Love is patient Love is kind Love rejoices with the truth Love always protects Love always trusts Love always hopes Love always perseveres Love never fails

13 Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. 16 He said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!“ (John 2)

Preamble about Submission Unless we take the instructions of Slaves submitting to Masters as evidence that Slavery is God’s will, the instructions of Wives submitting to Husbands is not evidence that Patriarchy is God’s will. If something is sometimes appropriate, it does not mean that it is always appropriate. If something is sometimes not appropriate it does not mean that it is never appropriate. Confrontation with abuse of power is appropriate Freely given submission is one element of how Christians behave when someone else is in a more powerful position. If we are looking for constant principles we find them in loving God, loving others, freedom from the powers and freedom from sin The same principles apply when we’re in a position of power The acceptance of undeserved suffering to bring about freedom is the distinctive (end)

1 Peter: Living Godly lives in a pagan society 2:11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 2:12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 2:13 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 2:14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 2:15 For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. 2:16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover- up for evil; live as servants of God. 2:17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honour the king. Submit to others: Love God, love others, free from power, dealing with sin

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. 2:19 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 2:20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 2:21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 2:22 "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." 2:23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 2:25 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. Submit to others: Love God, love others, free from power, dealing with sin

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 behaviour of their wives, 3:2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3:3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewellery and fine clothes. 3:4 Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. 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, 3:6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear. 3:7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. Thank God for his written Word to us Submit to others: Love God, love others, free from power, dealing with sin

Reasons to Submit to others 1)Love God and submit to Him 2)Love others by serving them 3)Be free from abusive power 4)Forgiving may entail suffering Submit to others: Love God, love others, free from power, dealing with sin

There must be more than this, O breath of God come breathe within, There must be more than this, Spirit of God we wait for You. Fill us anew we pray, Fill us anew we pray. Consuming fire fan into flame, A passion for Your Name, Spirit of God fall in this place, Lord have Your way, Lord have Your way with us, Come like a rushing wind, Clothe us with power from on high, Now set the captives free, Leave us abandoned to Your praise. Lord let Your glory fall, Lord let Your glory fall. Submit to others: Love God, love others, free from power, dealing with sin

1 From heaven you came, Helpless babe, Entered our world, Your glory veiled; Not to be served But to serve, And give Your life That we might live. This is our God, The Servant King, He calls us now To follow Him, To bring our lives as a daily offering of worship to The Servant King. 2 There in the garden Of tears, My heavy load He chose to bear; His heart with sorrow Was torn, 'Yet not My will But Yours,' He said. 3 Come see His hands And His feet, The scars that speak Of sacrifice; Hands that flung stars Into space To cruel nails Surrendered. 4 So let us learn How to serve, And in our lives Enthrone Him; Each other’s needs To prefer, For it is Christ We’re serving. Submit to others: Love God, love others, free from power, dealing with sin

1 & 6 Brother, sister, let me serve you Let me be as Christ to you; Pray that I may have the grace To let you be my servant, too. 2 We are pilgrims on a journey, We are partners on the road; We are here to help each other Walk the mile and bear the load. 3 I will hold the Christlight for you In the night-time of your fear; I will hold my hand out to you, Speak the peace you long to hear. 4 I will weep when you are weeping, When you laugh I’ll laugh with you; I will share your joy and sorrow Till we’ve seen this journey through. 5 When we sing to God in heaven We shall find such harmony, Born of all we’ve known together Of Christ’s love and agony. Submit to others: Love God, love others, free from power, dealing with sin

From Amen to Action May we be blessed in our sufferings, because suffering produces perseverance; perseverance produces character; and character produces hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. (Romans 5:1-5) Submit to others: Love God, love others, free from power, dealing with sin