Dr. Wilbur M. Smith says "WE ARE LIVING ON TOP OF A VOLCANO" - Christian Times-Feb 4

1. Jan 68 Bulletin of Atomic Scientists -Rabinowitch says we are only 7 minutes from doom!
2. One of the reasons these men are saying this is the loss of Authority- rise in riotness
3. As Anarchy and Totalitarianism descends on us we need to examine our Christian Conviction

Are Policemen really "Peace officers"? What did SAC mean-"Peace is our Profession"?

I.- OUR PROBLEM ** A BREAKDOWN OF AUTHORITY

Every Dispensation, and every one of Earth's civilizations, have followed set patterns

A.- BIBLE PROPHECY HAS WARNED US OF PERILOUS TIMES AT THE END OF OUR AGE

1. Matt 24:6 tells of wars & rumors of wars, v.7&8 of Christians suffering from governments
2. II Tim 3:1 speaks of perilous times, v.2- Disobedience, v.3- Trucebreakers, v.4- Traitors
3. I Thess 5:3 warns of when men say Peace and Safety- then sudden destruction- (credibility gap)

B.- WE TODAY ARE WITNESSING THE COMPLETE COLLAPSE OF AUTHORITY, AND RISE OF TOTALITARIANISM ALL AT ONCE

1. The most powerful nation in world lets other nations tromp on us- USS Pueblo-  we are mocked
2. Our national Government has removed Authority against criminals from States & Municipalities
3. Our Schools cannot even stop miniskirts (ACLU) Smoking boys mock Teachers- why not try grass?

C.- THE TEACHING OF PERMISSIVENESS HAS SATURATED OUR SOCIETY WITH WEEDS OF LAWLESSNESS

1. For 20 years we have given our children everything, and demanded no work & little obedience
2. We have let them do as they pleased, instead of teaching them to choose right- so Hippies
3. The only authority left teaching to do right is the Home & the Church- & not much there-

God has trusted Human Government into our hands- and we have tried to evade responsibility

II.- THE SOLUTION** THE BIBLE TEACHES AURHORITY

Romans 13 declares the N.T. Principle of Legal Authority- its purpose & its limit

A.- THE POWERS (EXOUSIA) THAT BE ARE ORDAINED OF GOD AND WE ARE TO BE SUBJECT TO THEM Rom 13:1

1. The principle of Human Government Authority comes from Gen 8:21-ff. man must govern himself
2. The Bible reports what happens in Anarchy-(Judges 21:25) in no government the Godly perish
3. But because power corrupts sinful man, there must be checks and balances on government-

B.- RULERS ARE ANNOUNCED IN THE BIBLE TO BE A TERROR TO EVIL WORKS- AND MINISTERS OF GOD

1. The Roman Government of Paul's day was copied by our forefathers- a rule by law
2. The punishment for the guilty was swift and sure- and Paul used its system of appeals-
3. God's word declares rulers as His ministers- Police, Soldiers are ministers (not always good)

C.- THE OFFICER IS THE MINISTER OF GOD TO EXECUTE WRATH AND VENGANCE ON BEHALF OF GOD FOR MEN

1. Rom 12:19 God says "Vengeance is mine, I will repay" We don't have to revenge- God does for us
2. Rom 13:4 - "He beareth not the sword in vain" A weapon to use against criminal aggressor
3. Rom 13:4 - to stop a soldier or policeman from punishing an evildoer is to pervert God's word

-Even Capital Punishment is ordained of God- Gen 9:6, Commanded- & a must for authority

III.- THE APPLICATION** THE CHRISTIAN MUST RESPECT AUTHORITY

Just because a nation goes lawless, the Christian must be obedient to higher authority

A.- THE CHRISTIAN IS UNDER A DOUBLE RESTRAINT TO LAWFUL AUTHORITY INSTITUTED OF MEN

1. Rom 13:5 tells us we should obey-not only for wrath, but for conscience sake
2. There are many admonitions and commandments against us being riotous- Rom 13:13, I Tim 1:6
3. The Christian is responsible to God to be obedient to inner law & outer laws-gentle, kind-

B.- THE CHRISTIAN IS ALSO UNDER RESTRAINT TO THE AUTHORITY OF GOD TO BE A MINISTER OF GOD TOO

1. We are responsible to God for the defense of our land, our homes, families, person - Freedom
2. Prov 29:2 When Righteous are in authority- people rejoice, wicked rule- people mourn
3. When human government is no longer tolerable to Christians- they can change it- Declaration of Independence.

C.- BUT WE NEED MEN TODAY LIKE DAVID'S ISSACHAR BRIGADE- I Chron 12:32- or this world passes- NOW!

1. They understood the times, and knew what Israel ought to do- Pray for revival, our only hope
2. Man's sin causes him to fail in every age- but God is long suffering- II Pet 3:9 have you repented?
3. Whether men accept God's principles or not- God's move is certain- Every knee to bow- Phil 2:10

The only way you can stand under the Authority of God is in Jesus Christ

THE WORLD AROUND US IS COLLAPSING, AND THE ONLY SALVATION IS IN THE PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST

1. My preaching won't save America- but it can lead you to salvation if you will trust Jesus
2. Every deed, and every decision you make will be judged by God- will it stand up?
3. The time to do something about your life is now- Will you obey God? For conscience sake?