Explore the Bible Lesson Preview November 6, 2011 "Can You be Counted On?" Background & Lesson: Romans 13:1-14 Motivation: Christians have obligations to live within society's framework. In the 70's some branches of the worldwide church turned to politics and allied themselves with Marxist revolutionaries to overthrow governments. Paul reminds us to keep our focus on the spiritual and eternal while living in the here and now. I. As A Citizen (1-7) Believer's Study Bible, p. 1617: 13:1-7 "Several important assertions concerning the obligations of the follower of Jesus to the civil state are delineated in the first seven verses; (1) Government is an agency ordained of God (v. 1). (2) Government, along with its appointed officials, exists to curtail evil in the world (v. 3). (3) The task of government includes the just punishment of evil men, including capital punishment (cf. v. 4, reference to "sword"). (4) Christian obligations include support of the government through tribute or taxation (vv. 6, 7). (5) Subjection to government is required of believers not only to avoid wrath, but also for conscience sake (v. 5)." A. Submission "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities" (1 a) Throughout the New Testament a strong theme of authority and submission is presented. These general principles of submission should not be taken as legalistic ultimatums. 1 / 8
Rather, they are principles to remind us "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men" (12:18). We should make our responsibility to advance God's kingdom as our priority rather than the assertion of our rights. (2 Peter 2:10-13) B. Authority "For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God" (1b). This is a testimony to God's sovereign purpose over history. It doesn't mean that every government accomplishes God's will or is obedient to His truth. Rather, from a Christian perspective, it means that all obedience should be ultimately linked to God. (Isa. 46:9-10) C. Resistance "Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves." (2) Believe rs have agonized and debated concerning the extent of civil disobedience (i.e. Operation Rescue) that is permitted by these commands. Peter and John argued before the Sanhedrin which was functioning as a civil court at the time: "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:18-20). Perhaps the main point, powerfully illustrated by Jesus' reaction to the use of force at the garden of Gethsemane, is that Christians are not to be primarily concerned with resisting physical kingdoms but with introducing His spiritual kingdom. D. Obedience "Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but 2 / 8
also for conscience' sake" (5) 1. Reward for obedience "For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. D o you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same." (3) While the Roman Empire provided a framework in which the gospel could spread "no one forbidding them" (Acts 28:31), it would become one of the great persecutors of the church. Slaves particularly had reason not to respect a government which took away their freedom. In spite of all this, the New Testament writers continually stressed that our battle is not political but spiritual (Eph. 6:12). Generally speaking, if you obey the law and live peaceably, a citizen will be able to fulfill his spiritual service (12:1). 2. Punishment for lawbreakers "For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil." (4) The word minister (Gk. diakonos) is the same work transliterated as deacon elsewhere; its root meaning is servant or slave. The government's primary duty is to establish order and prevent chaos. In an orderly climate, the gospel can spread more easily. E. Taxes "For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to who taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to 3 / 8
whom honor." (6-7) These verses are, in effect, an elaboration of Jesus' command to "render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesars..." (Matt. 22:21). II. As a Neighbor (8-10) A. Debt "Owe no one anything" (8) provokes two extreme interpretations: 1. Some take this verse literally as a command against borrowing of any kind. Such a strict view disregards the context of fulfilling obligations and the meaning of the verb "owe", literally "to discharge your obligations: or "leave no claim against you outstanding." The New International Version reads "Let no debt remain outstanding..." In II Kings 4:7 Elisha told the widow to use the oil to repay the debt, he did not rebuke her for borrowing. In Philemon 19 Paul assumes any debt of Onesimus. Jesus teaches four parables that relate to borrowing. And in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says, "Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away." (Matt. 5:42) The weight of scripture seems not to be concerned with any inherent wrong in borrowing money, rather with the integrity of doing what you say concerning repayment. (I Tim. 6:5b-19) 2. At the other extreme, some take this verse so figuratively that they fall into bondage to 4 / 8
captive debt. "...the borrower is servant to the lender" Prov. 22:7. Credit cards and second mortgages often fuel impulsive spending and allow people to live beyond their means. When your outgo exceeds your income then your upkeep will be your downfall. While borrowing is not inherently wrong, it presumes on the future, it's difficult to control and often puts undo financial pressure on our families. B. Love "except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not bear false witness," "You shall not covet", and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." (8-10) Paul wrote often of the need for love. (1 Cor. 13:1-8, 13; 16:14; Rom. 12:9a-10; Gal. 5:6b, 14, 22; Eph. 4:2, 15; Phil. 1:9, 2:2, 3:14; 1 Thes. 3:12; 1 Tim. 1:5). Here he affirms Christ's command that "love is the fulfillment of the law" (cf. Matt. 7:12). (Gal. 6:2, 5:13-14; Eph. 1:15; John 13:34; 2 John 5; 2 Cor. 13:14) III. Decency in Behavior (Jay Strack used the following three points in a sermon at HFBC on 7-25-93). A. Wake Up "And so this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed" (11 ) Innocent people are often hurt when we "fall asleep at the wheel". The spiritual person should recognize that "we're marching to Zion"; every day brings "our salvation" (i.e. goal) closer than ever before. The urgency of the task and the shortness of time should provoke us into a higher state of spiritual alertness. 5 / 8
B. Straighten Up "The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy." (12-13) Redeem the time! This is a strong exhortation to "put off" things that would bring dishonor to God's kingdom and "put on the armor of light" (Eph. 6:13-18). (Eph. 5:15-17; 2 Cor. 6:1-2) C. Stand Up "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts." (14) The greatest obstacle the church may have to overcome in equipping its members with precise, practical and comprehensive evangelism training is the desire for convenience. Mark McCloskey states: "I am convinced that the convenience factor is more likely to rob the Christian of his motivation in evangelism than any other aspect of our culture." ( Tell it Often, Tell it Well, McCloskey). Paul reminds us that the urgency of the day should also motivate us to live right and avoid evil. (Heb. 10:25) Application: 6 / 8
1. Focus on the spiritual rather than the physical kingdom. 2. Focus on love rather than the money. 3. Focus on pleasing God as the end nears. Adult Leader Pack: Item 15 Poster: Count on Me; Item 16 Handout: Team Work Illustrator: No article Notes: **You may access David's Lesson Preview in MP3 format at: www.hfbcbiblestudy.org; Dates: 2011: 8/24-11/16 - Midlink & Meal; 8/25-11/17 - College Kardia; 10/31 - First Fest; 11/ 10 - UBA Quarterly Assoc. Meeting; 11/12 - Men Pray Event; 11/13 - Make it Your Church Orientation; 11/13 - Parent Commitment; 11/13 - Christmas Store Collection; 11/18 & 20 - Thy Will be Done Seminars; 11/24-25 - Thanksgiving Holiday, church offices closed; 11/27 - Thanksgiving Weekend; 12/1 7 / 8
- Women's Christmas Banquet; 12/2 - Parents Night Out; 12/3 - Christmas Store; 12/8-11 - Christmas Celebration 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm.; 12/11 - Eve. Svc. in gym + LBS; 12/17 - Candy Cane Lane; 12/17 - Deacon's Christmas Party; 12/22-23 - Christmas Holidays - church offices closed; 12/24 - Christmas Eve Services @ 2, 4 & 6:00 pm; 12/25 - Christmas Day - 2 svc. 9:30 & 11:00 am, no LBS; 12/31 - New Year's Eve Party - Summit. 8 / 8