WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.820 Well, good morning. We are on our final week in a series on authority. 00:00:05.820 --> 00:00:14.919 This first week of our study, I worked to make a case that there is God-ordained authority in the world and that we do well to understand this and submit to it. 00:00:15.679 --> 00:00:18.280 We then considered briefly the authority of the family. 00:00:19.059 --> 00:00:24.580 Over the next two weeks, we thought together about the authority of the church and elder-led congregationalism. 00:00:24.579 --> 00:00:36.579 Now, in hindsight, I think I would have spent the four weeks set aside just working out the case for elder-led congregationalism and all of the implications thereof. 00:00:37.280 --> 00:00:39.280 But, alas, here we are. 00:00:40.119 --> 00:00:44.519 Today, we have purpose to consider the authority of the government. 00:00:44.520 --> 00:00:56.460 Now, in my study and preparation for today, I find that I will struggle to make a comprehensive presentation that won't raise more questions than it answers. 00:00:57.359 --> 00:01:09.060 Interestingly, if we think about the authority of the government in our particular system, the primary authority holder is the citizen. 00:01:09.060 --> 00:01:19.400 And so, it creates a lot of interesting complications that I'd like to work out in their entirety, but I don't think we'll have the time this morning. 00:01:19.579 --> 00:01:25.060 So, I'm going to backpedal just a bit, which I hope will serve the greater good. 00:01:25.920 --> 00:01:29.560 So, this morning, we're going to do three things together. 00:01:29.560 --> 00:01:41.700 First, I want to remind you once again, and very briefly, of the eight overarching biblical assertions I made on week one and have reminded you of in each subsequent week. 00:01:42.400 --> 00:01:52.560 Number two, we will unpack in brief our Confessions article on civil government, the one found in your bulletin, the one that was part of our recitation this morning. 00:01:52.560 --> 00:01:57.200 So, we're going to take that sentence by sentence and look at some scripture proof for that. 00:01:57.280 --> 00:02:02.299 So, we're not going to ignore the issue of governmental authority altogether this morning. 00:02:03.120 --> 00:02:09.400 But then thirdly, I will make a short case for the good of submission to godly authority. 00:02:09.520 --> 00:02:12.780 So, kind of round this thing out for our service. 00:02:13.500 --> 00:02:21.000 Now, our time will not be devoid of the Bible, but I do not have a text for you to turn to to begin with. 00:02:21.000 --> 00:02:32.300 You may be wondering what text I turn to, and you probably know, if you're paying at all attention to my preaching, that I have all of the scripture references in my notes. 00:02:32.419 --> 00:02:34.360 I don't frantically flip. 00:02:34.500 --> 00:02:36.199 I find that that takes a lot of time. 00:02:36.360 --> 00:02:39.879 I'm not as fast as turning pages as I'd like to be. 00:02:40.159 --> 00:02:48.020 So, I put them right there in my notes, but I still bring up and open up the scripture, typically to the primary text we're preaching on, 00:02:48.020 --> 00:02:53.320 because it's a visible sign of the authority that's over my preaching. 00:02:53.560 --> 00:03:00.800 So, as we're thinking about authority, I always wanted to be really clear that this is under the authority of God's word. 00:03:01.700 --> 00:03:04.980 So, this morning, I turned to Romans chapter 13. 00:03:05.379 --> 00:03:09.280 We are going to reference it, but not in very much detail. 00:03:09.379 --> 00:03:11.100 But that's why I do this. 00:03:11.099 --> 00:03:19.259 But I do want you to have your Bibles in hand, to listen actively, and to take notes. 00:03:19.340 --> 00:03:26.819 I'd be really happy to have you turn with me and turn your attention to the scripture as we think clearly this morning together. 00:03:26.819 --> 00:03:33.400 So, if you want to study this topic further, so if you've been primed to think about authority more, 00:03:33.500 --> 00:03:39.519 if this has created good conversations in your family, amongst your friends, at work, etc., 00:03:39.519 --> 00:03:44.859 and you want to do more work with this, I'll be really glad to do so with you. 00:03:45.039 --> 00:03:47.879 I would like to spend some more time on it. 00:03:47.879 --> 00:03:54.060 And what I'm going to do is suggest that we read together the book I've referenced a number of times called Authority, 00:03:54.719 --> 00:04:01.000 How Godly Rule Protects the Vulnerable, Strengthens Our Communities, and Promotes Human Flourishing by Jonathan Lehman. 00:04:01.079 --> 00:04:04.180 So, this is that book that I hold in my hand. 00:04:04.579 --> 00:04:06.519 I've referenced it again a couple of times. 00:04:07.500 --> 00:04:08.859 I do commend it to you. 00:04:08.939 --> 00:04:13.180 I'm not sure that I agree with every jot and tittle in it just yet, 00:04:13.180 --> 00:04:17.120 but I think it'll create some really healthy conversation amongst us. 00:04:17.120 --> 00:04:20.100 And so, I'll make a post this week on Slack to just gauge interest. 00:04:20.220 --> 00:04:23.439 So, if you're interested in doing so, interact with that post, 00:04:23.500 --> 00:04:28.120 and we'll see if we can come up with a plan to think more about this very thing. 00:04:29.040 --> 00:04:34.480 As I said today, session four of this on authority, the government. 00:04:35.040 --> 00:04:41.540 But first, here are the eight overarching biblical assertions in our study so far. 00:04:41.540 --> 00:04:45.800 So, firstly, and quite possibly most importantly, 00:04:45.800 --> 00:04:49.520 God's authority is innate. 00:04:49.720 --> 00:04:51.980 That means that it comes from him. 00:04:52.079 --> 00:04:56.040 Nobody gave him authority or he has the highest authority. 00:04:56.579 --> 00:04:59.120 And as such, it is final. 00:04:59.639 --> 00:05:05.639 So, if God says something, that is the standard by which everything else must exist. 00:05:05.740 --> 00:05:09.220 So, God's authority is innate and it is final. 00:05:09.220 --> 00:05:16.620 Number two, God's authority is necessarily good because he is good. 00:05:16.780 --> 00:05:24.340 It's part of his very nature and therefore anything that emanates from him must then be for our good. 00:05:24.460 --> 00:05:29.220 So, we often immediately think of authority as a bad thing, an oppressive thing, 00:05:29.860 --> 00:05:32.560 but not the case with God's authority. 00:05:32.700 --> 00:05:36.560 His authority is necessarily good because he is good. 00:05:36.560 --> 00:05:42.220 Thirdly, humankind has an authority problem. 00:05:42.660 --> 00:05:45.040 We do not like authority. 00:05:45.280 --> 00:05:52.519 And we're going to revisit this particular point as we kind of pick up this argument for the good of authority in our lives. 00:05:52.600 --> 00:05:54.000 So, I'll move on from it now. 00:05:54.079 --> 00:05:57.800 But we have an authority problem as humankind. 00:05:57.800 --> 00:06:04.819 Fourthly, the way God's authority works out in the world is through delegation. 00:06:05.139 --> 00:06:15.040 So, God delegates authority that always has limits and is always subservient to the one who delegated. 00:06:15.180 --> 00:06:20.740 So, God remains the highest authority even as he delegates authority. 00:06:20.939 --> 00:06:23.800 That authority answers to him. 00:06:23.800 --> 00:06:32.120 Fifthly, when a person or institution takes up a responsibility not granted to them, right? 00:06:32.180 --> 00:06:35.800 So, they seize authority when it's not been given to them. 00:06:36.520 --> 00:06:43.040 Or exercises an authority that is granted to them in a way that's not granted to them. 00:06:43.340 --> 00:06:45.740 It is at best ineffective. 00:06:46.400 --> 00:06:48.720 It is at worst abusive. 00:06:49.580 --> 00:06:51.720 A scale to be had there. 00:06:51.720 --> 00:07:00.460 Sixth, the aim of exercising authority and submission to God's good authority is for, 00:07:00.660 --> 00:07:03.660 and this was borrowed from the subtitle of the book I mentioned, 00:07:04.340 --> 00:07:12.400 the sake of protecting the vulnerable, strengthening our communities, and promoting human flourishing, right? 00:07:12.920 --> 00:07:15.960 All very good things, right? 00:07:16.000 --> 00:07:18.340 I think we could say yes and amen to all of those. 00:07:18.339 --> 00:07:26.139 So, exercising godly authority is for this very good end. 00:07:27.079 --> 00:07:33.639 Number seven, God delegates his authority through three institutions and six positions. 00:07:33.779 --> 00:07:36.779 And I'm just going to rattle off the three institutions for you quickly. 00:07:37.359 --> 00:07:41.579 The family, the church, and the government. 00:07:41.579 --> 00:07:41.939 Okay? 00:07:42.099 --> 00:07:44.659 So, family, church, government. 00:07:44.959 --> 00:07:50.359 And you do really well, and Lehman's book does get into this idea of sphere authority. 00:07:50.779 --> 00:07:55.079 There's these three institutions, and they're given reign over particular things. 00:07:55.199 --> 00:07:59.079 What are those things, and how are they meant to interact together? 00:07:59.180 --> 00:07:59.939 So, three institutions. 00:08:00.419 --> 00:08:05.379 The family, the church, the government, and then there are six authoritative positions. 00:08:05.379 --> 00:08:14.819 And then, eighth, lastly, within these three institutions and six positions, there's granted two types of authority. 00:08:15.319 --> 00:08:19.379 The first is the authority of command, or you could think in terms of coercion. 00:08:20.180 --> 00:08:24.899 So, it's the power to make someone do something by force, right? 00:08:24.939 --> 00:08:30.860 There's serious consequences if you don't do the thing that you're being told to do. 00:08:31.319 --> 00:08:33.720 It possesses the right of corrective discipline. 00:08:33.720 --> 00:08:36.639 So, we talked a bit about those tools that are given. 00:08:37.139 --> 00:08:39.139 The rod, given to the family. 00:08:39.660 --> 00:08:42.440 The keys, given to the church. 00:08:42.720 --> 00:08:46.060 And the sword, given to the government. 00:08:46.300 --> 00:08:51.279 So, this type of authority is the type of authority that the government has. 00:08:51.340 --> 00:08:53.700 The authority of command. 00:08:54.379 --> 00:09:01.700 The other type is the authority of counsel, or persuasion, which is the power to convince someone to do something. 00:09:01.700 --> 00:09:05.540 So, it's an authority granted to that person. 00:09:06.160 --> 00:09:06.960 Commands given. 00:09:07.160 --> 00:09:11.500 The example that we repeated quite a bit is husband to wife. 00:09:11.580 --> 00:09:17.920 A wife is commanded to submit to her husband, but the husband does not have the authority of retribution, right? 00:09:17.920 --> 00:09:20.680 To bring about some kind of punishment, right? 00:09:20.840 --> 00:09:25.240 It should bear on her conscience to listen to his counsel. 00:09:25.240 --> 00:09:29.480 But all he has in his authority is to counsel, right? 00:09:29.659 --> 00:09:35.180 To give her good advice, godly advice, to plead with her to obey it. 00:09:35.620 --> 00:09:37.080 That's where that lies. 00:09:37.159 --> 00:09:40.779 So, the authority of command and the authority of counsel. 00:09:40.779 --> 00:09:48.519 And I think, it has been for me, all of this is a really helpful rubric for us to think about the world in which we live, right? 00:09:48.559 --> 00:09:50.480 How am I to submit? 00:09:50.659 --> 00:09:52.500 And what authority has been granted to me? 00:09:52.639 --> 00:09:57.480 And if granted to me, how should I exercise that authority? 00:09:57.659 --> 00:10:06.659 A lot of frustration exists in our world, I think, because we don't have a clear view of the way God has delegated authority in our world. 00:10:06.659 --> 00:10:13.019 Okay, so those are the reminders, those eight overarching assertions that have been made. 00:10:13.240 --> 00:10:17.459 So, let's think now, secondly, together, about government. 00:10:17.639 --> 00:10:19.279 And I just want to unpack that sentence. 00:10:19.439 --> 00:10:24.620 So, if you have your bulletin, you can look at that sentence, and I'm just going to take it bit by bit. 00:10:26.259 --> 00:10:32.379 First part of that statement, we believe, and this is from our current confession, the CFC Statement of Faith, 00:10:32.379 --> 00:10:37.039 which is borrowed from the 1833 New Hampshire Confession. 00:10:37.279 --> 00:10:38.259 So, it says this, 00:10:38.960 --> 00:10:48.899 We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interests and good order of human society. 00:10:49.639 --> 00:10:58.539 So, God creates and controls civil authorities for his glory in his global purpose. 00:10:58.539 --> 00:11:02.480 Divinely appointed, the governments are. 00:11:03.279 --> 00:11:08.439 The scope of his working is impossible for us to fathom. 00:11:08.799 --> 00:11:13.099 There's times you just think, how could this possibly be the person elected? 00:11:14.000 --> 00:11:15.980 Could this be the Lord's will? 00:11:16.039 --> 00:11:17.599 And the answer is, yes, it is. 00:11:18.039 --> 00:11:20.179 Do we fully understand why? 00:11:21.439 --> 00:11:22.980 Rarely these days, right? 00:11:22.980 --> 00:11:36.620 But nonetheless, we really can't deny that governments are of divine appointment and, generally speaking, are for the ordering of society. 00:11:37.039 --> 00:11:41.440 The reason we can't deny it is because the scripture teaches it. 00:11:42.000 --> 00:11:45.920 So, first reference, Romans chapter 13. 00:11:46.379 --> 00:11:49.039 I'll read the first seven verses of that chapter. 00:11:49.039 --> 00:11:54.139 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. 00:11:54.980 --> 00:11:58.059 For there is no authority except from God. 00:11:58.419 --> 00:12:02.480 And those that exist have been instituted by God. 00:12:03.099 --> 00:12:05.839 You see why I said there's no denying that fact? 00:12:06.740 --> 00:12:08.179 We are to be subject to governing authorities. 00:12:08.419 --> 00:12:10.379 For, this last half of verse 1, 00:12:10.779 --> 00:12:14.819 there is no authority except from God. 00:12:14.820 --> 00:12:20.020 And those that exist have been instituted by God. 00:12:20.800 --> 00:12:24.020 Therefore, whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed. 00:12:24.200 --> 00:12:26.940 And those who resist will incur judgment. 00:12:27.980 --> 00:12:30.900 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. 00:12:31.640 --> 00:12:33.520 Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? 00:12:34.020 --> 00:12:36.480 Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval. 00:12:36.620 --> 00:12:38.960 For he is God's servant for your good. 00:12:38.960 --> 00:12:43.420 But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. 00:12:43.960 --> 00:12:48.900 For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. 00:12:49.860 --> 00:12:55.300 Therefore, one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath, but also for the sake of conscience. 00:12:56.139 --> 00:12:58.379 For because of this, you also pay taxes. 00:12:58.500 --> 00:13:02.540 For the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 00:13:02.539 --> 00:13:05.099 Pay to all what is owed to them. 00:13:05.459 --> 00:13:06.719 Taxes to whom taxes are owed. 00:13:07.240 --> 00:13:08.779 Revenue to whom revenue is owed. 00:13:09.279 --> 00:13:11.019 Respect to whom respect is owed. 00:13:11.219 --> 00:13:14.000 Honor to whom honor is owed. 00:13:15.019 --> 00:13:21.639 So, when we re-engage in our study of Romans, which we'll be doing next week, Lord willing, 00:13:22.299 --> 00:13:26.000 we will soon have an opportunity to study this text further. 00:13:26.199 --> 00:13:27.299 And we will. 00:13:27.299 --> 00:13:33.219 But just note, at this point in this confessional statement, 00:13:34.120 --> 00:13:39.899 that Paul is calling Christians generally to submit to governmental authority. 00:13:40.159 --> 00:13:46.659 So, we believe that civil government is of divine appointment, whether we understand it or not, 00:13:47.199 --> 00:13:51.159 for the interests and good order of human society. 00:13:52.159 --> 00:13:53.479 Next part of the phrase. 00:13:53.480 --> 00:14:03.139 And that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed. 00:14:03.639 --> 00:14:08.519 So, there's commands that we ought to pray for those who are in charge. 00:14:08.639 --> 00:14:15.259 And I must admit that I am far too guilty of talking about those who are in charge and not praying for them. 00:14:15.940 --> 00:14:18.440 I, as an individual, need to be better about this. 00:14:18.500 --> 00:14:20.960 We, as a church, need to be better about this. 00:14:20.960 --> 00:14:23.680 1 Timothy chapter 2, verse 1 and 2. 00:14:24.320 --> 00:14:30.740 First of all, then I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 00:14:30.940 --> 00:14:34.160 for kings and all who are in high positions, 00:14:34.160 --> 00:14:40.480 that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 00:14:40.740 --> 00:14:40.879 Right? 00:14:41.420 --> 00:14:43.160 I think there's a couple of things going on in this text. 00:14:43.159 --> 00:14:53.319 I think we're meant to be praying for those who are in power so that they will make decisions that lend towards peaceful and quiet, godly, and dignified lives. 00:14:53.819 --> 00:15:02.539 When society is ordered as society ought to be ordered, it is much easier for those who claim the name of Christ to live lives in this way. 00:15:02.539 --> 00:15:08.480 But also, I think that Paul means for us to see that if we are praying for those who are in power, 00:15:09.120 --> 00:15:15.019 we are much more likely to find ourselves living these kinds of lives in response. 00:15:15.579 --> 00:15:22.459 It is difficult to be indignant towards somebody that you're carrying before the throne of God. 00:15:22.460 --> 00:15:26.840 So we are to pray for those who are in charge. 00:15:26.960 --> 00:15:32.540 And we are to conscientiously honor them and obey them. 00:15:33.280 --> 00:15:35.620 1 Peter 2, verses 13 and 14. 00:15:35.840 --> 00:15:41.440 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 00:15:41.920 --> 00:15:48.379 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 00:15:48.379 --> 00:15:55.419 So, for much of Christian history, and right now in much of the world, 00:15:56.039 --> 00:16:03.419 these kinds of commands, there's not much space for disobedience in them in those societies. 00:16:04.519 --> 00:16:07.279 Ours is a bit different, and it raises some interesting questions. 00:16:07.439 --> 00:16:14.440 It actually seems to be the responsibility of good citizens to revolt at times. 00:16:14.440 --> 00:16:18.940 This very nation was founded, and there was a theological debate happening. 00:16:19.240 --> 00:16:25.340 Was it appropriate or not to cast off England as a ruler? 00:16:25.820 --> 00:16:28.920 And people fell on both sides of that argument in that day. 00:16:29.020 --> 00:16:32.100 People fall on both sides of that argument in this day. 00:16:32.340 --> 00:16:42.040 Was it proper for, was it biblically faithful to become a rebel and to fight against England? 00:16:42.039 --> 00:16:45.599 And I think it was, but I digress. 00:16:45.980 --> 00:16:49.039 So, these are important questions for us to be asking and thinking about, 00:16:49.399 --> 00:16:53.099 but we have a bit of a luxury even to ask it, right? 00:16:53.259 --> 00:17:00.339 People in other places in the world are not living in any measure of righteous society, 00:17:00.500 --> 00:17:06.819 and yet have to consider what it means to be subject to a human institution, right? 00:17:06.819 --> 00:17:12.460 Magistrates are to be prayed for, they are to be honored, and they are to be obeyed. 00:17:12.759 --> 00:17:13.839 Accept, right? 00:17:13.919 --> 00:17:15.259 The next bit of the phrase. 00:17:16.139 --> 00:17:23.059 Accept only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:17:23.559 --> 00:17:29.759 Not too many years ago, we were faced having to consider this very thing 00:17:29.759 --> 00:17:34.339 as governments across our nation shut down the meetings of people. 00:17:34.339 --> 00:17:37.019 And this was not an easy thing to navigate. 00:17:37.419 --> 00:17:39.079 It was difficult. 00:17:40.039 --> 00:17:41.119 Was it reasonable? 00:17:41.299 --> 00:17:42.939 Was it unreasonable, right? 00:17:42.959 --> 00:17:48.119 I think there are times in which not gathering as people might be appropriate. 00:17:48.679 --> 00:17:51.259 And we're not neglecting to gather as saints. 00:17:51.819 --> 00:17:55.879 And then there are times when it's not appropriate and not reasonable. 00:17:55.980 --> 00:17:58.319 And we had to navigate that gray area. 00:17:58.500 --> 00:18:02.879 What ought we do in this particular case? 00:18:02.880 --> 00:18:07.000 But we have some more clear examples in the scripture, right? 00:18:07.080 --> 00:18:10.240 We have the examples of the apostles in Acts chapter 5. 00:18:10.320 --> 00:18:15.460 This is beginning in verse 27 when the captains with the opus questioned them, right? 00:18:15.500 --> 00:18:19.500 So they have already been beaten and told not to speak in the name of Christ, 00:18:19.540 --> 00:18:22.120 and they're doing it anyway, so they're re-arrested. 00:18:22.119 --> 00:18:23.799 And the council says this, 00:18:23.799 --> 00:18:27.159 we strictly charge you not to teach in this name, 00:18:27.979 --> 00:18:30.759 yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, 00:18:30.899 --> 00:18:36.599 and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us, speaking of Christ, right? 00:18:36.619 --> 00:18:40.099 We told you not to do this thing, and yet you're doing it anyway. 00:18:40.199 --> 00:18:43.379 That is sharing the good news of Jesus. 00:18:43.380 --> 00:18:48.640 And Peter responds, this is Peter and the apostles, verse 29, 00:18:49.500 --> 00:18:53.820 we must obey God rather than men. 00:18:54.240 --> 00:18:58.720 So that higher authority that all civil authority is subject to, 00:18:58.940 --> 00:19:03.000 we must obey God rather than men. 00:19:04.220 --> 00:19:06.100 And we have also, and most importantly, 00:19:06.280 --> 00:19:09.820 the example and teaching of Christ himself. 00:19:09.819 --> 00:19:13.079 He said in Matthew 10 in verse 28, 00:19:13.480 --> 00:19:17.779 Christ was quite the rebel in his day. 00:19:18.379 --> 00:19:18.539 He said, 00:19:18.639 --> 00:19:22.460 Do not fear those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul. 00:19:23.059 --> 00:19:28.679 Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 00:19:29.259 --> 00:19:34.319 So there's a higher authority than those civil authorities. 00:19:34.319 --> 00:19:41.939 So we're to obey except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:19:43.079 --> 00:19:46.079 Charles Spurgeon, this is on the back of your bulletin, once said, 00:19:46.619 --> 00:19:51.619 There are points of inevitable contact between the higher and lower spheres. 00:19:51.919 --> 00:19:55.099 So he's saying God's authority and lower authority. 00:19:55.099 --> 00:19:59.419 Inevitable contact between the higher and lower spheres. 00:19:59.859 --> 00:20:05.000 Points where politics persist in coming into collision with our faith. 00:20:05.699 --> 00:20:08.959 And there we shall be traitors both to heaven and earth. 00:20:09.139 --> 00:20:13.319 If we consult our comfort by sinking into the rear. 00:20:13.459 --> 00:20:20.339 So he's saying if we appease our comfort by shrinking back when we ought to press forward. 00:20:20.339 --> 00:20:24.379 But traitors both to heaven, to God and our allegiance to him, 00:20:24.480 --> 00:20:30.599 and to earth, the good of mankind, if we don't press back against. 00:20:31.480 --> 00:20:34.539 So there's this huge spectrum in Christendom, right? 00:20:34.819 --> 00:20:42.139 People on the one end of the spectrum who would focus most of their energy on being politically involved 00:20:42.139 --> 00:20:46.399 and bringing about the temporal good of the place in which they live. 00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:50.720 There are churches that are in some sense political packs, right? 00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:53.320 They get together and speak about how they're going to be involved. 00:20:53.420 --> 00:20:55.300 And that's the extent of what they do together. 00:20:55.580 --> 00:20:59.360 It's a bit of a mission drift, I would argue, for the church. 00:20:59.980 --> 00:21:05.600 On the other end of the spectrum, there are those who would be gospel only, they would suggest. 00:21:05.820 --> 00:21:07.800 So we'll not be involved at all. 00:21:08.120 --> 00:21:10.700 There are Christians in this country who don't vote. 00:21:10.700 --> 00:21:16.299 They don't want to be encumbered by the affairs of this world and have nothing to do with it whatsoever. 00:21:16.640 --> 00:21:22.819 And would say the only thing that we ought to do, both as a church collective and as individuals sent from it, 00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:25.299 is share the good news of Jesus. 00:21:26.080 --> 00:21:34.160 I think, I believe I'm thinking clearly about it, that the truth is somewhere in the middle of that spectrum. 00:21:34.519 --> 00:21:37.960 That we are for sure meant to be gospel proclaimers. 00:21:37.960 --> 00:21:40.579 We are to obey God rather than men. 00:21:40.680 --> 00:21:46.279 We are not to shrink back, as Charles Spurgeon says, sink to the rear. 00:21:47.660 --> 00:21:55.039 But the degree in which we are involved in politics, I find, is fairly limited. 00:21:56.900 --> 00:21:58.059 Last part of the phrase. 00:21:58.059 --> 00:22:11.879 So they bring back this divinely appointed, right? 00:22:11.919 --> 00:22:19.659 We must obey Christ first because he rules over all who he's delegated authority to. 00:22:20.359 --> 00:22:23.059 So you may be familiar with Psalm chapter 2. 00:22:23.179 --> 00:22:24.899 This is the first half of it. 00:22:24.900 --> 00:22:31.740 The psalmist says, why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 00:22:32.019 --> 00:22:33.300 It's a rhetorical question. 00:22:33.580 --> 00:22:33.800 Why? 00:22:34.180 --> 00:22:38.060 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 00:22:38.560 --> 00:22:45.740 The kings of the earth set themselves and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against his anointed. 00:22:46.180 --> 00:22:48.160 We know this to be Christ. 00:22:48.160 --> 00:23:02.279 I find this psalm so comforting, right? 00:23:02.320 --> 00:23:03.259 As we see the world. 00:23:03.400 --> 00:23:10.759 I mean, not just our country, but so many countries in such political turmoil and upheaval, right? 00:23:10.759 --> 00:23:15.019 All of this rejection of God's good authority, right? 00:23:15.160 --> 00:23:16.660 Let's cast them off. 00:23:16.720 --> 00:23:18.980 Let's burst their bonds. 00:23:19.180 --> 00:23:22.500 But God laughs at it, right? 00:23:22.839 --> 00:23:27.839 It's laughable to him that they think they can avoid his authority. 00:23:28.559 --> 00:23:32.539 The Lord holds them in derision, the rest of verse 4 says. 00:23:32.539 --> 00:23:44.039 Then he will speak to them in his wrath and terrify them in his fury, saying, and here's what God the Father responds to this kind of rebellion with. 00:23:44.440 --> 00:23:51.000 As for me, I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill. 00:23:51.000 --> 00:24:05.140 The Lord Jesus Christ, I say to you, presently reigns and is bringing all things into subjection under himself and will one day set all things right and reign forever. 00:24:05.299 --> 00:24:13.099 So we have such comfort as we think about how it is that we are to engage with civil authority. 00:24:13.099 --> 00:24:21.179 But, oh, all the situational complexities of living out the summary teaching of this statement. 00:24:21.459 --> 00:24:24.519 But I will digress at this point, right? 00:24:24.740 --> 00:24:29.899 We can have a book club and talk about all of the complications if you would like. 00:24:30.819 --> 00:24:34.599 Again, let's be thinking through this biblical rubric. 00:24:35.139 --> 00:24:39.539 And if you'd like to join me, we can study it further together. 00:24:39.539 --> 00:24:47.779 So, simple thoughts for a complex world that I hope will help us live godly lives in this age. 00:24:49.339 --> 00:24:55.480 Third thing I want to do together is bring back this overarching assertion that I made. 00:24:55.519 --> 00:25:02.000 It was the third one that I made, which was, humankind has an authority problem. 00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:10.319 So the whole idea of this topic of authority came up because we were being asked to teach more about congregationalism. 00:25:10.640 --> 00:25:13.839 Some of you wanted a clearer understanding of that. 00:25:13.900 --> 00:25:17.619 And I hope we have in some measure given that to you. 00:25:18.039 --> 00:25:23.339 But authority is a good thing for us to think about because of this authority issue that we have. 00:25:23.339 --> 00:25:32.359 To really consider whether or not we are good at submitting ourselves to proper authority. 00:25:32.500 --> 00:25:35.480 And I find that we are generally not. 00:25:36.399 --> 00:25:41.259 As Americans, it is ingrained into us to have a sense of rogue individualism. 00:25:41.359 --> 00:25:45.740 It's part of our culture, which isn't all bad. 00:25:45.740 --> 00:25:54.839 Our experiment in ordered liberty certainly has sentiment that leans heavy on the liberty portion of that equation. 00:25:55.660 --> 00:26:01.079 If you get into much of a political conversation with me, I typically plant my flag as a libertarian. 00:26:01.240 --> 00:26:03.980 Not the totality of the libertarian platform. 00:26:04.140 --> 00:26:06.579 But that's kind of where I lean off into. 00:26:07.960 --> 00:26:14.640 In the idea of ordered liberty, I want more liberty and less order. 00:26:14.640 --> 00:26:18.840 It's part of who we're built to be as Americans. 00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:23.500 Additionally, we have all seen authority abused. 00:26:24.200 --> 00:26:25.680 We can observe it from afar. 00:26:25.800 --> 00:26:27.120 It's happening all the time. 00:26:27.259 --> 00:26:31.180 And many of you have experienced firsthand the abuse of authority. 00:26:31.300 --> 00:26:37.740 And you have a lot of deep, understood hurt because of abused authority. 00:26:37.900 --> 00:26:41.800 And so we just have reason to be suspect of it. 00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:51.259 Beyond all of this, though, at our very core, apart from the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, we're rebellious people. 00:26:51.980 --> 00:26:55.399 Those of us who are in Christ have been set free from the bondage of sin. 00:26:55.480 --> 00:26:58.220 Those who are not in Christ, though, I mean, that is what you do. 00:26:59.419 --> 00:27:01.819 Having been set free from it, we do still sin. 00:27:01.819 --> 00:27:07.819 We still rebel because at our very core, that's who we are in the fall. 00:27:08.480 --> 00:27:12.119 And you can trace the biblical narrative. 00:27:12.419 --> 00:27:15.379 It's everywhere in the scripture, this kind of rebellion. 00:27:15.599 --> 00:27:16.740 You go backwards. 00:27:17.379 --> 00:27:21.619 New Testament churches not heeding the words of the apostles. 00:27:21.779 --> 00:27:27.159 Many of the letters that Paul wrote were reminding people of the things that they were meant to be doing. 00:27:27.160 --> 00:27:32.860 The Jewish people again and again and again reject the teaching of Christ. 00:27:32.980 --> 00:27:36.759 And they crucify him for what they believe to be blasphemy. 00:27:38.220 --> 00:27:42.279 Israel over and over turn away from the prophets. 00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:44.860 They don't take care with their temple worship. 00:27:45.540 --> 00:27:48.800 They neglect driving out the people from the promised land as they were commanded. 00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:51.759 They refuse to fight for fear. 00:27:51.880 --> 00:27:56.259 They desecrate holy places and on and on and on. 00:27:56.259 --> 00:27:58.740 It's one of the themes of the Old Testament. 00:27:58.940 --> 00:28:02.740 This rebellious people that God loves anyway. 00:28:03.879 --> 00:28:07.220 And all of it finds its beginning with our first parents. 00:28:07.519 --> 00:28:08.539 With Adam and Eve. 00:28:08.640 --> 00:28:10.559 The original rebels. 00:28:10.920 --> 00:28:17.160 Who doubted God's good authority in Genesis chapter 3. 00:28:18.420 --> 00:28:21.539 And so Paul says in Romans 3 verse 10 and following. 00:28:22.700 --> 00:28:23.819 None is righteous. 00:28:24.559 --> 00:28:25.680 No, not one. 00:28:25.680 --> 00:28:27.400 No one understands. 00:28:28.080 --> 00:28:29.720 No one seeks for God. 00:28:30.100 --> 00:28:31.539 All have turned aside. 00:28:31.640 --> 00:28:33.460 Together they have become worthless. 00:28:33.640 --> 00:28:34.640 No one does good. 00:28:34.759 --> 00:28:36.480 Not even one. 00:28:37.380 --> 00:28:38.799 Their throat is an open grave. 00:28:38.900 --> 00:28:40.580 They use their tongues to deceive. 00:28:41.400 --> 00:28:43.200 The venomous ass is under their lips. 00:28:43.360 --> 00:28:45.960 Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness. 00:28:46.840 --> 00:28:48.860 Their feet are swift to shed blood. 00:28:48.980 --> 00:28:51.660 In their paths are ruin and misery. 00:28:51.840 --> 00:28:54.299 And the way of peace they have not known. 00:28:54.299 --> 00:28:59.440 There is no fear of God before their eyes. 00:29:00.759 --> 00:29:02.000 No one seeks for God. 00:29:02.079 --> 00:29:02.919 The end of verse 11. 00:29:03.299 --> 00:29:05.559 All have turned aside. 00:29:05.759 --> 00:29:09.059 They've turned away from the way of God. 00:29:09.059 --> 00:29:13.899 There is no fear of God before their eyes. 00:29:13.900 --> 00:29:14.240 Right? 00:29:14.720 --> 00:29:16.000 Prior to Christ. 00:29:16.160 --> 00:29:17.519 This is the state. 00:29:17.820 --> 00:29:17.960 Right? 00:29:18.580 --> 00:29:19.300 Rebellion. 00:29:20.360 --> 00:29:21.320 And the response. 00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:27.180 The right and proper response is repentance and faith. 00:29:27.180 --> 00:29:30.220 That we would turn away from our disobedience. 00:29:30.400 --> 00:29:32.460 Recognize it as rebellion. 00:29:32.600 --> 00:29:36.740 A great offense against an authoritative God. 00:29:36.840 --> 00:29:39.259 A good God who's given us commands. 00:29:39.680 --> 00:29:44.440 That we would say, I haven't submitted myself to your good authority. 00:29:44.440 --> 00:29:44.920 Right? 00:29:45.000 --> 00:29:46.620 I am wicked therefore. 00:29:46.619 --> 00:29:49.339 And I need to turn from that. 00:29:49.839 --> 00:29:51.839 Place my faith in Jesus Christ. 00:29:51.919 --> 00:29:53.439 My belief in Him. 00:29:53.779 --> 00:29:54.519 His person. 00:29:54.959 --> 00:29:55.919 And in His work. 00:29:56.179 --> 00:29:56.279 Right? 00:29:56.559 --> 00:29:58.599 His accomplished law keeping. 00:29:59.079 --> 00:30:01.779 His sacrificial death on my behalf. 00:30:02.039 --> 00:30:05.159 And submit myself to your law. 00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:07.199 Being set free from the power of sin. 00:30:07.459 --> 00:30:08.979 Being made new in Christ. 00:30:09.239 --> 00:30:10.459 Putting off the old self. 00:30:10.619 --> 00:30:12.399 Putting on the new. 00:30:12.400 --> 00:30:17.380 Placing myself under good authority. 00:30:18.700 --> 00:30:24.340 And I want to suggest to you that repentance and faith necessitates submission. 00:30:24.980 --> 00:30:30.500 If we are in fact in Christ, we will find our lives in varied degree. 00:30:30.660 --> 00:30:33.840 Having been justified, we will be sanctified. 00:30:34.019 --> 00:30:36.340 Our lives will grow in holiness. 00:30:36.340 --> 00:30:40.320 Grow in submission to God's law. 00:30:40.319 --> 00:30:43.639 A really interesting case. 00:30:43.740 --> 00:30:45.519 This is Luke chapter 7. 00:30:45.720 --> 00:30:51.279 It's the story of the centurion when Jesus meets him in Capernaum. 00:30:52.200 --> 00:30:53.559 We can read beginning in verse 2. 00:30:53.659 --> 00:31:00.000 Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death who was highly valued by him. 00:31:00.720 --> 00:31:08.079 When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews asking him to come and heal his servant. 00:31:08.079 --> 00:31:12.019 And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly saying, 00:31:12.159 --> 00:31:19.259 He is worthy to have you do this for him for he loves our nation and he is the one who built us our synagogue. 00:31:20.059 --> 00:31:22.059 So significant centurion, right? 00:31:22.099 --> 00:31:23.559 A commander of troops. 00:31:24.179 --> 00:31:30.679 A Roman citizen who was sympathetic towards the plight of the Jews. 00:31:30.680 --> 00:31:33.080 And Jesus went with them. 00:31:34.279 --> 00:31:37.640 When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends saying to him, 00:31:38.039 --> 00:31:42.460 Lord, do not trouble yourself for I am not worried to have you come under my roof. 00:31:43.240 --> 00:31:45.720 Therefore, I did not presume to come to you. 00:31:46.240 --> 00:31:50.100 But say the word and let my servant be healed. 00:31:50.220 --> 00:31:53.400 So he doesn't want to inconvenience Jesus in the travels. 00:31:53.400 --> 00:31:56.040 Then he says this, 00:31:56.040 --> 00:32:01.620 For I too am a man set under authority with soldiers under me. 00:32:02.100 --> 00:32:04.380 And I say to one, go, and he goes. 00:32:04.620 --> 00:32:06.840 And to another, come, and he comes. 00:32:07.100 --> 00:32:10.800 And to my servant, do this, and he does it. 00:32:11.040 --> 00:32:11.759 So note what he's saying. 00:32:11.800 --> 00:32:14.200 He's saying, look, I'm a man with authority. 00:32:14.320 --> 00:32:19.680 I'm under authority, and I have authority, and I recognize that you are a man with authority. 00:32:19.840 --> 00:32:20.740 That's what he's saying, right? 00:32:20.740 --> 00:32:26.900 When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him. 00:32:27.700 --> 00:32:31.400 He's marveling at the centurion's submission. 00:32:32.339 --> 00:32:34.799 And turned to the crowd that followed him, said, 00:32:35.500 --> 00:32:41.539 I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith. 00:32:42.279 --> 00:32:49.079 Jesus ties the idea of faith, believing in who Christ is, with submission to him. 00:32:50.740 --> 00:32:52.500 And then just in case you don't know the story, verse 10 says, 00:32:52.579 --> 00:32:57.259 And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well. 00:32:57.259 --> 00:33:05.259 So we have this wonderful example of the centurion and Jesus tying these ideas together. 00:33:06.140 --> 00:33:11.500 But we have also, and more importantly, the example of Christ. 00:33:12.460 --> 00:33:13.579 God himself. 00:33:13.859 --> 00:33:15.259 God in flesh. 00:33:16.720 --> 00:33:18.720 John chapter 4 and verse 31. 00:33:19.099 --> 00:33:21.660 In your reading of the Gospel of John, look for this theme. 00:33:21.660 --> 00:33:24.820 It's repeated again and again and again. 00:33:24.940 --> 00:33:28.360 Verse 31, we see the disciples urging Jesus to eat. 00:33:28.700 --> 00:33:31.900 They're trying to get him to nourish his physical body. 00:33:32.000 --> 00:33:33.360 But he said to them, verse 32, 00:33:33.920 --> 00:33:37.500 I have food to eat that you do not know about. 00:33:38.440 --> 00:33:39.880 So the disciples said to one another, 00:33:40.060 --> 00:33:41.740 Has anyone brought him something to eat? 00:33:41.740 --> 00:33:43.599 And Jesus said to them, 00:33:44.140 --> 00:33:50.819 My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. 00:33:51.339 --> 00:33:55.519 So we have in Christ a picture of, a perfect picture, 00:33:55.980 --> 00:34:00.279 of submission to the authority placed over him. 00:34:01.279 --> 00:34:08.480 Now, I have found myself to be a bit of an outside-the-box type of person. 00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:12.659 And just in my personal life, I think in the way that God wired me, 00:34:13.039 --> 00:34:19.099 I question everything and obnoxiously question everything. 00:34:19.900 --> 00:34:25.820 So I want to read to you a little bit from the Jonathan Lumen book that I've referenced to you. 00:34:26.639 --> 00:34:29.360 What piqued my interest to actually pick it up and read it, 00:34:29.360 --> 00:34:31.179 I've been thinking about authority for quite some time. 00:34:31.500 --> 00:34:35.699 We had actually decided to do this series on authority before this book ever was released. 00:34:35.800 --> 00:34:37.280 But I heard an interview with him. 00:34:37.280 --> 00:34:41.560 And in that interview, he was talking about his own experience, 00:34:41.700 --> 00:34:44.460 just kind of being kind of a rebellious personality. 00:34:44.820 --> 00:34:46.540 And I really resonated with that. 00:34:47.660 --> 00:34:52.640 He has, though, a particular situation in which he decided to submit. 00:34:52.740 --> 00:34:54.420 So I think it's helpful, and I don't. 00:34:54.519 --> 00:34:57.640 I think it just little bit, little bit, little bit over time. 00:34:58.260 --> 00:35:01.780 God taught me lessons about submission to authority. 00:35:01.780 --> 00:35:04.560 But I think his example is helpful. 00:35:04.840 --> 00:35:08.000 It was, to me at the very least, I hope it will be to you. 00:35:08.060 --> 00:35:09.600 So just listen to what Lumen says. 00:35:09.680 --> 00:35:12.480 He says, sometime, and let me preface this. 00:35:13.060 --> 00:35:15.000 Jonathan Lumen is going to talk about moving to D.C. 00:35:15.060 --> 00:35:16.640 And he went to Capitol Hill Baptist Church. 00:35:16.700 --> 00:35:17.860 And the pastor there is Mark Dever. 00:35:18.120 --> 00:35:19.280 He just calls him Mark. 00:35:19.400 --> 00:35:20.460 But that's who he's talking about. 00:35:20.460 --> 00:35:27.380 Sometime in my junior high years, I became aware of how much my brain bent toward nonconformity. 00:35:28.099 --> 00:35:30.840 The kids in the youth group were discussing a political matter. 00:35:31.260 --> 00:35:34.420 And I found myself arguing for a position I didn't believe, 00:35:34.619 --> 00:35:38.740 merely because something in me needed to oppose the room's consensus. 00:35:38.739 --> 00:35:42.639 Part of that need to oppose, I believe, is my brain's... 00:35:42.639 --> 00:35:43.659 And then search for a synthesis. 00:35:44.539 --> 00:35:48.659 But another part of that instinct was just plain old immaturity and sin. 00:35:49.339 --> 00:35:53.119 Something in me enjoyed standing alone and standing against. 00:35:53.879 --> 00:35:59.459 I think my heart found a sense of purpose and worth in thinking of myself as courageous in these stances. 00:36:00.279 --> 00:36:03.899 So, if I was in a room of Democrats, I would argue like a Republican. 00:36:04.259 --> 00:36:07.179 And if I was in a room of Republicans, I would argue like a Democrat. 00:36:07.179 --> 00:36:13.899 To be sure, this nonconformist tendency helped me academically in high school, college, and graduate school. 00:36:14.219 --> 00:36:15.159 I wrote good papers. 00:36:15.799 --> 00:36:18.759 Gratefully, I also had patient parents. 00:36:19.559 --> 00:36:22.279 In my early 20s, I moved to Washington, D.C. 00:36:22.359 --> 00:36:25.179 And for the first time in my life, joined a church. 00:36:26.000 --> 00:36:27.799 Still, I was that guy. 00:36:28.099 --> 00:36:30.899 The guy who asked persnickety questions in Bible study. 00:36:31.239 --> 00:36:34.500 The guy who pestered the pastor with what ifs. 00:36:34.500 --> 00:36:37.119 The guy who always thought he knew better. 00:36:37.579 --> 00:36:41.519 And if you at that point think that that could be you, it is. 00:36:43.219 --> 00:36:47.319 I had a high opinion of myself since I did well in school. 00:36:47.899 --> 00:36:52.139 In fact, the friend who told me about the D.C. church mentioned that it had a brilliant pastor. 00:36:52.279 --> 00:36:56.619 And I said to myself, this is sincerely embarrassing to admit. 00:36:57.179 --> 00:36:57.699 We'll see. 00:36:57.699 --> 00:37:06.559 A year or two into my membership, the church voted on a batch of brand new elders who had been nominated by the same pastor, Mark. 00:37:06.960 --> 00:37:10.439 The Constitution required 75% approval from the congregation. 00:37:10.440 --> 00:37:17.519 Yet all five received somewhere between 69 and 74% of the vote, meaning all five failed. 00:37:18.260 --> 00:37:19.780 The congregation was shocked. 00:37:20.440 --> 00:37:22.639 We wondered what the pastor would do next. 00:37:23.420 --> 00:37:24.820 Two weeks later, we found out. 00:37:25.200 --> 00:37:28.380 He announced he was again nominating the Save Five Men. 00:37:28.380 --> 00:37:29.380 What? 00:37:30.200 --> 00:37:31.220 Are you kidding me? 00:37:31.599 --> 00:37:32.980 That was my internal response. 00:37:33.320 --> 00:37:34.680 The congregation voted, buddy. 00:37:34.940 --> 00:37:35.720 You lost. 00:37:36.039 --> 00:37:38.360 And you're the one who taught me to be a congregationalist. 00:37:38.760 --> 00:37:42.260 Now you want to call a redo because you didn't get the results you wanted? 00:37:42.740 --> 00:37:43.559 Sorry, pal. 00:37:43.980 --> 00:37:44.700 No way. 00:37:44.699 --> 00:37:48.359 My nonconformist instincts were in full flare. 00:37:48.799 --> 00:37:54.379 I had voted for three of the five candidates the first time around, but now I would protest vote against all five. 00:37:54.879 --> 00:37:57.859 This pastor, Mark, was a jerk and a tyrant. 00:37:59.199 --> 00:38:05.639 Shortly after the announcement, Mark hosted a question and answer time on a Sunday afternoon concerning his renominations. 00:38:06.219 --> 00:38:07.079 I attended. 00:38:08.039 --> 00:38:14.460 Standing before God as our one pastor, he said he could not in good conscience put another slate of men in front of us. 00:38:15.239 --> 00:38:19.099 Therefore, he offered, I'm asking you to trust me. 00:38:19.879 --> 00:38:24.460 He said this meekly and gently, yet he said it clearly and directly. 00:38:25.579 --> 00:38:33.339 You might expect my heart to have gone into rebellion hyperdrive at that moment, but for some reason, somehow, it didn't. 00:38:33.939 --> 00:38:36.279 His request made sense. 00:38:36.960 --> 00:38:38.899 It landed softly on my heart. 00:38:39.719 --> 00:38:40.859 He is my pastor, I thought. 00:38:41.259 --> 00:38:42.379 I should trust him. 00:38:42.380 --> 00:38:45.840 You might call this my rich young ruler's moment. 00:38:46.559 --> 00:38:49.800 I didn't have much money to give up, but I did have a high opinion of myself. 00:38:50.300 --> 00:38:55.800 And I sensed the Lord Jesus saying to me, Jonathan, if you want to follow me, follow Pastor Mark. 00:38:56.940 --> 00:39:01.740 Yet unlike the New Testament's rich young ruler, I surrendered myself and followed. 00:39:02.500 --> 00:39:03.880 God's spirit was at work. 00:39:03.880 --> 00:39:10.180 A week or two later, I voted for all five men, and enough people joined me that all five passed the 75th. 00:39:10.180 --> 00:39:12.280 How good that was for the life of that church. 00:39:13.000 --> 00:39:14.900 Not only that, my life began changing. 00:39:14.900 --> 00:39:24.940 I changed from non-conformist to team player, from rebel to disciple, from raising my hand to stump the pastor, to raising my hand to ask a question that might help the group. 00:39:25.740 --> 00:39:31.900 I began to grow in the faith, fighting sin, reading the Bible, wanting to do good in the lives of my fellow church members. 00:39:32.599 --> 00:39:37.340 Sometimes I wonder if that whole affair was when I actually became a Christian. 00:39:37.340 --> 00:39:39.840 Something else changed. 00:39:40.519 --> 00:39:43.519 Little by little, I began receiving opportunities to lead in the church. 00:39:44.220 --> 00:39:48.200 First, it was a Bible study for other single men, then co-teaching a Sunday school class, 00:39:48.579 --> 00:39:53.980 then a deacon of member care, tasked with visiting older members and distributing the church's benevolence fund. 00:39:54.660 --> 00:40:02.140 Finally, I became a pastoral intern and was sent to seminary, paid for by the church, and became an elder at that same church after seminary. 00:40:02.139 --> 00:40:08.420 Before heading off to seminary, I remember reflecting back on what God had done in my life over the previous few years. 00:40:09.219 --> 00:40:10.480 This thought struck me. 00:40:11.259 --> 00:40:15.799 Submission to Mark and other men in my life had led to my growth. 00:40:16.699 --> 00:40:22.759 Not only that, nobody had ever told me how powerful submission is for spiritual growth. 00:40:23.500 --> 00:40:26.239 Why hadn't I heard a sermon on that? 00:40:27.400 --> 00:40:31.420 Evangelical Christians in America are missing this amazing gift. 00:40:32.139 --> 00:40:32.940 I concluded. 00:40:34.299 --> 00:40:42.940 So, at least a path to godly growth is submission to God's godly authority. 00:40:43.960 --> 00:40:53.519 Perhaps in some frail measure over these past four weeks, I have now helped you to see the good that submission to godly authority can bring in your life. 00:40:53.519 --> 00:40:56.000 And I hope that we will all be a people. 00:40:56.840 --> 00:41:02.460 May our church be characterized by godly authority and godly submission for the protection of the vulnerable, 00:41:03.039 --> 00:41:10.099 for the strengthening of communities, and of the promotion of human flourishing to the glory of our great God. 00:41:10.460 --> 00:41:11.420 Let's pray together. 00:41:11.420 --> 00:41:13.820 Thank you. 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:13.820