Romans | Week 36 | Why We Kneel and When We Stand

Romans 13:1-7 | Keoni Hughes

“Give me Liberty or Give Me Death”

“Live Free or Die”

“Molon Lave” – Come and Take It

“Get Up Stand Up, Stand Up for Your Rights…”

Read Romans 13:1-7

Why Is Paul Getting Political?

Romans 12:1-2 | “Do Not Be Conformed…But Be Transformed”

Romans 12:19 | “Never avenge yourselves…”

Why Do We Kneel to Authority?

1. We Kneel Because God Ordains It | v. 1

“Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. – John 19:10-11

We Kneel to Authority Because That Authority Carries God’s Authority

2. We Kneel Because Government Serves A Purpose | v. 3-4

Approving Good and Punishing Evil

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. – Romans 12:18

Servants For Your Good

3. We Kneel Because of Conscience and Christian Witness | v. 5-7

We Don’t Just Obey the Law Because It Is the Safest, But Because It Is Right

3 Times We Stand In Resistance

1. We Stand Against Authorities Who Tell Us To Do What God Says Not To | Daniel 6:5-10

God’s Command: “No Other God’s Before Me”
Darius’ Command: “You Can Only Pray to Me”

Man’s Law Can’t Overturn God’s Law

2. We Stand Against Authorities Who Tell Us Not To Do What God Says To Do | Acts 4-5

Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at
all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges!” – Acts 4:18-19

“We must obey God rather than men.” – Acts 5:29

Man’s Law Can’t Overturn God’s Law

3. We Stand Against Tyrannical and Oppressive Authorities | Exodus 1

Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, “When you serve as midwife to the Hebrew women and see them on the birthstool, if it is a son, you shall kill him, but if it is a daughter, she shall live.” But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live. – Exodus 1:15-17

And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families. – Exodus 1:21

Historical Examples

“Here I stand, I can do no other so help me God.” – Martin Luther

“When a ruler becomes a tyrant, he forfeits the authority God gave him.” – Rev. Samuel West

“When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Defiance is to Subvert Authority, Resistance is to Obey a Higher Authority

Application

1. Kneel To Good Governing Authorities
2. Resist Tyrannical Governing Authorities
3. Pray For Wisdom To Discern The Difference