God’s Purpose In Government Series

1. Cartoon: Two men on a park bench; one lets out a loud SIGH; the second man stands and says, “Well, if you are gonna’ talk politics, I’m outta’ here!”

2. Three Great Institutions of God:

a. Family

b. Church

c. Government

3. Mixed reviews on how we look at government

a. Support (blindly? – Acts 5.29)

b. Oppose (Romans 13.1)

c. Ignore (Southern Restoration Leaders after Civil War)

4. Our Founders believed that Christians should influence the government:

Benjamin Franklin: “Whoever shall introduce into the public affairs the principles of primitive Christianity will change the face A Change Sourceof the world.”

John Adams: “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

John Quincy Adams : “So great is my veneration of the Bible, that the earlier my children begin to read it the more confident will be my hope that they will prove useful citizens of their country and respectable members of society.”

John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court:

“Providence has given our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.”

5. What is the reason for bad government? It is the absence of Christian influence:

James A. Garfield (20th US President) – Now, more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature. . . If the next centennial does not find us a great nation . . . it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces.”

I. Government – A Creation of the Sovereign

A. Government’s Origin – Genesis 8-9

1. Permanence of Life – Genesis 8.21

2. Propagation of Life – Genesis 9.7

3. Protection of Life – Genesis 9.6

B. Various Forms Through the Years

1. Noah (Noahide Laws – include setting up courts)

2. Moses – Exodus 18

3. Judges – Kings (chaos to order – Judges 21.25)

4. Even Pagan Kings – Nebuchadnezzar; Cyrus, etc.

5. Ultimate Governor – God

II. Government – A Continued Stewardship

11 As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 12 He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. 13 Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’ 14 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ 15 When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. 16 The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’ 17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ 18 And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’ 19 And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ 20 Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ 22 He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’ 24 And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ 25 And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’ 26 ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 27 But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.’” Luke 19.11-27