WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.820 So, Thursday next, there's something happening. 00:00:09.040 --> 00:00:10.540 You may have seen it on the news. 00:00:12.460 --> 00:00:13.339 Anyone tell me? 00:00:16.859 --> 00:00:18.519 I'm hearing the word election. 00:00:20.019 --> 00:00:22.980 Yes, yes, I know, I know, I've barely been here five minutes. 00:00:22.980 --> 00:00:26.440 It's my first time preaching, and I'm already bringing up politics. 00:00:26.660 --> 00:00:29.060 What can I say? I'm a glutton for punishment. 00:00:30.300 --> 00:00:33.140 Don't worry, Clive. I'm not going to tell you who to vote for. 00:00:33.700 --> 00:00:39.159 That's not my place, and this certainly isn't the most appropriate place for me to do that. 00:00:40.159 --> 00:00:44.000 But I think it is worth talking about, because I, and I think many others, 00:00:44.560 --> 00:00:48.859 have been starting to feel fairly disillusioned and frustrated 00:00:48.859 --> 00:00:53.519 with how things are going politically in this country and around the world at the moment. 00:00:56.500 --> 00:00:59.140 And I've increasingly been feeling like something needs to change, 00:00:59.140 --> 00:01:00.899 or maybe we even just need to scrap the whole thing. 00:01:01.399 --> 00:01:04.180 And then I read these words from Romans 13. 00:01:05.439 --> 00:01:08.960 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities. 00:01:11.420 --> 00:01:11.859 Hmm. 00:01:11.859 --> 00:01:16.239 What do we do with that? 00:01:16.480 --> 00:01:18.579 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, 00:01:18.700 --> 00:01:23.239 for there is no authority except that which God has established. 00:01:23.239 --> 00:01:28.859 So what do we do with those words when politicians lie to us, 00:01:28.959 --> 00:01:31.239 or when vital public services are cut? 00:01:31.839 --> 00:01:36.060 How about when we look abroad at places like North Korea or Saudi Arabia, 00:01:36.060 --> 00:01:42.280 and we see the appalling things that those governments do to those in their authority? 00:01:42.280 --> 00:01:46.500 How do we look at all that and believe what Paul is writing here, 00:01:46.560 --> 00:01:51.260 that these authorities are established and instituted by God? 00:01:52.079 --> 00:01:55.519 Particularly given that he's writing to people in Rome, 00:01:56.120 --> 00:01:57.859 possibly under Nero, 00:01:58.819 --> 00:02:01.640 who was renowned for being an absolutely appalling leader. 00:02:01.960 --> 00:02:02.859 I mean, was he mad? 00:02:04.000 --> 00:02:05.340 What was Paul thinking here? 00:02:05.340 --> 00:02:11.000 Well, let us not forget whose words it is we are reading here. 00:02:11.120 --> 00:02:14.020 Paul was a servant of Jesus. 00:02:15.099 --> 00:02:19.000 Jesus, who for our sake was arrested and killed, 00:02:19.659 --> 00:02:20.960 despite being innocent. 00:02:21.719 --> 00:02:25.020 And Paul himself spent a lot of his ministry being arrested, 00:02:25.520 --> 00:02:26.759 imprisoned, beaten, 00:02:27.759 --> 00:02:30.300 for preaching the good news of Jesus. 00:02:30.300 --> 00:02:35.660 So let's not accuse Paul of being naive enough to think 00:02:35.660 --> 00:02:40.300 that all authorities are good all of the time. 00:02:41.520 --> 00:02:44.600 Because he'd be very aware that they're not. 00:02:46.100 --> 00:02:49.660 But he would be very aware that these governments won't be in charge forever 00:02:49.660 --> 00:02:52.700 because Jesus is coming back. 00:02:53.400 --> 00:02:56.560 And then the whole world would be under his authority. 00:02:56.560 --> 00:03:00.520 He says it at the end of today's passage, verse 11. 00:03:01.140 --> 00:03:03.979 For the hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, 00:03:04.060 --> 00:03:08.819 because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 00:03:09.199 --> 00:03:11.120 The night is nearly over. 00:03:11.780 --> 00:03:13.680 The day is almost here. 00:03:14.659 --> 00:03:17.360 Every day when we wake up, 00:03:18.039 --> 00:03:21.920 we are one step closer to the day when Jesus will return. 00:03:21.919 --> 00:03:26.699 So let's keep that in mind as we explore this scripture together. 00:03:28.599 --> 00:03:29.579 So let's look again. 00:03:29.659 --> 00:03:31.799 What does Paul say about governments? 00:03:31.919 --> 00:03:32.359 Verse 1. 00:03:32.639 --> 00:03:34.639 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, 00:03:34.859 --> 00:03:37.919 for there is no authority except that which God has established. 00:03:38.859 --> 00:03:41.919 The authorities that exist have been established by God. 00:03:42.419 --> 00:03:45.579 Consequently, whoever rebels against authority 00:03:45.579 --> 00:03:48.439 is rebelling against what God has instituted. 00:03:48.439 --> 00:03:52.439 And those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 00:03:55.060 --> 00:03:59.780 So governments exist, in general, because God wants them to. 00:04:00.759 --> 00:04:04.919 They exist because they do things which God considers necessary. 00:04:05.099 --> 00:04:09.659 Things which I believe will be done when Jesus returns 00:04:09.659 --> 00:04:12.599 and when we live under the rule and reign of God. 00:04:13.500 --> 00:04:15.000 What will that kingdom look like? 00:04:15.900 --> 00:04:16.579 Peace. 00:04:17.459 --> 00:04:17.680 Yes? 00:04:17.680 --> 00:04:18.060 Justice. 00:04:19.439 --> 00:04:23.079 People united together under the common will of God. 00:04:23.180 --> 00:04:24.199 Well, at its best, 00:04:25.219 --> 00:04:26.959 that is what government is for. 00:04:27.480 --> 00:04:28.339 Verse 4 says this. 00:04:28.439 --> 00:04:32.379 For the one in authority is God's servant for your good. 00:04:33.480 --> 00:04:34.899 But if you do wrong, be afraid, 00:04:35.000 --> 00:04:37.639 for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. 00:04:38.079 --> 00:04:39.220 They are God's servants, 00:04:39.819 --> 00:04:42.800 agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 00:04:44.439 --> 00:04:47.040 So, governments exist to care for their people 00:04:47.040 --> 00:04:47.680 and to bring about justice. 00:04:47.680 --> 00:04:48.860 And to bring about justice. 00:04:48.860 --> 00:04:51.000 That's that sword of wrath to bear, 00:04:51.319 --> 00:04:53.520 to right the wrongs that have been done 00:04:53.520 --> 00:04:55.780 by those under their authority. 00:04:55.779 --> 00:05:02.979 Therefore, verse 5, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, 00:05:03.479 --> 00:05:05.319 not only because of possible punishment, 00:05:06.059 --> 00:05:08.799 but also as a matter of conscience. 00:05:08.800 --> 00:05:12.439 submit to authority as a matter of conscience. 00:05:12.439 --> 00:05:19.960 Part of following Jesus is believing that these things which government does is important. 00:05:19.959 --> 00:05:24.319 Not necessarily because we believe strongly in the actions of our government, 00:05:24.319 --> 00:05:27.919 or in the policies of a particular party, 00:05:28.500 --> 00:05:34.159 but because we long for the day when the rule of law will be replaced by the rule of the Lord. 00:05:34.160 --> 00:05:40.160 Because we believe that our existence isn't just about getting whatever we want 00:05:40.160 --> 00:05:41.580 and doing whatever we please. 00:05:41.960 --> 00:05:44.860 Rather, it's about looking beyond ourselves 00:05:44.860 --> 00:05:49.340 and working together to see God's will being done on earth, 00:05:49.700 --> 00:05:50.700 as it is in heaven. 00:05:52.940 --> 00:05:56.540 Governments affect the lives of whole nations, 00:05:56.540 --> 00:06:00.080 and so they can only operate by forcing us to look beyond ourselves. 00:06:02.720 --> 00:06:07.340 And this, verse 6, is why you pay taxes. 00:06:08.080 --> 00:06:10.500 I can see I'm getting more popular by the second. 00:06:13.640 --> 00:06:15.400 This is why you pay tax, verse 6. 00:06:16.320 --> 00:06:20.020 For the authorities are God's servants who give their full time to governing. 00:06:20.520 --> 00:06:22.060 Give to everyone what you owe them. 00:06:22.439 --> 00:06:24.120 If you owe them taxes, pay taxes. 00:06:24.480 --> 00:06:25.540 If revenue, then revenue. 00:06:25.540 --> 00:06:27.260 If respect, then respect. 00:06:27.680 --> 00:06:29.580 If honour, then honour. 00:06:31.860 --> 00:06:34.360 If our lives were all about me, me, me, me, me, 00:06:34.360 --> 00:06:37.200 then tax makes absolutely no sense. 00:06:38.840 --> 00:06:40.700 Why would I take my hard-earned cash 00:06:40.700 --> 00:06:42.700 and give it to someone else to spend on other people? 00:06:44.860 --> 00:06:46.939 I'd use it myself for my own benefit, surely. 00:06:47.720 --> 00:06:49.680 But of course, that's not what life's about, 00:06:50.560 --> 00:06:52.400 and it's not what God wants for us. 00:06:52.640 --> 00:06:54.879 Paul hits the nail on the head in verses 8 to 10. 00:06:54.879 --> 00:06:56.339 I'll just read verse 8 for you. 00:06:56.339 --> 00:07:01.899 Let no debt remain outstanding except the continuing debt to love one another. 00:07:02.459 --> 00:07:05.420 For whoever loves others has already fulfilled the law. 00:07:05.420 --> 00:07:11.960 This ultimately is what governments exist for, 00:07:12.480 --> 00:07:15.060 although they may not think of it in such terms, 00:07:15.060 --> 00:07:18.140 to encourage us to love one another, 00:07:18.439 --> 00:07:22.259 to force us to look beyond ourselves to the needs of others. 00:07:22.259 --> 00:07:26.060 I don't know if you've ever looked at your payslip, 00:07:26.539 --> 00:07:28.779 at the tax deducted from your salary, 00:07:28.779 --> 00:07:29.339 and thought, 00:07:29.719 --> 00:07:32.560 that's love that I'm paying out there. 00:07:35.139 --> 00:07:35.539 Strange. 00:07:35.639 --> 00:07:37.199 I know to think about it that way, but it's true. 00:07:38.019 --> 00:07:39.159 It's an act of love. 00:07:39.399 --> 00:07:41.180 You're giving something away 00:07:41.180 --> 00:07:43.800 so that it will do good for others 00:07:43.800 --> 00:07:46.800 in the form of schools, hospitals, infrastructure, 00:07:46.800 --> 00:07:49.079 paying our public servants, 00:07:49.180 --> 00:07:50.360 whatever you may think about them. 00:07:51.180 --> 00:07:53.040 You can probably think of countless other things 00:07:53.040 --> 00:07:53.900 that I haven't mentioned. 00:07:55.259 --> 00:07:58.740 Doing our part in paying for stuff that benefits others, 00:07:59.319 --> 00:08:00.699 that's showing love for your neighbour. 00:08:00.699 --> 00:08:04.740 And not only that, 00:08:05.899 --> 00:08:08.879 it shows that we value these things. 00:08:08.979 --> 00:08:10.399 What we spend our money on 00:08:10.399 --> 00:08:13.519 is an indicator of what we value, 00:08:13.639 --> 00:08:15.439 what we think is important. 00:08:16.899 --> 00:08:19.060 Think about the things you spend money on for a moment. 00:08:19.699 --> 00:08:20.139 Food, 00:08:20.719 --> 00:08:21.459 heating your house, 00:08:22.120 --> 00:08:22.620 clothes, 00:08:24.060 --> 00:08:24.839 treats for yourself, 00:08:24.939 --> 00:08:26.120 for the people that you care about. 00:08:26.120 --> 00:08:30.720 I'm sure many people in this room 00:08:30.720 --> 00:08:33.259 also give money to Christchurch 00:08:33.259 --> 00:08:34.879 through your bank account 00:08:34.879 --> 00:08:35.480 or in the basket 00:08:35.480 --> 00:08:36.860 on that little space age gizmo 00:08:36.860 --> 00:08:37.580 that we keep plugging. 00:08:39.500 --> 00:08:40.639 I'm sure you do that 00:08:40.639 --> 00:08:41.639 because you believe 00:08:41.639 --> 00:08:43.720 in the work that Christchurch does 00:08:43.720 --> 00:08:46.000 in seeing God's will done 00:08:46.000 --> 00:08:47.220 and the gospel proclaimed 00:08:47.220 --> 00:08:48.379 in Clevedon and beyond. 00:08:49.539 --> 00:08:51.000 Maybe you also give to charities 00:08:51.000 --> 00:08:51.899 for similar reasons 00:08:51.899 --> 00:08:52.740 because you believe 00:08:52.740 --> 00:08:53.960 that the work that they do 00:08:53.960 --> 00:08:55.060 is important. 00:08:56.120 --> 00:08:58.320 Well, Paul encouraged 00:08:58.320 --> 00:09:00.159 the Roman church to pay tax 00:09:00.159 --> 00:09:01.500 and in doing so, 00:09:01.580 --> 00:09:02.740 he encourages us 00:09:02.740 --> 00:09:04.039 to put our money 00:09:04.039 --> 00:09:04.759 where our mouth is 00:09:04.759 --> 00:09:05.879 and really value 00:09:05.879 --> 00:09:07.879 the work of our government. 00:09:09.759 --> 00:09:11.120 But that doesn't just mean 00:09:11.120 --> 00:09:11.820 sitting there 00:09:11.820 --> 00:09:12.720 and applauding everything 00:09:12.720 --> 00:09:13.320 that they do. 00:09:13.759 --> 00:09:14.139 No, no, 00:09:14.179 --> 00:09:15.480 it's far more exciting than that. 00:09:15.820 --> 00:09:17.360 To really believe in 00:09:17.360 --> 00:09:18.919 and value a government, 00:09:19.060 --> 00:09:20.299 we must long for it to be 00:09:20.299 --> 00:09:21.899 the best that it can possibly be. 00:09:22.799 --> 00:09:23.539 And for Christians, 00:09:23.639 --> 00:09:24.639 that means having a government 00:09:24.639 --> 00:09:26.559 that points to the coming rule 00:09:26.559 --> 00:09:28.080 and reign of God 00:09:28.080 --> 00:09:29.419 when Jesus returns. 00:09:30.679 --> 00:09:31.199 So, 00:09:31.539 --> 00:09:33.220 when we see our government 00:09:33.220 --> 00:09:34.179 failing at that, 00:09:34.679 --> 00:09:36.899 when we see injustice, 00:09:37.120 --> 00:09:38.100 when we see the needy 00:09:38.100 --> 00:09:39.240 not being served, 00:09:39.319 --> 00:09:40.299 when the voice of hatred 00:09:40.299 --> 00:09:42.439 is louder than the voice of love, 00:09:43.259 --> 00:09:45.460 what else can we do but act? 00:09:46.679 --> 00:09:47.860 Let's hold those 00:09:47.860 --> 00:09:49.279 in authority to account. 00:09:50.000 --> 00:09:50.899 Call for them to act 00:09:50.899 --> 00:09:52.480 with justice and righteousness. 00:09:52.779 --> 00:09:55.620 Not because we hate our government, 00:09:55.740 --> 00:09:56.959 not because we're frustrated 00:09:56.959 --> 00:09:57.600 with our government, 00:09:57.720 --> 00:09:59.299 but because we long for them 00:09:59.299 --> 00:10:00.639 to submit to the, 00:10:01.059 --> 00:10:02.139 because we long to submit 00:10:02.139 --> 00:10:03.959 to our government under God. 00:10:04.759 --> 00:10:06.860 Because we want people in authority 00:10:06.860 --> 00:10:08.919 to be people worth submitting to. 00:10:08.919 --> 00:10:15.599 So let's call out for them 00:10:15.599 --> 00:10:16.879 to be the best they can be 00:10:16.879 --> 00:10:17.319 and above all, 00:10:17.399 --> 00:10:19.059 let's pray for our leaders as well. 00:10:20.319 --> 00:10:21.919 Pray that they would govern wisely 00:10:21.919 --> 00:10:23.259 with justice and honour. 00:10:23.419 --> 00:10:24.479 Pray that they would know 00:10:24.479 --> 00:10:25.959 Jesus as their Lord 00:10:25.959 --> 00:10:27.079 and seek to do his will. 00:10:29.379 --> 00:10:31.919 We have an Advent election coming up. 00:10:31.919 --> 00:10:37.139 A time now when the church 00:10:37.139 --> 00:10:40.199 looks, celebrates the coming of Jesus 00:10:40.199 --> 00:10:42.699 and looks for his coming again 00:10:42.699 --> 00:10:43.259 in the future. 00:10:45.360 --> 00:10:47.159 Will we see God's kingdom coming 00:10:47.159 --> 00:10:48.379 this year? 00:10:49.439 --> 00:10:50.979 And will we see God's will done 00:10:50.979 --> 00:10:52.659 on earth as it is in heaven? 00:10:52.659 --> 00:10:52.759 Amen.