“It is only a slight exaggeration to say that the history of the interpretation of Romans 13:1–7 is the history of attempts to avoid what seems to be its plain meaning” (Douglas Moo).

Hello to You,

And welcome to Romans 13:1-7, one of the most controversial passages in the Bible. And there is our key.

“In the Bible …”

I have been thinking through this text for weeks now, anticipating, sometimes almost dreading, our arrival here. But not now. God did something a while back.

He said, “Dave, what does it say? What is the headline? Preach the headline. Preach the words plainly stated, clearly written, and I will be pleased.”

So I am asking you. What does it say? Let’s begin here.

• (Romans 13:1–7 ESV) 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.

So what does God say? It is “in the Bible,” so what does God tell us “in the Bible” as he begins to instruct us on our relationship with those in authority over us?

Submit to, be subject to, etc. depending on our translation. Same meaning, same problem.

• “But our government has passed this legislation.” “We are no longer honoring God in our legislative system.” “We’ve taken prayer out of the schools.” Righteous indignation, etc.

So will we honor God by taking him at his word? Is our government evil to contend with or God’s servant? What does God say? Three times in our text God calls the people in government over us his ministers or servants. (See the study sheets for more details.)

If we trust God as Sovereign LORD and providential Ruler of the Universe, then we have a wonderful opportunity of blessing to trust him here.

Whatever position you decide to take as you approach this text, you may want to ask yourself this question: Is my study (or my protests or my hypotheticals) bringing me closer to obedience of this very plain truth or taking me further away?

And there you have it. It’s “in the Bible.” Will you study and gather information that directs you to hear the voice of God or will you throw in with the many evangelical and fundamentalist voices that blur the clearly written truth and spew dishonor and fear.

• Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.

Message Title: Governing Authorities: The Servants of God!

Message Text: Romans 13:1-7

• PDF LESSON 34 : Governing Authorities- The Servants of God : Romans 13:1-7 : FFC : dave scott : 051715 : STUDY SHEET ONE
• PDF LESSON 34 : Governing Authorities- The Servants of God : Romans 13:1-7 : FFC : dave scott : 051715 : STUDY SHEET TWO

Hello All,

Here is this week’s bulletin.

• PDF Bulletin FFC May 17 2015

Let every soul – Every person. In the seven first verses of this chapter, the apostle discusses the subject of the duty which Christians owe to civil government; a subject which is extremely important, and at the same time exceedingly difficult. There is no doubt that he had express reference to the special situation of the Christians at Rome; but the subject was of so much importance that he gives it a “general” bearing, and states the great principles on which all Christians are to act. The circumstances which made this discussion proper and important were the following:

• The Christian religion was designed to extend throughout the world. Yet it contemplated the rearing of a kingdom amid other kingdoms, an empire amid other empires. Christians professed supreme allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ; he was their Lawgiver, their Sovereign, their Judge. It became, therefore, a question of great importance and difficulty, “what kind” of allegiance they were to render to earthly magistrates.

• Nor was the case much different with the “Gentile” converts. They would naturally look with abhorrence on the system of idolatry which they had just forsaken. They would regard all as opposed to God. They would denounce the “religion” of the pagans as abomination; and as that religion was interwoven with the civil institutions, there was danger also that they might denounce the government altogether, and be regarded as opposed to the laws of the land,

• The kingdoms of the world were then “pagan” kingdoms. The laws were made by pagans, and were adapted to the prevalence of paganism. Those kingdoms had been generally founded in conquest, and blood, and oppression. Many of the monarchs were blood-stained warriors; were unprincipled men; and were polluted in their private, and oppressive in their public character. Whether Christians were to acknowledge the laws of such kingdoms and of such men, was a serious question, and one which could not but occur very early. It would occur also very soon, in circumstances that would be very affecting and trying. Soon the hands of these magistrates were to be raised against Christians in the fiery scenes of persecution; and the duty and extent of submission to them became a matter of very serious inquiry.

• Many of the early Christians were composed of Jewish converts. Yet the Jews had long been under Roman oppression, and had borne the foreign yoke with great uneasiness. The whole pagan magistracy they regarded as founded in a system of idolatry; as opposed to God and his kingdom; and as abomination in his sight. With these feelings they had become Christians; and it was natural that their former sentiments should exert an influence on them after their conversion. How far they should submit, if at all, to heathen magistrates, was a question of deep interest; and there was danger that the “Jewish” converts might prove to be disorderly and rebellious citizens of the empire.

• There “were” cases where it was right to “resist” the laws. This the Christian religion clearly taught; and in cases like these, it was indispensable for Christians to take a stand. When the laws interfered with the rights of conscience; when they commanded the worship of idols, or any moral wrong, then it was their duty to refuse submission. Yet in what cases this was to be done, where the line was to be drawn, was a question of deep importance, and one which was not easily settled. It is quite probable, however, that the main danger was, that the early Christians would err in “refusing” submission, even when it was proper, rather than in undue conformity to idolatrous rites and ceremonies.

• In the “changes” which were to occur in human governments, it would be an inquiry of deep interest, what part Christians should take, and what submission they should yield to the various laws which might spring up among the nations. The “principles” on which Christians should act are settled in this chapter.

Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”

And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.”

‭‭John‬ ‭6:29, 39-40‬ ‭NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/jhn.6.29,39-40.nlt

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• Colchester Area Historical Society annual indoor potluck picnic will be Tuesday (May 19) at 6 P.M. at Colchester City Hall Community Room located in Friendway Park. Attendees are to bring a dish to share. Steam burgers will be provided.

Hello All,

And a Happy Saturday to you.

Oh, and …

Happy Mother’s Day!

Here is this week’s bulletin.

• PDF Bulletin FFC May 10 2015

The Great Battle Is Joined: Good Versus Evil!

Hello to You,

How do I win? How do I overcome evil? What are God’s specific instructions? And where does a person begin?

• We have sound doctrine under our feet (Romans 1-8).
• We see our place in redemptive history (Romans 9-11).
• We have presented ourselves as living sacrifices and are beginning to experientially know the will of God (Romans 12:1-2).
• We have evaluated our lives in humility and embraced the “skill set” God has blessed us with (Romans 12:3-8).

Now our LORD prepares us for practical service and the evil we will face, both within and without.

BIG QUESTION: Do I truly believe God and trust his direction?

Now we shall see if we really believe God  as he will push us past our understanding to his as we join the fray against the darkness. Now we come to grips with our submission to being transformed by the renewing of our minds.

Message Title: Overcoming Evil with Good!

Message Text: Romans 12:9-21

• PDF LESSON 33 : Overcoming Evil with Good : Romans 12:9-21 : FFC : dave scott : 050315 : STUDY SHEET ONE
• PDF LESSON 33 : Overcoming Evil with Good : Romans 12:9-21 : FFC : dave scott : 050315 : STUDY SHEET TWO

• (1 Peter 3:8–17 NIV84) Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. 11 He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

(Romans 12:9–21 ESV)

⁹ Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. ¹⁰ Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. ¹¹ Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. ¹² Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. ¹³ Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. ¹⁷ Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.

¹⁸ If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. ¹⁹ Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” ²⁰ To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.