Text: 1 Timothy 2:1-4 Pray for Those in Authority Entreaties, prayers, petitions, thanksgivings – whatever is good, thank God for it; whatever is not good, petition God for change Remember that civil authorities have been given a role today by God (Romans 13:3-4; 1 Timothy 2:2) Remember our responsibility toward those in authority (Romans 13:1; [...]

Text: Daniel 6 Some Will Want to Harm Us Do not be surprised if the world hates you (1 John 3:13) Persecution will be a reality (2 Timothy 3:12) Keep Your Behavior Excellent Keep behavior excellent because some will try to slander you (1 Peter 2:12) We must not suffer as an evildoer, but as [...]

Text: Isaiah 33:22 Judicial Branch — “The Lord is our judge” Christ will judge each of us (2 Corinthians 5:10) He is fit to be our judge — unbiased (Acts 10:34-35), knows & understands the law (John 1:14) He has the exclusive right to judge us (Colossians 2:16-17,20-22) Legislative Branch — “The Lord is our [...]

Judas (Acts 1:15-20) Judas’ death recorded earlier (Matthew 27:3-5), but discussed here His death fulfilled Old Testament prophecy (Acts 1:20; Psalm 69:25; 109:8) He was a disciple (Acts 1:17) — Christians can betray Christ just as Judas did (Hebrews 6:6) Ananias & Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11) Follows accounts of great benevolence by Christians in Jerusalem (Acts [...]

Text: 1 Samuel 8:4-22 The Manner of a King He will take your sons to serve in his army & do his work (v. 11-12) He will take your daughters to work for him (v. 13) He will take your property (v. 14) He will tax your resources (v. 15) He will take your servants [...]

Text: Acts 24:1 Paul’s example shows us how to deal with false charges and persecution The Charges Causes division (Acts 24:5) — those who depart from the truth are the ones who cause the division, not the faithful (Jude 19) Opposes the government (Acts 24:5) — Christians are to submit to the government (Romans 13:1), [...]

Text: Proverbs 27:23-27 Current Economic Turmoil — yet we still have obligations (2 Thessalonians 3:10; 1 Timothy 5:8; Ephesians 4:28) Our Responsibility Take care of yourself — “your flocks … your herds“ Be good stewards — do not neglect your flocks, know their condition Economies Can Collapse — “riches are not forever” How can we [...]

The Role of Government Punish evildoers (Romans 13:3-4) Protect the innocent (Romans 13:3) Provide & maintain a secure environment (1 Timothy 2:2-3) Civil governments have expanded far beyond this God-ordained role The Danger of Putting Our Trust in Government Trusting in something that will fail (Ecclesiastes 5:8; Matthew 26:11) Failing to do what we are [...]

Certain states are now allowing same-sex marriages. What does the Bible have to say about these things? Marriage Established by God in the beginning (Genesis 2:18-24; Mark 10:6-8) God joins two people together (Matthew 19:6) Marriage is for one man & one woman for life (Matthew 19:4-6) Homosexuality Contrary to nature (Romans 1:26-27) It is [...]

Text: Luke 20 Four times in this chapter, Jesus silenced His opponents. Let’s notice how He was able to do this: Appealed to Divine Authority (v. 1-8) Provided Clear Explanations (v. 20-26) Avoided Speculation (v. 27-40) Directed People toward an Unavoidable Conclusion (v. 41-44; Matthew 22:41-46)