Celebration and Submission: Embracing God's Sovereignty Together

Devotional

Day 1: Celebration as a Deep Act of Worship

Celebration is more than just a moment of joy; it is a profound act of worship that acknowledges God's greatness and His work in our lives. When we celebrate, we are not merely rejoicing in personal victories but recognizing God's intervention and power, much like David's triumphs and the deliverance of Moses and Miriam. This kind of celebration strengthens our faith, reminding us of God's presence and His mighty acts. It is a time to throw ourselves into gratitude, reflecting on the victories God has given us and the ways He has intervened in our lives. [00:22]

Psalm 145:3-5 (ESV): "Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate."

Reflection: Think of a recent victory or blessing in your life. How can you celebrate this as an act of worship, acknowledging God's hand in it today?

Day 2: The Balance of Study and Worship

While worship is essential, it must be balanced with study to create a robust spiritual life. Worship without study can lead to a shallow faith, while study without worship can become dry and lifeless. Together, they form a spiritual life that is both informed and passionate. This balance ensures that our faith is not only heartfelt but also deeply rooted in understanding. It encourages us to engage both our hearts and minds in our spiritual journey, allowing us to grow in knowledge and love for God. [00:34]

Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

Reflection: How can you incorporate both study and worship into your daily routine to ensure a balanced spiritual life?

Day 3: Understanding Submission as a Path to Humility

Submission is about allowing others to guide us, recognizing their authority and wisdom. It is a practice that fosters humility and community, as we learn to set aside our will for the greater good. Proper understanding of submission is crucial to avoid past mistakes that led to misuse and harm. When done correctly, submission is not about coercion but about respecting the order of authority that God has established, allowing us to grow in humility and community. [01:53]

Hebrews 13:17 (ESV): "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you."

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you struggle with submission? How can you practice humility and allow others to guide you today?

Day 4: Respecting Authority in the Church

There is an established order of authority within the church that should be respected and understood. This authority is not about control but about guidance and wisdom, helping us grow in our spiritual journey. Submission to this authority is a beautiful expression of trust and respect, allowing us to thrive in a community where we can learn and grow together. It is important to understand and respect this order to avoid the pitfalls of past movements that misunderstood its purpose. [02:21]

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 (ESV): "We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves."

Reflection: How can you show respect and support to the leaders in your church community today?

Day 5: The Beauty of Community Through Mutual Submission

Submission, when understood correctly, enhances the beauty of community. It allows us to live in harmony, respecting each other's roles and contributions. This mutual submission creates a supportive environment where everyone can thrive and grow in their faith. It is a reminder that our journey with God is not just about personal achievements but about living in a community where we can both celebrate and submit to one another in love. [03:22]

Ephesians 5:21 (ESV): "Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ."

Reflection: In what ways can you contribute to the beauty of your community by practicing mutual submission today?

Sermon Summary

Celebration and submission are two profound aspects of our spiritual journey that often go hand in hand. Celebration is an act of worship, a way to ascribe greatness to God by throwing our whole selves into gratitude for what He has done for us, our families, and our communities. It is a time to reflect on the victories God has given us, much like David, who could say, "By my God, I have run through a troop; by my God, I have leaped over a wall." This kind of celebration is not just about personal triumphs but recognizing God's intervention in our lives, as seen in the story of Moses and Miriam, where God threw the horse and the rider into the sea, symbolizing His power over the advanced weapons of their time.

Submission, on the other hand, is about allowing others to guide us, which can be a challenging yet rewarding exercise. It involves setting aside our will and recognizing the authority and wisdom of others, whether it be a spouse, a child, or leaders within the church. This kind of submission is not about coercion but about understanding and respecting the order of authority that God has established. It is a beautiful thing when done correctly, as it allows us to grow in humility and community. However, it is crucial to understand submission properly to avoid the pitfalls of past movements that misunderstood its purpose, leading to heartbreak and grief.

In essence, both celebration and submission require a heart that is open to God's leading and a willingness to acknowledge His sovereignty in every aspect of our lives. They remind us that our journey with God is not just about personal achievements but about living in a community where we can both celebrate and submit to one another in love.

Key Takeaways

1. Celebration as Worship: Celebration is an act of worship where we ascribe greatness to God, acknowledging His work in our lives. It involves a deep sense of gratitude and recognition of God's intervention, much like David's victories and the deliverance of Moses and Miriam. This kind of celebration strengthens our faith and reminds us of God's power and presence. [00:22]
2. The Role of Study in Worship: While worship is essential, it must be balanced with study. Worship without study can lead to a shallow faith, while study without worship can become dry and lifeless. Together, they create a robust spiritual life that is both informed and passionate. [00:34]
3. Understanding Submission: Submission is about allowing others to guide us, recognizing their authority and wisdom. It is a practice that fosters humility and community, as we learn to set aside our will for the greater good. Proper understanding of submission is crucial to avoid past mistakes that led to misuse and harm. [01:53]
4. Authority in the Church: There is an established order of authority within the church that should be respected and understood. This authority is not about control but about guidance and wisdom, helping us grow in our spiritual journey. Submission to this authority is a beautiful expression of trust and respect. [02:21]
5. The Beauty of Community: Submission, when understood correctly, enhances the beauty of community. It allows us to live in harmony, respecting each other's roles and contributions. This mutual submission creates a supportive environment where everyone can thrive and grow in their faith. [03:22]
** [03:22]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:22] - Celebration as Worship
[00:34] - The Balance of Study and Worship
[00:48] - Gratitude in Celebration
[01:02] - David's Victories
[01:14] - God's Intervention
[01:29] - The Song of Moses
[01:39] - Submission Explained
[01:53] - The Exercise of Submission
[02:09] - Authority in Relationships
[02:21] - Church Authority
[02:35] - Respecting Authority
[02:51] - The Right to Speak
[03:08] - Setting Aside Our Will
[03:22] - The Beauty of Community

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Deuteronomy 14 teach us about the role of celebration in worship?
How does David's statement in 2 Samuel 22:30 illustrate the concept of celebration as an act of worship? [01:02]
In what ways did God intervene in the story of Moses and Miriam, and how did they celebrate this intervention? [01:29]
How is submission described in the sermon, and what are some examples given of practicing submission in daily life? [01:53]

Interpretation Questions

How does the balance of study and worship contribute to a robust spiritual life, according to the sermon? [00:34]
What are the potential pitfalls of misunderstanding submission, and how can these be avoided in a church community? [03:34]
How does the sermon describe the established order of authority within the church, and why is it important to respect this order? [02:21]
In what ways does mutual submission enhance the beauty of community, as discussed in the sermon? [03:22]

Application Questions

Reflect on a recent victory or blessing in your life. How can you celebrate this as an act of worship, acknowledging God's intervention? [00:22]
How can you incorporate both study and worship into your daily routine to ensure a balanced spiritual life? What changes might you need to make? [00:34]
Think of a relationship in your life where submission could be practiced more effectively. What steps can you take to foster humility and respect in that relationship? [01:53]
How can you contribute to respecting and understanding the order of authority within your church community? What role can you play in supporting church leaders? [02:21]
Consider a time when you struggled with the concept of submission. What did you learn from that experience, and how can it inform your approach to submission in the future? [03:34]
How can you actively participate in creating a supportive and harmonious community within your church or small group? What specific actions can you take this week? [03:22]
Identify one area in your life where you need to set aside your will for the greater good. What practical steps can you take to do this, and how might it impact your relationships? [03:08]

Sermon Clips

a celebration is especially attending the way celebration see worship is ascribing greatness to god and you just throw your whole self into it now of course it go it needs study just like studying age worship if you study without worship you're in real danger but if you worship without study you also are in promise [00:15:12]

celebration is where i give thanks to god for what he has done for me and for my family and for my people you want to read celebration read numbers 14. i'm sorry deuteronomy 14. you find something there about celebration the celebration is where i count david by my god i have run through a troop by my god i have leaped over a wall [00:41:60]

david was a warrior he knew what it was like to stand here and a whole bunch of men ready to kill him and wind up running through them and turning around and being alive that celebration miriam and and and moses and all those people you know um the song of moses the horse and the writer he has thrown in the sea [00:68:32]

the horse and the writer was like an icbm in their day it was one of the advanced weapons of war these other people have no weapons god intervenes the horse and the rider he's thrown in the sea so they're off across the land shaking their tambourines and shouting that's celebration submission that means allowing another person to tell me what to do [00:93:75]

boy is that ever good exercise especially if i'm sort of a high monkey monk you know to let someone else to tell me what it's good to let your wife tell you what to do sometimes and just say yes ma'am maybe your child uh and so submission and of course this should be a rule by the way you know there is an order of authority in the church [01:22:39]

there's an order of authority and it should it will be known and respected if it is taught and practiced and this is a place where you have people who because of their experience and position in god's work are able to say a word which others understand they should submit to this is not submit or i'll put you in the thumb screws [01:45:52]

this is submission on the basis of known authority and right to speak and that's a beautiful thing to see but it does mean that the will is is my will is set aside it's no longer my king now you know the old vows were poverty chastity obedience don't get confused with that but on the other hand you may want to go back and look at say the benedictine tradition [01:77:44]

and see what submission meant in community because it can be a beautiful thing all beautiful things are ruined right so we had the shepherding movement in our country some years ago you remember that one a lot of heartbreak and grief came out of that because the mission was not understood in the proper way [02:06:64]

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