• God is the ultimate authority. Ephesians 1:18-23
    • All other authority is under Him. Colossians 2:8-10
    • To defy authority is to defy Him. II Peter 2:9-10
  • God has ordained governments. Romans 13:1-7
    • For a purpose (vs 4)
    • With the right to sustain themselves (taxation) vs 6)
    • His expectation is for us to submit to their rule (vs 1)
  • God has supremacy over governments
    • God and government don’t always agree
    • Government sometimes usurps God’s authority
      • Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3)
      • Daniel (Daniel 6)
      • Peter (Acts 4)
  • God uses governments for His purposes
    • Pharaoh (Exodus 10:1-2)
    • Cyrus (Isaiah 44:28-45:3; 46:8-11)
  • God’s people have served in governments in times past
    • Joseph served government officials and was himself a government official
      • The head of Pharaoh’s bodyguard (Genesis 39:1-4)
      • Special assistant to the head jailer (Genesis 39:20-23)
      • Pharaoh’s “prime minister” (Genesis 41:41-44)
    • Daniel served kings as a top administrator
      • To Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 2:48-49)
      • To Belshazzar (Daniel 5:29)
      • To Darius (Daniel 6:1-2)
      • To Cyrus (Daniel 6:28)
  • We should maintain respect for government authority
    • King Saul was a government official
    • King David was a government official
      • Saul was king
      • Saul had sinned and his throne was rejected by God (I Samuel 15:24-28)
      • David had been anointed to take his place (I Samuel 16:13)
      • David still held Saul in reverence (I Samuel 24:1-6)
    • Festus was a Roman official
      • Corrupt and evil government
      • Treated with respect by an Apostle of Christ (Acts 24:25-27; 26:24-25)
  • It is okay to disagree with government
    • Speaking out against an official’s misdeeds is not wrong
    • John the Baptist did so (Matthew 14:1-4)
    • It is our duty to reveal evil for what it is (Ephesians 5:11-13)
    • It is wrong to do so unkindly or with disrespect (II Peter 2:10)
  • We should maintain our respect for authority
    • Recognize its place and be subject to it
    • Be ready to stand for what is right, but with respect and propriety
    • Appeal to its guarantees of safety and protection
    • Serve it with diligence and Godliness if and when called upon
    • Defer to the Greater Power when usurped by earthly authority