November 3, 2024

Clearwater Community Church - FL

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November 3, 2024

Christian Submission to Government

November 3, 2024 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Romans 13:1–4

Theme: Christian Submission to Government

Passage: Romans 13:1–4

A people transformed by God’s grace submit to the governing authorities (13:1a).

Why?

Governing authorities are established by God (13:1b–2).

All authority derives from God (1b).

God institutes our leaders (1c).

Consequently,

Rebellion against government is against God (2a).

Rebellion against government will result in His judgment (2b).

Governing authorities are to enact God’s justice (13:3–4).

They are God’s servants for your good (4a).

Therefore, do what is right.

They are God’s servants, His agents of wrath, to punish wrongdoers (4c).

Therefore, be afraid if you practice evil.

Main Idea: A people transformed by God’s grace submit to governing authorities as an act of obedience to our God who has established them.

Obey God (Acts 5:29) and submit to governing authorities (John 19:10–11).

Pray for your leaders (1 Timothy 2:1–2).

Application Questions:

How are we to understand submission to governing authorities? What does rebellion mean in v. 2? What other passages or scenes in scripture inform our understanding of this text?

What is Paul’s primary basis for submission? To what other institutions or individuals does scripture call us to submit? How might this impact the way that we understand this command here in v. 1?

Are there caveats or exceptions to Paul’s straightforward command for us in v. 1 to submit to governing authorities? Why do you think Paul didn’t provide any here?

Why is it so important that Paul twice references governing authorities as God’s servants? How should this affect the way in which believers understand the role of government in God’s world?

How do we go about respecting this command and following its intention if our governing authorities do things that are immoral or even evil? Can you think of instances when it would be justified to obey God over human authority (Acts 5:29)?

How has this passage challenged you to act toward the governing authorities over your life?

November 24, 2024

November 24, 2024 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Romans 13:11–14

Theme: Spiritually Dressing for Success Passage: Romans 13:11–14 What time is it? (11–12a) · It’s time to wake up (Be alert). · It’s time for Christ to soon return. · It’s time to focus on the Lord’s work. Knowing Christ will soon return, live like a people transformed by God’s grace. How? (12b–14) 1. Put off works of darkness, and put on the armor of light 2. Order your life around basic decency, not perversity. 3. Put on Jesus Christ’s works, and resist the flesh’s desires. Main Idea: A people transformed by God’s grace display Jesus Christ in their actions and decisions by pursuing what one day they will be. Application Questions: · Considering Christ’s return, where do you need to focus time on Christ’s work? How are you going to go about doing that? · What works of darkness need to be taken off in your life? How do you need to put on the armor of light? · Of the three areas that we are to walk in decency rather than perversity, which area is a potential weakness for you? Why? · What does it mean for the believer to put on Jesus Christ? How are you at putting on Christ in your own life? What’s one area of your life that you need to absolutely resist to which your flesh is drawn? How are you going to address that?

November 17, 2024

November 17, 2024 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Romans 13:8–10

Theme: Paying Our Debt of Love Passage: Romans 13:8–10 Theme: Pay Your Debts Characteristics of Debt: o Owed to another o Assumed because we don’t initially have o Obligates us 1. Minimize and eliminate financial debts (8a). 2. Maintain one debt: The debt of love owed to one another (8b). a. Perpetual b. Transactional Why must we love one another? · Loving others encapsulates and undergirds all biblical commandments (9). · Loving others keeps us from doing evil toward others (10a). · Loving others fulfills the law’s requirements (8c, 10b). Main Idea: A people transformed by God’s grace fulfill the law by loving one another. Application Questions: · Why do you suppose Paul used the negative concept of debt to describe the Christian’s relationship to fellow believers? · How was the debt to love one another defined as transactional? · Is it possible for one to be a Christian and not be loving toward other believers? What biblical proof can you offer to back up your answer (hint: see John 13:34–35; 1 John 3:10, 4:7–21)? · What is meant by the dual statements in vv. 8 and 10 that loving one another fulfills the law? How does love fulfill the law? · How are you continually paying your debt to love your Christian brothers and sisters? What steps do you need to take to live out this command over the next weeks?

November 10, 2024

November 10, 2024 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Romans 13:5–7

Theme: Christian Submission to Government, Part 2 Passage: Romans 13:5–7 Theme: A people transformed by God’s grace submit to the governing authorities (13:1a) Reasons from last week (13:1b–4): Governing authorities are established by God (13:1b–2). Governing authorities are to enact God’s justice (13:3–4). Results from submitting (13:5–6): You avoid government’s wrath. You maintain a clear conscience. You display a godly testimony. Actions to do: Give the governing authorities what they are owed (7): In finance In disposition Main Idea: A people transformed by God’s grace submit to governing authorities as a witness that Christians are citizens of Christ’s kingdom. Application Questions: In looking at the results found in vv. 5–6, how would you prioritize them in order of importance or precedent. Which should come first and why? What is your conscience? Can conscience be wrong? How does the command to submit to governing authorities help you maintain a clear and calibrated conscience? Could displaying a godly testimony result in wrath or punishment? Provide some biblical examples. How might this occur today, and what should the Christian do? How can a Christian fail to submit to governing authorities in areas of finance? Are there any areas financially with which you struggle submitting? Why is our disposition toward governing authorities important? How can we have a proper disposition in attitude and speech toward those with whom we politically disagree?