Does earthly authority have limits?

Welcome to this episode of "In All Our Doings,"

A Daily Podcast designed to help you pray.

Just confession, catechism, creed and collects.  Short and simple.

Today we explore the limits of earthly authority as discussed in the Anglican Catechism, emphasizing the supremacy of divine authority when earthly powers command sin.

TRANSCRIPT

Hello and Welcome to “In All Our Doings”                                                                                                  

- A confession, catechism, creed and collect brought to you daily by Anglican Futures

Welcome to those joining us for the first time.  We continue to pray it is a blessing to all who listen and we would love to hear your feedback and please click the luke button oe subscribe to the podcast.  You join us as we consider the nature of the Ten Commandments

But first, we begin with Confession

Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and apart from your grace, there is no health in us. O Lord, have mercy upon us. Spare all those who confess their faults. Restore all those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to all people in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may now live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of your holy Name. Amen

Hear the Word of God to all who truly turn to him.

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

 

Today’s question from the Anglican Catechism – To be a Christian - is

Does earthly authority have limits?

 

To which the answer is given:

Yes. All authority comes from God, the King of kings, who expects me to love, honour, and obey him above all earthly authorities whenever they command me to sin.

(Exodus 1:15–21; Daniel 3:4–6, 16–18; Matthew 23:1–4; Acts 5:27–29; Revelation 18:1–4)

And so our bible reading comes from Exodus chapter 1 beginning at verse 15

Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, ¹⁶ “When you serve as midwife to the Hebrew women and see them on the birthstool, if it is a son, you shall kill him, but if it is a daughter, she shall live.” ¹⁷ But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live. ¹⁸ So the king of Egypt called the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this, and let the male children live?” ¹⁹ The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.” ²⁰ So God dealt well with the midwives. And the people multiplied and grew very strong. ²¹ And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families.

This is the word of the Lord

The Apostles Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen

Let us pray

Our Father in heaven

Hallowed be your name

Your kingdom come

Your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven

Give us today our daily bread

And forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us

Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from the evil one

For the kingdom the power and the glory are yours now and forever Amen

The Collects for today

O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day: Defend us by your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin nor run into any danger; and that, guided by your Spirit, we may do what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Go before us, O Lord, in all our doings with your most gracious favour, and further us with your continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy Name, and finally, through your mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Final Words

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen

Credits

If you have found this episode of “In All Our Doings helpful – why not like it, share it with friends and family or subscribe to the podcast?  If you have any thoughts or questions about today’s episode, please leave a comment or contact us through our website www.anglicanfutures.org . 

Bible readings are taken from the English Standard Version and the Catechism from To be a Christian – both with permission from Crossway.  The liturgy comes from the ACNA Book of Common Prayer 2019.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language. Catechism questions are taken from To be a Christian by Packer etc, Copyright © 2020 Used by permission of Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.org