"Saints submit to authority"
Romans pt 19
Thesis: A "saint" will submit to authority because they know that God has set up the authority - where as an "aint" will not submit to authority because they think they are in charge.
Scripture Text: Romans 13
1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.
6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
8Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. 9The commandments, ’Do not commit adultery,Do not murder,Do not steal,Do not covet,’ and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: ’Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 10Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
11And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Introduction:
Paul tells us that the time is short "Jesus coming is closer than when they first believed so it’s important to be ready! It’s important to clothe yourselves in Christ - to wrap Him around you and to make sure that you don’t have stinking thinking. He tells them that everyone must submit to authority because God placed it here for the preservation of society. God has established authority and if you yield to its direction everything will be fine with you. But if you break the rules then you had better watch out because you have just rebelled against God Himself. So Paul is saying wake up and see what time it is!
Charles Salmon from his sermon "Wake up!" on sermoncentral.com states, "The thought of the return of Christ adds urgency. Not only is time passing, but with every hour and minute the coming of Christ draws nearer. We don’t know when He will come, but we know He will and we know He will come at a time unexpected. This is the constant teaching of Scripture.
" the time is short". - I Cor. 7:29
"The Lord’s coming is near" - Jas. 5:8
"The end of all things is near." - I Pet. 4:7
"This is the. last hour" - I John 2:18
"The time is near." - Rev. 1:3
Paul tells us that the time is short and therefore it’s imperative that the Christian live the way Christ intended them to live and that is by submitting to the governing authorities.
Lorne Sanny stated, "Who must I listen to, and who should listen to me-and why? Authority and submission to authority have a critical place in God’s design for peace and order on earth" (Discipleship Journal Issue 8, page 32).
Paul tells the Romans that God is in control of all authority and He will hold us responsible for how we act toward the authority He has established. Paul is making a point in chapter 13 for order not anarchy - for submission to legitimate authority - not evil authority - He is saying that saints understand the importance of living under authority. I believe it all points back to Romans 12:1, "That we must be living sacrifices!"
Illustration: From Illustrations of Bible Truths - Punishment Necessary
A young man speeding along a highway crashed into an oncoming car, and the resultant chain reaction caused the death and crippling of several innocent victims. Yet the judge, after only five minutes deliberation, let him go free. The ensuing public uproar caused a re-opening of the case and a conviction although ultimately the sentence was suspended. The public outrage in this case, and in similar instances where justice is flouted, shows that men have a built-in recognition of the fact that, where wrongdoing goes unpunished, the law-abiding are threatened and the innocent victimized. Parental love cannot allow disobedience to go unchecked or let continued rejection of authority go unpunished. To do so would be to encourage anarchy and to discourage those who are trying to do what is right. The doctrine of love that the Lord Jesus Christ preached was no wishy-washy affair of permissiveness, of "anything goes," but was balanced by stern warnings about sinning against God and man.
Paul says, "That the Saint will be a living sacrifice because they will submit to legitimate authority." Why will they choose to submit - because all authority is established by God! The truth is God is the source for all authority and the saint recognizes that so they submit to the office not necessarily to the person!
I. God is the one who has established the systems of authority in this world and the saint must follow the authority set up by God (Romans 13:1, 2)
a. Paul is arguing for Christians to make sure that they submit to the authorities.
i. Murphy states, "God Establishes All Authority - Scripture unequivocally states that God is the One who sets all authority in place, both civil and ecclesiastic. "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves." (Rom 13:1, 2 NIV, emphasis added.) Although Paul is speaking specifically of civil authority in this passage, the same principle certainly applies to church authority."
b. The Bible is very clear in pointing out that God is the source for all authority.
i. Sanny states, "The infinite, personal God in heaven is sovereign in His universe. He has the right-the authority-to do whatever he wants. And He not only has this right, but he also has the power to do what he wants. This is the truth King Nebuchadnezzar recognized about God in Daniel 4:35, "He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him ’What have you done?’ "
c. The question could be raised: What if a law directly conflicts with the laws of God? What do we do - then we have to obey God.
i. For example when the Jews told Peter and John not speak the name of Jesus anymore they said in Acts 4:19, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God."
1. We obey God!
d. Melvin Newland stated from sermoncentral.com "First of all, he teaches that "God is sovereign over government." He said, "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except..." Except what? "...except that which God has established." Now that doesn’t mean God appointed Khadafi & Sadam Hussein & Hitler & Stalin & used them as puppets on His string. But it does mean that God has established the principle that a government is to be in charge of society."
II. Whether we want to acknowledge it or not we are all "Under Authority!"
a. Everyone here is under authority ¡V whether you like it or not or whether you agree with it or not.
i. Murphy states, "Unfortunately, God’s word doesn’t differentiate between different kinds of authorities. Romans 13:5 simply says, ". . . it is necessary to submit to authorities. . . ." It didn’t qualify the submission only to those who are "good." This is where Peter’s exhortation comes into play. "For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God . . . this is commendable before God." (1 Pet 2:19, 20 NIV)
ii. There are 7 authority submission relationships noted in Scripture:
1. God and man - James 4:7 "Submit yourselves, then, to God."
2. Man and nature - Genesis 1:28 "God blessed them and said to them, ’Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." Man is to have dominion over the earth
3. Husband and wife - Ephesians 5:22-33 - 22Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. 25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church 30for we are members of his body. 31 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." 32This is a profound mystery, but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
4. Parents and children - Ephesians 6:1-3 - 1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 ’Honor your father and mother’ which is the first commandment with a promise; that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."
a. Parental authority? Here is an thought that I discovered on the web about "Authority and parenting: I feel there is a problem teaching our children the concept of "respect" when everything in our generation treats respect either like a four letter word or something reserved only for the "churches and synagogues." I remember when the first child called me "Mr Schuck," I, like so many of our generation replied, that’s ok, just call me Tom. Unfortunately in doing so, I, we, have sold out the very foundation of teaching respect to our children. Respect is not something that is due to any individual per se. It has been obvious to every new generation that the older generation does not consist of perfect people worthy of praise and admiration. Respect for a person must be earned, and many individuals do earn it by hard work, exemplary life, etc., but earned respect is unfortunately rare and not the sole reason for respect. Rather, respect is always to given to a "position." Regardless of our political views of the current president, and elected officials, we have the freedom to be as candid of our opinion of them as we desire, but we must and for the most part still do respect the OFFICE that they hold. Respect is due to us as parents, not because we are super moms and dads, but merely because of our position as mom and dad. Our children must be taught to respect elders not because of who they are, but because of what they are. Today, teachers in many schools in cities and suburbs are often in fear of their safety from their own students. Police departments realize that no one respects the badge. What can we do about this as parents?
b. Paul Tournier stated, "Parents must not cowardly abdicate their authority...In the struggle, the child will acquire experience; he will learn how far he may resist and at what point he must submit."
5. Governors and the governed - 1 Peter 2:13-14 - 13Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. 16Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 17Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
6. Employers and employees - Ephesians 6:5-9: 5Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, 8because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free. 9And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.
a. Colossians 3:22-4:1; 22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism. 1Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
b. 1 Peter 2:18-20 - 18Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 20But 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. 21To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
7. Spiritual leaders and the spiritually led - Hebrews 13:17
a. Note the command we find in Hebrews. "Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you." (Heb 13:17 NIV) This not a divine suggestion, it is a command.
iii. These 7 authority - submission relationships tell us that we all have to answer to someone in our life and God set this up for our good.
1. God set up an order to this earth that needs to be followed so that chaos is not the result.
III. There are benefits to being under authority according to the Word of God.
a. Murphy states, "One of the primary benefits of being under authority is that it produces discipline within the believer."
i. We need only look at a few of the proverbs to see that a life of discipline pleases our Lord.
1. "He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray." (Pro 10:17 NIV)
2. "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid." (Pro 12:1 NIV)
3. "He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored." (Pro 13:18 NIV)
4. "He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding." (Pro 15:32 NIV)
5. Hebrews tells us, "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it" (Heb 12:11 NIV) (insights from Jim and Carolyn Murphy , Hundredfold Ministries, Int’l).
b. Judges reveals to us what happens if there is no authority in place.
i. Quest Study Bible states, "Judges is filled with sensational stories, as exciting as any of today’s headlines. For sheer melodrama-gruesome murders, sexual exploits, superhuman feats of strength, a bizarre mutilation-no tabloid can offer you more. But beneath the sensational stories are eternal lessons you’ll never find in a Tabloid. The book of Judges shows what can happen when a society slides into moral anarchy. But it also shows God’s merciful deliverance when people cry out to him in repentance" (317).
ii. Judges 21:25 "In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit." The last verse in this book - why conclude with this thought? - it explains all the horror and injustice that this book presents in the history of Israel.
1. The author who some think was the prophet Samuel says, "There was chaos in Israel because their was no one willing to submit." There was no authority and the place was a mess until people would cry out to God and submit to his authority then he would deliver and perform miracles for those who submitted to God’s authority.
2. Now let’s ask the question, "Why is it so important to submit to authority?" The answer: You must be under authority in order to have authority.
iii. Authority brings peace and order to a society or an organization.
1. Tom Fuller states, "God establishes earthly authority to punish the wrong doers and reward those who do right. If there were no civil authority, do you think those bent on doing evil would waste one minute creating total anarchy in society? Our problem is that we want it both ways - we want to be protected, but we don’t want anyone messing in our business." (Sermoncentral.com).
a. Example - The Ten Commandments were given to society by God for their benefit and when the government decided to take them out of schools the result happened according to Melvin Newland:
i. ILL. You have heard over & over again that 40 years ago the biggest problems faced by teachers in our schools were problems like students chewing gum in class, talking when they were supposed to be quiet, & running in the hallways.
But things have changed & the top problems today are students using & selling drugs, rape on the playground, & handguns in the classrooms. And these problems are not just in the schools, but everywhere.
ii. What has changed? The Authority of the Ten Commandments has been undermined by our government and now the schools are paying the price of the removal of God’s authority on behavior.
c. Submission to authority gives you a clear conscience.
i. The story of Tim and the constant looking over your shoulder.
ii. Ray Stedman stated, "We each have a conscience. We may not be able to analyze it, and we certainly cannot control it, but we know we all possess one. Conscience has been defined as "that still, small voice that makes you feel smaller still," or, as one little boy put it, "It is that which feels bad when everything else feels good." Conscience is that internal voice that sits in judgment over our will." (http://www.pbc.org/library/files/html/0091.html).
iii. WILLPOWER OR CONSCIENCE - A man consulted a psychiatrist. He complained, ’I’ve been misbehaving, Doc, and my conscience is troubling me.’ The doctor asked, ’And you want something that will strengthen your willpower?’ The fellow replied, ’Well, no, I was thinking of something that would weaken my conscience’ (Illustrations Unlimited).
iv. The Christian’s Riches - John Bunyan wrote: The happy man was born in the city of Regeneration, in the parish of Repentance unto Life. He was educated in the School of Obedience; he works at the trade of Diligence and does many jobs of self-denial. He owns a large estate in the country of Christian Contentment and wears the plain garments of humility. He breakfasts every morning on spiritual prayer and sups every evening on the same. He also has meat to eat that the world knows not of. He has gospel submission in his conduct, due order in his affection, sound peace in his conscience, sanctifying love in his soul, real divinity in his breast, true humility in his heart, the Redeemer’s yoke on his neck, the world under his feet, and a crown of glory over his head. In order to obtain this, he prays fervently, works abundantly, redeems his time, guards his sense, loves Christ, and longs for glory (Illustration of Bible Truths).
d. Submission to authority prevents you from being punished.
i. Punishment for doing wrong is never pleasant it is painful!
1. Most people seek to not be punished so they submit to authority.
2. Gene Gregory notes this thought from sermon central:
a. Yesterday, the Orlando Sentinel reported on a man by the name of Timothy Pilgreen. Timothy is being held on 2 charges of murder and 4 charges of attempted murder after driving over 6 Outlaw Biker gang members on their motorcycles. Later, he blamed his rage on a history of drugs, alcohol and childhood abuse. He said he was abandoned at age 4, had been in and out of juvenile detention by 14 and spent nearly a year in prison for stealing a car when 18. My friends, God will not accept your excuses. There are many people today who claim they act the way they do because of their environment. They act the way they do because their parents acted that way. They say, "It’s not my fault. I was brought up that way!" Or, ’If you knew what my home life was like, then you would understand. We live in a society where people try to make excuses for the way they act and the decisions they make. They want to say it’s their parents fault. They didn’t love me enough, or they pressured me too much, or I was potty-trained too soon, or my parents something."
If you only knew the bad breaks I’ve had, if you only knew the way people have treated me and cheated me. If you’ve been through what I’ve been through, then you would act the same way.
> Ezekiel 18:20 The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son’s iniquity: . . .
My friend, your situation, your background, your environment, does not give you an excuse for rejecting Jesus Christ, and it does not give you an excuse for living in sin.
You cannot blame your laziness in following Jesus on others. You cannot blame the sin in your life on your environment. You cannot blame your bitterness on your spouse. You cannot blame your anger on your boss. You cannot say, "The Devil made me do it." The Bible says it is your own choice.
> Isaiah 53:6 says, All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. In other words, you are what you have decided to be. Gene Gregory
ii. There is a thought that applies here if we submit to the authority of Jesus then we also can avoid punishment for our wrong doing ¡V but we have to choose to submit to His authority:
1. Richard Kauffman says: "The cross has become a piece of jewellery, a beautiful decoration in a church, a symbol of faith. It is difficult for us to pass back through the centuries of tradition to see crucifixion as a form of capital punishment so horrible that polite people would not so much as mention it¡K If the idea of crucifixion was abhorrent to decent people in the ancient world, imagine the difficulty of trying to convince them that a god¡Xindeed, the God¡Xhad willingly endured such a punishment." (Richard A. Kauffman) http://www.ctlibrary.com/ct/2003/april/26.94.html
2. Quote - ¡§Jesus did not say discuss me; he said follow me.¡¨ We do not make terms with Christ; we surrender to Christ. We do not compromise with Christ; we submit to Christ. Christianity does not mean being interested in Jesus Christ; it means taking the same oath as princes take to a king or queen in a coronation ceremony and saying, ¡§I am your liege man of life and limb, and faith and truth will I bear to you against all manner of folk. So help me God. William Barclay, The Apostles Creed for Everyman (New York: Harper & Row, Pub., 1967), 68.
3. Illustration: That’s why I think it is very important in understanding God’s grace to comprehend the difference between three words- used in Scripture. Justice - Mercy & Grace. Justice is deserved punishment. Mercy is exemption from punishment, Grace is favor when punishment is deserved. (Repeat)
Let me share an illustration that for me, clears up the difference between these three concepts. If you don’t know I spent 12 years in law enforcement. So, let’s say I’m still a police officer. I arrive at a scene where through your carelessness you’ve jumped the curb, you’ve damaged your car and you’ve knocked down and destroyed a city sign. Now, I survey the scene and you admit that the accident was your fault so I give you a ticket for careless driving, I assign you a court date and I inform you that the city will be in touch with you so that you can pay for a new sign -that’s justice -deserved punishment. But let’s say out of the goodness of my heart I say, "Well, I know this can happen to anybody and you’ve already got to pay for the damage to your car so I’ll just let it go, no ticket and you don’t have to pay for the sign." You’d say, "That’s incredible," but that’s MERCY - Exemption from punishment. But let’s say that I was really generous and I tell you, you’re not going to get a ticket; but not only that-I pull out my check book and I write you a check to pay for the full amount of the damage done to your car and further, I tell you that "I’ll pay the city for the damaged sign and your ticket too." You say, "That’s impossible!" But that’s grace. Favor given when punishment is deserved.
But that isn’t a good illustration of God’s grace because God just didn’t give out of his riches. His grace cost Him everything He had. From Timothy Smith sermoncentral.com
4. Illustration Grace - The boy stood defiantly. "Go ahead, give it to me."
The principal looked at the young rebel and asked, "How many times have you been here?"
The child sneered rebelliously, "Apparently not enough." "And you have been punished each time?" the principal responded. Yeah, I been punished, if that’s what you want to call it. Go ahead. I can take whatever you dish out. I always have."And no thought of your punishment enters your head the next time you decide to break the rules does it?" "Nope, I do whatever I want to do. Ain’t nothin - you people gonna do to stop me either." The principal looked at the teacher who stood nearby. "What did he do this time?" "Fighting. He shoved Tommy’s face into the sandbox." The principal looked at the boy, "What did Tommy do to you?" "Nothin", I didn¡’t like the way he was lookin at me."
The teacher stiffened, but a quick look from the principal stopped him as he quietly said, "Today, is the day you learn about grace."
"Grace? Isn’t that what you old people do before you sit down to eat? I don’t need none of your stinkin, grace."
"Oh but you do" said the principal. The principal studied the young man’s face and whispered, "Oh yes, you truly do." The boy continued to glare as the principal continued, "Grace, in its short definition is unmerited favor. You cannot earn it. It is a gift, and is always freely given. It means that you will not be getting what you so richly deserve"
The boy looked puzzled. "You’re not gonna whup me? You just gonna let me walk?" The boy studied the face of the principal, "No punishment at all? Even though I socked Tommy and shoved his face into the sandbox?"
"Oh, there has to be punishment. What you did was wrong, and there are always consequences to our actions. There will be punishment. Grace is not an excuse for doing wrong."
"I knew it," sneered the boy as he held out his hands. "Let’s get on with it."
The principal nodded toward the teacher. "Bring me the belt." The teacher presented the belt to the principal. He carefully folded it in two, and then handed it back to the teacher. He looked at the child and said, "I want you to count the blows." The principal walked over to stand directly in front of the young man. He gently reached out and folded the child’s outstretched, expectant hands together and then turned to face the teacher with his own hands outstretched. One quiet word came forth from his mouth. "Begin." The belt whipped down on the outstretched hands of the principal. Crack!
The young man jumped. Shock registered across his face, "One," he whispered. Crack! "Two." His voice raised an octave. Crack! "Three." He couldn’t believe this. Crack! "Four" Big tears welled up in the eyes of the rebel. "OK stop! That’s enough. Stop!" Crack! came the belt down on the hands of the principal. Crack! The child flinched with each blow, tears beginning to stream down his face. Crack! Crack!
"No, please," the former rebel begged. "Stop, I did it, I’m the one who deserves it. Stop! Please. Stop¨ Still the blows came. Crack! Crack! One after another.
Finally it was over. The principal stood with sweat glistening across his forehead and beads trickling down his face. Slowly he knelt down. He studied the young man for a second and then his swollen hands reached out to cradle the face of the weeping child and said, "Grace."
Grace came to you through the sacrifice of Jesus of Nazareth who at Calvary received the punishment that you and I deserve for our sin. His back was whipped for the idols that we have bent our backs to. Nails were driven through His sinless hands for the things that we have done with our hands. Nails were driven through His feet for the paths that we have chosen to walk. He wore a crown of thorns for the things we have given our minds to. A lance was driven into his heart for the things we have held in our hearts. Truly we have received God’s grace. G-R-A-C-E= God’s Righteousness At Christ’s Expense! (Author Unknown, Adapted) From Donnie Martin sermoncentral.com
Conclusion:
Paul is pressing the church in Rome to make sure that they submit to the governing authorities because this the best way to show others that you are a saint. He also wants to make sure that they are ready to meet Christ! He reminds them that the time is short and that they must act like Saints by submitting to the authorities:
Our text tells us three things:
1. God has established all authority ¡V He is its author!
a. Rebel against it and you rebel against God!
b. Understand that evil authority is not from God and we must obey God 1st and all authority has its limits. No authority can usurp the Laws of God because He is the ultimate authority.
2. God established authority in 7 different realms and we need to submit in all these realms to authority.
a. God and man
b. Man and nature
c. Husband and wife
d. Parents and children
e. Governors and the governed
f. Employers and employees
g. Spiritual leaders and the spiritually led
3. God has established authority and submission relationships for our benefit.
a. It is wise to submit and to receive the benefits from submitting to authority.
* Submitting to authority develops discipline
* Submitting to authority brings peace and order
* Submitting to authority gives you a clear conscience
* Submitting to authority prevents you from facing punishment
