“Somebody Help Me Do the Right Thing!” Mary Southerland

“Somebody Help Me Do the Right Thing!” Mary Southerland

Submission is . . . harnessed strength, a controlled strength that is born out of obedience to God’s command.

‘HUPTASSO’ to put under or arrange under; acknowledgement of proper authority

“Without submission, things fall quickly into chaos as everyone strives to be in charge.”

From Sermon Notes “Rightness Vs. Righteousness” August 11, 2013 “Right”ness says . . . “I must win” Focus: Our reputation Righteousness says . . . “I must love you” Focus: His Glory

“We still tend to view accountability as a crutch and submission as a weakness.”

Borrowing one of ours? English pg. 1172 Espanol pg. 1530

vs. 1: “BE IMITATORS OF GOD. ” vs vs. 1: “BE IMITATORS OF GOD.” vs. 2: “WALK in LOVE as Christ also loved you.”

The FOUNDATION of this activity is found in vs The FOUNDATION of this activity is found in vs. 18: “filled with the Spirit” The MOTIVE vs. 21: “in the fear of Christ”

Mutual Submission???

Galatians 3:26-28 26 For you are all sons of God through faith IN CHRIST JESUS. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all ONE IN CHRIST Jesus.

Created in His image . . . POSITIONALLY equal FUNCTIONALLY different

1. Peasants to kings

1 Peter 2.13-15 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.

Romans 13.1-2 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.

2. Wives to husbands

CHRIST --- MAN --- WOMAN Ephesians 5.22-23 22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. CHRIST --- MAN --- WOMAN

1 Peter 3.1-2 In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2 as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.

3. Younger to elders

Children to parents Students to teachers 1 Pet. 5.5 younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders Eph. 6.1-2 children obey (action) children honor (attitude)

4. Employees to bosses

Ephesians 6.5-8 5 Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; 6 not by way of eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. 7 With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.

5. to One Another

Philippians 2.3-4 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. “MUTUAL SUBMISSION’ one with authority willingly and lovingly lays aside selfishness and authoritarian dominance to provide for those under him.

Examples of Christ . . . Trinitarian submission Laid down glory and took up flesh Laid aside authority and became obedient to earthly authorities and laws Humbled self and became a servant

Submission is NOT SYNONOMOUS with obedience.

True submission Bob Deffinbaugh, Community Bible Chapel, Richardson, TX Not always making the one we submit to happy, but seeking their best interest at our own expense. Not building up their ego with flattery but with truth Fundamental ingredient of a believer’s spiritual life From the heart . . . obey/submit out of love not b/c we have to

Can there be any submission without first submission to God?

The call to submission. . . A call to IMITATE God and REFLECT Christ A call to humility and surrender A call to obey and follow