Last week: forgiveness

Government

Authority comes from God

• All authority comes from God – Ephesians 1:18-23

  • Authority is under Him – Colossians 2:8-10

  • Defying authority is to defy God – II Peter 2:9-10

• He has ordained governments – Romans 13:1-7

  • They have a purpose – Romans 13:4

  • They may sustain themselves – Romans 13:6

  • He expects that we submit to their rule – Romans 13:1

God reigns supreme

• God and government don’t always agree

  • Government sometimes usurps or conflicts

  • Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3)

  • Daniel (Daniel 6)

  • Peter and other apostles (Acts 4)

For God’s purpose

• The Exodus – Exodus 10:1-2
• Cyrus – Isaiah 44:28-45:3; 46:8-11

Government service

• Joseph

  • Pharaoh’s bodyguard – Genesis 39:1-4

  • For head jailer – Genesis 39:20-23

  • Pharaoh’s number two – Genesis 41:41-44

• Daniel

  • Nebuchadnezzar – Daniel 2:48-49

  • Belshazzar – Daniel 5:29

  • Darius – Daniel 6:1-2

  • Cyrus – Daniel 6:28

• Saul and David