Sermon: God and Government Text: Romans 13:1-7 Speaker: Pastor Jason Van Bemmel I. Introduction: Culture vs. Scripture • Two common cultural sayings are that "religion and politics don't mix" and that "you can't legislate morality." • The separation of church and state is a biblical concept, as Jesus demonstrated by distinguishing between what belongs to Caesar and what belongs to God, and by declaring His kingdom is not of this world. • Legislation is inescapably moral because it aims to ban or discourage immoral behavior while protecting and promoting moral behavior. • Christians must learn to see the overarching hand of God's providence behind human government, rather than refusing to "kiss the rod of providence" and resorting to complaining. II. Christians & Government: Submission Not Resistance • The fundamental posture for every person toward the governing authorities is to be submission rather than resistance. • R.C. Sproul notes that Christians should bend over backwards to submit and be the "best citizens," meaning we cannot disobey simply because a law is inconvenient or because we disagree with it. • Paul commanded submission to the government during the reign of Emperor Nero, a ruler who violently persecuted Christians and executed millions for public entertainment. • Human governments are a manifestation of God's common grace, serving as a benefit to all humanity much like the sun and the rain. III. God & Government: Vengeance Against Evil • God appoints governments primarily to restrain and punish evil, acting as a terror to bad conduct. • While Romans 12 instructs believers to leave vengeance to God, Romans 13 reveals that the governing authori