Church family, for time's sake, you can stand. I'll read it all the way through. Romans chapter 13

verses 1 through 7 and wow, God's timing is awesome. We started it last week. We'll pick it up

in our second message of it, this series, the government of God, and Romans chapter 13. And I'll read,

again, just follow with me

let every soul be subject to the governing authorities for there is no authority

except from God and the authorities that exist are appointed by God therefore

whoever resist authority resist the ordinance of God and those who resist

will be will bring judgment on themselves.

For rulers are not a terror to good works.

Got that everybody?

The authorities are to implement good.

The powers that be, the ordinances of God are for good.

But to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the

authority? Do what is good. And you will have praise from the same. Verse four, for he is God's

minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid. For he does not bear the sword in vain.

For he is God's minister, an avenger, to execute wrath on him who practices evil.

Verse 5, therefore, you must be subject to not only because of wrath, but also for conscience

sake. For because of this, you also pay taxes.

And for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render, therefore,

to all their due. Taxes to whom taxes do? Customs to whom customs, and fear to whom fear, and honor to whom honor.

Lord, in Jesus' name, we pray that you'd speak from your word to our hearts, for we live now

in the 21st century, in the year of 2025, at a time like this, to not be spectators. May our faith and our love and our witness honor you.

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