Submission, The Key To Exaltation

SUBMISSION, THE KEY TO EXALTATION

Luke 14:11

INTRODUCTION:

"Trust and obey for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."

Last week I talked about living a "Thankful Life." This week I’d like to follow up the same idea with a sermon entitled "Submission - the Key to Exaltation." What I’m suggesting is that living a submissive life is the secret to being happy.

During the reign of Queen Victoria, the Punjab province of India came under the control of England. The young Maharajah from that region, who was just a boy, sent a gift to his new monarch. It was the beautiful Kohinoor diamond. The stone was placed with the other crown jewels in the Tower of London. Several years later when the prince had grown to manhood, he came to England and visited the Queen. After paying honor to her, he asked if he could see the Kohinoor. The Queen was surprised at his request but ordered that the diamond be brought by armed guard to Buckingham Palace.

The Maharajah took the priceless jewel, stepped over to the window, and examined it with great care. Then, as the court looked on, he walked back with it clasped in his hands and knelt at the feet of the Queen. His voice choked with emotion as he said, "Your Majesty, I gave you this jewel when I was young. Now I want to present it in the fullness of my strength with all my heart and affection and gratitude, now and forever, fully realizing all that I do."

SUBMISSION

Not submission that is forced upon us, but submission that is given freely of our own will.

Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."

It’s something that we must choose to do Ourselves.

Luke 14:11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

I. Submission is out of fashion

...To rulers

...Wives to husbands

"It happened in the city of Detroit, Michigan. After applying for a marriage license, a man failed to reappear at the county clerk’s office until 11 years later to claim the important document. When asked why he and his fiancee had waited so long to get married, he explained, "We had a few disagreements about details."

You never hear "honor and obey" in the marriage ceremony anymore.

To employers

Soldiers to officers

I heard a story on radio of a soldier who was refused to go to Saudi Arabia. He said that wasn’t why he joined the military and he wasn’t going to do it.

There are people threatening not to submit to the outcome of this last election.

...Even submission to God.

Very few people today truly fear the Lord. Therefore people are very casual about disobedience to God.

Romans 8:7 The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.

"Self" is the biggest obstacle to peace and happiness that most people face.

II. Submission is taught in Scripture

Greatest is servant.

Mark 10:42-45 Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.

43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.

44 And whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.

45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Like Christ, service to others should be our highest purpose in life. Also the Bible teaches submission to authority, even non-Christian authority.

Romans 13:1-2 & 5 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.

2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.

I Peter 2:13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority,

Hebrews 13:17 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.

I Peter 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.