God's Answer For Our Chaotic Times Pt. 3 Rev. Andrew Preus Not Ashamed Conference 2024

God's Answer For Our Chaotic Times Pt. 3
Rev. Andrew Preus
Trinity Lutheran Church, New Haven, MO

Not Ashamed Conference
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Tuscola, LI.
August 17, 2024


Part III: God's Answer in the Society

I. Civil Estate - Honor, Not Fear 1( Peter 2:13-17; Romans 13:1-8)
a. If you do good there is no reason of fear. (cf. 1Pet. 3:13).
b. A perfectly free lord, subject to none; a perfectly dutiful servant,
subject to all (cf. 1 Cor. 9:19).
II. Natural Law vs. Positive Law (Matt. 19:8; Romans 2:14-16)
a. The law is weakened by the flesh (Rom 8:3).
b. Equity (Matthew 23:23)
c. Quiet and peaceable life 1( Timothy 2)
d. All authority is from God, not all laws.
III. Localised Authority
a. Authority and Power (can't have one without the other)
b. Knowing those you serve and those who serve yo
c. "All authority flows and is propagated from the authority of parents."
d. Education: Delegated Not Abdicated.
IV. Natural and Civil Rights
a. Just as there is a difference between natural law and positive law,
there is also a difference between natural rights and civil rights.
But where to these comes from?
b. God, of course. But how?
c. Duties. (see again 1 Cor. 7:4)
d. Use your rights for the service of the gospel and your neighbour
(Acts 16:37; 22:25; 25).
V. Two Reigns of God - Right and Left
a. Give Caesar what is Caesar's and God what is God's (Matthew 22:21)
b. God rules through natural and civil law to punish. He rules through his
gospel to give life.
c. Duty vs. Confession - The duty of a Christian in the civil realm is
purely left-hand, that is, outward. His duty is not to convert.
Yet, he is still a Christian, and he can't deny his confession.
Whatever you do, in word or deed, do all in the name of Jesus Christ
(Col 3:17).