September 29, 2024
The King and I
- Matt Nickoson
Sermon Notes
Psalms 24:1-2 NIV
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.
Psalm 24:3 NIV
Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?
Psalm 24:4 NIV
The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.
Let it be said of “us” that we are a people with clean hands, pure hearts, and controlled tongues.
What is the role of government in God’s eyes?
Romans 13:1 NIV
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Romans 13:2 NIV
Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
Romans 13:3 NIV
For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.
God’s idea of government provides earthly justice and protection.
Romans 13:4 NIV
For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
1 Peter 2:13-14 NIV
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.
Romans 12:17-19 NIV
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
God’s vision for the role of government is to act on behalf of the good of all people.
Exodus 23:6-9 NIV
Do not deny justice to your poor people in their lawsuits. Have nothing to do with a false charge and do not put an innocent or honest person to death, for I will not acquit the guilty. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the innocent. Do not oppress a foreigner; you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners, because you were foreigners in Egypt.
Psalms 82:2-4 NIV
How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked? Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
Romans 13:5 NIV
Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
“Conscience” refers to the way I feel when my thoughts and actions are unified with God’s thoughts and desires for my actions.
Romans 13:6-7 NIV
This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
It is my conviction that Christians are to obey the authorities in every way that is not explicitly disobeying God’s word.
Acts 4:13-14 NIV
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.
We can do this because we trust that ultimately it is God who is in control.
Psalm 75:7 NIV
It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.
Daniel 2:20-22 NIV
Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.
Acts 4:27-31 NIV
Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus. After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
1 Timothy 2:1-4 NIV
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
Petitions.
Prayers.
Intercession.
Thanksgiving.