of Jesus —grace and peace multiplied Discipleship Questions: Why is false teaching so dangerous? How does remembering and focusing on the true gospel help us stand against false teaching? In what ways is the gospel just as precious to us as it was to the apostles? How do you relate to Jesus as God, Savior, Christ, and Lord? What is the difference between knowing about Jesus and knowing Him?

The God of All Grace

July 16, 2025
Notes from Zach Snow's sermon on Sunday, July 13, 2025. Sermon text: 1 Peter 5:8-14 Why is the lion roaring? Wouldn’t it be a better strategy to be quiet…subtle…sneaky, in an attempt to “devour” Christians? I think that Peter, led by the Holy Spirit, was very intentional with his description here of the devil being a roaring lion. Went into a rabbit hole on a lion's roar…there are some spiritual applications to these: Can reach up to 114 decibels…almost as loud as a jet engine taking off They roar for social reasons (territory, create bonds, locate other members of their pride) as well as for purposes of intimidation. One of the primary purposes of the lion's roar is to strike fear in the heart of their prey. The lion will always start with a psychological advantage Fear, anxiety, depression, anger, hatred - these things can absolutely paralyse you spiritually The lion is not necessarily trying to kill you, but to destroy your faith Prayer: Be sober-minded - Have a clear and self disciplined mind - Titus 2 Exercise self control in thoughts, words, and action this is the 3rd time Peter has said this to us in 1 Peter - 1:13, 4:7 - it’s a call to remain alert and focused Being sober-minded means waging war against the things that are detrimental to the mind: fear, hatred, anxiety, depression, anger I believe these are specific things the enemy uses to derail our mental health and cause us to take our guard down Be watchful - this is the same word that Jesus used in the garden before he was arrested and crucified - this is a call to pray Prayers for others - Eph. 6:18 - Ephesians 6:18 - [18] praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, Prayers for yourself - James 1:5 - 5 j If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. So here’s the question… Do you believe in prayer? How much do you trust that God can do the things that you are not able to do? Do you trust God with the big stuff AND the small stuff? Discipleship Questions: 1.) In your personal life, what does being sober minded and watchful look like to you? 2.) Who are the people who help you stand firm in your faith the most? 3.) As a CG look at each of the points of the Theology of Suffering and find Scripture to support each one of those statements: God is ALWAYS good God is ALWAYS enough God will ALWAYS love you 4.) Discuss ways that the God of all grace has restored, confirmed, strengthened, and established you.
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