All Authority Comes from God

What God Says About Government I Part 1 I Pastor Vince DiPaola

Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” —Matthew 28:18, NIV

Three Important Questions About The Relationship Between God’s Authority And Human Government

1. Has every single leader been established by God?

YES, GOD EITHER SENDS THEM OR ALLOWS THEM.

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. —Romans 13:1, NIV

But when they [Israel’s Elders] said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. And the LORD told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.” Samuel told all the words of the LORD to the people who were asking him for a king…. “When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the LORD will not answer you in that day.” —1 Samuel 8:6-10, 18, NIV (see also 1 Samuel 9:15-16)

2. Does this mean God sanctions all that leaders do?

NO, ONLY AS THEY MAINTAIN HIS MORAL STANDARD.

For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. —Romans 13:4a, NIV

The jailer told Paul, “The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.” But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.” —Acts 16:36-37, NIV

3. How could a good God give all leaders authority?

THEY ALL SERVE TO ACCOMPLISH HIS PURPOSES.

“With my great power and outstretched arm I made the earth and its people and the animals that are on it, and I give it to anyone I please. Now I will give all your countries into the hands of my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; I will make even the wild animals subject to him. All nations will serve him and his son and his grandson until the time for his land comes; then many nations and great kings will subjugate him.” —Jeremiah 27:5-7, NIV

“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 19:10-11a, NIV

The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He pleases. —Proverbs 21:1, NASB

Lakeshore Community Church April 11, 2021 (S290-1377)