“The Joy and Discipline of Submission” 1 Peter 2:13-3:1

Submission as a “Dirty Word….” Implied Synonyms * demeaning * bow down * succumb * cave in Submit Presumes authority, a person, body of knowledge, or institution we yield to… Rebellion is failure to submit to authority… e.g. Lucifer’s rejection of God’s authority

Contexts for Submission (Peter) 1. To government – vs To one another vs To employers – vs Trials, persecutions, suffering – 1 Pet. 3:17-4:2 5. In marriage – 1 Peter 3: In church – 1 Peter 5:1-10

Other Arenas Where Submission Brings Joy and Gladness Christian life – submitting to the Lordship of Jesus… (Proverbs 3:5-6) ** some Savior, struggle with yielding control Patriotism – love, submission to our homeland “America the Beautiful” Military life – “yes sir!” (or ma’am!) Just ask a Marine … Parris Island objective!

Arenas of Submission (cont’d) Loving relationships – “from date to mate” * self-disclosure, vulnerability * human intimacy in marriage …. God’s so honors He sets parameters 1 Corinthians 7:3-5 – yield to one another Love for the Lord – Matthew 22:37 – #1 commandment = “all heart, mind, soul” Money management (next slide)

Submitting to the Lord’s Wisdom in Money Management World’s agenda, “get, get, get, keep, keep, keep, hoard, hoard, hoard…” Biblical view – Philippians 4:19 “needs met” God establishes a variety of lifestyle levels… Proverbs 22:2 – “the Lord is Maker of them all” His will: Prov 3:9-10 – “Honor the Lord from your wealth…” Go figure the craziness of tithing…

Submission in the Trinity Submission NOT inferior, lesser value God the Father, Son, Holy Spirit (3 in 1) He is Sovereign in all ways – “Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose…’ Isaiah 46:9-10

Being completely EQUAL to the Father, Jesus submits to Him completely – John 1:1, Philippians 2:6-8, (Luke 22:42) “not My will, but Thine be done.” Holy Spirit magnifies Jesus the Son: John 15:25 – “He will testify of Me…” John 16:13,14 – “He will glorify Me…” John 16:15 – “He takes of Mine, and will disclose it to you.”

Key Workshops to Learn Submission A) home via parenting parents = authority rather than children Jean Piaget, Kohlberg – lack of reasoning capabilities, moral development of a child B) the church – submitting to one another in love becomes the model and “norm” – Philippians 2:3-4

The Contrast: Pride, Autonomy, Self- Sufficiency, Arrogance Isaiah 14 – 5 “I wills” and Lucifer’s lack of submission “I will ascend to heaven, I will raise my throne, I will sit on, I will ascend to the heights, I will make myself like the Most High…” Q: Have you submitted, surrendered yourself to the Lord? (Galatians 2:20)