Greater Than Government Greater Than Government 1 Peter

Greater Than Government

Greater Than Government 1 Peter 2: 13 -17 NIV 13 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. 16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.

Greater Than Government 17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

Greater Than Government • Submit to government that acknowledges and advances what is good for the Lord’s sake. • This upholds our integrity as believers and as God’s people. • Live righteously. • Do not live as if under compulsion.

Greater Than Government Titus 3: 1 -8 NIV 1 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men. 3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,

Greater Than Government 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good.

Greater Than Government These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

Greater Than Government • You were once morally and spiritually bankrupt like everyone else • Demonstrate changed lives – among which is a life of submission to your government

Greater Than Government • What is different in the Christian and Muslim view of God’s sovereignty over government? • Why did Jefferson write a letter to the Danbury Baptists in 1802? • What does the First Amendment to the Constitution say about the relationship between God and government? Do you know why?

Greater Than Government John 10: 10 NIV The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Greater Than Government Galatians 5: 1 NIV It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Greater Than Government John 15: 9 -14 NIV 9"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command.

Greater Than Government We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness (para. 2 Declaration of Independence).