Submission

Speaker: Matt Hails

Notes

"I did it His way"

Biblical definition of submission: a humble attitude where obedience is rendered within a relationship ... (NIV Thematic Study Bible)

True submission is an attitude; merely the appearance of obedience is not enough.

Submission is also a positive attitude:

• Active not passive.

• A sign of respect, not a sign of weakness.

• Demonstrates trust, not resentment.

Some examples of people in submission to God:

• Mary: Luke 1:26 - 38.

• Rachel: Gen 24:49 - 58.

• John the Baptist: John 3:27 - 30.

We are commanded to submit to:

1. God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit, including his word in the Bible. James 4:7a; Matt 6:9 - 10; Heb 12:9; Eph 5:24a; Joshua 1:8; Ps 119; James 1:22.

2. Church leaders - Hebrew 13:17.

3. Secular leaders - Rom 13:1; 1 Peter 2:13-14; 2:18; Titus 2:9; 3:1.

4. Children to parents - Eph 6:1 - 3; Ex 20:12; Col 3:20.

5. Wife to husband - Col 3:18; Eph 5:22 - 24.

6. Young to old - 1 Peter 5:5.

7. Believers to each other - Eph 5:21.

Application

Some sample questions - you probably can't get through all of them!

1. Read the example passages above (Mary: Luke 1:26 - 38; Rachel: Gen 24:49 - 58; John the Baptist: John 3:27 - 30). What do you find most striking about their submission to God?

2. If God required obedience from you today in some specific and difficult task, do you think you would be ready to answer as Mary did: "May it be to me as you have said"?

3. In what areas of your life (if any) do you find it difficult to obey God? Do you think there is anything wrong with your attitude in these areas?

4. Do you think it is important to obey church leaders?

5. Do you find it difficult to have an attitude of obedience towards the government, or the police etc? Why?

6. What do you think it means to "submit to one another" (Eph 5:21)?

Posted: 13 Jul 2008