The Spiritual Discipline Of Christian Submission Series

The Spiritual Discipline Of Christian Submission

I Peter 2:13-20

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Roger Staubach, led the Dallas Cowboys to the World Championship in 1971. But he faced a great struggle that year. Staubach said that his position as a quarterback who didn’t call his own signals was a source of trial for him. Coach Tom Landry sent in every play. He told Roger when to pass, when to run, and only in emergency situations could he change the play (and he had better be right!). Even though Roger considered coach Landry to have a “genius mind” when it came to football strategy, pride said that he should be able to run his own team. Roger later said, “I faced up to the issue of obedience. Once I learned to obey there was harmony, fulfillment, and victory.” (Source unknown)

Sometimes...in fact most of the time we think that we know best! We want to lead instead of follow. We want control of our lives. But like Roger Staubach we will find that submission is the way to achieve harmony, fulfillment and victory.

In every area if life there will be times when we are required to submit to authority. This is the theme of I Peter 2:13-20. Peter tells us that we are to submit when it comes easy and submit when it is very difficult. We are even instructed to submit when it brings pain and suffering. - I Peter 2:19 For God is pleased with you when you do what you know is right and patiently endure unfair treatment

Submission requires a great deal of spiritual discipline. That is the thought that I would like to consider today.... "The Spiritual Disciple Of Christian Submission" In these few verses we will see that: 1. As Foreigners We Are To Submit To Governmental Authority. 2. As Children We Are To Submit To The Father's Authority. 3. As Servants We Are To Submit To Human Authority

This idea of respect for authority is found in the 10 Commandments. Exodus 20:12 ¶Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God gives thee. - In fact this is where submission begins. Submission starts in the home! The reason we see so many people today who have ZERO respect for authority is because many parents fail to teach, train and demand respect from their children!! These children grow up and they do not respect their parents, they do not respect their school teachers, they do not respect the leaders in the church, they do not respect their elders, they do not respect the law and they do not respect those who enforce the law. They don't respect anyone they encounter and they refuse to submit to authority.

Sadly, we encounter this same problem among many in the church. And this should not be the case! It is the Father's will for us to be decent, respectful and submissive to the authorities in all areas of our lives. Listen to what Paul says in - Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.

In our selected text Peter echoes that very point. As we consider "The Spiritual Discipline Of Christian Submission" Let's begin with the fact that:

I. As Foreigners We Are To Submit To Governmental Authority v13 ¶Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

If someone visits America from Japan, China, Canada or any other country in the world they are expected to follow and obey our laws as long as they are in this country. There may be things that are legal in Japan that are against the law in America, this does not exempt a Japanese visitor from having to abide by American law.

In the previous verses peter makes it clear that this world is not our home. Christians are traveling through this world as "Pilgrims & Strangers". Though our real home is in Heaven, we have some responsibilities while we are here on earth. God intends for us to be submissive and obedient to those in authority. The word submit means to accept or yield to a superior force or to the authority or will of another person. We are subject to civil law and authority. We are to obey local, state and national laws. We are to submit to anyone who possesses authority over us.