Last saved by: Ron Burk

Respect for Authority
Sunday, March 18
Class Plan - Content
1. Introduction
2-3 Of much we have been FORGIVEN, 
therefore we pray that all men be saved
4 Personal Relationships – how we should treat others
5-6-7 False Teachers; Why, How, What
8  All SCRIPTURE is inspired by GOD and PROFITABLE 
9-10 The role of WOMEN in the Church
11-12 Widows; Then & Now
Teaching Values: Respect
by Jeff Asher
“We live in a time when respect for others and their property is lacking. It is not uncommon for youths and even adults to show no deference to the aged, those in authority or those who sacrifice and serve in the community. 
In the Bible the virtue of respect is conveyed in the words "honor" and "esteem" 
(Romans 13:7; 1 Peter 2:17; Matthew 15:4; 1 Timothy 6:16; Philippians 2:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:15). 
Christians have the duty to honor those to whom honor is due, and as parents we have an obligation to train our children to render this respect.”

Notes:
This is the introduction to well written essay found on the internet. 

Following are our texts from Timothy and Titus:

All men, Kings and all in Authority
1 Timothy 2:1-2 _(NASB) 
^1First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, ^2for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

Authority has a God given job to do
1 Timothy 1:8-11 _(NASB) 
^8But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, ^9realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers ^10and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, ^11according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.

Be subject
Titus 3:1-2 _(NASB) 
^1Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, ^2to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.

Notes:
The doctrine laid out is simple and clear. If we had only these three books we should know that God commands us to show respect and honor to all men and to demonstrate that respect to civil authorities in obedience.

This doctrine is consistently  reinforced by all other Scripture, with a single caveat. 

Consider first Jesus’ direct teaching regarding obedience to the Roman government, specifically in regard to paying taxes.

Render to Caesar …
Matthew 22:17-22_(NASB) 
^17“Tell us then, what do You think? Is it lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?” ^18But Jesus perceived their malice, and said, “Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites? ^19“Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax.” And they brought Him a denarius. ^20And He said^* to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” ^21They said^* to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He said^* to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.” ^22And hearing this, they were amazed, and leaving Him, they went away. 

Notes:
Consider the Apostle Paul’s direct instruction to the church in Rome.

Be Subject
Romans 13:1-3_(NASB) 
^1Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. ^2Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 

Notes:
We live in an age where governments have grown to have more day to day personal influence on the lives of their Citizens than at any time in History.  The Unites States prides itself in being the land of freedom, but our government injects itself into everything. We privately form pacts to live our lives as if this were not true, but if anything goes wrong with the pact, one person can invite the authorities to “help”.  

Is it any wonder in this age of all-intrusive governments that we have resentments?

But consider the places in the World where there is Anarchy or rule by a Tyrant…
In these places, ordinary innocents live in fear and desperation.

The point being that God ordained Civil Government. He created them for a purpose, and to rebel against them demonstrates rebellion against him.

So… What is this purpose?

Do you want to have no fear of Authority ?
Romans 13:3-4_(NASB) 
^3For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; ^4for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. 

Necessary for you
Romans 13:5-7_(NASB) 
^5Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. ^6For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. ^7Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. 

Notes:
Peter echoes these same principles:
That we submit to institutions ordained by God for the sake of respect to God.
That we respect the authority to restrain evil God gave these governments.

Submit for the Lord’s sake
1 Peter 2:13-17_(NASB) 
^13Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, ^14or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. ^15For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. ^16Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. ^17Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king. 

Notes:
The Roman Empire as crafted by Augustus was a model in the respect of Authority.
Consider these two stories that demonstrate this in Roman Officials and Jesus:

Two men who understood Respect !
Matthew 8:5-10_(NASB) 
^5And when Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, imploring Him, ^6and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, fearfully tormented.” ^7Jesus said^* to him, “I will come and heal him.” ^8But the centurion said, “Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed. ^9“For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” ^10Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, “Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel.

Two men who understood Respect !
John 19:10-11_(NASB) 
^10So Pilate said^* to Him, “You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?” ^11Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.”
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Respect is learned not learned by watching someone deserve it.
It is learned by watching someone show respect whether it is deserved or not. 
Train up a Child in the way he should go                                         
   						Proverbs 22:6
You will one day wish that your children have learned respect. They will need to respect you, or some other authority, to avoid making some tragic choice. 
On that day, the respect they learned from you, their parents,  will determine their response.
Training a child begins the moment they are born. They will learn what their parents teach them whether the parents realize what they teach or not.
Did they see you show due respect to each other, and to other people?
Did they learn to express respect though obedience?

Train up a Child in the way he should go                                         
   						Proverbs 22:6
Mothers, if your children have watched you show no respect to your Husband, they are not likely to respect him either. 
Fathers, if you have failed to show the respect due your Wife, they will not respect her. 
Mothers and Fathers – if either of you fail to show respect to the other, the respect you children show will not only be diminished for the other , it will be diminished for you as well.
If they ride home with you listening to you acting and speaking against the law,  your employer, against church leaders, failing to respect these, … they will learn what they know of respect from you.
Respect for Authority
Proverbs 24:21-22_(NASB) 
^21 My son, fear the LORD and the king; Do not associate with those who are given to change, ^22 For their calamity will rise suddenly, And who knows the ruin that comes from both of them?