WEBVTT 00:00:00.900 --> 00:00:05.120 Greetings to all of you who are watching or listening today. 00:00:06.000 --> 00:00:16.280 My name is Joshua Winters and I serve as a pastor here in the Davidson Community Bible Church in Davidson, Saskatchewan. 00:00:17.199 --> 00:00:27.780 And for the past two, almost three months now, we have been, we've had our regular gatherings suspended because of COVID-19. 00:00:27.780 --> 00:00:34.060 We, many of us have been worshiping at home on Sunday mornings. 00:00:34.420 --> 00:00:40.179 I've been here at the church filming my messages every week so that people can watch them at home. 00:00:40.579 --> 00:00:47.020 We've been doing a weekly Zoom call for fellowship and for prayer on Sundays. 00:00:47.600 --> 00:00:56.219 And we've been waiting patiently for the day when we can come together in person like we did before. 00:00:56.219 --> 00:01:04.859 Well, I'm excited to let you know that for those of us here in Davidson, that day is near. 00:01:06.260 --> 00:01:19.319 As of tomorrow, the province has now given us the green light to hold gatherings up to 30 people in places of worship. 00:01:19.319 --> 00:01:25.859 So long as we follow the requirements that they have provided. 00:01:27.459 --> 00:01:35.780 The elders and I met this past week and we have been reviewing those guidelines, those requirements. 00:01:35.780 --> 00:01:41.159 And we've been making plans to resume our worship services. 00:01:41.920 --> 00:01:52.620 As of right now, we're hoping that we can have our first gathering outdoors on Father's Day, Sunday, June 21st. 00:01:53.379 --> 00:02:01.920 And that we can return to worship in our facility here on Sunday, June 28th. 00:02:01.920 --> 00:02:04.219 Just at the end of the month here. 00:02:04.219 --> 00:02:14.979 So I'm really excited at the possibility of us getting back together to be worshiping together in person, 00:02:15.139 --> 00:02:18.000 to be fellowshipping together as a church in person. 00:02:19.159 --> 00:02:25.759 And I want to encourage you just to keep your eyes on the weekly emails that will go out on Fridays 00:02:25.759 --> 00:02:30.259 because all the details about these things are going to be there. 00:02:30.259 --> 00:02:33.759 We'll have some in the Facebook group as well and some on the website. 00:02:35.699 --> 00:02:42.000 But if you're not getting that email or if you're not subscribed, please let me know. 00:02:42.099 --> 00:02:46.359 Give me a text or give me a phone call and I'd be happy to add you to the list. 00:02:46.459 --> 00:02:51.319 We want to make sure that everybody in the church is receiving that information 00:02:51.319 --> 00:02:56.939 so that we can all kind of resume together in a smooth fashion. 00:02:57.859 --> 00:03:01.859 So those things being said, I am excited. 00:03:01.860 --> 00:03:11.700 But I want to begin to prepare us a little bit as a church for coming back together again. 00:03:13.560 --> 00:03:17.280 As we've been reviewing these guidelines and looking at them, 00:03:17.620 --> 00:03:27.340 I want to let you know that church for the next while is going to look very different than it has in the past. 00:03:27.340 --> 00:03:34.980 There are three pages of guidelines or requirements that have been given to us by the government. 00:03:36.000 --> 00:03:42.140 And we're going to do our best to follow all of them. 00:03:43.259 --> 00:03:45.259 And we think that's important. 00:03:46.020 --> 00:03:50.580 And so in today's message and possibly next week's as well, 00:03:51.180 --> 00:03:56.020 we're going to be hitting the pause button on the Gospel of John series that we've been working through. 00:03:56.020 --> 00:04:02.439 And my hope today is to give us something that will help us, 00:04:03.240 --> 00:04:04.920 especially help us in our hearts, 00:04:05.020 --> 00:04:12.060 just to prepare for all of this change and transition that we're about to go through as a church. 00:04:12.800 --> 00:04:17.879 If you're listening or watching today and you're a member of another church, 00:04:18.280 --> 00:04:20.780 this message is for you. 00:04:21.560 --> 00:04:24.580 Most of it will be applicable to you as well. 00:04:24.579 --> 00:04:30.620 Every church is going to have a bit of a different approach to resuming worship. 00:04:31.500 --> 00:04:38.579 And I'd encourage you to be listening carefully to what the leaders of your church are saying 00:04:39.339 --> 00:04:42.039 and how they envision things going forward. 00:04:42.120 --> 00:04:43.599 It's going to look different for everyone. 00:04:43.600 --> 00:04:50.820 But at the end of the day, a lot of the requirements are going to be very similar 00:04:50.820 --> 00:04:56.700 or some maybe even the same in our province. 00:04:56.879 --> 00:05:01.660 And so there's hopefully something for you here as well. 00:05:01.660 --> 00:05:08.900 So the question that we're going to look at today is simply this. 00:05:09.700 --> 00:05:15.460 Why must we follow the requirements of the government? 00:05:15.459 --> 00:05:21.039 Why must we follow the requirements that the government has given us 00:05:21.039 --> 00:05:27.199 as we seek to resume worship in the midst of all this COVID-19 stuff? 00:05:27.279 --> 00:05:29.680 Now, the answer to that may seem obvious to some, 00:05:30.500 --> 00:05:33.060 but to others, maybe not so much. 00:05:33.060 --> 00:05:39.660 We have heard a lot from the government in the past weeks and months. 00:05:39.980 --> 00:05:43.139 We have heard a lot of recommendations. 00:05:43.780 --> 00:05:46.920 We have heard a lot of requirements. 00:05:47.939 --> 00:05:51.740 We've seen a lot of change which has been led by the government. 00:05:52.000 --> 00:05:57.620 We've seen a few public health orders go out and all kinds of updates. 00:05:57.620 --> 00:06:02.699 And let's acknowledge here at the beginning that the response of many people 00:06:02.699 --> 00:06:09.620 has been all over the place to what the government has been saying and asking. 00:06:11.699 --> 00:06:14.560 The response of some has been appreciative. 00:06:14.800 --> 00:06:19.819 They're thankful for the leadership of the government through all of this, 00:06:20.620 --> 00:06:24.340 happy to do my part and help flatten the curve. 00:06:24.339 --> 00:06:33.019 For others, it's been very frustrating because these changes have affected your life in a deep way, 00:06:33.479 --> 00:06:38.459 perhaps with a loss of income or a lower income. 00:06:38.899 --> 00:06:46.319 Or I know for many of you, you've had troubles getting access to the health care that you need 00:06:46.319 --> 00:06:51.059 and you've had to endure months of pain because of all this 00:06:51.059 --> 00:06:53.659 and the changes that it's brought to the health care system. 00:06:54.339 --> 00:07:03.799 Others are simply upset at this stuff that the government has let us in and has asked of us 00:07:03.799 --> 00:07:09.299 and see it as way overreacted and far too restrictive. 00:07:10.500 --> 00:07:15.899 Many people are quite confident that they know better than the government 00:07:15.899 --> 00:07:22.979 what should be done in this particular situation for our province and for our nation. 00:07:22.980 --> 00:07:28.160 And then you've got some people that are way out there in left field 00:07:28.160 --> 00:07:31.900 who believe this whole thing is a conspiracy theory 00:07:31.900 --> 00:07:36.540 that a few have orchestrated or are managing to their benefit 00:07:36.540 --> 00:07:41.160 and at the expense of everyone else. 00:07:42.439 --> 00:07:44.980 Here in our own community of Davidson, 00:07:44.980 --> 00:07:51.340 there's a full spectrum and variety of attitudes and ideas. 00:07:53.000 --> 00:07:55.480 I've seen some people for sure who are just not, 00:07:55.980 --> 00:07:59.500 don't feel that the virus is a threat here in Davidson 00:07:59.500 --> 00:08:05.580 and as a result have been just basically throwing the social distancing thing to the wind. 00:08:05.579 --> 00:08:12.120 Even in our church, there is a bit of a variety of perspectives and opinions 00:08:12.120 --> 00:08:13.939 when it comes to all of this. 00:08:14.019 --> 00:08:17.680 And so how are we as a church going to navigate through all this 00:08:17.680 --> 00:08:21.719 when we don't even agree necessarily on what the truth is 00:08:21.719 --> 00:08:23.680 and on what's really going on here, 00:08:23.879 --> 00:08:26.879 on which laws are good laws and those kinds of things? 00:08:26.879 --> 00:08:32.679 Well, my encouragement as a pastor is that we go back to God's word 00:08:32.679 --> 00:08:36.919 and we listen to him and we plant our anchor firmly there. 00:08:37.419 --> 00:08:41.799 And I believe that that will give us the clarity that we need to make decisions 00:08:41.799 --> 00:08:46.080 and to live our lives in a way that honors God in the days ahead. 00:08:46.759 --> 00:08:49.000 And so that's what we want to do this morning. 00:08:49.000 --> 00:08:55.120 Our question is, why must we submit or follow the requirements 00:08:55.120 --> 00:08:58.399 that the government has given to us? 00:08:59.100 --> 00:09:04.480 And our answer this morning, I'm going to change it up and give it at the beginning here, 00:09:04.840 --> 00:09:10.639 is that it doesn't matter whether we believe this pandemic is a conspiracy or not, 00:09:10.639 --> 00:09:17.539 or whether we agree with all of the guidelines and requirements that have been given or not. 00:09:17.539 --> 00:09:25.799 At the end of the day, we are to submit to those who are in government as Christians 00:09:25.799 --> 00:09:28.279 because God wants us to. 00:09:29.519 --> 00:09:31.179 Now, where do we get that from? 00:09:31.639 --> 00:09:36.379 If you have a Bible with you, let's open it up to Romans chapter 13. 00:09:37.480 --> 00:09:39.559 Romans chapter 13. 00:09:40.279 --> 00:09:44.980 This is a letter from Paul written to the church living in Rome. 00:09:44.980 --> 00:09:49.779 And these are not just the words of Paul, just a man. 00:09:49.920 --> 00:09:51.139 These are the words of God. 00:09:51.240 --> 00:09:55.779 These are the words of Jesus, who Paul is an apostle of. 00:09:57.000 --> 00:09:59.320 What does God have to say to us here? 00:09:59.920 --> 00:10:01.060 Let me read it for us. 00:10:02.180 --> 00:10:06.379 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, 00:10:06.620 --> 00:10:12.700 for there is no authority except that which God has established. 00:10:12.700 --> 00:10:17.820 The authorities that exist have been established by God. 00:10:18.940 --> 00:10:26.879 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted. 00:10:27.560 --> 00:10:31.360 And those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 00:10:32.360 --> 00:10:37.800 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. 00:10:37.799 --> 00:10:42.719 Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? 00:10:43.620 --> 00:10:47.159 Then do what is right, and you will be commended. 00:10:48.159 --> 00:10:54.719 For the one in authority is God's servant for your good. 00:10:54.720 --> 00:10:59.600 But if you do wrong, be afraid. 00:11:00.379 --> 00:11:03.639 For rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. 00:11:04.560 --> 00:11:11.440 They are God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 00:11:12.740 --> 00:11:17.080 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, 00:11:17.200 --> 00:11:22.540 not only because of possible punishment, but also as a matter of conscience. 00:11:22.539 --> 00:11:29.519 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants who give their full time to governing. 00:11:30.779 --> 00:11:33.179 Give to everyone what you owe them. 00:11:33.939 --> 00:11:36.240 If you owe taxes, pay taxes. 00:11:36.899 --> 00:11:38.839 If revenue, then revenue. 00:11:39.500 --> 00:11:41.679 If respect, then respect. 00:11:42.519 --> 00:11:44.879 If honor, then honor. 00:11:44.879 --> 00:11:49.059 Now, there is a lot here in this passage. 00:11:49.419 --> 00:11:54.639 And for today, I'm going to limit myself to just three things here in this passage. 00:11:54.639 --> 00:12:03.779 The first thing that I think we need to see here is that submitting to the government is a command. 00:12:04.620 --> 00:12:08.740 It's something that we are commanded to do by Christ. 00:12:08.740 --> 00:12:13.940 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities. 00:12:14.080 --> 00:12:15.279 That's the language of command. 00:12:15.419 --> 00:12:20.039 It's the imperative language in the original. 00:12:20.899 --> 00:12:22.440 And the sense of it is this. 00:12:22.740 --> 00:12:26.639 All of you who are Christians, who are part of the church there in Rome, 00:12:27.120 --> 00:12:31.600 submit yourselves to those who are in government over you. 00:12:31.600 --> 00:12:35.980 And this kind of language is carried on throughout this section. 00:12:36.940 --> 00:12:37.980 Down in verse 3. 00:12:38.120 --> 00:12:40.480 Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? 00:12:41.540 --> 00:12:43.800 Then do what is right. 00:12:45.000 --> 00:12:46.540 Paul tells them, do it. 00:12:46.740 --> 00:12:47.779 Do what is right. 00:12:47.879 --> 00:12:50.540 Which in this context means obey the law. 00:12:52.940 --> 00:12:54.060 Don't break the law. 00:12:55.460 --> 00:12:56.420 Verse 5. 00:12:56.419 --> 00:13:03.039 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities. 00:13:04.419 --> 00:13:05.539 Verse 7. 00:13:06.419 --> 00:13:10.539 In the context of this discussion, give to everyone what you owe them. 00:13:10.639 --> 00:13:11.759 This is a command. 00:13:13.000 --> 00:13:16.519 The language is that of it being necessary. 00:13:16.699 --> 00:13:18.399 And that's really what I want us to see here. 00:13:18.399 --> 00:13:26.679 Is that submitting to the government, obeying the government, is not optional. 00:13:27.620 --> 00:13:29.899 It's not just a holy suggestion. 00:13:30.539 --> 00:13:36.379 It's not something that we're to do when we agree with the particular law that's being given. 00:13:36.559 --> 00:13:43.819 And that we are exempt from doing when we don't agree with that particular law or requirement or public health order. 00:13:44.299 --> 00:13:47.460 It's something that we are commanded to do. 00:13:47.460 --> 00:13:49.280 By the Lord. 00:13:51.740 --> 00:14:01.560 Now, there are of course situations in which we are maybe commanded by the government to do something that's immoral. 00:14:01.820 --> 00:14:02.420 That's evil. 00:14:02.660 --> 00:14:07.220 And in that case, of course, we would obey God rather than the government. 00:14:08.600 --> 00:14:14.580 All of this COVID-19 situation is not that kind of an issue. 00:14:14.580 --> 00:14:21.620 And so, we must, as Christians, as a church, obey our government. 00:14:22.660 --> 00:14:28.160 I find it interesting here too that, I mean, we might think to ourselves, well, our government is corrupt. 00:14:28.300 --> 00:14:29.340 Our government is evil. 00:14:29.440 --> 00:14:32.360 Our government is introducing such and such a legislation. 00:14:32.360 --> 00:14:45.139 Paul doesn't say anything about the quality of government as if it could be a loophole or an excuse to not obey. 00:14:45.139 --> 00:14:48.899 Let's remember the government of the day. 00:14:49.279 --> 00:14:54.220 As Paul is writing, we have the godless Roman emperor. 00:14:55.639 --> 00:14:57.699 I mean, ruthless man. 00:14:57.700 --> 00:15:02.320 By no means a righteous man. 00:15:03.440 --> 00:15:07.879 Making decisions, making wars all over the place. 00:15:08.020 --> 00:15:13.660 I mean, our government is nothing compared to that. 00:15:13.659 --> 00:15:19.759 And so, as Christians, we are being commanded. 00:15:20.019 --> 00:15:25.199 It's clear that we are to submit to the governing authorities that God has put in our lives. 00:15:25.819 --> 00:15:31.899 Now, we'll notice throughout this section that we've been given, this is the second thing, many reasons to submit. 00:15:33.360 --> 00:15:34.679 All throughout this. 00:15:34.860 --> 00:15:38.199 And we should listen to all of those reasons. 00:15:38.200 --> 00:15:47.420 In fact, God has given those reasons to us in order to help us in our hearts to do this in a way that honors him. 00:15:48.400 --> 00:15:52.440 Paul speaks about the matter of conscience in verse 5. 00:15:52.540 --> 00:15:59.480 He talks about how this is really what we're obligated to do down in verses 6 and 7. 00:15:59.620 --> 00:16:03.820 It's something that's right in verse 3. 00:16:03.820 --> 00:16:11.360 But probably the biggest reason that we see comes in the very first two verses. 00:16:12.620 --> 00:16:14.280 Paul tells us this. 00:16:14.360 --> 00:16:14.760 He says, 00:16:15.280 --> 00:16:24.100 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. 00:16:24.840 --> 00:16:31.100 So, authority is something that God himself has established. 00:16:31.100 --> 00:16:39.779 He is supportive of human government and authority structure in the world that he has created. 00:16:40.639 --> 00:16:42.220 In fact, Paul applies it too. 00:16:42.480 --> 00:16:47.159 The authorities that exist, he says, have been established by God. 00:16:47.279 --> 00:16:53.860 Those who hold those positions have come to them because God has established them in those positions. 00:16:53.860 --> 00:17:01.000 Now, that doesn't mean that God agrees with everything they do or every law they pass or decision they make. 00:17:01.759 --> 00:17:09.400 But it does mean that he is sovereignly at work governing in the larger global sense of the picture. 00:17:10.200 --> 00:17:15.960 And that he, in a general sense, is in favor of human government. 00:17:15.960 --> 00:17:23.819 We'll leave it to God to deal with those who abuse the authority that he has entrusted to them for however long. 00:17:25.319 --> 00:17:28.759 But authority is God's idea. 00:17:29.360 --> 00:17:32.740 It's something that he has given. 00:17:33.100 --> 00:17:35.700 And it's surprising here. 00:17:36.259 --> 00:17:40.840 Paul even goes as far as to say that those in authority are God's servants. 00:17:40.839 --> 00:17:45.339 He says it three times in verse 4. 00:17:45.480 --> 00:17:48.419 For the one in authority is God's servant. 00:17:49.519 --> 00:17:52.119 A little further down, they are God's servants. 00:17:52.399 --> 00:17:54.199 A little further down in verse 6. 00:17:54.439 --> 00:17:56.759 For the authorities are God's servants. 00:17:57.720 --> 00:18:00.959 The picture we get is that God wants it this way. 00:18:01.059 --> 00:18:02.639 He has set it up this way. 00:18:02.740 --> 00:18:08.319 And so, the implication which Paul brings out is rather strong in verse 2. 00:18:08.319 --> 00:18:16.539 He says, consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted. 00:18:17.480 --> 00:18:21.159 And those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 00:18:22.579 --> 00:18:29.119 So, I think we should apply this not just to the church there in Rome at that time, but to ourselves today. 00:18:29.119 --> 00:18:34.539 Those who just ignore and decide, I'm not going to do that. 00:18:35.199 --> 00:18:38.879 To the public health orders that have been given. 00:18:39.119 --> 00:18:41.979 To the requirements that have been given by the government. 00:18:42.199 --> 00:18:46.639 Do not just rebel against the authority. 00:18:46.799 --> 00:18:48.139 The Saskatchewan government. 00:18:48.319 --> 00:18:49.439 The Canadian government. 00:18:50.119 --> 00:18:54.279 But we rebel against what God has instituted. 00:18:54.279 --> 00:19:00.839 And that's a place I don't think we should be as Christians. 00:19:01.559 --> 00:19:03.899 A place which should cause us to tremble. 00:19:05.899 --> 00:19:11.779 Finally, the third thing I want us to see here in this passage is God's intention for authority. 00:19:13.099 --> 00:19:16.859 Why has God given human government and authority? 00:19:16.859 --> 00:19:32.240 We might be reading this and hear the authorities that exist have been established by God to make laws that make our lives miserable and take away our freedoms. 00:19:33.500 --> 00:19:33.939 No. 00:19:34.500 --> 00:19:35.919 That's not what Paul says. 00:19:36.019 --> 00:19:38.319 In fact, Paul seems to say the opposite. 00:19:38.319 --> 00:19:50.159 The reason that God has put human government in our world is not to punish us or to hurt us, to make our lives miserable, but the opposite. 00:19:50.939 --> 00:19:51.439 Verse 4. 00:19:51.559 --> 00:19:55.839 For the one in authority is God's servant for your good. 00:19:57.019 --> 00:19:58.720 For your benefit. 00:19:59.939 --> 00:20:05.720 And he gives an example of one of the things that human governments do for the benefit of people. 00:20:05.720 --> 00:20:10.100 And that's to keep wrongdoers in check. 00:20:10.600 --> 00:20:16.079 To deter them through law, through enforcement, through power. 00:20:17.980 --> 00:20:21.360 From breaking the law and from doing whatever they please. 00:20:21.460 --> 00:20:23.380 From taking advantage of whoever they want to. 00:20:23.460 --> 00:20:27.920 Now, of course, our governments don't do this perfectly. 00:20:28.779 --> 00:20:29.980 And none will. 00:20:29.980 --> 00:20:36.440 Only God himself and the government that the Lord Jesus brings will do it perfectly. 00:20:36.620 --> 00:20:42.860 But in a general sense, do you hear that message that comes through here? 00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:46.299 That human government has been given for your good? 00:20:46.380 --> 00:20:50.740 It's a gift of God to the world to accomplish his good purposes? 00:20:52.920 --> 00:20:54.160 I hope you hear that. 00:20:54.160 --> 00:20:58.980 And so it's pretty clear from God's word, and this isn't the only place that speaks of it, 00:20:59.040 --> 00:21:06.080 that we as Christians, as a church, are to submit to the governing authorities. 00:21:06.080 --> 00:21:08.279 Those in government over us. 00:21:09.340 --> 00:21:16.360 Now, that being said, it doesn't make it necessarily easy to do this. 00:21:16.500 --> 00:21:22.240 The command is clear, but that doesn't make it easy to submit to governing authorities. 00:21:22.240 --> 00:21:27.559 And we've experienced that in the past weeks and months with all of these changes 00:21:27.559 --> 00:21:32.880 and all of these directions and requirements that have come from the government. 00:21:33.079 --> 00:21:34.420 Some of them have been very difficult. 00:21:35.220 --> 00:21:40.059 I mean, keeping a distance from people and not seeing people like we used to 00:21:40.059 --> 00:21:43.400 and not doing the things that we want to do, this is not easy. 00:21:43.400 --> 00:21:51.960 One of the requirements that's been given for churches as we begin to open up again, 00:21:52.440 --> 00:21:54.960 I'll just be honest, I do not like it. 00:21:55.519 --> 00:21:56.860 The requirement is this. 00:21:57.120 --> 00:22:04.800 It's although not recommended, when singing, participants must wear masks. 00:22:04.799 --> 00:22:10.059 I'll be honest, I do not want to wear a mask. 00:22:10.059 --> 00:22:15.639 And even just this requirement bothers me. 00:22:16.799 --> 00:22:22.119 I mean, I'm sitting here in the sanctuary, and I've already got the chairs spaced two meters apart, 00:22:22.220 --> 00:22:23.839 and it's a good distance. 00:22:24.539 --> 00:22:26.799 Do we really need it that much further? 00:22:27.000 --> 00:22:30.460 Does the spit fly that far out of your mouth when you're singing? 00:22:30.460 --> 00:22:38.079 Does the government not understand just how important worship is to us? 00:22:38.600 --> 00:22:41.440 As Christians, we are a worshiping people. 00:22:43.140 --> 00:22:49.720 Our God is worthy of praise, and not just humming, but singing. 00:22:55.360 --> 00:22:56.920 So I've struggled with this. 00:22:57.100 --> 00:23:00.000 I'll admit, I'll be honest, I've even been angry at this. 00:23:00.000 --> 00:23:05.859 It's like, who are they to tell us that we can't sing unless we wear a mask? 00:23:06.960 --> 00:23:11.940 And there will likely be other guidelines, if that's not one of them for you, 00:23:12.059 --> 00:23:15.400 that you will not like when you discover them. 00:23:15.680 --> 00:23:20.980 We've got traffic flow requirements in the church building, arrows on the floor, 00:23:21.180 --> 00:23:23.720 certain sections of the building that are off limits, 00:23:23.819 --> 00:23:26.740 so we don't congregate and get too close. 00:23:26.740 --> 00:23:31.779 And the whole nine yards, hand sanitizing, all of it, 00:23:32.039 --> 00:23:37.279 has been asked of us by the government in order to open up here again 00:23:37.279 --> 00:23:40.299 and have worship services. 00:23:41.480 --> 00:23:48.660 And some of the reasons that we may find submitting difficult are good, 00:23:48.799 --> 00:23:50.099 are legitimate reasons, 00:23:50.099 --> 00:23:57.719 because it isn't natural to maintain that much distance between people and families. 00:23:59.039 --> 00:24:04.619 Others, however, are just owing to our own sinful nature. 00:24:05.079 --> 00:24:08.679 We don't like people telling us what to do. 00:24:08.759 --> 00:24:14.119 We don't like authority because of the sin that we have inside of us. 00:24:14.119 --> 00:24:18.439 Whether it's God's authority, whether it's human government, 00:24:19.039 --> 00:24:23.000 whether it's our parents telling us what we have to do, 00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:25.879 our boss at work. 00:24:28.219 --> 00:24:30.379 And then pride enters into that too, 00:24:30.519 --> 00:24:33.759 and we think that we know better than the person that's in authority. 00:24:34.479 --> 00:24:35.739 And so since we know better, 00:24:35.859 --> 00:24:39.539 we don't really need to follow that or do that. 00:24:39.539 --> 00:24:43.740 There should be an exemption for us in this particular situation. 00:24:43.819 --> 00:24:45.319 So we'll just do our own thing. 00:24:46.039 --> 00:24:49.220 So I want to give you more than just a clear command today. 00:24:49.539 --> 00:24:51.700 I want to give you something for your heart, 00:24:51.940 --> 00:24:54.960 to help you in your heart 00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:58.759 as we begin to transition into worship again, 00:24:59.440 --> 00:25:02.539 and just being able to know, 00:25:03.359 --> 00:25:06.859 what attitude do I bring to all of this change? 00:25:06.859 --> 00:25:09.299 And the place that we want to go for that is 00:25:09.299 --> 00:25:13.000 where we've been in Sunday school before all of this started. 00:25:13.259 --> 00:25:19.079 1 Peter 2, verse 13 says this, 00:25:19.079 --> 00:25:24.619 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human authority, 00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:27.839 whether to the emperor as the supreme authority, 00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:32.459 or to governors who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong 00:25:32.459 --> 00:25:34.479 and to commend those who do right. 00:25:34.480 --> 00:25:37.920 For it is God's will that by doing good, 00:25:38.420 --> 00:25:42.380 you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 00:25:42.500 --> 00:25:45.599 Now, much of that is what we've already heard from Paul. 00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:47.880 And so I'm not going to repeat it, 00:25:47.940 --> 00:25:50.460 but there's one phrase in there that I want us to hear. 00:25:51.599 --> 00:25:57.140 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human authority. 00:25:57.299 --> 00:26:00.440 Why should we submit ourselves to human authority, 00:26:00.440 --> 00:26:03.160 to the government of Saskatchewan, of Canada, 00:26:03.160 --> 00:26:05.320 for the Lord's sake? 00:26:06.920 --> 00:26:11.100 We should submit ourselves to the government, 00:26:11.600 --> 00:26:13.600 not just for conscience sake, 00:26:14.160 --> 00:26:19.060 not just out of concern and care for those who are more vulnerable 00:26:19.060 --> 00:26:21.759 and weaker in our community and in our society, 00:26:21.759 --> 00:26:26.920 who might end up in an ICU bed when the virus does come to Davidson, 00:26:26.920 --> 00:26:32.259 not just so that we can maintain a good testimony or a witness, 00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:36.360 but ultimately and primarily with all those things, 00:26:36.360 --> 00:26:40.380 we should submit ourselves and obey the government 00:26:40.380 --> 00:26:44.860 and follow the requirements that have been given to us for the Lord's sake, 00:26:45.660 --> 00:26:48.779 for Jesus' sake, our Lord, 00:26:48.779 --> 00:26:50.180 because we love him, 00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:52.980 because we want to honor him, 00:26:53.059 --> 00:26:55.079 because we want to do that which is right, 00:26:55.220 --> 00:26:56.960 that which pleases him. 00:26:58.299 --> 00:27:00.759 And so I hope your heart hears that. 00:27:01.680 --> 00:27:03.599 What has Jesus asked of us? 00:27:03.940 --> 00:27:06.680 We might go back to those words in the Sermon on the Mount, 00:27:07.420 --> 00:27:08.720 Matthew 5, verse 41. 00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:13.299 If anyone compels you to go one mile, 00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:15.160 go with them two. 00:27:17.180 --> 00:27:19.660 The government has asked us 00:27:19.660 --> 00:27:22.360 to go with them a mile 00:27:22.360 --> 00:27:25.620 when it comes to all this COVID-19 stuff. 00:27:26.880 --> 00:27:28.400 Let's go with them two. 00:27:29.579 --> 00:27:32.680 Let's not just try to do the bare minimum 00:27:32.680 --> 00:27:35.420 to do what we want to do, 00:27:35.420 --> 00:27:37.519 get by with this, 00:27:37.660 --> 00:27:40.460 not get in trouble for what we're doing. 00:27:41.100 --> 00:27:43.480 No, let's go the extra mile. 00:27:44.800 --> 00:27:47.080 Let's care even more 00:27:47.080 --> 00:27:49.920 for the weak and the vulnerable around us 00:27:49.920 --> 00:27:51.759 and in our church. 00:27:53.840 --> 00:27:55.840 This becomes especially important 00:27:55.840 --> 00:27:58.320 when and if the virus actually does 00:27:58.320 --> 00:28:00.840 begin to spread in our community. 00:28:01.560 --> 00:28:03.000 We want to be practiced 00:28:03.000 --> 00:28:04.980 at going the extra mile. 00:28:05.420 --> 00:28:07.660 So that we can protect 00:28:07.660 --> 00:28:10.140 those who are vulnerable 00:28:10.140 --> 00:28:12.340 to this virus when it comes. 00:28:13.300 --> 00:28:14.259 In all of this, 00:28:14.400 --> 00:28:15.360 and I'm assuming that 00:28:15.360 --> 00:28:17.140 most of us listening are Christians 00:28:17.140 --> 00:28:20.140 and so we do take seriously 00:28:20.140 --> 00:28:21.640 that we should submit 00:28:21.640 --> 00:28:23.460 to the governing authorities. 00:28:24.400 --> 00:28:25.279 But in all of this, 00:28:25.380 --> 00:28:26.700 there are two different responses 00:28:26.700 --> 00:28:29.120 that we might have generally. 00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:31.140 I mean, we can come to 00:28:31.140 --> 00:28:33.200 all of these guidelines 00:28:33.200 --> 00:28:34.860 and all of these requirements 00:28:34.860 --> 00:28:37.180 with an attitude 00:28:37.180 --> 00:28:39.880 that's half-hearted. 00:28:40.519 --> 00:28:41.519 We'll go halfway. 00:28:42.580 --> 00:28:44.420 We'll do just enough, 00:28:45.279 --> 00:28:46.380 bare minimum, 00:28:46.940 --> 00:28:47.759 to get by, 00:28:48.880 --> 00:28:50.799 to be able to say we're doing it. 00:28:50.799 --> 00:28:53.259 Or we can go the whole way. 00:28:53.740 --> 00:28:55.319 We can be wholehearted. 00:28:55.759 --> 00:28:57.519 We can go the extra mile 00:28:57.519 --> 00:29:02.259 and accept these requirements 00:29:02.259 --> 00:29:04.139 that have come from the government 00:29:04.139 --> 00:29:05.159 and do them. 00:29:05.720 --> 00:29:07.799 We can be those who come 00:29:07.799 --> 00:29:10.399 to all of our interactions 00:29:10.399 --> 00:29:11.200 with other people 00:29:11.200 --> 00:29:12.539 and then even to church 00:29:12.539 --> 00:29:13.919 on Sundays 00:29:13.919 --> 00:29:15.000 when we can meet together 00:29:15.000 --> 00:29:16.759 with grumbling 00:29:16.759 --> 00:29:18.660 and complaining 00:29:18.660 --> 00:29:19.879 at all of this stuff. 00:29:19.960 --> 00:29:20.559 How come we're so, 00:29:20.619 --> 00:29:21.879 we have to be so far apart. 00:29:21.980 --> 00:29:22.940 We have to wear the mask 00:29:22.940 --> 00:29:23.619 while we're singing. 00:29:23.879 --> 00:29:24.819 All this stuff, 00:29:25.420 --> 00:29:25.799 you know, 00:29:26.359 --> 00:29:29.779 and spread that feeling 00:29:29.779 --> 00:29:30.599 and that attitude 00:29:30.599 --> 00:29:32.299 throughout the whole church. 00:29:33.920 --> 00:29:35.740 Or we can come 00:29:35.740 --> 00:29:36.859 with an attitude 00:29:36.859 --> 00:29:38.019 of joyful submission. 00:29:39.180 --> 00:29:40.819 God has given us government. 00:29:41.099 --> 00:29:42.359 Government has given us 00:29:42.359 --> 00:29:43.160 these requirements 00:29:43.160 --> 00:29:45.200 and we will joyfully submit. 00:29:45.319 --> 00:29:46.319 We will take them seriously. 00:29:46.319 --> 00:29:47.179 We will do them 00:29:47.179 --> 00:29:48.759 to the best of our ability 00:29:48.759 --> 00:29:50.939 for the Lord's sake 00:29:50.939 --> 00:29:52.319 because we love Him. 00:29:52.579 --> 00:29:53.659 We love one another 00:29:53.659 --> 00:29:56.379 and we love our neighbors, 00:29:56.899 --> 00:29:58.399 the people in our community. 00:29:59.779 --> 00:30:01.700 Which of these two attitudes 00:30:01.700 --> 00:30:03.659 brings glory to God 00:30:03.659 --> 00:30:05.899 and which does not? 00:30:06.899 --> 00:30:08.259 I think it's obvious. 00:30:10.379 --> 00:30:11.819 Well, that's all I'm going to say 00:30:11.819 --> 00:30:12.460 for today. 00:30:12.720 --> 00:30:15.879 I want to just remind you 00:30:15.880 --> 00:30:17.500 to be watching your email 00:30:17.500 --> 00:30:18.920 as well as 00:30:18.920 --> 00:30:21.520 if you have the Facebook group. 00:30:21.840 --> 00:30:23.560 We'll be posting lots of details, 00:30:23.720 --> 00:30:24.540 lots of information 00:30:24.540 --> 00:30:27.060 about some of the transition 00:30:27.060 --> 00:30:28.660 and the things that we need to do 00:30:28.660 --> 00:30:30.640 as we begin to gather again 00:30:30.640 --> 00:30:32.160 in the weeks ahead. 00:30:32.320 --> 00:30:32.580 And so, 00:30:32.660 --> 00:30:33.940 keep an eye out for that. 00:30:34.060 --> 00:30:35.040 I am looking forward 00:30:35.040 --> 00:30:37.540 to gathering in person 00:30:37.540 --> 00:30:38.980 with each one of you 00:30:38.980 --> 00:30:40.000 to worship 00:30:40.000 --> 00:30:41.400 and to fellowship 00:30:41.400 --> 00:30:42.839 and to pray 00:30:42.839 --> 00:30:45.299 even if I have to be 00:30:45.299 --> 00:30:47.339 two meters away from you 00:30:47.339 --> 00:30:48.940 and wearing a mask. 00:30:50.779 --> 00:30:52.559 Let's close today 00:30:52.559 --> 00:30:54.160 with the words 00:30:54.160 --> 00:30:55.960 which Paul wrote 00:30:55.960 --> 00:30:56.640 to the church 00:30:56.640 --> 00:30:57.859 at Philippi. 00:30:57.859 --> 00:30:59.519 this is what he said. 00:30:59.519 --> 00:31:00.959 Do everything 00:31:00.959 --> 00:31:03.019 without grumbling 00:31:03.019 --> 00:31:04.559 or arguing 00:31:04.559 --> 00:31:06.579 so that you may become 00:31:06.579 --> 00:31:07.459 blameless 00:31:07.459 --> 00:31:08.639 and pure. 00:31:09.579 --> 00:31:11.019 Children of God 00:31:11.019 --> 00:31:12.059 without fault 00:31:12.059 --> 00:31:13.479 in a warped 00:31:13.479 --> 00:31:15.199 and crooked generation. 00:31:16.699 --> 00:31:16.959 Then 00:31:16.959 --> 00:31:18.240 you will shine 00:31:18.240 --> 00:31:18.959 among them 00:31:18.959 --> 00:31:19.939 like stars 00:31:19.939 --> 00:31:21.119 in the sky 00:31:21.119 --> 00:31:22.899 as you hold firmly 00:31:22.899 --> 00:31:24.779 to the word of life. 00:31:24.779 --> 00:31:27.940 Lord Jesus, 00:31:28.279 --> 00:31:30.599 that's our desire. 00:31:31.139 --> 00:31:32.480 We want to be those 00:31:32.480 --> 00:31:33.859 who shine brightly 00:31:33.859 --> 00:31:35.139 in this dark world. 00:31:36.099 --> 00:31:36.440 And so, 00:31:37.039 --> 00:31:38.460 we pray 00:31:38.460 --> 00:31:39.099 and ask 00:31:39.099 --> 00:31:40.420 that you would give us grace. 00:31:40.879 --> 00:31:41.160 Lord, 00:31:41.220 --> 00:31:42.119 with all of these things 00:31:42.119 --> 00:31:42.899 that are being asked 00:31:42.899 --> 00:31:43.819 of us as a church, 00:31:44.240 --> 00:31:46.200 we ask that you would help us 00:31:46.200 --> 00:31:48.119 give us grace 00:31:48.119 --> 00:31:49.759 to go the extra mile 00:31:49.759 --> 00:31:51.220 and 00:31:51.220 --> 00:31:54.259 to do these things 00:31:54.259 --> 00:31:54.980 with joy 00:31:54.980 --> 00:31:56.640 to receive them 00:31:56.640 --> 00:31:58.799 as coming from you. 00:32:00.119 --> 00:32:01.079 We ask that 00:32:01.079 --> 00:32:02.720 that you would lead us, 00:32:02.819 --> 00:32:03.660 that you would guide us, 00:32:03.740 --> 00:32:04.420 that you would give us 00:32:04.420 --> 00:32:05.480 give us wisdom 00:32:05.480 --> 00:32:06.920 in the days ahead 00:32:06.920 --> 00:32:07.700 as a church 00:32:07.700 --> 00:32:09.960 and that you would continue 00:32:09.960 --> 00:32:10.720 to be 00:32:10.720 --> 00:32:13.240 just at the center 00:32:13.240 --> 00:32:14.579 of all that we do. 00:32:15.619 --> 00:32:16.960 All of our interactions. 00:32:18.579 --> 00:32:19.559 May you be honored. 00:32:19.720 --> 00:32:20.559 May you be glorified. 00:32:20.660 --> 00:32:21.299 We love you. 00:32:22.059 --> 00:32:22.720 We pray this 00:32:22.720 --> 00:32:23.660 in your precious name. 00:32:24.640 --> 00:32:24.839 Amen. 00:32:24.839 --> 00:32:25.839 Amen.