The Wisdom of Authority

QUOTES FOR REFLECTION

“The first problem for all of us, men and women, is not to learn, but to unlearn.”

~Gloria Steinem, journalist and activist

“…pride can grow as well upon our virtues as our vices…. For you can have no greater sign of a more confirmed pride than when you think that you are humble enough.”

~William Law (1686-1761), English clergyman in A Serious Call

“On the highest throne in the world, we still sit only on our own bottom.”

~Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592), French philosopher

“With great power comes great responsibility.”

~Ben’s advice to his nephew Peter Parker (aka Spiderman)

“I cannot accept your canon that we are to judge Pope and King unlike other men, with a favorable presumption that they did no wrong. If there is any presumption it is the other way against holders of power, increasing as the power increases…. Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely…. There is no worse heresy than that the office sanctifies the holder of it.”

~Lord Acton (1834-1902) in a letter to Bishop Creighton (1843-1901) in 1887

“A canoe does not know who the leader is – when it turns over everyone gets wet.”

~Madagascan proverb

“…Jesus our Savior is described as Jehovah God. He is spoken of as being clothed with irresistible power: ‘See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and his arm rules for him;’ but, as if to soften a glory that is far too bright for the weak eyes of the trembling, the prophet introduces the delightful words of the text: ‘He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.’ Here is divinity; not Jehovah the Man of War, but Jehovah the Shepherd of Israel…. It is the sign of a noble character that it can be majestic as a lion in the midst of the encounter, and roar like a young lion on the scene of conflict, and yet it has a dove’s eye and a maiden’s heart. Such is our Lord Jesus Christ; he is the conquering Captain of salvation, but he is meek and lowly of heart.”

~C.H. Spurgeon (1834-1892) in his sermon “The Tenderness of Jesus”

SERMON PASSAGE

Proverbs 4 (ESV)

Proverbs 4

1 Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction,

 and be attentive, that you may gain insight,

2 for I give you good precepts;

 do not forsake my teaching.

3 When I was a son with my father,

 tender, the only one in the sight of my mother,

4 he taught me and said to me,

“Let your heart hold fast my words;

 keep my commandments, and live.

5 Get wisdom; get insight;

 do not forget, and do not turn away

 from the words of my mouth.

6 Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;

 love her, and she will guard you.

7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,

 and whatever you get, get insight.

8 Prize her highly, and she will exalt you;

 she will honor you if you embrace her.

9 She will place on your head a graceful garland;

  she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.”

Proverbs 12

15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,

   but a wise man listens to advice.

Proverbs 15

20 A wise son makes a glad father,

   but a foolish man despises his mother.

Proverbs 19

12 A king’s wrath is like the growling of a lion,

   but his favor is like dew on the grass.

Proverbs 24

21 My son, fear the Lord and the king,

  and do not join with those who do otherwise,

22 for disaster will arise suddenly from them, and

  who knows the ruin that will come from them both?

Proverbs 25

6  Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence

   or stand in the place of the great,

7  for it is better to be told, “Come up here,”

   than to be put lower in the presence of a noble….

15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded,

   and a soft tongue will break a bone.

Proverbs 28

12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory,

   but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves…

26 Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool,

   but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered….

28 When the wicked rise, people hide themselves,

   but when they perish, the righteous increase.

Proverbs 29

2 When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,

  but when the wicked rule, the people groan….

23 One’s pride will bring him low,

   but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.

Romans 13

1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

1 Peter 3

13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.