What Is Government For? Pt. 2

The following is my sermon notes for part two of my series, "Politically Incorrect".

What Is Government For? Pt. 2Psalm 103:19 (NKJV) — 19 The Lord has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all.

Matthew 6:9–10 (NKJV) — 9 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

Intro

What is government for?
Why is liberty vital?
The Bible and issues, pt. 1 & 2

During election season we are bombarded by various opinions and not a little misinformation.

No doubt, many have reservations about a pastor speaking to this subject .

God's herald stands between heaven and earth, declaring and applying truth!  He represents the sovereign of the kingdom to the kingdom of men.

Review

1. The Lord God is the supreme authority in the universe.

  

2. God established government to promote good and deter evil.

1.  Daniel exercised influence on Nebuchanezzar’s government.  Daniel 4:27 (NKJV) — 27 Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity.” Daniel 2:48–49 (ESV) — 48 Then the king gave Daniel high honors and many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon. 49 Daniel made a request of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the affairs of the province of Babylon. But Daniel remained at the king’s court.
2. The counsel that Jeremiah proclaimed to the Jewish exiles in Babylon also supports the idea of believers having influence on laws and government. Jeremiah told these exiles, “Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare” (Jer. 29: 7).

Grudem, Wayne (2012-04-03). How Christians Should Relate to Government: A Zondervan Digital Short (Kindle Locations 1082-1084). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

3. Joseph was the highest official after Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and had great influence in the decisions of Pharaoh (see Gen. 41: 37– 45; 42: 6; 45: 8– 9, 26).

Grudem, Wayne (2012-04-03). How Christians Should Relate to Government: A Zondervan Digital Short (Kindle Locations 1088-1089). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

4. Later, Moses boldly stood before the Pharaoh and demanded freedom for the people of Israel, saying, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Let my people go’” (Exod. 8: 1).

Grudem, Wayne (2012-04-03). How Christians Should Relate to Government: A Zondervan Digital Short (Kindle Locations 1089-1090). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

5. Nehemiah was “cupbearer to the king” (Neh. 1: 11), a position of high responsibility before King Artaxerxes of Persia.

Grudem, Wayne (2012-04-03). How Christians Should Relate to Government: A Zondervan Digital Short (Kindle Locations 1090-1091). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

6. Mordecai “was second in rank to King Ahasuerus” of Persia (Esth. 10: 3; see also 9: 4).

Grudem, Wayne (2012-04-03). How Christians Should Relate to Government: A Zondervan Digital Short (Kindle Location 1092). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

7. the Old Testament prophets that address the sins of foreign nations around Israel:

Grudem, Wayne (2012-04-03). How Christians Should Relate to Government: A Zondervan Digital Short (Kindle Locations 1094-1095). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

NOTE:  Therefore the moral standards of God as revealed in the Bible are the moral standards to which God will hold all people accountable. This includes more than the way people conduct themselves in their marriages and families, in their neighborhoods and schools, and in their jobs and businesses. It also concerns the way people conduct themselves in government offices. Believers have a responsibility to bear witness to the moral standards of the Bible by which God will hold all people accountable, including those people in public office.

Grudem, Wayne (2012-04-03). How Christians Should Relate to Government: A Zondervan Digital Short (Kindle Locations 1098-1101). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

  

8. John the Baptist rebuked Herod for all his evil.  Luke 3:18–20 (ESV) — 18 So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people. 19 But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things that Herod had done, 20 added this to them all, that he locked up John in prison.
9. Paul dialoged with Felix the governor about righteousness and judgment.  Acts 24:24–25 (NKJV) — 24 And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 25 Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.”

  

3. God decentralizes government and distributes its power

Body

1A. God decentralizes government and distributes its power.

1B. Highly centralized government power is inherently evil. Genesis 11:4 (NKJV) — 4 And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves  a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”
2B. Power should be distributed close to the people being governed. Ex. 18:17-23

2A.  God demands that government exercise justice in judgment.

1B.  Judgment should be without partiality.  Deuteronomy 1:17 (NKJV) — 17 You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall hear the small as well as the great; you shall not be afraid in any man’s presence, for the judgment is God’s. The case that is too hard for you, bring to me, and I will hear it.’ Leviticus 19:15 (NKJV) — 15 ‘You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty. In righteousness you shall judge your neighbor. Numbers 15:16 (NKJV) — 16 One law and one custom shall be for you and for the stranger who dwells with you.’ ”

2B.  It is the government’s role, then, to be God’s instrument of divine justice by impartially establishing, reflecting, and applying His divine standards of justice in society.  Evans, Tony (2012-04-20). How Should Christians Vote? (p. 23). Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Psalm 72:1–2 (NKJV) — 1 Give the king Your judgments, O God, And Your righteousness to the king’s Son. 2 He will judge Your people with righteousness, And Your poor with justice.

Psalm 72:4 (NKJV) — 4 He will bring justice to the poor of the people; He will save the children of the needy, And will break in pieces the oppressor.

3A.  God charges government with protecting its people.

1B.  Abraham rescued Lot.  Genesis 14:13–16 (ESV) — 13 Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, who was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and of Aner. These were allies of Abram. 14 When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. 15 And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus. 16 Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people.

2B.  David defended Israel against the aggressions of the Philistines and others.  1 Samuel 17:32 (ESV) — 32 And David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.”

3B.  Nehemiah called on Israel to defend Jerusalem.  Nehemiah 4:14 (ESV) — 14 And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”

4B.  Jesus did not condemn the military or soldiers.  Luke 3:14 (NKJV) — 14 Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, “And what shall we do?” So he said to them, “Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.”

Concl