Preached June 5th, 2020 Following the state of California issuing guidelines against the corporate singing of the church. 

Biblical Presupposition: God commands Christians to submit to governments and human institutions. (Romans 13:1-7, 1 Peter 2:13-17, Titus 3:1-7, 1 Timothy 2:1–6)

· We are not encouraged to protest our government but to pray for them that we might live peaceful quiet lives to the praise of God!

· Authority has been instituted by God, it reflects him when good, and contrasts him when evil, it exists by his will and for his purpose. (Romans 13:1, 1 Peter 2:13)

· Government and authorities under government, have the purpose of enforcement of the law to preserve the function and understanding of what is good and evil. (Romans 13:2-3, 1 Peter 2:14)

· Government is a servant of God for the good of people. Civil and moral stability from the government preserves the understanding of good and bad, preserving the conscience of man. (Romans 13:4-5)

· We are to willingly support the government not only in thought but through the paying of taxes. (Romans 13:6-7, Titus 3:1)

· We are to function honorably with governing authorities acting respectfully and seeking obedience, and godly character in our actions. (Romans 13:7, 1 Peter 2:16-17, Titus 3:1-2)

· We need to be reminded of this (Titus 3:1) and we can function in this knowing it is difficult because we have seen the goodness and loving-kindness of God toward us. (Titus 3:3-4) We are aware that his actions toward a result of what we deserved but out of mercy, and in the abundance of love that secures our eternity. (Titus 3:4-7)

THE CONDITIONS OF BIBLICAL RESISTANCE TO GOVERNMENT (Obey God Rather than Men)

1. Commanded they cannot speak the name of Jesus

· Acts 4:18–20 (ESV) —

· Acts 5:29 (ESV) —

2. Commanded to worship false gods

· Daniel 3:14–18 (ESV) —

3. Commanded to suspend worship of God for 30 days

· Daniel 6:7–10 (ESV)

THE CHARACTER OF BIBLICAL RESISTANCE TO GOVERNMENT. (Godly Character and Humility and Honor)

1. Honor and Respect are due governing authorities

· Titus 3:1–2 (ESV)

· Daniel 3:16–18 (ESV)

· Daniel 6:21 (ESV)

THE COMMITMENT OF BIBLICAL RESISTANCE TO GOVERNMENT. (Trust the providence of God boldly proclaiming the Gospel of Christ and in sharing the suffering of Christ.)

· Acts 5:30–33 (ESV)

· Acts 5:40–42 (ESV)

· Daniel 3:16–18 (ESV)

· Daniel 3:28–30 (ESV)

· Daniel 6:22 (ESV)

· Daniel 6:25–26 (ESV)

Ephesians 4:20–27 (ESV) — 20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!— 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil.

Ephesians 4:20–25 (ESV) — 20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!— 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

Ephesians 4:17–24 (ESV) — 17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!— 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Ephesians 4:11–16 (ESV) — 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Ephesians 4:11–16 (ESV) — 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Ephesians 4:1–3 (ESV) — 1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 3:14–21 (ESV) — 14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3:14–21 (ESV) — 14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3:14–21 (ESV) — 14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.