Many can relate to the writing by an unknown author: What Happened to Time?

When as a child I laughed and wept, time crept.
When as a youth I dreamed and talked, time walked.
When I became a full-grown man, time ran.
And later as I older grew, time flew.
Soon I shall find while traveling on, time gone.

“wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.”  Time is running short.  A few years ago I used to work with a local funeral home officiating at funerals, and at the same time I worked for them, occasionally helping behind the scenes.  Half a dozen times I was needed to drive the hearse.  Only one time did I know the person that had died. I consider it one of the great honors of my life to transport the body in the casket from Bellingham, where all the preparation work is done, to the Lynden funeral home.  From there the funeral director took over.  I was honored for that task to drive Bill’s father, Dewey Kamphouse.  Seems like yesterday… it was 2008.  

There is only one debt that can never be repaid: the Debt of love.  Just a few words on debt… btw, I was always taught that one of the advantages of preaching through a book is that you speak on the topics as they come up, so nobody can accuse me of selecting a topic to put people on the spot… i.e. I am not trying to make anybody feel guilty…. A few words on Debt: One person said one of the most spiritual things we can do is get out of debt, because debt limits us… Debt means to owe.  

I used to work for the loan department at Fuller Theological Seminary.  My job was to receive and record the payments on the student loans. Most people were good in repaying their loans, but a few were problem people.  One woman, almost every month, sent in no payment or  a partial payment with a note.  Her note, almost every month, explained the problem: God’s will is for me to work with the poor in Hawaii, and I don’t have enough money to pay the full amount.  Working with the poor is a good thing, a noble thing, but in my understanding of the Bible and the principles of God, it is not God’s will to skip out on your debt.  She could have asked permission from Fuller Seminary, she could have worked out a different payment plan, but when you have a debt that is an obligation….  

(Note: this is one of those scriptures that is a bit disturbing for many people because we don't know what to do with it.  The truth is that no preacher, including me, is likely to answer every question. Because the idea of submitting to authorities is hard to understand, it could be that, this side of eternity, we will always be a bit uneasy with the idea.  I think it was just as hard, if not harder, for the original recipients of this letter to hear the word "submit."  

A few things I wish I would have emphasized that half came up after the sermon:  
     #1: I believe submit does not mean stay in ongoing abusive relationships just because the Bible says so.  "Submit" does not mean allow yourself to be abused and smile about it.  
     #2: One of the heroes of faith is Dietrich Bonhoeffer (most famous book is "Cost of Discipleship" in which he talks about "cheap grace" among many other amazing topics).  Bonhoeffer is a modern day martyr that was hung for his Christian faith during WWII.  The crime?  Plotting to assassinate Hitler.  Whatever this scripture says, I personally cannot condemn Bonhoeffer for his decision.  Others may not be called to do what he did, but whatever this scripture means, it has to account for men like Bonhoeffer.  "Submit" does not mean "blind obedience." 

Enjoy the message, I hope it is challenging, and as one person said afterward, "It gives me a lot to chew on." ~ Pastor Carl) 
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What is most important?  Everyday we make decisions about what is most important.  Today’s scripture, in context, is about priorities?  Here’s one man’s cute story of priorities:  “As she slid behind the wheel for her first driving lesson, my daughter couldn’t contain her excitement. "You need to make adjustments so the car is comfortable for you, the driver," I began. "Now, what’s the first thing you should do?" Without hesitating, my daughter replied, “Change the radio station.”  Ultimately this scripture is about priorities, focusing on the main thing, I will get to it…

We come to Rom. 13:1-7; the verses seem confusing: What does Paul mean, “Everyone must submit himself to the governmental authorities”?  …

I hope this joke is not just for Christian insiders… You need to know Jesus was born as a Jew ~ he lived and was raised among Jewish people.  As you grow in your faith you will be confronted with the truth that God chose to bring salvation to the world through the Jewish people.  I’m picking up on that last word in today’s scripture, Truth.  Whatever worship means, the best and only true worship is rooted in truth...  Here’s the silly joke: 

A Jewish businessman in Brooklyn decided to send his son to Israel to absorb some of the culture of the homeland. When the son returned, the father asked him to tell him about his trip. The son said, "Pop, I had a great time in Israel. By the way, I converted to Christianity." "Oh, my," said the father. What have I done?" He decided to go ask his friend Jacob what to do.
     Jake said, "Funny you should ask. I too sent my son to Israel, and he also came back a Christian. Perhaps we should go see the rabbi and ask him what we should do." So they went to see the rabbi.
     The rabbi said, "Funny you should ask. I too sent my son to Israel. He also came back a Christian. What is happening to our young people? Perhaps we should go talk to God and ask him what to do."
     The three of them prayed and explained what had happened to their sons and asked God what to do. Suddenly a voice came loud and clear from Heaven. The Voice said, "Funny you should ask. I, too, sent my Son to Israel ....