Sermon Tone Analysis

*God's Right Arm*

*Romans 13:1-7             February 10, 2002*

* *

*Scripture Reading:*

 

*Introduction:*

 

Paul continues his discussion of how the gospel should take effect in our lives.

In chapter 12 we learned that it should enable us to live sacrificially, think transformationally, relate graciously, and love infinitely.

This is how we make a difference since the gospel has made a difference in us.

But now he extends it to an arena that is sure to prompt much discussion – that because of the gospel, we should submit to governmental authority by being good citizens.

It is interesting that this discussion of human government immediately follows the statement about overcoming evil with good.

*ILLUS: *Sayings – One Liners About Government

 

Every man needs a wife because there are some things that go wrong he can't blame on the government.

The trouble with marriage is that a fellow can't support a wife and the government on one income.

Inflation is the price we pay for those government benefits we thought were free.

One of the things we have to be thankful for is that we don't get as much government as we pay for.

The Congress is a body of government that does not solve problems--it just investigates them.

The government should be glad the public has what it takes.

Government rarely does something for you unless it does something to you.

The main reason the government fights organized crime is because it resents the competition.

Some people take the money and run; politicians run and then take the money.

After the government takes enough to balance the budget, the taxpayer has the job of budgeting the balance.

The taxpayer no longer fears that Congress will let him down; he just hopes it will let him up.

A taxpayer is a government worker with no vacation, no sick leave, and no holiday.

The biggest job Congress has is to get the money from the taxpayer without disturbing the voter.

A taxpayer is one who does not have to pass the civil service exam to work for the government.

The American taxpayer may be America's first natural resource to be exhausted.

Taxation is based on supply and demand--the government demands and we supply.

People who don't pay their taxes in due time, do time.

A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have.

When you think of the government debt the next generation must pay off, it's no wonder a baby yells when it's born.

Everybody should pay his income tax with a smile.

I tried it, but they wanted cash.

I went to Washington and visited the Tax Department.

I just wanted to see the people I'm working for.

With my latest raise, I can now afford to pay last year's taxes.

I'm putting all my money in taxes--it is the only thing sure to go up.

Patrick Henry should come back to see what taxation with representation is like.

When a Congressman says he's for a tax cut--it simply means he wants his cut of your taxes.

A great bumper sticker that was spotted shortly before April 15th.

It read:

   "Thank God we don't get all the government we pay for!"

No matter what your religion, you should try to become a government program, for then you shall have everlasting life.

*Big Question:*

 

/Why should we submit to (not necessarily meaning to obey) the government?/

*I.

Cycle One*

 

*          A.

Narrative *(v.

1)

 

For any exposition of how the eschatological people of God should live within the political realities of the Roman state, this was the obvious first thing to be said.

Little gatherings of Christians, living in the capital city, without political power, dependent on the good will of the authorities, who could be very arbitrary and unpredictable in their rulings regarding minority ethnic or religious groups, were only acting prudently if they sought to avoid giving any cause for offense.

Paul states it as an exhortation not so much because his readers might think otherwise, but rather because the recent history of Jews in Rome made them that much more vulnerable.

Paul’s reminder is, in effect, to say: since you cannot change the terms under which you live, and since your position is already hazardous, remember the political realities of the politically powerless and live accordingly.

*          B.

Implication*

 

We should submit to governmental authorities because they are representative of God's sovereign authority – in principle.

*          C.

Illustration*

 

*          D.

Application*

 

*II.

Cycle Two*

 

*          A.

Narrative *(vv.

2-3)

 

It should be noted here too that this is not a specifically Christian line of reasoning.

There is no implication here that Christ has overcome the “authorities” or anything like that.

The argument does not depend on the assumption that a new state of affairs exists by virtue of Christ’s ministry.

These are rather the conditions under which the people of God has operated for centuries.

Indeed, since the theology of good government applied also to the Jewish state during its years of independence (as in 2 Sam 12:8), it can be said that this is the condition under which the people of God always exists.

In other words, the argument is theological, not Christological; it is expressed in terms of the normal circumstances of social order, not in terms of salvation-history.

Nor is it particularly eschatological, as indicating a state of affairs which is temporary and from which the people of God will soon be delivered.

It is simply a recognition that this is the way society operates, always has and always will, but given a crucially theological and moral dimension by repeating the Jewish affirmation that God has so ordered it for the good of humankind in society and with the corollary that both ruler and ruled are responsible to God in consequence.

*          B.

Implication*

 

We should submit to governmental authorities because they are representatives of God's righteous judgment – in principle.

*          C.

Illustration*

 

*          D.

Application*

 

*III.

Cycle Three*

 

*          A.

Narrative *(v.

4)

* *

*          B.

Implication*

 

We should submit to governmental authorities because they are representatives of God's good purpose – in principle.

*          C.

Illustration*

 

*          D.

Application*

 

*IV.

Cycle Four*

* *

*          A.

Narrative *(v.

5)

 

*          B.

Implication*

 

We should submit to governmental authorities because we are conscious of God's authority, judgment, and purpose in human government – in principle.

*          C.

Illustration*

 

*          D.

Application*

 

*V.