Embracing a Heart of Mutual Submission in Christ

 

Summary

In Ephesians 5:21, we are called to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. This submission is not a sign of weakness but a profound expression of humility and love, reflecting the heart of Christ. A submissive heart is where true life in Christ begins. It is the starting point of joy and the foundation for a life that aligns with God's will. Pride, on the other hand, leads to destruction, as Proverbs 16:18 warns. When we elevate ourselves above others, we stray from the path God has set for us.

Being filled with the Spirit is essential for living a life of submission. Ephesians 5:18-21 outlines that a Spirit-filled life is characterized by speaking, singing, thanking, and submitting. This requires a heart that trusts God completely, even when circumstances are challenging. It is not natural for us to be submissive; it requires the discipline of conforming to Christ's character. As we submit to the Spirit, we are empowered to live out our roles as biblical spouses, parents, employees, and spiritual warriors.

The concept of mutual submission is counter-cultural, especially in a world that values power and control. Yet, in Christ, submission becomes a beautiful expression of love and respect. It challenges societal norms and calls us to a higher standard of living. This mutual submission is not about hierarchy but about serving one another in love, as Christ served us. It is a call to put others' needs above our own, to be humble, gentle, patient, and to bear with one another in love.

The heart of submission is rooted in a deep reverence for God. It is about aligning our desires with His will, as Paul exemplified in Romans 10:1. When our hearts are in tune with God's desires, we find joy and fulfillment in serving others. This is the essence of living a life worthy of our calling, as Ephesians 4:1-2 instructs. It is about walking in humility, gentleness, and patience, keeping the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Ultimately, a submissive heart is a heart that serves. It is a heart that sees the value in others and seeks to uplift them. It is a heart that reflects the love of Christ in every action, thought, and word. As we submit to one another, we glorify God and demonstrate the transformative power of the Gospel in our lives.

Key Takeaways:

- A Submissive Heart is the Foundation of Life in Christ: True life begins when we submit to Christ, laying down our pride and embracing humility. This submission is the starting point of joy and aligns our lives with God's will. Pride leads to destruction, but humility opens the door to God's blessings. [02:57]

- Being Filled with the Spirit Enables Submission: A Spirit-filled life is marked by speaking, singing, thanking, and submitting. This requires a heart that trusts God completely, even in difficult circumstances. Submission is not natural; it requires discipline and a heart aligned with Christ. [06:29]

- Mutual Submission is Counter-Cultural: In a world that values power, mutual submission is a radical expression of love and respect. It challenges societal norms and calls us to serve one another in love, putting others' needs above our own. [31:08]

- Submission Reflects Reverence for God: A submissive heart is rooted in a deep reverence for God. It aligns our desires with His will, bringing joy and fulfillment in serving others. This is the essence of living a life worthy of our calling. [35:31]

- A Submissive Heart Serves Others: True submission is about serving others, reflecting the love of Christ in every action. It is a heart that sees the value in others and seeks to uplift them, glorifying God through humble service. [40:04]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:57] - The Foundation of a Submissive Heart
[06:29] - Being Filled with the Spirit
[09:12] - The Role of God's Word in Submission
[11:36] - Aligning Desires with God's Will
[14:55] - The Example of Christ's Humility
[16:22] - Obedience from the Heart
[18:32] - The Cosmic Order of Submission
[20:56] - Walking Worthy of Our Calling
[22:18] - The Dangers of Fleshly Living
[23:45] - The Joy of Spirit-Filled Living
[25:31] - Serving in the Body of Christ
[27:44] - The Impact of Humble Service
[31:08] - Mutual Submission in Christ
[33:49] - The Paradox of Christian Leadership
[35:31] - Counter-Cultural Christianity
[37:45] - Lessons from Leadership in Thailand
[40:04] - Serving the Least of These
[43:09] - Christ's Example of Service
[45:13] - Embracing a Submissive Heart
[46:03] - Fear God and Embrace Submission
[47:21] - Always Be Humbly Helping
[49:15] - People as a Major Priority
[50:56] - Serving Beyond the Church
[52:13] - The Eternal Impact of Service
[56:00] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 5:21
- Proverbs 16:18
- Romans 10:1

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Ephesians 5:21, what is the motivation for submitting to one another? How does this relate to the concept of reverence for Christ? [02:57]

2. In the sermon, how is being filled with the Spirit described in relation to submission? What are the characteristics of a Spirit-filled life mentioned? [06:29]

3. What does Proverbs 16:18 warn about pride, and how does this relate to the sermon’s message on submission? [02:57]

4. How does Romans 10:1 illustrate Paul's alignment of his desires with God's will, and what does this reveal about submission? [11:36]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon describe the relationship between humility and submission? Why is humility considered the starting point of joy in a Christian's life? [02:57]

2. The sermon mentions that mutual submission is counter-cultural. In what ways does this challenge societal norms, and why is it significant for Christians? [31:08]

3. How does the sermon explain the role of the Holy Spirit in enabling believers to submit to one another? What does it mean to be Spirit-filled in this context? [06:29]

4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that submission reflects a deep reverence for God? How does this align with the teachings in Romans 10:1? [11:36]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent situation where pride may have led you away from God's path. How can you practice humility and submission in similar situations in the future? [02:57]

2. Consider the areas of your life where you struggle to submit to others. What steps can you take to align your heart with the Spirit and embrace mutual submission? [06:29]

3. In what ways can you challenge societal norms by practicing mutual submission in your workplace or community? How can this be a testimony of your faith? [31:08]

4. Think about a relationship where you find it difficult to put the other person's needs above your own. How can you intentionally serve them this week as an expression of love and respect? [31:08]

5. How can you cultivate a heart that aligns with God's desires, as Paul did in Romans 10:1? What practical steps can you take to delight yourself in the Lord? [11:36]

6. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to trust God more fully. How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to help you submit in that area? [06:29]

7. Reflect on how you can serve "the least of these" in your community. What tangible actions can you take to demonstrate the love of Christ to those in need? [52:13]

Devotional

Day 1: The Foundation of a Submissive Heart
A submissive heart is the cornerstone of a life in Christ. It begins with laying down pride and embracing humility, which opens the door to joy and aligns one's life with God's will. Pride, as warned in Proverbs 16:18, leads to destruction, but humility invites God's blessings. This submission is not about weakness but about reflecting the heart of Christ, where true life begins. It is the starting point of joy and the foundation for a life that aligns with God's will. [02:57]

1 Peter 5:5-6 (ESV): "Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you."

Reflection: Think of a recent situation where pride got in the way of your relationships. How can you choose humility and submission to God's will in similar situations today?


Day 2: Being Filled with the Spirit Enables Submission
Living a Spirit-filled life is essential for true submission. Ephesians 5:18-21 describes a Spirit-filled life as one marked by speaking, singing, thanking, and submitting. This requires a heart that trusts God completely, even in difficult circumstances. Submission is not natural; it requires discipline and a heart aligned with Christ. As believers submit to the Spirit, they are empowered to live out their roles in various aspects of life, including as biblical spouses, parents, employees, and spiritual warriors. [06:29]

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you struggle to trust God completely? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide you in that area today?


Day 3: Mutual Submission is Counter-Cultural
In a world that values power and control, mutual submission is a radical expression of love and respect. It challenges societal norms and calls believers to serve one another in love, putting others' needs above their own. This concept of mutual submission is not about hierarchy but about serving one another in love, as Christ served us. It is a call to be humble, gentle, patient, and to bear with one another in love, reflecting the heart of Christ. [31:08]

Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV): "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."

Reflection: Identify a relationship where you can practice mutual submission. What specific action can you take today to serve that person in love?


Day 4: Submission Reflects Reverence for God
A submissive heart is rooted in a deep reverence for God. It aligns one's desires with His will, bringing joy and fulfillment in serving others. This is the essence of living a life worthy of one's calling, as instructed in Ephesians 4:1-2. Walking in humility, gentleness, and patience, while keeping the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace, reflects a heart that is in tune with God's desires. [35:31]

Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."

Reflection: How can you align your desires with God's will today? What steps can you take to cultivate a heart of reverence and submission to Him?


Day 5: A Submissive Heart Serves Others
True submission is about serving others and reflecting the love of Christ in every action, thought, and word. A submissive heart sees the value in others and seeks to uplift them, glorifying God through humble service. As believers submit to one another, they demonstrate the transformative power of the Gospel in their lives, showing the world the love of Christ through their actions. [40:04]

Romans 12:10-11 (ESV): "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord."

Reflection: Who in your life can you serve today in a way that reflects Christ's love? What specific action can you take to uplift and honor them?

Quotes


Take your Bibles, if you would, please, and turn to the book of Ephesians, Ephesians chapter 5 and verse 21. Just one verse for today. Hopefully, it'll be a shorter sermon. No amens? Okay, good. Just one verse for today. It has some monumental concepts for us to be able to tackle and comprehend in it, one being submissiveness and the other fear or respect for God. In Ephesians chapter 5 and verse 21, it says, and being subject one to another in the fear of Christ. [00:00:00] (30 seconds)


Ephesians 5, 18 says, do not be drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit. And so, being filled with the Spirit then is defined in verses 19, 20, and 21 in that you will be speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father, and being subject to one another in the fear of Christ. [00:03:05] (28 seconds)


And so, speaking, singing, thanking, and submitting is what it means to be filled with the Spirit. And as we have already spoken about in verse 20, thanking God for all things is something that requires you to be filled with the Spirit. If you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then from the overflow of your confidence in God, and not yourself, your confidence, in God, not the world, your confidence in God, not money or circumstances or your own ability, enables you from a humble, submissive perspective in view of God to be thankful for all things because you believe that God works all things for His glory and your good for those who love Him, Romans 8, 28. [00:04:13] (41 seconds)


And this subject of submitting, or being subject, is used to set the tone for the rest of the relationships that are set forth in chapter 5 and chapter 6. This one idea, submitting, carries through to the next passage and sets the tone for what it means to be a good husband, a good wife, a good parent, a good employee, and a good spiritual war fighter. These are the main subjects that finish out the book of Ephesians, and we're hitting there fast, I think. [00:05:54] (35 seconds)


And so, this is what it means to think biblically. And I would like, for just a moment, share with you that thinking or dwelling starts in the heart. It's a heart attitude that this is getting down to. And so, Psalm 119 .11 says, Your word have I treasured in my heart, that I might not sin against you. And so, God's word will conform the heart unto these heart attitudes and will prevent unnecessary sinning. [00:09:12] (30 seconds)


And when your heart's desires are in alignment with God's will, it's really a result of the fact that you have been delighting yourself in the Lord. And the Psalm says, The Psalmist said it this way, If you delight yourself in the Lord, he will give you the desires of your heart. And so that's when you can trust your desires is when you have been... [00:11:36] (18 seconds)


And so he has moved self aside and placed before him the desire of others' well-being. Do you think that this is a fulfillment of Ephesians chapter 5 and verse 21? Be subject to one another in the fear of Christ or in the respect of Christ or respecting what Christ has done. Christ died for those who would repent and believe. And out of respect for that, now Paul goes after those who would be saved. [00:13:04] (30 seconds)


And also, the Bible also gives us the illustration for when Jesus washed the disciples' feet. In John chapter 13 and verse 5, it says, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet. How submissive is it when you see Christ the King kneeling down to do the lowest servant's job? This is anti-cultural, and this is the example that we have. How do we do this? Well, point number one is a submissive heart obeys God. [00:14:58] (35 seconds)


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Transcript
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