"God and Government"

Sermon Scripture:  Ecclesiastes 8:1-17 

Sermon Notes are available to follow along below or for download here.

Sermon Notes:

​Religion and Politics?

• Government is established by ________. (Rom. 13:1)
  • Governments are a gift of God to __________ evil.
  • Governments are a gift of God to __________ good.
• Christians are commanded to ___________ to their government. (Rom. 13:1-2)
• Disobedience to the government is ultimately rebellion against God.
• The Exception: We do not obey the government when it causes us to ____________ God.
• We need _____________ to know the difference.

Enduring the Governments of Men (8:1-9)

• Wisdom is a blessing that helps us live wisely under those in authority. (1)
• We submit to the government to ______ God, even if some of those governments are corrupt. (2-3)
• If you respect the government official’s power, you will be unharmed. (4-5)
• If you must resist the government, wisdom will show you the right _____ and the right _____. (5-6)
• Man cannot control his own destiny and is powerless to avoid what he cannot predict. (7-8)
  • We are powerless over our spirit.
  • We are powerless over the war with _________.
  • In the face of death, wickedness will not rescue the wicked.
•  Not every government will do what is right, and may even harm its citizens. (9)
  • All men are ___________.
  • All governments are filled with ________.
  • Therefore, all governments are __________.

Those Who Fear God Will Do Well (8:10-13)

• Sometimes life doesn’t seem fair. (10-11)
  • Evil leaders are often _____________. (10)
  • Evil people are not sentenced quickly, which encourages more _________. (11)
• In the end, God will make all things right. (12-13)
  • It will go well for the one who _________ God.
  • The one who does not fear God will be _____________.

Life’s Not Fair: Man Cannot Fully Understand God’s Ways (8:14-17)

• What we don’t know:
  • Why do ________ things happen to righteous people?
  • Why do ________ things happen to wicked people?
• What we do know:
  • No amount of wisdom or work will answer all of life’s mysteries.
  • God has given us good things to enjoy so that we would trust and love ________.
  • Some things are not worth losing sleep over.
  • Jesus is King, his kingdom is forever, he is ruling well, and he will make every wrong _____.
    • God is patient, so his vengeance comes __________.
    • God is righteous, so his vengeance comes __________.
    • God is gracious, so his grace comes ___________