(#439) Romans 13 - When Disrespecting Authority, Christians Forget Their Commitment

 

/Welcome To 

BARAH MINISTRIES

a Christian Church

Rory Clark

Pastor-Teacher\

 

Good Morning!

 

Welcome to Barah Ministries…a Christian Church that makes a difference.  My name is Pastor Rory Clark.  At Barah Ministries, our God is the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  We make a difference by teaching the Word of God from God’s perspective, and not from man’s perspective. 

 

/TODAY’S BIBLE LESSON

When Disrespecting Authority, Christians Forget Their Commitment\

 

Christianity is a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.  It is a virtue filled life…and when we become Christians, we sign up for a lifestyle of reflecting Christian virtues.  First Corinthians, Chapter 13, Verse 13 tells us the top three of the virtues…

 

/FIRST CORINTHIANS 13:13

But now faith, hope, and unconditional love, abide in the sphere of these three virtues…but the greatest of these virtues is unconditional love.\

 

God gives us the virtues He expects us to reflect as gifts.  So what are the virtues the Lord expects Christians to reflect from the moment of salvation forever?

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE IS A CHRISTIAN VIRTUE

In First John, Chapter 4, Verses 7 and 8 John exhorts…

 

/FIRST JOHN 4:7

Beloved (divinely loved ones…believers in Christ), let us love one another unconditionally…for unconditional love is from the source of God the Father…and everyone who loves unconditionally is a born-again one of God the Father and knows God the Father.\

 

/FIRST JOHN 4:8 

The one who does not love unconditionally (unbelievers) does not know God the Father, for God the Father is (in His very being) unconditional love.\
 

RIGHTEOUSNESS IS A CHRISTIAN VIRTUE

Second Corinthians, Chapter 5, Verse 21…

 

/SECOND CORINTHIANS 5:21

God the Father made the Lord Jesus Christ who knew no sin to be a sin sacrifice on our behalf…so that we believers in Christ might become the righteousness of God the Father in union with Christ.\

 

FAITH IS A CHRISTIAN VIRTUE

Matthew, Chapter 17, Verse 20b

 

/MATTHEW 17:20

“…truly I (the Lord Jesus Christ) say to you, if you have faith of a size as small as a mustard seed (and of course you do because I gave you the gift of faith to use)…you will say to this mountain (any obstacle), ‘Move from here to there,’ and the obstacle will move…and nothing will be impossible to you.”\

HOPE IS A CHRISTIAN VIRTUE

Romans, Chapter 8, Verses 24 and 25…

 

/ROMANS 8:24

For in hope we believers in Christ have been saved…but hope that is seen is not hope…for who hopes for what he already sees?\

 

/ROMANS 8:25 

But if we hope for what we do not see…with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.\

FORGIVENESS IS A CHRISTIAN VIRTUE

Matthew, Chapter 6, Verse 14…

 

/MATTHEW 6:14

For if (for the sake of argument) you forgive others for their transgressions…your heavenly Father will also forgive you.\

 

GRACE IS A CHRISTIAN VIRTUE

Lamentations, Chapter 3, Verses 22 and 23…

 

/LAMENTATIONS 3:22

The Lord’s lovingkindnesses (His graces) indeed never cease…for His compassions never fail.\

 

/LAMENTATIONS 3:23

They are new every morning…great is Your faithfulness Lord.\

 

We can’t run out of God’s grace.

OBEDIENCE IS A CHRISTIAN VIRTUE

Galatians, Chapter 5, Verse 7…

 

/GALATIANS 5:7

You were running (the race of your life very) well…who hindered you (Galatians…who cut in front of you in the race…keeping you) from obeying the truth?\

 

How do these Christian virtues that we are to manifest showing up in your life?  Welcome to a place where you can learn to live a life of virtue and a life of obedience to authority, through the direction of God the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, so you are reflecting the goodness of your God.

 

When we respect our ultimate authority, the Sovereign God of the Universe, the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we put ourselves under the direction of four simple words…here’s Hillary Scott to sing about them in her song… THY WILL BE DONE. 

 

/MUSIC AND REFLECTION

Be Occupied with the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ

Enjoy the Singing of His Praises

 

THY WILL BE DONE

Hillary Scott\

 

/OPENING PRAYER

Let us pray...\

 

We’re grateful, Heavenly Father, for the privilege of studying Your absolute truth...the Word of God…

 

Thank you Father for the authorities You place in our lives…we’re grateful that You give authority as a rudder because we know when freedom exists without authority there is chaos…we also know that even evil authority has some wisdom that You provide that we can benefit from…

 

Help us to see the good in our authority figures…remind us to pray for them constantly, knowing that You know how to work all things together for the good…help us to reflect You in all our dealings with authority…

 

…we ask this through the power of God the Holy Spirit…in Christ’s

name...Amen.

 

/TODAY’S BIBLE LESSON

When Disrespecting Authority, Christians Forget Their Commitment\

 

Our commitment is to obey our Lord, thus our commitment also is to obey authority!  We are studying the first passage of Romans Chapter 13, Verses 1 to 7…

 

/ROMANS 13:1

Every BELIEVER IN CHRIST is to be in subjection to the civil authorities in power. For there is no civil authority in power except ones that were put there by God the Father…and those civil authorities in power which exist are established by God the Father.\

 

/ROMANS 13:2 

Therefore whoever rebels against authority has rebelled against the ordinance of God…and they who have opposed the ordinance of God (are rebelling against God as well…and) they will receive (both divine and civil) condemnation upon themselves.\

 

 

/ROMANS 13:3 

For rulers (in authority) are not a cause of fear for those who have good

behavior (those who obey)…but rulers are a cause of fear for those who

indulge in evil (those who disobey). Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the authority…\

 

/ROMANS 13:4 

…for the authority is a minister of God (a diakonos…a deacon)…given as a grace gift to you for your own good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid… for the authority does not bear the sword (firearms and capital punishment) for nothing…for the authority is a minister of God…an avenger…who brings wrath (punishment for wrongdoing) on the one who practices evil.\

 

/ROMANS 13:5 

Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection to authority…not only because of (the) wrath (wielded by those in authority), but also for your conscience’ sake (which is always imploring you to obey God).\

 

/ROMANS 13:6 

For because of authority you also pay taxes…for rulers in authority are servants of God…devoting themselves to this very service (full time)…the service called ministering.\

 

/ROMANS 13:7 

Render to all authorities what is due them…tax to whom tax is due…custom to whom custom is due…respect to whom respect is due…honor to whom honor is due.\

 

Now back to our study of Romans, Chapter 13, Verse 1…

 

/ROMANS 13:1

Every believer in Christ is to be in subjection to the civil authorities in power. For there is no civil authority in power except ones that were put there by God the Father…and those civil authorities in power which exist are established by God the Father.\

 

What is your attitude toward civil authority?  What is your attitude toward

all authority?  What is your attitude toward evil authority? Are you lawful or lawless?  

 

Every generation claims to live in a time of lawlessness.  According to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the civil authorities that He has put in place are worthy of our respect, even when they are evil. Yet our mindset, even as we give our respect to evil authority is the mindset highlighted by the apostle Peter in Acts, Chapter 5, Verse 29…

 

/ACTS 5:29

But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.”\

 

If there is ever a contradiction between human authority and divine authority, the choice is easy and obvious.  But it requires you to know the mind of Christ.

 

Lawlessness is contempt for authority.  First John, Chapter 3, Verse 4…

 

/FIRST JOHN 3:4

Everyone who PRACTICES sin (everyone who breaks the law) also PRACTICES lawlessness (law breaking)…and sin is lawlessness.\

 

Lawlessness is the spirit of refusing control…it is the spirit of rejecting authority.  When God gives us the DON’Ts amongst the DO’s and DON’Ts of Romans, Chapters 12 to 16, with the DON’Ts God is really telling us not to break the law.  

 

We see contempt for authority when people break contracts.  Contracts act as the authority in an agreement between parties. We see contempt for authority when we don’t keep our word.  How often do you promise to do things and then not do them?  We see contempt for authority in divorces.  We vow “until death do us part” but what we mean is I’ll be here until you do something wrong.  We see contempt for authority in teen-agers who reject the controls parents establish for the teen’s safety, development and well being…and this rejection of authority occurs regardless of whether or not the requests of the authority are sound.  Built into a teen’s rejection of authority is recklessness, a disorganization of soul that disregards sound direction.  

We see contempt for authority in the sound bite expressions of the day… “It’s all good!”  Is it?  “Anything in moderation!”  Is adultery in moderation okay?  Or theft? Or murder?  We see contempt for authority in sexual promiscuity.  Our God has told us that sexuality is to be enjoyed within the marriage relationship.  We see contempt for authority in the proliferation of fornication (pre-marital sex)…extra marital sex (adultery)…and the epidemic acceptance and indulgence in pornography.  We see contempt for authority in the use of illicit drugs, and we even see the use of drugs being sanctioned and made legal by civil authorities under guises like “medicinal marijuana.”  

 

We see contempt for authority in “the court of public opinion” that demonstrates an unwillingness to use capital punishment for capital crimes.  We see contempt for authority in public opinion “groupthink” which encourages the legalization of things God calls abominations, like same sex marriage.  Be clear…groupthink is not legitimate authority.  

 

We see contempt for authority when judicial institutions no longer preside for the purpose of ensuring justice…instead they use procedures and technicalities to defeat the law while taking payoffs for violating the law they have sworn to uphold.  We see contempt for authority when we steal things that don’t belong to us, thinking that no one minds.  We see contempt for authority when we remain silent as evil proliferates.  Edmund Burke, an eighteenth century Irish statesman, author, and philosopher had it right…

 

/EDMOND BURKE

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.\

 

Is it any wonder that while listening to these lessons on authority there is a tension level among the hearers that is not typical in most lessons?  Is there any wonder why we wander off from the Word of God when we want to indulge the “pleasures” of the flesh?  The question Romans 13 asks is, “What is your attitude toward authority?” The question stands us in front of a mirror, and we can’t help but see our flaws as we look deeply into the mirror. Second Corinthians, Chapter 13, Verse 5 asks us to determine for ourselves if we can withstand the scrutiny of the Word of God…

 

 

 

/SECOND CORINTHIANS 13:5

Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith…examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves…that Jesus Christ is indwelling you—unless indeed you fail the test?\

 

It doesn’t take much thought to know that we fall WAY short of the glory of God.  

 

 

 

By the way, as you hear this…don’t point fingers…look at yourself.  This isn’t a perfect lesson for someone else’s life.  This lesson is for you.

What if we were as intolerant of lawlessness as we are intolerant of our current president? What would our country be like? What would our lives be like?  

 

As we study authority we must call ourselves to the standard of obedience to authority…especially our ultimate authority…the Sovereign God of the Universe…the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  But remember…as you do the examination of yourselves…the Lord reminds us through the apostle Paul in Romans, Chapter 8, Verse 1…

 

/ROMANS 8:1

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in union with Christ Jesus.\

 

In other words, don’t beat yourself up when you find out how evil you are.  When we get back from the break we’ll continue to remind ourselves of the Christian commitment to reflect our God by orienting to authority.

  

/BREAK

Five Minutes\

 

/TODAY’S BIBLE LESSON

When Disrespecting Authority, Christians Forget Their Commitment\

 

Welcome back!  The hardest thing for a Christian to do is to stand back and to watch the deliverance of the Lord…the Lord fights for us while we kept silent.  Here’s Hillary Scott to remind us what to do when we need God’s help…with her song STILL.

 

/MUSIC AND REFLECTION

Be Occupied with the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ

Enjoy the Singing of His Praises

 

STILL

Hillary Scott\

 

/TODAY’S BIBLE LESSON

When Disrespecting Authority, Christians Forget Their Commitment\

 

We continue our study of Romans, Chapter 13 at Verse 1….

 

/ROMANS 13:1

Every BELIEVER IN CHRIST is to be in subjection to the civil authorities in power. For there is no civil authority in power except ones that were put there by God the Father…and those civil authorities in power which exist are established by God the Father.\

 

The bible, the Word of God, does not “CONVICT” believers in Christ.  It convicts unbelievers.  The bible indicts believers in Christ…it accuses us of wrongdoing, not so that we will feel guilty (which is a sin) but so that we will reorient to God’s suggestions for our lives.  We don’t have a better idea than God about how to run our lives.

 

Also, we must ask God the Holy Spirit, our SANCTIFICATION authority…the God who is responsible for the second phase of the Christian Way of Life…to keep on guiding us.  In John, Chapter 16, Verse 13 the Lord says…

 

/JOHN 16:13

But when He, God the Holy Spirit of truth, comes…HE WILL GUIDE YOU into all the truth…\

 

His authority is to guide you!  We do well to choose to be receptive to God the Holy Spirit’s authority by hearing the truth and obeying His direction.  Romans, Chapter 12, Verse 2 exhorts us…

 

/ROMANS 12:2a

And do not be conformed to this world (by Satan, by his cosmic system of thought, and by the flesh resident in you)…instead, keep on being transformed by (God the Holy Spirit)…through the renewing of your mind (by studying the Word of God)…\

 

/ROMANS 12:2b

…so that you may see clearly…through the testing of experience…what the will of God is…and the will of God is that which is good for you and that which is acceptable to Him and that which is perfect in result.\

 

God wants Christians to let Him renovate their thinking.  He wants us to have our souls tuned to KGOD, and He wants us to make every decision using His viewpoint of the situation.

 

As two systems of power seek to influence our thoughts, the Lord wants us to use Teflon when we hear the thoughts of Satan’s world system, WCON… letting them slip off of us as if we were a non-stick surface.  He wants us to use Velcro when His thoughts are being inculcated as if we are interlocking His thoughts to our souls.  Satan’s thoughts conform us…God’s thoughts transform us…with God’s thoughts, a brilliant metamorphosis occurs that turns us into spiritually mature Christians who not only learn wisdom, but also are able to use it.

 

It is easy for us, as Christians, to be conformed because we are in the world.  Since “everyone’s doing it” it is easy to think that the world’s ways are THE way.  In James, Chapter 5, Verses 1 to 8, he reminds us to delay gratification…which the Lord always provides…

 

/JAMES 5:1

Come now, you rich, weep and wail (cry)…for your miseries which are coming upon you.\

 

/JAMES 5:2 

Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten.\

 

/JAMES 5:3 

Your gold and your silver have rusted…and their rust will be a witness

against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure!\

 

/JAMES 5:4 

Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you…and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of Sabbath.\

 

/JAMES 5:5 

You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure… you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.\

 

/JAMES 5:6 

You have condemned and put to death the righteous man…he does not resist you.\

 

/JAMES 5:7 

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains.\

 

/JAMES 5:8 

You too be patient…strengthen your hearts…for the coming of the Lord is near.\

 

Let’s not forget what the Lord wants us to do.  He wants our commitment to follow Him and to reflect Him.  He wants us under authority and HE wants us to obey.  First and foremost He wants us to obey His perfect direction, but He also wants us to be capable of discerning evil direction while still giving respect to the authority that gives it.  Matthew, Chapter 5, Verse 48…

 

/MATTHEW 5:48

Therefore you are to be perfect…just as your heavenly Father is perfect.\

 

 

 

 

 

 

 /GOD WANTS YOU…

…to Make the Most Important Decision of Your Life\

 

The closing moments of this study are for the benefit of anyone who does not have a personal relationship with the Sovereign God of the Universe, the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We want you to know that GOD WANTS YOU.

 

If you’re going to place your confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, you probably should get to know Him as soon as you can.  While there are many things to know about Him, here are the critical few things…

 

The Lord Jesus Christ loves you UNconditionally…First John, Chapter 4, Verse 8…

 

/FIRST JOHN 4:8

The one who does not love unconditionally does not know the Lord, for the Lord IS unconditional love.\

 

The Lord Jesus Christ wants you to be saved…First Timothy, Chapter 2, Verses 3 and 4…

 

/FIRST TIMOTHY 2:3

This is good and acceptable in the sight of the God who is our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ…\

 

/FIRST TIMOTHY 2:4 

…who desires ALL MEN to be saved and for ALL MEN to come to the knowledge of the truth.\

 

We have a “whosoever God” … whosoever wants salvation can have it.

 

The Lord Jesus Christ doesn’t want you to go to the Lake of Fire…Second Peter, Chapter 3, Verse 9…

 

/SECOND PETER 3:9

The Lord is not slow about His promise of salvation, as some accuse Him of, but instead He is patient toward you unbelievers…not wishing for any of you to perish (in the Lake of Fire) but for all of you to come to repentance (a change of mind about having a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ).\

 

The Lord Jesus Christ forgives you…Isaiah, Chapter 43, Verse 25…

 

/ISAIAH 43:25

“I, even I (the Lord Jesus Christ), am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake…and I will not remember your sins.”\

 

How can you get to heaven? This loving, forgiving, patient God who wants you to be saved is willing to save you right this minute.  Right where you sit, RIGHT NOW, you can tell God the Father that you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and that is the moment of eternal life for you.  Acts, Chapter 16, Verse 31…

 

/ACTS 16:31 

“Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and everyone in your household who also believes.”\

 

John, Chapter 14, Verse 6…

 

/JOHN 14:6

Jesus said to the doubting apostle, Thomas, “I am the way (to salvation), and I am the truth (through the Word of God), and I am the resurrection life…and no one comes to God the Father (in heaven) but through believing in Me.”\

 

Heed the warning in John, Chapter 3, Verse 36…

 

/JOHN 3:36

“He who believes in the Son has the resurrection life right at that moment… but he who does not obey the command to believe in the Son will not see the resurrection life…instead the wrath of God (the Lake of Fire) abides on him.”\

 

Being saved is pretty easy for you because it was not so easy for the Lord Jesus Christ…He had to live a sinless life…He had to die on a Cross for you…and He had to be resurrected from the dead.  Hillary Scott tells you the easy route to heaven in her song…COME TO JESUS.  Please follow her advice!  Come to Jesus…and LIVE!

 

/CLOSING SONG

COME TO JESUS

Hillary Scott\

 

/CLOSING PRAYER

Let us pray...\

 

/Thanks for coming!

Thanks for watching!

Thanks for listening!

www.barahministries.com\


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