Relationship to Civil Laws/Authorities

In this part of the sermon: Expounding Mark 12:13-17, Martin explains Jesus' teaching that Caesar has legitimate claims (e.g., taxes) because God has given him authority, but God has ultimate claims. He…

The Pharisees and Herodians attempting to trap Jesus with a question about tribute to Caesar is described as a 'verbal pincer move,' highlighting their malicious intent and Jesus' Solomonic wisdom in response.

And so our Lord is caught, as it were, in a verbal pincer move. The Pharisees pressing in on the one hand, trying to prove him a disloyal Jew, and the Herodians on the other, seeking to prove him to be a disloyal Roman subject. And as they attempt to do this, our Lord, with Solomonic wisdom, asks them to give him a common coin, and when they, put that coin in his hands, with the question ringing in his ears, shall we or shall we not give tribute unto Caesar, our Lord asks them a question.

13:37 - 14:18 Read in full sermon

Driving home: And at any point that Caesar would usurp rights which belong only to God, and which God has not conferred upon Caesar, then the language of Acts 5.29 kicks in, we ought to obey God rather than man.

Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:40-41 about going two miles when compelled to go one is used to illustrate a Christian's willing, joyful submission to constituted authority, even a Roman soldier's conscription.

where our Lord is exposing the wickedness of the tit for tat, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, personal vengeful spirit which was justified by the perverted teaching of the scribes and the Pharisees and the rabbinical traditions, our Lord says in Matthew 5 and verse 40, and if any man would go to law with you and take away your coat, let him have your cloak also, and whosoever shall compel you to go one mile, go with him two.

21:05 - 21:45 Read in full sermon

Driving home: And at any point that Caesar would usurp rights which belong only to God, and which God has not conferred upon Caesar, then the language of Acts 5.29 kicks in, we ought to obey God rather than man.

The Christian's joyful submission in going the extra mile is likened to 'salt checking the putrefaction of the resentment' of the average Jew, demonstrating a different spirit.

don't go simply as far as he expects, but as those who do more than others, who are activated and motivated by the principles of the kingdom of grace and of God, you show a joyful spirit to carry his knapsack twice as far as he mandated. And when you come to the end of that, twice the distance, carrying of his knapsack, that soldier is going to find it awfully hard not to say what in the world makes you tick. And then you will be able to say as one who has been light in the midst of darkness,

22:27 - 23:09 Read in full sermon

The point: Christians are to render to all their dues: tribute, custom, fear (reverential awe), and honor (recognition of the dignity of the office).

Examples of April 15th taxes, New Jersey sales tax, turnpike tolls, and local property taxes are used to make the abstract concept of civil duty concrete and relatable to the congregation's daily life.

When April 15th comes, when I go down to Sears, and I've got to pay the, New Jersey State sales tax. And when I get on the turnpike, and I have to pay the toll. And when I drive on the Garden State Parkway, and every time I get up to the speed limit, I've got to stop and plunk in my 35 cents. And wherever I turn, I see Uncle Sam, or I see Mr. Florio,

30:55 - 31:22 Read in full sermon

The point: Christians are to render to all their dues: tribute, custom, fear (reverential awe), and honor (recognition of the dignity of the office).

The notion of 'no taxation without representation' and the Boston Tea Party are contrasted with biblical teaching, asserting that such American ideals are not rooted in Scripture and God's word should prevail over cherished national notions.

The whole notion that those who govern, receive their power to govern, from the consent of the governed, is not rooted in the Bible. And the idea, that no taxation without representation, may have resulted in the Boston Tea Party, but it never got its teaching out of the Bible. Let God be true, and every cherished American notion a lie. All said under the shadow of imperial, militaristic, expansionistic Rome.

32:51 - 33:35 Read in full sermon

The point: Christians should not continually grouse, bad-mouth, or mock civil authorities, and should examine whether their spirit aligns with biblical commands to speak evil of no man and be gentle.

Rush Limbaugh is used as a contemporary example of a spirit of mocking and pillorying authorities, which Martin argues is inconsistent with the Christian's call to speak evil of no man, not be contentious, and show meekness.

the Scriptures tell us in this passage that I am to be exemplary and principled in my obedience, I am to do it from the heart, I am to be in subjection, I am to range myself under that authority, recognizing that behind it stands the activity and will of the living God, without whom there is no authority, and I am in that context not to be one continually grousing and bad-mouthing and mocking. I find it, I'm going to say something that some of you won't like, but I don't care.

40:30 - 41:12 Read in full sermon

The point: If the government commands a violation of a clear biblical principle, Christians must obey God rather than man and be prepared to pay the price.

The story of Daniel is used to illustrate the principle that if a government commands violation of a clear biblical principle, a Christian must obey God rather than man, even if it means paying a price.

To violate some clear biblical principle. Then like Daniel. We must be prepared to say. Caesar.

48:24 - 48:34 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin encourages believers to draw fuel for prayer from Old Testament examples of God stirring the hearts of pagan kings (Cyrus, Ahasuerus) and humbling proud rulers (Herod). He…

The examples of God stirring the heart of King Cyrus (Ezra) and disposing the heart of Ahasuerus (Nehemiah) are used to demonstrate God's sovereign control over pagan rulers and to fuel prayer for civil authorities.

This is when we need as believers to go back to the Old Testament and draw some fuel for prayer. And I only have time to just mention them. Remember the God. Remember the God who stirs up the heart of a Persian king named Cyrus.

59:56 - 60:11 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin encourages believers to draw fuel for prayer from Old Testament examples of God stirring the hearts of pagan kings (Cyrus, Ahasuerus) and humbling proud rulers (Herod). He…

The account of Herod being struck dead and eaten by worms (Acts 12) is cited to remind listeners of God's power to humble pagan sovereigns, encouraging prayer to such a God.

Remember how he humbles the pagan sovereign of Babylon. Remember in Acts 12, how proud Herod is stricken dead and eaten of the worms before the eyes of all of his breathless admirers. Dear people, that's the God to whom we pray. God can shake every structure.

60:32 - 60:51 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin encourages believers to draw fuel for prayer from Old Testament examples of God stirring the hearts of pagan kings (Cyrus, Ahasuerus) and humbling proud rulers (Herod). He…

The unexpected breaking up of the Soviet Union is used as a recent historical example of God shaking structures, demonstrating that men do not know God's ways and that God holds the hearts of kings.

Remember how he humbles the pagan sovereign of Babylon. Remember in Acts 12, how proud Herod is stricken dead and eaten of the worms before the eyes of all of his breathless admirers. Dear people, that's the God to whom we pray. God can shake every structure.

60:32 - 60:51 Read in full sermon

The point: Christians are to exercise a prudent influence upon and make prudent use of the civil authorities, including through legitimate exercise of citizen rights and appeals for protection.

John the Baptist rebuking King Herod (Matthew 14:4) is cited as an example of a servant of God exercising prudent influence by pointing out moral deficiencies to a leader.

None of these major passages addresses it. But remember, that's not all the Bible says about the issue. The Christian is to exercise a prudent influence upon those in leadership. A servant of God named John rebuked a king named Herod and pointed out his moral deficiencies.

62:15 - 62:37 Read in full sermon

The point: Christians are to exercise a prudent influence upon and make prudent use of the civil authorities, including through legitimate exercise of citizen rights and appeals for protection.

Paul witnessing before Felix (Acts 24:24-27) is given as an example of a servant of God exercising prudent influence by testifying to an unconverted ruler.

Paul, the servant of God, witnessed before an unconverted ruler named Felix. Acts 24. 24 to 27.

62:40 - 62:48 Read in full sermon

The point: By God's grace, believers should see it as their duty to render principled obedience, pray for, and judiciously seek to influence and use existing powers in the will of God to glorify Christ in society as citizens.

Paul appealing to Caesar (Acts 24:6) and for protection (Acts 23:17) are used as examples of a Christian making prudent use of civil authorities for legitimate purposes.

Paul appealed to Caesar. Acts 24, 6 and following. He appealed for protection. Acts 23, 17 and following.

63:36 - 63:46 Read in full sermon

The point: By God's grace, believers should see it as their duty to render principled obedience, pray for, and judiciously seek to influence and use existing powers in the will of God to glorify Christ in society as citizens.

Pastor Waldron's treatise 'We Must Obey God' is recommended for those wrestling with issues like Operation Rescue and non-violent resistance to abortion, providing a resource for understanding biblical teaching on prudent influence.

Pastor Waldron's excellent treatise, We Must Obey God. I heartily recommend this to you. It's not a difficult book. It's only some 28 pages, with a lot of white between the lines and around the borders.

64:41 - 64:55 Read in full sermon