How Do You Treat Those Who Rule Over You?

Well, as we know, across the country there continues to be great frustration and outrage, outright anger. Among many people, what we continue to hear are the outgoing federal, but primarily state and local government restrictions upon many of our normal lifestyles, some cases even our civil liberties in this country.

We know about these restrictions. We know what many of these restrictions are like because we have also experienced them. These include stay-at-home orders, the slow reopening of what they claim are non-essential businesses versus essential businesses from limited capacity requirements 25% and then 50%, and then there are still some non-essential businesses in some part of this country still closed. And that includes, perhaps not much longer, churches and places of worship. From all parts of the country, across all corners, people are becoming more frustrated and, frankly, a little more disobedient. Some cases, or a few cases, I think just very few, that some are threatening violence against government. They're getting rather agitated. Many decry the prolonged effects of the restrictions upon their livelihoods and, as I mentioned earlier, their civil liberties.

In Lansing, Michigan, this past week, for example, you may have seen this on the news, police ticketed seven people for cutting hair during a protest outside Michigan Capitol. About a dozen barbers and hairstylists defied the stay-at-home orders to give free haircuts.

Angela Riegas said she was ticketed after refusing three times to stop cutting hair.

She said, we're all here for the same reason, to show the governor that our rights do not come from her and that we need to open Michigan. People need to get back to work, she said. I will not stand down, said Carl Mankie, you probably saw this gentleman on TV, a 77-year-old barber who cut hair at the demonstration. His license was suspended by regulators last week after he reopened his shop in Ossofosso. This is from the Detroit Free Press, I'm reading. Governor Whitmer, who's handling the pandemic has been supported in public polling, is gradually lifting restrictions so more business sectors can partly or fully reopen. The stay-at-home order is in effect at least through May 28th. She said this week it is very unlikely that salons and barber shops will be allowed to reopen next week, saying people cannot socially distance for a haircut.

Earlier this week, on Monday, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said the city will be taking action to find churches that violated the statewide stay-at-home order on Sunday, last Sunday, by holding services with more people than allowed by the governor's COVID-19 restrictions. This is from local CBS channel. Certainly there are some churches that congregate in excess of the allowable 10 persons, and we will be taking action as to those individuals in those churches. The mayor said officials will determine which church has violated the stay-at-home order on Monday and announce fines against them later in the day. But the pastor, Joseph Rauchstek, said the state governor, J.B. Pritzker's stay-at-home rules are unfair. We've heard about unfair in the past few days.

Previous message. And so for weeks now, people have been staging protests against state lockdowns, and the signs they have carried express their fear and, a lot of times, their anger about state government restrictions upon them. Some of these signs are, well, some of the signs just read like this. One said, give me liberty or give me COVID. Another said, freedom over safety. They're willing to take the risk to open up.

One other said, fight the virus, not the people. And another sign read, I'll take dangerous freedom over peaceful tyranny. Now, some protesters had more modest yet still seditious demands of their state government. One carried a sign that read, I want a haircut.

Some of us may still be waiting for haircuts. I was able to squeeze in.

And another bore a sign that read, don't cancel my golf season.

Everyday people everywhere across the country, all of us want to get, all of us, all of them, want to get our normal lives back. And when we hear about these counts and see what's going on in television, some of them are very much in dire straits, as perhaps so are some of us.

Our hearts really do go out to these people. Their real-life stories can be powerfully moving.

And sometimes their stories can be so powerfully moving that we can get so caught up in their heartbreak and their frustration that we might find ourselves cheering on the little guy, that little guy who is boldly rebelling against the big, big, bad government.

Could our own experience ever cause us to speak rebellious terms against our government?

Could our own experiences in this crisis cause us to speak, shall we say, evil against our leaders?

Would we rebel against government protocols and regulations, some of those that are sharing with you during announcement bulletins? Would we refuse to wear a mask if we were ordered to do so, as is occurring in some cities and states? With such rebellion, with such defiance, would that be an appropriate attitude and approach for followers of Jesus Christ?

So what should be our approach and our regard, our response, to the rulers and authorities that govern us? What guidance and instruction does the Bible give? That has to be our source document. That has to be where we go for answers.

During these times of crisis of increasing frustration and turmoil in society across the nation, across the globe, frankly, it seems now is a good time to review what the Bible says about how we should treat those who rule over us. Now is a good time to review what the Bible says about how we should treat those who rule over us. The title of my sermon is, How Do You Treat Those Who Rule Over You? How Do You Treat Those Who Rule Over You? To begin, let's remember that God establishes or appoints governments. God establishes kingdoms and powers. Let's be turning back to Psalm 75, verse 6 through 7. Psalm 75, 6 through 7.

And here are two scriptures that remind us that God sets up or puts down in positions of power and leadership whosoever he will. Psalm 75, verse 6 through 7.

For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south, but God is the judge. He puts down one and exalts another. He puts down one and exalts another. Daniel also asserts God's authority in establishing governments. We find this point being made several times in the book of Daniel. If you'll be turning there with me.

Back in the book of Daniel, Daniel 2, verse 20 through 21. In Daniel 2, verse 20 through 21, we're breaking into the middle of thought. Daniel answered and said, Bless be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are his, and he changes the times and the seasons. He removes kings and raises up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. Again, we see this idea that God removes kings, he raises kings up, puts them down, takes them up.

Let's also flip a page or two over to Daniel 4. There we find the account of Daniel interpreting King Nebuchadnezzar's dream about this great tree and how God, and also Daniel, is going to explain that God would cause the king to become like this beast of the field, the beast of the field for seven years. But it's here that Daniel also makes clear that God rules over the kingdoms and governments of the world. And he sets up again whomever he chooses. We see this in verse 17, Daniel 4.17. Again, breaking into the narrative here. This decision is by the decrees of the watchers and the sentence by the horde of the holy ones. In order that the living may know that the most high rules in the kingdom of men gives it to whomever he will and sets over it the lowest of men, God chooses.

Let's also read verse 25, same chapter, Daniel 4.25, referring to what's about to happen to Nebuchadnezzar. They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beast of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know, what is he going to know? What will he learn? That the most high rules in the kingdom of men and gives it to whomever he chooses. And then, finally here in this chapter, verse 34 through 35.

In verse 34-35, after God restored Nebuchadnezzar's mind and his authority, Nebuchadnezzar himself was inspired to recognize and to declare that God reigns in heaven and over the earth. No authority on earth exists except by his hand. Here we read verse 34.

And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me. And I blessed the most high and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion. And his kingdom is from generation to generation, all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing. He does according to his will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. So he's going to do what he wants on the earth, to all the inhabitants. No one can restrain his hand or say to him, what have you done?

What have you done? In other words, nobody tells God what to do.

And I believe we heard that earlier, as part of the lesson that Job learned.

What these verses in Daniel and Psalm 75 tell us is that God is the most high authority and ruler of heaven and earth. Anyone who has a position of authority or rulership, the powers that be, they have it because God has allowed it to be so. The powers, authorities, governments, and rulers that exist by the highest permission and authority of God. It's pretty incredible when you think about it.

Now, God being the most high takes us to another point in understanding how we should treat, we're addressing that question, how we should treat and approach those in authority over us.

We must remember that just as authority and rulership and law is from God most high, so is God's authority, rulership, and law also higher than man's authority. He gives it to man.

So when it comes to whose authority and laws should be obeyed, whether it should be obeyed by God or man, when there's conflict there, the answer will always be God's law.

That's the lesson and the example Peter and the other apostles set for us when they stood before the Sanhedrin with this absolute faith, this absolute faith in God's higher authority. If you turn with me, we can read about that. We're just going to look at a few scriptures here.

As the Pentecost is approaching, chances are good. If you haven't yet, maybe you want to start reading through this section of Acts. But let's turn to Acts 4, verse 18 through 20. Acts 4, 18 through 20. And here we read, And so they, the Sanhedrin, that is, called them and commanded them not to speak at all, nor teach in the name of Jesus. They're telling Peter and John, you're not to speak nor teach at all in the name of Jesus.

But Peter and John answered and said to them, whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. And of course he's speaking to these priests and leaders of Judah. They know. Verse 20, he says, For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and have heard. Remember, they are eyewitnesses that Jesus was the Christ. And so they remained steadfast in faith with God. They did not obey men. There's a conflict. They chose to obey God. They chose to obey God's higher authority. And so they continued then to preach and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

And when they were arrested again, they stood before the Sanhedrin a second time.

We see this incident in Acts 5 verse 27, Acts 5, 27, 29. So they arrested again, and they stood before the Sanhedrin again. Acts 5, 27. And when they had brought them, the guards had brought them, the apostles, they set them before the council, the Sanhedrin again. And the high priest asked them, saying, Did we not strictly command you not to teach in his name?

And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood on us, referring to Jesus Christ. But Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

And so Peter, John, and the apostles set the standard by which we must guide our conscience as well. When there is a conflict between the laws of men and the law of God, we must choose to stand with God regardless of the consequences. Now, understanding and remembering, then, that the supremacy of God's authority, that helps us to clear away any confusion that we might find in understanding Peter's instruction about submission and about authority. Let's turn to 1 Peter chapter 2, chapter 2, verse 13 through 14.

1 Peter 2, we were there earlier in the previous sermon, 1 Peter 2, verse 13.

Here, let's read this together. Peter writes verse 13 of 1 Peter 2, therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance. Some translation may have institution, these creations by authority of men. This might also include expanding the meaning. It could include the rules, the laws, regulations, these institutions, ordinances a man might make. Therefore, submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. And so what Peter means, he's talking about here, is that we need to submit to every ordinance, institution, their laws, their rules, their decrees of authority, that man has been given that responsibility to do by God.

And he's suggesting here, telling us here, we need to comply with them. But because of the supremacy of God's authority and law, we would submit ourselves to the laws of men and their institutions as long as they comply with God's authority and God's law.

Now the word submit here does not mean what we might think it means. The word submit here does not mean or convey any sense of this forced obedience against one's will. It is not a forced obedience against one's will. The word translated as submit in verse 13 is hooputasso, h-u-tasso, h-y-p-o, looks like hypo, and then t-a-s-s-o. According to the outline of biblical usage, this word, hooputasso, was a Greek military term meaning to arrange troop divisions in a military fashion under the command of a leader. And so it's about putting people in order, putting them in a sequence of order, who's above him, who's above the next person, and so on. But what's interesting is it's non-military use, and that's where the meaning becomes interesting or this word submit.

In non-military use, hooputasso or submit, it was a voluntary attitude of giving in.

Submit here refers to this voluntary attitude of giving in, an attitude of cooperating, an attitude of assuming responsibility, and it carries with us this connotation of carrying a burden, sharing and carrying a burden. And so Peter is not saying here that we should literally obey every single ordinance, all these institutions blindly, all their decrees and rules and regulations, all these things people create. We should not just follow them blindly, because human authorities and their laws can often be contrary to God's authority, to God's law.

We mustn't submit to rules if it means contradicting God's authority, if it means not complying with God's law, of course the Ten Commandments. The basic summary of that is love God and love your neighbor. And so rather than instructing us here in 1 Peter 2, 13 through 14, so rather than instructing us into this forced compliance to human authority and to human ordinances, Peter is actually exhorting us to have an attitude of willing cooperation, as we can working in cooperation and harmony with human institutions. It's an attitude of willing cooperation and sharing the responsibility of upholding the authority and rulership God has set in place over us. And when we do this, and this is interesting, when we do this we are helping to create a better society. We consider it when we do these things we are able to become those lights in a darkened world, not for our glory but for the glory of God. And so it's this idea of sharing the responsibility of upholding the authority and rulership God has set in place over us. When we do this we are helping to create a better society in which, as much as it depends on us, we live peaceably with all men. Romans 12 18. And we're to do this for the Lord's sake into His glory. And as we're doing what Peter says, obeying the law, supporting the government over us, being good citizens, and then anything foolish or ignorant, anything foolish or ignorant that people may say about us, being Christ's followers, we will help to silence the things, the foolish, illogical, wrong things people may say about us just because we are different. We will stand out in a crowd. We're supposed to stand out in a crowd as Christians. But as we follow God's laws, we work where we can to support the laws of man when they do not contradict God's law. Well, then we're being a wonderful example, and we're able to put to silence the foolish things our enemies may say about us. In other words, we're building a good reputation. And people may not know why they like us. They may not know why we're so honest. They may not know why our kids are so great or why your grandparents are so kind and sweet. We know. We know.

And so that's what Peter's talking about then, if you look in verse 15. That seems to be the gist of his message here in verse 15. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. Perhaps our example will help to remove their ignorance. That would be the ideal. Now continuing on here in verse 16. Verse 16 reads, it's a New King James version.

At least it is for me a little challenging to understand as it's written here. It says, as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bond servants of God. Let me read this one to you, this verse to you from the English Standard Version. It reads this way. So Peter now is commanding us after this to live as people who are free. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. And so Peter here is urging those who have been freed from sin and death, who have taken upon themselves the decision in faith to excise faith and living sacrifice of Christ to be baptized, to receive His Holy Spirit. Peter is urging those who have been freed from sin and death to not live as if they are no longer under the authority of law. Sometimes people may get the idea, I'm baptized, I'm saved, I can do anything I want. We've heard about people thinking like that, but that is not what Peter is talking about. It's actually a warning not to do that.

And so he says, in other words, let me put it this way, in other words, though we may have been freed from sins, we must live as willing and joyful bondservants. A better word might be as slaves and faithful service to God. Moreover, we are not to hide behind a cloak or a facade of religiosity. We're not to be hypocrites. That can happen, for example, if we talk about God, we can say how much we love God, we say how much we believe in God, but yet not do what he says. That's the thing we must avoid. James 1.22 says, we must be doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves, deceiving ourselves. So we can relax in our we can relax in our duty to be diligent, to love God, and to love neighbor, and so thereby reject a return to slavery, to return to self-love. So we need to put our hearts into serving God, to serving neighbor. For loving God, loving neighbor, we will not be so fixated on loving ourselves. Then Peter ends his discussion about submission to government, submission to authorities, in verse 17. He ends it with these rather four concise, well, they really read like commands, don't they? In verse 17 he says, honor all people. This would suggest that we must show respect for every human being, every human being, even those that don't respect us. Is that fair? Oh yeah.

It's because each person has the potential to be a member in God's divine family. They have the potential to be right there along with us in the kingdom of God. Second command, love the brotherhood.

He's telling us to express his special love. There's a special love that's always due to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Why? Because we're family. That should mean something to us.

And I think it does. We miss our family lately. We're ready to get back together.

Third command, fear God. We must revere and worship God, first and foremost. And then finally, honor the King. Our highest duty, and you compare these last two commands, fear God, honor the King. Our highest duty and respect is required towards God. But we must not neglect the duty and respect we owe to the King. Or we might say the duty and respect that we owe to those who rule over us in authority. These are from the verses in God's Word. Now what else does the Bible teach us about how we are to treat rulers and authorities? That's what we're probing here. What else does the Bible teach us about how we are to treat rulers and authorities? Let's turn to Romans 13, verses 1 through 7. Let's turn Romans 13, please. Verse 1 through 7. Excuse me.

Now much of Paul's instruction here in this section, Romans 13, 1 through 7, it's going to sound familiar to us by now. And that's a great thing because the Bible is in harmony. It teaches, it teaches, it reteaches, and reteaches its unity and harmony. Much of Paul's instruction here rehearses what we've learned from Daniel, what we learned in Psalms, what we learned from Peter about God being the source of all authority, including the authority of those who rule over us.

So let's read here and notice just how well Paul's instruction conveys different wording, but it conveys much of the same meaning as Peter's instruction to us. Verse 1, Paul writes, Let every soul be subject, every life, every person, be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore, whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers, those in authority over us, they are not a terror to good works.

We don't have to be worried if we're doing what's good, Paul says, but their rulers are a terror to those who do evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Paul asks, and I would say yes. Then do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. The authority, the rulers, love people who are obedient, especially good, upright, honest, God-fearing people who are obedient. Verse 4, For this ruler, for he is God's minister to you for good, but if you do evil, be afraid.

If you do evil, be afraid. For he does not bear the sword, he does not bear the power of judgment and executing that judgment in vain. For he is, again, God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore, you must be subject not only because of wrath, but also for conscience's sake. Because if we've been brought up to God's standards, we're trying to live his way of life, and we break the rule of men with no good reason, it should cause us to have a twinge of bad conscience.

But have you noticed, as we think about what they say we should do, how we should respect, how we should relate to authority and leaders? Have you noticed it so far? Neither Paul, nor Peter, nor Daniel, none of them in the writing advocate rebellion, none of them advocate disobedience, none of them advocate outright defiance of authorities, except in the case where rulers attempt to force one's conscience to disobey God's higher authority. For being forced to turn away from God, we should put up some resistance.

And that's what we saw again earlier in Acts 4 and 5, when the Sanhedrin tried to force Peter, John, and other apostles to stop preaching Christ's gospel. And so the instructions we've been reading have been consistent. We are to obey all the ordinances and authorities of man, except when they do not comply with God's higher authority and law. And though many might wish, I'm going to touch on this, many might wish that we didn't need to support the government with our taxes.

Scripture clearly tells us, yes, we must pay our taxes. Of course, we probably remember Matthew 22, that Jesus himself taught the lesson, saying, render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. That is still true. And here now in verse 6, Romans 13, 6, Paul elaborates a bit on what we owe to the authorities and why it is our duty to pay what's due.

He states, for because of this, all this we've just read, for because of this, you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers, attending continually to this very thing. And so did we hear that word again? They are God's ministers. We pay our taxes to the government.

They're part of this authority system, this governing system God has established. He is allowed to be. So that means that those in serving, that those serving in government positions are ministers serving God and serving us, which does make sense. They may not be ordained and preaching as we are, but they are servants in that sense. And that makes sense because they are serving under God's authority. They have been placed there. Of course, I wonder how many of our current government leaders understand this, about their due to obey God and support God in the government and the ruling of human beings on this earth. Probably not many of them. Some, I'm sure, but maybe not many.

Paul continues verse 7, here again, render therefore to all their due taxes to whom taxes are due customs to whom customs fear to whom fear honor to whom honor. This is part of respecting authority. Here, customs refer to taxes on imported goods, things of that nature.

Fear in this case would seem to mean respectful fearfulness and dread, especially due to rulers' authority. There are authorities you read earlier to exercise judgment, injustice, and punishment on evildoers. In honor, of course, give honor to those whom honor refers to the appropriate respect and recognition we should give to those in positions of authority over us. Then, one more place. Let's turn to Titus 3, verse 1-2.

We get a little bit more of how or what we should do in treating and how we treat those rulers' authorities over us. Titus 3, verse 1-2.

Titus, right after 2 Timothy.

In 2 Titus 3-2, excuse me, in 2... what did I say? In Titus, I'll go very slow. In Titus, chapter 3, verse 1-2, Paul mentions several more things about how we are to treat rulers and authorities. Here, Paul instructs Titus to teach these lessons to the brethren he was responsible for.

These are things we need to be teaching to one another and our families.

Titus 3-1. Remind them, Paul tells Titus, to be subject to rulers. There's that idea of subject, to be submitted, to be willingly submissive, to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, and to speak evil of no one, to be peaceful, gentle, showing all humility to all men.

Now, what is different here in this listing that Paul gives us of how to treat authority figures and rulers? It's interesting that here Paul's listing speaks of how we're to speak evil of no one and also of how we need to show humility to all men. But it's closely connected to how he starts out in verse 1. It seems to be part of this entire whole list that we're also to speak evil, not speak evil, about rulers or authorities. We're also to speak and show humility before rulers and authorities. All men speak evil of no one. And what's interesting, Paul is not teaching and then not doing it himself. Paul is not wearing this cloak of religiosity.

What he says, he does. Point. Look at Acts 23. He said, speak evil of no one. Be humble.

Acts 23, verse 1 through 5. Paul lived what he taught. And here in Acts 23, 1 through 5, we see how Paul apologized for speaking evil of the high priest. Here's what happened. Acts 23, 1. Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, oh yeah, Paul was brought before the Sanhedrin too, just like the other apostles. They got to know the Sanhedrin a little bit then. Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him, by Paul, to strike him on the mouth.

Then Paul said to him, God will strike you, you whitewashed wall. For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law? That made Paul angry. He got a little hot. He got a little hot. And those who stood by him stood by said, Do you revile God's high priest? Now notice his reaction. Then Paul said, I did not know, brethren, I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest. For it is written, you shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people. Paul knew. And he made a mistake. He apologized, he repented.

Paul was and is an example of a man of godly character. He's an example of someone we really should imitate. Now in recent years, the media has been filled with people speaking evil, of course. We can't help but listen to any kind of news commentary. You have it on maybe five minutes. You're going to hear some not so nice things being said about government officials. And it's being said about government officials and opposing political parties. I'm not holding one person up over the other. There is great speaking of evil about rulers among the rulers and authorities in our nation, probably in other nations as well. That's not what we're supposed to be doing as a people. It's not what we're supposed to be doing as followers of Christ. And seldom will you ever hear an apology for saying something they shouldn't have said, such as Paul did here. Few people seem capable of expressing genuine humility and respect towards others, and especially so anymore it seemed towards leaders in government and also within the public hearing of others, where others can see their example.

Again, I think ours is an age when many do not speak respectfully of those in authority as the Bible instructs us to do. Of course, we need to think about ourselves and what we're saying, how we're speaking about those who rule over us. And so this is some of the basic things that we learn about how we are to treat those over us.

These are basic principles about how we should have respect, how we should have regard, how we should have deference, humility. We should not speak evil of these leaders. God's Word reveals that those who follow Christ, then, must not be engaged in some of the things we might be seeing going around in the world. We hear it. We're immersed in the world, but we're not supposed to let it taint us. We're not supposed to allow ourselves to become dirtied by the world in its ways. We are not to be engaged in rebellion. We are not to be engaged in various intrigues of disobedience against rulers and authorities. And that's because these rulers and authorities, whether you like them or not, they've been allowed to be there. They've been set up, perhaps be taken down. They've been set up there by God.

And so to act against rulers and authorities and to speak evil of them, from what we understand, then, is to act against God and to speak evil of him who set those individuals into those positions of rulership. And if you give this some thought, and I pray that you will, these are some very serious and weighty matters for us to consider, because we do not want to be doing as the world does. We are to come out of the world. We should be grateful that with God's word in his Holy Spirit helping us, that we do have times of crisis. That may sound strange.

I'll say it again. We should be grateful that with God's word in his Holy Spirit helping us, we do have times of crisis and of difficulties that can act as a sort of spiritual stress test. These crises can act as a sort of spiritual stress test to put us under pressure and so reveal things about our hearts, about the spiritual condition of our hearts that we might not normally see. Good times, times are easy. It seems like just months ago.

We may not have thought about some of the things struggling, some of the issues that have become revealed in us as we've been discerning ourselves, evaluating ourselves.

We might not normally see these things about ourselves that we need to change and repent of except for these crises. Crises like this caused by the COVID-19 virus is one such stress test. And if we're wise to pay attention to what's going on within our hearts and minds, we may begin to see what we didn't see before and that could be flaws in our character, maybe some sins we didn't realize we need to be working on. Perhaps there's just a smidgen of rebellion, of disobedience, of disrespect in our hearts that we might have to those who rule and have authority over us. Perhaps we didn't notice it before. And so today I challenge each of us to consider the things we have read from Scripture about how we are to treat rulers and authorities, how we're to be obedient to institutions, ordinances, rules, decrees, especially when they do not conflict with God's laws or forces to disobey God. What we might come to see in ourselves with God's help, if it's word and spirit, is maybe that we are a little bit stubborn. Maybe we are a little bit rebellious. Oh, maybe not overtly. We may not go pushing over cars and things. I hope not. Don't do that. Stay away from mine. But maybe we are just a little bit rebellious when it comes to our thoughts, when it comes to our attitudes, when it comes to the things we say, maybe expressions we give. Maybe we're giving away something about us that normally wouldn't be given away.

If we have something like that, then we should ask God to help us remove our flaws, to help us become compliant with His will, with His authority, with His love and ways.

And now, before I go, what should we say about those many individuals in our country, in our nation, across the globe, perhaps even in our congregation? What should we say about those individuals whose circumstances I shared with you at the beginning of this sermon?

Oh, yes, we must sigh and cry. We must sigh and cry, pray profoundly for the injustice and the lack of peace and the hardship we see in the world in which we ourselves will be possibly experiencing, or maybe even our experience. Some of us, I know, we are experiencing it now. But we should also encourage, we should also do our part to encourage those who are in what the old-timers said in the 30s, who are in hard times now. What can we do to encourage them to follow the more constructive paths our institutions allow, constructive paths to correct injustice, to follow within the structure of lawful due course and process? Perhaps we can encourage them to seek help through the justice system. Perhaps we can encourage them to seek help with publicity, shining a light on a not-so-nice spot, can suddenly make things clean up, we might have noticed.

And though we would not encourage outright rebellion and rioting, that's not the way to solve problems, not God's way. Perhaps we can still be part of the solution. Perhaps we can make a donation to food banks. Perhaps we can go check out some GoFundMe pages online. Perhaps just a few dollars here and there can help people we've come to learn about to help them out in their dire need. Perhaps we can donate clothing or other items.

We've been very good about that in the past. This may be around for a long time, this crisis. We need to keep helping. So in the months ahead, we may have ample opportunity to share and help those who need the benefit of our encouragement, they need the benefit of our comfort and the care that God, through His Word and His Spirit, is uniquely training us to be able to do, and willingly so, we are submitting to God. We have willingly submitted to God.

We are to be willing to help others. And so I ask us, brethren, I'm challenging us to respect the rulers and authorities God has placed over us and let us all do our part to lend help and comfort to those in need. And let us all become the sorts of leaders God wants us to be to serve Him in all humanity in the soon-coming kingdom of God.