Ps. Arlene Stubbs (NLAG, Hyderabad) speaks on Responsible Citizenship, challenging us to follow Biblical standards as citizens and fulfilling our call to be salt and light in our world. For sermon audio, notes, slides, archives and other free resources like books, please visit our website - apcwo.org #APCBangalore

2. Responsible Citizenship
•Romans 13:1-7
•Matthew 5:13-16

3. Responsible Citizenship
“Freedom and power bring responsibility. The responsibility rests
upon this assembly, a sovereign body, representing the
sovereign people of India”
- Jawaharlal Nehru, August 14, 1947

4. Responsible Citizenship
•I. The Christian and Government – Romans 13:1-7
•Government is ordained by God.
•“The authorities that exist have been established by God” – v1
•Rebellion against authority is rebellion against God.
•“He who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God
has instituted.” – v2

5. Responsible Citizenship
•Rulers are servants of God.
“For he is God’s servant to do you
good.” – v4

6. Responsible Citizenship
4. Two reasons why Christians must obey civil
authorities. v5
1. For wrath’s sake – If we fail to obey, rulers have
power to afflict punishment.
2. For conscience’s sake – A true believer ought to obey
because of conscience – a higher motivation.

7. Responsible Citizenship
5. Pay what you owe! v7

8. Responsible Citizenship
•We are commanded to pay what we owe:
taxes, revenue, respect and honor.

9. Responsible Citizenship
II. Conflicting obligations
Both Old and New Testaments recognize that
there may be times when religious sphere and
political sphere conflict.
“But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the
royal food and wine” – Daniel 1:8

10. Responsible Citizenship
•“We must obey God rather than man.” Acts 5:29
•Civil authorities are not to take over the authority
of God. Whenever they do, we must always obey
God.

11. Responsible Citizenship
III. The Christian’s influence
Christ describes the influence of Christians by two metaphors:
1.Salt – “You are the salt of the earth.” v.13
Property of Salt: prevents decay. As believers, we are to
penetrate society so we can prevent it from decaying.

12. Responsible Citizenship
2.Light – “You are the light of the world.” v.14
•Light penetrates darkness. It is our responsibility as believers
to reflect the light of the Gospel by the way we live.
•You must live so “that men may see your good deeds and
glorify your Father in heaven.” v.16