THE BE-ATTITUDE OF SUBMISSION
I Peter 2: 13-25
13 ¶ Submit yourselves
for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in
authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers
and the praise of those who do right. 15 For such is the will of God that by
doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. 16 {Act} as free men,
and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but {use it} as bond slaves
of God. 17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honour
the king. 18 ¶ Servants, be submissive to your masters
with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those
who are unreasonable. 19 For this {finds} favor, if for the sake of conscience
toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly
treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and
suffer {for it} you patiently endure it, this {finds} favor with God. 21 For
you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you,
leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 WHO COMMITTED NO SIN,
NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; 23 and while being reviled, He did not
revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting
{Himself} to Him who judges righteously; 24 and He Himself bore our sins in His
body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for
by His wounds you were healed. 25 For you were
continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and
Guardian of your souls.
BADITUDE BE-ATTITUDE________________________________
Complaining _______________________________________________
Covetous _______________________________________________
Critical _______________________________________________
Doubting _______________________________________________
Rebellious _______________________________________________
Fill in the blanks: * Contentment * Faith * Love * Submission * Thankful
I PERSON –ALL
Submission is not just for a FEW people.
Romans 13: 1 – “every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities… established by God.”
Ephesians 5: 21 – “Be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.”
II PRIORITY # 1 – vs. 13
Submission is our duty to God.
Vs. 13 - “for the Lord’s sake”
Submit – MILITARY term.
- to place yourself in order under established authority
- MINISTRY initiative
- Vs. 13 – “yourselves” – Forced submission is not taught anywhere in the Bible. Anyone in leadership is to be characterized by SERVING and SELFLESSNESS. A godly response to that servant leadership is the choice of submission.
III PATTERN OF SUBMITTING – I Peter 2, 3
-
Every human institution –
- Servants to masters – 2:18
- Wives to husbands – 3:1
- Husbands – “in the same way” – 3:7
- 5 characteristic – 3:8 – harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, humble
IV PROTECTION BY GOD – ( Punishment and Praise) – vs. 14, 15
What
happened in
The increasing crime in our society over the last 50+ years is directly related to this move form a punitive judicial system to a rehabilitative judicial system.
WILL of God
- see also I Peter 5: 6-7
WITNESS
V PERAMETERS TO SUBMISSION – vs. 16
What are the biblical limits to the principle of submission?
· the authority asks you to sin
· Sexual abuse
· Physical abuse
· Endangerment of others entrusted to your care
· Destructive, unrepentant addictive behaviour
VI PRELUDE TO GOD’S BLESSING – vs. 17- 20
God invites us to submit, and HONOURS us when we do. God is very capable of pouring favour into our lives if we live in submission to Him.
· Do you practice submission?
· Are you experiencing the results of submission?
·
Are you ready to submit to those whom you are
resisting?