Category: Civil Govt.
Subject: Civil Government
Sermon: Prayers for Kings
A discussion of 1 Timothy 2:1-4 emphasizing that our self-interest is well-served when we pray for others. Especially those in authority.
Sermon: Biblical Leadership – Lesson 3 of 3
The third of three lessons using Nehemiah as an example to establish what constitutes leadership that is acceptable to God.
Sermon: Biblical Leadership
The first of three lessons establishing what God considers the most important attributes for a Christian to have to be an effective leader, in the church and in life.
Wisdom in Living
“The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to turn one away from the snares of death. Good understanding gains favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard” (Proverbs 13:14-15).
So many today chafe against the rule of law. The idea of freedom (a legitimate aspect of our democracy) has been abused by those who seek to be libertines. Where once our society understood that our freedoms require constant restraint and voluntary cooperation, now many believe that freedom equates to a selfish lifestyle. I can do whatever I want, regardless of how it might impact others.
The Christian has always understood that freedom requires personal restraint. In order to be free in Christ, we must accept His Lordship! In other words, become “a bondservant of Christ” (Colossians 4:12).
Our text indicates that law (whether the physical laws of man, or the spiritual law of Christ) “is a fountain of life.” And, “the way of the unfaithful is hard!”
The promise of lawlessness is never fulfilled. “While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage” (2 Peter 2:19). Sin entangles, ensnares. Truly the way of the unfaithful is both hard and foolish.
If you want to live a peaceful life, obey the civil authorities (cf. Romans 13:1-7). If you want to go to heaven, obey God! (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:3-10).
Click below to…
Ruminations on Citizenship
As I am writing this article, the President has been impeached, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is about to swear in the United States Senators as jurors in the impeachment trial. Impeachment is a political process, as designed by framers of our constitution. In this case, it is also a partisan process, as Democrat and Republican representatives and senators are dividing (or are projected to divide) almost exclusively along party lines in their votes on the matter.
This is a sad time for Americans. The partisanship and rancor that is present in our nation is disheartening. It has been this way before, many times. In fact, politically our republic is messy, and unrest may be considered a fact of life. In some ways it is as it should be in any democratic process. The conflict consists of words, and protests seldom lead to actual violence. For this we are thankful.
Sermon: The Christian’s Role in Politics
Speaker: Josh Cox
Josh explains some scriptural principles that should guide every Christian as we seek to navigate voting and political involvement in a divisive culture.
- Facebook Live Video of Sermon (Note: The audio in this video feed is not very good).
Sermon: God’s Pattern For Our Whole Life
God is our Creator, and deserves our respect and obedience. His revealed will impacts us in every aspect of our lives.
The Christian’s Responsibility in the World
The Christian has the responsibility to be a good citizen, to be a good influence, to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to be a good neighbor to those who are in the world.
The Patternists: The Rule of Law
In the midst of all the rhetoric heard concerning immigration, protest and racial tension that is troubling our country, the voice of scripture is seldom heard. Consider these words from the pen of the apostle Peter:
“Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good” (1 Peter 2:13-14).
Obviously, the worldly disregard scripture. They could care less what God has to say regarding citizenship. However, the true Christian is constrained by the Holy Spirit. Scripture tells us that we are to obey the laws of the land, “for the Lord’s sake.” Those who disregard the rule of law do so to their soul’s detriment.
Yes, there is a limit to the obedience we proffer to our government (cf. Acts 5:29). But that threshold is far above the lawlessness that has gained the acceptance and even approval of a large segment of our nation. Both the laws of God and of man must be respected. God said so!
To see The Patternists Page on Facebook, click here, and Like!
FB: Support for Our Police
I am personally appalled and discouraged by the attacks upon the police in the past couple of weeks. While I acknowledge that corruption and abuse of power may exist in certain circumstances, the anti-police sentiment that has led to inflammatory rhetoric, physical assaults and murder of police officers is indefensible.
There is a simple, logical statement from the pen of the Apostle Paul that is appropriate here:
“For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil” (Romans 13:3-4).
Violence and disregard for law in our land is rampant. Evildoers will always exist, but it seems in our time that their destructive efforts are enabled by the ineffectual and misguided efforts of some of our country’s leaders. National leaders need to step up, support and enable the police to maintain peace and protect our communities. Those who threaten the safety of law enforcement officers should be dealt with swiftly and decisively.
As the wise man wrote, “Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil” (Ecclesiastes 8:11).
Click below to…
Sermon: The Christian and Politics
Sermon by Bob Ward
In 1 Peter 2:13-17, the Apostle Peter indicated that we are to “Honor the King.” The lesson discusses the appropriateness of Christians involving themselves in the political process, and the issues of the day.
The Patternists: Obeying Civil Authority
We are blessed in the United States with many civil liberties. Despite an increasingly intrusive government, we are the most free of any nation in the history of man.
For the Christian, however, our final authority is God’s word, not the U.S. constitution. This means two things:
- A Christian may not be able to enjoy the liberties that are made available under the laws of our land. There are vices (drug and alcohol use, gambling, extramarital sexual activity, profane speech, etc.), condemned by God, that may be allowed under civil law. Further, though we enjoy freedom of speech – hate speech, disrespect of civil authority, etc., violates scriptural principles and are off limits to Christians.
- A Christian is bound to keep the laws of the land. This principle is stated by Paul in Romans 13:1-7. Verse 1 states, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” For example, a Christian can not refuse to pay income tax.
An exception occurs when civil law conflicts with God’s law. When commanded by the civil authorities to stop preaching the gospel, Peter and the other apostles responded, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).
While the application of this principle can sometimes be difficult and confusing, the principle itself,(as revealed in scripture), is clear and compelling.
To see The Patternists Page on Facebook, click here, and Like!
Mining The Scriptures: 1 Timothy 2:1-4
1 Timothy 2:1-4
Paul here exhorts Christians to pray for “all men, for kings and all who are in authority.”
The broad scope of such prayer clearly indicates the extent of the Christian’s charity. His desire is to be for the welfare of all men. As such, we are told even to “love [our] enemies” (Matthew 5:44).
The prayers are to include “supplications” (requests on behalf of another), and “intercessions” (an intervention for his benefit), as well as the giving of thanks. These are not imprecatory prayers (to invoke evil upon our enemies); rather they are petitions on their behalf and are intended to do them good.
Note also the benefit accrued to the Christian who prays, “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.”
God desires that all men be saved, including both those in authority, and those who would benefit from their righteous rule.
Mining The Scriptures: Romans 13:1-2
Romans 13:1-2
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
Governments and nations have their place at God’s pleasure. They remain in power as long as God permits, and their rise and fall is determined by His will. This is clearly affirmed by Paul in his address to the Athenians (cf. Acts 17:26-28).
While a government is in power, Christians are required to submit to its laws. Contrary to common perception, Jesus did not advocate disobedience to civil authorities. This is true regardless of a governments corruptness, or antagonism toward God and His people. This is clearly established by Jesus’ instructions to his disciples to pay taxes to the Roman government (cf. Matt. 22:21).
The exception to this is the secular government’s compelling a Christian to disobey God. In such cases, we must “obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).
The question, “Must we obey the government?”, is not determined by whether it is corrupt, but whether its laws corrupt us!
