This message was originally given by Ezra Hale on 2/18/2017 at Clearnote Church (Bloomington, IN) as part of the 2016 Shepherd’s Conference, The Enemy Within: Sexual Abuse in the Church.
The Bible tells us God gave earthly governments the authority to bear the sword—to punish wickedness and reward righteousness. Although many of these authorities have turned from God’s ways, we must not only submit to those He has placed over us, but trust that He has done so for our good. So what are the legal ramifications of sexual crimes? What are the things that every church leader needs to know?