Embracing Strength Through Christ-like Submission
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we delved into the challenging yet transformative topic of submission. As we navigate through 1 Peter, we see Peter addressing Christians living as exiles in the Roman Empire, a culture that celebrated power and dominance. Peter's message, however, flips this cultural norm on its head by emphasizing the beauty and strength found in submission.
We began by discussing the new Be Me Center, a space dedicated to special needs ministry, which reflects our church's commitment to inclusivity and love. This sets the stage for understanding submission not as a form of weakness but as an act of love and empowerment.
Submission is difficult because it requires us to relinquish control and trust others. This is especially challenging in a culture that values self-reliance and control over one's destiny. Yet, Peter calls us to a different standard, one that mirrors the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus, in a culture that valued strength and power, preached about the blessedness of the meek, the merciful, and the peacemakers.
Peter specifically addresses wives who have found faith in Jesus while their husbands have not. He encourages them to win over their husbands not through words but through the purity and reverence of their lives. This inner beauty, Peter argues, is of great worth in God's sight. He uses the example of Sarah, who, despite the challenges and imperfections in her marriage to Abraham, remained faithful and played a significant role in God's plan.
Peter also addresses husbands, urging them to treat their wives with respect and as co-heirs of the gracious gift of life. This mutual submission is not about establishing a pecking order but about outdoing one another in love and service, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.
In practical terms, submission starts with submitting to Christ in all things. This can be as simple as dedicating the first five minutes of your day to God. As we practice submission in small ways, we prepare ourselves to submit in more significant areas of our lives. For husbands and wives, this might mean making small daily sacrifices for each other, reflecting the love and sacrifice of Jesus.
Ultimately, submission is not about losing power but about finding beauty and strength in putting others before ourselves. Imagine the transformation in our families, communities, and the world if we truly embraced this Christ-like submission.
### Key Takeaways
1. Submission as Trust and Relinquishing Control: Submission requires us to trust others and relinquish control, which is inherently challenging in a culture that values self-reliance. Yet, true submission is an act of faith, believing that there might be a better way than our own. This trust is foundational to our relationship with God and others. [04:04]
2. Inner Beauty Over Outward Adornment: Peter emphasizes that true beauty comes from within, characterized by a gentle and quiet spirit. This inner beauty is of great worth in God's sight and stands in stark contrast to the Roman cultural norms that valued outward adornment and power. This teaches us to value and cultivate inner virtues over external appearances. [13:42]
3. Mutual Submission in Marriage: Peter and Paul both advocate for mutual submission in marriage, where husbands and wives are called to outdo one another in love and service. This mutual submission reflects the sacrificial love of Christ for the church and transforms the marital relationship into a partnership of equals, each putting the other's needs first. [20:06]
4. Christ's Example of Servant Leadership: Jesus exemplified submission through servant leadership, washing His disciples' feet and serving others despite being the King of Kings. This radical act of humility and service challenges us to adopt a similar posture in our relationships, prioritizing others' needs above our own. [22:49]
5. Practical Steps to Submission: Practicing submission starts with small, daily acts of dedicating time to God and making sacrifices for others. By consistently submitting to Christ in all things, we prepare ourselves to submit in more significant areas of our lives, ultimately seeing God's Spirit come alive in us and transforming our relationships and communities. [27:04]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:21] - Introduction to Be Me Center
[02:25] - Personal Struggles with Submission
[05:06] - Context of 1 Peter
[07:16] - Cultural Background and Gender Dynamics
[08:52] - Wives and Submission
[11:14] - Jesus' Radical Teachings
[13:10] - Inner Beauty and Cultural Norms
[16:15] - Example of Sarah and Abraham
[18:21] - Instructions to Husbands
[20:06] - Mutual Submission in Marriage
[22:49] - Christ's Example of Servant Leadership
[24:16] - The 100-0% Principle
[27:04] - Practical Steps to Submission
[30:06] - The Power and Beauty of Submission
[32:06] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Peter 3:1-7 - "Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear. Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers."
2. Ephesians 5:21-25 - "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her."
3. 1 Samuel 16:7 - "But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Peter emphasize as the source of true beauty for wives in 1 Peter 3:3-4?
2. How does Peter instruct husbands to treat their wives in 1 Peter 3:7?
3. According to Ephesians 5:21, what is the mutual responsibility of husbands and wives in a Christian marriage?
4. What does 1 Samuel 16:7 reveal about God's perspective on outward appearance versus inner character?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Peter place such a strong emphasis on inner beauty over outward adornment for wives? How does this contrast with the cultural norms of the Roman Empire? [13:42]
2. How does the concept of mutual submission in Ephesians 5:21-25 challenge traditional views of marital roles? [20:06]
3. In what ways does the example of Sarah and Abraham illustrate the complexities and strengths of submission in a marriage? [16:15]
4. How does Jesus' example of servant leadership, as described in the sermon, redefine the concept of submission for both husbands and wives? [22:49]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you struggled with submission in your own life. What made it difficult, and how did you overcome it? [02:25]
2. How can you cultivate inner beauty, as described in 1 Peter 3:3-4, in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to develop a gentle and quiet spirit?
3. For those who are married, what are some practical ways you can practice mutual submission with your spouse this week? Consider small daily sacrifices you can make for each other. [29:13]
4. How can you apply the principle of servant leadership in your relationships, whether at home, work, or church? Think of a specific situation where you can prioritize someone else's needs above your own. [22:49]
5. Submission to Christ is foundational to submitting to others. What are some small, daily acts of submission to Christ you can commit to this week, such as dedicating the first five minutes of your day to prayer? [27:04]
6. How can you encourage and support someone in your life who is struggling with the concept of submission, whether in marriage or another area? What practical advice or actions can you offer them?
7. Imagine the transformation in your family or community if everyone embraced Christ-like submission. What steps can you take to foster this environment in your own circles? [30:41]
This guide aims to foster a deep and practical understanding of submission as taught in the sermon, encouraging participants to reflect on and apply these principles in their daily lives.
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God Through Submission
Description: Submission requires us to trust others and relinquish control, which is inherently challenging in a culture that values self-reliance. Yet, true submission is an act of faith, believing that there might be a better way than our own. This trust is foundational to our relationship with God and others. When we submit, we are not showing weakness but demonstrating our faith in God's plan and His ability to work through others. This act of trust can transform our relationships and deepen our spiritual walk. [04:04]
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV)
Reflection: Think of an area in your life where you struggle to relinquish control. How can you practice trusting God more in this area today?
Day 2: Cultivating Inner Beauty
Description: Peter emphasizes that true beauty comes from within, characterized by a gentle and quiet spirit. This inner beauty is of great worth in God's sight and stands in stark contrast to the Roman cultural norms that valued outward adornment and power. This teaches us to value and cultivate inner virtues over external appearances. By focusing on developing a gentle and quiet spirit, we align ourselves with God's values and reflect His character to those around us. [13:42]
"Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." (1 Peter 3:3-4 ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take today to focus on cultivating inner beauty rather than outward appearance?
Day 3: Mutual Submission in Marriage
Description: Peter and Paul both advocate for mutual submission in marriage, where husbands and wives are called to outdo one another in love and service. This mutual submission reflects the sacrificial love of Christ for the church and transforms the marital relationship into a partnership of equals, each putting the other's needs first. By practicing mutual submission, couples can create a harmonious and loving environment that mirrors the relationship between Christ and the church. [20:06]
"Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her." (Ephesians 5:21-22, 25 ESV)
Reflection: How can you show love and service to your spouse today in a way that reflects Christ's sacrificial love?
Day 4: Embracing Servant Leadership
Description: Jesus exemplified submission through servant leadership, washing His disciples' feet and serving others despite being the King of Kings. This radical act of humility and service challenges us to adopt a similar posture in our relationships, prioritizing others' needs above our own. By embracing servant leadership, we follow Jesus' example and demonstrate His love to those around us. [22:49]
"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45 ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you practice servant leadership in your daily interactions with others?
Day 5: Small Steps to Submission
Description: Practicing submission starts with small, daily acts of dedicating time to God and making sacrifices for others. By consistently submitting to Christ in all things, we prepare ourselves to submit in more significant areas of our lives, ultimately seeing God's Spirit come alive in us and transforming our relationships and communities. These small acts of submission can lead to profound spiritual growth and a deeper connection with God. [27:04]
"And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'" (Luke 9:23 ESV)
Reflection: What small act of submission can you practice today to grow closer to God and serve others?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Submission is hard because it means trusting someone other than yourself. Submission means giving up control, which we as human beings, man, we love to be in control of our own destinies. Or at least think we're in control of our own destinies. Right? We work our whole lives so we can be in control of our finances, so we can be in control of our lives." [04:04] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The kingdom Jesus brought was not one of war, or violence, but it was one of love, and hope, and joy, and peace. So surprise, surprise, took the men a little longer to catch on. So Peter begins by imploring wives not to shame, or beat down, or lord this over their husbands by force, but there was another way." [13:10] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When you accept and trust the love of Jesus Christ it changes everything. So here Peter is saying what is truly remarkable about a person with newfound relationship with Jesus Christ is no longer does their value come from the outside, which was so customary of the day, right? He says it comes from something you have inside." [15:02] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "A life following Jesus is a life of submitting to Him in all things. And when we do that, we'll see His Spirit come alive in our lives. We'll see the world around us start to change. We'll see the kingdom of God come alive. So submit to Christ in all things." [28:31] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Imagine how it would change our corner of southeast Michigan, right? Imagine how it would change the entire world if we as Christians got this right. Submitting to one another. Submitting to one another as unto Christ. Submission is not enslavement, it's empowerment. And there's beauty in submission." [31:19] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "So Peter begins by imploring wives not to shame, or beat down, or lord this over their husbands by force, but there was another way. Check this out in verse 2. Peter continues, he says, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives, your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles, and the wearing of gold jewelry, or fine clothes, which this was all very normal, right?" [13:10] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "So we're starting to see here that Peter writes this passage specifically to women who have found Christ and yet still live in a very male-centric culture. And as Christian wives, Peter calls them not to flaunt their faith or lord it over their husbands, but he calls them to use the way of Jesus to see their relationship to their husbands in a new way." [13:42] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Husbands, wives, think about some ways that you can practice submitting to one another. Maybe even in small ways. Maybe it's, you know, letting the other person have the remote tonight and we'll watch their shows, you know, just like I do when I watch HGTV shows with my wife. And she'll be like, oh, isn't this great, isn't this? I'm like, I don't know. They painted it again, bro. I don't know what to tell you." [29:13] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When you accept and trust the love of Jesus Christ it changes everything. So here Peter is saying what is truly remarkable about a person with newfound relationship with Jesus Christ is no longer does their value come from the outside, which was so customary of the day, right? He says it comes from something you have inside. And this has always been the message of the Scripture." [15:02] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So all of a sudden we start seeing a little different, a different take on these passages, where it's not establishing a pecking order, it's calling us to outdo one another and submitting ourselves one to another as husband and wife. Why? Because there's beauty in submission." [24:16] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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