Well, this morning, let's turn again to the book of Romans, and then chapter 13. Chapter 13 in the book of Romans. And I'm taking the title for the message from the words found in verse 1. And underscore these words. For there is no power but of God. No authority, no power but of God. Hey, think about that statement. God is God over all things, everywhere, all the time. He never vacated His throne. His throne is an absolute sovereign throne of power. Power and glory. No power but of God.

We read a moment ago in John 19, the Lord Jesus Christ said to Pilate, when Pilate said, don't you know I have power to crucify you or to let you go? And the Lord corrected him, didn't He? You don't have any power over me except what my Father gives you.

That you have. The risen Lord, we studied in Matthew 28, The risen Lord said to those apostles on His departing ascension to glory, He said, All power is given unto Me in heaven and earth. Go therefore and preach the gospel to every creature. Our Lord prayed in John 17, Father, You've given Me power over all flesh, that I should give eternal life to as many as the Father hath given to Me.

And then we know this scripture from the book of Romans, don't we? In Romans chapter 1, where Paul said, I'm not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, verse 16, it's the power of God unto salvation. How much power does it take to save a dead, guilty, vile sinner, and to make him a new creature in Christ? To raise him from the dead. Resurrection from the dead. What kind of power does that take? Almighty power. that only God Almighty has. There is no power but of God. No power but of God.

So with that in mind, in chapter 12, the apostle pointed out what our attitude and responsibilities were toward other believers and all men in general. Verse 18 of Roman 12, if it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably, with all men dearly beloved, avenge not yourself, but rather give place unto wrath." That's God's business. Then in chapter 13 of Romans, chapter 13, Paul gives us instruction by the Holy Spirit, what our attitude and conduct and responsibilities are to those who hold office in our government, in civil society, civil authorities, implementing the rule of law in our society. Now what would it be and what would it be like to live in a society when there's no law, no rule, no authority, no power? I tell you what it'd be. Chaos. It'd be chaos. It'd be chaos.

Now why does Paul do this? Well, one, we know all Scripture is given of God. All Scripture is God-inspired. All Scripture is given of God. Romans chapter 12 and chapter 13 are just as inspired as Romans 8 and Romans 9, where it talks about the sovereignty of God in salvation. Well, God's sovereign not only in salvation, but He's sovereign over all things, over providence in all things.

But also, why did Paul do this? Maybe some, maybe some believers had the idea, because they were now citizens of the spiritual kingdom, they should not be subject to those who ruled in civil, authority or in a earthly kingdom. We're members of a spiritual kingdom, therefore we're going to ignore the civil authorities in this earthly kingdom.

Well, you do that, you'll have problems. I'm sure you think about the Jews in the days of the Lord Jesus Christ when the Roman government, the civil authorities over all of Palestine, Judea, Israel, They had complete dominion and power over them, and they collected tribute, didn't they? That's why the publicans were collecting taxes from the Jews. You reckon they enjoyed paying the Romans to rule over them? You know they hated that. Maybe Paul was writing to remind them, Rome is in charge only because God put Rome in charge.

Think about that. Now, so let's look at these verses here. I'm gonna make a gospel application. Just be patient for a minute. We'll get down through these verses. Verse one, let every soul be subject unto higher powers. That includes you. Let every soul be subject to higher powers, for there is no power but of God and the powers that be are ordered of God. They're ordained of God. Let every person, especially believers being subjection to those with civil authority who rule as the authority of God. The powers that be are ordained of God. You see that? The powers that be are ordained of God.

There is no power but of God. Our Lord said that to Pilate in John 19. The Lord Almighty has all power in heaven and earth. No man rules anywhere without the authority of God. Think about that statement. No man rules anywhere without the authority of God. Well, if he's a dictator, or if he's an evil man, he still rules by the authority of God. No man rules anywhere without the authority of God.

He does according to His will, in the army of heaven, among the habitants of this earth. Then none can stay his hand or say unto Him, Lord God Almighty, what doest thou? He puts down rulers and kings, and He raises them up as it pleases Him. You remember this scripture from Psalm 135? I know that the Lord is great, and that our Lord is above all gods and all creatures, and whatsoever the Lord please, That did he in heaven, earth, and seas, and all places. That's what he does. He rules and reigns over all things.

The king's heart, we read in Proverbs 21, the king's heart is in the hand of the Lord. As the rivers of water, he turneth it whether so ever he will. The king's heart. I don't care what country you're talking about, where the king is, or the president, or the dictator, or whoever it is. He's in the hand of Almighty God, and God can turn him upside down just in a blink. Just in a blink. So the king's heart is in the hand of the Lord. As the rivers of water, He turns it with us wherever He will. But here's a lesson for us.

Are believers to be in subjection unto civil rule and authority in our society? Let's see what God says about it, not only here, but turn to the book of Titus. The book of Titus, a couple books before the book of Hebrews, the book of Titus chapter three, verse one. Titus chapter three, verse one, put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers to obey magistrate, to be ready to every good work, to speak evil of no man, and to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men."

So, yes, we are to be subject to civil authority, with this exception, as long as they rule according to the Word of God. When they rule outside the Word of God and demand that people do things contrary to what's written in the Word of God, that's to be resisted.

Okay? Verse 2, Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, those powers that be of God, resisteth the ordinance of God, the authority of God, and they that resist shall receive to themselves Judgment, condemnation. We're subject to rule of civil law. Subjection to civil law is always right. Rebellion and resistance against that is rebellion against God. They that resist the ordinance or arrangement of God.

We see this all the time in the news, don't we? We see this all the time in the news. People who, what we call, they resist arrest rather than being in subjection. Now, how much easier would it be to just submit to that man who puts handcuffs on you rather than to rise up in rebellion? It just causes more problems, doesn't it? It causes more issues, doesn't it? We see this in the news all the time.

People who resist arrest rather than being in subjection. They only bring condemnation and judgment of the civil law against themselves. Now again, there's an exception to the rule. The ways of the Lord are right, the just shall walk therein, but the transgressor shall fall. When those who are in authority rule against the Word of God, or rule contrary to the Word of God, then that's to be resisted.

Okay? I'll give you three or four examples. Remember in the book of Daniel, when Babylon came and destroyed Jerusalem and carried away many, many of Israel, including Daniel. Daniel had three friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And King Nebuchadnezzar made a great idol, 12 feet high, golden idol, 6 feet wide, and they were commanded to bow down and worship that idol. And the Word of God says, when they did not, if they do not bow down and worship that idol, they'll be cast into the furnace of fire. Well, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego didn't bow down to the idol, and guess what happened? There they went into the fire, but guess what else happened?

The Lord God Almighty saved them. We cast in three, but I see four, and the fourth one looks like God. God delivered them that day. God delivered them. Another example, Daniel. Daniel was forbid to pray, but he prayed anyway. And he was put in the lion's den. Well, you remember what happened? God shut the lion's mouth and those who accused Daniel, they were thrown in the lion's den. Daniel was rescued and the lion's mouth was opened and the enemies of God were devoured.

Let's turn and read this just back a few pages in Acts chapter four, the point I'm making that we're to be in subjection to all authority. Turn to the book of Acts chapter four. with the exception of those who want us to do things contrary to what the Word of God teaches for believers to do.

In Acts chapter 4, you remember in verse 17, the apostles, Acts chapter 4 verse 17, But that it spread no further among the people, let us straightly threaten them that they speak henceforth to no man in his name. And they called them and commanded them not to speak at all or teach in the name of Jesus, But Peter and John answered and said unto them, whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, Judge you for we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard So they were told not to preach anymore. Well, that was contrary to the Word of God So what did they do? They went right on preaching another example of that is found in Acts chapter 5 turn there verse 41 Acts chapter 5 41 and they departed from the presence of the council and Let's go back to verse 40. Acts chapter 5, verse 40.

And to him they agreed, and when they had called the apostles, and had beaten them, and commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go, he beat them. And they departed from the presence of the counselor, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, publicly, in every house, privately, they ceased not to teach and preach the Lord Jesus Christ. So, be in subjection as long as what they say is not contrary to the Word of God.

Those who rule with the authority of God, verse 3, for the rulers are not a terror to good works, those who rule with the authority of God, according to the will of God, for rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. But wilt thou then be afraid of the power Well, do that which is good, and thou shalt have the praise of the same. You see what he's saying here. Those who rule with the authority of God in the church, in the home, in the school, your school teacher is the authority in that classroom. Your boss on the job is the authority in that place of employment. Those who rule with the authority of God, the pastor in the church, the husband in the home, the principal in the school, in state and local government, they do so with the blessing and power of God when they rule according to the word of God.

Therefore, do that which is right and lawful, and you won't have to worry about condemnation of the law enforcer. You'll have the praise of the same, not their wrath. You act up at school, and the principal's gonna come down on you, And rightly so, but if you behave and do well and you're a good student, you don't have to worry about those things. Same way in our society. Obey that which is right and you don't have to worry about the law enforcer. You can shake his hand and say, when I ever run into a police officer, you know, just out publicly, I usually shake his hand and say, thank you. You're God's minister for my good. Thank you for being there.

So, all authority is given of God. Children are to obey their parents in the Lord. The parents are the authority in the home. Wives are being subjected to their husband. Husband is that authority in the home. Citizens of the state are to obey the laws of the state. Law-abiding citizens will have no problem with the law of the state when they comply to it. Don't worry about that knock on the door at two or three o'clock in the morning coming to arrest you.

Verse four, for he is the minister of God to thee for good. He's looking out for your good. He's not looking out to harm you. He's the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, you break the law, be afraid, for he does not bear the justice to sword of God in vain. Again, he's a minister of God to revenge and to execute judgment upon those that do evil.

Now, that doesn't need much explanation, does it? Twice in its one verse, those who are in authority are called ministers of God. Those who obey civil law are protected. Those who obey the civil law are to be protected by the ministers of God. Those who disobey the law are to be punished. by the ministers of God, who are the instrument and proper judicial punishment of God.

We're not to take the law into our own hands, but rather give place to wrath, judgment, and let those who are designated by God, who operate with his authority, decide what the proper judgment and justice should be. this authority in society, we would have total, total chaos. Another, Peter tells us the same thing.

Turn over to 1 Peter chapter 2. 1 Peter chapter 2, look at verse 13. 1 Peter 2.13. 1 Peter 2.13. Submit yourselves to every man's ordinance of the Lord, excuse me, submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether it be king or supreme. or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well-doing you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men, as free, not using your liberty for a cloak or covering of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honor all men, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king. Again, that needs no explanation, does it? Look back at Romans 13 verse 5.

Wherefore, you must be in subjection, not only because you will be punished if you break the law, but also for your conscience sake. You ever had a guilty conscience? Everybody's had a guilty conscience. Not only for judgment's sake, if you break the law, you're in trouble. They're coming after you. And rightly so. But also for your conscience's sake. You won't have a guilty conscience if you don't do that which is unlawful. If you obey the law, you'll get along just fine.

And the law of God is written on every man's conscience. The law of God is written on every man's conscience. Every man, whether he's in China or Africa or some other foreign place, what we say a third world country, they know in their heart, because the law of God is written on their heart, they know it's wrong to murder someone. That law is written on their conscience.

Now, look at verse 6. Romans 13 verse 6, For this cause pay you tribute also. recognize God's authority. Pay you tribute also for they are God's ministers attending continually upon this very thing. That's their business, to enforce the law. For this cause, God is always, God's cause is always true and right. The way of the Lord is always right because the judge of all the earth will do right. It's right, it's always right to do the right thing. to support that which the Lord has ordained in the church or in government, where to willingly, as it says there, pay tribute to whom tribute is due, where to willingly pay our state tax, our federal tax, our local tax, to support our government.

Now, we can do it willingly. It doesn't mean we enjoy it, but You know, the taxes we pay and what we give, we have better roads, better streets. We have order in society. Wouldn't it be something if we didn't have a jail? Why do we have jail? Why do we have deputy sheriffs? Why do we have law enforcement? Because people by nature are law breakers. It's only the grace of God that keeps you from breaking the law.

So it's always right and good to support that which the Lord has ordained, willing to pay up what is due. In doing so, we demonstrate that we're in subjection to the authority of God. The Lord demonstrates this so clearly for us. And I want you to turn and read this with me. Turn to Matthew 17. Remember, in the matter of paying taxes, the Lord was asked that. Should we pay taxes unto Caesars? You remember His answer? Look at Matthew 17, verse 24. Matthew 17, verse 24. Matthew 17, 24. And when they were come to Capernaum, They that received tribute money came to Peter and said, does your master pay taxes? Does he pay tribute?

And Peter said, yes, yes, he does. When he was coming to the house, the Lord prevented him saying, what thinkest thou, Simon, of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute of their own children or strangers? And Peter said to him, well, strangers. The Lord said to him, then are the children free? notwithstanding lest we should offend them, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take up the fish, the first that cometh up, and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money, that take, and give it unto them for me and thee." Was the Lord subject to paying Roman tax? Yeah, He was. Here's another example of that. Turn to Luke chapter 20. Luke chapter 20. You see the law, the Lord Jesus Christ not only obeyed the holy law of God, but also the civil law. The laws in the land where He lived there in Judea.

In Luke chapter 20, Luke chapter 20 verse 19, Luke 20, verse 9, excuse me, Luke 20, let's read down to verse, Well, verse 19, the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him, for they feared the people, for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.

And they watched him and sent forth spies which should vain themselves or pretend to be just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the government. And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any but teachest the way of God truly.

Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar? They were trying to trap him again. And he perceived their craftiness and said unto them, why tempt ye me? Show me a penny whose image and subscription hath it. And they said unto him, Caesars. Verse 25, he said unto them, render therefore unto Caesar the thing which are Caesar's, and unto God the thing which be of God. And they could not take hold of his words before the people, and they marveled at his answer and held their peace. They could not take hold of his words. Render therefore unto Caesar the thing which are Caesar's. Now, in essence, all things belong to who? God. All things are God's. render unto God the things that are of God.

Now verse 7, render therefore to all their dues, tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom is due, fear to whom fear is due, honor to whom honor is due. Now, In doing so, we honor God, who has ordained these things to our good. It's therefore our responsibility to obey, respect, and submit to those in authority, as we would as unto the Lord, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Now, with the time remaining, I've got about five minutes or so, but I want us to make a gospel application from the words found in verse 7.

Render therefore to all their dues. Render unto God everything that he is due. All things are of God. Render therefore unto God all things. Who is due tribute? The Lord our God. Who is due custom and honor? The Lord our God. To whom are we to fear? The Lord our God. To whom are we to honor? The Lord our God. So let's look at those three or four things there for just a minute. We are to render or to give tribute to whom tribute is due.

The Lord owns all things. He said the earth is the Lord and the fullness thereof. In a matter of salvation, believers openly, freely, boldly declare that all tribute goes and is owing our salvation to the Lord Jesus Christ alone. He is the minister of God to you for good. He's your minister to you for good. Salvation is of the Lord. I am what I am by the grace of God.

We are to give custom, and that word can be rendered duty, to whom it is owed. This word custom can also be rendered the end or finally. We are to render the end of all things unto the Lord. And I mean by that, Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believe it. He said it is finished. It is finished. Render the end of all things unto the Lord. Listen to this scripture.

Christ is the beginning and the end of our salvation. He said, I'm Alpha, the Omega, the beginning, the ending. He's the beginning of our salvation. He's the end of our salvation. I'm Alpha, Omega, the beginning, the ending, say it to the Lord, which is, which was, and is to come, the Almighty.

Believers, Trust Christ unto the end. They persevere in the faith because they're kept by the power of God. He is worthy of all our trust. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive all honor, glory, blessing, and power. We're to trust Him all times unto the end.

Render therefore to all their dues tribute to whom tribute is due custom. Custom. to whom custom is due. Thirdly, fear to whom fear is due. Fear and respect to whom it is owed. That fear is reverence to those who are in authority. The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord, isn't it? The Apostle Thomas when the Lord appeared to them, the risen Lord appeared to them. You remember, Thomas wasn't in the midst. And the apostles told Thomas, the Lord's risen. And you remember, they call him Doubting Thomas.

He said, I will not believe that He's risen unless I put my hand, my finger in the nail print of His hand and put my hand in His side. I will not believe. And then the Lord appeared to him, and the Lord said, Behold my hands. You want to touch me? Behold my side. You want to feel where the spear went in? He said, Be not faithless, but believing. Thomas said, My Lord and my God. He bowed, bowed in submission. So, he showed reverence, didn't he? My Lord and my God. He did reverence and respect the Lord.

The fear of the Lord, Proverbs 1, 7. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Again, Proverbs 9, verse 10. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the holy is understanding.

He gives us an understanding that we may know Him that is true, and we're in Him that is true. Honor to whom honor is due. Honor to whom honor is due. Now this word honor can also, and I've looked it up, it also can be rendered precious. Precious. The Lord Jesus Christ is precious in his person and in his work. Give honor to him who is precious.

His person, God Almighty, manifest in the flesh. His work of redemption is indeed precious to you who believe. He redeemed us with his precious blood. He obtained for us eternal redemption with his own blood. Peter, in his first and second epistle, uses this word precious, precious five times, honor to whom honor is due, precious.

In 1 Peter 2.7 it says, To you who believe, He is an honor. He is precious. He is precious to you who believe.

1 Peter 1.18, We are redeemed with His precious blood.

1 Peter 1.7 says, The trial of your faith being much more precious than gold that perishes. And then 2 Peter 1, verse 1 says that we have been given and have obtained light, precious faith through the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. And then again in 2 Peter 1, 4, we read about the precious promises of God, whereby are given to us exceeding great and precious promises.

You see, honor to whom honor is due. He is precious. He's precious to believers. All the promises of God in Him are yes and in Him. Amen. His person, His work, His intercession. His intercession for us is precious, isn't it? He ever lived to intercede for us.

His return. When is the Lord coming back? You know He's on His way. He's on His way. The Lord's coming back. He said, Behold, He's coming. He's on His way back. I'm looking for Him who is coming. Render therefore to all their dues, tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom is due, fear to whom fear is due, honor to whom honor is due. We make that gospel application. Well, good instruction for us. Do we need it?