Jan 22, 2023
Romans 13:1-7
Words To Live By: Authority
Two introductory thoughts…
a) Authority is the first casualty in a culture that begins with your rights and not your responsibility.
b) Authority is under attack in our culture today, both overtly and covertly.
1. Subjection is God’s design for everyone, v. 1
2. Authority is Gods design for the world, v. 1-2
3. Authority is intended to moderate conduct, v. 3-5
“Without justice, what are kingdoms but great gangs of bandits?”
-Augustine
4. Subjection positions you for a different experience, v. 5-7
In relation to two things…
a) God’s wrath- to avoid it
b) conscience- for the sake of it
"When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, 6 “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” 7 And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.” -Matthew 8:5-13
Mental worship…
What would your life look like if you subjected yourself to all of the authority figures in your life?
How would you describe the difference in being in charge versus being under authority?
Is there anyone in your life to whom you owe revenue, respect or honor?
Does it nourish or indict your belief when you hear Jesus say, “Go, let it be done for you as you have believed.”
What is one part of this morning that you will want to talk about later this week?