Trusting God's Sovereignty over Governments
With the federal election result now clear, and the Labor Party taking power and Anthony Albanese being our new Prime Minister, much has changed within a week. I don’t know how you’ve responded to the election result? Maybe you’re pleased, or maybe you’re disappointed, or even concerned about what the future holds for people, or Christian people in our nation? However you’ve responded in your thoughts or emotions, I want to draw our attention to God’s words in Romans chapter 13. Neil has just finished a helpful series in the Bundy Daily Devotions, but I’m aware not everyone receives those. And it is important for us all, whether the party we voted for was elected or not, that we have a deep trust in God’s sovereignty. A deep trust in God’s sovereignty is good for us.
A deep trust in God’s sovereignty is good for us.
In Romans 13 God through Paul makes clear that there is no governing authority ‘except from God’, and those that exist (or in our case are elected) are ‘instituted/ established by God’. As Bible-believing Christians God’s word teaches clearly that God is sovereign over the kingdoms (and governments) of humanity and gives them to anyone he wishes, as I mentioned at the last prayer meeting from Daniel 4.32 & 35. God really is in control, and rules over us. That’s not to say God is pleased with all the policies and decisions of our governments. But as Romans 13v2 says if we resist a governing authority we oppose God’s command and God’s will. So I pray we will not fear, or be anxious, or be angry. The government is God’s servant for our good, so let’s pray they will do good, and make decisions that honour God, and promote peace and justice.
The government is God’s servant for our good, so let’s pray they will do good, and make decisions that honour God, and promote peace and justice.
Trusting God's Sovereignty in service of one another
In Romans this trust in God and respect for government, whoever is ruling, is part of what is means to offer ourselves to God as ‘living sacrifices’, Romans 12.1. In view of God’s mercies, we are to offer our bodies, that’s all of ourselves, in service to God, seeking to please him. And that shows itself not only in submission to government and trusting God’s sovereignty, but also in our service of others. In Romans 12 Paul proceeds to remind the Christians that they are all parts in one body (12v5), we all have different gifts and we are to use them for the good of others, the good of the body of Christ. Paul says in v10, ‘Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Outdo one another in showing honour. Do not lack diligence in zeal, be fervent in the Spirit and serve the Lord’. I encourage you to read the rest of Romans 12 and 13, where Scripture commands us to love. And we show love because in that we fulfil the law (13v10), and also because the day of our salvation and the return of Christ is coming soon (v11). We want to please our Lord whom one day we will see face to face.
I know that many of our brothers and sisters at Bundy are going through trials, difficult trials of various kinds, and in your circumstances you may not able to serve other believers at this time, beyond praying for them. And that is ok. The Lord knows and we know that, and please don’t feel guilty or obligated to do otherwise. And yet I want us all to know that there are many significant gaps in our ministry teams, especially our Sunday ministry teams, and this is leaving the few to carry the burden that God would have many share. We have too few people serving in creche and Saturday Iranian kids ministry, Supper, Sunday School and Youth Group, kitchen, and cleaning and welcoming. I know many of us serve in informal and unseen ways, and for that I hope we can all be thankful, but there’s also a need for us to serve in formal or scheduled ways.
I want us all to know that there are many significant gaps in our ministry teams, especially our Sunday ministry teams, and this is leaving the few to carry the burden that God would have many share
For all of you who serve generously in those ways already, we thank God for you, and for the faithfulness you show. I know with covid and other illnesses, it’s hard to commit, and finding replacements is hard, especially when so many of us are so weary. However, Ephesians 4.16 teaches us that unless we’re all serving and playing our part, we won’t grow to maturity as a church. So it’s not just about getting people to ‘do jobs’, it’s rather about, how can we be more effective at growing as the body of Christ, loving and serving one another. And doing this because we follow Jesus, because we’ve been saved to serve, because we want to be more effective at reaching our country for Christ. Serving others is one way we serve and worship God, and part of our following Christ and imitating Christ. Serving is right, but more than that it’s good, it’s good for us, good for our growth; it helps us belong and feel we belong at Bundy, it’s a blessing to others and it’s worth it. For example, on a Sunday if you’re a couple with young kids, could one go while the other stays? For as we all serve together in our different ways, as we’re able, we’re contributing to something bigger, indeed the glory of God and the good of others, and the growth of the church.
Unless we’re all serving and playing our part, we won’t grow to maturity as a church. So it’s not just about getting people to ‘do jobs’, it’s rather about, how can we be more effective at growing as the body of Christ, loving and serving one another.
If you can serve in one way or another please chat with a leader or a pastor, or email the church office. If you are at capacity, or feeling plagued by sickness please know I’m not asking you to do more and burn out. We do value each of your prayers, that more and more we would love and serve one another deeply as brothers and sisters, that God would raise up all those who are needed in various roles of service, and strengthen us by his Spirit. For so many of us feel weak and weary, and as Paul shared in 2 Corinthians 12, we all need to rely more deeply on God’s grace, because Christ’s power has the opportunity to shine out through our weakness.
May God give you grace to trust in his sovereign plans over our nation, over your circumstances, and help you serve others as you’re able, for your good, for the good of others, and for the glory of our Saviour God.
Thank you
