Sep. 20, 2026

“Christian Citizen”
Romans 13:5-7
Central Idea: Godly actions and attitudes toward our governing
authorities shows the believers renewed mind.
Review of Romans 13:1-4
• All authority comes from _______.
• Submission to government is to happen in every ____________.
• Government’s responsibility to its citizens: be a servant of ______,
restrain _______ and be God’s temporal ______________.
I. Be in subjection to governing authorities (5)
A. Rooted in fear (5a)
• “Therefore” — verse 4: “does not bear the sword for nothing.”
• verse 5: they have the right to ___________ you = fear.
B. Rooted in conscience (5b)
• Obeying for conscience sake is _________ than obeying for fear.
• Conscience: __________ possible level: do right because it's right
• Conscience also works the other way — tells us the government
is ____________ & we can’t submit to what it is doing.
II. Pay your taxes (6)
A. __________ said it first (Mark 12:13-17)
B. _________ we do - “pay taxes” - to complete; to pay off in _____
• “taxes” — ___________ tax (property tax)
• No justification for believers to _________ on taxes
C. _______ we pay our taxes
1. Goes back to our conscience (5) - It is the right thing to do.
2. Tax Collectors are “servants of God” - doing a __________ task.
III. Comply with our governing authorities (7)
A. ___________ — We pay our taxes and customs
B. _______________
• Fear (____________) & ________ for our governing authorities.
Applications:
• When to disobey governing authorities
• Examples: Exodus 1:15-21 / Daniel 3 & 6 / Acts 4:1-22; 5:17-29
• The general principle – civil disobedience is justified when the
government seeks to take the place _____ God.
• How to disobey governing authorities
1. _______-_____________ actions
2. Disobedience is to demonstrate ________________ to God, not
_____________ of government.
•We’re disobeying to show a __________ allegiance to God.
3. We must be willing to _______ the consequences of disobedience.
• Legitimate disobedience does not exempt us from _____________
Legitimate disobedience Illegitimate disobedience
1. ________________ issues are
the focus
1. ________________ issues are
the focus
2. __________ religious freedom 2. __________ religious freedom
3. ___________________ evil 3. ________________ evil