www.rossvillechurch.com

781 Salem Road, Rossville, GA 30741

1April 3, 2011

Fifth Sunday FellowshipFifth Sunday FellowshipMay 29May 29 after Sunday Morning Service

Constitution HallConstitution Hall in Fort Oglethorpe

We will not meetnot meet Sunday night for an evening service.

Romans 13 1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whoso-ever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

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Remember that Paul is writing to Christians in RomeChristians in Rome.

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We might assumeassume that we would not be expectednot be expected to obey a wickedwicked government,

But Rome was the seat of power for the Roman Roman EmpireEmpire, and much wickedness was committed

by that government.

Nero was emperoremperor at that time, and he was a determined enemydetermined enemy of God and of God's people.

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Torturing and killing of Christians was a sport in

Rome.

http://blog.adw.org/2010/06/june-30-the-feast-of-the-the-first-martyrs-of-rome/

Many martyrs suffered death under Emperor Nero. … These early Christians were disciples of the Apostles, and they endured hideous tortures and ghastly deaths following the burning of Rome in the infamous fire of 62 AD. Their dignity in suffering, and their fervor to the end, did not provide Nero or the Romans with the public diversion desired. Instead, the Faith was firmly planted in the Eternal City. The Blood of Martyrs is the Seed of the Church. 5

1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

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Daniel 4Daniel 4 17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that The Most High rulethThe Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it togiveth it to whomsoever He Willwhomsoever He Will, and setteth up over it the basest of menbasest of men.

Nebuchadnezzar was a vile kingvile king, and God brought him down to living as a beastbeast in the wild.

After he regained his reason he confessed Godhe confessed God as Ruler of all; the Source of all power.

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Text againText again:: 1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of Godthere is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

It's very hard for us to understand that GodGod raises up every rulerevery ruler on the earth, but He doesHe does.

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A nation always gets the leader the people deservethe people deserve.

When most people turn their backs on Godturn their backs on God, God will raise up a man to bring them downbring them down.

When the nation turns back to Godback to God, God will raise upraise up a deliverer.

1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

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God establishedGod established the institution of government.

Yes, we are citizens of Heavencitizens of Heaven, but we are pilgrimspilgrims living on earth.

God commands us to submit ourselvessubmit ourselves to earthlyearthly governments and rulers.

There is one exceptionone exception when we refuse to obey earthly governments and rulers:

When they demand that we go against Godgo against God.

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Acts 5 28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in This Name? and, be-hold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.

29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey Godobey God rather than men.

3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

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God commands us to submit ourselvessubmit ourselves to the lawful government.

4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sakeconscience sake.

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A Christian has twotwo good reasons to be law-abidinglaw-abiding: to avoid punishmentavoid punishment, and to

be obedient to God Almightybe obedient to God Almighty.

6 For for this cause pay ye tribute alsopay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

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God commands usGod commands us:

To pay our taxes,

To respect the office of government officials,

To fear and respect their power to punish.

Without government we would have anarchyanarchy, a condition much

to be feared.

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KenyaNew York

Draft riots Civil War

Memphis 1866

8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the Law.

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Love is the debt that can nevernever be paid in fullpaid in full.

I can love you 100% today, and I still owe you my love tomorrow.

We can and should pay all other debtsall other debts in a timely fashiontimely fashion; as much as possiblepossible.

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This is part of providing things honest in the sight of all men. Romans 12:17

Certainly we can all have timeshave times of financial crisis, when we can'twe can't pay all our bills on time.

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But if we liveif we live in a financial crisis, we need to change our lifestylechange our lifestyle.

Don't spend money this week, that we need next week to pay a bill.

Don't buy something on credit that we can't really afford.

And above all things, be paying onbe paying on the eternal debteternal debt of love every day.

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Be patient and kind to all people.Be happy for the blessings of others.

Never look down on the less successful.

Don't act ugly or rude; be courteous to all.Don't strive to have your own way, or to always

be the winner or the star.

Study 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 to see see the rest the rest of the debt of love.