TOPIC: OBEY CONSTITUTED AUTHORITY
MEMORISE: Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Romans 13:1
BIBLE READING: ROMANS 13:1-7
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
MESSAGE:
Romans 13:4 says that a leader is a minister of God and a revenger to execute wrath upon those who do evil. Ecclesiastes 8:4 also says, “Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?” Anyone in authority is powerful and should be obeyed unless their commandments negate God’s word.
Our experience during the corona virus pandemic clearly showed the power of those in authority. For example, when the government declared a lockdown, every one was more or less automatically placed under house arrest; God had given them that much power. My dear child, no matter how anointed you are, you must obey constituted authorities because the One who anointed you is the same Person who put them in power.
God requires His children to obey constituted authorities, whether it is a class governor, hall representative, prefect, fellowship leader, et cetera. Disobeying those He has put in authority amounts to rebellion, which is a sin (1 Samuel 15:23).
KEY POINT:
Disobedience to constituted authority within the confines of God’s word is disobedience to God.
HYMN: 30 – WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD
1 When we walk with the Lord
in the light of his word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2 Not a burden we bear,
not a sorrow we share,
but our toil he doth richly repay;
not a grief or a loss,
not a frown or a cross,
but is blest if we trust and obey.
[Refrain]
3 But we never can prove
the delights of his love
until all on the altar we lay;
for the favor he shows,
for the joy he bestows,
are for them who will trust and obey.
[Refrain]
4 Then in fellowship sweet
we will sit at his feet,
or we’ll walk by his side in the way;
what he says we will do,
where he sends we will go;
never fear, only trust and obey.
[Refrain]
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 60:1-62:5, Philippians 1:27-2:18
AUTHORS: Pastor E. A. Adeboye and Folu Adeboye