July 31, 2025
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Authority Part 3 Manuscript

SERMON TITLE: Authority Part 3
‌SCRIPTURE: Romans 13:1-7 (ESV)
SPEAKER: Josh Hanson
DATE: 8–3-25

Take notes here

WELCOME

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.

INTRODUCTION

We’re continuing our series in Romans this weekend. We’re in the practical application section of Paul’s letter where — after eleven chapters of rich theological truths — Paul shows us how what we believe is to shape how we live. That’s the journey we began with Paul’s “therefore” statement…

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.

Paul 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 because of what we believe. And — one of the ways that our lives can make God look glorious to the world — is something we’ve been looking at for a few weeks. For Paul’s forcing us into the nitty gritty of life so we see how — what we believe — is to shape how we live. And this is all incredibly practical stuff — for it addresses how the Christian faith actually changes us.

So — if you have your Bible — please turn with me to Romans chapter thirteen. We’ll be in Romans chapter thirteen — 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.

If you’re just joining us, two weeks ago we saw that what this text teaches is pretty straightforward — it’s not hard to understand. But we returned to this passage for a second and third week because — though it’s straightforward and easy to understand — applying this text is where things get hard. Last week we looked at what God’s Word says both to those in authority and those under authority and — today — we’ll look at some implications of this text and how we’re to live because of our faith in Jesus Christ.

Now — if you wouldn’t call yourself a Christian — know that we’ll be talking about politics today — 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. And — generally speaking — politics is a religion in our country. And we’re a nation full of fully devoted followers of the religions of the Republican and Democrat parties. 

For example, it’s not a surprise to me that — after the first week on authority and submission — I started hearing you all ask the question, “What about Hitler?” Our culture’s aversion to submission has made Hitler the go to example. First, I don’t know that Nero — the Roman Emperor that Paul refers to in Romans — was much better than Hitler. Admittedly we don’t have near the detailed history on Nero that we do on Hitler — but what we do have on Nero isn’t all warm and fuzzy. 

And — second — and this gets to the religiousness of politics in our country — both political parties in our country love to compare the other side to Hitler and Nazism.

On the right — author Eric Metaxas — in his book Letter to the American Church — essentially compares living under the Biden administration to living in Germany in the 1930s, compares the American Church of today with the German Church of the 1930’s — who conceded to Hitler — and uses Dietrich Bonhoeffer as the example of how Christians should respond to what was happening in the US with civil disobedience.

But now that Trump is president — Bonhoeffer is the example used by the left because — of course — Trump is like Hitler, the Republican Party is like the Nazis, and so on. When the other party’s in charge — this is absolutely believable. But when your party’s in charge — it’s absolutely ridiculous to make such a comparison. And — that’s the case — because — politics is a religion in our country.

Now — today — as I promised — we’ll focus on two questions: When to obey authority and when to disobey authority.

THE PURPOSE OF GOVERNMENT

But — first — we need to talk about the purpose of government according to the Bible. Did you know that God has a purpose for government? That’s what Paul tells us in verse three when he writes…

Romans 13:3–4 ESV
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.

Government — when it fulfills its God-given purpose — will promote what is good and prohibit and punish what is evil — good and evil as defined by God. This is God’s purpose for our government — here in the United States, here in Ohio, and here in Findlay. Yet this is also God’s purpose for the governments of the United Kingdom, Brazil, Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. All governments have this purpose — no government is outside of God’s authority and — as governing authorities under his absolute authority — they have an obligation to do what God has created them to do.

This is no different than God’s purpose for any of us as individuals. For example, God has a purpose for every single Christian.

Ephesians 2:8–10 ESV
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Every single Christian has been saved by God to make him look glorious to the world by doing the works he’s called us to do.

God has also created the church — a gathering of his people here on earth — for a purpose. The way we describe this purpose at Gateway is “we exist to glorify God by making disciples of Jesus Christ.” For Jesus said…

Matthew 28:18–20 ESV
18 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

And — in our verses from Romans — Paul tells us that the purpose of government is to promote what is good and to punish what is evil. When governments — any government — promote what is good and punish what is evil it is fulfilling its God given purpose. And when governments — any government — don’t do this — they’re not fulfilling their God given purpose.

As I mentioned two weeks ago — the Westminster Confession of Faith — our denomination’s doctrinal standard — says…

God, the supreme Lord and King of the whole world, has ordained civil authorities to be over people under him for his own glory and the public good. For this purpose he has armed civil authorities with the power of the sword to defend and encourage those who are good and to punish wrongdoers. (WCF 23.1)

But did you notice how Paul describes governing authorities as God’s servant? Some translations have “God’s ministers.” This tells us that those who serve in government are not to be self-serving — how about that for a radical idea? Instead, those serving in government are to serve their citizens with the purpose of God being glorified. For that’s what it means to be a servant of God. 

Additionally, being called God’s servant implies that those in government have an obligation to submit themselves to God’s authority, commands, and definition of what is good and what is evil. Those in government are not free to do whatever they want. They’re not free to choose what is good and what isn’t. They’re not free from authority — but occupy a position of authority because they’ve been appointed by God and are under his authority.

Like I said last week — Paul’s words would’ve been a warning to Caesar — the emperor of Rome. A man who assumed he was at the top of the authority org chart. The man everyone else in the Roman Empire also assumed was at the top of the authority org chart. To the emperor, Paul says, “Caesar, you’re God’s servant. He’s put you in authority to do his purpose. You’re no god — you’re a servant of God.”

Instead of “in God we trust” on their coins — the Roman Empire had some variation of “Caesar is Lord” or “Caesar, the son of a god” on them. If only we — the citizens of a nation who have “in God we trust” on our money — would live up to our motto. The citizens of the Roman Empire — they lived up to their motto — which is why Jesus was once questioned about whether people should pay taxes to Caesar or not. So he asked for a Roman coin…

Mark 12:16–17 ESV
16 And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.” 17 Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at him.

A Roman Coin had Caesar’s image on it — so give the coin back to Caesar — pay your taxes. But don’t forget that God has put his image on something — and that is something all of us are to give back to him. 

Do you know what that something is? Us — for we’re all made in the image of God — Christian or not — including Caesar. Including President Trump, and Governor DeWine, and Mayor Muryn, and all who serve in government — here in the US — and anywhere else. 

All of this is on Paul’s mind when he calls those in government God’s servants. “Give yourself first to God — so that — in your position of authority — you promote what God has said is good and punish what God has said is evil.” 

  • Mr. President, give yourself first to God — so that — in your position of authority you promote only what God has said is good and punish only what God has said is evil.
  • Mr. Governor, give yourself first to God — so that — in your position of authority you promote only what God has said is good and punish only what God has said is evil.
  • Madame Mayor, give yourself first to God — so that — in your position of authority you promote only what God has said is good and punish only what God has said is evil.

As followers of Jesus, this is to be our attitude towards those in government — when the person in office is who we voted for and when it’s not. And — this being our posture — means that we’ll be different than those who are followers of the Republican or Democrat religions. For we take God at his Word — and trust that there is no governing authority except those who’ve been appointed by God to be his servant. Including Nero. Including Biden. Including Trump. And — yes — even including Hitler. For the only alternative is to believe that God’s sovereign authority is limited — that he’s not above Nero or Hitler or Biden or Trump. And a God who isn’t above all things, people, places, and nations is not a god worthy of our worship.

WHEN TO OBEY AUTHORITY

With that being said — and in knowing that all those who serve in earthly authority are sinners and may inadvertently or purposely promote what God has said is evil and punish what God has said is good — including those who are members of your political party — we now turn to the nitty-gritty and controversial topics of when to obey those in authority and when to disobey.

Let’s begin with when to obey authority. But — first — a reminder of what Paul tells us.

Romans 13:1–2 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.

As I’ve been reiterating, God — in being sovereign — in being in control of all things — has appointed all who hold a position of authority — including those in government. 

  • The people you voted for. 
  • The people you didn’t vote for. 
  • The people who serve in our country’s government. 
  • And the people who serve in China, Iran, Iraq, Somalia, North Korea, you name it. 
  • For there is no government outside of God’s control and there are no individuals in authority who are outside of his sovereignty either. 
  • Thus — Paul says — be subject to the governing authorities. Submit to them. Obey them. 

Which tells us that the starting point — for every follower of Jesus — when it comes to your relationship with those in authority — is one of obedience. Our default position should be obedience — not disobedience. For we’re to obey them — regardless if we voted for them or not — when what they ask or command us to do is not sinful. And that’s key: If what those in authority over us are asking or commanding us to do — is not sinful — we’re to obey.

And I know what some of you are thinking, “But what if — it’s not sinful — but I still disagree?” We’ll get to that in a moment, but for now — what I want you to see — from Paul’s words — which are God’s Word to us — is that our relationship with those in authority begins with our submission. Rebellion against God’s authority is what destroyed our relationship with him in the first place. Satan was first to rebel against God’s authority and he convinced Adam and Eve to rebel as well. And — for the rest of us — it didn’t take any convincing — we were born rebellious against God’s authority. And much of the tension we’ve felt while exploring the topic of authority and submission — is rooted in — not our distrust and rebellion against earthly authority — but is really rooted in our distrust and rebellion against God and his sovereignty over all who are in authority. Something true for Christians and non-Christians alike.

  • Remember — Jesus said pay taxes to Caesar.
  • Remember — that Paul wrote these words while a wicked man was emperor of Rome. 
  • Remember Joseph — and how he submitted to Pharaoh and served as his second-in-command in Egypt. 
  • Remember Nehemiah and Daniel — who served Babylonian kings. And Esther who was married to one.

We have biblical example after biblical example after biblical example — in addition to clear commands — of what our posture is to be towards those who are in authority over us: When they’re not asking us to sin — we’re to submit to their authority.

WHEN TO DISOBEY AUTHORITY

But now we turn to what you all have been waiting for. For there are times when we must disobey authority. One last reminder from Paul.

Romans 13:3–5 ESV
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.

When those in authority — instead of promoting what is good — as defined by God — and punishing what is evil — also as defined by God — promote what God has said is evil and punish what God has said is good — then we must disobey. And because we live in an age that is defiant to authority — even godly and God-appointed authority — I want you to pay close attention to these biblical examples of disobedience to authority.

When Pharaoh ordered the murder of all male Jewish babies — some midwives refused to obey his command. This was before "thou shall not murder” was etched in stone — but it was still sin. Here’s what happened.

Exodus 1:15–17 NLT
15 Then Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, gave this order to the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah: 16 “When you help the Hebrew women as they give birth, watch as they deliver. If the baby is a boy, kill him; if it is a girl, let her live.” 17 But because the midwives feared God, they refused to obey the king’s orders. They allowed the boys to live, too.

Why did they refuse the king’s order — what was the root of their disobedience? Their fear of God. A pastor from the 1600’s said, “The carnal person fears man, not God. The strong Christian fears God, not man. The weak Christian fears man too much and God too little.” When our disobedience to those in authority is required — it must be rooted in our fear of God.

This was true of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who — though threatened with death if they would not sin by worshiping the statue of King Nebuchadnezzar — said to the king…

Daniel 3:16–18 ESV
16 “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

The midwives disobeyed because they feared God and the consequences of murder which they knew — even without the Ten Commandments — was evil. Daniel’s three friends also feared God and refused to disobey his command “thou shall have no other gods before me.” But what I want you to notice is how they would rather die than sin by following the orders of the king. And they did not resist being thrown into the furnace. They did not resist the sword that Paul refers to in Romans — that may slaughter us. Rarely are we asked to commit sins such as murder or false worship today — and yet — our default position is not only to disobey authority — we also get upset when there are consequences for our unbiblical disobedience.

Continuing with biblical examples.

Daniel 6:10 ESV
10 When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.

Daniel’s opponents had convinced the king to sign a decree that no one could pray to anyone but him — and Daniel disobeyed the decree — even when he knew it would mean meeting some hungry lions up close and in person. When’s the last time the US government asked you to pray to a political figure?

Or take Esther who — when learning that her fellow Jews were in serious trouble because of a decree her husband had been tricked into signing — and knowing that the law of the land stated that if anyone approached the king without being invited — including her, his wife, the queen — they were subject to possibly being killed! She says…

Esther 4:11–16 ESV
11 “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law—to be put to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter so that he may live. But as for me, I have not been called to come in to the king these thirty days.” 12 And they told Mordecai what Esther had said. 13 Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” 15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, 16 “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.

Another case where the act of disobedience came with the potential of death. Not inconvenience — death! Not even jail time — but death! Oh how far we’ve fallen — not only in what we will disobey authority over — but also in how we think that our disobedience should come without consequences. Yet this is not what we find in the Bible. 

The biblical examples continue — there’s Peter and John. Who were arrested and threatened by those in authority for preaching about Jesus. The authorities told them to stop preaching about Jesus. What was their response to these threats?

Acts 4:19–20 ESV
19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”

And — after being arrested and threatened again — because they were preaching about Jesus…

Acts 5:29 ESV
29 Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.

And — before being released — the authorities had them beaten for their disobedience. Do you know how the apostles responded to their beating? They rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for Jesus. Why do so few Christians today find it a joy to be counted worthy of suffering for Jesus? Because we want our disobedience without the suffering, don’t we?

All of these examples are summarized by one of my Bible commentaries, which states…The Bible gives a very clear basis for civil disobedience; namely, if the state commands what God forbids, or if the state forbids what God commands, then civil disobedience is a Christian duty.

On the Conscience and Is Yours Biblical?

Which leads to one last aspect of submission and authority: What if what’s being asked isn’t sinful, but you still disagree with the decision of those in authority? This is the question of conscience. This is a question in which we must be biblical in our answer and not take our cues from the culture around us. For it’s far easier than we think to confuse our conscience with what God has said in his Word — and we’re far too trusting of our conscience — as if our conscience is the Holy Spirit or untainted by sin or something. Yet listen to what Paul says about this.

1 Corinthians 4:3–4 ESV
3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.

Paul says, “When others judge me — even in a court of law — that’s no big deal. I’m not aware of any reason for me to be judged — my conscience is clear. But” — and this is key — “just because my conscience is clear doesn’t mean I’m innocent. The Lord will judge me.” 

Did you know that your conscience being clear doesn’t mean that you’re innocent when it comes to God? That’s true for the Christian and non-Christian. Which is why we Christians must be biblical in our relationship to those in authority. For as one author writes…In an era when respect for authority is at low ebb, it is necessary to point out that Christians must be very careful to ensure that any act of civil disobedience is a matter of conscience inspired by divine principle, because there is an unfortunate tendency for Peter’s dictum — “We must obey God rather than men” — to be applied in a manner far removed from the original intent.

CONCLUSION

Some concluding thoughts based on what we’ve seen over the past three weeks.

First, remember that we — Christians — are people who follow a Savior who submitted himself to those in authority even when it cost him his life. And he’s called us to be people who — not only look to his cross for salvation — but carry our own — as we follow his example of submitting ourselves to those God has placed over us in authority.

Second, remember that God’s purpose in our submission to authority is to grow our trust of his sovereignty and — simultaneously — to grow us in humility. Did you know that God is more concerned about your trust in him than he is in your civil liberties? And that he’s more concerned about your humility because — when God says he opposes the proud — he means it. And submission to authority is a key way God destroys our pride.

Third, we must remember that Jesus never promised us a fair fight in this world. In fact — he warned us to not be surprised when those in authority use it against us. He even said, “If they treat me this way, how do you think they’re going to treat you?” Our submission to authority isn’t about us being treated fairly — it’s about us trusting our God.

Fourth, remember that being treated unfairly — being persecuted even — by those in authority is not what sends a person to Hell — and this is good news! Pride, unbelief, and being self-centered are reasons people spend eternity in Hell. If you have faith in Jesus there is nothing anyone can do — not Caesar, not Hitler, not Biden or Trump — there is not anything anyone can do to keep you from eternity with Jesus if you believe in him.

Finally, we must remember that — not only will our submission to authority show an unbelieving world how Christ has changed us — but our being respectful and honoring to all in authority will make our God look glorious to the world. For this is the kind of submission to authority that he’s called and commanded his people to display — for it reflects our submission to his authority over our lives, our marriages, our families, our churches, our city, state, nation — and yes — over the entire world. For our submission to authority is first and foremost about our submission to him — before it’s about our submission to them. Let’s pray.

PRAYER

Sovereign God, what a challenging word — yet again — for us today. It seems as if everything in us wants to follow the path of Satan when it comes to submission — we want to rebel. Like Adam and Eve we so easily distrust you and your Word to us that we our default is to disobey you. We think we know better. We choose to go our own way: The way of the fool. The way of the wicked. The way of those who will be judged by you.

Spirit of God, if not for you calling us out of the darkness of our rebellion — none of us would submit ourselves to your authority. And — yet — you delight in opening the eyes of the spiritually blind, of giving ears that hear to those who are spiritually deaf, to give new — full of life — hearts to those who’ve been hard towards your love — hearts that find joy in submitting to your authority.

This is all possible because you — Jesus — fully submitted yourself to your Father’s authority. Including obeying ahead of time what Paul would later write in Romans — for you submitted yourself to the governing authorities of your day. Even when they used their power and position to murder you. Forgive us for believing that we’re able to benefit from your submission while not submitting ourselves to your Word on this issue. For your Word makes it clear: We’re to submit to authority. Yes — there are times where disobeying authority is biblically valid and necessary — but based on the examples we’ve seen — many aren’t submitting when we should and we rebel when we have no biblical grounds. Forgive us for not representing you well. And help us — empower us — remind us of your Word — so that we do represent you well from this day forward by obeying your Word and making you look glorious to the world. And we pray all of this in your name. Amen.

BENEDICTION

May your submission to your sovereign God be displayed in your submission to the authorities he’s placed over you. Amen.

God loves you. I love you. You are sent.

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