Rev. David Holwick U Father's Day
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
June 15, 1997
1 Peter 2:13-14,17
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I. Are cops our friends?
A. Some see government as an enemy.
1) Tim McVeigh and "Christian" militia movement.
a) (quote in cartoon about Death Star storm troopers...)
b) Bumper sticker: "Question Authority".
B. Others see government as something to be manipulated.
1) FM 105 - Cops are crooked, so you need some influence.
"My son was pulled over, judge threw it out because of
who we are."
C. Two unpopular themes.
1) Peter highlights two areas we have problems with:
authority and submission.
2) Americans have always been cantankerous about authority -
Boston Tea Party and Whiskey Rebellion.
3) Fathers are associated with it, and so aren't as popular.
a) Spankings remembered:
(all lined up, somber, the question:
Who's going to be first?)
b) What does God think about all this?
II. Authority - established by God.
A. We are created to need structure.
1) Literal phrase is "human creations."
a) In classical Greek, used of city organizations.
b) In Biblical Greek, creation always used of something
God brings into being.
1> God places us in societies and hierarchies.
2> We need other people, and we need structure.
A> Families, corporations, churches.
c) Someone has to lay down rules, for kids and citizens.
2) The fact that we are "aliens in world" doesn't mean
we can disregard laws.
B. Some authorities are higher than others.
1) Peter's pecking order: governors, kings...
2) God is the ultimate authority.
a) He sets up government.
b) He can dispose of governments. Daniel 2:21, 37-38
3) If we can't accept authority of gov't, can we accept
God's authority? Romans 13:1-2
C. Responsibilities of authority.
1) Punish wrong.
a) Execution for Tim McVeigh.
b) Dads need to set boundaries for kids.
2) Encourage right.
a) Politics tends to remain negative and petty.
b) Giving people vision is important, and setting a moral
example. Americans expect a lot from their leaders.
c) Same with dads. Don't just say, "No!" Push goodness.
III. Submission.
A. For Lord's sake.
1) God has established government, and we need to make a good
impression.
2) Christians should not despise government.
a) Even bad governments have a use.
B. Duties of a Christian citizen. -Jonathan Edwards
1) We have a responsibility to society beyond the walls of
the church.
2) We should not hesitate to join forces with non-Christians
in the public square to work toward common moral goals.
3) We should support our government but be ready to criticize
it when conscience demands.
4) Christians should remember that politics is comparatively
unimportant in the long run.
5) Christians should be aware of national pride.
6) Christians should care for the poor. #4097
Richard Rorty is a progressive philosopher who deals with
issues like compassion and equality in society.
He says he owes more to Jesus on these concepts than to
any of the classical writers.
Atheist Bertrand Russell wrote a book called, "Why I am
Not a Christian."
In it he conceded that although he took Jesus to be no
more than a humanistic moral prophet, modern
progressivism is indebted to Christ for the ideal
of compassion.
Christianity tries to humble the mighty and prod the rich
into concern for the poor.
Our bottom line should always be people.
#3439
C. Conflicts of authority.
1) Sometimes government tries to take more than it is given.
a) Communism and deification of rulers.
b) Dr. H. Sloane Coffin once said,
"Christians, like Jesus, have God as their authority,
and no authority as their God."
#2913
c) God should always win. Acts 4:19
2) Is Peter being naive?
a) He is not blind to the sin of government.
1> Peter witnessed the crucifixion.
2> He was unjustly imprisoned.
3> Nero, a real loser, was emperor at time.
b) Bible gives examples of disobeying gov't.
1> Widwives in Egypt. Exod 1:17
2> Daniel refusing to bow. Dan 3:13-18; 6:10-24
3> Apostles insisting on preaching. Acts 4:18;5:27
c) Therefore our submission is not "under any circumstances."
IV. Born-again free. 2:16
A. Living free.
1) Despite struggles, we shouldn't be uptight.
2) We are free to make good choices.
3) We are free to love, serve (below, C.).
4) We cannot be held back by lousy dads or incompetent gov't.
B. Freedom not a cover-up for evil.
1) Don't confuse liberty with license.
a) "I have rights!!" usually means we are abusing them.
b) Christian freedom is never freedom to hurt another.
1> To the contrary, freedom releases us from every
restraint that would keep us from doing the right.
2> Only in total submission can we realize maximum
freedom.
2) Years ago, Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick offered a helpful story.
He compared government to a pump.
A pump can only pull out of the well that which is already
there.
Government is the same.
The ruling authorities can only insure a solid moral and
spiritual foundation for American by pulling it out of
the American people.
Government cannot legislate morality; it can only structure
the moral commitment that we allow to exist.
This is why we must be salt, light, leaven.
Or, as Peter puts it, a good citizen is being a servant
of God.
#2914
V. R-E-S-P-E-C-T. 2:17
A. Proper respect to everyone.
1) Christian contribution to politics: all are created by God
and have rights.
2) Be considerate even to enemies.
B. Love brotherhood.
1) Love goes beyond respect.
2) Recognizes value, and sacrifices for benefit of other.
3) Try to love everyone, but by all means love fellow believers.
C. Fear God.
1) Fear of God is beginning of wisdom. Ps 111:10
2) He is our ultimate authority.
D. Honor king.
1) Christians should be known for their respectful way
of dealing with government. (Often we're not.)
2) Honor the office at least, if guy is unworthy.
3) If we show proper respect for human institutions, we will
live happy, fulfilled lives.
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