Sermon Notes - Romans 13:1-7 - Honoring Government - Littleby Baptist Church - May 11, 2025

1.        Paul is sitting in Corinth writing a letter to the Romans.

a.        He has taught about being a new creation.

b.       He has told us that we are to be transformed.

c.        Not to be conformed to this age, to not be like the world we live in.

d.       To be renewed to what God’s original intent is for us.

2.        I would suspect, that would have people question a lot of things in their lives.

a.        Some great things to be thinking about.

b.       How should I live my life?

c.        What can I do with the resources of time, money, and skills that God has given me?

d.       Should I be doing something different?

e.        Am I in the right place?

f.          Lots of great questions we should be asking ourselves.

3.        One thing that came out of not being conformed to this age.

a.        Is how are we to respond to the local government?

b.       This may seem oddly placed between Christian ethics and a bit about Love.

c.        I think as we walk through these verses, we will see that they do fit.

d.       We have talked in the past about how God ordains our leaders.

e.        The good.

f.          The bad.

g.        They are called to govern and bring justice.

4.        Romans 13:1

a.        Looks pretty straight to the point to me.

b.       Submit to the governing authorities.

c.        Why?

d.       Because the authorities that do exist, come from God.

e.        As a follower of Christ, we are to understand that the government we find ourselves living under, does have authority over us.

f.          God has put us under their leadership.

g.        Some we have liked over the years.

h.        Some we have not.

i.          Yet Scripture has been clear from the teaching we see in Daniel, and this first verse this morning.

j.          God ordains the leaders of our nations.

k.        We are under their authority.

l.          Because their authority comes from God.

5.        Romans 13:2

a.        This can be a hard pill to swallow.

b.       As we have had leaders we do not agree with.

c.        We have seen throughout history people who have rebelled against their leaders and history has shown it to be the right thing.

d.       I think as Christ followers we are to follow the rule of law.

e.        Submit to our governments.

f.          But I suspect there are times, when God does move people to support a new leader, a new government.

g.        We have seen it happen in Scripture.

h.        We have seen God raise up Judges to lead His people against those ruling them.

i.          I suspect we will see God guide some to turn against leaders in this world before our Lord returns.

j.          But we have to be careful, it is only when God leads us to do so.

k.        Not just because we don’t like something they say or do.

6.        Romans 13:3

a.        This is tying to carrying out vengeance or justice from last week’s verses.

b.       God uses the government to punish those who do wrong.

c.        If we do good.

d.       If we are focused on serving others.

e.        Caring for others.

f.          Meeting needs.

g.        Truly loving others.

h.        More often than not.

i.          We will be left alone.

j.          Now as we have seen that can get tricky.

k.        As Christ followers take stands in the political realm.

l.          They have to choose sides on political topics.

m.     Those things are important.

n.        Yet, at times doing so can paint targets on our backs.

7.        But that is not what Paul is talking about in these verses.

a.        If you follow the teachings of chapter 12.

b.       Using the giftings we have been given.

c.        Living in peace with others.

d.       Clinging to what is good.

e.        And more…

f.          We should not have to be afraid of the government.

g.        This is not about taking political stands.

h.        It is about serving others.

i.          About being God’s instruments of love to the people around you.

j.          Doing good as a way of showing God’s love.

8.        Romans 13:4

a.        The ruler.

b.       The one leads our government.

c.        In our case, those in each position of authority.

d.       Are in place by God.

e.        This is why it is important for Christians to get involved.

f.          To run for office.

g.        To serve in the political realm.

h.        If only non-believers run, we don’t have any good options.

i.          But those who serve.

j.          Those in these positions are there to carry out God’s will.

k.        They are used by God to carry out judgement.

l.          They will bring justice.

m.     They will bring vengeance.

n.        They will punish those who do wrong.

o.        It is the government’s responsibility to punish those who defy God.

p.       One of the ways this is defined is found in:

q.       Romans 1:18

r.          Those who do wrong by suppressing the truth of God.

s.        We see that today.

t.          I would say the government has fallen short of its calling.

u.       At the same time, I am thankful for the mercy that God has allowed in that people can still share and hear the Gospel and be set free from the sin in their lives.

9.        Romans 13:5

a.        We should submit to our governing authorities to avoid the wrath.

b.       But that should be the smallest of influences.

c.        The primary reason we should submit to government, is because we know that is God’s will.

d.       God wants us to – Read Romans 12:18

e.        Paul just told us that the rulers are appointed by God.

f.          If they are in place according to God’s will, we should follow them.

g.        One might question if listening to the governing authorities is the same as being conformed to this age.

h.        Nothing Paul is telling us, states to go against the teachings found in the Bible.

i.          Going against God’s Word would be being conformed to this age.

j.          Paul is telling us to live Godly lives.

k.        Serve others by loving them.

l.          Let the government be God’s judge in civil matters.

m.     We can listen to the government and still not be conformed to this age.

n.        Most of the time, and we will touch on that in a bit.

10.   Romans 13:6

a.        Because the government was established by God.

b.       Follow your conscience.

c.        As a Christ follower.

d.       Do what is right.

e.        Pay your taxes.

f.          Using the example Paul is using here.

g.        We could easily add a few more…

h.        Get your drivers license, get the building permits, get the marriage license, social security card, etc.…

i.          If we are following God and these things do not counter the Word of God.

j.          Following the rules from the God appointed leader, is needed.

k.        It is part of us following our God.

11.   Romans 13:7

a.        As Christ followers… follow your conscience.

b.       Taxes are to be paid to those who God has put in place to govern.

c.        Tolls or indirect taxes, for a service are to be paid when something is used.

d.       Respect should be given at all times.

e.        The world says respect is earned.

f.          If we are loving others we should be willing to respect people at all times.

g.        Regardless of if they have earned it or not.

h.        Showing someone respect opens up the opportunity for them to accept you loving them.

i.          Might accept you praying for them.

j.          May give you the opportunity to share the Gospel of Christ with them.

k.        In this verse I would say Paul is saying to show honor to people by respecting their position.

l.          We may not agree with them.

m.     But honoring their authority.

n.        Praying for them.

o.        Not talking bad about them.

p.       All would be ways of honoring them.

12.   Turn to Acts 4 please.

a.        We need to touch on one additional thing.

b.       Peter and John had been arrested.

c.        Acts 4:17-21

d.       Then another situation in Acts 5.

e.        Acts 5:25-29

13.   Peter and John were not pushing back on the leadership of that day for just any ole rule.

a.        They were specifically being told they could not share the Gospel.

b.       They were being told that they could not talk about Jesus.

c.        There is a point where we have to follow God over man.

d.       Even if it is the governing leaders.

e.        That is when those leaders make it so that we cannot talk about Jesus.

f.          We are to submit to our governments per Paul’s teaching unless the government is telling us to sin.

g.        There are lines we do not want to cross.

h.        Which is different than those that we are not to cross.

i.          We can be very passionate about certain things and not want to comply with the government, but we need to look at things from a Biblical perspective.

j.          The lines may be in different places, as much as we wish they weren’t.

14.   Paying our taxes and tolls.

a.        Showing respect and honor.

b.       Working to be peace makers.

c.        Doing so, even if we do not agree with them.

d.       As long as they do not lead us to sin.

e.        That is the line we are not to cross.

15.   This can be a hard one in today’s politically charged environment.

a.        There is a lot of trying to push one’s agenda on others.

b.       Some we agree with.

c.        Some we do not.

d.       In most cases, they do not cause us as individuals to sin.

e.        But it is still not easy.

f.          We are to follow the Word of God, even if it does not align with your political preferences.

16.   It is all part of us living our lives as a new creation on this side of eternity.

a.        Of being a witness for Christ.

b.       Sharing His love.

c.        Serving Him and others.

d.       Christ First… Always.

e.        A small price to pay for all we get with the gift that Jesus has given us.

17.   A gift that He is offering to all.

18.   A new life that starts by having faith in Christ.

a.        If you are ready to take a step in faith, I would love to talk with you.