INTRO: a sermon topic suggested by someone in this congregation
Submission is carrying out wisdom that comes from God
James 3:17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then
peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and
sincere.
I. ALL OF US ARE TO SUBMIT TO GOD
A. Job 22:21 "Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will
come to you.
B. James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee
from you.
C. The example of Jesus - He submitted to God
Hebrews 5:7 During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers
and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from
death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission
D. The example of Israel Israel did not submit to God
1. 2 Chronicles 30:8 Do not be stiff-necked, as your fathers were; submit
to the LORD. Come to the sanctuary, which he has consecrated for ever.
Serve the LORD your God, so that his fierce anger will turn away from
you.
2. Psalm 81:11 "But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not
submit to me.
3. Romans 10:3 Since they did not know the righteousness that comes
from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's
righteousness
E. Why won't we submit to God?
1. Because of our sinful mind
Romans 8:7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to
God's law, nor can it do so.
2. Because we have already submitted to the world
Colossians 2:20 Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of
this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its
rules:
3. We submitted to our human fathers, we need to submit to our
Heavenly Father
Hebrews 12:9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who
disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we
submit to the Father of our spirits and live!
II. THE CHURCH IS TO SUBMIT TO CHRIST
A. Christ is the head of the church
1. Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the
head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.
2. Colossians 2:10 and you have been given fulness in Christ, who is the
Head over every power and authority.
B. Ephesians 5:24 Now as the church submits to Christ...
C. In fact, all things are going to submit to Christ
1. Peter 3:22 who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand with
angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
2. Philippians 2: 9-11 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of
Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the
earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of
God the Father.
III. ALL OF US ARE TO SUBMIT TO ONE ANOTHER
A. All of us are commanded to submit to one another
Ephesians 5:21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
B. All of us are to submit to authorities
1. To Government authorities
a. 1 Peter 2:13 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every
authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the
supreme authority,
b. Roman 13:1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing
authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has
established. The authorities that exist have been established by
God.
c. Roman 13:5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the
authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also
because of conscience.
2. To spiritual authorities
a. 1 Corinthians 16:16 to submit to such as these [spiritual
leaders] and to everyone who joins in the work, and labors at it.
b. Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders [spiritual leaders] and
submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who
must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy,
not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.
c. Even Demons submit to the Christians' authority
(1) Luke 10:17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said,
"Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name."
(2) Luke 10:20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits
submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in
heaven."
3. All wives are to submit to their own husband's authority
a. Ephesians 5:22 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.
b. Ephesians 5:24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also
wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
c. Colossians 3:18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting
in the Lord.
d. 1 Timothy 2:11 A woman should learn in quietness and full
submission.
e. 1 Peter 3:1 Wives, in the same way be submissive to your
husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may
be won over without words by the behavior of their wives,
f. 1 Peter 3:5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who
put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They
were submissive to their own husbands,
4. All Children are to submit to their own parents' authority
Ephesians 6:1-3 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is
right. Honor you father and mother - which is the first commandment
with a promise - that is may go well with you and that you may enjoy long
life on the earth
5. All workers are to submit to their own boss' authority
1 Peter 2:18 Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect,
not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are
harsh.
6. All young men are to submit to older men's authority
1 Peter 5:5 Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are
older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility towards one another,
because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
(All verses are taken from the NIV Bible)
