Embracing Submission: Love, Authority, and Harmony in Christ
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound themes of submission, authority, and love as depicted in the scriptures. We began by reflecting on the original harmony intended by God in creation, which was disrupted by sin, leading to a curse that affects humanity to this day. In Genesis 3, we see the consequences of sin, where the relationship between man and woman was altered, leading to a struggle for control and authority. This struggle is mirrored in the relationship between Christ and the church, where the church, as the bride of Christ, sometimes seeks to assert its own will over that of Christ, the husbandman.
We delved into Ephesians 5, which draws a parallel between the marital relationship and the relationship between Christ and the church. The call for wives to submit to their husbands is likened to the church's call to submit to Christ. This submission is not about oppression but about recognizing the love and sacrifice that Christ has shown. Just as a husband is called to love his wife selflessly, Christ's love for the church is demonstrated through His sacrificial death on the cross. This love invites us to submit not merely because He commands it, but because He has proven His love through His actions.
The sermon emphasized the importance of understanding the scope of Christ's control, which extends over all aspects of the church. His authority is not up for grabs, even in His physical absence, as He continues to guide us through His Word. Submission to God's Word is a testament to our love for Him, and it brings about peace and fulfillment in our lives. The sweetness of submission lies in the trust and rest we find in knowing that God has our best interests at heart.
As we reflect on these truths, we are encouraged to examine our own lives and relationships. Are we submitting to Christ's authority in our lives and in our church? Are we, as husbands, providing a loving example worthy of submission? And as wives, are we embracing the beauty of submission as a reflection of our trust in God's design? Let us strive to live in harmony with God's will, experiencing the blessings that come from a life surrendered to His love and authority.
Key Takeaways:
- The Disruption of Harmony: Sin disrupted God's original design for harmony between man, woman, and creation. This disruption is evident in the struggle for control and authority in relationships, both in marriage and in the church. Recognizing this helps us understand the importance of aligning ourselves with God's original intent. [38:31]
- The Parallel of Marriage and the Church: Ephesians 5 draws a parallel between the marital relationship and the relationship between Christ and the church. Just as a wife is called to submit to her husband, the church is called to submit to Christ. This submission is rooted in love and sacrifice, not oppression. [47:46]
- The Scope of Christ's Control: Christ holds supreme authority over all aspects of the church. His leadership is not up for grabs, and He continues to guide us through His Word. Submission to His authority is a testament to our love for Him and brings peace and fulfillment. [54:27]
- The Sacrifice of Christ's Love: Christ's sacrificial love on the cross invites us to submit to His authority, not just because He commands it, but because He has proven His love through His actions. This love makes submission a beautiful act of trust and gratitude. [01:06:55]
- The Sweetness of Submission: Submission to God brings peace and rest, as we no longer strive in our own strength. Trusting in God's love and authority allows us to experience His presence more fully and aligns us with His will, leading to a deeper relationship with Him. [01:17:03]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [34:01] - Introduction to Genesis 3
- [38:31] - The Disruption of Harmony
- [41:36] - The Curse of Sin
- [44:53] - The Desire for Control
- [47:46] - Marriage and the Church Parallel
- [51:00] - The Church's Desire for Control
- [54:27] - The Scope of Christ's Control
- [57:29] - Authoritative Scripture
- [01:00:30] - Authentic Sentiments
- [01:06:55] - The Sacrifice of Christ's Love
- [01:10:09] - Substitutionary Sacrifice
- [01:12:49] - The Call to Surrender
- [01:17:03] - The Sweetness of Submission
- [01:25:08] - Invitation to Submit
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Genesis 3:14-19
- Ephesians 5:22-33
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Observation Questions:
1. In Genesis 3:16, what are the two parts of the curse pronounced upon the woman, and how do they relate to the theme of submission and authority? [41:36]
2. How does Ephesians 5:22-24 describe the relationship between a husband and wife, and how is this relationship paralleled with that of Christ and the church? [47:46]
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the word "desire" in Genesis 3:16, and how does it relate to the struggle for control in relationships? [44:53]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the scope of Christ's control over the church, and how is this reflected in Ephesians 1:21-23? [54:27]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the disruption of harmony caused by sin in Genesis 3 affect our understanding of relationships today, both in marriage and within the church? [38:31]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the church, as the bride of Christ, sometimes seeks to assert its own will over Christ's authority? How does this reflect the curse described in Genesis 3:16? [51:00]
3. How does the sacrificial love of Christ, as described in Ephesians 5:25, invite believers to submit to His authority? What does this teach us about the nature of true submission? [01:06:55]
4. The sermon mentions the "sweetness of submission." How does this concept challenge the modern view of independence and self-reliance? [01:17:03]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your personal relationships. Are there areas where you struggle with submission or authority? How can you align these areas with God's original design for harmony? [38:31]
2. In what ways can you, as a member of the church, ensure that you are submitting to Christ's authority rather than seeking control? How can this submission bring peace and fulfillment in your spiritual life? [54:27]
3. For those who are married, how can you model the relationship between Christ and the church in your marriage? What specific actions can you take to demonstrate sacrificial love or respectful submission? [47:46]
4. Consider the role of God's Word in your life. How can you ensure that you are submitting to its authority and allowing it to guide your decisions and actions? [57:29]
5. The sermon discusses the beauty of trusting in God's love and authority. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to let go of control and trust in God's plan. What steps can you take this week to surrender that area to Him? [01:17:03]
6. How can you encourage others in your church community to embrace the sweetness of submission to God's will? What role can you play in fostering a culture of trust and obedience within your church? [01:17:03]
7. Reflect on the sacrificial love of Christ. How does this understanding of His love motivate you to submit to His authority in your daily life? What practical changes can you make to live out this submission more fully? [01:06:55]
Devotional
Day 1: The Disruption of Divine Harmony
Sin disrupted God's original design for harmony between man, woman, and creation. This disruption is evident in the struggle for control and authority in relationships, both in marriage and in the church. Recognizing this helps us understand the importance of aligning ourselves with God's original intent. The original harmony intended by God was a reflection of His perfect love and order. However, with the entrance of sin, this harmony was shattered, leading to a world where relationships are often marked by conflict and a desire for control. In Genesis 3, we see the consequences of sin, where the relationship between man and woman was altered, leading to a struggle for control and authority. This struggle is mirrored in the relationship between Christ and the church, where the church, as the bride of Christ, sometimes seeks to assert its own will over that of Christ, the husbandman. [38:31]
"For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God." (Romans 8:20-21, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways do you see the struggle for control affecting your relationships? How can you seek to align your actions with God's original design for harmony today?
Day 2: The Sacred Parallel of Marriage and the Church
Ephesians 5 draws a parallel between the marital relationship and the relationship between Christ and the church. Just as a wife is called to submit to her husband, the church is called to submit to Christ. This submission is rooted in love and sacrifice, not oppression. The call for wives to submit to their husbands is likened to the church's call to submit to Christ. This submission is not about oppression but about recognizing the love and sacrifice that Christ has shown. Just as a husband is called to love his wife selflessly, Christ's love for the church is demonstrated through His sacrificial death on the cross. This love invites us to submit not merely because He commands it, but because He has proven His love through His actions. [47:46]
"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word." (Ephesians 5:25-26, ESV)
Reflection: How can you reflect Christ's love and sacrifice in your relationships, whether in marriage or within the church community?
Day 3: The Unyielding Authority of Christ
Christ holds supreme authority over all aspects of the church. His leadership is not up for grabs, and He continues to guide us through His Word. Submission to His authority is a testament to our love for Him and brings peace and fulfillment. The importance of understanding the scope of Christ's control, which extends over all aspects of the church, is crucial. His authority is not up for grabs, even in His physical absence, as He continues to guide us through His Word. Submission to God's Word is a testament to our love for Him, and it brings about peace and fulfillment in our lives. The sweetness of submission lies in the trust and rest we find in knowing that God has our best interests at heart. [54:27]
"And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent." (Colossians 1:18, ESV)
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you struggle to submit to Christ's authority? What steps can you take to trust His leadership more fully?
Day 4: The Transformative Power of Christ's Sacrificial Love
Christ's sacrificial love on the cross invites us to submit to His authority, not just because He commands it, but because He has proven His love through His actions. This love makes submission a beautiful act of trust and gratitude. The sermon emphasized the importance of understanding the scope of Christ's control, which extends over all aspects of the church. His authority is not up for grabs, even in His physical absence, as He continues to guide us through His Word. Submission to God's Word is a testament to our love for Him, and it brings about peace and fulfillment in our lives. The sweetness of submission lies in the trust and rest we find in knowing that God has our best interests at heart. [01:06:55]
"In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him." (1 John 4:9, ESV)
Reflection: How does Christ's sacrificial love inspire you to live differently today? What specific actions can you take to reflect this love to others?
Day 5: The Peaceful Rest of Submission
Submission to God brings peace and rest, as we no longer strive in our own strength. Trusting in God's love and authority allows us to experience His presence more fully and aligns us with His will, leading to a deeper relationship with Him. As we reflect on these truths, we are encouraged to examine our own lives and relationships. Are we submitting to Christ's authority in our lives and in our church? Are we, as husbands, providing a loving example worthy of submission? And as wives, are we embracing the beauty of submission as a reflection of our trust in God's design? Let us strive to live in harmony with God's will, experiencing the blessings that come from a life surrendered to His love and authority. [01:17:03]
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29, ESV)
Reflection: What burdens are you carrying that you need to surrender to God? How can you find rest in His promises today?
Quotes
It's important to know that God's original design for mankind was harmony. It was to be in harmony one with another. Man, God, and creation were to live, as I said, in harmony. However, sin disrupted God's perfect plan. How many of you know today that sin will always disrupt the plans and the purposes of God in your life? [00:38:45]
The original divine plan was for a woman to be subordinate to her husband and it was to be a blessing to her. The man was to lead her with pure and selfless love. He was to love her as he loved himself. And no blot of evil would mar this relationship. But when sin came along, everything changed. [00:42:51]
The phrase Christ is head over all things in the church means that Jesus Christ holds supreme authority. Jesus Christ holds supreme leadership over all aspects of the church. He is the central figure guiding and directing the church in all matters spiritual, moral, and practical. The head represents leadership. It represents authority. [00:54:06]
The scope of the Lord's control. The Bible says in Ephesians chapter 1 verses 21 through 23 that far above all principality and power and might and dominion and every name that is named not only in this world but also in that which is to come. And he hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be the head of all things to the church which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all. [00:53:11]
Our submission to God's word is one of the greatest proofs that our love for him is authentic. When we obey God, we show that we value his wisdom, we prioritize his will, and we have a heart that desires to honor him. And our actions, our actions, not our words, our actions reflect our commitment to God through obedience. [01:01:09]
Therefore because of this Christ gave himself for the church to save our souls and to invite us to submit to authority not just because he said so ready for this but because he loves us. On a cross over 2,000 years ago the lamb of God went to the cross of Calvary and he stretched forth on a cross and he was brutalized. [01:05:43]
The Bible said that God wants his church to submit to him. And he said it in his book. And because he said it in his book, we ought to obey it because he said so. But he went moreover by saying that I love you. And because I love you, I'm giving you something that's worth submitting to. [01:07:23]
Submission, as I said, can be a difficult concept. Especially in a world that values independence and self-reliance. But when we understand that God has love for us, submission becomes not a burden, but a beautiful act of trust and gratitude. I want you to notice, first of all, the blessing of submission, when we submit to God, listen to what happens. [01:17:33]
Submission to God brings peace and fulfillment. Peace, rest and fulfillment why? Because we're no longer striving in our strength to fight against his will we're no longer striving we're no longer fighting and because of that it brings peace it brings rest rest Matthew 11 3, 28, 30 he says come unto me all you that labor and heavy laden and I will give you rest. [01:17:43]
We're to submit to God and find rest for our souls it means trusting him just means trusting and if have you ever realized how how sweet it is to just trust him man it makes it a lot easier don't it Randy when you realize that he has your best interest at heart when you realize according to the Bible that he spared not his own son but delivered him up so that he freely gave us. [01:21:01]
Do you know how sweet it is for a child of God in this world that struggles that has hardships that hurts that hurts you know what a blessing it is to know there's a God in heaven that loves you and you can just take it you can just trust him with it you can rest in him because you know there's never been a time where he hadn't been faithful. [01:21:06]
I ask you today to submit to Him, not just because He told you so, but because He loves you. And because He showed that He loved you on the cross of Calvary. And then, learn the beauty of what it means to not have to be right, to not have to be in control, to not have to have power, to not have to have preeminence, to not have to have your will being done, but learn the sweetness of His will, His power, His authority over our lives. [01:25:44]
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