September 19, 2004

Peace@cityhall.gov

Scripture Passage: Romans 13:1-7

Supportive Scriptures: 1 Peter 2:13-17; Romans 12:8

Background Information:

The issues surrounding the war in Iraq, the current values debate, and for Americans the upcoming elections – these extraordinary events in ordinary time provide many opportunities for divisions within the church. One of our challenges is how to have a positive influence within our nations and communities without compromising the Gospel and without bringing partisan, political schism into the church. Scripture has some important lessons for us in that regard. The following expanded outline may get you started, but you will want to further develop the points you choose to include.

Today might be a good time to invite local officials to the service and assure them of support and prayer – to have a public prayer for them – to present them with Bibles – to let them know the ways Christians seek to act and respond under their leadership – to let them hear what God expects of them.

The Introduction

There is great debate among Christians about how to deal with the interplay between church and state – how to distinguish between appropriate patriotism and destructive nationalism. Some believe that nothing from civil life should find its way into the church. Others equate their nation with God’s Kingdom and wrap the gospel in their national flag. A careful examination of our world will show us that no country has a monopoly on God, and no nation is exempt from His judgment. History teaches us the danger that lurks at the door when the Church seeks to wield political power and when the State seeks to function with the authority of God. As usual, God’s way is somewhere between those dangerous extremes.

The Body

1. Christian Responsibilities to Government

There are a few lessons the Bible teaches us about such matters. Some grow out of Scripture as a whole, but a number of them are found in our text for today.

A) The Church must always be God’s prophetic voice – the conscience of the nation. There are many examples of this in the prophets. Passages such as Jeremiah 1:8, Amos 8, and Micah 6:6-16 are as relevant today as they were when they were spoken long ago. This does not mean that the church must seek to control political life, but it does mean that the church must always speak the message of God and seek to persuade people and leaders to do and be what is right in the sight of God.

B) Whatever the government is like (and maybe especially when it is oppressive – as Rome was) it is the obligation of the Christian to pray for civic leaders. Paul reminded Timothy that it was a Christian responsibility to pray for those in authority (1 Tim 2:1-2) (This kind of prayer is frequently modeled in the Psalms.)
It is always right – always our obligation – to pray for every leader.

C) Christians are to function under the authority of the state with obedience and submission except when doing so would be in direct conflict with God’s law. Our primary text for today explains that concept in significant detail. (See also 1 Peter 2:13-17)

1) Submit to governing authorities. (Rom 13:1)

2) Be obedient. Do what is right. (Rom 13:3)

3) Pay your taxes. (Rom 13:7) Jesus also told us to give Caesar his share.

4) Show respect and honor to governmental leaders. (Rom 13:7)

D) Jesus and Paul demonstrated a model of transforming society from within rather than by armed struggle. In fact, political power is precisely what Jesus refused to accept – even though the crowds wanted Him to use it. (See Philemon as an example of this approach to the evil of slavery.)

E) There is plenty of room for Kingdom people to hold positions of civic authority.
In fact, they are needed to take the values of the Kingdom into the world of politics.

F) Don’t put your trust in military might. (Psalm 33:16)

G) Don’t let your “king” lead you into sin. (Daniel 3:18)

God expects His church to be leaven in the dough, light in the darkness, salt that enhances flavor and preserves, models of goodness, lovers of both mercy and justice, voices of both admonition and hope. And those values move us from our consideration of how we are to interface with government to how we are to live within community.

2. Christian Responsibilities Within the Community

In the passage from Peter that we looked at earlier, much of the focus is on our daily life in the community rather than on our relationship with authorities. We are warned not to abuse freedom but to live a life in the community that will bring honor to God.

“It is God’s will that by doing good
you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.
Live as free men,
but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil;
live as servants of God.
Show proper respect to everyone:
Love the brotherhood of believers,
fear God, honor the king.”
1 Peter 2:15-17, NIV

The 12th chapter of Romans that leads into today’s text is a passage that describes in detail the characteristics of our life in the communities where we dwell – sincere love and devotion, honoring others, showing hospitality, being patient in affliction, faithful in prayer, generous toward others, blessing rather than cursing, living in peace without revenge, loving our enemies.

Jesus taught us that as citizens of His Kingdom living in this community we are to be loving neighbors – and that our neighbors are defined as whoever is in need and whoever is at hand. (Lk 10:25-37)

The Conclusion

It is right that we should want our nation (wherever we live) to be heaven blessed. But for that to happen, our God must be Jahweh. (Psalm 33:12) But for that blessing to come, we who claim to be God’s people must live as He would have us live in relationship to “city hall” and in relationship to those around us.

Let us, like the Psalmist, pray for the peace of our Jerusalem.
Let us, as scripture requires, pray for all those in authority over us –
in this city, town, state, province, nation.
Let us ask God to help us set the right example in our relationships –
with government and with neighbors.
Let us affirm those among us who accept any position of responsibility
in government or community service and pray that God will
guide their actions and bless their witness.
Let us all recommit ourselves to godly citizenship:
-- to be supportive citizens
-- to to be loving neighbors
to whoever is in need and
to whoever is at hand.

Possible Songs:
SL # 627 If My People Will Pray
SL # 764 Eternal Father, Strong to Save
Appropriate national and patriotic songs