DATE: 4-19-26

As always, it’s a joy to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And there’s one thing I want you to know — and this is true if you’re worshiping with us for the first time or if you’re joining us at our North Main Campus — I want you to know that God loves you and that I love you too.

PASTORAL PRAYER

INTRODUCTION

We’re continuing our series in the book of James this weekend. In his letter, James has taken some teachings from his older brother and is showing us how to apply what Jesus taught to everyday life. Thus — when we listen to James — we’re learning what it means to be wise — for wisdom is taking God at his Word and applying his Word to our lives. So let’s see what James has for us today.

If you have your Bible, please turn with me to James chapter three. We’ll be in James chapter three — looking at verses one through twelve together today. We’re in James chapter three — beginning in verse one. There we read…

James 3:1–12 ESV

1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

Years ago, someone said, “Direction, not intention, determines your destination.” What the person was pointing out is that — often — we give our intentions way more credit than they deserve. 

• We may intend to improve our health. 
• We may intend to have a loving marriage. 
• We may intend to raise our children to know and love Jesus. 

There are lots of things that we intend — or have the intent to do — but direction, not intention, ultimately determines our destination.

Our intention is to improve our health, but for many, our direction is towards an inactive lifestyle and foods that are full of sugar and other highly processed ingredients that aren’t great for us. And, our direction determines our destination — not being as healthy as we intend to be.

Our intention is to have a loving marriage, but our direction — working extra late hours to impress our boss, coming home and gluing ourselves to screens, not praying together as husband and wife — leads to a marriage that resembles having a roommate rather than a spouse.

Our intention is to raise our children to know and love Jesus, but our direction — not having family devotional times, not regularly attending church, allowing sports and other activities to control our calendars — leads to children who are disinterested in Jesus.

Direction, not intention, determines your destination.

But what determines our direction? What causes us to go this way instead of that — to make this decision instead of that one? If direction, not intention, determines our destination — what determines our direction? James is going to tell us that it’s our words. The words we say out loud and the words we say to ourselves in our heads, are what determine our direction in life. And — to make this personal — your words are determining the direction of your life.

Earlier in James, we read…

James 1:19 ESV

19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;

James also told us…

James 1:26 ESV

26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.

So the tongue and our words aren’t a new topic for James. He’s just going to show us a bit more about this very practical topic — the power of our words.

But there’s one more question for us. If direction, not intention, determines our destination. And our words are what determine our direction — what determines our words? I mean, if our words are this important — if they determine our direction, which leads to the destination our lives are headed to — what determines our words? This is the question we’ll let Jesus answer.

But before we get to his answer, let’s return to our verses, where we find a warning about our words. Then we’ll look at both words of cursing and words of blessing, before we turn to Jesus’ answer to our final question.

A WARNING TO TEACHERS (AND TO ALL OF US)

So, first, a warning. We’re in verse one.

James 3:1 ESV

1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

So James starts with a warning directed at teachers. And, to be clear, he means teachers of God’s Word. And his point is this: Those of us who teach God’s Word use words to do so. And, because we use words, we’re going to be judged with greater strictness because the words we say — one — usually have a much bigger audience than what most people experience — and two — when one teaches God’s Word, you are saying words of eternal importance. 

Now, with this warning, James isn’t trying to get Bible teachers to quit. He doesn’t want to stop people from becoming Bible teachers. He’s just warning us that the more words you speak, and teachers speak more words than most, the more evaluation God is doing of what you say. And, unfortunately, the more you speak, the more you can become careless with the words you say — especially when we fail to heed the warning James gave earlier about being quick to listen and slow to speak. 

On Tuesday, I was at BGSU to do a Q&A session with students. I’ve been doing this for a few years now. And college ministries always start past my bedtime. We spent over an hour on questions and answers, with follow-up questions sent in response to something I said in my answer to a previous question — it was a great time, and I love seeing how eager the next generation is to understand how the Christian faith applies to life. 

This is just one example of how teachers of God’s Word are often asked to give their opinion on something or answer an individual’s question, meaning they speak, speak, speak into all kinds of situations. And more words usually — not always — but usually more words mean more errors — especially when it’s past your bedtime. Thus, those who teach — and not just preach on a big stage like this — but those who take on any form of teaching the Bible to others — are warned: Be careful with your words.

But James’s warning isn’t solely for those of us who teach. In fact, his warning to teachers is meant to grab our attention — so that we hear his general warning that’s for all of us. James continues in verse two with…

James 3:2 ESV

2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.

Notice that he doesn’t say that teachers stumble in many ways. Nor does he say that “only teachers” stumble in many ways. The verse says, “We all stumble in many ways.” And “we” is inclusive. It includes teachers and non-teachers. It includes men and women. Young and old. Christians and non-Christians. His point is simple: All of us have stumbled when it comes to the words we’ve said.

The word “stumble” means to be defeated. Defeated by what? Sin. This is the word James used in the previous chapter when he wrote…

James 2:10 ESV

10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.

“Fails” is the same word as “stumble.” Remember, when it comes to being right with God by the law, the standard is perfection. You must obey all of the law, or you’ve failed. And now — in our chapter — James acknowledges that we’ve all failed — or stumbled — in many ways when it comes to the words that come out of our mouths. For if you hadn’t stumbled — or failed — with your words, you’d be a perfect man or woman. You’d be able to control your entire being when it comes to sin and its temptations. He explains it this way.

James 3:3–8 ESV

3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

By way of illustration, James shows us the power of our words. Though we’ve got some folks in our church with farms and animals, horses and bits aren’t used by as many of us as in James’s day. The same goes for rudders of a ship. If we were to use a twenty-first-century illustration, we’d say the tongue is like the steering wheel in your car. The steering wheel is a small part of the car, but it determines the direction the car is headed. And that’s what your words are like.

In contrast to our tongues, James first brings up animals. And he reminds us of how we’ve tamed all kinds of animals and creatures. We can go to a zoo, see all kinds of dangerous animals behind glass, and be amazed by their beauty without fearing their power. That’s what the word tame means in our verses. It means to subdue or make something your subject. And, what James is saying, is that though we’ve tamed and made subject all kinds of beasts and animals — this little part of our body — the tongue, representing our words, can’t be tamed. We can’t subdue it, we can’t break it in, we can’t make it our subject. Even those of us who “bite our tongues” still say some awful things to other people or to ourselves.

James goes so far as to say that the tongue is set on fire by hell, and the tongue sets our lives on fire. I wonder if you’ve experienced this? 

You don’t have to live very long to be burned by the fire of hell coming out of the mouth of someone else, do you? Just like it doesn’t take long in life to see how your words can cause destruction and pain, not only to others, but to your own life. 

• Our lives can be suddenly on fire because of some words that came out of our mouths. 
• Relationships are no more because words of fire came out of your mouth. 
• Unemployment because words of fire came out of your mouth. 
• Self-hatred because of words of fire that — even if they’ve never been spoken out loud — are on repeat in your mind constantly — setting your life on fire. And not a holy refining fire — but the destructive fire that comes from hell.

James — being familiar with the Old Testament — probably had passages in mind like…

Proverbs 16:27 NLT

27 Scoundrels create trouble; their words are a destructive blaze.

He may have been thinking of…

Proverbs 26:21 NLT

21 A quarrelsome person starts fights as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood.

People who like to quarrel and fight use their words like hot embers, igniting a fire. And though fire isn’t mentioned, James could’ve been thinking of these words of King David.

Psalm 140:1–3 NLT

1 O Lord, rescue me from evil people. Protect me from those who are violent, 2 those who plot evil in their hearts and stir up trouble all day long. 3 Their tongues sting like a snake; the venom of a viper drips from their lips.

Which is quoted by Paul when he writes…

Romans 3:10–14 NLT

10 As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous — not even one. 11 No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. 12 All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one.” 13 “Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their tongues are filled with lies.” “Snake venom drips from their lips.” 14 “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”

• Foul talk — words that have a stench to them like decaying flesh. We once had a mouse die in the wall of our home. The stench — from such a small creature — was awful. 
• Our tongues are filled with lies — like venom dripping from our lips. We put labels on bottles to make sure we avoid ingesting poison. If only we had labels to warn people that poison was about to be spewed at them from our mouths.
• And our mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. 

What an indictment about our words — about your words — about my words. 

I wonder how you’re responding to what God’s Word is saying to you about your words? 

• Are you dismissing what you’re hearing — “none of this is true of me.” 
• Are you pointing the finger — “So and so needs to hear this.”
• Are you ashamed — “Man, I’ve said some horrible things.” 
• Or are you hoping for an answer — “What am I supposed to do about this?” 

How are you responding to what God is saying to you about the words you speak?

Something important for all of us to see is what James says in verse eight. He says…

James 3:8 ESV

8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

About this verse, Augustine — who lived in the fourth century — said, “James does not say ‘no one came tame the tongue’, but ‘[no human being],’ so that, when it is tamed, we admit that it was done by the mercy of God, the assistance of God, the grace of God.” 

So, first, know that it’s impossible for you to tame your tongue. That’s the bad news. Now, the good news. Though it’s impossible for any human to tame their tongue, it’s not impossible for God. In fact, God’s power over our tongues is seen in an incredible moment in the early life of the church. Forty days after Jesus’ resurrection…

Acts 2:1–4 NLT

1 On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

These tongues of ours — which can spew fire from hell that burns others and sets destruction to our lives — God — as we just saw — is able to use for his own purpose. He can set his people’s tongues ablaze with a message of holy fire — the gospel — the news of what Jesus has done in his life, death, and resurrection. And when God’s people submit their words to God’s authority, the gospel message will go forth like a fire setting a forest ablaze. 

And the question for each of us is this: Which fire will come out of our mouths? Words that come from the fire of hell or words that come from the fire of Heaven?

WORDS OF CURSING AND BLESSING

Which leads us to words of cursing and words of blessing. Let’s briefly look at the difference between the words from hell and the words of Heaven. We’re in verse nine. There, James writes…

James 3:9–12 ESV

9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

In the beginning God spoke, and he said, “Let there be light” — and there was light. God speaks, and blessings follow. Whether it be life to all that exists or a wife for Adam, who was alone in the Garden. God speaks, and blessings follow. 

And a truth that James emphasizes is how all people are made in the likeness of God. Part of our being made in God’s likeness — or image — is that God created us to use our words in a way that images — or reflects — or is like the way he uses words. And how are we to reflect — or imitate — how God uses words? By speaking words of blessing.

But — after God speaks — we come to Genesis chapter three, where Satan speaks. And do you know what Satan got Adam and Eve to doubt? God’s word of blessing to them.

Genesis 3:1–4 NLT

1 The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” 2 “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. 3 “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’ ” 4 “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman.

Now the woman spoke back to Satan with information that wasn’t accurate. And Satan both uses her inaccurate words — and twists God’s words — resulting in the man and the woman disobeying God, leading to sin entering God’s creation and us all living under a curse. The snake of hell spoke words from hell to deceive the man and woman into inviting hell into God’s perfect creation. And ever since, we’ve all used our words to curse each other.

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never”…how does it go? That’s right. “But words will never hurt me.” What a lie. One person has said, “It’s a terrible thing that children have gotten hold of this nursery poem. Let me tell you what the poem should say. [It should say…} ‘Sticks and stones can only break my bones, but words can pollute and distort and destroy my very soul.’ [But that] doesn’t rhyme.”

With our words, we curse people who are made in the likeness — or image — of God. And, we do so, as Christians. We curse people with our words while we use our words to bless our God in Heaven. And, about this reality, James says…

James 3:10 NLT

10 Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!

Though a freshwater spring does what God created it to do — it produces fresh water. And though a fig tree produces figs, as God created it to do. And an olive tree produces olives, and a vine produces grapes, and an apple tree produces apples, and so on — though all of these creations do what God made them to do — our tongues don’t. Our tongues are like a banana tree producing apples. Yet our tongues — which were created to produce words of blessing — which demonstrate our being made in God’s image — instead produce words of cursing in the image of our Enemy. So, yes, James. This isn’t right!

CONCLUSION: JESUS THE TEACHER TO LISTEN TO

Which leads us to our only hope. His name is Jesus. And Jesus said quite a bit about our words. To some religious leaders, he said…

Matthew 12:34–37 NLT

34 You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. 35 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. 36 And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. 37 The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”

Another time he said…

Mark 7:20–23 NLT

20 And then he added, “It is what comes from inside that defiles you. 21 For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. 23 All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.”

Ultimately, the words of cursing that we speak — whether to ourselves or to others — reveal something about the condition of our hearts. It reveals to us the curse we all live under because of Adam and Eve’s rebellion against God’s words of blessing to them. And we’re incapable of changing the condition of our hearts. Thus, we need a word spoken to us by Someone whose words can change us — and our hearts — forever. 

As someone has said, “We need words. Words are powerful. We don’t have a self without words. You can say all you want, ‘All that matters is how I feel about myself.’ No. Somebody from the outside has to tell you you’re valuable. Somebody from the outside has to tell you you’re great. Somebody from the outside has to tell you you’re acceptable, or you won’t believe it. The Bible tells us God said to his Son, “You are my beloved Son in whom I’m well pleased.” The Bible tells us that if we believe in Jesus, the Father loves us in the same way as he loves his own Son. Until you hear over and over and over in your own heart through prayer, through reading the Word of God, through a variety of ways, unless you hear God saying to you, “You are my beloved child in whom I’m well pleased”…Until you hear a word from the outside that tells you who you are, you’re going to be trying desperately, through all kinds of duplicity and all kinds of deception, to create a self by getting people to tell you how great you are…[You see,] underneath it all, we know we’re unacceptable until [a] word from the outside [says…] “This is my beloved child in whom I’m well pleased.” That’ll heal your tongue. It’ll set your tongue on fire with a different kind of fire, the fire that came down at Pentecost, [a fire] not from hell but from heaven.”

I wonder if, even right now, you’re hearing that life-changing word from Someone else? A word from the God who created you. A word from Jesus, who came to live and die for you because he loves you. A word from the Spirit of God who is saying right now, “Receive my word: You are loved. You are forgiven. You are set free from the curse. You are mine.” I wonder whose word you’re listening to right now? The word of the Serpent, who wants to keep you enslaved under his curse, or the word of the God who is in Heaven, who created you, and who wants to set you free?

Later this year, my friend and fellow pastor, Alan Wright, will be with us. Alan has written many books, including The Power to Bless: How to Speak Life and Empower the People You Love. I was so impacted by Alan’s book that I bought all the staff and elders a copy for Christmas last year and invited Alan to come speak on the topic so we can all learn to use our words to be better blessers of others. 

So if you want to be someone who uses your words to bless God and others — and even yourself — grab a copy of Alan’s book — again, it’s titled The Power to Bless. There’s a QR code at your campus’s Resource Center if you forget the title. If your Life Group is looking for something to study, it’d be a great option. And be sure to block off your calendar for the weekend of October 18th when Alan will be with us. He’s going to teach a Saturday seminar on blessing others with our words and preach for us during our worship services that weekend. Let’s pray.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank you for being a God who speaks. Who speaks words of blessing over your people and creation. As Creator, you have made each of us in your image — creating us to use our words to mirror your words — which are words of blessing.

Spirit, we confess that because of the curse and our own sinful choices, we’ve often used our words to curse others instead of blessing them. We’ve even used our words to curse ourselves. We confess this, ask for forgiveness, and Spirit, we ask you to lead us in a new direction with our words. Teach us how to bless. Guide us in what we say. All so that we reflect our God who blesses others with his words as we bless a world full of people who are desperate to hear some good news.

And, Jesus, you are God’s Word in flesh. The perfect Word of blessing to your people. And you continue to speak words of blessing to us. May we have ears to hear, so that our hearts and lives are forever changed, so that we head in a new direction. A direction of blessing others — for that is who you have called, created, and saved us to be. Thank you for this purpose. And we pray all of this in your name. Amen.

BENEDICTION (Prayer teams available / Resource Center for QR to book)

May you go imitating the God who had created you in his image by using your words to bless others. Amen.

God loves you. I love you. You are sent.

DATE: 3-8-26

As always it’s a joy to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And there’s one thing I want you to know — and this is true if you’re worshiping with us for the first time or if you’re joining us at our North Main Campus — I want you to know that God loves you and that I love you too.

PASTORAL PRAYER

Each week — during our worship services — we set aside some time to pray for people, circumstances, and situations going on in our congregation, community, country, and world.

Today we’ll be praying for our church elders — those who lead us here at Gateway. We’ll pray for our local police officers and a Bible study recently started for them. And we’ll pray for the wars going on around the world.

Please join me in prayer.

Heavenly Father, in your Word to us — you show us the kind of men you call to lead your people. 

1 Timothy 3:2-7 NLT

A church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. 3 He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. 4 He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. 5 For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church? 6 A church leader must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall. 7 Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.

And you give them this mandate:

1 Peter 5:2-4 NLT 

Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. 3 Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. 4 And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.

Father, we thank you for the men who serve us as your shepherds. For Matt Buttermore, Dana Fought, Ed Grable, Matt Heft, Terry Jolliff, Scott Sharpe, Kevin Snyder, Justin Stiles, and Jim Tomlinson. Thank you for their faithfulness to you and to the call you have on their life as elders of your people. Thank you for their care for your people. Thank you for their eagerness to serve you and your people here at Gateway. Thank you for their leadership — and for leading by a good example. Remind them of the crown of never-ending glory and honor that will be theirs.

As we turn our attention to our local law enforcement — we want to pray specifically for the Bible study that’s recently been started in our community specifically for them. Thank you for the many officers and staff who have shown up to learn about you through your Word. Thank you for their openness and curiosity about who you are. Spirit, lead, guide, and direct more officers to come to the Bible study so that more of the men and women who serve our community in this way would be people who know the one and only living God. Thank you for the hope that your Word gives — may your Word give the officers the eternal hope that’s found only in Jesus Christ.

And as we pray for our world — Father — we can’t help but think of the warring going on halfway around the world. Pakistan and Afghanistan. Israel, Iran, and our nation — and many others getting involved or experiencing attacks. War was never your intention for your creation. Peace was — and is — your intention for your creation. Yet we are a people who war with one another. Father, forgive us. Jesus — our Prince of Peace — bring peace to our world. Holy Spirit, change our hearts — from hearts that desire rebellion, death, and destruction to hearts that — because of faith in Christ — desire and live for faithfulness, and life, and restoration, and reconciliation. This work — that only you can do — is a work for people of all nations — including those in Pakistan and Afghanistan — in Iran and Israel — as well as the hearts of people here in the US.

Father may you be glorified as the message of Jesus Christ continues to go forth to all people by the power of the Holy Spirit. And may we be found to be faithful goers and sharers of your News until Jesus returns. And we pray all of this in his name. Amen. 

SERIES INTRO

We’re continuing our series in James this weekend. Learning from the wisdom section of the New Testament. And boy do we have something to learn from wisdom today. What’s that — you may wonder — what does wisdom want to teach us today? That simply hearing God’s Word is insufficient — for we must do God’s Word.

But don’t take my word for it — here’s what we find in our verses from today. We’re in James chapter one — beginning in verse twenty-one. There we read…

James 1:21–25 ESV

21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

Here’s where we’re headed today. We’re going to see what it means to be a doer of God’s Word by looking at what a life of repentance and faith looks like. Then we’ll see what a life of self-deception looks like. Then we’ll see what a life of true faith looks like. And — I know — “Josh, the first and third points sound the same.” Yes, they both include faith — but you’ll see that faith has two aspects to it which James highlights in our verses.

The life of repentance and faith. The life of self-deception. And a life of true faith. Together — these will show us the difference between being someone who merely hears God’s Word versus someone who hears and does the Word of God. And — as I said a moment ago — hearing God’s Word is insufficient — we must be people who do God’s Word.

A LIFE OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH

So let’s begin by looking at a life of repentance and faith. We’re back in verse twenty-one. There we read…

James 1:21 ESV

21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

Our verses for today build on what’s come before — that’s what the word “therefore” tells us. Anytime you find a “therefore” in Scripture — pause and ask yourself, “What’s the therefore, there for?” 

Therefore is a connecting word. It connects what comes after it with what comes before it. So what comes just before our verse? These words from James that Joe Sherrieb had us look at last week.

James 1:19–20 ESV

19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Which leads to our verse…

James 1:21 ESV

21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

Here’s another way of seeing the relationship between these verses. Ask the question “why”. Here’s what I mean. Our verse again is…

James 1:21 ESV

21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

And our question is, “Why, James? Why are we to put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and so on…?”

Because — that’s another way of saying “therefore” — because…

James 1:20 ESV

20 The anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

To which we ask another question — “Where — one of those famous W’s we’re taught to use in English class — where does the anger of man come from James?”

This kind of ungodly anger comes from within — and it shows up when we’re not…

James 1:19 ESV

19 quick to hear, slow to speak, [and] slow to anger;

I hope that’s helpful — me showing you how to ask questions and not just simply droning on while reading the Bible. For we’ll never be doers of God’s Word if we don’t understand it. And understanding — often comes when we slow down and ask questions.

So — back verse twenty-one. What is James telling us? He’s telling us — in his own words — to repent and believe. For a life of repentance and faith is the first step away from a life that doesn’t produce the righteousness of God. And it’s also the first step towards the life that does produce the righteousness of God.

Repentance means to turn away from — and faith — is what we turn towards. What do we repent of — or turn away from — according to James? All filthiness and rampant wickedness. “Put it away,” James says.

Filthiness — in the original language — is a word that means moral impurity. Wickedness — again, in the original language — means evil or depravity. And — to wickedness — James adds the word “rampant” — which means an overabundance of wickedness — or an excessive amount of evil and depravity.

The word translated as “filthiness” is only found here in the New Testament — but the word translated as “wickedness” is used quite often in the New Testament. And — when it’s used — we find it used similarly as in our passage — where wickedness is something to put away or put off or to turn away from. Here are some examples.

Ephesians 4:31 ESV

31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

And…

Colossians 3:8 ESV

8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

In these examples the word “malice” is the same word translated as wickedness.

1 Peter 2:1 ESV

1 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.

And…

1 Peter 2:16 ESV

16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.

Evil’s the same word as wickedness.

Finally — and in about as clear of a statement as we could ask for — in showing how repentance is turning away from wickedness — in the book of Acts — Peter says…

Acts 8:22 ESV

22 Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.

We’re to repent — or turn away from — filthiness and rampant wickedness. And that’s all of us. Christian or not. Remember — James is writing to followers of Jesus — he’s not writing to those who don’t believe — but repentance is for everyone — Christian or not. And James is reminding his readers to keep turning away from filthiness and rampant wickedness. And why does he do this?

Because — unfortunately — following Jesus doesn’t rid us from choosing to do such God dishonoring activities. And we shouldn’t pretend otherwise. For those who pretend — or deny that they’re capable of making such filthy and wicked sinful decisions — are those who usually destroy their lives — or the lives of others. Or they’re the proudest and most obnoxious people you know. Often they’re the most intolerable people to be around. Not only do they forget that…

Titus 3:3 ESV

3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.

They act as if this was never the case for them — much less the case for them presently. And they do all of this while claiming to follow Jesus — giving Christ — and his followers — a terrible reputation. We’ll get to these folks a bit more in a moment.

Now — if you’re not a Christian — you may be all like, “That’s right Josh. Get ‘em. Those people are the worst!” But I want to take your eyes off of them — and ask you to do some self-reflection. You see, the first step in following wisdom — which we saw weeks ago — is repentance. For the God who created everyone and everything — including you — has spoken. And he’s given his Word on what is good and what is wicked. He’s told us what is pure and what’s filthy. And wisdom is asking you, “Will you take God at his Word?”

But here’s something both counterintuitive and incredible: Us taking God at his Word is a work of God. This is how gracious and good and kind God is to us — to you. For he knows that none of us will take him at his Word if left on our own — so God does a work in us — so that — we’re awakened to the truthfulness and reliability of his Word. James tells us this in the last half of our verse when he writes…

James 1:21 ESV

21 and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

Here James tells us wonderful news: The Word of God has been implanted in our hearts. And who put God’s Word in our heart? The Spirit of God did. For the Spirit implants God’s Word in the hearts of God’s people. And the implanted Word will do its work — the work’s guaranteed to happen. What work? The work of salvation. Where the Spirit of God takes the message of the Word of God — the gospel — and through the gospel gives new life. Meaning a spiritual resurrection takes place — this is a death to life experience — when the Spirit uses the Word to awaken us to the truth.

At this point — a great question for us to ask is, “What is the gospel?” The gospel is this: In the beginning God created everything. And it was good — meaning — it was whole, perfect, without the pains and sorrows we now experience — like cancer and war, the heartache of relational turmoil and the death of those we love. 

The cause of these pains and sorrows is found all the way back to a decision that our first parents — Adam and Eve — made when they distrusted God and believed the lies of our Enemy. As a result — sin — which means “missing the mark” — entered God’s creation. Adam and Eve missed the mark — they did not trust God — they didn’t take him at his Word much less do his Word. And ever since — all humans have sinned — missed the mark — and have distrusted God — not taking him at his Word — not doing his Word. This includes you — and this includes me.

Sin resulted in our relationship with God being destroyed. For God — who is holy and pure — cannot be in the presence of the unholy and impure — or in the presence of filth and wickedness. So we were cast from his presence — kicked out of the Garden — and sent out into the wilderness as our punishment. And — not only that — but death entered creation. Physical death — and all of the aging, and disease, and illnesses, and stresses, that comes with it — and spiritual death — separation from God. Spiritual death is probably the best way to describe our natural relationship with God. For he is Spirit and Life and — because of our sin — our spiritual life was killed.

But God…two of my favorite words in all of the Bible, by the way.

Ephesians 2:4–10 NLT

4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. 8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

God — in love for his people — sent his Son, Jesus Christ — to seek and save those who were lost. Jesus came to save sinners. And the way he ensured our salvation was by giving his life — on a cross — in our place — for our sins — for the wages of sin is death.  Yet during his life — Jesus lived perfectly. He always trusted God the Father — he always took God at his Word — he always did what God’s Word required. And on the cross — though sinless — he took the punishment we deserve for our sin — the punishment of death. And in his resurrection — he defeated Satan, sin, death, and Hell and promised a new and abundant life — he guaranteed a resurrection empowered life to all who turn to him in faith — this is a guarantee to all who take Jesus at his Word.

That’s the Good News — that’s the gospel — that’s the message all need to hear. Whether it be your neighbor — or your coworker — or your child — or your spouse — or a group of people halfway around the world who’ve never heard the name Jesus before. The gospel is the only message that saves — for Jesus is the only Savior.

A LIFE OF SELF-DECEPTION

Returning to our verses — next James says…

James 1:22–24 ESV

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.

And — at this point — I can’t help but wonder if James had one of his older brother’s parables in mind. I say this because — what James just wrote is basically a very short parable. A parable — if you’re unfamiliar with the term — is a short story that’s meant to teach a lesson. Here’s a parable that Jesus once used to teach some folks.

Luke 8:4–15 NLT

4 One day Jesus told a story in the form of a parable to a large crowd that had gathered from many towns to hear him: 5 “A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it. 6 Other seed fell among rocks. It began to grow, but the plant soon wilted and died for lack of moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns that grew up with it and choked out the tender plants. 8 Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been planted!” When he had said this, he called out, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” 9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables to teach the others so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled: ‘When they look, they won’t really see. When they hear, they won’t understand.’ 11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is God’s word. 12 The seeds that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, only to have the devil come and take it away from their hearts and prevent them from believing and being saved. 13 The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation. 14 The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity. 15 And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.

What kind of soil is your heart like? Those whose hearts are like the good soil — are hearts that are gentle towards God’s Word. If you’re here today — and you wouldn’t call yourself a Christian — what’s your attitude towards the Bible? Is it gentle or hostile? Are you open to learning or are you closed-minded? Can the Bible critique you or are you the only one allowed to be the critic?

Though we can’t do anything to save ourselves — salvation is in God’s hands — there’s much we can do when it comes to the receptivity and sensitivity of our heart. Often it takes a crisis in life to soften our hearts — maybe that’s why you’re here today and are more open to hearing from God and his Word. But I pray that — even if you’re not in a crisis — that you’d pause and consider the attitude that you’ve brought with you today. And that you’d be open — that’s all — just open to what God is saying to you through his Word.

But for those of us who say we’re a Christian — who claim to be a follower of Jesus — this is where James is really challenging the status quo Christianity that’s prevalent in our country. You see — James is calling out the group of people who call themselves Christians in the US — yet whose lives and behaviors make it clear that they’re not taking Jesus at his Word.

Now hear me out: We need to be very careful in making behaviors — of any sort — the litmus test of proving whether or not a person’s faith is genuine. Right now — my concern isn’t for those who are spiritually proud and full of themselves — my concern is for those who are genuine believers in Jesus and have very sensitive spirits. Who are prone to beating themselves up or tearing themselves down — who view God as if he’s not pleased with them because they’re all too aware of their ongoing sin and shortcomings. And — for these folks — I want you to know that God loves you. If you believe in Jesus — as difficult as this may be to believe — I want you to know that God is delighted in you. He can’t think any more highly of you because — when he thinks of you — he thinks of you with all of the Fatherly affection that he has for Jesus.

I hope that’ll cause you to marvel, and be in awe, and to rejoice, and to be happy — for the God of Heaven sees you — and you give him joy.

Now — with that caveat — a way to test the genuineness of your faith — not a foolproof test, but a test that’s a tool to measure yourself against — and to examine where self-deception may’ve ensnared you — is our discipleship process here at Gateway. Think of this as the mirror that James mentions — a mirror you agreed to when you became a member of Gateway. And I especially want to speak to those of us who are members of Gateway because — as a member — you’ve given your word that you’d be committed to growing in obedience as a follower of Jesus. And our discipleship process is our mirror. It’s how we spiritually grow together as a church. For we’re members of a local church — not solo Christians doing our own thing.

So let’s all take a look in this mirror and see if we’ve forgotten what we look like — what we committed to — when we became members of this church.

Worship is the first step in our discipleship process. And — by worship — we mean regular worship with your faith family. And — I’ll just say it — weekly is best. Where you have a weekly event on your calendar to gather with your faith family to worship God. Some questions that may reveal self-deception or encourage your obedience are…

• How regularly are you worshipping with your faith family?
• Is worship a priority for you and your family?
• What other activities easily keep you from gathering with us for worship?
• What would happen if the rest of us imitated your worship attendance? Would we be attending more or less than we already are?

Our nature — right now — is to have a lot of justification going on in our heads. “Here’s why I’m not here weekly and it’s all very justifiable, Josh, thank you very much.” I’m not asking you to defend yourself to me — I’m asking you to take a look in the mirror of what you committed to and have a talk with the person whose reflection is staring back at you.

The second step in our discipleship process is connect. And we connect with one another in Life Groups. Life Groups are where we apply the Bible to life and care for one another. Yes, there are many great opportunities to learn, study, and discuss the Bible outside of Life Group — but as members of this church — we make it a priority to do this with our faith family — just like we want to care for our fellow church members. Some questions that may reveal self-deception or encourage your obedience — as you look in the mirror — are…

• Am I in a Life Group? If not, why not?
• If you are, how often are you attending?
• Are you coming prepared?
• How are you caring for your fellow group members? Life Groups aren’t the only way care happens around here — but they are the primary place where care takes place in our church. So how are you caring for your faith family members — and how are you allowing your church to care for you through our Life Group ministry?

The next step in our discipleship process is serve. And — by serve — we mean serving those in our faith family. Some questions that may reveal self-deception or encourage your obedience are…

• Are you serving your fellow church members?
• If so, how often?
• If not, why not?
• Since I liked this question so much I’m going to reuse it: What would happen if the rest of us imitated your serving? Would we be serving each other more or less than we already are?

Finally — we go — go is the final step in our discipleship process. Where we go to proclaim the gospel — both here in our local community — as well as in our country and around the world. Some questions to reveal self-deception or encourage your obedience — as you look in the mirror — are…

• How are you going?
• If you’re physically unable to go — how are you supporting those who are going?
• If overseas missions isn’t your thing, how are you serving with our local partners here in Findlay or our national partners? If you don’t know who they are, go to our website — gatewayepc.org/ministry-partners for more information.

And — remember — “and” is the key word. It’s not worship or connect or serve or go. Not “or” but “and.” Just like it’s not going locally or going globally — it’s “and”. And I get it — you may be thinking, “Well this sure seems like a lot! It sure seems like a sacrifice. It sure seems like somebody else is in charge of my life because I’ve got all kinds of reasons to not do all of this.” And you’re absolutely right — Somebody else is in charge. For you are not your own — but have been bought at a high price. 

CONCLUSION: A LIFE OF TRUE FAITH

Now — worshiping, connecting, serving, and going are no guarantee that you’re not living a life of self-deception — but I’ve found it to be a principle that most people can only keep up appearances for so long before they give into whatever their heart really desires — which leads us to the life of true faith. We’re in verse twenty-five.

James 1:25 ESV

25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

Here James says that when we look into the perfect law — a law of liberty — a law of freedom — which is James’ way of saying “the gospel” — James says when we believe the gospel we’ll persevere as someone who does the Word of God. What he’s saying is that those who look to the perfect law won’t forget the message. They’re no mere hearers of the Word — but are the people who live in response to the gospel — who do the Word. And these are the men, women, and children who will be blessed. For — what they do — in response to what they believe — pleases God. And they do the Word because the soil of their heart is producing a huge harvest of righteousness — an abundant harvest of obedience and of joy in Jesus and of hope — because they-re looking to — and not forgetting — the One who died so the seed of the gospel would be planted within them.

This is the life of true faith. It’s not a perfect life. It’s often a life of tripping and stumbling and full of reasons for much repentance. But it’s a life with a holy stubbornness to it. A stubbornness that refuses to forget — that refuses to turn from the mirror — it’s the life that keeps looking to Jesus. For he’s the mirror to which our eyes are to be fixed — and when we look to him — we will be doers of his Word. Let’s pray.

PRAYER

Father, thank you for your Word. Thank you for not leaving us dead in our sins. Thank you for your plan to rescue and save your people — to set us free — to raise us up from the dead.

Spirit, may you — right now — take the gospel and implant it into the hearts of those who hear my voice. May you soften their hearts so that — like good soil — a harvest of righteousness will be the result. 

And — Jesus — the hope we have is because you did for us what we can’t do for ourselves. You were no mere hearer of the Word — but a doer. And you obeyed — never wavering or distrusting your Father — on our behalf. And you gave your life of perfect obedience on a cross — so that we might be given life. 

So as we look into the mirror — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — help us not to forget what you’ve done for us so that we live for you — as doers of your Word. And we pray all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

BENEDICTION (Prayer teams available / Faith in Jesus = Resource Center)

May you go with your eyes fixed on Jesus — for then — what you do — will be in obedience to his Word. Amen.

God loves you. I love you. You are sent.

DATE: 1-4-26

Happy New Year! And — as always it’s a joy to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And there’s one thing I want you to know — and this is true if you’re worshiping with us for the first time — if you’re joining us at our North Main Campus or are with our friends in Bucyrus — I want you to know that God loves you and that I love you too.

SERIES INTRO

New Year — new sermon series. For the first half of the year we’re going to be in the book of James. And since this is a new book for us — today’s sermon will primarily be an introduction to the book.

But I want you to know that I have a personal affection for this book because it was the first book of the Bible that I memorized from beginning to end. And — if you’re new to Gateway — you may be wondering, “Did I just hear him right? Did he say he memorized the entire book of James?” That’s what I said. Bible memory — if you don’t know — is something I’m fond of.

I’ve told this story before — so forgive me if you’ve heard it — but my inspiration for Bible memory comes from my wife’s uncle — his name is Ron. It’s going on twenty years now — but I was talking to Ron at a family gathering and he mentioned how he had a bunch of books of the Bible memorized. I can’t remember how many — but it was a lot! It was impressive! It seemed so impossible! And it was inspiring!

So I decided to give it a try. And — again my memory’s a bit fuzzy all these years later — but Ron may have even recommended that I start with James. And that’s what I did. Then Ephesians. And now — I’m currently finishing up First Corinthians — which will be the twenty-first book of the Bible that I’ve memorized — along with a few psalms.

And the book of James is a great first book if you’re intrigued by the idea of memorizing an entire book. I’ll tell you why in a moment — but it’d thrill me to know that I might inspire some of you to memorize God’s Word like Ron did for me.

But — for now — let’s turn to the book of James. Just one verse for us today — the opening verse of the letter. We’re in James chapter one — verse one.

James 1:1 ESV

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.

Here’s what I hope to accomplish in this sermon. First, I want to tell you about James the man — who is he? Then we’ll look at the book — really it’s a letter — but we call them books of the Bible. But we’ll examine what kind of book James is — how it’s laid out — who it was written to — and so on. And — finally — I’ll briefly explain what you can expect going forward in this series.

WHO IS JAMES?

So let’s begin by answering the question: Who is James?

He describes himself this way in our verse.

James 1:1 ESV

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

He calls himself a servant. The Greek word really means something more like what we’d call a slave. Not in the abusive form of slavery you may be thinking of — just a stronger obligation than what we might think of when we hear the word servant. Servant — to our ears — gives the impression of an employer employee relationship. An “I work for you and you pay me for what I’m owed.” A slave — on the other hand — is someone who’s been purchased. Again — we can’t help but think of the abusive slavery that mars our nation’s past — but I hope to show you the difference in what James means. For example, let’s think of what Scripture tells us about what Christ accomplished on the cross.

In the final book of the Bible we read…

Revelation 5:9 NIV

9 And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.

The apostle Paul says quite a bit on this topic. For example…

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 ESV

19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

And…

Galatians 4:4–5 NLT

4 But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. 5 God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.

And…

Titus 2:11–14 ESV

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

And the apostle Peter says…

1 Peter 2:9 ESV

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Friends, I’m not ignorant of the horrors done under the umbrella of slavery — but we can’t allow mankind’s sinfulness to cause us to disregard biblical truth. For — like James — all who believe in Jesus have been…

• Purchased by Christ’s blood.
• And are bought with a high price.
• And have had their freedom bought by Jesus.
• And are now God’s possession.
• And are adopted into God’s family.
• And — all of this — is what it means to be a servant — or a slave — of God.

Now what I want us all to consider is how incredibly remarkable it is for James to describe himself this way. For he calls himself a slave of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. “Well that sounds neither incredible nor remarkable to me, Josh.” Well what if I told you that James was Jesus’ younger brother? Does James calling himself a slave of the Lord Jesus sound incredible and remarkable to you now? It should.

Think about it — and I especially want you to think about this if you’re not a Christian. If you have doubts about the validity of Christianity — maybe you’re not sure about Christianity’s claims about Jesus — like that he died and rose from the grave — or maybe you’re uncomfortable with Christianity’s stance that it’s only through faith in Christ alone that salvation is found — if this is you — here’s my question: What would it take for your older brother to convince you that he’s God?

How many younger siblings do we have among us? All of the younger siblings raise your hands — raise them at North Main and in Bucyrus — keep them up.

OK — my question is directed at you all: What would it take for your older brother or sister to convince you that he or she is God? Is there any way they could convince you? And not pretend convince — not, “If they give me a million dollars I’ll play along with their delusion” — I’m talking about, “I so believe my older sibling is God that I’m willing to die for my belief.” Keep your hand up if you think your older sibling could convince you they’re God.

Now — where are all of my fellow older siblings at — raise your hands. Older siblings — my brother and sisterhood. We’ll let the only children among us play as well — if you’re an only child raise your hand. Older siblings and only children — we’re the responsible ones, right? We had to work hard to get away with anything because our parents were all over us — they didn’t get tired and start to relax on their parenting until the younger siblings came along, right? You can put your hands down.

To my fellow older siblings — what would you need to do to convince your younger siblings that you’re God? To the only children — do you think you could convince your parents that you’re God? I’ve got one brother — he’s a lawyer. That’s right — a pastor and a lawyer — which means I’m the fun one. That was for my mom who’s watching right now. No matter how fun I am — one thing I know I’ll never do is convince my brother that I’m God. It ain’t gonna happen.

And — just so we’re not thinking that maybe James was a gullible kind of guy or something. Here’s how Jesus’ family viewed him before his death and resurrection.

John 7:1–5 ESV

1 After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him. 2 Now the Jews’ Feast of Booths was at hand. 3 So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. 4 For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” 5 For not even his brothers believed in him.

Now James isn’t specifically mentioned — none of Jesus’ brothers are named — but we’re also not told that any of his brothers were absent. And what this incident tells us is that it’s reasonable to think that James didn’t always believe his brother was God. Here’s why this matters. 

James — who didn’t always believe that his brother was God — instead of identifying himself by his familial relationship with Jesus — “James, the younger brother of Jesus Christ” — which would’ve been quite the power move — identifies himself as “a slave of the Lord Jesus Christ.” What I can’t do to my brother — convince him that I’m God — and what you can’t do to your siblings — if you’re the oldest — convince them that you’re God — and what your older sibling can’t do to you — if you’re not the oldest — convince you that he or she is God — is what James is convinced of about Jesus. He believes that his older brother is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Lord means ruler. And — specifically — the Ruler of all rulers — the King of all kings — the One who has authority and power over all things — because — he’s God. And Christ means God’s promised Savior — the One who left Heaven and came to earth to purchase people in order to save them from their sin.

So — in his opening words — James challenges all of us: Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ? Notice I’m not asking if you believe that you’re a Christian. As one author has said, “A modern Christian believes that believing he is a Christian is enough to make him a Christian. He thinks that his vague acknowledgment of God’s reality and of Christ’s saving work comes close enough to discipleship.” Where — the author goes on to say — you treat Jesus “as you might treat a friendly acquaintance at a party, nodding to him from across the room and then hoping desperately that he doesn’t come over to actually interact with you.” Later the author asks, “Is Christianity sort of like a hobby, or a mild interest, or a contingency plan for a rainy day? This, I think, is how we have ended up as a “Christian” nation that looks, acts, and functions nothing like a Christian nation.” And finally he says, “That’s the thing about Jesus: He’s either Lord and Savior and our only source of joy in this world, or he’s a nuisance.”

Yeah — we’re starting 2026 off hot. Because this is eternally important: Is Jesus your Lord? Your Master? The One who owns you? Yes — he loves you — don’t dismiss his love. Don’t ever dismiss his love — because — in love — he purchased you by giving himself on the cross. Thus, to reject his lordship is to reject his love.

Is Jesus your Lord? And is he your Savior? He was for James — even though Jesus was also his older brother. Talk about a remarkable defense of Christianity: Even Jesus’ siblings were convinced that he was God.

Who knew we could get so much out of half a verse where a guy named James introduces himself?

Let’s keep moving. What else do we know about James? James is mentioned by name in a few places in the Bible. For example — in Matthew and in Mark — where the story’s repeated — we read…

Matthew 13:53–58 ESV

53 And when Jesus had finished these parables, he went away from there, 54 and coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? 55 Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? 56 And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.” 58 And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.

While in his hometown of Nazareth — Jesus is rejected by the crowd. They couldn’t believe what he was saying and doing. One of the ways they justified their unbelief was by saying, “We know where this guy comes from — we know his family. His mom is Mary. We know his brothers.” And they mention James.

We also find James in the book of Acts — which contains the story of the early church. Here we see that James quickly rose to a prominent leadership position in the church in Jerusalem. For example — after Peter was miraculously rescued from prison — he went to let some people know that he was alive and safe. And there was an obvious commotion — it was a miracle after all.

Acts 12:17 ESV

17 But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place.

Later — when there was debate about non-Jews coming to faith in Jesus — a big meeting was held in Jerusalem. Much discussion took place about what should be required of Gentiles who come to faith in Jesus. Peter speaks first and gives his thoughts — about four sentences of material. Then Barnabas and Paul speak — both prominent leaders in the early church — none of their words are recorded. The last to speak is James. And of all of those who spoke — the most words recorded from the meeting are from James. Here’s what he said.

Acts 15:13–21 NLT

13 When they had finished, James stood and said, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Peter has told you about the time God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people for himself. 15 And this conversion of Gentiles is exactly what the prophets predicted. As it is written: 16 ‘Afterward I will return and restore the fallen house of David. I will rebuild its ruins and restore it, 17 so that the rest of humanity might seek the Lord, including the Gentiles — all those I have called to be mine. The Lord has spoken — 18 he who made these things known so long ago.’ 19 “And so my judgment is that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from eating food offered to idols, from sexual immorality, from eating the meat of strangled animals, and from consuming blood. 21 For these laws of Moses have been preached in Jewish synagogues in every city on every Sabbath for many generations.”

Some of the most powerful words in the book of Acts are spoken by James: “We should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.” Since the beginning of Christianity — the tendency has always been to make it harder for people to follow Jesus than it needs to be. 

• Believe in Jesus — and — don’t play cards. 
• Believe in Jesus and don’t go to the movies. 
• Believe in Jesus and make sure you boycott Disney — or — never mind we’re not boycotting Disney this year. 
• I’m sure you’ve experienced your own version of “believe in Jesus and ____”. 
• Yet — James — in the early church’s version of the debate — said, “Let’s not make it difficult for Gentiles who are turning to God.” 

A few chapters later in Acts — Paul returns to Jerusalem — and there we find James mentioned again.

And when we turn to Paul’s letters — Paul — while defending the resurrection of Christ in his letter to the Christians in Corinth — writes…

1 Corinthians 15:3–8 ESV

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas (that’s Peter), then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

Back to my question earlier — what would it take for you to believe that your sibling is God — how about a resurrection appearance? I bet that’d do it.

In his letter to the Christians living in Galatia — Paul mentions James a few times. He recounts his visit to Jerusalem that’s recorded in the book of Acts. But I want you to see how Paul refers to James. He writes…

Galatians 2:9 NLT

9 In fact, James, Peter, and John, who were known as pillars of the church, recognized the gift God had given me, and they accepted Barnabas and me as their co-workers. They encouraged us to keep preaching to the Gentiles, while they continued their work with the Jews.

Paul calls James — along with Peter and John — both who were original followers of Jesus — Paul calls James a pillar of the church. Meaning he’s a main support beam in the church.

And — finally — James is also mentioned in the book of Jude — which begins with these words.

Jude 1 ESV

1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:

“Wait, wait, wait. Are you telling me that James isn’t the only sibling of Jesus who eventually believed that he was God?” That’s right — not only did Jesus’ younger brother James believe that he was the Lord Jesus Christ — Jude did too. And I’m sure you noticed that Jude — like James — doesn’t introduce himself as Jesus’ younger brother — but as Jesus’ servant. But Jude does want to be recognized as James’ sibling. Why? Probably because of the authority James had in the early church — he was a pillar, after all.

And though we don’t find his death in Scripture — church history tells us that James was stoned to death by religious leaders — with the execution having both political and religious motivations.

WHAT KIND OF BOOK IS JAMES?

So that’s James — the man. What about James — the book? What kind of book are we about to spend half of the year in?

Earlier I mentioned that I think James is a great first book if you’re intrigued by the idea of memorizing an entire book. Here’s why I say that. James is written with distinct sections that are topically based. And this makes memorizing it easier than some of the other books you find in the Bible. For you can work on one small section — that’s focused on a singular topic — get it memorized — and then move on to the next section that’s usually about a completely different topic.

James is also considered the wisdom literature of the New Testament. One biblical scholar has said that James is, “Often referred to as the ‘New Testament book of Proverbs.’ James is fundamentally focused on practical Christian living — emphasizing that genuine faith must bear fruit through loving service, not just right doctrine.” So this book teaches us truth — and then shows us what believing that truth looks like in how you behave — because — what you believe can’t help but affect what you do.

Wisdom literature is often like, “Here’s how things work. Veer from my advice and you’ll find yourself in a world of pain.” Which means that wisdom literature often really upsets us — because — when you don’t follow wisdom’s advice — you’re called a fool. And the only thing worse than being a fool is being called one. So — warning — James is going to challenge what you believe and — how what you believe is shaping what you do. And will do so by pointing out where and how you’re being foolish.

For example, right away we’re challenged by the words…

James 1:2–3 NLT

2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.

I’m not going to go in depth with any of these examples right now — I’m just going to let wisdom do what wisdom does — challenge all of us. And she does so — here — by telling us to consider trouble in life as an opportunity for joy — because trouble helps our faith endure and grow.

Wisdom says…

James 1:19–20 NLT

19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 20 Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.

If wisdom tells us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry — and yet — we live in a world that is slow to listen, quick to speak, and quick to get angry — we must conclude — the way of the world in which we live is the way of foolishness.

Wisdom says…

James 1:22 NLT

22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

Ouch. It’s so much easier to just listen, isn’t it? Maybe even feel convicted by God’s Word — but that’s not enough. Wisdom says we must do what the Word of God says.

Wisdom says…

James 1:26 NLT

26 If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.

We’re going to discover that wisdom has a lot to say about our words.

One last example.

James 3:14–15 NLT

14 But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. 15 For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.

Demonic? Really? Jealousy and selfishness are demonic? According to God’s wisdom — yes.

CONCLUSION: WHAT’S TO COME

One final detail about the book of James: Who is James writing to? In our verse we read…

James 1:1 ESV

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.

Who are the twelve tribes in the Dispersion? These were Jewish-Christians — so followers of Jesus who — like James — had a Jewish background. Throughout the letter we’ll find that James assumes his audience has familiarity with the Old Testament — something not to be expected if his original readers were primarily of Gentile background.

And — in knowing that James was part of the church in Jerusalem and — from the book of Acts — how many of the early Jewish Christians had to flee from Jerusalem for their lives — most likely — James’ intent was for his letter to be sent to these groups of believers who had been dispersed throughout the Roman Empire. 

Why does that matter? Because it tells us that James continued to pastor his people even after they’d been scattered due to persecution. What love he must have had for these people to continue to shepherd and lead them by letter.

So that’s James — the man — and James — the book. And here’s a bit more of what’s to come as we venture through the book of James. We’re going to discover…

• Where good comes from.
• And what true religion is.
• James will challenge us about our prejudices.
• And what true saving faith is.
• We’re going to learn a lot about the words that come out of our mouth — as we saw earlier.
• And where division comes from.
• There’ll be quite a few words to those who are rich.
• And James will even teach us an important lesson on the power of prayer.

And — in my humble opinion — it doesn’t really matter who you are — young or old — male or female — married or single — even Christian or not — you won’t want to miss our time in the book of James. For every week — there’ll be something for you — something that challenges you, inspires you, and encourages you to follow the way of wisdom and turn from the way of foolishness.

Parents — make sure your teenagers are here. For there’s no better way to help them prepare for adulthood than by having them learn from God’s wisdom and to be warned about the world’s foolishness.

Wives — make sure your husbands are here — and husbands do the same for your wives. For there’s no better way to build your marriage on wisdom than by you — together — learning from God’s wisdom.

College students — get your roommates to church. Wisdom has something to teach you and them. 

In fact — there’ll be something for all of us to learn from God and his wisdom.

May 2026 year be a year of tremendous growth for all of us — as we grow in the wisdom of God as found in the book of James. Let’s pray.

PRAYER

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — that’s our prayer: May you use your Word to us — in the book of James — to teach us and grow us in your wisdom. 

Spirit — give us all ears to hear and humble spirits to receive your wisdom and to reject any foolishness we may currently be believing. May we submit ourselves to the authority of your Word — especially when it conflicts with what we believe or how we’re currently behaving.

And — Jesus — we pray this because we want to honor you with all areas of our lives. For Scripture tells us that you are the Wisdom of God — the only wise God — and our lives — if we’re following you — will be lives full of wisdom. Jesus, for your glory — help us to be people who take you at your Word. And we pray this in your name. Amen.

BENEDICTION (Prayer teams available)

May you commit yourself to growing in the wisdom of God in this coming year. And may you do so trusting that he generously gives his wisdom to anyone who asks. Amen.

God loves you. I love you. You are sent.

DATE: 11-2-25 (morning)

As always it’s a joy to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And there’s one thing I want you to know — and this is true if you’re worshiping with us for the first time — if you’re joining us at our North Main Campus or are with our friends in Bucyrus — I want you to know that God loves you and that I love you too.

SERIES INTRO

For two weeks — we’re taking a break from our series in Romans. And — we’re doing so — to prepare for our evening worship service tonight. Tonight we’re going to receive new members into our faith family. We’ll celebrate baptisms. And we’ll take the Lord’s Supper together. Three ancient and biblical practices that have been part of the life of the church since its beginning. Yet these are three practices for which there’s much confusion and misunderstanding.

So — to prepare ourselves for our time together tonight — we’re taking a look at each of these practices. Last week we looked at church membership. This evening we’ll see what God’s Word says about the Lord’s Supper. And — this morning — we’ll look at baptism.

Now — if you’re not a Christian — and maybe even if you are a Christian — sermons on church membership, baptism, and the Lord’s Supper may seem pretty irrelevant compared to whatever’s going on in your life right now. And I can understand thinking this way. Yet I’d like to offer that ancient biblical practices — like membership, baptism, and the Lord’s Supper — help us to see how the church of today is connected to — and has a history with — the church of the past — going as far back as what we read on the pages of the Bible.

So — though these topics may seem unrelated to your specific situation — when we step outside of our individual worlds and into this corporate world known as the church — we find that these three practices have much relevance for us. And I believe this is true even if you’re not currently a follower of Jesus — for this will give you a better understanding of what it means to follow Jesus.

So baptism — now — and the Lord’s Supper — this evening.

INTRODUCTION

If last week’s topic — church membership — is related to the most infamous sermon I’ve preached while here at Gateway — baptism is related to the longest teaching I’ve ever done in one sitting while here at Gateway. The two hour, thirteen minute, and forty-one second time of teaching and Q&A — and yes — this all also took place during the peak of my “long hair” era as your pastor. And — if you don’t know what that means — you’re better off than those who do. And I know that some of you are now itching to share a pic of “long hair Josh” with someone who wasn’t here back then. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  

Today’s sermon is going to be a significantly briefer overview of baptism — but much of today’s sermon will be taken from that teaching. And — if the longer version interests you — search for The Sacrament of Baptism on our website and you should be able to find it.

Now I have two goals for us today. First — I want us to look at how God relates to his people in both the Old and New Testaments. And — second — I want to address some of the common questions we get asked about baptism.

HOW GOD RELATES TO HIS PEOPLE

So — first — how does God relate to his people? Believe it or not — perhaps the most significant disagreement among American Christians takes place in answering this question. For our answer reveals how we view the relationship between the Old and New Testaments. Meaning — when we consider how God relates to his people in the Old and New Testaments — does continuity or discontinuity hold the most weight? 

All Christians agree there’s both continuity and discontinuity — so what I’m talking about is which do you believe one finds more of between the Old and New — is there more continuity or discontinuity in how God relates to his people? And it’s important to understand what your view is — because this will determine your view of baptism — along with many other non-essential doctrines that Christians disagree about. 

So let’s look at each of these views.

View number one is this: The Old Testament is precisely that…old. It’s outdated or obsolete. In this view — the New Testament is brand new. Which means — according to this view — the Old and New Testaments have more discontinuity than continuity. The Old Testament is still the inspired Word of God, but it reached its expiration date when Jesus came. So anything in the Old Testament is — at best — helpful in a historical sense — but has no impact on Christians today because we’re New Testament only people. 

This is a fairly popular view among American Christians. It’s a reason why so many Christians in our country neglect reading and studying the Old Testament. And why — even those who do — aren’t quite sure how the Old Testament applies to them today. 

And — yet — many who hold this view are quick to read a psalm when they need to be comforted — even though being a New Testament only person kind of goes against doing this. Some — who hold this view — may quote verses like, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Now — to not make a straw man argument — there would be many who hold this view who wouldn’t quote from Jeremiah like that — or even the Psalms. But this is view number one — where the Old Testament is old. It’s helpful in a historical sense, but has no impact on Christians today because we’re New Testament only people. Which means that the way God relates to us has more discontinuity than continuity when compared to the way he related to the people of the Old Testament.

And many Bible believing, God loving, gonna be in Heaven Christians — and pastors — whom I respect and have learned a great deal from — hold this view.

View number two is this: The New Testament is a continuation of the Old. This view sees the Old and New Testaments as telling one story. The Old set the foundation that the New is built on. The Old looks forward to the New. The New looks back to the Old. This view believes that there’s more in common — that there’s more continuity between the Old and New Testaments — than discontinuity.

Something else — to know about this view — is that — a central continuity between the Old and the New is how God relates to his people. Specifically — that the relationship between God and his people has always been — and continues to be — covenantal in nature. And this is the view that I hold.

But what does it mean for God’s relationship with his people to be covenantal in nature?

Let’s first define the word covenant. One definition is that, “A biblical covenant is a binding relationship of eternal consequence in which God promises to bless and his people promise to obey.” So there’s a promise of blessing by God and a promise of obedience by the people. No obedience — no blessing. And notice that we should be thinking eternally — both for the promises and the consequences. 

Both to the views — that I’ve described for you — believe there are covenants in the Bible. But where the difference between these two views is seen most clearly — is in how the two views understand what’s known as the New Covenant. But — before we get to the New Covenant — let’s briefly look at the covenants that come before it.

Covenant of Works

The first covenant in the Bible is called the covenant of creation or the covenant of works. It’s found in Genesis chapter two.

Genesis 2:15–17 ESV

15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

Notice there’s an obedience required on the part of the man — “work and keep the garden and don’t eat from one tree” — as well as a promise from God — “if you eat from the tree you will die” — which implies a blessing — “if you obey me — and don’t eat from the tree — you will live.”

But — spoiler alert — they eat from the tree. Adam and Eve break the covenant.

Let’s pause for a question — which we’ll ask ourselves numerous times today. 

Does this covenant apply to us today? Meaning — do we experience the results of this covenant being broken? Yes. Adam’s breaking of the covenant has affected all of us. Even though we’re not Adam — this covenant has continuity with us and our relationship with God today.

Covenant of Grace

Which leads us to the covenant of redemption also known as the covenant of grace. This is an eternal covenant between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit where — together — they agree to accomplish our salvation. Technically — this is the first covenant — because it was made in eternity past — but it’s the second covenant found in the Bible. And — it’s the covenant — that I’m suggesting — that ties all of the covenants together.

We find it in Genesis chapter three — where — in speaking to the serpent and the woman — God says…

Genesis 3:15 ESV

15 I will put enmity (or hostility — there will be war — ) between you (the serpent) and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he (this future descendant of the woman…) shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

And this covenant is fulfilled on the cross when Jesus is crucified. God’s enemy — the Serpent — also known as Satan — saw Jesus on the cross and thought he’d won the war. But as the nail went through Jesus’ feet — as the serpent struck his heel — the nail went through Jesus’ feet and straight through the head of the snake as it went into the wood of the cross. The seed — the promised descendant of the woman — defeated the snake.

Here’s our question again: Does this covenant apply to us today? Yes! This is our hope, right? That the offspring of the woman — Jesus — has crushed the head of the snake on the cross and did so on our behalf. 

Noahic Covenant

The next covenant we find in the Bible is God’s covenant with Noah. After Adam and Eve’s sin, the wickedness of mankind multiplied resulting in God’s judgment through the flood. This covenant is found in Genesis chapter nine when — after the flood — God put a rainbow in the sky and promised to never again judge his creation in this way. 

My question again: Does this covenant apply to us? Anyone worried about God destroying the world again with a flood? No. Why? Because of his promise to Noah, right? 

Anyone get amped up because the rainbow — a sign of God’s promise to his people — has been hijacked by another group? You do. Why? Because the rainbow is personal, right? It’s not just a promise to Noah — the rainbow’s a sign of God’s promise to his people — including us today — isn’t it? 

Abrahamic Covenant

Next we have God’s covenant with Abraham. This covenant is found in Genesis chapters twelve, fifteen, and seventeen. Abraham’s story begins with God calling him out of a foreign land — promising that he — God — will make Abraham into the father of many nations.

But there’s a problem. Abraham’s old and doesn’t have any children! So the covenant picks up again — a few chapters later — with God repeating his promise to Abraham. And it’s here where we find the words…

Genesis 15:6 ESV

6 And he (Abraham) believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.

God makes a promise to Abraham that — though he’s crazy old and childless — he will be the father of many nations. And Abraham believed God. 

The covenant continues a few chapters later.

Genesis 17:1–14 ESV

1 When Abram (that’s his name when we first meet him, but God’s about to change his name…when he) was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, 2 that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.” 3 Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him, 4 “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. 5 No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. 6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you. 7 And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. 8 And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.” 9 And God said to Abraham, “As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. 10 This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. 12 He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring, 13 both he who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money, shall surely be circumcised. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant. 14 Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”

Let’s ask our question again: Does this covenant apply to us today? Yes. Why? Because “Father Abraham had many sons — and many sons had Father Abraham” — if you know it, sing along with me — “I am one of them and so are you. So let’s all praise the Lord!” That’s an old Sunday School song for those who didn’t grow up in the church.

But there’s more truth to that children’s song than you may realize. What right do we have to sing these words if this covenant doesn’t apply to us in some way? But how do we know it applies to us? Because of the verse, “He believed the Lord and it was counted to him as righteousness” and its importance to the authors of the New Testament.

Mosaic Covenant

Fast forward a few hundred years and we come to the Mosaic covenant — which is found in Exodus chapters twenty through twenty-five — and is repeated in the book of Deuteronomy. The Mosaic covenant builds on the previous ones but gives details as to how God’s people are to be holy and set apart — thus all of the laws and ceremonies and celebrations that are found in the books of Exodus and Leviticus. And — the point of it all — is that God’s people are to be “a holy kingdom, in distinction from the offspring of the serpent” — which echoes the covenant language from Genesis chapter three. 

And notice that this covenant comes after God had rescued his people out of slavery in Egypt. They were enslaved — and their rescue — their salvation comes first — and then God gives them the law. God rescues first — then he gives instructions on how to obey. Obedience is always a result of salvation — obedience is never a way to earn salvation. 

Something to pay attention to —  is how in Galatians — Paul tells us that the Mosaic covenant — which introduced God’s law — and the Abrahamic covenant — which introduced God’s promise — are not in opposition to each other. The law — of the Mosaic covenant — doesn’t invalidate the promise of the Abrahamic covenant. Paul infers that the promise continues as the covenants build on each other. For the multiple covenants are all building towards the fulfillment of the one promise.

This is why I’d suggest — as you wrestle with the continuity and discontinuity of the Old and the New — that you look at what the New Testament has to say about the covenants.

Davidic Covenant

The next covenant is the Davidic covenant — it’s found in Second Samuel chapter seven. 

In this covenant with David — God makes it clear that the king of Israel stands as a representative for all of God’s people. In this covenant the king is called both to obey God and to lead the people in obeying God. And though earthly king after king will fail to do this — in this covenant — God promises that one day a King will come — from the line of David — and he will do what no other earthly king was able to do before him. For this future King will perfectly fulfill all of the obligations — not only for himself as king — but for his people — as he obeys God as their representative.

And — I hope it’s obvious — but Jesus is the King being described — he’s the fulfillment of God’s promise to David. In fact, the New Testament seems to be screaming at us that Jesus — being the fulfillment of God’s promise — is the fulfillment of all of the covenants. I say this because the New Testament begins with the words…

Matthew 1:1 ESV

1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

In the first verse of the New Testament — Matthew connects the genealogy of Jesus through God’s covenants with David and Abraham.

New Covenant

And now we arrive at the New Covenant — where the two views of the Old and New part ways. Let’s see if the New Covenant is new — in the sense of a completely new start — with no connection to the previous covenants — that would be view number one — the discontinuity dominant view — or if the New Covenant is a continuation of — or the next step in God’s relationship with his people — view number two — the continuity dominant view.

We’re in the book of Jeremiah. 

Jeremiah 31:31–34 ESV

31 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. 33 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

Notice how Jeremiah emphasizes the covenantal relationship between God and his people. That God is a promise-making — but more importantly — a promise-keeping God. God had made covenant promises to his people and here — in this New Covenant — a new promise is made. But don’t miss that Jeremiah mentions the previous covenants.

At this point — some additional background will be helpful. The people of God are about to be in exile — they’re about to get kicked out of the Promised Land because of their covenant unfaithfulness. But God — because he’s always faithful to his people — even when we’re faithless — God gives a new promise. God’s people will return to the land.

But there’s even more to this promise. For in this New Covenant God promises to do something to the hearts of his people. God’s law will be written on their hearts — meaning God’s law will be in them. 

In the Exodus story — God’s law was written on stone tablets — but in this New Covenant the law will be written on the hearts of God’s people. Leading to the culmination of this covenant — which is also found in the previous covenants, by the way — the culmination when God says that he will be their God and they will be his people. 

So here’s the picture.

• In the midst of king Nebuchadnezzar conquering Judah and destroying the city of Jerusalem. 
• In the midst of God’s judgment coming upon the people because they’ve abandoned him to worship false gods. 
• At the peak of their unfaithfulness — God demonstrates that he is always faithful.
• And he gives a new promise to his people.

“A day is coming,” says the Lord. “When a New Covenant will be established. And I will be your God and you will be my people.” 

And this New Covenant — I would like to suggest — is a continuation of the previous covenants found in the Bible. That it’s not brand new — in the sense of not being connected to the others — but is new — in the sense that it’s the next step of God’s faithfulness to his people.

To prove this — I want to look at two aspects of the covenants — that demonstrate their continuity — which will get us to baptism, I promise. There are many other aspects that we could look at — to prove this point — but we only have time for two today.

The Covenant Signs

One way the covenants demonstrate continuity is that they each have a sign. And — not only does each covenant have a sign — it’s important to notice what the sign is signaling. 

To Noah — the sign is a rainbow.

Genesis 9:13 ESV

13 I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.

The rainbow is the sign that God will be faithful to his promise — “never again will I destroy the earth by a flood.”

To Abraham — the sign is circumcision.

Genesis 17:11 ESV

11 You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you.

Circumcision is the sign that God will be faithful to his promise — “Abraham, you will be the father of many nations.”

To Moses — the Passover Meal was established prior to the covenant. The Passover Meal is a sign that God will be faithful to his promise — “my judgment will pass over the homes whose doorposts are covered by the blood of the lamb.”

To David there’s no obvious sign — though the kingship and crown and throne imagery point us to Jesus our King. The kingship is a sign that God will be faithful to his promise — “my promised King will come.”

And — with the New Covenant — the sign is baptism. And baptism is the sign that God will be faithful to his promise — “whoever believes in my Son will be saved.”

There’s continuity: each of the covenants has a sign pointing to God’s faithfulness.

Who Covenant Signs Are For

A second way the covenants demonstrate continuity is in who the covenant signs are for.

In Noah’s story — who was called righteous? Noah was. But who was saved in the ark? Noah and his family. Who received the sign of God’s covenant promise — the rainbow in the sky? Noah, his family, and all of creation — including us. Though the covenant was made with Noah — though he was righteous — the sign of God’s promised faithfulness was given to others in addition to Noah.

In Abraham’s story — even though the covenant was between God and Abraham — who received the sign of circumcision and were recipients of God’s promise? Abraham, his two sons — Ishamael and Isaac — and his entire family for all of his male descendants would receive the sign. Though the covenant was with Abraham — all of his descendants were recipients of the sign of God’s promised faithfulness.

The same continues with Moses — and the promise God made to David — and even with the New Covenant. The sign of God’s promised faithfulness was given to more than just the individual. 

Which leads us to Peter — a Jewish man who believed in Jesus. After Peter preached the first sermon about Jesus — the crowd asked him, “What are we to do in response to this news?

Acts 2:38–41 ESV

38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

Imagine what these Jewish people had just heard in Peter’s sermon about Jesus? They heard that God’s promise — that the Seed of the woman would come and defeat the serpent — the Promised One who would come and save God’s people from eternally drowning in the flood of their sins — the Promised One who would perfectly fulfill the Law on the behalf of God’s people — who would be a Saving King — Peter’s audience had just heard that all of God’s covenant promises are fulfilled in Jesus Christ. 

And Peter said to them, “This is a promise for you and your children — to everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And those who received Peter’s word about Jesus were baptized — for baptism is the sign of the new covenant — a sign of God’s promised faithfulness to his people. Baptism reminds us that God always saves those who believe in his Son.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Which leads us to some common questions we’re often asked about baptism.

The most common question is usually something about infant baptism — or the practice of baptizing those who’ve yet to proclaim faith in Jesus. Why do we baptize babies and young children before they believe? 

Because of the continuity between the covenants — meaning — we practice infant baptism because all of the previous covenants included signs that were given — not only based on the faith of the individual — like Abraham or Noah — but also to the children of those individuals — Isaac, Ishamel, and Noah’s family. And — nowhere in the New Covenant — nor in the New Testament — do we see a change in this covenant expectation of who is to receive the sign. Though there’s plenty of evidence for covenantal signs being given to children there’s no “thou shall stop giving covenantal signs to children” in the New Testament.

Which leads to another question. Are baptized children automatically saved? Of course not! We don’t believe that baptism saves anyone — Jesus does. And — truth be told — there’s no guarantee that individuals baptized as believers are actually saved. Many people baptized as believers have walked away from Jesus — which is rightfully sobering.

Another question we’ve gotten more recently has to do with us connecting membership to baptism — and baptism to membership. Meaning — although we do allow for some exceptions — for the most part we require people wanting to be baptized to become a member of our church. And for parents — who want to baptize or dedicate their child — to be members. Why do we do this?

First, know that those who are new to the Christian faith have no issue with our connection between baptism and membership. It’s folks who come to us from different church backgrounds who usually object. Instead of a lengthy answer — here — I’d encourage you to go listen to last week’s sermon about the benefits of membership and the commitment Gateway’s members make to those who are baptized in our church and I think you’ll see why we believe baptism and membership should have greater connection to one another.

We also get asked about re-baptism — or being baptized again. This is where an individual was baptized at some point in his or her life — maybe as an infant — or as a teenager — and wants to be baptized again.

Here’s our stance: If you were baptized in a Bible believing church — we won’t baptize you again. Why? Because your first baptism did exactly what it was supposed to do: it pointed to God’s faithfulness to his people and the promise that he always saves those who believe in his Son. And when baptism is about God’s faithfulness — and not our decision to follow Jesus — we find no need to be re-baptized. If you’re not sure if it was a Bible believing church — call the church office and someone will follow up with you to help sort through your question.

CONCLUSION

Here’s the bottom line — no matter where you land on infant baptism or connecting baptism and membership together — I hope we all agree that baptism — as the sign of the new covenant — does what the signs of the previous covenants did. That baptism points to God’s covenant promise to his people: That he is always faithful to save those who turn to his Son in faith. And may every baptism you witness going forward — remind you — and stir in you abundant joy — as it signals to you, “My God is always faithful. He always keeps his promises to his people.” Let’s pray.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, what a wonderful truth: You are always faithful — and you always keep your promises to your people.

Holy Spirit, may you imprint the hope and joy — that many of us are experiencing as we marvel at this truth — may you imprint this hope and joy deeply to our souls. 

And — Jesus — the promises we experience are because of the promises you kept on our behalf. Fulfilling our end of the covenant — so that we might experience blessings and favor from your Father who is now our Father.

Father, Son, and Spirit — thank you for your faithfulness to your people. Draw more to you even now. Reveal to them who you are — the One who is faithful, true, and the only God who saves. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

BENEDICTION (Prayer teams available)

May you go filled with hope in knowing that God always keeps his promises to his people. Amen.

God loves you. I love you. You are sent.

DATE: 10-19-25

As always it’s a joy to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And there’s one thing I want you to know — and this is true if you’re worshiping with us for the first time — if you’re joining us at our North Main Campus or are with our friends in Bucyrus — I want you to know that God loves you and that I love you too.

SERIES INTRO

We’re continuing our series in Romans this weekend and we’re in the practical application section of Paul’s letter where — after eleven chapters of rich theological truths — Paul’s now in the “so what” section of his letter. Meaning he’s showing us how all of the theology — that’s found in the first eleven chapters — is to play itself out in how we live. 

But — before we turn to our text for today — I want to let you know what to expect in the coming weeks. Starting next week — we’re going to take a break from Romans — just when we’re almost at the end — and we’re going to take three sermons to look at three important practices in the life of our church: church membership, baptism, and the Lord’s Supper — also called communion.

In a few weeks we’ll have a combined evening worship service here at our County Road 9 Campus. And during this evening service we’ll welcome new members into our faith family, celebrate baptisms, and take the Lord’s Supper together. So I thought it’d be good for us to spend some time looking at all that will be happening during that evening worship service ahead of time.

So next week we’ll look at church membership. The following week we’ll look at baptism. And then — during the evening worship service — we’ll look at the Lord’s Supper.

Then — after our short break — we’ll jump right back into Romans for the final two sermons we have left in the book.

But — today we’re in Romans — we’re not on break from it yet. And our final three sermons in Romans may end up being the most unique. For Paul — as he ends his letter — becomes quite personal in his final words. Let me show you what I mean.

Here’s what Paul writes in Romans chapter fifteen — beginning in verse fourteen.

Romans 15:14–33 ESV

14 I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another. 15 But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. 18 For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, 19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; 20 and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, 21 but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” 22 This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. 23 But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, 24 I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. 27 For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. 28 When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you. 29 I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ. 30 I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, 31 that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. 33 May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

As I said — this is a very personal section of the letter for Paul. And in this part of his letter we find two ideas: The call that God had on Paul’s life — and the call that God has on us — individually and as a church. Paul’s call and our call — that’s what we’re going to explore together today.

PAUL’S CALL

We’ll begin with Paul’s call — but know that there’s overlap even with the specific call God had for Paul and God’s call for us. But we’ll do our best to focus on Paul’s call — beginning in verse fifteen — where he writes…

Romans 15:15–25 ESV

15 But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. 18 For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, 19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; 20 and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, 21 but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” 22 This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. 23 But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, 24 I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints.

And skipping to verse twenty-eight we read…

Romans 15:28–29 ESV

28 When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you. 29 I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.

In these words, Paul helps us understand how he viewed his call. And he describes his call — and I rarely do this — but we’re going to go for it today — he describes his call as that of a priest, of power, of preaching, and of planting. For those of you who’ve been waiting for some preaching alliteration — today is the day the Lord has made for you. Paul’s calling was one of priest, power, preaching, and planting.

Part of God’s call on Paul’s life was to be a priest. We see this beginning in verse fifteen where Paul writes…

Romans 15:15–17 ESV

15 But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God.

And in verse twenty-eight we read…

Romans 15:28–29 ESV

28 When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you. 29 I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.

Paul was called to be a priest. Where a prophet speaks on behalf of God to the people — a priest intercedes on behalf of the people to God. We’ll get to Paul’s prophetic role in preaching the gospel — in just a moment — but I want us to focus on his call which he describes as a priestly service. 

When I think of this priestly call on his life — I can’t help but think of his prayers for the Christians he writes to. Think of some of the words he wrote to others that are an expression of this priestly call on his life.

To the Christians in Thessalonica Paul wrote…

1 Thessalonians 1:2–3 ESV

2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

And…

2 Thessalonians 1:11–12 ESV

11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

To the Christians in Ephesus he wrote…

Ephesians 1:16–21 ESV

16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

To the Christians in Colossae he wrote…

Colossians 1:3–5 ESV

3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven.

To Philemon he wrote…

Philemon 4–6 ESV

4 I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, 6 and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.

To Timothy…

2 Timothy 1:3–7 ESV

3 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

I wonder how God might want you to enter into a similar kind of priestly service for others by praying for them in this way? In our most recent membership class, I was asked what’s the best way to encourage me as the pastor of Gateway. My answer was to pray for me. To pray for my family. And to let me know that you’re praying for me.

A recent addition to my list of life resolutions came from the sweet joy of realizing how many of you are praying for me. I worded my new resolution this way. Remember: God’s people are praying for you. I’m encouraged every time I read these words.

You may or may not be aware — but before every worship service a group of men pray with and for me. One of these men is Dave Vaas. I didn’t warn Dave that I’d be mentioning him — so Dave — warning — I’m about to pastorally brag on you. Knowing Dave — he’s probably already read this anyway. You’ll know what I mean in a second. 

As I said, Dave’s one of the men who meets with me to pray for me and my sermon before I preach. And — what I so appreciate about Dave’s prayers — is how he comes having read through my sermon manuscript. He — Randy Casper also does this — to pastorally brag on someone else — Dave and Randy will pray for a specific point in my sermon, or a section that stuck out to them — and they often pray that God will use that point or section to speak to you all. They’re fulfilling a priestly service for me and you. To Dave and Randy — and to all of the men who pray with and for me before I preach — thank you for fulfilling such an important priestly ministry that God has called you to.

Paul was called to be a priest.

Additionally, part of God’s call on Paul’s life was to be a vessel of God’s power. We see this beginning in verse eighteen where Paul writes…

Romans 15:18–19 ESV

18 For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, 19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ;

Paul was called to be a vessel of God’s power. Earlier this year we spent quite a few weeks looking at the spiritual gifts that Paul mentions in chapter twelve. In those sermons we saw how the Holy Spirit empowers every follower of Jesus with a spiritual gift that’s to be used to build up and strengthen the church. And here — in our verses — Paul tells us that living by the power of the Spirit was an important part of God’s call on his life.

A call — not only on Paul’s life — but on all who follow Jesus — is a call to be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. Regardless if we’re preaching, evangelizing, greeting people when they enter our buildings, enjoying the giggles and screams of terror by our toddlers, or whatever you may do around here. We’re called to live by the power of the Holy Spirit and to recognize that what goes on around here isn’t natural — but is a supernatural work of God. For — when we’re served by each other — we’re being served by the Spirit of God who’s working through each of us.

Yet don’t miss that — when Paul points to what Christ accomplished through him — he says it came about by “word and deed…by the power of the Spirit of God.” This is why part of God’s call on Paul’s life was also that of being a preacher. We’re back in verse eighteen again…

Romans 15:18–20 ESV

18 For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, 19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; 20 and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation,

Paul was called to be a preacher of the gospel. And when we take these two calls on Paul’s life — calls of power and of preaching — we come to one of the characteristics we desire to see in every follower of Jesus here at Gateway. We call this being Word and Spirit Christians. Where our desire is to live under the authority of the Word of God and by the power of the Spirit of God so that we make our saving God look glorious to the world.

Obviously not all of us are called to preach the Bible — but all of us are called to proclaim the Good News. Every follower of Jesus should know the basics of the gospel — the Good News of what Christ accomplished in his life, death, and resurrection — so that — you can share it with others. 

Do you see this call on your life — to share the gospel? Are you fulfilling this call that God has on your life?

Finally, part of God’s call on Paul’s life was that of planting — or starting — new churches. We’re in verse twenty…

Romans 15:20–25 ESV

20 and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, 21 but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” 22 This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. 23 But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, 24 I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints.

Paul was called to plant new churches. Paul had a passion for taking the gospel to people living in places where the gospel had not yet been heard. So he planted — or started new churches — which would be an outpost for the gospel in their community. This was part of God’s call on Paul’s life.

Obviously, not all Christians are called to be church planters. But we’re all called to go in some way. After all — Jesus’ final words before ascending into heaven were…

Matthew 28:18–20 ESV

18 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

And as Luke records in the book of Acts…

Acts 1:8 ESV

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Something I love about us as a church — is our commitment to taking the gospel to places where it’s currently not believed. We just had our Go celebration this past week and it was great to see so many of you come together to hear stories of how we’ve been going this past year. 

We call this our commitment to being Kingdom-minded around here — more on that in a moment. But I want to acknowledge that I know how hard it can be to imagine that there are still places on this planet where the gospel isn’t heard or believed. We live in a bit of a Christian bubble here in the US. Obviously, not everyone in our country is a Christian — but it’s hard to live in the US and not hear about Jesus — there are churches everywhere! But that’s not the case across the globe.

According to Joshua Project — an organization that tracks people groups that lack the gospel — there are a little over 7,000 people groups who are considered unreached — which means they have no access to the gospel. This represents over three billion people who have little or no access to the gospel — which we rightly believe is the only means of salvation.

And — like Paul — God has uniquely called us — Gateway Church — to go where the gospel is currently not known. In fact — this calling on us is so great — and our commitment to fulfill this calling is so known — that we’re viewed as a very missional church in our denomination. If you don’t know — missional basically means spreaders of the gospel — locally and globally. Like me, you may be thinking, “Really? Aren’t we the Bible church? Or the kid’s ministry church? Or the church with rocking worship music?” All I know is that the further removed you are from us — the more we’re seen as the church who takes seriously the call to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. And I hope that you — like me — are happy to claim this reputation.

OUR CALL

Having looked at Paul’s call, we’ll now look at our call a bit more. I know we’ve done so already — but there are few more aspects of our call found in our text. We’re back in verse fourteen.

Romans 15:14 ESV

14 I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.

Skipping to verse twenty-six we read…

Romans 15:26–27 ESV

26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. 27 For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings.

And in verse thirty Paul writes…

Romans 15:30–33 ESV

30 I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, 31 that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. 33 May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

When it comes to our call — as a faith family — though this doesn’t encompass all that we’re called to — in these verses Paul reminds us of our call to be disciples who make disciples, our call to be generous, our call to be a family, and — again — our call to be Kingdom-minded. All — I hope — are familiar ideas for you — for these are four out of the five characteristics we hope to see in all who follow Jesus here at Gateway. The fifth being Word and Spirit Christians — which we looked at earlier.

First, we’re called to be disciples who make disciples. Paul writes this in verse fourteen…

Romans 15:14 ESV

14 I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.

Paul praises the Christians in Rome because he knows that they’re filled with goodness, with knowledge, and — thus — are able to instruct — or disciple — one another. The call to make disciples of all nations — which Jesus gave us — is a call locally as much as it is globally. And it’s a call on us corporately — as a church — as much as it is individually. For every disciple of Jesus is called to make disciples of Jesus.

How are you fulfilling this call on your life — and how are you helping us fulfill this call as a church?

• I’m so thankful for those who make disciples by serving as a Life Group leader. 
• And for those who serve in our Kidway ministry — helping us make disciples of the youngest in our church. 
• For those who make disciples among our youth. 
• Who lead equip classes. 
• Who meet one on one over coffee or a meal to help someone else grow in their faith — that’s being a disciple who makes disciples. 
• For parents who read God’s Word to their children, and teach them to pray — making disciples in your home.

If you’re not currently a disciple who’s making disciples — and you want to become one — stop by the Resource Center before you leave. They’ll take down your name and I’m sure we can find a way for you to step into this call God has on your life.

We’re also called to be generous. In verse twenty-six Paul writes…

Romans 15:26–27 ESV

26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. 27 For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings.

How lucky are you, right? Everyone loves when the preacher talks about money — not! When it comes to our desire — for us to be a generous people — generosity must include our finances. The old “time, talent, and treasure” mantra unintentionally shifted to the idea that we have a choice — “I’ll be generous with my time, or my talent, or my treasure” — when the Bible calls us to be generous with all of it.

And here — in our verses — the Christians living in one area of the world were pleased to be financially generous with Christians living in Jerusalem. Twice Paul tells us that it pleased the Christians to be financially generous. And he tells us that it pleased them because their financial generosity was birthed out of the spiritual blessings they’d been recipients of.

I wonder how the spiritual blessings you’ve received have made you into a more financially generous person? For it’s not just in these verses — but throughout the Bible — that you’ll see a connection between recognizing and appreciating the spiritual blessings you’ve been given and how financially generous you are.

We’re also called to be a family. We’re in verse thirty…

Romans 15:30–33 ESV

30 I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, 31 that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. 33 May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

These verses also show us our call to be Kingdom-minded. We see our call to be family in Paul’s description of this striving together — implying a unity among these Christians in their prayers for Paul. A family like unity birthed from Jesus being our Lord and the Holy Spirit filling us with love for one another.

And we’re called to be Kingdom-minded. We saw this earlier, but here Paul mentions Judea and Jerusalem — two of the areas Jesus mentioned in our call to be his witnesses.

CONCLUSION

Paul’s call and our call. God’s call on us as a church and his call on you as one of his followers. May we — like Paul — fulfill the calling to which we’ve been called — so that — we strive together in unity, and pray for one another, and find refreshment and joy by one another’s company — because — Jesus is our Lord and Savior — and because we’ve been filled with love for one another by the power of the Holy Spirit. Let’s pray.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank you for your call upon us — both as a church and as individuals. For those you call as individuals you call into your church. May we never try to separate your call upon our lives — individually — with your call upon your church.

Holy Spirit, you’re the One who awakens deaf ears, blind eyes, and dead hearts to the Good News of the gospel. You give new life and we believe. This is the very first call in any of our lives. May you make this call — right now — to many who hear my voice and yet don’t believe in Jesus. Call them. Awaken them. Give them life so that they believe.

And — Jesus — for those who respond — you call to a life of purpose. That of being a disciple who’s a Word and Spirit Christian. Who’s generous. Who makes disciples. Who’s Kingdom-minded. And who fulfills his or her call as part of your faith family. What a gift it is to be called by you. What a purpose. What a thrill.

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — may you use each of us to fulfill your calling upon us as a church. And may the result be unity, and refreshment, and joy among us. And we pray all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

BENEDICTION (Prayer teams available)

May you respond to God’s call upon your life as we will fulfill his call for us as a church. Amen.

God loves you. I love you. You are sent.

DATE: 8–3-25

As always it’s a joy to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And there’s one thing I want you to know — and this is true if you’re worshiping with us for the first time — if you’re joining us at our North Main Campus or are with our friends in Bucyrus — I want you to know that God loves you and that I love you too.

INTRODUCTION

We’re continuing our series in Romans this weekend. We’re in the practical application section of Paul’s letter where — after eleven chapters of rich theological truths — Paul shows us how what we believe is to shape how we live. That’s the journey we began with Paul’s “therefore” statement…

Romans 12:1–2 ESV

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Paul tells us to live our lives as sacrificial offerings to God — where our lives are acts of worship that make our God look glorious to the world because of what we believe. And — one of the ways that our lives can make God look glorious to the world — is something we’ve been looking at for a few weeks. For Paul’s forcing us into the nitty gritty of life so we see how — what we believe — is to shape how we live. And this is all incredibly practical stuff — for it addresses how the Christian faith actually changes us.

So — if you have your Bible — please turn with me to Romans chapter thirteen. We’ll be in Romans chapter thirteen — looking at verses one through seven. There Paul writes…

Romans 13:1–7 ESV

1 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. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

If you’re just joining us, two weeks ago we saw that what this text teaches is pretty straightforward — it’s not hard to understand. But we returned to this passage for a second and third week because — though it’s straightforward and easy to understand — applying this text is where things get hard. Last week we looked at what God’s Word says both to those in authority and those under authority and — today — we’ll look at some implications of this text and how we’re to live because of our faith in Jesus Christ.

Now — if you wouldn’t call yourself a Christian — know that we’ll be talking about politics today — but not how you might think. You see — when we talk about submitting to authority — one area of life where this can’t be ignored is in the area of government. And — generally speaking — politics is a religion in our country. And we’re a nation full of fully devoted followers of the religions of the Republican and Democrat parties. 

For example, it’s not a surprise to me that — after the first week on authority and submission — I started hearing you all ask the question, “What about Hitler?” Our culture’s aversion to submission has made Hitler the go to example. First, I don’t know that Nero — the Roman Emperor that Paul refers to in Romans — was much better than Hitler. Admittedly we don’t have near the detailed history on Nero that we do on Hitler — but what we do have on Nero isn’t all warm and fuzzy. 

And — second — and this gets to the religiousness of politics in our country — both political parties in our country love to compare the other side to Hitler and Nazism.

On the right — author Eric Metaxas — in his book Letter to the American Church — essentially compares living under the Biden administration to living in Germany in the 1930s, compares the American Church of today with the German Church of the 1930’s — who conceded to Hitler — and uses Dietrich Bonhoeffer as the example of how Christians should respond to what was happening in the US with civil disobedience.

But now that Trump is president — Bonhoeffer is the example used by the left because — of course — Trump is like Hitler, the Republican Party is like the Nazis, and so on. When the other party’s in charge — this is absolutely believable. But when your party’s in charge — it’s absolutely ridiculous to make such a comparison. And — that’s the case — because — politics is a religion in our country.

Now — today — as I promised — we’ll focus on two questions: When to obey authority and when to disobey authority.

THE PURPOSE OF GOVERNMENT

But — first — we need to talk about the purpose of government according to the Bible. Did you know that God has a purpose for government? That’s what Paul tells us in verse three when he writes…

Romans 13:3–4 ESV

3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.

Government — when it fulfills its God-given purpose — will promote what is good and prohibit and punish what is evil — good and evil as defined by God. This is God’s purpose for our government — here in the United States, here in Ohio, and here in Findlay. Yet this is also God’s purpose for the governments of the United Kingdom, Brazil, Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. All governments have this purpose — no government is outside of God’s authority and — as governing authorities under his absolute authority — they have an obligation to do what God has created them to do.

This is no different than God’s purpose for any of us as individuals. For example, God has a purpose for every single Christian.

Ephesians 2:8–10 ESV

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Every single Christian has been saved by God to make him look glorious to the world by doing the works he’s called us to do.

God has also created the church — a gathering of his people here on earth — for a purpose. The way we describe this purpose at Gateway is “we exist to glorify God by making disciples of Jesus Christ.” For Jesus said…

Matthew 28:18–20 ESV

18 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

And — in our verses from Romans — Paul tells us that the purpose of government is to promote what is good and to punish what is evil. When governments — any government — promote what is good and punish what is evil it is fulfilling its God given purpose. And when governments — any government — don’t do this — they’re not fulfilling their God given purpose.

As I mentioned two weeks ago — the Westminster Confession of Faith — our denomination’s doctrinal standard — says…

God, the supreme Lord and King of the whole world, has ordained civil authorities to be over people under him for his own glory and the public good. For this purpose he has armed civil authorities with the power of the sword to defend and encourage those who are good and to punish wrongdoers. (WCF 23.1)

But did you notice how Paul describes governing authorities as God’s servant? Some translations have “God’s ministers.” This tells us that those who serve in government are not to be self-serving — how about that for a radical idea? Instead, those serving in government are to serve their citizens with the purpose of God being glorified. For that’s what it means to be a servant of God. 

Additionally, being called God’s servant implies that those in government have an obligation to submit themselves to God’s authority, commands, and definition of what is good and what is evil. Those in government are not free to do whatever they want. They’re not free to choose what is good and what isn’t. They’re not free from authority — but occupy a position of authority because they’ve been appointed by God and are under his authority.

Like I said last week — Paul’s words would’ve been a warning to Caesar — the emperor of Rome. A man who assumed he was at the top of the authority org chart. The man everyone else in the Roman Empire also assumed was at the top of the authority org chart. To the emperor, Paul says, “Caesar, you’re God’s servant. He’s put you in authority to do his purpose. You’re no god — you’re a servant of God.”

Instead of “in God we trust” on their coins — the Roman Empire had some variation of “Caesar is Lord” or “Caesar, the son of a god” on them. If only we — the citizens of a nation who have “in God we trust” on our money — would live up to our motto. The citizens of the Roman Empire — they lived up to their motto — which is why Jesus was once questioned about whether people should pay taxes to Caesar or not. So he asked for a Roman coin…

Mark 12:16–17 ESV

16 And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.” 17 Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at him.

A Roman Coin had Caesar’s image on it — so give the coin back to Caesar — pay your taxes. But don’t forget that God has put his image on something — and that is something all of us are to give back to him. 

Do you know what that something is? Us — for we’re all made in the image of God — Christian or not — including Caesar. Including President Trump, and Governor DeWine, and Mayor Muryn, and all who serve in government — here in the US — and anywhere else. 

All of this is on Paul’s mind when he calls those in government God’s servants. “Give yourself first to God — so that — in your position of authority — you promote what God has said is good and punish what God has said is evil.” 

• Mr. President, give yourself first to God — so that — in your position of authority you promote only what God has said is good and punish only what God has said is evil.
• Mr. Governor, give yourself first to God — so that — in your position of authority you promote only what God has said is good and punish only what God has said is evil.
• Madame Mayor, give yourself first to God — so that — in your position of authority you promote only what God has said is good and punish only what God has said is evil.

As followers of Jesus, this is to be our attitude towards those in government — when the person in office is who we voted for and when it’s not. And — this being our posture — means that we’ll be different than those who are followers of the Republican or Democrat religions. For we take God at his Word — and trust that there is no governing authority except those who’ve been appointed by God to be his servant. Including Nero. Including Biden. Including Trump. And — yes — even including Hitler. For the only alternative is to believe that God’s sovereign authority is limited — that he’s not above Nero or Hitler or Biden or Trump. And a God who isn’t above all things, people, places, and nations is not a god worthy of our worship.

WHEN TO OBEY AUTHORITY

With that being said — and in knowing that all those who serve in earthly authority are sinners and may inadvertently or purposely promote what God has said is evil and punish what God has said is good — including those who are members of your political party — we now turn to the nitty-gritty and controversial topics of when to obey those in authority and when to disobey.

Let’s begin with when to obey authority. But — first — a reminder of what Paul tells us.

Romans 13:1–2 ESV

1 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. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.

As I’ve been reiterating, God — in being sovereign — in being in control of all things — has appointed all who hold a position of authority — including those in government. 

• The people you voted for. 
• The people you didn’t vote for. 
• The people who serve in our country’s government. 
• And the people who serve in China, Iran, Iraq, Somalia, North Korea, you name it. 
• For there is no government outside of God’s control and there are no individuals in authority who are outside of his sovereignty either. 
• Thus — Paul says — be subject to the governing authorities. Submit to them. Obey them. 

Which tells us that the starting point — for every follower of Jesus — when it comes to your relationship with those in authority — is one of obedience. Our default position should be obedience — not disobedience. For we’re to obey them — regardless if we voted for them or not — when what they ask or command us to do is not sinful. And that’s key: If what those in authority over us are asking or commanding us to do — is not sinful — we’re to obey.

And I know what some of you are thinking, “But what if — it’s not sinful — but I still disagree?” We’ll get to that in a moment, but for now — what I want you to see — from Paul’s words — which are God’s Word to us — is that our relationship with those in authority begins with our submission. Rebellion against God’s authority is what destroyed our relationship with him in the first place. Satan was first to rebel against God’s authority and he convinced Adam and Eve to rebel as well. And — for the rest of us — it didn’t take any convincing — we were born rebellious against God’s authority. And much of the tension we’ve felt while exploring the topic of authority and submission — is rooted in — not our distrust and rebellion against earthly authority — but is really rooted in our distrust and rebellion against God and his sovereignty over all who are in authority. Something true for Christians and non-Christians alike.

• Remember — Jesus said pay taxes to Caesar.
• Remember — that Paul wrote these words while a wicked man was emperor of Rome. 
• Remember Joseph — and how he submitted to Pharaoh and served as his second-in-command in Egypt. 
• Remember Nehemiah and Daniel — who served Babylonian kings. And Esther who was married to one.

We have biblical example after biblical example after biblical example — in addition to clear commands — of what our posture is to be towards those who are in authority over us: When they’re not asking us to sin — we’re to submit to their authority.

WHEN TO DISOBEY AUTHORITY

But now we turn to what you all have been waiting for. For there are times when we must disobey authority. One last reminder from Paul.

Romans 13:3–5 ESV

3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.

When those in authority — instead of promoting what is good — as defined by God — and punishing what is evil — also as defined by God — promote what God has said is evil and punish what God has said is good — then we must disobey. And because we live in an age that is defiant to authority — even godly and God-appointed authority — I want you to pay close attention to these biblical examples of disobedience to authority.

When Pharaoh ordered the murder of all male Jewish babies — some midwives refused to obey his command. This was before “thou shall not murder” was etched in stone — but it was still sin. Here’s what happened.

Exodus 1:15–17 NLT

15 Then Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, gave this order to the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah: 16 “When you help the Hebrew women as they give birth, watch as they deliver. If the baby is a boy, kill him; if it is a girl, let her live.” 17 But because the midwives feared God, they refused to obey the king’s orders. They allowed the boys to live, too.

Why did they refuse the king’s order — what was the root of their disobedience? Their fear of God. A pastor from the 1600’s said, “The carnal person fears man, not God. The strong Christian fears God, not man. The weak Christian fears man too much and God too little.” When our disobedience to those in authority is required — it must be rooted in our fear of God.

This was true of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who — though threatened with death if they would not sin by worshiping the statue of King Nebuchadnezzar — said to the king…

Daniel 3:16–18 ESV

16 “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

The midwives disobeyed because they feared God and the consequences of murder which they knew — even without the Ten Commandments — was evil. Daniel’s three friends also feared God and refused to disobey his command “thou shall have no other gods before me.” But what I want you to notice is how they would rather die than sin by following the orders of the king. And they did not resist being thrown into the furnace. They did not resist the sword that Paul refers to in Romans — that may slaughter us. Rarely are we asked to commit sins such as murder or false worship today — and yet — our default position is not only to disobey authority — we also get upset when there are consequences for our unbiblical disobedience.

Continuing with biblical examples.

Daniel 6:10 ESV

10 When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.

Daniel’s opponents had convinced the king to sign a decree that no one could pray to anyone but him — and Daniel disobeyed the decree — even when he knew it would mean meeting some hungry lions up close and in person. When’s the last time the US government asked you to pray to a political figure?

Or take Esther who — when learning that her fellow Jews were in serious trouble because of a decree her husband had been tricked into signing — and knowing that the law of the land stated that if anyone approached the king without being invited — including her, his wife, the queen — they were subject to possibly being killed! She says…

Esther 4:11–16 ESV

11 “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law—to be put to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter so that he may live. But as for me, I have not been called to come in to the king these thirty days.” 12 And they told Mordecai what Esther had said. 13 Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” 15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, 16 “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.”

Another case where the act of disobedience came with the potential of death. Not inconvenience — death! Not even jail time — but death! Oh how far we’ve fallen — not only in what we will disobey authority over — but also in how we think that our disobedience should come without consequences. Yet this is not what we find in the Bible. 

The biblical examples continue — there’s Peter and John. Who were arrested and threatened by those in authority for preaching about Jesus. The authorities told them to stop preaching about Jesus. What was their response to these threats?

Acts 4:19–20 ESV

19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”

And — after being arrested and threatened again — because they were preaching about Jesus…

Acts 5:29 ESV

29 Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.

And — before being released — the authorities had them beaten for their disobedience. Do you know how the apostles responded to their beating? They rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for Jesus. Why do so few Christians today find it a joy to be counted worthy of suffering for Jesus? Because we want our disobedience without the suffering, don’t we?

All of these examples are summarized by one of my Bible commentaries, which states…The Bible gives a very clear basis for civil disobedience; namely, if the state commands what God forbids, or if the state forbids what God commands, then civil disobedience is a Christian duty.

On the Conscience and Is Yours Biblical?

Which leads to one last aspect of submission and authority: What if what’s being asked isn’t sinful, but you still disagree with the decision of those in authority? This is the question of conscience. This is a question in which we must be biblical in our answer and not take our cues from the culture around us. For it’s far easier than we think to confuse our conscience with what God has said in his Word — and we’re far too trusting of our conscience — as if our conscience is the Holy Spirit or untainted by sin or something. Yet listen to what Paul says about this.

1 Corinthians 4:3–4 ESV

3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.

Paul says, “When others judge me — even in a court of law — that’s no big deal. I’m not aware of any reason for me to be judged — my conscience is clear. But” — and this is key — “just because my conscience is clear doesn’t mean I’m innocent. The Lord will judge me.” 

Did you know that your conscience being clear doesn’t mean that you’re innocent when it comes to God? That’s true for the Christian and non-Christian. Which is why we Christians must be biblical in our relationship to those in authority. For as one author writes…In an era when respect for authority is at low ebb, it is necessary to point out that Christians must be very careful to ensure that any act of civil disobedience is a matter of conscience inspired by divine principle, because there is an unfortunate tendency for Peter’s dictum — “We must obey God rather than men” — to be applied in a manner far removed from the original intent.

CONCLUSION

Some concluding thoughts based on what we’ve seen over the past three weeks.

First, remember that we — Christians — are people who follow a Savior who submitted himself to those in authority even when it cost him his life. And he’s called us to be people who — not only look to his cross for salvation — but carry our own — as we follow his example of submitting ourselves to those God has placed over us in authority.

Second, remember that God’s purpose in our submission to authority is to grow our trust of his sovereignty and — simultaneously — to grow us in humility. Did you know that God is more concerned about your trust in him than he is in your civil liberties? And that he’s more concerned about your humility because — when God says he opposes the proud — he means it. And submission to authority is a key way God destroys our pride.

Third, we must remember that Jesus never promised us a fair fight in this world. In fact — he warned us to not be surprised when those in authority use it against us. He even said, “If they treat me this way, how do you think they’re going to treat you?” Our submission to authority isn’t about us being treated fairly — it’s about us trusting our God.

Fourth, remember that being treated unfairly — being persecuted even — by those in authority is not what sends a person to Hell — and this is good news! Pride, unbelief, and being self-centered are reasons people spend eternity in Hell. If you have faith in Jesus there is nothing anyone can do — not Caesar, not Hitler, not Biden or Trump — there is not anything anyone can do to keep you from eternity with Jesus if you believe in him.

Finally, we must remember that — not only will our submission to authority show an unbelieving world how Christ has changed us — but our being respectful and honoring to all in authority will make our God look glorious to the world. For this is the kind of submission to authority that he’s called and commanded his people to display — for it reflects our submission to his authority over our lives, our marriages, our families, our churches, our city, state, nation — and yes — over the entire world. For our submission to authority is first and foremost about our submission to him — before it’s about our submission to them. Let’s pray.

PRAYER

Sovereign God, what a challenging word — yet again — for us today. It seems as if everything in us wants to follow the path of Satan when it comes to submission — we want to rebel. Like Adam and Eve we so easily distrust you and your Word to us that we our default is to disobey you. We think we know better. We choose to go our own way: The way of the fool. The way of the wicked. The way of those who will be judged by you.

Spirit of God, if not for you calling us out of the darkness of our rebellion — none of us would submit ourselves to your authority. And — yet — you delight in opening the eyes of the spiritually blind, of giving ears that hear to those who are spiritually deaf, to give new — full of life — hearts to those who’ve been hard towards your love — hearts that find joy in submitting to your authority.

This is all possible because you — Jesus — fully submitted yourself to your Father’s authority. Including obeying ahead of time what Paul would later write in Romans — for you submitted yourself to the governing authorities of your day. Even when they used their power and position to murder you. Forgive us for believing that we’re able to benefit from your submission while not submitting ourselves to your Word on this issue. For your Word makes it clear: We’re to submit to authority. Yes — there are times where disobeying authority is biblically valid and necessary — but based on the examples we’ve seen — many aren’t submitting when we should and we rebel when we have no biblical grounds. Forgive us for not representing you well. And help us — empower us — remind us of your Word — so that we do represent you well from this day forward by obeying your Word and making you look glorious to the world. And we pray all of this in your name. Amen.

BENEDICTION (Prayer teams available)

May your submission to your sovereign God be displayed in your submission to the authorities he’s placed over you. Amen.

God loves you. I love you. You are sent.

DATE: 7-27-25

As always it’s a joy to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And there’s one thing I want you to know — and this is true if you’re worshiping with us for the first time — if you’re joining us at our North Main Campus or are with our friends in Bucyrus — I want you to know that God loves you and that I love you too.

INTRODUCTION

We’re continuing our series in Romans this weekend and we’re in the practical application section of Paul’s letter. You may remember that — after eleven chapters of rich theological truths — Paul gets to the “so what” in chapter twelve. Meaning he addresses how all of the theology — that’s found in the first eleven chapters — is to play itself out in how we live. That’s the journey we began earlier this year with Paul’s big “therefore” statement — when he writes…

Romans 12:1–2 ESV

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Because of the theology he’s taught us — Paul now tells us to live our lives as sacrificial offerings to God — where our lives are acts of worship that make our God look glorious to the world. And one way our lives can make God look glorious to the world — that Paul addresses in our verses — leads us to what may be the most controversial subject I’ve ever preached on. 

So with that teaser — if you have your Bible — please turn with me to Romans chapter thirteen. We’ll be in Romans chapter thirteen today — looking at verses one through seven. There Paul writes…

Romans 13:1–7 ESV

1 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. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

Last week we saw that what this text teaches us is pretty straightforward — it’s not hard to understand. But we’re returning to this passage because — though it’s straightforward and easy to understand — applying this text is where things get hard. Which is why we’ll spend today — and next week — looking at some implications of this text and how we’re to live differently — in our submission to authority — because of our faith in Jesus Christ.

Now — if you’re here and wouldn’t call yourself a Christian — know that — just like last week — today’s sermon will include talking about politics — but not how you might think. You see, when we talk about submitting to authority, one area of life where this can’t be ignored is in the area of government. That’s why I said this may be the most controversial subject I’ve ever preached on because — generally speaking — politics is a religion in our country. And we’re a nation full of fully devoted followers of the religion of the Republican and Democrat parties. And these religions — like all religions — don’t like to be messed with — even when a truer and more authoritative religion comes along.

So we’ll be addressing submission to political authorities — in addition to submission and authority in other areas of life beyond politics — the home, the church, the workplace, and so on.

Last week we focused on what Paul says in our verses and the important doctrine of the sovereignty of God that this text teaches us — a doctrine we must first believe in order to have any hope in knowing how to apply what this text teaches. Next week — we’ll focus on many implications and scenarios and “what about’s” you may’ve been thinking about all week long — including when to obey and when to disobey authority.

But before we can talk about when to obey or disobey — we need to look at authority from two perspectives — which is what we’re going to do today. We’ll look at authority from the perspective of being in authority over others. And then we’ll look at authority from the perspective of being under the authority of others. Being in authority — which — if we have to pick one or the other — this is most people’s choice over being under the authority of others.

But before we get to these two perspectives on authority — we need to first turn somewhere that may surprise you — to the Ten Commandments.

AUTHORITY AND THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT

Back in 2023 — if you were with us — you may remember that I preached through the Ten Commandments. One of the sermons was titled God’s Family. Does anyone remember what commandment I preached on for that sermon? The fifth commandment which is…

Exodus 20:12 ESV

12 Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

You may be thinking, “What does this commandment have to do with submitting to authority?” In that sermon, I said, “The word honor means to consider someone or something as worthy of respect. It means to show them reverence — meaning appreciation — and awe — which means a sense of admiration. To give someone honor has the idea of giving weight or a heaviness to them. And — to honor someone — is to treat them as significant.”

I also said, “You can dishonor someone by physical actions and you can dishonor someone by your attitude towards them. And this second one — in particular — is the part of the commandment we don’t want to submit ourselves to. We get that spitting in someone’s face or calling them a derogatory name is dishonoring and unacceptable — so we’ve learned to control our actions and — most of the time — our words. But breaking this commandment is just as easily done by our thoughts about people. Hoping that their plan fails. Wanting to see them get what they deserve. Not even saying a bad word about them, but deep down — in the depth of your soul — desiring ill will towards them.”

We then looked at how this commandment applies to the local church — which is a spiritual family — and how the authors of the New Testament use the same language — one of honor — to describe our relationship with those in authority over us.

1 Timothy 5:17 ESV

17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.

And just as children are commanded to obey their parents — Christians are commanded to…

Hebrews 13:17 ESV

17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

In response to these verses I said, “And the way you help your leaders give an account for your soul with joy is by obeying them — and submitting to them — as your pastors submit themselves to Christ and to each other. And this is not something to be taken lightly — neither on the part of the elders who will give an account to God some day for how they lead — nor on the part of you — the congregation — who will give an account to God some day for how joyful you made it for your pastors to lead you. Pastors are not to imitate ungodly, abusive authority just as congregation members are not to imitate rebellious, unsubmissive, ungodly children.”

Last week I had us turn to the Westminster Confession of Faith — our denomination’s doctrinal standard. Today I’m going to have us look at the Westminster Larger Catechism. As you may know — when I’m not preaching — staff and elders have been preaching a series based on the Westminster Shorter Catechism. The shorter catechism was written for children and has less questions and answers — which is what a catechism is — questions and biblical answers. But with less questions it was shorter in length — thus its name — the shorter catechism.

The larger catechism was written primarily for adults and has more questions and answers making it longer in length — resulting in its catchy title. The one hundred and twenty-third question of the larger catechism is…

Q. 123. What is the fifth commandment? A. The fifth commandment is: Honor your father and your mother so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

The next question asks…

Q. 124. To whom does father and mother refer in the fifth commandment? A. Father and mother refer not just to our parents but…specifically to those whom God has ordained to be over us in positions of authority, whether in our family, the church, or civil government.

Now I just reviewed the sermon I preached two years ago on this commandment — but know that there’s much biblical warrant for applying this commandment to these other relationships. For example — in First Timothy — Paul describes our relationship with our fellow Christians using familial terms.

1 Timothy 5:1–2 ESV

1 Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.

And — in the Old Testament — there are examples of those in authority being referred to as a father — Naaman being one example in Second Kings. All that to say the application of this commandment goes beyond our earthly parents.

Continuing in the larger catechism we read…

Q. 125. Why are those over us referred to as father and mother? A. The terms father and mother remind those in authority that, like fathers and mothers, they are responsible for and should act in a loving and tender way, appropriately reflecting their particular relationship, toward those under them; and those under them are also encouraged to accept their authority more willingly and cheerfully, as if they were their parents.

Leading us to the next question…

Q. 126. What is the general scope of the fifth commandment? A. In general, the fifth commandment outlines our obligations to others, depending upon our particular relationship to them, whether over, under, or equal to them.

Over, under, or equal to them. We’re not going to focus on the “equal to” relationships in our lives today — just the relationships where someone is either over us — in authority — or under us — in submission. And we’ll begin by addressing those who are in authority. 

TO THOSE IN AUTHORITY

Something interesting I discovered — while preparing for this sermon — is that some scholars believe that Paul expected Caesar to read his letter. Paul’s writing this letter to Christians living in Rome — which the Roman Empire is named after. Paul had some run-ins with the Roman government by this point. Some date his arrest in Jerusalem to be as early as 55 AD — and he wrote Romans around 57 AD — so potentially after his arrest. Paul also knew that Christians in Rome were experiencing the beginnings of conflict with the government. 

But with this expectation — that Caesar may read his letter — imagine the boldness in making the statement…

Romans 13:1–4 ESV

1 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. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.

Paul calls Caesar God’s servant. “Caesar, I know your title is emperor — I know that you have people worship you like you’re a god — but I want you to know that you’re accountable to the One true God — for you are his servant.” Talk about fighting words. Who tells the emperor that he’s not at the top of the pecking order? Only someone who really believes in the sovereignty of their God, that’s who — see last week’s sermon.

Next week we’ll touch on the purpose of government — to promote what is good and stop what is bad — as God defines good and bad — but for now — let’s return to the Westminster Larger Catechism and the instruction it gives to all who are in authority.

Question one hundred and twenty-nine asks…

Q. 129. What is required of those in authority towards those under them? A. As is appropriate to the position of power they have received from God and to the particular relationship involved, those in authority should love, pray for, and bless those under them. They should teach, advise, and warn them, approving, praising, and rewarding those that do well while disapproving, blaming, and punishing those who do wrong. They should also protect those under them and provide the things they need for soul and body. Those in authority should also be examples of serious, wise, and holy behavior so as to bring glory to God and honor to themselves and thereby maintain the authority God has bestowed on them.

I don’t think any of us would have issues submitting to authority if those in authority fulfilled these requirements established by God. Love, pray for, and bless those under your authority. Teach, advise, and warn them. To those who do well — approve, praise, and reward. To those who do wrong — hold them accountable — because you love them. Protect those under you. Provide for them. Be an example to them.

As Paul tells Timothy — who’s pastoring in Ephesus…

1 Timothy 4:12–16 ESV

12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Pastors — who have authority in the local church — are to be an example to their congregation — something God expects of all in authority to be for those who are under their leadership. 

• Husbands — set an example to your wives.
• Parents — set an example to your children. 
• Those in government — set an example to the citizens.
• Bosses — set an example to your employees.
• And so on.

Returning to the catechism — the next question asks…

Q. 130. What are the particular sins of those in authority? A. In addition to failing to do what is required of them and using their position for self-aggrandizement and for their own glory, ease, profit, or pleasure, the sins of those in authority include: commanding things that are unlawful or that cannot be accomplished by those under them; persuading, encouraging, and rewarding those under them for doing evil; dissuading, discouraging, and not rewarding them for doing good; excessive punishment; carelessly exposing or allowing them to do wrong and to be put in the way of temptation or danger; provoking them to anger; and anything that dishonors themselves or undermines their authority by being unjust, imprudent, too severe, or lax.

These are the behaviors that concern us when we’re under authority, right? But does the fact that authority can be abused give us biblical justification to not submit?

TO THOSE UNDER AUTHORITY

That’s where we turn now because Paul’s command is about submitting to authority. Our verses aren’t about how one should behave when in authority — though Paul does imply some things for those in authority — but the thrust of his mandate is to those under authority.

So back to the behaviors that concern us when we’re under authority: Does the fact that authority can be abused give us biblical warrant for disobeying Paul’s mandate? It doesn’t.

For example, David submitted to King Saul’s authority even after God had anointed him — David — to be king. David even refused to speak ill of Saul — much less rebel against his authority. Did he flee for his life? You bet he did! But he still respected the fact that Saul was king — so he fled while submitting himself to Saul’s authority as king.

And don’t forget that Paul’s words about submitting to authority come after he wrote…

Romans 8:35–37 ESV

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Paul acknowledges that Christians are being slaughtered and killed — he didn’t forget this a few chapters later when he writes about submitting to authorities. And — listen — I’m just like you. This is incredibly challenging to everything I want to be true. I want God’s Word to say something like, “Don’t submit to those who slaughter you” or something like that. But Paul — inspired by the Holy Spirit — doesn’t write that. He acknowledges that the Roman Empire is killing them — and yet — he says, “Submit to them anyway.”

And — when we reject this mandate to submit — we sin. For when God’s Word mandates or commands us to do something — when we don’t do it — we sin. Like I said last week and this week — this isn’t going to be a popular sermon.

And since this sermon can’t lose much more popularity — let me ask: What’s your favorite sinful way to respond to authority? Few of us are bold enough for straight up — in your face — rebellion — we like our paycheck too much for that — we don’t want to go to jail — and so on — so what’s your go to sinful response to authority that still keeps your life pretty comfortable? 

• Complaining to your spouse. 
• A growing resentment towards a government official. 
• Social media slander.
• Wasting time at work to “pay back the man.”

The sin of those in authority over us does not excuse our sinful response. For our submission to them is — as I said last week — ultimately a display of our submission to Christ — who submitted himself to sinful authorities even when it cost him his life.

What does the larger catechism have to say to those of us who are under authority?

Q. 127. What kind of honor is owed to those over us? A. Those over us deserve respect in our hearts, our words, and our actions. We must pray and give thanks for them, emulate their virtues and gifts, willingly heed and obey their lawful commands and advice, submit to their correction, be faithful to them, and defend and support their persons and authority, as is appropriate to their rank and position. We must also tolerate their imperfections and infirmities and cover them with our love, so that we will be an honor to them and to their authority.

And question one hundred and twenty-eight asks…

Q. 128. What are the particular sins against those in authority by those under them? A. The sins of those under authority against those over them are: any failure to perform what is required by them; being envious of, holding in contempt, or rebelling against their person or position as reflected in their lawful advice, commands, and correction; cursing at or making fun of them or any kind of stubborn resistance and disgraceful display that brings shame and dishonor to their person and authority.

And if you’re looking for a scriptural escape clause — know that the Bible is unified on this topic.

Titus 3:1–2 ESV

1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

No escape clause. Submit to rulers and those in authority. Speak evil of no one.

Colossians 3:18 ESV

18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

No escape clause. Wives submit to your husbands.

Ephesians 5:18–21 ESV

18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

No escape clause. Christians submit to one another.

1 Peter 2:13–19 ESV

13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.

No escape clause. Submit to every human institution and — by the way — honor the emperor. Yes. The guy who’s slaughtering you.

Next week we’ll look at times when we must disobey those in authority and — spoiler alert — biblically justified disobedience to authority usually results in extreme persecution — like getting thrown into a fiery furnace, a lion’s den, or actual death.

Which may cause someone to wonder, “Are we free to publicly disagree with those in authority over us?” Yes. But how we do so is incredibly important

What do we see biblically? We have the example of Daniel who publicly criticized two kings in his day — Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar. After interpreting Nebuchadnezzar’s dream — the dream where God warns him about his pride — Daniel concludes his interpretation with…

Daniel 4:27 ESV

27 Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity.”

As you probably know — Nebuchadnezzar doesn’t listen to Daniel’s warning. But notice how respectful Daniel was to the king.

John the baptist publicly rebuked King Herod for his relationship with his brother’s wife.

Mark 6:18 ESV

18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

Which resulted in John’s imprisonment and eventual beheading because — even when respectfully given — some will want our heads for what we say.

And then there’s Paul — the guy who wrote the words that are challenging all of us. He’s been arrested…

Acts 22:30–23:3 ESV

30 But on the next day, desiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them. 1 And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” 2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?”

Paul’s not a fan of having his face beat in. Yet watch what happens next.

Acts 23:4–5 ESV

4 Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God’s high priest?” 5 And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”

Paul immediately acknowledges that his reaction to getting punched in the face went against God’s Word. When he first spoke — in reaction to being struck — he wasn’t aware that Ananias was the high priest — and thus an authority over Paul in the Jewish religion. But as soon as he’s told what position Ananias held — Paul confesses that what he did — in response to getting hit — was wrong. He doesn’t justify himself. He doesn’t point the finger at what caused him to speak out. He admits to being wrong. What submission to God’s Word and those he placed in authority.

CONCLUSION

Oh there’s much we can learn from Paul when it comes to submitting to God’s Word on this issue! Yes — those in authority will be held accountable for how they steward their responsibilities — but when their accountability becomes our main focus — we lose sight of what we will give God an account for: Our submission to those he’s put in authority over us. For every authority God puts in your life is there to make you more like Christ. And that’s God’s goal for you — to become more like Jesus.

• So pray for the salvation of those in authority over you. 
• If they’re a Christian — pray for their growth in godliness and Christ-like character. 
• Ask God to lead them in their responsibilities. 
• Pray for their success — for God will only bless success that brings him glory. 
• Pray for your response to those in authority over you. 
• And thank God for the opportunity he’s giving you to grow by submitting to the authority he’s put in your life.

For when you do — and when I do — we’ll show the world the submission that our Savior displayed while here on earth. For Jesus did say…

John 6:38 ESV

38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.

And he said…

John 8:29 ESV

29 And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.”

And we can — and will — please God when we submit to him — by submitting to those he’s placed in authority over us — trusting that there is no authority in our life except which comes from him. Let’s pray.

PRAYER

Father, you are sovereign. We continue to meditate on what it means for you to be in control of all things — including all who are in authority. For none are in authority except those whom you’ve put there. That’s true for those who make you look glorious by stewarding their responsibilities well. And that’s true for those who — like Caesar — need to take heed that they’re working for you whether they realize it or not — for they will give an account for how they use the authority you’ve given them.

Spirit, give comfort to those who fear authority — who’ve been abused by authority — who’ve seen the destruction that those who misuse authority can cause. Remind them that all in authority will give an account to you. You’ll make the final judgment — and your decision will be just.

And — Jesus — you submitted yourself to your Father’s authority and to the human authorities who used what God had entrusted to them to bring about your death. You are our Savior and our example of what a life looks like that makes our Heavenly Father look glorious through our submission to authority. Ultimately — may our submission to others come from our lives being first and fully submitted to you.

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — these are tough thoughts — challenging ideas — yet a clear picture of the “therefore” life we’ve been called to live. We need your power to do so. Your grace to do so. Your protection to do so. Your mercy to do so. Please give us everything we need to make you look glorious through our submission. And we pray all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

BENEDICTION (Prayer teams available)

May you go — submitting your life to Christ — and trusting him as you submit to others. Amen.

God loves you. I love you. You are sent.

SERMON TITLE: Authority (pt 2)

‌SCRIPTURE: Romans 13:1-7 (ESV)

SPEAKER: Josh Hanson

DATE: 7-27-25

TURN MIC ON / WELCOME

As always it’s a joy to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And there’s one thing I want you to know — and this is true if you’re worshiping with us for the first time — if you’re joining us at our North Main Campus or are with our friends in Bucyrus — I want you to know that God loves you and that I love you too.

INTRODUCTION

We’re continuing our series in Romans this weekend and we’re in the practical application section of Paul’s letter. You may remember that — after eleven chapters of rich theological truths — Paul gets to the “so what” in chapter twelve. Meaning he addresses how all of the theology — that’s found in the first eleven chapters — is to play itself out in how we live. That’s the journey we began earlier this year with Paul’s big “therefore” statement — when he writes…

Romans 12:1–2 ESV

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Because of the theology he’s taught us — Paul now tells us to live our lives as sacrificial offerings to God — where our lives are acts of worship that make our God look glorious to the world. And one way our lives can make God look glorious to the world — that Paul addresses in our verses — leads us to what may be the most controversial subject I’ve ever preached on. 

So with that teaser — if you have your Bible — please turn with me to Romans chapter thirteen. We’ll be in Romans chapter thirteen today — looking at verses one through seven. There Paul writes…

Romans 13:1–7 ESV

1 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. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

Last week we saw that what this text teaches us is pretty straightforward — it’s not hard to understand. But we’re returning to this passage because — though it’s straightforward and easy to understand — applying this text is where things get hard. Which is why we’ll spend today — and next week — looking at some implications of this text and how we’re to live differently — in our submission to authority — because of our faith in Jesus Christ.

Now — if you’re here and wouldn’t call yourself a Christian — know that — just like last week — today’s sermon will include talking about politics — but not how you might think. You see, when we talk about submitting to authority, one area of life where this can’t be ignored is in the area of government. That’s why I said this may be the most controversial subject I’ve ever preached on because — generally speaking — politics is a religion in our country. And we’re a nation full of fully devoted followers of the religion of the Republican and Democrat parties. And these religions — like all religions — don’t like to be messed with — even when a truer and more authoritative religion comes along.

So we’ll be addressing submission to political authorities — in addition to submission and authority in other areas of life beyond politics — the home, the church, the workplace, and so on.

Last week we focused on what Paul says in our verses and the important doctrine of the sovereignty of God that this text teaches us — a doctrine we must first believe in order to have any hope in knowing how to apply what this text teaches. Next week — we’ll focus on many implications and scenarios and “what about’s” you may’ve been thinking about all week long — including when to obey and when to disobey authority.

But before we can talk about when to obey or disobey — we need to look at authority from two perspectives — which is what we’re going to do today. We’ll look at authority from the perspective of being in authority over others. And then we’ll look at authority from the perspective of being under the authority of others. Being in authority — which — if we have to pick one or the other — this is most people’s choice over being under the authority of others.

But before we get to these two perspectives on authority — we need to first turn somewhere that may surprise you — to the Ten Commandments.

AUTHORITY AND THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT

Back in 2023 — if you were with us — you may remember that I preached through the Ten Commandments. One of the sermons was titled God’s Family. Does anyone remember what commandment I preached on for that sermon? The fifth commandment which is…

Exodus 20:12 ESV

12 Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

You may be thinking, “What does this commandment have to do with submitting to authority?” In that sermon, I said, “The word honor means to consider someone or something as worthy of respect. It means to show them reverence — meaning appreciation — and awe — which means a sense of admiration. To give someone honor has the idea of giving weight or a heaviness to them. And — to honor someone — is to treat them as significant.”

I also said, “You can dishonor someone by physical actions and you can dishonor someone by your attitude towards them. And this second one — in particular — is the part of the commandment we don’t want to submit ourselves to. We get that spitting in someone’s face or calling them a derogatory name is dishonoring and unacceptable — so we’ve learned to control our actions and — most of the time — our words. But breaking this commandment is just as easily done by our thoughts about people. Hoping that their plan fails. Wanting to see them get what they deserve. Not even saying a bad word about them, but deep down — in the depth of your soul — desiring ill will towards them.”

We then looked at how this commandment applies to the local church — which is a spiritual family — and how the authors of the New Testament use the same language — one of honor — to describe our relationship with those in authority over us.

1 Timothy 5:17 ESV

17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.

And just as children are commanded to obey their parents — Christians are commanded to…

Hebrews 13:17 ESV

17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

In response to these verses I said, “And the way you help your leaders give an account for your soul with joy is by obeying them — and submitting to them — as your pastors submit themselves to Christ and to each other. And this is not something to be taken lightly — neither on the part of the elders who will give an account to God some day for how they lead — nor on the part of you — the congregation — who will give an account to God some day for how joyful you made it for your pastors to lead you. Pastors are not to imitate ungodly, abusive authority just as congregation members are not to imitate rebellious, unsubmissive, ungodly children.”

Last week I had us turn to the Westminster Confession of Faith — our denomination’s doctrinal standard. Today I’m going to have us look at the Westminster Larger Catechism. As you may know — when I’m not preaching — staff and elders have been preaching a series based on the Westminster Shorter Catechism. The shorter catechism was written for children and has less questions and answers — which is what a catechism is — questions and biblical answers. But with less questions it was shorter in length — thus its name — the shorter catechism.

The larger catechism was written primarily for adults and has more questions and answers making it longer in length — resulting in its catchy title. The one hundred and twenty-third question of the larger catechism is…

Q. 123. What is the fifth commandment? A. The fifth commandment is: Honor your father and your mother so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

The next question asks…

Q. 124. To whom does father and mother refer in the fifth commandment? A. Father and mother refer not just to our parents but…specifically to those whom God has ordained to be over us in positions of authority, whether in our family, the church, or civil government.

Now I just reviewed the sermon I preached two years ago on this commandment — but know that there’s much biblical warrant for applying this commandment to these other relationships. For example — in First Timothy — Paul describes our relationship with our fellow Christians using familial terms.

1 Timothy 5:1–2 ESV

1 Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.

And — in the Old Testament — there are examples of those in authority being referred to as a father — Naaman being one example in Second Kings. All that to say the application of this commandment goes beyond our earthly parents.

Continuing in the larger catechism we read…

Q. 125. Why are those over us referred to as father and mother? A. The terms father and mother remind those in authority that, like fathers and mothers, they are responsible for and should act in a loving and tender way, appropriately reflecting their particular relationship, toward those under them; and those under them are also encouraged to accept their authority more willingly and cheerfully, as if they were their parents.

Leading us to the next question…

Q. 126. What is the general scope of the fifth commandment? A. In general, the fifth commandment outlines our obligations to others, depending upon our particular relationship to them, whether over, under, or equal to them.

Over, under, or equal to them. We’re not going to focus on the “equal to” relationships in our lives today — just the relationships where someone is either over us — in authority — or under us — in submission. And we’ll begin by addressing those who are in authority. 

TO THOSE IN AUTHORITY

Something interesting I discovered — while preparing for this sermon — is that some scholars believe that Paul expected Caesar to read his letter. Paul’s writing this letter to Christians living in Rome — which the Roman Empire is named after. Paul had some run-ins with the Roman government by this point. Some date his arrest in Jerusalem to be as early as 55 AD — and he wrote Romans around 57 AD — so potentially after his arrest. Paul also knew that Christians in Rome were experiencing the beginnings of conflict with the government. 

But with this expectation — that Caesar may read his letter — imagine the boldness in making the statement…

Romans 13:1–4 ESV

1 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. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.

Paul calls Caesar God’s servant. “Caesar, I know your title is emperor — I know that you have people worship you like you’re a god — but I want you to know that you’re accountable to the One true God — for you are his servant.” Talk about fighting words. Who tells the emperor that he’s not at the top of the pecking order? Only someone who really believes in the sovereignty of their God, that’s who — see last week’s sermon.

Next week we’ll touch on the purpose of government — to promote what is good and stop what is bad — as God defines good and bad — but for now — let’s return to the Westminster Larger Catechism and the instruction it gives to all who are in authority.

Question one hundred and twenty-nine asks…

Q. 129. What is required of those in authority towards those under them? A. As is appropriate to the position of power they have received from God and to the particular relationship involved, those in authority should love, pray for, and bless those under them. They should teach, advise, and warn them, approving, praising, and rewarding those that do well while disapproving, blaming, and punishing those who do wrong. They should also protect those under them and provide the things they need for soul and body. Those in authority should also be examples of serious, wise, and holy behavior so as to bring glory to God and honor to themselves and thereby maintain the authority God has bestowed on them.

I don’t think any of us would have issues submitting to authority if those in authority fulfilled these requirements established by God. Love, pray for, and bless those under your authority. Teach, advise, and warn them. To those who do well — approve, praise, and reward. To those who do wrong — hold them accountable — because you love them. Protect those under you. Provide for them. Be an example to them.

As Paul tells Timothy — who’s pastoring in Ephesus…

1 Timothy 4:12–16 ESV

12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Pastors — who have authority in the local church — are to be an example to their congregation — something God expects of all in authority to be for those who are under their leadership. 

• Husbands — set an example to your wives.
• Parents — set an example to your children. 
• Those in government — set an example to the citizens.
• Bosses — set an example to your employees.
• And so on.

Returning to the catechism — the next question asks…

Q. 130. What are the particular sins of those in authority? A. In addition to failing to do what is required of them and using their position for self-aggrandizement and for their own glory, ease, profit, or pleasure, the sins of those in authority include: commanding things that are unlawful or that cannot be accomplished by those under them; persuading, encouraging, and rewarding those under them for doing evil; dissuading, discouraging, and not rewarding them for doing good; excessive punishment; carelessly exposing or allowing them to do wrong and to be put in the way of temptation or danger; provoking them to anger; and anything that dishonors themselves or undermines their authority by being unjust, imprudent, too severe, or lax.

These are the behaviors that concern us when we’re under authority, right? But does the fact that authority can be abused give us biblical justification to not submit?

TO THOSE UNDER AUTHORITY

That’s where we turn now because Paul’s command is about submitting to authority. Our verses aren’t about how one should behave when in authority — though Paul does imply some things for those in authority — but the thrust of his mandate is to those under authority.

So back to the behaviors that concern us when we’re under authority: Does the fact that authority can be abused give us biblical warrant for disobeying Paul’s mandate? It doesn’t.

For example, David submitted to King Saul’s authority even after God had anointed him — David — to be king. David even refused to speak ill of Saul — much less rebel against his authority. Did he flee for his life? You bet he did! But he still respected the fact that Saul was king — so he fled while submitting himself to Saul’s authority as king.

And don’t forget that Paul’s words about submitting to authority come after he wrote…

Romans 8:35–37 ESV

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Paul acknowledges that Christians are being slaughtered and killed — he didn’t forget this a few chapters later when he writes about submitting to authorities. And — listen — I’m just like you. This is incredibly challenging to everything I want to be true. I want God’s Word to say something like, “Don’t submit to those who slaughter you” or something like that. But Paul — inspired by the Holy Spirit — doesn’t write that. He acknowledges that the Roman Empire is killing them — and yet — he says, “Submit to them anyway.”

And — when we reject this mandate to submit — we sin. For when God’s Word mandates or commands us to do something — when we don’t do it — we sin. Like I said last week and this week — this isn’t going to be a popular sermon.

And since this sermon can’t lose much more popularity — let me ask: What’s your favorite sinful way to respond to authority? Few of us are bold enough for straight up — in your face — rebellion — we like our paycheck too much for that — we don’t want to go to jail — and so on — so what’s your go to sinful response to authority that still keeps your life pretty comfortable? 

• Complaining to your spouse. 
• A growing resentment towards a government official. 
• Social media slander.
• Wasting time at work to “pay back the man.”

The sin of those in authority over us does not excuse our sinful response. For our submission to them is — as I said last week — ultimately a display of our submission to Christ — who submitted himself to sinful authorities even when it cost him his life.

What does the larger catechism have to say to those of us who are under authority?

Q. 127. What kind of honor is owed to those over us? A. Those over us deserve respect in our hearts, our words, and our actions. We must pray and give thanks for them, emulate their virtues and gifts, willingly heed and obey their lawful commands and advice, submit to their correction, be faithful to them, and defend and support their persons and authority, as is appropriate to their rank and position. We must also tolerate their imperfections and infirmities and cover them with our love, so that we will be an honor to them and to their authority.

And question one hundred and twenty-eight asks…

Q. 128. What are the particular sins against those in authority by those under them? A. The sins of those under authority against those over them are: any failure to perform what is required by them; being envious of, holding in contempt, or rebelling against their person or position as reflected in their lawful advice, commands, and correction; cursing at or making fun of them or any kind of stubborn resistance and disgraceful display that brings shame and dishonor to their person and authority.

And if you’re looking for a scriptural escape clause — know that the Bible is unified on this topic.

Titus 3:1–2 ESV

1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

No escape clause. Submit to rulers and those in authority. Speak evil of no one.

Colossians 3:18 ESV

18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

No escape clause. Wives submit to your husbands.

Ephesians 5:18–21 ESV

18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

No escape clause. Christians submit to one another.

1 Peter 2:13–19 ESV

13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.

No escape clause. Submit to every human institution and — by the way — honor the emperor. Yes. The guy who’s slaughtering you.

Next week we’ll look at times when we must disobey those in authority and — spoiler alert — biblically justified disobedience to authority usually results in extreme persecution — like getting thrown into a fiery furnace, a lion’s den, or actual death.

Which may cause someone to wonder, “Are we free to publicly disagree with those in authority over us?” Yes. But how we do so is incredibly important

What do we see biblically? We have the example of Daniel who publicly criticized two kings in his day — Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar. After interpreting Nebuchadnezzar’s dream — the dream where God warns him about his pride — Daniel concludes his interpretation with…

Daniel 4:27 ESV

27 Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity.”

As you probably know — Nebuchadnezzar doesn’t listen to Daniel’s warning. But notice how respectful Daniel was to the king.

John the baptist publicly rebuked King Herod for his relationship with his brother’s wife.

Mark 6:18 ESV

18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

Which resulted in John’s imprisonment and eventual beheading because — even when respectfully given — some will want our heads for what we say.

And then there’s Paul — the guy who wrote the words that are challenging all of us. He’s been arrested…

Acts 22:30–23:3 ESV

30 But on the next day, desiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them. 1 And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” 2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?”

Paul’s not a fan of having his face beat in. Yet watch what happens next.

Acts 23:4–5 ESV

4 Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God’s high priest?” 5 And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”

Paul immediately acknowledges that his reaction to getting punched in the face went against God’s Word. When he first spoke — in reaction to being struck — he wasn’t aware that Ananias was the high priest — and thus an authority over Paul in the Jewish religion. But as soon as he’s told what position Ananias held — Paul confesses that what he did — in response to getting hit — was wrong. He doesn’t justify himself. He doesn’t point the finger at what caused him to speak out. He admits to being wrong. What submission to God’s Word and those he placed in authority.

CONCLUSION

Oh there’s much we can learn from Paul when it comes to submitting to God’s Word on this issue! Yes — those in authority will be held accountable for how they steward their responsibilities — but when their accountability becomes our main focus — we lose sight of what we will give God an account for: Our submission to those he’s put in authority over us. For every authority God puts in your life is there to make you more like Christ. And that’s God’s goal for you — to become more like Jesus.

• So pray for the salvation of those in authority over you. 
• If they’re a Christian — pray for their growth in godliness and Christ-like character. 
• Ask God to lead them in their responsibilities. 
• Pray for their success — for God will only bless success that brings him glory. 
• Pray for your response to those in authority over you. 
• And thank God for the opportunity he’s giving you to grow by submitting to the authority he’s put in your life.

For when you do — and when I do — we’ll show the world the submission that our Savior displayed while here on earth. For Jesus did say…

John 6:38 ESV

38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.

And he said…

John 8:29 ESV

29 And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.”

And we can — and will — please God when we submit to him — by submitting to those he’s placed in authority over us — trusting that there is no authority in our life except which comes from him. Let’s pray.

PRAYER

Father, you are sovereign. We continue to meditate on what it means for you to be in control of all things — including all who are in authority. For none are in authority except those whom you’ve put there. That’s true for those who make you look glorious by stewarding their responsibilities well. And that’s true for those who — like Caesar — need to take heed that they’re working for you whether they realize it or not — for they will give an account for how they use the authority you’ve given them.

Spirit, give comfort to those who fear authority — who’ve been abused by authority — who’ve seen the destruction that those who misuse authority can cause. Remind them that all in authority will give an account to you. You’ll make the final judgment — and your decision will be just.

And — Jesus — you submitted yourself to your Father’s authority and to the human authorities who used what God had entrusted to them to bring about your death. You are our Savior and our example of what a life looks like that makes our Heavenly Father look glorious through our submission to authority. Ultimately — may our submission to others come from our lives being first and fully submitted to you.

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — these are tough thoughts — challenging ideas — yet a clear picture of the “therefore” life we’ve been called to live. We need your power to do so. Your grace to do so. Your protection to do so. Your mercy to do so. Please give us everything we need to make you look glorious through our submission. And we pray all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

BENEDICTION (Prayer teams available)

May you go — submitting your life to Christ — and trusting him as you submit to others. Amen.

God loves you. I love you. You are sent.

DATE: 7-13-25

As always it’s a joy to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And there’s one thing I want you to know — and this is true if you’re worshiping with us for the first time — if you’re joining us at our North Main Campus or are with our friends in Bucyrus — I want you to know that God loves you and that I love you too.

SERIES INTRO

We’re returning to our series in Romans this weekend. After taking a few weeks to explore the topic of suffering — we’re returning to the apostle Paul’s letter to Christians living in the city of Rome. And — if you remember — the chapter that we’re currently in — chapter twelve — is the pivotal point in Paul’s letter. 

After eleven chapters of rich theological truths — he gets to the so what? Meaning — how does all of the theology — of the first eleven chapters — play itself out in how we live — or at least — how should it influence how we live? That’s the journey we began earlier this year with Paul’s big “therefore” statement — when he writes…

Romans 12:1–2 ESV

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

In light of the theology he’s taught us — Paul now tells us to live our lives as sacrificial offerings to God — where our lives are acts of worship that make our God look glorious to the world.

And since the beginning of Romans twelve — and for the majority of our remaining time in Romans — we’re getting very specific with ways that our lives can make God look glorious. We’re getting into the nitty gritty of life so we see how — what we believe — shapes how we live. And how — as Christians — what we believe — is to change how we live compared to how we lived when we didn’t believe in Jesus. So incredibly practical stuff — how the Christian faith changes us.

With that — if you have your Bible — please turn with me to Romans chapter twelve. We’ll be in Romans chapter twelve — looking at verses fourteen through twenty-one. There Paul writes…

Romans 12:14–21 ESV

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.

The summary verse — of all we just read and will encounter today — is verse twenty-one. If you want to know the point of this sermon — where we’re headed today — it’s in Paul’s words:

Romans 12:21 ESV

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Everything else is an explanation of this summary verse. So our goal for today — is to understand what it means to not be overcome by evil — but instead — to overcome evil with good. For this is a change Paul says we should expect in those who believe in Jesus.

But a few important ground rules before we begin.

If you’re here today and wouldn’t consider yourself to be a Christian — I know this may be hard — but I need you to set aside whatever definitions you have for evil and good. We’re reading Paul’s letter and so Paul gets to define for us what he means by evil and good. All I’m asking you to do is to give Paul the same consideration you’d want us to give to you if you were the author of the letter — you’d want us to use your definitions of evil and good.

A quick example: If you’re a business owner and you make a contract with a company to supply you with a certain number of items for a specific price — definitions matter. You want the exact number of items for the exact cost you agreed to. If the shipment contains less items than you paid for — or if the bill comes back at a much higher price than you agreed to — I don’t think anyone would simply accept the excuse, “Well, I was using different definitions than you when we made the contract.”

When Paul uses the words evil and good — he’s using biblical definitions. He was highly trained in the Jewish religion and — after an encounter with the resurrected Jesus — became a follower of Christ. So — for Paul — evil is anything that is “morally disgraceful, sinful, or wicked.” And evil — biblically speaking — usually falls into two categories: evil against fellow humans (murder, theft, adultery, and so on…) and evil against God (unbelief, idolatry, blasphemy, and so on…). Though you may have your own opinion on what is evil — Paul would be thinking biblically.

Good is biblically defined by God’s nature — meaning his character — and his actions. And this means that for us — humanity — to do good — whatever it is we do must be done with God’s nature and actions in mind. Which means that the good we do is only truly good if it’s done to make God look glorious.

Again — a quick example may be helpful. Helping an older gentleman reach something off of the top shelf at Walmart is a good deed. But — biblically speaking — if the act isn’t done with the intent of making God look glorious — then it missed the mark. “How dare God demand that our good deeds be done with making him look glorious in mind!” Think of it this way — though admittedly this is an imperfect illustration.

If while helping the old man get something off the top shelf — you simultaneously steal his wallet — did you do a good deed? Yes and no, right? You did help him get something off the top shelf — good — but you stole his wallet — evil. When we do good things without the purpose of God being glorified — we’re doing the equivalent of robbing from God what he deserves.

“Well that’s a high standard Josh. Am I really supposed to have God on my mind that much?” That’s what Paul’s “therefore” statement is all about. If you believe what the Bible says — your goal in life will be to grow in glorifying God in all that you think, say, and do — because — your life is not your own — but belongs to God. For Jesus gave his life in love for you — and now in response — in love — you give your life — all of it — for him.

That’s the goal of the Christian — to give more and more of our life — in love — to Jesus. And — today — we’re learning how to give more of our life to him by not being overcome by evil — but by overcoming evil with good.

BLESS OTHERS

To this we now turn — how do we avoid being overcome by evil and — instead — overcome evil with good? Part of Paul’s answer is that we do so by blessing others. We’re in verse fourteen.

Romans 12:14–16a ESV

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.

We have a repeated command — and its counterpart — and then a description of what obeying this command looks like. The repeated command is to “bless.” Paul tells us to “bless those who persecute you; bless…” and then comes the counterpart — “do not curse them.” The rest of the verses just read explain what it means to bless and not curse.

Now right away — if you’re familiar with the Bible — you may be thinking, “This sounds awfully familiar — ‘this whole bless those who persecute you’ stuff.” And you’d be right. In fact — it seems that Paul has words that Jesus spoke on his mind. For Jesus said…

Luke 6:27–36 ESV 

27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. 32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

In a day and age when it was acceptable to love those who were part of your tribe and hate those who weren’t — Jesus says something radically countercultural. Love your enemies. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who abuse you.

In saying this — was he just being idealistic? Sentimental maybe? Or was Jesus showing us what it means to live a “therefore” kind of life — a life that exhibits a change between who we were — before we believed — and who we are — having believed?

Think of some of Jesus’ final words while he hung on the cross. He said…

Luke 23:34 ESV

34 “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

Even as he was dying — Jesus blessed those who were murdering him.

What do you make of Jesus’ words — or Paul’s rendition of them? Are these options that we can pick and choose from? Or are these expectations that God has for those who are his people? I think the answer is obvious — though it’s not easy, right? Jesus isn’t giving us options to choose from — he’s giving us the characteristics of a life that’s been changed by him.

A life like Stephen’s who…

Acts 7:59–60 NLT

59 As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.

Stephen shows us that it’s possible to live a “therefore” life. A life where — because of what we believe — we bless those who persecute us — even as they kill us — we bless and do not curse them.

Blessing others doesn’t mean we have to put ourselves in potential danger — for example — if someone abuses you — it’s good to remove yourself from them and the situation. But that doesn’t mean you can’t bless them. And pray for them — as Jesus said. Their sin doesn’t justify you disobeying what God has said in his Word: do not curse them. 

Now I know — because it’s the cultural air that we can’t help but breathe in — I know we’re told to get revenge, to take back what’s ours, and so on. That’s the way of the world but not the way of Jesus. You can either follow the world or Jesus — but you can’t follow both — for they’re headed in two very different directions.

Back to Paul. In fleshing out what it means to be a blessing to others — Paul tells us to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. Rejoicing with those who rejoice can be incredibly hard, can’t it? Why is this? If we’re honest it’s because we can easily be jealous of others’ success and achievements and reasons for rejoicing.

• It’s hard to rejoice with the individual who got the promotion you also applied for.
• It’s hard to rejoice with the couple who announce their pregnancy when you struggle with infertility.
• It’s hard to rejoice with the parents of a child who’s doing great when you parent a child who has significant struggles.
• It’s hard to rejoice when your college roommate gets engaged when you’re still waiting to go on a date.

Rejoicing when others rejoice can be incredibly challenging — impossible even — when we try to live with any other goal than God being glorified in our life. For when that’s our goal — God gives us everything we need to overcome evil with good.

And we’re to weep with those who weep. Generally speaking — we Christians are much better at this than we are at rejoicing with others. I think this is partly due to our society still viewing it to be pretty nasty to not be sympathetic with those who are in the midst of sorrow. 

We recently had to put down our family cat. He lived a long good life — but his body started to shut down and it was time. One of our Gateway families is a vet in town and they were so kind to us throughout the process. The whole staff were very gracious. About a week later — we received a sympathy card in the mail that the staff had signed.

Weeping with those who weep is still valued in our culture.

• This would include weeping with your friend who didn’t get a promotion.
• And weeping with those unable to get pregnant — even if you’ve just announced your pregnancy.
• Weeping with the parents whose child is struggling.
• Weeping with your friend who’s still longing for a godly relationship.

Though we must be careful to neither rejoice or weep when the cause of either is dishonoring to God — it’s good and godly to rejoice with those who are rejoicing and weep with those who are weeping when what we’re rejoicing or weeping is biblically justified. And all of this is where our value of being a family is best experienced — a value most clearly expressed when we gather in Life Groups.

Though I know it’s summer — and many Life Groups are taking a break — may I encourage you to check in with each other? Reasons to rejoice and weep don’t take the summer off — and there may be folks you can come alongside — even during the summer — and bless them as you rejoice or weep with them.

Paul also tells us that — to bless others — means we live in harmony with one another. This is one of Paul’s favorite ways to describe the “therefore” life — a life of living in harmony with your fellow Christians. For example, later in Romans he writes…

Romans 15:5–6 ESV

5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

To the Corinthians he writes…

2 Corinthians 13:11 ESV

11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

And to the Christians in Philippi he writes…

Philippians 2:1–2 NLT

1 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

And to two Christian women who found themselves in a disagreement Paul writes…

Philippians 4:2–3 NLT

2 Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. 3 And I ask you, my true partner, to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. They worked along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life.

Notice why Paul appeals to us living in harmony with one another.

• To the Romans — so that with one voice — together — we glorify our God and Father.
• To the Corinthians — agree with one another — because — the God of love and peace will be with us.
• To the Philippians — work together with one mind and purpose — because — you belong to Christ.
• To the two women — settle your disagreement — because — you both belong to the Lord.

The purpose of living in harmony with one another isn’t self-serving — it’s not about what we’ll get out of it — it’s about who we belong to and who we honor by living in harmony with each other.

Finally — to be a blessing to others — Paul tells us to not be haughty — but to associate with the lowly. To be haughty is to be proud — and God opposes the proud.

As Jesus’s younger brother — James — reminds us.

James 4:6 ESV

6 “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

And as Peter tells us…

1 Peter 5:5 ESV

5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

For as David writes…

Psalm 18:27 ESV

27 For you save a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down.

And…

Psalm 31:23 ESV

23 Love the Lord, all you his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.

And — though these warnings against pride should be sufficient in themselves — there’s the positive example of Jesus that Paul puts before us.

Philippians 2:3–11 NLT

3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. 9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Christ — the only Savior — humbled himself for our sake. He didn’t look out for his own interests — but ours. He gave up his divine privileges and took the position of a criminal on a cross. He did so in love. And in keeping with Paul’s theme — “therefore” — we who benefit from Christ’s humility are to be men and women of humility — who are not proud or haughty — who associate with the lowly. The outcasts of society. The lonely and forgotten. The discarded.

The people of God are at their God-glorifying best when they humble themselves and serve those the world has forgotten. This is how we conquer evil by doing good.

YOUR VIEW OF YOURSELF

But this isn’t the only way that we do so. For — not only are we to bless others — we’re to have a biblical view of ourselves. We’ve touched on this briefly — but now Paul turns our attention directly to the idea — when he writes in verse sixteen…

Romans 12:16–20 ESV

16b 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.”

Here there’s just one command — but this single command comes with a lengthy description of what it means to obey it. The command is “never be wise in your own sight.” Other Bible translations say, “Don’t be conceited.” (NET/NIV) Or, “Don’t think you know it all.” (NLT)

Who wants to raise their hand when I ask, “Who thinks they’re a know it all?” Though many of us may want to raise our hand for someone else — few of us really desire to be the “know it all” in our circle of friends, family, co-workers, and — hopefully — the church.

Something I find interesting about the age in which we live is how we can’t get enough of “know it all” types. There’s a whole group of people who are popular solely because they’re conceited. This is the person who records street interviews where their sole goal is to make the other person look like an idiot. We can’t get enough of this junk — as long as the people they go after aren’t our kind of people, right?

Yet — when this kind of individual shows up in your life — well — we all know how we feel about a “know it all”. 

• They’re the family member everyone does their best to avoid at the holiday gathering. 
• The guy no one talks to at the high school reunion. 
• The gal who everyone dreads showing up to the book club.

And though some of us enjoy having a conversation with a “know it all” — for me — my enjoyment doesn’t come from a very God-honoring part of my heart. I once had to kick a “know it all” out of my house — the only person I’ve ever had to kick out of my house. But it was intolerable. I mean — I enjoyed it for a while because his assertions were so ridiculous. But when he started saying that we — Gateway — have a basement here at our County Road 9 Campus where we sacrifice chickens — and I couldn’t convince him that we don’t even have a basement — much less sacrifice chickens — and my kids were present — well — my enjoyment was over — so I kicked him out when he wouldn’t apologize. I remember laying in bed and just waiting for my wife to let me have it for not being patient enough with him. So I brought it up — and she totally surprised me. She said something like, “I can’t believe you lasted as long as you did.”

Don’t be a “know it all” — no one will like you. You wouldn’t even like yourself if you weren’t so blind to who you are.

Having a godly view of ourselves also influences how we treat others. We saw this earlier — but Paul repeats the idea. Don’t repay evil with evil — do what’s honorable instead. We live in a “pay back evil with not only evil — but amp it up a notch” culture, don’t we? We even see justification for striking with evil first — “get them before they get you.” Whether it be celebrity feuds or the way politicians speak about each other — we live in a culture that lacks being honorable — and far too many of us are taking cues from culture instead of God’s Word. For God’s Word tells us…

Ephesians 4:29 NLT

29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

I wonder how many of us are surprised to find out that God forbids us using foul language? It’s a biblical idea, not just a “wash your mouth out with soap” conservative cultural one. 

Peter tells us to…

1 Peter 2:12 NLT

12 Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.

Additionally, we’re to live peaceably as Paul says. For those who follow the Prince of Peace are to be peacemakers in this world at war. To do so we must be aware of ourselves — our tendencies — ways in which we promote war and division and dishonor instead of the peace that God has called us to. And Paul tells us to live peaceably with all people. And “all” means “all” here. 

What a high expectation in our “therefore” lives, right? This doesn’t mean we won’t experience conflict or disagreement, but what it does mean is that we each have the responsibility to not leave things there. We’re to pursue peace — meaning — if you find yourself in a conflict — even if you think it’s the other person’s fault — you’re responsible for pursuing peace with them.

“But, Josh. Don’t you know how stubborn people can be? How they can be so convinced that they’re right and I’m wrong that there’s no peace to be had.” I didn’t say you had to convince them that they’re wrong and you’re right — you may be right, they may be wrong — they may be right, you may be wrong — even both of you may be wrong. What I said is that you must pursue peace with them.

• This may mean forgiving them for sinning against you even if they don’t ask for forgiveness — and — not holding on to any bitterness against them. This is pursuing spiritual peace with them even when relational peace is unattainable. This is what I had to do with the guy I kicked out of my house. 
• This may mean making an uncomfortable phone call and setting up a time to meet. I know how easy it is to wait for them to initiate — but as a follower of Jesus — you follow the Peacemaker who entered into our warring world of conflict — he didn’t wait for us to come to him — he took the initiative — and he commands his followers do likewise.
• This may mean making yourself a resolution — like my life resolution number eleven: To stop postponing difficult conversations. Do you know why I have life resolutions — “Yeah, because you’re weird, Josh.” That’s probably the case — but in addition to that — I have them because I’ve recognized areas in my life where I need to grow — where — by having a biblical view of myself and who God calls me to be — I see a gap that I want to narrow. One of those gaps is my natural ability to postpone difficult conversations. If there was an award given out for being the best at postponing difficult conversations — I would’ve been the winner many times over. But not anymore. In fact — if you talk to the elders and staff that I work most closely with — they’d probably tell you of other areas I need to work on instead of this — because — having this life resolution has worked. Having a proper view of myself led me to be dissatisfied with a gap between who I was and who God had called me to be.
• I wonder where there’s a gap in your life when it comes to being a peacemaker? I wonder how content you are with that gap? I also wonder how satisfied God is with this gap in your life?

In having a proper view of ourselves — in our effort to overcome evil with good — Paul tells us to never avenge ourselves. Never. Like ever. You and avenging yourself are like Taylor Swift and an ex-boyfriend. You’re never ever getting back together. That was for my daughter. 

For God’s people are to trust him when he says, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.” Instead of getting revenge — what we’ve been commanded to do is to love our enemies. If they’re hungry — feed them. If they’re thirsty — give them a drink.” For as we heard Jesus say earlier…

Matthew 5:43–44 NLT

43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!

CONCLUSION

You see — in the end — the way we overcome evil with good — is by being people who love God and love others — who obey what Jesus called the greatest commandments. Neither creating our own god to love — a god who always agrees with us, never challenges us, never asks us to change — nor choosing who we’ll love. Instead — we follow Jesus and obey his commands. And — when we do — evil will be conquered in our lives and in our world — and good will prevail — as we live a “therefore” life. Let’s pray.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank you for your word to us today. Reminding us that evil can be conquered — that it doesn’t have to prevail — that it doesn’t have to rule our lives — but instead — good can overcome it. Good as you define good to be — not us — for you are God and we’re not — and we must submit — not only our lives — but also our definitions of good and evil to you.

Holy Spirit, we need your help and power to live this “therefore” life we’ve been called to live. To be a blessing to others — to have a proper view of ourselves. To love. To be peacemakers. To not seek revenge. All of these things — and more — can only be done by your powerful presence in our lives. May we live by your power and not our own.

And to you — Jesus — the Prince of Peace. The One who first loved us. The One who lived honorably. The One who conquered evil with good…thank you. Thank you for all that you’ve done — in love — for us. May many respond to your love today — resting in your love — receiving your love — and allowing your love to change them so they now live a “therefore” life. And we pray all of this in your name. Amen.

BENEDICTION (Prayer teams available)

Μay you gο conquering evil with good — by being a blessing to others as you follow Jesus and all he’s commanded. Amen.

God loves you. I love you. You are sent.

DATE: 6-29-25

As always it’s a joy to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And — if this happens to be your first time worshiping with us — if you’re joining us at our North Main Campus or are with our friends in Bucyrus — I want you to know that God loves you and that I love you too.

SERIES INTRO

We’re continuing our series where we’re looking at some of King David’s psalms that address the topic of suffering. We’ve seen that there are many aspects to suffering — many reasons for our suffering — that David touches on in his psalms. And regardless if you’re currently in a season of suffering — I think we all understand that suffering has a way of showing up in our lives — often unexpectedly — which makes it wise for us to prepare for. 

We’ve also seen that — for the follower of Jesus — suffering is an opportunity. It’s an opportunity to spiritually grow for those of us who follow a Savior who experienced suffering. Not an easy opportunity to grow — it’s often a painful opportunity — for suffering comes when life is most challenging. But — in another sense — suffering is one of the easiest times to grow — because — when life’s most challenging we’re forced to change.

And today we’re going to continue to see how our Christian faith offers a different opportunity in these hard moments of life: an opportunity to become more like our Savior — Jesus — who — in love for us — experienced suffering, trials, persecution, hardships, rejection, hatred — and he experienced all of this so we might have hope in the midst of the sorrows we face.

And I say this knowing not all of us believe in Jesus. But all of us have experienced suffering — or know others who have. And — if you’re honest — it’s frightening. Because our culture offers no good reason as to why we suffer or how to suffer well. Which is where the Christian faith comes in with unexpected hope for all of us travelers in a suffering-filled world.

This hope is what we’ve been discovering as we look at a few of David’s psalms — including today’s psalm — psalm eighty-six. So — if you have your Bible — please turn there — to psalm eighty-six. 

• While you’re finding psalm eighty-six — especially if you’re just joining us — we began this series by looking at psalm six and the relationship between suffering and our prayer life. 
• Then we looked at psalm thirty-two and the suffering we experience due to unrepentant sin in our lives. 
• Last week we looked at psalm fifty-six and the suffering we experience at the hands of others. 
• And — next week — our final week in this series — we’ll look at the important relationship between suffering and salvation. 
• But — today — we’re looking at the relationship between our suffering and our worship. 

David addresses this in our psalm for today — psalm eighty-six — when he writes…

Psalm 86 ESV

1 Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. 2 Preserve my life, for I am godly; save your servant, who trusts in you—you are my God. 3 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all the day. 4 Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. 5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. 6 Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace. 7 In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me. 8 There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. 9 All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. 10 For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. 11 Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. 12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. 13 For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. 14 O God, insolent men have risen up against me; a band of ruthless men seeks my life, and they do not set you before them. 15 But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. 16 Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant, and save the son of your maidservant. 17 Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

Here’s where we’re headed. We’re going to begin by briefly looking at David’s suffering. Then we’ll see how — even in our suffering — worship always begins with God. And — finally — we’ll see how — when our worship begins with God — our prayers will be bold and worshipful. 

David’s suffering. Worship always begins with God. Which leads to bold worshipful prayers.

DAVID’S SUFFERING

We’ll begin by looking at David’s suffering — we’ll begin in verse three. There David writes…

Psalm 86:3 ESV

3 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all the day.

Skipping to verse seven we read…

Psalm 86:7 ESV

7 In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me.

Jumping down to verse fourteen we read…

Psalm 86:14 ESV

14 O God, insolent men have risen up against me; a band of ruthless men seeks my life, and they do not set you before them.

And a few verses later — in verse seventeen — David writes…

Psalm 86:17 ESV

17 Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

Like some of the other psalms we’ve looked at — David doesn’t give us enough information to know the specific situation he’s writing about. Verse fourteen gives us the most detail — a group of individuals are seeking his life — but that’s not enough for us to nail down exactly what moment David’s describing for us — for he experienced many “people seeking his life” moments.

Regardless — whatever he’s going through has caused him to cry out to God — which he says he’s doing quite often. He calls this time in his life as the “day of his trouble” because — as I said earlier — there are people out to get him because they hate him. 

Now given that this is our fourth week in this series — and having looked at David’s history with suffering — I don’t think we need to spend any more time on the specific reasons for his suffering in this psalm. I just want to make the point — again — that if you’re suffering — if you can relate to any of what David’s describing in our psalm — if your days are full of trouble — if there are people against you — if you’re in a situation where you are endlessly crying out to God — Christian or not — if you know what it’s like to ask why me — or have ever vented to friends or on social media about the injustice you’ve experienced — if you know the life companion whose name is sorrow — then there’s something for you to learn from David today.

And — even if you’re not in sorrow right now — David’s going to give you some advice that — if taken — it’ll be a source of strength when a season of suffering comes upon you.

WORSHIP BEGINS WITH GOD (EVEN IN SUFFERING)

Now — even without knowing all the specifics of David’s suffering — we’re going to see the connection between suffering and worship. And what David’s going to show us is that worship begins with God. Even in our suffering — our worship begins with God — because worship always begins with God. 

In verse five David writes…

Psalm 86:5 ESV

5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.

Skipping to verse eight we read…

Psalm 86:8–10 ESV

8 There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. 9 All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. 10 For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God.

Remember — these are the words of a man who’s in the midst of much suffering. Later — in verse thirteen — David says…

Psalm 86:13 ESV

13 For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

And in verse fifteen he writes…

Psalm 86:15 ESV

15 But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

First things first about worship. If you’re here today and you wouldn’t consider yourself a Christian — or even a religious person — you may think, “This worship stuff is only for religious people — what does this have to do with me?” Worship and suffering are much more practical to you than you might think — because — regardless if you’re a Christian or not — and regardless if you view yourself as a religious person or not — all of us are worshippers. We can’t help it. It’s like it’s part of our DNA or something.

By worship — I simply mean how we’re all prone to center our lives around something or someone. Your career or family, being seen as successful or being free to live however you want, having a romantic partner or being viewed as smart and capable, people even center their lives around not suffering — you name it — people worship it. And — to worship — means we pursue whatever it is — we make sacrifices for it — it gets our time, energy, and money. We give our lives to it — because it — whatever it is — gives us meaning and purpose — it gives us our identity. 

These its we worship have been called idols of the heart. Idols — as you probably know — used to come in the form of wood or metal statues — and you’ll still find those in many parts of the world today. But for us in the West — idols take on other forms — career, family, success, money, youth, beauty, and so on. As one pastor has said, “Nobody is truly an unbeliever. Either you trust the real God or you’re enslaved to something you treat as a god.” And this may surprise you — but non-Christians agree. 

Twenty years ago — while delivering the commencement speech at Kenyon College — David Foster Wallace — who wasn’t a Christian — said, “A huge percentage of the stuff that I tend to be automatically certain of is, it turns out, totally wrong and deluded. Here’s one example of the utter wrongness of something I tend to be automatically sure of: Everything in my own immediate experience supports my deep belief that I am the absolute center of the universe, the realest, most vivid and important person in existence. We rarely talk about this sort of natural, basic self-centeredness, because it’s so socially repulsive, but it’s pretty much the same for all of us, deep down.” That’s his way of saying, “Here’s something else we worship — ourselves.”

He goes on to say, “There is no such thing as not worshipping. Everybody worships. The only choice we get is what to worship. [Remember — he’s not a Christian. He goes on to say…] And an outstanding reason for choosing some sort of God or spiritual-type thing to worship — be it J.C. or Allah, be it Yahweh or the Wiccan mother-goddess or the Four Noble Truths…is that pretty much anything else you worship will eat you alive. If you worship money and things — if they are where you tap real meaning in life — then you will never have enough. Never feel you have enough. It’s the truth. Worship your own body and beauty and sexual allure and you will always feel ugly, and when time and age start showing, you will die a million deaths before they finally plant you…Worship power — you will feel weak and afraid, and you will need ever more power over others to keep the fear at bay. Worship your intellect, being seen as smart — you will end up feeling stupid, a fraud, always on the verge of being found out…Look, the insidious thing about these forms of worship is not that they’re evil or sinful; it is that they are unconscious. They are default-settings. They’re the kind of worship you just gradually slip into, day after day, getting more and more selective about what you see and how you measure value without ever being fully aware that that’s what you’re doing.”

So be open to the idea that you are a worshiper — even if you’re not sure exactly what it is that you worship. And — if you call yourself a Christian — be open to the idea that there are some idols of your heart that you may not be aware are vying for your worship. 

So — for all of us worshipers — I want to show us Someone who’s worthy of our worship — in fact the only Someone worthy of our worship. We find this Someone in verse five of our psalm.

Psalm 86:5 ESV

5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.

What a powerful statement, right? About this verse, one scholar has said…

The chief encouragement in prayer is knowing the character of God. David has come to know God through his Word and through his experience as a believer. The better he knows God, the more certain he is of God’s willingness to help him in his need. What an incentive this is for us to study the attributes of God—his divine characteristics as they are revealed in Holy Scripture—and to walk with God [in] faith so [we] know him better!

The character of God that David’s focusing on — while he suffers — is God’s steadfast love — which he mentions three times in our psalm. One children’s book author has described God’s steadfast love as his, “Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love.”

We have our definitions of love — this is God’s definition. And this is what he means when he says he loves his people. 

It’s a love that never stops. The Christian faith teaches that there’s nothing you can do to earn God’s love — which means — and this is glorious — there’s nothing you can do to un-earn his love. When God loves you — he loves you. And there’s nothing you can do to stop him from loving you.

Additionally, his love for you never gives up. Though we may reach our breaking point — or turn our backs on God — and distrust him and question him and doubt him and betray him — he never gives up on us. He pursues us. He calls us back. He whispers to us — in our sorrow and grief — I love you.

His love for us is unbreaking. God’s love is an always and forever love. From eternity past to eternity future — those whom God loves — he eternally loves.

This is just one attribute of God that’s meant to change the way we worship him. For our God is also compassionate, and faithful, and all-knowing, and all-powerful, and just, and righteous, and merciful, and slow to anger, and good, and kind, and eternal, and Creator, and so much more — which is why our worship must begin with God. For — when it begins with him — our worship will be spiritually red hot — on fire — regardless of our circumstances — yes — even when we’re suffering.

Don’t believe me? You don’t have to take my — or even David’s — word for it. Take Job — who after the tragic death of all of his children and the loss of all of his wealth…

Job 1:20–21 NLT

20 Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship. 21 He said, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!”

Or take Paul and Silas who — while locked in chains in prison — at…

Acts 16:25–26 ESV

25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.

Or take Hannah — who though childless and ridiculed by others because of it — continued to pour out her soul before the LORD in prayer. And — after the fulfillment of the promise given to her — that she would have a son — she prayed…

1 Samuel 2:1–2 NLT

1 “My heart rejoices in the Lord! The Lord has made me strong. Now I have an answer for my enemies; I rejoice because you rescued me. 2 No one is holy like the Lord! There is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.

Or take the prophet Habakkuk who was given a prophecy of judgment for the people of Judah. Habakkuk received a hard word about the punishment the people of God were going to experience. And yet his book ends with these words.

Habakkuk 3:17–19 NLT

17 Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! 19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. (For the choir director: This prayer is to be accompanied by stringed instruments.)

The words in parenthesis tell us this was a song to be sung in worship by the people of God. “When there’s no fruit on the trees — when there’s a famine in the land — when all of the herds have died — I will still rejoice in the God of my salvation.” That’s some red hot, spiritually on fire, kind of worship, right?

“But, come on Josh. Those were people in the Bible. Of course they could worship God in the midst of suffering. Don’t you have to be a super spiritual hero to make it in the Bible anyway?” You don’t have to be a super spiritual hero to make it in the Bible — but here are some non-biblical folks who show us that this kind of worship — while suffering — is possible.

Take Horatio Spafford who — after his four daughters drowned in a shipwreck — penned the hymn It is Well with My Soul as he traveled by ship to meet his wife. One of the lines in the hymn states “Whatever my lot, thou has taught me to say, it is well, it is well, with my soul.”

Or take Corrie ten Boom who was imprisoned in a concentration camp because she and her family had helped around eight hundred Jews flee from the Nazis. Her family was betrayed and were arrested. Corrie smuggled a Bible into the concentration camp and held worship services. She famously said, “There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still.” If God’s steadfast love could meet Corrie and others imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp — might it be possible for his love to meet you in whatever dark pit of suffering you find yourself in?

WHICH LEADS TO BOLD WORSHIPFUL PRAYERS

The examples could go on — but I think you get the point. For many — because of the God they worship — the God who’s revealed himself in this book — they were able to worship even as they suffered. And when we follow in their steps — by worshiping the same “steadfast-loving us always-God”  — we will find ourselves praying big, bold, worshipful prayers. We’re back in verse one where David writes…

Psalm 86:1–4 ESV

1 Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. 2 Preserve my life, for I am godly; save your servant, who trusts in you—you are my God. 3 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all the day. 4 Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

Jumping to verse six we read…

Psalm 86:6–7 ESV

6 Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace. 7 In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me.

Skipping to verse eleven David writes…

Psalm 86:11–12 ESV

11 Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. 12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.

Finally in verse sixteen we read…

Psalm 86:16–17 ESV

16 Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant, and save the son of your maidservant. 17 Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

Pay attention to how David begins his big, bold, worshipful prayer. He begins with humility — acknowledging that he’s poor and needy. Now — remember — he’s king David. The giant slaying hero who God appointed as leader over his people. This is no man in an ordinary position — this is like being the president of our country — and yet David begins his prayer displaying God-honoring humility.

How do your prayers begin?

Once Jesus told a parable — a short story meant to teach a moral truth — to…

Luke 18:9–14 ESV

9 some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

In Jesus’s day, everyone would’ve assumed that a tax collector would need to humble himself before God — but a Pharisee? If anyone was a super spiritual hero of the day it was a Pharisee. Yet Jesus makes it clear that everyone must approach God in prayer with humility. Something David — though a king — understood. And if it’s fitting for a king to humble himself before God — I think it’s safe to conclude that the same is true for all of us non-kings and queens.

Bold prayers are still humble prayers. Boldness and humility are not enemies — they’re friends — partners — boldness and humility are characteristics of those whose worship of God begins with who God is — as we saw earlier.

“But, wait. Josh, you may’ve gotten ahead of yourself. Don’t you see how David describes himself in verse two? He says, ‘I am godly’ and that doesn’t sound very humble to me — that sounds just like the Pharisee.” David isn’t making a self-righteous statement — he’s simply saying that he trusts in God. In today’s language David would say, “I’ve put my trust in Christ alone.” That’s not what the Pharisee was doing.

Yet David knows how his heart is fickle. Our hearts chase after many lovers and gods — even after we’ve put our trust in Christ. That’s why David prays — in verse eleven — for God to unite his heart to fear his name. Remember — men are after David. They want him dead and obviously don’t want him to be their king — there’s division in the land. Yet here — as he prays — David shows that he’s just as concerned for his divided heart as he is for the divided nation. His desire is that his whole heart would be committed to trusting in God’s promises and doing God’s will.

What’s the bigger concern for you — which gets the greater attention of your prayer life? Divisions around you — political divisions, racial divisions, relational divisions, religious divisions, and so on — or the division within your own heart? Does it even bother you — for this is true of you just as it’s true of me — that your heart isn’t fully committed to trusting God’s promises and accomplishing the will he has for you? That even though you long to love the Lord with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength — yet — you know you live with a heart that’s divided.

Those who are humble before God — who — even in suffering — worship him — will ask God not only to relieve them of their suffering — which they do ask for in prayer! — but also to teach them. To teach them about their divided heart. To help them walk in truth even as they suffer. To not allow their suffering to give voice to the lies that chirp in our ears: “If God loved you — you wouldn’t be suffering like this.” “See, you’re not a good person. Good people don’t go through what you’re going through.” “You’re unloveable. You’re unforgivable. You’re worthless. You’re ugly. You deserve this.” 

CONCLUSION

The way to combat these lies is to know God’s Word. For this book tells us wonderful, life-changing, hope-in-the-midst-of-suffering truths. Who God is. Who we are. What God is doing in the world. What Jesus accomplished in his life, death, and resurrection. And where all of history is headed.

I know that for many — the Bible is intimidating. So — if you don’t know where to begin — let me encourage you to grab a copy of this booklet — how to make the most of your devotional time — at the Resource Center at your campus. You can also get a digital copy on our website — gatewayepc.org. 

Here’s another step you can take to grow in your understanding of who God is: Worship with us weekly. Every week your heart faces a battle — it goes to war. Will an idol of your heart get your allegiance and worship or will the one true God? I know that we get sick. I understand that we go on vacation. But the vast majority of people who don’t worship weekly aren’t missing because they’re sick or on vacation — they miss because an idol has demanded their worship. We don’t call it worship — but go back to what I said earlier and see if you can find a better word. And on a day you find yourself in the midst of suffering — none of those idols will give you what you need. And you may even find yourself wondering where the One true God went off to — when the truth is — he never went anywhere. The question is: Where’d you go?

But know that — even in our wandering — and even with our divided hearts — God is so good, and kind, and patient, and gracious, and forgiving, and — yes — loving — that he always welcomes his children back into his loving arms when we return to him. Even when our suffering’s caused by our own hands — even when it’s caused by others — and even when there’s no one to blame for our suffering — the God who is good and forgiving — who abounds in steadfast love to all who call upon him — is with us. His name is Jesus. And may you turn to him right now — receive his love — and worship him even in your suffering. Let’s pray.

PRAYER

Father, as we pray to you we want to begin by acknowledging who you are. As we’ve been reminded today — you are good and your steadfast love endures forever. What hope is found in knowing that you are good. Not a tyrant. Not wicked. Not unfair. Good. And your steadfast — never stopping, never giving up, unbreaking, always and forever — love endures for us today, tomorrow, and always.

Holy Spirit, comfort those in need of comfort. Point all of us in the direction of knowing who you are more clearly and accurately. Reveal to us the idols of our hearts — false gods vying for our worship and demanding our devotion. Call us to repentance and help us to do so as we trust that you always forgive those who come to you repenting of their sins.

And — Jesus — all of this great and glorious good news is possible and true because of you. What you accomplished in your perfect life, death, and in your Satan, sin, death, and Hell defeating resurrection. We have hope and can worship you — even in suffering — because you — in love — first suffered for us. And you are with us in our suffering. And you love us through our suffering.

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — call many to believe, trust, rest, and worship you today. And we pray all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

BENEDICTION (Prayer teams available | DEVO BOOKLET | Suffering and need prayer)

May you go worshiping the One true God — for he is good — and his steadfast love for you endures forever. Amen.

God loves you. I love you. You are sent.

DATE: 4–27-25

As always it’s a joy to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And there’s one thing I want you to know — and this is true if you’re worshiping with us for the first time — if you’re joining us at our North Main Campus or are with our friends in Bucyrus — I want you to know that God loves you and that I love you too.

INTRODUCTION

After a short break for Easter — we’re returning to our series in Romans this weekend — taking a look at the spiritual gifts that Paul mentions so we all understand what these gifts are and how they’re to be used in our faith family. The purpose of the spiritual gifts is something I’ve reminded us of many times before: Spiritual gifts are abilities given to individual believers by the Holy Spirit in order to equip God’s people for ministry, both for the edification of the church and for God’s salvific mission to the world. – Lexham Survey of Theology

Here’s what Paul says about the gifts — in Romans chapter twelve — beginning in verse four. 

Romans 12:4–8 ESV

4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

We started off by taking two weeks to explore the gift of prophecy. Then we looked at the gifts of service, teaching, and exhortation. And — just before Holy Week — we looked at the gift of giving. Which means that — today — we’re going to look at the spiritual gift of leadership, which Paul mentions next in his list where he writes…

Romans 12:8 ESV

8 the one who leads, with zeal;

WHAT IS THE GIFT OF LEADERSHIP?

So let’s begin by answering the question, “What is the gift of leadership?” The definition of this gift that I shared with you a few weeks ago is…

Leadership

The gift of leadership is the divine strength or ability to influence people at their level while directing and focusing them on the big picture, vision, or idea.

Now — in the original language of Greek — the word that we translate as “leads” — similar to other gifts we’ve looked at — has both a general application in Scripture — meaning — regardless if you have the gift there’s some “leading” that God expects you to do — and — the word also has specific uses that would appear to be for those who have this spiritual gift. Let’s briefly look at the general application — ways that leading applies to all who follow Jesus.

Paul — who wrote Romans — wrote many of the letters in the New Testament. One of his letters was to a man named Titus who was pastoring on the island of Crete. After reminding Titus of the ways sin had control over us — before we had faith in Jesus — Paul writes…

Titus 3:4–8 ESV

4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.

A few verses later — Paul writes…

Titus 3:14 ESV

14 And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.

Now — you probably noticed that you didn’t hear me say the word “lead” anywhere in those verses. That’s because a different English word was used to convey a similar idea: the word “devote”. So here’s the general principle: Because of all that Christ has done for his people — in saving us not by our works — but by his perfect work — those who believe in him are to devote themselves — or lead themselves — to do good works — which Paul repeats a few verses later.

So again — in a very general sense — all Christians are leaders because — at the very least — we’re to be leading ourselves in living a life that’s a proper response to all that Christ has done for us. We’re not to live life on auto-pilot. We’re not to be passive and “let go and let God.” We’re to be actively engaged in putting our faith into practice. For that’s what it means to follow Jesus — we follow the One who intentionally and actively lived his life in love for us and calls us to intentionally and actively live our lives in love for him in return.

Here’s another general application for all of us — even those who don’t have this spiritual gift. To the Christians living in Thessalonica, Paul writes…

1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 ESV

12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work.

Another case where we don’t explicitly see the word “lead” but the same Greek word is used — but here it’s translated as “over”. So the general application here is to respect those who are over us — those who lead us. We’re to hold them in high regard because — in leading us — they’re displaying care for us — even when they admonish or warn us.

For many years — and it’s still a bit of a struggle for me today — allowing others to hold me in high regard was hard. I don’t like attention. I prefer to disappear in a crowd. But this is an area that God has — and continues to — grow me in. Especially to not dismiss or prevent you from obeying this biblical principle. So — thank you for your patience with me. And I’m still gonna be awkward — when you hold me in high regard — but hopefully less awkward than I once was.

One last general application — still Paul — but this time we’re looking at his letter to Timothy who’s pastoring the church in Ephesus. Paul writes…

1 Timothy 5:17–18 ESV

17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”

The word “rule” is the same Greek word as “lead” in Romans. Here — similar to what we just read — the application for all of us is to honor those who lead us. For those who rule — or lead — well — and this is specifically referring to leading in the church — should be considered worthy of double honor — a reference to the financial pay they receive — as made evident by Paul quoting something Jesus said in Luke chapter 10.

So to recap: All Christians are to — one — lead themselves in doing good works in response to being saved by Jesus — two — respect and hold in high regard those who lead us and — three — honor those who lead by taking care of them financially.

THE GIFT OF LEADERSHIP IN SCRIPTURE: DEBORAH

Now let’s look at a few potential examples of this spiritual gift at work in Scripture. We’re going to look at two passages from the Old Testament. First, we’ll look at a woman named Deborah. This is her story as found in Judges chapter 4.

Judges 4:1–10 NLT

1 After Ehud’s death, the Israelites again did evil in the Lord’s sight. 2 So the Lord turned them over to King Jabin of Hazor, a Canaanite king. The commander of his army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth-haggoyim. 3 Sisera, who had 900 iron chariots, ruthlessly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years. Then the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help. 4 Deborah, the wife of Lappidoth, was a prophet who was judging Israel at that time. 5 She would sit under the Palm of Deborah, between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites would go to her for judgment. 6 One day she sent for Barak son of Abinoam, who lived in Kedesh in the land of Naphtali. She said to him, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: Call out 10,000 warriors from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun at Mount Tabor. 7 And I will call out Sisera, commander of Jabin’s army, along with his chariots and warriors, to the Kishon River. There I will give you victory over him.” 8 Barak told her, “I will go, but only if you go with me.” 9 “Very well,” she replied, “I will go with you. But you will receive no honor in this venture, for the Lord’s victory over Sisera will be at the hands of a woman.” So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh. 10 At Kedesh, Barak called together the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali, and 10,000 warriors went up with him. Deborah also went with him.

So Deborah goes with Barak into battle. And things happen just as Deborah said they would. At one point in the battle she has to urge Barak on with the words…

Judges 4:14 NLT

14 “Get ready! This is the day the Lord will give you victory over Sisera, for the Lord is marching ahead of you.” So Barak led his 10,000 warriors down the slopes of Mount Tabor into battle.

Being in a position of authority doesn’t mean someone’s a leader — that’s one lesson we learn. Barak’s a cowardly man in a leadership position — while Deborah — who definitely had the spiritual gift of prophecy — and likely leadership as well — led Barak — and his army — into a victorious battle.

I bring up Deborah as an example to make it clear that — though we’re a church that holds a complementarian view of the office of elder — that’s a fancy theological word that means we believe that the office of elder is reserved for men only — though we’re complementarian — we do believe that women are empowered by the Holy Spirit with the gift of leadership. And we need women — who are empowered by the Spirit in this way — to use their gift of leadership for our good as a congregation.

Now — you may wonder, “Why are you complementarian? If you believe that women can be empowered with the gift of leadership why don’t you allow them to serve as elders — the highest office of leadership in the church?” Here are two reasons why but — for more information — I suggest grabbing a copy of the booklet on leadership that’s available at your campus resource center.

Why don’t we allow women to be elders at Gateway — and I know that our friends in Bucyrus hold a different position — so feel free to put me on mute for the next minute or so. And — by the way — this is one of the characteristics of the EPC — our denomination — that I so appreciate. That churches can hold different views on this topic and not go their separate ways. Because — no matter our view on this topic — we all hold a high regard for Scripture — its authority, sufficiency, inerrancy, and so on — yet come to different interpretive conclusions.

So back to why Gateway doesn’t have female elders — I’ll give two reasons. First, nowhere in the New Testament do we see a woman referred to as an elder in a local church. Though the reason why we have female deacons is because we do see Phoebe — in Romans 16 — referred to as a deacon.

Second — and most compellingly — Jesus chose twelve men to be his apostles who originally held the highest office of leadership in the church. Some argue that Jesus chose only men because he was a man of his time — and rabbis didn’t pick women to be their followers. This argument always baffles me because…Jesus was not a man of his time! Jesus allowed women to financially fund his ministry, allowed a woman who was a prostitute to wash his feet — which was scandalous — had no problem having a private conversation with a Samaritan woman — just as equally scandalous — and so on. Jesus did not conform to the cultural expectations when it came to his relationship with women. Yet he only chose men to be his apostles — something we have to seriously consider when thinking through this topic.

But — here at Gateway — we honor women. We encourage women who have the spiritual gift of leadership to use their gift for God’s glory and our good — as we do our best to apply what we see in the New Testament when it comes to who God calls to the highest office in the church.

And — if you don’t know — on staff — three of our six departments — worship, connect, serve, go, next gen, and business/ops — three of the six departments are led by women — Lindsay, Kristi, and Ashely. And — our executive director — “the boss” as we like to say — is as well — Laura — who’s heart is filled with joy every time I call her the boss. I kid. You see — we believe that God gifts women with the gift of leadership for our good — as we hold a complementarian view of the office of elder.

THE GIFT OF LEADERSHIP IN SCRIPTURE: MOSES

Now let’s look at a moment from the life of Moses. As you may be aware, Moses was called by God to lead the Israelites out of their enslavement in Egypt. But — if you know their story — the people left Egypt only to become a grumbling, complaining, distrusting in God’s ability to provide for them — kind of people. And — a people like this — end up with all kinds of disputes, disagreements, and arguments among themselves. And Moses — because he was the leader — found himself being the judge for all of the disputes, disagreements, and arguments going on among the — wait for it — few million Israelites! Talk about a never-ending, exhausting job for Moses. 

Thus — in one of the few positive in-law stories in known history — I kid — Moses’ father-in-law — a man named Jethro — has an idea. This is what we read in Exodus chapter 18.

Exodus 18:13–27 NLT

13 The next day, Moses took his seat to hear the people’s disputes against each other. They waited before him from morning till evening. 14 When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?” 15 Moses replied, “Because the people come to me to get a ruling from God. 16 When a dispute arises, they come to me, and I am the one who settles the case between the quarreling parties. I inform the people of God’s decrees and give them his instructions.” 17 “This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed. 18 “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself. 19 Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people’s representative before God, bringing their disputes to him. 20 Teach them God’s decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives. 21 But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. 22 They should always be available to solve the people’s common disputes, but have them bring the major cases to you. Let the leaders decide the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you. 23 If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace.” 24 Moses listened to his father-in-law’s advice and followed his suggestions. 25 He chose capable men from all over Israel and appointed them as leaders over the people. He put them in charge of groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. 26 These men were always available to solve the people’s common disputes. They brought the major cases to Moses, but they took care of the smaller matters themselves. 27 Soon after this, Moses said good-bye to his father-in-law, who returned to his own land.

Moses was wearing himself out by not delegating leadership to others. He apparently mistook God’s calling on him to lead the people to mean that he alone was to do all the leading. And God has never intended leadership to be an individual endeavor — and Jethro understood this. So he gave his son-in-law some good, godly advice. Using language we find throughout the Bible — about the kinds of characteristics we’re to look for in those who lead in the church — Jethro tells Moses to select some capable, honest men who fear God and have integrity and appoint them as leaders over groups of various sizes. Because — again — one man — Moses — can’t do all the leading. And he’s not the only one gifted to lead. For the Spirit of God uses many to lead the people of God.

But notice the structure and hierarchy. Some are gifted to lead ten people. Others fifty. Others a hundred. Others a thousand. The leader of ten isn’t less significant than the leader of a thousand — both are needed! Just ask people who are in the group of ten if the one who leads them is important. But — at the same time — those being led have to understand that structure and hierarchy are needed because one man can’t handle the responsibility and time it takes to lead and care for every single individual when a group — apparently — gets bigger than around ten people. We’ll see how this plays itself out at Gateway in a moment.

THE GIFT OF LEADERSHIP IN THE CHURCH

But this story in Exodus — is very similar to what we read about those who led the church in the New Testament. For example, to Timothy Paul writes…

1 Timothy 3:1–13 ESV

1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. 8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

We’ve looked at these verses in previous sermons on the spiritual gifts — but we return to them now looking at the importance of the spiritual gift of leadership among those who are in positions of authority in the local church. Both elders and deacons are to be good managers of their homes. Manager is the same word translated as lead in Romans — so managing in your homes — or leading in your homes — is a prerequisite for leading in the church.

And selecting capable individuals — who have the character to match — reminds me of how the church chose the first deacons.

Acts 6:1–7 ESV

1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

Did you notice the similarities in the situation Moses found himself in and the apostles situation here in Acts? And how a similar solution is agreed upon? I bring this up to remind us of the different leadership roles in our church, what they do, and how we all benefit when each of these groups are leading in the way God has gifted and called them to lead. Again — you can read more about this in the booklet on leadership that’s available at your campus resource center.

But here at Gateway — we’re blessed with a group of faithful men and women who serve in leadership. There are the elders — men who spiritually protect and shepherd the congregation. There’s the staff — whose role is to equip, train, and resource the members of Gateway to do the work of ministry. And there are our deacons — our lead servants. The elders, staff, and deacons all have a leadership role to play in our church.

Let’s begin with elders. Elders spiritually protect and shepherd the congregation. The way we elders describe our role is in a vision statement we have for ourselves. 

Our primary responsibility, as elders, is to represent the mind of Christ as we spiritually lead Gateway Church. We’re to collectively discern his will for Gateway in all our decisions. Additionally, we’re called to be men who…

1) study, learn, and teach the Word of God,

2) shepherd the sick, lonely, elderly, and those in need,

3) disciple the children and adults of the church and seek after those who become inactive,

4) guard against dangers to the faith and life of those under our care,

5) warn, admonish, and reclaim those who stray and, when necessary, enact church discipline,

6) and seek out and raise up new leaders within the church.

We didn’t come up with this on our own — this is what our church constitution — what’s called the Book of Order — tells us is our role as your elders. 

The elders — collectively — represent the mind of Christ for this church. 

Together — we seek Christ’s vision for what we’re to be doing. 

This isn’t a one man at the top of the org chart kind of team — the vision and direction of Gateway isn’t any one person’s responsibility or authority — it’s the responsibility of the elders together. 

As is the teaching of God’s Word, and the shepherding of the people — that’s why we’ve divided our members into shepherding groups — and the discipleship of the next generation, and the guarding against false doctrines, and the disciplining of those who are ensnared by sin, as is the raising up the next generation of church leadership. 

What about the church staff? The church staff are to equip, train, and resource the church members to do the work of ministry. The staff’s primary role is not to do the ministry work, but to serve the church members by resourcing and equipping them — making sure church members have what they need to do the ministry work of the church. 

Now we turn to the deacons. The deacons are our lead servants. They assist the staff and elders to make sure the ministry work — that the staff has equipped the congregation to do — gets done. Deacons are key in both freeing up the elders — so we can focus on our role of shepherding and protecting — while also freeing up the staff so they’re able to equip, train, and resource the church members to do the ministry work of the church. 

But there’s one more important leadership role in our church — our Life Group leaders. Those who lead a small group of people — helping them spiritually grow and follow Jesus more faithfully — so they love God and each other more passionately.

CONCLUSION

And when elders are fulfilling their leadership role, and staff theirs, and deacons theirs, and Life Group leaders theirs — and when we all see the beauty of having leaders responsible for tens, and fifties, and hundreds, and thousands — we’ll all be better served and cared for and led by those the Spirit has empowered with the gift of leadership. We’ll feel the intimacy of being led by our Life Group leaders — of course we’ll need to be in a Life Group to experience this leadership — and — as we serve we’ll be led by the staff — of course we’ll need to be serving to experience this leadership — and we’ll be shepherded by our elder — of course we’ll need to be a member to be part of a shepherding group — some gentle reminders that the care that we often desire comes by means of submitting to those who serve in a leadership role in the church.

That’s how care and discipleship work at Gateway — it can’t really work any other way. Which takes us back to where we began — and those general principles of leadership that we saw earlier. How each of us is responsible to lead ourselves — to devote ourselves to good works — including the good work of being a fully engaged member of the local church that we’re part of. Worshipping, connecting, serving, and going are what you hear us say around here a lot. And how each of us is responsible for growing as a follower of Jesus who’s a Word and Spirit Christian, who’s generous and Kingdom-minded, who makes disciples, and who makes it clear that they’re a member of this faith family.

If you’re in leadership — whatever your role may be — thank you for leading. Thank you for allowing the Spirit of God to empower and use you for our good. And to those of you who — your only leadership responsibility is that of leading yourself well — thank you for doing so. And may we all grow in our thankfulness to God for the leaders he’s appointed over us. Let’s pray.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank you for the way you lead your people. You lead us through your Word — the Bible — where you tell us what to do, how to live, and what to believe. You lead us through those you’ve called to serve in roles within the church. And you lead us through the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit, thank you for empowering many with the gift of leadership. For those you’ve called to lead thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens — all are needed for us to be the church you’ve called us to be. Empower more — we ask — for the glory of our great Savior and for our good.

And — Jesus — we thank you for not abandoning us when you ascended to Heaven — but you called men and women to be the leaders of your church. And you — with your Father — sent the Holy Spirit to empower these leaders. Jesus — as we follow you as a church — may we follow you faithfully in whatever role we’ve been called to. For then we’ll grow in our spiritual maturity — and will care well for one another — and be a church that sees even more lives changed by the good news of the gospel. And we pray all of this in your name. Amen.

BENEDICTION (Prayer teams available // Leadership booklet)

May you go grateful to God for those he’s called and gifted to lead his church. Amen.

God loves you. I love you. You are sent.