WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.640 Good morning church family. I'm going to do our Bible reading today. So it is from Romans chapter 13, starting at verse 1, going through to verse 7. 00:00:10.640 --> 00:00:21.000 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 00:00:22.140 --> 00:00:29.039 Therefore, whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 00:00:29.039 --> 00:00:38.719 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? 00:00:39.379 --> 00:00:46.159 Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. 00:00:46.159 --> 00:00:58.960 But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain, for he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. 00:00:59.039 --> 00:01:09.900 Therefore, one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath, but also for the sake of conscience. 00:01:09.900 --> 00:01:21.560 For because of you, for because of this, you also pay taxes, for the authorities and ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 00:01:22.880 --> 00:01:31.900 Pay to all what is owed to them. Taxes to whom taxes are owed. Revenue to whom revenue is owed. Respect to whom respect is owed. 00:01:32.580 --> 00:01:34.400 Honour to whom honour is owed. 00:01:34.400 --> 00:02:04.380 Honour to whom 00:02:04.400 --> 00:02:07.000 The government says not to do, or vice versa. 00:02:08.819 --> 00:02:16.000 Although, to be honest, I've got to admit that during lockdown, when I've been tempted to disobey the laws, 00:02:16.780 --> 00:02:21.759 usually it's personal comforts that is the cause of the temptation. 00:02:21.759 --> 00:02:27.039 But we've all faced this question recently, haven't we? 00:02:27.039 --> 00:02:31.500 It's becoming a hot topic among evangelical Christians. 00:02:31.500 --> 00:02:40.419 And that's why we're doing this one-off sermon on Christians' response to government. 00:02:40.419 --> 00:02:43.019 So we've all been facing this. 00:02:43.019 --> 00:02:49.099 Whether it's the concern for loved ones doing it tough, am I allowed to visit them? 00:02:49.099 --> 00:02:55.139 Is there a point where their welfare becomes more important than the rules? 00:02:55.139 --> 00:03:01.679 You might have concerns about the vaccine with your own body. 00:03:01.679 --> 00:03:06.419 Or the recent publication of the roadmap out of lockdown. 00:03:06.419 --> 00:03:12.319 You might be concerned about the state overreaching on personal and religious freedoms. 00:03:12.319 --> 00:03:21.079 Although legally, we're on very shaky ground legally to claim these freedoms. 00:03:21.799 --> 00:03:23.379 Still, you might be worried. 00:03:23.579 --> 00:03:25.019 Where is this country headed? 00:03:25.419 --> 00:03:27.639 Where is this state headed? 00:03:27.639 --> 00:03:31.359 Is this the thin end of the wedge? 00:03:31.479 --> 00:03:32.919 Are things going to get worse? 00:03:34.379 --> 00:03:42.479 Now, some listening this morning might be afraid that I'm about to add a church mandate on your choices, 00:03:42.819 --> 00:03:46.259 increasing your dilemma at the moment. 00:03:47.000 --> 00:03:51.019 My aim this morning is to show the biblical principles. 00:03:51.020 --> 00:04:00.280 Because in our current atmosphere of fear, some in the evangelical church have lost sight even of the basics. 00:04:01.180 --> 00:04:02.020 Excuse me. 00:04:02.100 --> 00:04:03.000 Let me get a drink of water. 00:04:07.700 --> 00:04:09.060 Let me say that again. 00:04:11.320 --> 00:04:19.560 Some in this atmosphere of fear, some in the evangelical church have lost sight of even the basics. 00:04:19.560 --> 00:04:23.759 And that's why we're doing this topic at the moment. 00:04:24.439 --> 00:04:29.079 When emotions are high, it's always good to go back to basics and get our bearings. 00:04:30.060 --> 00:04:32.740 So when is it right to disobey the government? 00:04:33.160 --> 00:04:35.420 The Australian Christian Lobby think it's time. 00:04:35.899 --> 00:04:39.259 They have endorsed a petition to the Prime Minister. 00:04:39.920 --> 00:04:40.959 You've probably heard of it. 00:04:41.259 --> 00:04:43.040 The Ezekiel Declaration. 00:04:43.959 --> 00:04:46.660 Subtitle, Watchman, It's Time to Speak. 00:04:46.660 --> 00:04:50.500 Now, in Ezekiel, it's to look out. 00:04:50.740 --> 00:04:53.760 The watchman looks out for an invading army. 00:04:54.280 --> 00:04:58.940 So in Ezekiel, that's God's judgment coming to warn people of the coming wrath. 00:04:59.360 --> 00:05:05.900 The tone of this petition is saying to our Prime Minister, if you restrict church attendance, 00:05:06.100 --> 00:05:07.740 God's judgment is coming. 00:05:09.000 --> 00:05:11.800 Accept church disobedience. 00:05:11.800 --> 00:05:20.180 I don't think this question of when is it right to disobey is the right place to start. 00:05:20.759 --> 00:05:26.240 Let me just give one reason for the sake of time and why this isn't the right place to start. 00:05:27.840 --> 00:05:34.439 In our passage this morning, Romans 13, which is the most developed teaching on the Christian's attitude 00:05:34.439 --> 00:05:41.420 and the command on Christians to respond to civil authorities, 00:05:42.060 --> 00:05:44.360 to our surprise, maybe to your disappointment, 00:05:45.079 --> 00:05:49.699 the Apostle Paul gives an unqualified endorsement of government 00:05:49.699 --> 00:05:52.540 and never answers the question. 00:05:53.220 --> 00:05:55.159 If he doesn't answer our question, 00:05:55.899 --> 00:06:00.740 we should stop and think we are probably asking the wrong question. 00:06:00.740 --> 00:06:07.879 If you are thinking it's time to disobey, let me build up your case for a moment. 00:06:08.800 --> 00:06:11.180 And to do this, get your Bible out. 00:06:11.519 --> 00:06:13.420 Let's open to Romans 13. 00:06:13.740 --> 00:06:18.939 Let's sit under God's word together and have a look at the context of Romans 13. 00:06:20.400 --> 00:06:23.040 Now, Romans, the letter was written, 00:06:23.040 --> 00:06:30.319 And most scholars agree about 20 to 30 years after Jesus' death, resurrection and ascension. 00:06:31.420 --> 00:06:37.200 And as you probably know, Roman Empire was far from a democracy. 00:06:38.100 --> 00:06:39.879 The emperor at the time was Nero. 00:06:40.820 --> 00:06:43.740 And although his early reign was not so bad, 00:06:43.740 --> 00:06:50.960 later, he would hold a garden party where the lanterns in the party were Christians on stakes 00:06:50.960 --> 00:06:54.060 being burnt alive to illumine the festivities. 00:06:55.240 --> 00:06:57.540 This was a dangerous place to live. 00:06:58.500 --> 00:07:04.019 And increasingly in the church, as Jews disassociated themselves from Christians, 00:07:04.400 --> 00:07:09.500 the church found themselves with no rights, no protections whatsoever. 00:07:09.500 --> 00:07:15.540 And Paul himself, who is writing this, would experience prison with a threat of death, 00:07:16.040 --> 00:07:19.680 day or night, way more than any of us are going to experience. 00:07:20.220 --> 00:07:24.240 At the end of the book of Acts, that's where we find Paul, in prison in Rome. 00:07:24.800 --> 00:07:30.720 Although we see there that Paul is in prison, that God's word is never chained. 00:07:31.860 --> 00:07:36.560 Tradition tells us that Paul himself would be beheaded in Rome. 00:07:36.560 --> 00:07:41.379 Surely this man would have something to say about disobedience. 00:07:42.540 --> 00:07:44.040 Now, let's get into the text. 00:07:44.220 --> 00:07:50.860 Notice the flow of Romans, how seemingly out of place these seven verses in chapter 13 are. 00:07:51.139 --> 00:07:57.220 After 11 chapters of explaining the wonderful mercy of God in saving rebellious sinners 00:07:57.220 --> 00:08:03.540 through Jesus, this new age of salvation, chapter 12 begins, 00:08:03.540 --> 00:08:07.879 the implications of how we are to respond to God's mercy. 00:08:08.460 --> 00:08:10.439 Have a look at chapter 12, verses 1 and 2. 00:08:12.280 --> 00:08:16.680 I appeal to you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, 00:08:16.760 --> 00:08:22.060 to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, 00:08:22.120 --> 00:08:23.740 which is your spiritual worship. 00:08:23.740 --> 00:08:31.500 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. 00:08:32.460 --> 00:08:38.440 We're not meant to live like the rest of this sinful world anymore. 00:08:38.639 --> 00:08:39.960 We've been saved from that. 00:08:40.759 --> 00:08:45.980 Verses 3 to 8 show the mutual submission and harmony within the church. 00:08:45.980 --> 00:08:52.440 Verses 9 to 21 of chapter 12 explain how love is to be our modus operandi, 00:08:53.080 --> 00:08:58.000 relating to everyone, believers, unbelievers, especially when we're mistreated. 00:08:59.639 --> 00:09:06.159 And then after our section on authority in chapter 13, Paul goes back to the topic of love. 00:09:06.820 --> 00:09:07.659 It's our duty. 00:09:08.139 --> 00:09:09.360 It fulfills the law. 00:09:09.360 --> 00:09:12.200 And then he finishes by motivating us. 00:09:12.860 --> 00:09:15.879 The darkness of our times is passing away. 00:09:16.379 --> 00:09:18.899 But we belong to the new day of salvation. 00:09:19.279 --> 00:09:20.419 So let's act like it. 00:09:20.480 --> 00:09:23.639 Let's put on the love of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:09:24.419 --> 00:09:27.039 This age we're living in won't last. 00:09:28.060 --> 00:09:32.720 By God's mercy, we have a new Lord, the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:09:33.340 --> 00:09:35.440 Don't be conformed to this sinful world. 00:09:35.899 --> 00:09:37.440 It's going to be passing away. 00:09:37.440 --> 00:09:40.420 Offer yourselves in worship to God. 00:09:42.480 --> 00:09:49.000 If we believe all that, here's the real question we should be asking. 00:09:49.520 --> 00:09:52.940 Why should we recognise the authority of government at all? 00:09:55.120 --> 00:09:57.700 We shouldn't be conformed to this world. 00:09:57.900 --> 00:09:58.980 Jesus is our Lord. 00:09:59.600 --> 00:10:01.000 This age is passing away. 00:10:02.240 --> 00:10:04.100 We belong to the King. 00:10:04.100 --> 00:10:09.639 Why should we recognise their authority at all? 00:10:11.139 --> 00:10:13.720 I might be getting some of you nervous at this point. 00:10:13.820 --> 00:10:15.340 What's this sermon going to be about? 00:10:17.399 --> 00:10:19.360 But now we have the right question. 00:10:19.800 --> 00:10:22.240 Let's listen to what the answer is. 00:10:22.360 --> 00:10:26.040 Let's humble ourselves before Romans 13. 00:10:26.039 --> 00:10:36.360 Paul doesn't say that we just need to put up with governance. 00:10:37.019 --> 00:10:41.379 He states their authority as high as it goes. 00:10:41.679 --> 00:10:44.419 He states it as positively as he can. 00:10:44.500 --> 00:10:45.659 Have a look at verse 1. 00:10:45.659 --> 00:10:55.219 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities, 00:10:55.379 --> 00:11:00.319 for there is no authority except from God, 00:11:00.839 --> 00:11:04.439 and those that exist have been instituted by God. 00:11:04.919 --> 00:11:05.379 Verse 2. 00:11:05.379 --> 00:11:11.879 Therefore, whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed. 00:11:11.879 --> 00:11:14.740 So we've got a command. 00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:21.779 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. 00:11:21.919 --> 00:11:22.600 We've got the reason. 00:11:23.279 --> 00:11:26.000 There is no authority except from God. 00:11:26.299 --> 00:11:28.059 They've been instituted by God. 00:11:28.139 --> 00:11:28.820 Here's the implication. 00:11:28.980 --> 00:11:32.639 Therefore, whoever resists the authorities resists God. 00:11:32.639 --> 00:11:40.059 In verse 4, he calls the civil authorities God's servants. 00:11:40.759 --> 00:11:45.139 And then in verse 6, he uses the word servant again, 00:11:45.259 --> 00:11:47.120 but he states it even more positively. 00:11:48.199 --> 00:11:53.899 ESV tries to translate the Greek with the authorities are ministers of God. 00:11:54.620 --> 00:11:59.279 What they're trying to capture there is that word is always used 00:11:59.279 --> 00:12:01.720 in terms of servants in God's temple. 00:12:01.720 --> 00:12:09.060 That's how closely Paul shows the authority of our governments 00:12:09.060 --> 00:12:11.160 to the authority of God. 00:12:11.220 --> 00:12:12.420 They are serving God. 00:12:13.200 --> 00:12:16.779 Now, they may not be conscious of this, 00:12:17.360 --> 00:12:21.420 but their authority comes from God, and they are serving God's purposes. 00:12:21.620 --> 00:12:25.300 Why God used the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, 00:12:25.899 --> 00:12:27.420 or the Persian king, Cyrus. 00:12:27.419 --> 00:12:34.759 So let me pause and ask at this point, do you believe that all levels 00:12:34.759 --> 00:12:39.240 of our government, all levels, have been put there by God 00:12:39.240 --> 00:12:43.279 and have a God-given function to perform? 00:12:45.000 --> 00:12:46.500 So what is that function? 00:12:46.639 --> 00:12:47.639 What is their purpose? 00:12:48.439 --> 00:12:51.759 It's very clear in here, to administer justice. 00:12:51.759 --> 00:12:54.639 Have a look at verse 3. 00:12:56.980 --> 00:13:00.379 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. 00:13:01.159 --> 00:13:03.620 Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? 00:13:03.779 --> 00:13:08.039 Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval. 00:13:08.039 --> 00:13:15.399 God has given them the sword, or in our case, the gun, 00:13:15.839 --> 00:13:18.719 to punish those who violate laws. 00:13:19.240 --> 00:13:23.719 Paul is assuming for his argument's sake that the laws of the state 00:13:23.719 --> 00:13:27.199 embody the moral principles in God's word. 00:13:27.679 --> 00:13:29.639 Christian individuals, we hear in chapter 12, 00:13:29.740 --> 00:13:33.480 have no right to take vengeance out, but the state does. 00:13:33.480 --> 00:13:39.759 God has put the state there to reward good and punish evil, 00:13:40.159 --> 00:13:44.240 and that is a really, really good thing. 00:13:46.360 --> 00:13:52.500 There was a break-in next door to church about seven years ago 00:13:52.500 --> 00:13:54.080 after youth group. 00:13:55.080 --> 00:13:59.539 Where BCF used to be, there was this motorcycle shop. 00:13:59.680 --> 00:14:01.860 Actually, I think it's becoming a motorcycle shop again. 00:14:01.860 --> 00:14:06.500 But there was a break-in next door, and the alarm was going off, 00:14:07.060 --> 00:14:09.220 and a neighbour had called the cops. 00:14:09.800 --> 00:14:12.899 And so there was this young man and a young woman 00:14:12.899 --> 00:14:15.899 who were on our property acting suspicious. 00:14:15.899 --> 00:14:20.960 So I wasn't quite willing to leave our property at that point. 00:14:21.139 --> 00:14:24.379 But within minutes, the cops turned up. 00:14:24.879 --> 00:14:30.399 Like six or seven police cars, with their lights flashing, turned up. 00:14:30.399 --> 00:14:35.220 And they all had guns on their hips, and I was not a little bit intimidated 00:14:35.220 --> 00:14:37.019 by the show of force. 00:14:37.459 --> 00:14:40.039 And they took charge of the situation quickly. 00:14:40.579 --> 00:14:45.240 They even discovered on this guy a knife that they confiscated very quickly. 00:14:46.600 --> 00:14:51.340 I went home that night very thankful for the police. 00:14:51.899 --> 00:14:52.980 I was quite impressed. 00:14:52.980 --> 00:14:57.340 The feeling of safety was wonderful. 00:14:58.860 --> 00:15:03.899 When you're on a train or at a station at night and there's drunken idiots around, 00:15:04.180 --> 00:15:06.420 don't you wish that the police would show up? 00:15:06.779 --> 00:15:08.779 Aren't you more at peace if they're there? 00:15:10.180 --> 00:15:15.200 Our government can issue fines and use handcuffs and guns, 00:15:15.200 --> 00:15:21.480 and this is a wonderful gift of God, to keep order in a society full of sinful people 00:15:21.480 --> 00:15:22.320 like you and me. 00:15:22.940 --> 00:15:28.680 The law can't save society, but it can restrain and preserve society. 00:15:29.780 --> 00:15:33.640 They have the God-given right to tell us what to do 00:15:33.640 --> 00:15:38.060 and then use coercion, if necessary, to make us do it. 00:15:38.059 --> 00:15:46.219 And if you think about it, the freedoms we enjoy is because they limit lesser freedoms. 00:15:46.979 --> 00:15:52.219 When you're driving, the death toll on the road in Australia is much less 00:15:52.219 --> 00:15:55.959 than in other countries where there's basically no rules. 00:15:57.119 --> 00:16:02.359 I sometimes see people running a red light late at night if they think there's no cop around, 00:16:02.359 --> 00:16:07.239 but the threat of punishment if they do get caught is a big reason 00:16:07.240 --> 00:16:13.360 why I have confidence to go through an intersection when my light turns green. 00:16:15.220 --> 00:16:21.200 Removing that lesser freedom of telling us when to stop and when to go, 00:16:21.700 --> 00:16:27.980 that threat of punishment, we actually have greater freedom to stay alive on the road. 00:16:27.980 --> 00:16:38.019 You might be feeling like the government is overusing their coercive powers at the moment. 00:16:39.659 --> 00:16:42.860 Can I just ask you to pause and ask yourself, 00:16:44.240 --> 00:16:48.779 do you recognise that they are God's servants? 00:16:48.779 --> 00:16:58.699 Do you balance your frustration with thankfulness for our government as you should? 00:17:00.759 --> 00:17:07.920 For this point, let me reword Monty Python, their famous sketch, 00:17:08.039 --> 00:17:09.700 what have the Romans ever done for us? 00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:15.259 The New South Wales government has taken away everything we have. 00:17:15.720 --> 00:17:18.740 And what has the New South Wales government ever done for us? 00:17:20.360 --> 00:17:23.460 Clean water supply, sanitation. 00:17:24.360 --> 00:17:24.680 Okay. 00:17:25.039 --> 00:17:28.740 I grant you water supply and sanitation. 00:17:28.740 --> 00:17:37.799 Food, public toilets. 00:17:38.160 --> 00:17:40.039 It's safe to walk the streets at night. 00:17:40.859 --> 00:17:43.799 They're the only ones who could keep ordering this place. 00:17:44.380 --> 00:17:45.160 All right then. 00:17:45.339 --> 00:17:50.339 Apart from clean water supply, sanitation, irrigation, medicine, education, 00:17:50.559 --> 00:17:53.900 food and wine, public toilets, making it safe to walk the streets at night, 00:17:53.900 --> 00:17:57.420 what has the New South Wales government ever done for us? 00:17:58.740 --> 00:18:04.900 Do people sense your high view of governing authorities? 00:18:05.680 --> 00:18:08.920 Do people sense your deep thankfulness? 00:18:09.660 --> 00:18:11.440 Or do they just hear you complaining? 00:18:14.079 --> 00:18:22.099 We are called to submit not only to those in Parliament who are Christian, 00:18:22.380 --> 00:18:27.359 not only when they are carrying out God's word of what is right and wrong, 00:18:27.359 --> 00:18:30.699 but we are called to submit all the time. 00:18:31.439 --> 00:18:36.419 Submission goes deeper than our behaviour to an attitude of heart. 00:18:36.919 --> 00:18:41.240 I'm going to use Douglas Moose commentary, 00:18:41.439 --> 00:18:44.279 his definition of submission. 00:18:44.619 --> 00:18:50.240 Submission is acknowledging the divinely ordained status of government 00:18:50.240 --> 00:18:55.460 and its consequent right to demand the believers' allegiance. 00:18:56.900 --> 00:18:59.460 Now, allegiance is a strong word, isn't it? 00:19:00.460 --> 00:19:03.180 But do you remember Romans 12 verse 1? 00:19:03.299 --> 00:19:08.480 In view of God's mercy, we are to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice. 00:19:08.480 --> 00:19:12.519 It's not just our souls and our mind, our behaviour, 00:19:12.880 --> 00:19:17.620 this embodied existence, whatever situation we're in, 00:19:17.740 --> 00:19:21.400 which includes the governments over us, everything, 00:19:21.740 --> 00:19:23.740 all of life is an act of worship. 00:19:24.440 --> 00:19:26.860 Submission is an act of worship. 00:19:27.539 --> 00:19:30.759 Allegiance to God, the highest authority, 00:19:30.759 --> 00:19:36.000 almost always means allegiance to our government 00:19:36.000 --> 00:19:37.259 and what they tell us to do. 00:19:42.740 --> 00:19:44.599 Worship might... 00:19:44.599 --> 00:19:46.200 Oh, no, I'll come back to that later. 00:19:47.119 --> 00:19:49.900 We'll leave that question of when to disobey till later. 00:19:50.720 --> 00:19:52.960 No matter what happens, verse 7, 00:19:52.960 --> 00:19:56.840 We are to give respect to whom respect is owed, 00:19:57.559 --> 00:20:01.940 honour to whom honour is owed. 00:20:02.880 --> 00:20:09.059 Whether we're in New South Wales or, as Joel asked in our small group, 00:20:09.620 --> 00:20:11.900 imagine applying this in Afghanistan at the moment. 00:20:14.039 --> 00:20:16.440 Respect and honour are still owed in Myanmar 00:20:16.440 --> 00:20:19.480 while they're taking away oxygen tanks. 00:20:19.480 --> 00:20:24.099 It runs deeper than obedience and disobedience. 00:20:24.900 --> 00:20:28.240 And any parent of teenagers, or if you've ever been a teenager, 00:20:28.400 --> 00:20:32.140 will know there is a difference between obeying begrudgingly 00:20:32.140 --> 00:20:37.400 and gladly recognising the authority that parents have over you. 00:20:38.099 --> 00:20:43.980 Parents can still feel disrespected when their teenager is disobeying, 00:20:44.640 --> 00:20:47.019 or obeying, rather, the begrudgingly. 00:20:47.019 --> 00:20:53.619 Some public figures at the moment are calling our governments 00:20:53.619 --> 00:20:56.119 tyrannical or a dictatorship. 00:20:56.900 --> 00:21:02.960 What is far from respectful is the labels some use of our officials. 00:21:04.160 --> 00:21:08.599 Australia has COVID concentration camps, is a quote. 00:21:09.139 --> 00:21:11.319 A COVID dictatorship. 00:21:11.319 --> 00:21:17.099 Calling our premiers, dictator Dan or Gulag Gladys. 00:21:19.919 --> 00:21:28.939 Trying to save lives is a far cry from the deadly regimes under Stalin or Pol Pot. 00:21:30.000 --> 00:21:34.819 Christians should be different in our language towards our governing authorities. 00:21:34.819 --> 00:21:40.099 This matter is a matter of worship. 00:21:40.859 --> 00:21:44.200 And we see it even in taxes. 00:21:45.500 --> 00:21:47.099 Taxes is mentioned here. 00:21:47.819 --> 00:21:53.139 By paying taxes, doesn't that show that we recognise the authority they have over us? 00:21:53.140 --> 00:21:59.000 When you submit your tax return and you realise you have to pay so much to the government, 00:21:59.500 --> 00:22:01.960 so much of your paycheck goes to the government, 00:22:02.580 --> 00:22:05.640 do you see that as an act of worship to the Lord? 00:22:05.640 --> 00:22:16.560 We're given two motivations to obey, to submit. 00:22:17.440 --> 00:22:20.600 The first we share with unbelievers, verse 5. 00:22:20.960 --> 00:22:24.780 Therefore, one must be in subjection not only to avoid God's wrath, 00:22:24.880 --> 00:22:27.420 but also for the sake of conscience. 00:22:28.020 --> 00:22:30.420 The first motivation is to avoid punishment. 00:22:30.420 --> 00:22:36.180 The second motivation is much more important, much more fundamental, 00:22:37.019 --> 00:22:39.480 and only Christians have this motivation, conscience. 00:22:40.440 --> 00:22:42.620 Now, I'm not saying unbelievers don't have a conscience. 00:22:42.759 --> 00:22:43.220 They do. 00:22:43.620 --> 00:22:48.120 But they don't acknowledge that they're answerable to God. 00:22:49.240 --> 00:22:53.539 They don't realise who their conscience is owed to. 00:22:54.060 --> 00:22:55.279 As Christians, we do. 00:22:55.279 --> 00:23:01.639 We know that the rulers have his authority, his total backing. 00:23:02.920 --> 00:23:04.160 So an example of this. 00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:09.359 As I'm driving over the speed limit, I don't just slow down because a cop might catch me. 00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:14.660 I slow down because I want a clear conscience to relate to God. 00:23:14.779 --> 00:23:21.799 I want to do what pleases him by obeying the authorities who have given those road rules. 00:23:21.799 --> 00:23:29.139 So why should we submit to authorities if we belong to this new age of salvation? 00:23:30.879 --> 00:23:35.899 Because they have God's full backing to administer justice, 00:23:35.899 --> 00:23:39.399 which is such a good thing that we should be thankful for. 00:23:40.099 --> 00:23:45.279 And because submission, respect is a matter of our daily worship to the Lord. 00:23:45.279 --> 00:23:54.940 So now I want to spend the rest of our time thinking about how we might apply these principles 00:23:54.940 --> 00:23:57.519 in how we engage in our current situation. 00:23:58.420 --> 00:24:05.220 Now, there are real concerns and conversations to be had in this complex time we're living in. 00:24:05.220 --> 00:24:13.220 Many Christians are demanding religious freedoms or personal freedoms. 00:24:13.620 --> 00:24:18.960 But let's just take a step back for a moment and consider what true freedom is. 00:24:19.720 --> 00:24:22.559 I'm going to borrow from Tim Keller here. 00:24:23.740 --> 00:24:28.259 Freedom is not simply the absence of restrictions, 00:24:28.259 --> 00:24:34.599 but rather consists of finding the right liberating restrictions. 00:24:35.480 --> 00:24:42.819 You grow only as you lose some lower kinds of freedom to gain higher kinds of freedom. 00:24:43.940 --> 00:24:47.079 So in marriage, we might say, still Keller speaking, 00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:51.980 we lose our independence in order to gain new freedom. 00:24:51.980 --> 00:24:56.860 So if we give ourselves to our God, our true love, 00:24:57.420 --> 00:25:00.039 we will become more free than we can imagine. 00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:03.759 We will be free from fears, insecurity and shame. 00:25:04.440 --> 00:25:08.140 We will be free to forgive, free to love others, 00:25:08.519 --> 00:25:11.900 to face suffering in a way we could not before. 00:25:14.960 --> 00:25:17.660 Do you hear the difference in what freedom is? 00:25:18.720 --> 00:25:21.559 Our society is demanding personal freedoms, 00:25:21.559 --> 00:25:23.200 but that's not Christian freedom. 00:25:24.200 --> 00:25:26.839 Do you believe that Christ is in charge? 00:25:28.659 --> 00:25:33.259 Ephesians 1 says that the Father has put all things under his feet. 00:25:33.639 --> 00:25:38.200 He has given him his head over all things for the church's sake. 00:25:39.440 --> 00:25:41.339 Or as Matthew's gospel finishes, 00:25:41.899 --> 00:25:46.179 Jesus says all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 00:25:47.039 --> 00:25:50.559 Surely I am with you and to the end of the age. 00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:57.579 Do you know what the most repeated command in the New Testament is? 00:25:59.579 --> 00:26:00.879 Don't be afraid. 00:26:03.200 --> 00:26:04.319 Don't be afraid. 00:26:05.779 --> 00:26:09.079 Panic leads to self-protection. 00:26:09.079 --> 00:26:14.460 That the peace we have in Christ frees us to love. 00:26:15.759 --> 00:26:20.819 Do you believe that Christ is in charge of every policy our government makes? 00:26:22.419 --> 00:26:27.699 Do you believe that Christ is in charge of the health or sickness of your body? 00:26:27.700 --> 00:26:34.700 Do you believe that Christ is in charge even when people try to put you to shame? 00:26:36.200 --> 00:26:44.460 True freedom is knowing Christ is in charge and that you are precious to the one who is in charge. 00:26:44.460 --> 00:26:47.039 I don't need to repent. 00:26:47.940 --> 00:26:50.340 I have a peace that nothing can touch. 00:26:51.480 --> 00:26:55.039 And so I can act out of love, not fear. 00:26:55.039 --> 00:27:00.259 Let me read what freedom looks like. 00:27:00.420 --> 00:27:03.859 How we should be engaging on social media. 00:27:04.359 --> 00:27:08.420 How we should be discussing things with our family, with our church family. 00:27:08.980 --> 00:27:12.819 How we should be engaging in society and politics. 00:27:12.960 --> 00:27:15.019 Have a look at chapter 12 from verse 9. 00:27:15.019 --> 00:27:20.940 Let love be genuine. 00:27:21.900 --> 00:27:23.339 Abhor what is evil. 00:27:24.180 --> 00:27:25.940 Hold fast what is good. 00:27:26.839 --> 00:27:29.139 Love one another with brotherly affection. 00:27:30.279 --> 00:27:32.220 Outdo one another in showing honour. 00:27:32.720 --> 00:27:35.680 Do not be slothful in zeal but fervent in spirit. 00:27:35.920 --> 00:27:36.900 Serve the Lord. 00:27:37.720 --> 00:27:38.960 Rejoice in hope. 00:27:39.299 --> 00:27:40.819 Be patient in tribulation. 00:27:41.000 --> 00:27:42.859 Be constant in prayer. 00:27:42.859 --> 00:27:46.899 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show your hospitality. 00:27:48.099 --> 00:27:49.819 Bless those who persecute you. 00:27:50.219 --> 00:27:51.479 Bless and do not curse them. 00:27:52.139 --> 00:27:53.679 Rejoice with those who rejoice. 00:27:54.219 --> 00:27:55.299 Weep with those who weep. 00:27:55.879 --> 00:27:57.659 Live in harmony with one another. 00:27:58.319 --> 00:28:01.679 Do not be haughty but associate with the lowly. 00:28:02.079 --> 00:28:04.279 Never be wise in your own sight. 00:28:04.939 --> 00:28:06.939 Repay no one evil for evil. 00:28:07.459 --> 00:28:10.939 But give thought to do what is honourable in the sight of all. 00:28:10.940 --> 00:28:15.799 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 00:28:16.900 --> 00:28:21.120 Beloved, never avenge yourselves but leave it to the wrath of God for it is written. 00:28:21.259 --> 00:28:22.360 Vengeance is mine. 00:28:22.840 --> 00:28:24.799 I will repay, says the Lord. 00:28:25.820 --> 00:28:29.420 To the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him. 00:28:29.799 --> 00:28:32.740 If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. 00:28:32.740 --> 00:28:36.099 For by so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head. 00:28:36.620 --> 00:28:41.920 Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good. 00:28:45.960 --> 00:28:54.160 True freedom is seen in the peace we have in Christ that we can lay our rights down in love for others. 00:28:54.160 --> 00:29:05.800 It is freedom from our sin and self-protection to worship God from our heart by loving those around us, even those who harm us. 00:29:05.799 --> 00:29:18.319 I think there's a danger at the moment among Christians to make a specific action the main measure for their faithfulness to God. 00:29:20.220 --> 00:29:24.659 But if worship is from the heart, yes, our choices, our behaviour matters, 00:29:24.660 --> 00:29:33.279 but we need to allow flexibility for Christians to arrive at different conclusions after we listen to each other and discuss things. 00:29:34.380 --> 00:29:37.980 Our society has thrown out God's word as the authority, 00:29:38.120 --> 00:29:44.519 so the only way to push for what you think is true is to shout louder than the other person, to force your opinion. 00:29:45.840 --> 00:29:48.660 Let me borrow it from Keller again. 00:29:48.660 --> 00:29:59.080 Without a moral source outside of yourself, the only way to resolve these inevitable conflicts among moral ideals is to exercise power. 00:30:00.019 --> 00:30:07.400 It means to say to others, this is right simply because I say so and I have the power to force you to comply. 00:30:08.300 --> 00:30:13.660 If you are proposing a position that some behaviour is wrong and should be stopped, 00:30:13.660 --> 00:30:19.500 there's no way to justify or even have a conversation about it with someone who disagrees. 00:30:19.840 --> 00:30:23.320 All you can do is shout the other person down. 00:30:24.759 --> 00:30:25.220 End quote. 00:30:26.400 --> 00:30:33.340 Now, obviously that includes literal shouting, but also shaming and labelling the person rather than debating truth, 00:30:34.300 --> 00:30:37.500 demanding your opinion be taken as truth and unchallenged. 00:30:38.560 --> 00:30:42.340 But we as believers have God's word to guide us in these times. 00:30:42.339 --> 00:30:48.079 Any of this kind of shouting is totally out of place for a child of God. 00:30:49.839 --> 00:30:50.919 Let's talk. 00:30:51.379 --> 00:30:52.139 Let's debate. 00:30:52.480 --> 00:30:55.699 Let's allow other Christians to speak into our thinking. 00:30:57.039 --> 00:31:06.839 A common mistake we easily make is confusing a biblical principle with a concrete practice of how it must be expressed. 00:31:08.480 --> 00:31:09.459 So take a husband. 00:31:09.460 --> 00:31:19.600 A husband confuses the biblical principle of his wife showing respect with the practice of agreeing with his logic and his conclusions. 00:31:20.720 --> 00:31:22.319 They're not the same thing. 00:31:23.460 --> 00:31:31.539 Pointing out flaws in logic, factors that aren't considered, disagreeing with the final implication, they can all be respectful. 00:31:31.539 --> 00:31:38.799 Let's not confuse the principle with how that principle is to be expressed. 00:31:39.859 --> 00:31:48.359 As we discuss matters among believers, let's bring other people in our thinking, bring all God's wisdom to bear. 00:31:49.079 --> 00:31:52.559 Let's be careful not to confuse principle with practice. 00:31:52.559 --> 00:31:57.519 Let's allow flexibility of implications where scripture allows us freedom. 00:32:00.879 --> 00:32:06.779 Now, some might be afraid that these restrictions on religious expression aren't just temporary. 00:32:06.779 --> 00:32:18.000 But on this point, we need to remember that while our behaviour is important, God primarily looks at the desires and motives of our heart to see if we are worshipping. 00:32:18.759 --> 00:32:23.539 There is a much greater danger to worship than external restrictions. 00:32:24.899 --> 00:32:29.259 The biggest danger is a rebellious attitude of heart. 00:32:29.259 --> 00:32:44.900 At the heart of all of us since the fall of Adam is a mistrust in authority, whether it's parents' authority, husbands, bosses, church leaders or governments. 00:32:45.519 --> 00:32:50.799 They're all symptoms of a deeper mistrust in God's use of his authority. 00:32:50.799 --> 00:32:55.019 It's not that some of us are anti-authoritarian. 00:32:55.259 --> 00:32:57.740 All of us are by nature. 00:32:58.159 --> 00:32:59.259 That's called sin. 00:33:00.000 --> 00:33:02.279 We are not submissive by nature. 00:33:03.500 --> 00:33:09.500 There is a greater danger to our worship and it's that unsubmissive attitude. 00:33:11.440 --> 00:33:13.700 Think back with me before COVID if you can. 00:33:13.700 --> 00:33:23.319 Some are afraid that there will be discrimination based on vaccine about welcoming all people at church in the future. 00:33:23.400 --> 00:33:26.360 But think back when we didn't have any restrictions. 00:33:28.059 --> 00:33:35.940 Were you constantly eager to welcome all different types of people by who you talked to when the service ended? 00:33:38.600 --> 00:33:39.940 We can't sing. 00:33:39.940 --> 00:33:50.700 Was your heart back then consistently warmed by the truths of the gospel that you couldn't help but express the inexpressible through singing? 00:33:53.940 --> 00:33:57.380 There is a much greater danger than external restrictions. 00:33:57.559 --> 00:34:00.559 External restrictions can only get skin deep to our worship. 00:34:01.039 --> 00:34:05.940 The rebellious spirit, it erodes worship altogether. 00:34:06.580 --> 00:34:08.380 That's the real danger. 00:34:09.940 --> 00:34:12.659 Let me put that positively. 00:34:13.440 --> 00:34:17.880 The government has no jurisdiction or coercive power over our heart. 00:34:18.519 --> 00:34:21.079 We are always free to worship. 00:34:23.980 --> 00:34:33.000 Let's finally come back to that question we started with after laying all this necessary groundwork first. 00:34:34.019 --> 00:34:35.220 Remember the basics. 00:34:35.219 --> 00:34:45.579 What if worship of God requires us to disobey his servants, his delegated authorities? 00:34:48.359 --> 00:34:54.319 Then the command to submit, to respect and show honour still applies. 00:34:55.419 --> 00:35:02.359 A worshipful, submissive spirit will try and find every possible way to obey. 00:35:02.360 --> 00:35:11.059 Failing that, a worshipful, submissive spirit will disobey only as a last resort and still with respect. 00:35:11.059 --> 00:35:18.940 Now, many quote Acts 5 as a license to disobey government. 00:35:18.940 --> 00:35:24.500 Peter boldly says to the Jewish council, we must obey God rather than men. 00:35:25.880 --> 00:35:30.400 But those who cite this usually fail to mention the full story. 00:35:30.820 --> 00:35:34.940 Remember the respect the apostles showed those authorities. 00:35:34.940 --> 00:35:37.980 Let me recap the story. 00:35:38.119 --> 00:35:42.260 They were preaching the name of Jesus and the officials told them not to do that. 00:35:43.280 --> 00:35:45.659 They were arrested, put in prison. 00:35:45.820 --> 00:35:51.240 But overnight, an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors, frees them and tells them, keep speaking. 00:35:52.000 --> 00:35:54.139 Keep telling people about Jesus, this life. 00:35:54.579 --> 00:35:56.500 So the next morning, they obey. 00:35:56.619 --> 00:35:57.139 They do it. 00:35:57.139 --> 00:36:09.599 And after hilarious debacles of the officials working out why is this prison empty, they send police to the temple where they were preaching to arrest them. 00:36:10.759 --> 00:36:14.099 But the apostles are protected by the crowds. 00:36:14.239 --> 00:36:19.480 The crowds were ready to protect the apostles using violence. 00:36:20.259 --> 00:36:24.379 So the apostles had divine authority to stay and preach. 00:36:24.579 --> 00:36:26.099 They had the crowd's protection. 00:36:26.099 --> 00:36:29.059 They did not need to be arrested that day. 00:36:29.779 --> 00:36:30.839 But what did they do? 00:36:32.360 --> 00:36:35.539 They entrusted themselves to their God who could say. 00:36:36.299 --> 00:36:48.239 They laid down their rights, recognizing their God-given authority as officials, and they went with them, knowing they would be unjustly treated and beaten. 00:36:49.079 --> 00:36:53.839 And at the end of it, they rejoiced for belonging to the highest name. 00:36:53.840 --> 00:36:55.640 They were not allowed. 00:36:55.640 --> 00:36:56.740 That's freedom. 00:36:57.340 --> 00:36:58.380 That's respect. 00:37:00.620 --> 00:37:08.519 If Christians shout and demand religious freedoms, we obscure what Christianity is about. 00:37:09.320 --> 00:37:14.480 Christians just sound like other disgruntled people who want their personal freedoms back. 00:37:14.480 --> 00:37:25.240 but if you can gladly lay down your rights out of love for others that kind of worship will be 00:37:25.240 --> 00:37:35.940 like a life amidst the fear at the moment and the primary way we can continue to submit 00:37:35.940 --> 00:37:43.159 to our leaders is to pray for our leaders the early church father clement he lived through 00:37:43.159 --> 00:37:53.099 nero's reign and domitian's much more persecution than we are likely to face this is his prayer later 00:37:53.099 --> 00:38:03.059 in life thou oh lord and master has given them remember he's talking about the roman empire here 00:38:03.059 --> 00:38:10.059 has given them the power of sovereignty through thine excellent and unspeakable might that we 00:38:10.059 --> 00:38:16.759 knowing the glory and honor which thou has given them i submit ourselves to them in nothing 00:38:16.759 --> 00:38:24.239 resisting i will grant them therefore oh lord health peace concord and stability that they may 00:38:24.239 --> 00:38:31.679 without failure administer the government which thou has committed to them do thou oh lord direct their 00:38:31.679 --> 00:38:37.559 counsel according to what is good and acceptable in thy sight that they administering in peace and 00:38:37.559 --> 00:38:43.599 gentleness with godliness the power which thou has committed to them may obtain your favor 00:38:43.599 --> 00:38:54.619 that's respect that's freedom we are always called to be submissive as we worship the lord 00:38:54.619 --> 00:39:00.219 our breath is better spent praying than shouting 00:39:00.219 --> 00:39:06.379 laying down our rights 00:39:06.379 --> 00:39:13.739 that worshipful submissive spirit is what we owe our lives to 00:39:13.739 --> 00:39:23.819 picture jesus as he is right now picture him on his throne if you can i don't know how possible this is but 00:39:23.820 --> 00:39:32.720 picture him as he is in charge over all things right now i'm thinking of isaiah's temple vision 00:39:32.720 --> 00:39:38.860 with seraphim crying out hold holy hold 00:39:38.860 --> 00:39:47.080 i'm picturing revelation this majestic figure with a sword coming out of his mouth 00:39:47.079 --> 00:39:55.139 which is the word of god angels coming and going being sent to do his will 00:39:55.139 --> 00:40:05.179 present in every moment in every place knowing your personal circumstances 00:40:05.179 --> 00:40:09.860 while also upholding the universe by the word of his power 00:40:09.860 --> 00:40:14.599 we don't need to be afraid 00:40:14.599 --> 00:40:25.340 but now picture him as he stood bloodied from being flogged with a crown of thorns on his head 00:40:25.340 --> 00:40:29.400 barely holding himself up before pilot the governor 00:40:29.400 --> 00:40:36.019 knowing the greatest injustice in history was just about to take place 00:40:36.019 --> 00:40:43.239 he had every right not to be called a sinner and yet he took our sins 00:40:43.239 --> 00:40:50.059 our rebelliousness upon himself he had every right to command his angels to deliver his right 00:40:50.059 --> 00:40:54.900 his life and yet he submitted to the unjust ruling of the roman governor 00:40:54.900 --> 00:40:59.300 trusting god's trusting his father to save him 00:40:59.300 --> 00:41:03.840 he had every right to have freedom of movement 00:41:03.840 --> 00:41:07.000 rather than being strung up on a cross 00:41:07.000 --> 00:41:10.039 he had every right to breathe freely 00:41:10.039 --> 00:41:14.300 rather than slowly suffocating on the cross 00:41:14.300 --> 00:41:18.500 and yet he laid it all down 00:41:18.500 --> 00:41:19.720 for you 00:41:19.720 --> 00:41:20.500 for me 00:41:20.500 --> 00:41:23.579 taking the judgment we deserve 00:41:23.579 --> 00:41:26.480 he freely gave up his last breath 00:41:26.480 --> 00:41:31.220 we owe our entire life 00:41:31.219 --> 00:41:35.379 to the authority who freely submitted himself 00:41:35.379 --> 00:41:37.539 to set us free 00:41:37.539 --> 00:41:43.339 if you are demeaning your rights and freedoms 00:41:43.339 --> 00:41:47.639 people will just see another self-centered person 00:41:47.639 --> 00:41:50.619 just with a religious superiority complex 00:41:50.619 --> 00:41:54.939 but if people see you freely laying down your rights 00:41:54.939 --> 00:41:56.939 in order to love others 00:41:56.940 --> 00:42:01.099 they will see the lord jesus in you 00:42:01.099 --> 00:42:05.420 so let me finish 00:42:05.420 --> 00:42:09.760 are others seeing christ's submissive heart in you at the moment 00:42:09.760 --> 00:42:15.320 can others sense that you have such a high 00:42:15.320 --> 00:42:18.880 the highest view of the authority of our governments 00:42:18.880 --> 00:42:20.099 at every level 00:42:20.099 --> 00:42:25.319 do they hear you qualify your disagreement 00:42:25.319 --> 00:42:26.960 with government policies 00:42:26.960 --> 00:42:27.900 with humility 00:42:27.900 --> 00:42:31.659 in not in recognizing that we don't have all the facts 00:42:31.659 --> 00:42:35.440 in accepting that this is a very complex situation 00:42:35.440 --> 00:42:41.059 do people hear you being thankful for our government 00:42:41.059 --> 00:42:46.960 are you respecting them in in how you call them 00:42:46.960 --> 00:42:48.440 how you relate to their name 00:42:48.440 --> 00:42:54.139 are you trying to find every possible way to obey 00:42:54.139 --> 00:43:00.400 do people sense a greater desire for the interest of others in you 00:43:00.400 --> 00:43:02.639 or could they confuse your comments 00:43:02.639 --> 00:43:05.559 with seeking your own personal freedoms 00:43:05.559 --> 00:43:08.460 do people sense 00:43:08.460 --> 00:43:12.400 that you have a greater hope and peace 00:43:12.400 --> 00:43:15.460 that transcend this crisis 00:43:15.460 --> 00:43:18.480 because you belong to the king of kings 00:43:18.480 --> 00:43:23.159 this isn't a time to panic and be self-protecting 00:43:23.159 --> 00:43:30.619 it's a time to show the peace and love that we have in christ's sovereign love for us 00:43:30.619 --> 00:43:35.559 there is such opportunity in this time to show jesus 00:43:35.559 --> 00:43:38.539 this is a matter of worship 00:43:38.539 --> 00:43:45.519 do others see christ's respectful submissive heart in you 00:43:45.519 --> 00:43:50.259 will you pray with me 00:43:50.259 --> 00:43:51.840 let's finish by praying 00:43:51.840 --> 00:44:03.480 lord jesus we acknowledge that you are king of kings 00:44:03.480 --> 00:44:05.360 and lord of lords 00:44:05.360 --> 00:44:10.660 that the coronavirus is not outside of your sovereignty 00:44:10.659 --> 00:44:16.039 that what happens to our body is not outside of your sovereignty 00:44:16.039 --> 00:44:21.099 where our nation and state is headed is not outside your sovereignty 00:44:21.099 --> 00:44:24.859 lord please help us gladly submit 00:44:24.859 --> 00:44:27.420 to the governments that you have put 00:44:27.420 --> 00:44:29.679 over us for our good 00:44:29.679 --> 00:44:32.059 lord please help us 00:44:32.059 --> 00:44:34.119 as believers individually 00:44:34.119 --> 00:44:35.960 and as a church family 00:44:35.960 --> 00:44:37.900 please help us show that 00:44:37.900 --> 00:44:40.059 that peace and that love 00:44:40.059 --> 00:44:44.539 that that lays down our rights like you did 00:44:44.539 --> 00:44:47.460 lord i pray for our governments 00:44:47.460 --> 00:44:49.360 thank you for them 00:44:49.360 --> 00:44:52.019 lord please give them wisdom 00:44:52.019 --> 00:44:54.619 please sustain their strength 00:44:54.619 --> 00:44:55.880 in this 00:44:55.880 --> 00:44:59.079 it must be a heavy burden they're carrying 00:44:59.079 --> 00:45:02.059 please give them your insight 00:45:02.059 --> 00:45:03.940 into making just decisions 00:45:03.940 --> 00:45:06.679 please help us to be patient 00:45:06.679 --> 00:45:07.679 with them 00:45:07.679 --> 00:45:09.960 when we think they get that wrong 00:45:09.960 --> 00:45:12.400 lord please help us to be 00:45:12.400 --> 00:45:14.360 gladly submitting to them 00:45:14.360 --> 00:45:15.639 trusting you 00:45:15.639 --> 00:45:18.559 and trusting ourselves to our faithful creator 00:45:18.559 --> 00:45:21.059 and continuing to do good 00:45:21.059 --> 00:45:23.920 praise in jesus name 00:45:23.920 --> 00:45:24.599 amen