God is the ultimate authority. Ephesians 1:18-23All other authority is under Him. Colossians 2:8-10To defy authority is to defy Him. II Peter 2:9-10God has ordained governments. Romans 13:1-7For a purpose (vs 4)With the right to sustain themselves (taxation) vs 6)His expectation is for us to submit to their rule (vs 1)God has supremacy over governmentsGod and government don’t always agreeGovernment sometimes usurps God’s authorityShadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3)Daniel (Daniel 6)Peter (Acts 4)God uses governments for His purposesPharaoh (Exodus 10:1-2)Cyrus (Isaiah 44:28-45:3; 46:8-11)God’s people have served in governments in times pastJoseph served government officials and was himself a government officialThe head of Pharaoh’s bodyguard (Genesis 39:1-4)Special assistant to the head jailer (Genesis 39:20-23)Pharaoh’s “prime minister” (Genesis 41:41-44)Daniel served kings as a top administratorTo Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 2:48-49)To Belshazzar (Daniel 5:29)To Darius (Daniel 6:1-2)To Cyrus (Daniel 6:28)We should maintain respect for government authorityKing Saul was a government officialKing David was a government officialSaul was kingSaul had sinned and his throne was rejected by God (I Samuel 15:24-28)David had been anointed to take his place (I Samuel 16:13)David still held Saul in reverence (I Samuel 24:1-6)Festus was a Roman officialCorrupt and evil governmentTreated with respect by an Apostle of Christ (Acts 24:25-27; 26:24-25)It is okay to disagree with governmentSpeaking out against an official’s misdeeds is not wrongJohn the Baptist did so (Matthew 14:1-4)It is our duty to reveal evil for what it is (Ephesians 5:11-13)It is wrong to do so unkindly or with disrespect (II Peter 2:10)We should maintain our respect for authorityRecognize its place and be subject to itBe ready to stand for what is right, but with respect and proprietyAppeal to its guarantees of safety and protectionServe it with diligence and Godliness if and when called uponDefer to the Greater Power when usurped by earthly authority
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