In this sermon, Don Stubblefield explores the relationship between Christians and civil government, focusing on passages from Romans 13, Matthew 22, and Jeremiah 29. The sermon emphasizes that all authority is ordained by God and that resisting such authority equates to resisting God's ordinance. Christians are encouraged to obey civil authorities unless those authorities command actions contrary to God's laws, in which case civil disobedience may be necessary. The sermon distinguishes between civil disobedience and rebellion, advocating for peaceful resistance aligned with moral and spiritual principles. Stubblefield also highlights the church's role in addressing the morality of government actions without overstepping into governance. The sermon concludes by encouraging Christians to be a 'peculiar people,' different from the world, serving as salt and light to draw others to Christ.

Let us turn to Romans chapter 13. I believe this passage is right at the core of what we're looking at this morning from the line of Baptist confession. Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers, for there is no power but of God. The powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God, and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same. For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid.

For he beareth not the sword in vain, a reference to execution, capital punishment, for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also for they are God's ministers attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues, tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor." We, I believe I read this from the the New Geneva Study Bible a couple of weeks ago on Christians and civil government. If the government forbids what God requires or requires what God forbids, Christians cannot submit in some form of civil disobedience as necessary.

However, we are to pray for, obey, and yet watch over civil governments, reminding them that God ordained them to rule, protect, and keep order. In connection with that, let us turn to Matthew chapter 22, verses 15 through 22. Then went the Pharisees and took counsel how they might entangle him. Jesus sent his talk, and they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God and truth. Neither carest thou for any man, for thou regardest not the person of man.

Tell us therefore, what thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Show me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny, and he saith unto them, whose is this image and superscription?

They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's. When they had heard these words they marbled and left him and went their way." And then let's see, I believe someone read from 1st Timothy 2, 1 and 2, Keith, And then in another passage comes to my mind concerning those in authority. Let us turn to Jeremiah 29, 4 through 7. This was when Israel was led, captured, and taken to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.

Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away, captives whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon. Build ye houses and dwell in them and plant gardens and eat the fruit of them. Take ye wives and beget sons and daughters and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands that they may bear sons and daughters, that ye may be increased there and not diminished. And seek the peace of the city, whether I have caused you to be carried away, captives, and pray unto the Lord for it, for in the peace thereof, thereof shall ye have peace." Nebuchadnezzar was a tyrant, but he was he could not have been placed in authority unless God had ordained him to be in authority. And as we read earlier, we're not to obey anyone when they command us to do what God has commanded or command us to do what He has forbid.

And so we'd always keep this in mind that whoever is in authority is there by God's permission and ordination and he has a reason for them being an authority. True believers must never incite rebellion against the higher authority. Although, As I just got through mentioning, if they command us to do what God has forbidden or forbid us to do what he has commanded, there must be some form of civil disobedience. And thinking about it though, there is a great divide between the incitement of rebellion against authority and some form of civil disobedience. We must never incite rebellion against those in authority.

The church's sphere of authority refers to the civil government at the level of morality. The church has the responsibility to comment on the morality of governments and their policies on the basis of God's Word, but should not appropriate to itself the power to set such policies. Whereas these assessments may foster political action among Christians, they should act in their capacity as citizens rather than as representatives of the church. In this way, the gospel works through moral persuasion and the working of God's grace among citizens." That's a quote from the New Geneva Study Bible on Christians and civil government. And so sometimes I think The tendency is to want to take, well I know it's more than just a tendency, in some cases to take the law into our own hands and to do what the word of God is forbidden to be done.

We have, sometimes we have wicked rulers over us, but we're always to keep these things in mind and never to take these steps of rebellion against authority. God will bring justice to pass in his own timing, where to be patient, where to wait on God, and where never to be as some as the phrase is to be among the lynch mob, or never to be a part of that mob, that group. So with that I'll go ahead and wrap it up. And are there any questions that you see? Yeah, another scripture comes in mind.

I didn't... I don't know what the reference says, but it says that God's people are to be a peculiar people and different from the world. And that's what draws people to Christ. It causes them to ask for the hope that lies within us. And if we're not different from the world, they're never going to ask us that question.

And so where our lives are being, we're to be salt and light and never reach this point, we should take the law in our own hands. We're never to reach that point.