The following message is by pastor John Piper.

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This morning's text is Romans chapter 13 versus 1 through 7.

Romans chapter 13 verses 1 through 7.

Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities.

For there is no authority except from God,

and those which exist are established by God. no authority

has opposed to the has opposed by God.

Therefore, whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God.

They who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.

For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil.

Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same.

For it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid, for it does not bear this sword for nothing,

for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in

subjection not only because of wrath but also for conscience sake, for because of this you also pay taxes for rulers are servants of God

devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is do them, tax to whom taxes do, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear,

honor to whom honor. honor. And here we are on our way into the eighth year together in the book of Romans as we start chapter 13 and I am continually amazed

at the majesty of the message of this book.

We move from one majestic theme to the other.

And our minds and our hearts and our lives are lifted out of the triviality of American culture,

especially the kind you find on television.

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