THE CHRISTIAN AND CIVIL GOVERNMENT
Romans 13:1-7
Introduction:
	A. There are extremes taught on this subject:
        		1. That compliance with civil law is equal to disobedience to God's law.
				a. Barton Stone primitivism – Christians do not vote, run for office,
			    	   participate in the military, etc.
				b. Government is inherently evil.
        		2. That civil law can be disobeyed, not because it is in conflict with God's
 			    word, but because the religious person just doesn't like it... civil
			    disobedience.
			a. Revolutionary War; Civil War
        		3. That civil law must be obeyed at all times even if it is in conflict with
 			    God's word.
			a. Position of a moral coward.
    	B. Definition: "That authoritative direction and restraint exercised over the actions
 	     of persons in communities and countries, societies and states."
    	C. Civil government is spoken of in the NT as:
        		1. Caesar - Matt. 22:21
        		2. Kings of the earth - Matt. 17:25
        		3. Governors - 1Peter 2:14
        		4. Principalities, powers, magistrates - Titus 3:1
        		5. Higher powers and rulers - Rom. 13:1-3
        		6. Ministers of God - Rom. 13:4, 6
        		7. Servants of God - Isa. 45:1-2
    	D. Two questions:
        		1. How should Christians view the government?
        		2. What are a Christian's responsibilities toward government?

I. HOW SHOULD CHRISTIANS VIEW GOVERNMENT?
    	A. As ordained of God - Rom. 13:1.
    	B. Jesus respected civil rule and taught his disciples the same.
        		1. Paid his taxes, even though they were unjust - Matt. 17:24-27
        		2. Taught that some things belonged to Caesar - Matt. 22:21
			a. After all, they benefited from empire protection.
    	C. The apostles taught on respect for government - Rom. 13:1-7.
        		1. Government is ordained of God - vs. 1.
            		a. Government, not specific rulers
        		2. Those who resist government resist God - vs. 2
        		3. Rulers are not a terror to good works, but evil - vs. 3
        		4. Rulers serve God for the good of citizens - vs. 4
        		5. Subjection, not just to avoid wrath, but also for conscience sake - vs. 5
        		6. Pay taxes - vs. 6
        		7. Render to them what is their due...
            		a. Taxes - what they do after they get it is their responsibility.
            		b. Customs - whatever is appropriate tribute.                     
            		c. Fear - not unhealthy to be a little nervous around power.                   
            		d. Honor - the man in office may not be respectable, but the office
			    must be respected.
    	D. Remember that when Paul wrote this.....
        		a. The Caesars were reigning in Rome; corrupt - Caligula; evil - emperor
 			    worship... called the "beast" in Revelation.
           
II. WHAT ARE CHRISTIANS’ RESPONSIBILITIES TOWARD GOVERNMENT?
    	A. Submission and obedience - Titus 3:1
        		1. 1Peter 2:13-14
    	B. Recognize that government is God's servant.
        		1. Can we resist an ordinance of government that does not conflict with
 			    God's law? Well, can we resist a law of God?
        		2. Rom.13:2; 1Peter 2:15
    	C. Look to them for fairness and protection that belongs to citizens.
        		1. Acts 16:35-39, 22:25-29, 25:11-12, 24-27
        		2. We can expect and use the rights given us as citizens, as long as God
 			    permits those rights in His word.
            		a. Divorce, abortion, homosexuality.
            		b. We can appeal for honesty and fairness just like Paul.
    	D. Pray for them - 1Tim. 2:1-2; they need it!
        		1. Homosexuals in military, unrestricted abortion
    	E. Respect the office of civil authority - Acts 23:1-5; 26:1-3.
    	F. Put to silence those who class Christians as fanatics and troublemakers, by
 	    obeying the law when it does not conflict with truth.
        		1. 1Peter 2:15
        		2. Law flaunting Christians have no influence. Christians obey the law the
 			    way it is written; even speed limits.
    	G. Must put God's law above man's law when they disagree.
        		1. Acts 5:28-29; Rev. 13:15

WHAT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S DUTY TOWARD CITIZENS?

I. WHAT WOULD THE BIBLE SAY TO THE GOVERNOR?
        	A. Proverbs 17:13, 24:19-20,24-25, 28:4-5,9-10,16,28, 29:2,4,7,10,12,16
        		1. But I am not preaching to Ed Rendell.
    		2. What does the Bible say to you and me regarding our relationship to
		    him and his administration?

II. WE CAN BE CERTAIN THAT GOD KNOWS ED RENDELL WAS ELECTED
    	A. If God absolutely did not want him in office, he would still be a mayor.
        		1. We say, "God's will be done in all things."
        		2. Daniel 4:24-25, 34-35, 5:18-28; Hab. 2:20
    	B. If God cannot use a wicked ruler to serve His own divine purposes, then He is
	     not God.
        		1. We say, "God will be glorified in all things."
        		2. Ex. 9:16; Gen. 50:20; Isa. 1:10-28; 1Sam. 8:5-18

III. WE CAN BE CERTAIN THAT WHATEVER THE FUTURE OF AMERICA MAY BE,   
    IT WON'T BE ANYTHING THAT HASN'T ALREADY HAPPENED ELSEWHERE.
    	A. Ecc. 1:9; Prov. 14:24; Num. 35:30-34; Lev. 20:6-10, 13, 22-24; Isa. 3:1-17

Questions:
    	A. Could you serve God in a land ruled by:
        		1. A woman?  Margaret Thatcher, Esther, Deborah.
        		2. A foreigner?  Daniel.
        		3. A different race?  Joseph.
        		4. A wicked leader?  Jeremiah.
    	B. You can be a Christian and serve God under any leader, including a leader
	     that despises your faith.
        		1. Communism was no worse than the Romans.
        		2. Do your duty for three score and ten, and live for eternity.
Lessons:
    	A. God ordained that there be government to protect the innocent and punish the
 	     evildoers that order might prevail.
        		1. We must follow the Bible's instructions regarding our relationship with
 			    government regardless of whom or what kind of rule we may be under.
        		2. We can be faithful Christians no matter who is in charge.
    		3. Both in the Bible, and in secular history, when an nation forgot God,
		    rewarded criminals, and oppressed righteous people, THAT NATION
		    CAME DOWN... HARD!
	B. “Remind them to be subject to rulers…” Titus 3:1