SERMON TITLE: Authority (pt 2)
SCRIPTURE: Romans 13:1-7 (ESV)
SPEAKER: Josh Hanson
DATE: 7-27-25
Watch the sermon here
Take notes here
As always it’s a joy to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And there’s one thing I want you to know — and this is true if you’re worshiping with us for the first time — if you’re joining us at our North Main Campus or are with our friends in Bucyrus — I want you to know that God loves you and that I love you too.
We’re continuing our series in Romans this weekend. We’re in the practical application section of Paul’s letter. You may remember that — after eleven chapters of rich theological truths — Paul gets to the “so what” beginning in chapter twelve. Meaning he addresses how all of the theology — that’s found in the first eleven chapters — is to play itself out in how we live. That’s the journey we began earlier this year with Paul’s big “therefore” statement — when he writes…
Romans 12:1–2 ESV
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Because of the theology he’s taught us — Paul now tells us to live our lives as sacrificial offerings to God — where our lives are acts of worship that make our God look glorious to the world. And one particular way our lives can make God look glorious to the world — that Paul addresses in our verses — leads us to what may be the most controversial subject I’ve ever preached on.
So with that teaser — if you have your Bible — please turn with me to Romans chapter thirteen. We’ll be in Romans chapter thirteen today — looking at verses one through seven. There Paul writes…
Romans 13:1–7 ESV
1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
Last week we saw that what this text teaches us is pretty straightforward — it’s not hard to understand. But we’re returning to this passage because — though it’s straightforward and easy to understand — applying this text is where things do get hard. Which is why we’ll spend today — and next week — looking at some implications of this text and how we’re to live differently — in our submission to authority — because of our faith in Jesus Christ.
Now — if you’re here and wouldn’t call yourself a Christian — know that — just like last week — today’s sermon will include talking about politics — but not how you might think. You see, when we talk about submitting to authority, one area of life where this can’t be ignored is in the area of government. That’s why I said this may be the most controversial subject I’ve ever preached on because — generally speaking — politics is a religion in our country. And we’re a nation full of fully devoted followers of the religion of the Republican and Democrat parties. And these religions — like all religions — don’t like to be messed with — even when a truer and more authoritative religion comes along.
So we’ll be looking at submission to political authorities — in addition to submission and authority in other areas of life beyond politics — the home, the church, the workplace, and so on.
Last week we focused on what Paul says in our verses and the important doctrine of the sovereignty of God that this text teaches us — a doctrine we must first believe in order to have any hope in knowing how to apply what this text teaches. Next week — we’ll focus on the many implications and scenarios and “what about’s” you may’ve been thinking about all week long — including when to obey and when to disobey authority.
But before we can talk about when to obey or disobey we need to look at authority from two perspectives — which is what we’re going to do today. We’ll look at authority from the perspective of being in authority over others. And then we’ll look at authority from the perspective of being under the authority of others. Being in authority — which — if we have to pick one or the other — this is most people’s choice over being under the authority of others.
But before we get to these two perspectives on authority and submission — we need to first turn somewhere that may surprise you — to the Ten Commandments.
Back in 2023 — if you were with us — you may remember that I preached through the Ten Commandments. One of the sermons was titled God’s Family. Does anyone remember what commandment I preached on for that sermon? The fifth commandment which is…
Exodus 20:12 ESV
12 Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
You may be thinking, “What does this commandment have to do with submitting to authority?” In that sermon, I said, “The word honor means to consider someone or something as worthy of respect. It means to show them reverence — meaning appreciation — and awe — which means a sense of admiration. To give someone honor has the idea of giving weight or a heaviness to them. And — to honor someone — is to treat them as significant.”
I also said, “You can dishonor someone by physical actions and you can dishonor someone by your attitude towards them. And this second one — in particular — is the part of the commandment that we don’t want to submit ourselves to. We get that spitting in someone’s face or calling them a derogatory name is dishonoring and unacceptable — so we’ve learned to control our actions and — most of the time — our words. But breaking this commandment is just as easily done by our thoughts about people. Hoping that their plan fails. Wanting to see them get what they deserve. Not even saying a bad word about them, but deep down — in the depth of your soul — desiring ill will towards them.”
We then looked at how this commandment applies to the local church — which is a spiritual family — and how the authors of the New Testament use the same language — one of honor — to describe our relationship with those in authority over us.
1 Timothy 5:17 ESV
17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.
And just as children are commanded to obey their parents — Christians are commanded to…
Hebrews 13:17 ESV
17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
In response to these verses I said, “And the way you help your leaders give an account for your soul with joy is by obeying them — and submitting to them — as your pastors submit themselves to Christ and to each other. And this is not something to be taken lightly — neither on the part of the elders who will give an account to God some day for how they lead — nor on the part of you — the congregation — who will give an account to God some day for how joyful you made it for your pastors to lead you. Pastors are not to imitate ungodly, abusive authority just as congregation members are not to imitate rebellious, unsubmissive, ungodly children.”
Last week I had us turn to the Westminster Confession of Faith — our denomination’s doctrinal standard. Today I’m going to turn us to the Westminster Larger Catechism. As you may know — when I’m not preaching — staff and elders have been preaching a series based on the Westminster Shorter Catechism. The shorter catechism was written for children and has less questions and answers — which is what a catechism is — questions and biblical answers. But with less questions it was shorter in length — thus its name — the shorter catechism.
The larger catechism was written primarily for adults and has more questions and answers making it longer in length — resulting in its catchy title. The one hundred and twenty-third question of the larger catechism is…
Q. 123. What is the fifth commandment? A. The fifth commandment is: Honor your father and your mother so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
The next question asks…
Q. 124. To whom does father and mother refer in the fifth commandment? A. Father and mother refer not just to our parents but…specifically to those whom God has ordained to be over us in positions of authority, whether in our family, the church, or civil government.
Now I just reviewed the sermon I preached two years ago on this commandment — but know that there’s much biblical warrant for applying this commandment to these other relationships. For example — in First Timothy — Paul describes our relationship with our fellow Christians using familial terms.
1 Timothy 5:1–2 ESV
1 Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.
And — in the Old Testament — there are examples of those in authority being referred to as father — Naaman being one example in Second Kings. All that to say the application of this commandment goes beyond our earthly parents.
Continuing in the larger catechism we read…
Q. 125. Why are those over us referred to as father and mother? A. The terms father and mother remind those in authority that, like fathers and mothers, they are responsible for and should act in a loving and tender way, appropriately reflecting their particular relationship, toward those under them; and those under them are also encouraged to accept their authority more willingly and cheerfully, as if they were their parents.
Leading us to the next question…
Q. 126. What is the general scope of the fifth commandment? A. In general, the fifth commandment outlines our obligations to others, depending upon our particular relationship to them, whether over, under, or equal to them.
Over, under, or equal to them. We’re not going to focus on the “equal to” relationships in our lives in this sermon — just the relationships where someone is either over us — in authority — or under us — in submission. And we’ll begin by addressing those who are in authority.
Something interesting I discovered — while preparing for this sermon — is that some scholars believe that Paul expected Caesar to read his letter. Paul’s writing this letter to the city of Rome — for which the Roman Empire is named after. Paul had some run-ins with the Roman government by this point. Some date his arrest in Jerusalem to be as early as 55 AD and he wrote Romans around 57 AD — so potentially after his arrest. And Paul knew that Christians in Rome were experiencing the beginnings of conflict with the government.
But with this expectation — that Caesar may read his letter — imagine the bold statement Paul’s making when he writes…
Romans 13:1–4 ESV
1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.
Paul calls Caesar God’s servant. “Caesar, I know your title is emperor — I know that you have people worship you like you’re a god — but I want you to know that you’re accountable to the One true God — for you are his servant.” Talk about fighting words. Who tells the emperor that he’s not at the top of the pecking order? Only someone who really believes in the sovereignty of their God, that’s who — see last week’s sermon.
Next week we’ll touch on the purpose of government — to promote what is good and stop what is bad — as God defines good and bad — but for now — let’s return to the Westminster Larger Catechism for the wisdom and instruction it gives to all who are in authority.
Question one hundred and twenty-nine asks…
Q. 129. What is required of those in authority towards those under them? A. As is appropriate to the position of power they have received from God and to the particular relationship involved, those in authority should love, pray for, and bless those under them. They should teach, advise, and warn them, approving, praising, and rewarding those that do well while disapproving, blaming, and punishing those who do wrong. They should also protect those under them and provide the things they need for soul and body. Those in authority should also be examples of serious, wise, and holy behavior so as to bring glory to God and honor to themselves and thereby maintain the authority God has bestowed on them.
I don’t think any of us would have issues submitting to authority if those in authority fulfilled these requirements established by God. Love, pray, and bless those under your authority. Teach, advise, and warn them. To those who do well — approve, praise, and reward. To those who do wrong — hold them accountable — because you love them. Protect those under you. Provide for them. Be an example to them.
As Paul tells Timothy — who’s pastoring in Ephesus…
1 Timothy 4:12–16 ESV
12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Pastors — who have authority in the local church — are to be an example to their congregation — something God expects of all in authority to be for those who are under their leadership.
Returning to the catechism — the next question asks…
Q. 130. What are the particular sins of those in authority? A. In addition to failing to do what is required of them and using their position for self-aggrandizement and for their own glory, ease, profit, or pleasure, the sins of those in authority include: commanding things that are unlawful or that cannot be accomplished by those under them; persuading, encouraging, and rewarding those under them for doing evil; dissuading, discouraging, and not rewarding them for doing good; excessive punishment; carelessly exposing or allowing them to do wrong and to be put in the way of temptation or danger; provoking them to anger; and anything that dishonors themselves or undermines their authority by being unjust, imprudent, too severe, or lax.
These are the behaviors that concern us when we’re under authority, right? But does the fact that authority can be abused give us the biblical justification to not submit to authority?
That’s where we turn now because Paul’s command is about submitting to authority. Our verses aren’t about how one should behave when in authority — though Paul does imply some things for those in authority — his mandate is to those under authority.
So back to the behaviors that concern us when we’re under authority. Does the fact that authority can be abused give us biblical warrant for disobeying Paul’s mandate? It doesn’t.
For example, David submitted to King Saul’s authority even after God had anointed him — David — to be king. David even refused to speak ill of Saul — much less rebel against his authority. Did he flee for his life? You bet he did! But he still respected the fact that Saul was king — so he fled while submitting himself to Saul’s authority as king.
And don’t forget that Paul’s words about submitting to authority come after he wrote…
Romans 8:35–37 ESV
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Paul acknowledges that Christians are being slaughtered and killed — he didn’t forget this a few chapters later when he writes about submitting to authorities. And — listen — I’m just like you. This is incredibly challenging to everything I want to be true. I want God’s Word to say something like, “Don’t submit to those who slaughter you” or something like that. But Paul — inspired by the Holy Spirit — doesn’t write that. He acknowledges that the Roman Empire is killing them — and yet — he says, “Submit to them anyway.”
And — if we reject this mandate to submit — we sin. For when God’s Word mandates or commands us to do something — when we don’t do it — we sin. Like I said last week and this week — this isn’t going to be a popular sermon.
And — since this sermon can’t lose much more popularity — let me ask: What’s your favorite sinful way to respond to authority? Few of us are bold enough for straight up rebellion — we like our paycheck too much for that — we don’t want to go to jail — and so on — so what’s your go to sinful response to authority that still keeps your life pretty comfortable?
The sin of those in authority over us does not excuse our sinful response. For our submission to them is — as I said last week — ultimately a display of our submission to Christ — who submitted himself to sinful authorities even when it cost him his life.
What does the larger catechism have to say to those of us who are under authority?
Q. 127. What kind of honor is owed to those over us? A. Those over us deserve respect in our hearts, our words, and our actions. We must pray and give thanks for them, emulate their virtues and gifts, willingly heed and obey their lawful commands and advice, submit to their correction, be faithful to them, and defend and support their persons and authority, as is appropriate to their rank and position. We must also tolerate their imperfections and infirmities and cover them with our love, so that we will be an honor to them and to their authority.
And question one hundred and twenty-eight asks…
Q. 128. What are the particular sins against those in authority by those under them? A. The sins of those under authority against those over them are: any failure to perform what is required by them; being envious of, holding in contempt, or rebelling against their person or position as reflected in their lawful advice, commands, and correction; cursing at or making fun of them or any kind of stubborn resistance and disgraceful display that brings shame and dishonor to their person and authority.
And if you’re looking for a scriptural escape clause — know that the Bible is unified on this topic.
Titus 3:1–2 ESV
1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
No escape clause. Submit to rulers and those in authority. Speak evil of no one.
Colossians 3:18 ESV
18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
No escape clause. Wives submit to your husbands.
Ephesians 5:18–21 ESV
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
No escape clause. Christians submit to one another.
1 Peter 2:13–19 ESV
13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.
No escape clause. Submit to every human institution and — by the way — honor the emperor. Yes. The guy who’s slaughtering you.
Next week we’ll look at times when we must disobey those in authority and — spoiler alert — biblically justified disobedience to authority usually results in extreme persecution — like getting thrown into a fiery furnace, a lion’s den, or actual death.
Which all of this may cause someone to wonder, “Are we free to publicly disagree with those in authority over us?” Yes. But how we do so is incredibly important
What do we see biblically? We have the example of Daniel who publicly criticized two kings in his day — Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar. After interpreting Nebuchadnezzar’s dream — the dream where God warns him about his pride — Daniel concludes his interpretation with…
Daniel 4:27 ESV
27 Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity.”
As you probably know — Nebuchadnezzar doesn’t listen to Daniel’s warning. But notice how respectful and honorable Daniel was to the king.
John the baptist publicly rebuked King Herod for his relationship with his brother’s wife.
Mark 6:18 ESV
18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
Which resulted in John’s imprisonment and eventual beheading because — even when respectfully given — some will want our heads for what we say.
And then there’s Paul — the guy who wrote the words that are challenging all of us. He’s been arrested…
Acts 22:30–23:3 ESV
30 But on the next day, desiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them. 1 And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” 2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?”
Paul’s not a fan of having his face beat in. Yet watch what happens next.
Acts 23:4–5 ESV
4 Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God’s high priest?” 5 And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”
Paul immediately acknowledges that his reaction to getting punched in the face went against God’s Word. When he spoke in reaction — he wasn’t aware that Ananias was the high priest — and thus an authority over Paul in the Jewish religion — but as soon as he’s told what position Ananias held — Paul admits that what he did — in response to getting hit — was wrong. He doesn’t justify himself. He doesn’t point the finger at what caused him to speak out. What submission to God’s Word and authority.
Oh there’s much we can learn from Paul when it comes to submitting to God’s Word on this issue! Yes — those in authority will be held accountable for how they steward their responsibilities — but when their accountability becomes our main focus — we lose sight of what we will give God an account for: Our submission to those he’s put in authority over us. For every authority God puts in your life is there to make you more like Christ. And that’s God’s goal for you — to become more like Jesus.
For when you do — and when I do — we’ll display to the world the submission that our Savior lived out while here on earth. For Jesus did say…
John 6:38 ESV
38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.
And he said…
John 8:29 ESV
29 And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.”
And we can — and will — please God when we submit to him — by submitting to those he’s placed in authority over us — trusting that there is no authority in our life except which comes from him. Let’s pray.
Father, you are sovereign. We continue to meditate on what it means for you to be in control of all things — including all who are in authority. For none are in authority except those whom you’ve put there. That’s true for those who make you look glorious by stewarding their responsibilities well. And that’s true for those who — like Caesar — need to take heed that they’re working for you whether they realize it or not — for they will give an account for how they use the authority you’ve given to them.
Spirit, give comfort to those who fear authority — who’ve been abused by authority — who’ve seen the destruction that those who misuse authority can cause. Remind them that all in authority will give an account to you. You’ll make the final judgment — and your decision will be just.
And — Jesus — you submitted yourself to your Father’s authority and to the human authorities who used what God had entrusted to them to bring about your death. You are our Savior and our example of what a life looks like that makes our Heavenly Father look glorious through our submission to authority. Ultimately — may our submission to others come from our lives being first and fully submitted to you.
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — these are tough thoughts — challenging ideas — yet a clear picture of the “therefore” life we’ve been called to live. We need your power to do so. Your grace to do so. Your protection to do so. Your mercy to do so. Please give us everything we need to make you look glorious through our submission. And we pray all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
May you go — submitting your life to Christ — and trusting him as you submit to others. Amen.
God loves you. I love you. You are sent.
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