July 14, 2020
Romans 13
Welcome back to Bible Study! I love studying with you. There are sixteen chapters in the book of Romans, we’re on the shortest one today. Fourteen verses. They start with governmental talk so we’re spending time in different translations today.
But first, let’s pray.
Father, thank You for bringing all of us here again today. Thank You for laying this word in front of us and for being with us as we study; leading and guiding us through it all. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
If you have the Message Bible, pick it up and turn to Romans 13, if not, go to BibleGateway, here…
Read Romans 13:1-3 MSG
1-3 Be a _________ citizen. All _________________________ are under God. Insofar as there is ___________ and _________, it’s God’s order. So live ____________________ as a citizen. If you’re irresponsible to the _________, then you’re irresponsible with _______, and God will hold you __________________. Duly constituted ___________________ are only a threat if you’re trying to ______ ___ ______ something. Decent citizens should have nothing to _______.
Sometimes, what God asks you to do will cause run-ins with authority figures. The Apostles found that out in Acts 5:17-42. It’s worth a read.
Now switch out of the Message and pull up the Amplified Bible, or click here…
Read Romans 13:3-7 AMP
3 For [_______] authorities are not a source of fear for [people of] good ______________, but for [those who do] ______. Do you want to be _____________ of authority? Do what is ________ and you will receive ______________ and _________________. 4 For he is God’s ___________ to you for ________. But if you do ________, [you should] be __________; for he does not carry the [executioner’s] ___________ for nothing. He is God’s servant, an ______________ who brings punishment on the _________________. 5 Therefore one must be subject [to _________ authorities], not only to ____________ the punishment [that comes with wrongdoing], but also as a __________ of ______________ [knowing what is right before God].6 For this same reason you ______ _______, for civil authorities are God’s servants, ______________ themselves to _________________. 7 Pay to all what is _______: tax to whom tax is due, ____________ to whom customs, ___________ to whom respect, _________ to whom honor.
Hebrews 11:14 AMP
14 Continually pursue peace with everyone, and the sanctification without which no one will [ever] see the Lord.
And Hebrews 11:14 NIV
14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
Read Romans 13:8-10 AMP
8 Owe ____________ to anyone except to _____ and ______ the ______ for one another; for he who [unselfishly] loves his neighbor has fulfilled the [essence of the] law [relating to one’s fellowman]. 9 The commandments, [Exodus 20:13-15,17; Deut. 5:17-19,21] “You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not covet,” and any other commandment are summed up in this statement: “You shall _______ your _________________ as ____________.” [Lev. 19:18] 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor [it never hurts anyone]. Therefore [______________] love is the ____________________ of the Law.
This is a little bit of Danny Gokey’s song Love God, Love People…
It’s a really catchy song, go ahead and watch it.
I tell myself to keep this up
That all God wants is just my love
No more complicating things
No more need to overthink
Gotta keep it real simple
Keep it real simple
Bring everything right back to ground zero
‘Cause it all comes down to this
Love God and love people
We’re living in a world that keeps breakin’
But if we want to find a way to change it
It all comes down to this
Love God and love people
Love is patient
Love is kind
Rescues hearts and changes lives
Love is all we need to make things right
Gotta keep it real simple
It’s really so simple, oh!
The next few verses are so beautiful, so applicable, so great we’re doing them a little differently than we have been so far.
Read Romans 13:11-12 AMP Slowly
What kind of time is this? __________________________________________
It’s already what hour? _____________________________________________
What is nearer? _____________________________________________________
It’s nearer now than when we what?__________________________________
What’s almost gone? ________________________________________________
What day is almost here? ___________________________________________
That should thrill you.
We’re supposed to fling away what? _________________________________
And put on what? __________________________________________________
The full armor of light. Yes, in Ephesians 6 you can find every piece of it. In Isaiah 59 you’ll see God wearing it too. It’s His gift to us, one of the many, and it’s crucial to wear. Lately I’ve been learning that I need it before I even get out of bed in the morning. Between the armor and the virtues in Colossians 3 you’ll be all set to face whatever day you have ahead of you.
Have faith, my friends, every word of this is true. Every piece of armor, every virtue, all of them real. More real than a lot of what we see. All because through Christ Jesus we have been blessed with grace upon grace and every spiritual blessing. Tremendous gifts through faith. Hold on to Faith. It’s one piece of a three-strand chord connecting you to Jesus. Hope is another and this Scripture positively oozes with it. Can you guess what the third strand is? When you think of Jesus, what is the overpowering thing you see?
Yes, if you’re thinking, “I’ve heard something in Scripture about a three-strand chord. Yes, it’s in Ecclesiastes 4:12
But the chord connecting us to Jesus is more real than anything man can make. It’s made of light and it’s three-strands of the most powerful things in the world… Faith, Hope and __________.
Read Romans 13:13-14 AMP
There are two adverbs describing how we should conduct ourselves. What are they? _______________ and ______________________
Instead of acting like we belong to the darkness, which we don’t. We are citizens of light. We should clothe ourselves with whom?
__________ _____________
Praise His Holy Name.
Make no provision for the flesh (sinful nature) in what regard? ___________________________________________________
Don’t even make provision for gratifying the flesh, not even contingency plans. You are completely safe in Christ and He always knows exactly where you are, every second of the day and night. Talk to Him. Listen to Him. He’s right there, closer than your next breath.
Faith, my friend, it’s all that’s required. You know the sun will rise tomorrow, so know Jesus is coming back. He’s near; at the gates. Until then He’s right here with us even though He most of the time stays out of sight.
We Believe by the Newsboys
Go ahead and listen, these are a few of the lyrics.
Let the lost be found and the dead be raised
In the here and now, let love invade
Let the church live love our God will see
We believe, we believe
And the gates of hell will not prevail
For the power of God, has torn the vail
Now we know Your love will never fail
We believe, we believe
We believe in God the Father
We believe in Jesus Christ
We believe in the Holy Spirit
And He’s given us new life
We believe in the crucifixion
We believe that He conquered death
We believe in the resurrection
And He’s comin’ back
He’s comin’ back again
He’s comin’ back again
We believe
We believe
Let’s pray.
Lord Jesus, thank You for this lesson. Thank You for the wonderful news and the beautiful promises, the strengthening of our faith, the wonder in these past 14 verses. Make them all become so real in our lives that any unbelief within us will vanish in faith. In Your precious and holy name, I pray. Amen.