Submitting to the Authorities

Romans 13:1-7
[1] Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. [2] Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. [3] For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, [4] for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. [5] Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. [6] For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. [7] Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   How much attention have you given to the command to submit to the authorities? Why is this an important aspect of our Christian witness?
2.   What is the relationship between God and the governing authorities? How does this increase our motivation to be subject to them?
3.   As we think about not resisting, how does Acts 5:29 offer an important qualification? How are we tempted to add our own qualifications?
4.   What is the role/purpose of government as Paul describes it in these verses? How should this affect the way we view and relate to it?
5.   How does this text guide us to worship God while paying our taxes? In what ways do we need to confess not paying the money or respect that is due?

References: Mark 12:17; 1 Peter 2:13-17; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; Titus 3:1-2; Daniel 2:21; 4:17; Acts 5:29; Exodus 1:17; Daniel 3:12; Genesis 9:6.