West End Baptist Church
We warmly welcome each worshiper here today, members and guests. It is our prayer that you experience God’s love while you are here today. If you have come as a guest, we hope you’ll leave as a friend who’s been blessed. And we hope you’ll join us again!
Romans 13:1-7 ESV
1. God Ordains and ___________________________________________________.
2. The Gospel is _________________________________.
3. When Government Gets it wrong:
We honor and submit to governing authorities until they command what God condemns or condemn what God commands.
a. ____________________ the wrong.
b. Engage in _____________________ - that is, the public, nonviolent conscientious resistance to, or breaking of, a law deemed to be unjust.
“Whenever laws are enacted which contradict God’s law, civil disobedience becomes a Christian duty. In those cases we must disobey the state." John Stott
c. Speak ____________________.
d. Get involved _____________________.
e. Above all, ____________________________________.
Home Group/Study Questions
These questions are provided for your further study and application of today’s sermon. Thoughtfully writing out the answers to these questions will help to drive home the truths we are learning.
1. Was there any passage of scripture or statement in the message today that was particularly meaningful or applicable to you?
2. God governs governments, and all governments are temporary. Read Revelation 18:1-24. How does the contemplation of the end of worldly governments serve to adjust your view of them?
3. Read 1 Peter 2:13-17and 3:13-17and 4:14-16. How do you imagine the Christians Peter is addressing went about applying these sets of instructions, knowing that much of the suffering and insults Peter and his congregation faced came as a result of the sinful, anti-Christian government under which they lived?
4. Read Titus 3:1-8. What types of Christian “good works” do you believe set the most impressive example of Christianity for our secular leaders?
5. How can you keep the Gospel pre-eminent in your mind, heart, and speech, particularly when thinking and talking about politics?
6. Read 1 Timothy 2:1-4. How much of your prayer life gives attention to governmental leaders? What have you done (or will you do) to increase your time and effort in praying for your government leaders?