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Devotional

Day 1: Submission as a Voluntary Act of Love

Submission in healthy relationships is not about inferiority or losing value, but about voluntarily choosing to humble oneself and serve others out of reverence for Christ. This act of submission is a conscious decision to set aside personal rights and desires, not because the other person deserves it, but because it honors Jesus and reflects His character. True biblical submission is not forced or transactional; it is a powerful, Spirit-empowered act that brings structure and harmony, trusting God’s design rather than seeking control or superiority. [04:14]

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

Reflection: In what relationship today can you intentionally choose to set aside your own preferences and serve someone else, not because they deserve it, but as an act of worship to Christ?

Day 2: Husbands, Love Sacrificially as Christ Loved the Church

Husbands are called to love their wives with a sacrificial love that mirrors Christ’s love for the church—a love that gives up rights, endures pain, and seeks the other’s spiritual flourishing. This means laying down personal agendas and supporting the gifts and calling God has placed in a spouse’s life, aiming to help them become all God intends them to be. Such love is not passive or self-serving, but actively seeks the well-being and growth of the other, even when it requires personal cost or change. [16:28]

Ephesians 5:25-27 (ESV)
"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, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can lay down your own agenda today to encourage and support the God-given gifts or calling in your spouse or a close loved one?

Day 3: Serving Is a Choice, Not Dependent on Others

The choice to serve and submit is not contingent on whether the other person reciprocates; it is a personal decision to follow Christ’s example, even when it goes unnoticed or unreturned. In a world that often operates transactionally—serving only if served first—followers of Jesus are called to break the cycle and serve regardless of the response, trusting that God sees and honors every act of love. This Christlike attitude can transform even the most difficult relationships, as it did when Jesus served us before we ever responded to Him. [30:24]

Romans 12:21 (ESV)
"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Reflection: Is there someone in your life who has not responded to your kindness or service? How can you choose to serve them today, regardless of their response?

Day 4: Servant Leadership—Humility and Mission Over Self

True leadership in God’s kingdom is marked by humility and a commitment to the mission, not by self-promotion or seeking recognition. Whether in the home, workplace, or church, servant leaders fiercely pursue what is right and good for others, laying down their own interests for the sake of those they lead. This kind of leadership, modeled perfectly by Jesus, is not about gaining power but about empowering others and advancing God’s purposes, even if it means going unnoticed or unappreciated by the world. [37:07]

Mark 10:43-45 (ESV)
"But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Reflection: In your sphere of influence, what is one way you can lead by serving others today, putting their needs and growth above your own recognition or comfort?

Day 5: Empowered by the Spirit to Serve Like Christ

Serving and submitting in the way Christ calls us to is not natural or easy; it is only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through us. Our human nature resists humility and self-sacrifice, but as we rely on God’s Spirit, He transforms our hearts so that serving becomes a joyful act of worship. Even when it feels impossible—whether in marriage, family, or with difficult people—God’s Spirit enables us to love, serve, and endure, making our lives a testimony to the world that Jesus lives. [47:23]

Philippians 2:13 (ESV)
"For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

Reflection: Where do you feel unable or unwilling to serve right now? Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you today to serve in that area, trusting Him to change your heart and give you strength.

Sermon Summary

In a world that constantly tells us to put ourselves first, the call to serve one another stands in stark contrast. True, healthy relationships are not built on self-interest, but on the daily, intentional choice to serve and submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. This is not about inferiority or losing value, but about humbling ourselves and voluntarily supporting the God-given worth and roles of others, regardless of whether they “deserve” it. The biblical call to submit is not subjugation or control, but a Christlike act of love that reflects the heart of Jesus, who laid down His rights and served even those who would betray Him.

Ephesians 5:21 commands all believers to submit to one another, and Paul gives practical examples in marriage, family, and work. Wives are called to honor and support their husbands’ leadership, not as a sign of weakness, but as a voluntary act of trust in God’s design. Husbands, in turn, are called to a sacrificial love that mirrors Christ’s love for the church—a love that seeks the flourishing and sanctification of their wives, even at great personal cost. This is not about being the “king of the castle,” but about laying down personal agendas to bring out the best in one another.

This attitude of mutual submission extends beyond marriage to all relationships—parents to children, leaders to those they lead, and even among friends and coworkers. The world’s model of leadership is often self-promoting and transactional, but Christ calls us to servant leadership: fierce commitment to the mission of God and the well-being of others, wrapped in deep humility. True submission is not weakness, but power under control, modeled after Jesus Himself, who washed His disciples’ feet and gave His life for us.

Choosing to serve is not dependent on whether others reciprocate. Christ did not wait for us to get it right before He served us. In the same way, we are called to serve even when it is inconvenient, unnoticed, or unreturned. This is only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit, who enables us to do what is humanly impossible. As we practice this in our homes, churches, and workplaces, we become a living testimony to the world that Jesus lives and transforms lives.

Key Takeaways

1. Submission is a voluntary act of love, not a sign of inferiority or weakness. It is a conscious choice to humble ourselves and support the God-given worth and roles of others, regardless of whether they “deserve” it. This kind of submission reflects the heart of Christ, who chose to serve even those who misunderstood or rejected Him. [03:29]
2. The biblical call to submit applies to everyone, not just one group. Husbands, wives, parents, children, leaders, and followers are all called to serve one another in different ways. The umbrella is mutual submission, and each role is simply a unique expression of that same Christlike humility. [15:24]
3. Servant leadership is not about relinquishing authority, but about fiercely leading for the good of others with deep humility. True leaders, whether in the home, church, or workplace, are committed to the mission and well-being of those they lead, not to self-promotion or control. This is the “level five” leadership that even the world recognizes as most effective, and it is perfectly modeled in Jesus. [36:44]
4. The choice to serve is not dependent on the other person’s response. If we wait for others to reciprocate before we serve, we will remain stuck in transactional relationships. Christ served us while we were still sinners, and we are called to serve others regardless of their actions, trusting God to work through our obedience. [30:24]
5. Submission and service are only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. Our natural inclination is to resist, to protect our rights, and to seek our own way. But as we yield to the Spirit, He empowers us to serve joyfully, even when it is hard or goes unnoticed, making our lives a testimony to the transforming love of Christ. [47:23]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:37] - The World’s Self-Focused Model
[01:53] - The Command to Serve and Submit
[02:42] - What Submission Really Means
[04:14] - Submission: Not Inferiority, But Value
[05:58] - Practical Examples: Husbands, Wives, and More
[10:53] - Honoring Leadership in Marriage
[14:53] - Husbands: Sacrificial Love Like Christ
[17:11] - Supporting God’s Work in Each Other
[21:27] - Submission in Parenting and Family
[23:11] - Submission: Choice, Not Subjugation
[25:49] - Jesus’ Example: Washing Feet
[28:29] - Serving When It’s Inconvenient
[33:35] - Servant Leadership: The Jesus Model
[41:28] - Fierce, Humble Leadership in Practice
[42:22] - The World’s View vs. Christ’s Way
[44:02] - Submission: Power Wrapped in Humility
[46:21] - The Challenge and the Spirit’s Power
[47:52] - Prayer and Sending Forth

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Ephesians 5:21-27 (ESV) — 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.
24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.
25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,
26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,
27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

Observation Questions

According to Ephesians 5:21, what is the reason given for submitting to one another?
In the sermon, what practical examples did Paul give for how submission and servant leadership should look in different relationships? ([05:58])
How does the sermon describe the difference between biblical submission and the world’s idea of submission? ([42:22])
What does the passage say is the model for how husbands are to love their wives? ([15:24])

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says that submission is not about inferiority or losing value, but about humbling ourselves and supporting the God-given worth and roles of others. Why is this distinction important for healthy relationships? ([04:14])
How does the example of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet challenge our understanding of leadership and service? ([25:49])
The sermon mentions that the choice to serve is not dependent on whether others reciprocate. What does this reveal about the motivation behind Christian service? ([30:24])
Why does the sermon emphasize that true submission and service are only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit? ([47:23])

Application Questions

Think about a relationship in your life (marriage, family, work, or friendship). What would it look like for you to intentionally serve or submit in that relationship this week, even if it goes unnoticed or unreturned? ([28:29])
The world often tells us to stand up for our rights and put ourselves first. Can you identify a recent situation where you felt this tension? How did you respond, and how might you respond differently in light of Ephesians 5:21? ([03:29])
Husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loved the church—sacrificially and for her flourishing. For those who are married, what is one specific way you could lay down your own agenda to support your spouse’s God-given gifts or calling? ([17:11])
For parents or those in leadership, how can you encourage and support the unique gifts and callings of those you lead, rather than forcing them into your own vision or expectations? ([21:27])
Serving others is not always easy or convenient. What is one area of your life where you find it especially hard to serve? What might it look like to rely on the Holy Spirit for strength in that area? ([47:23])
The sermon says that submission is a voluntary act of love, not something to be demanded or used for control. Have you ever experienced or witnessed submission being misused? How can you help create a culture of Christlike submission in your home, church, or workplace? ([24:03])
Jesus served even those who would betray or reject Him. Is there someone in your life who is difficult to serve or love? What is one step you can take this week to serve them, trusting God with the results? ([04:14])

Sermon Clips

``He raises the bar and says, you know, it's not just the way you submit to Christ humanly. I want you to submit to your wife, the way Christ submitted himself to the church. Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. He died for the church. He gave up his rights as God lived among us, not to be served, but to serve. And then, and then he devoted his life. In pain, in rejection so that the church could be lifted up. And so he says to husbands, that's how you should love your wife. That's how you should submit to her. It means loving her, um, at high cost. It's a sacrificial, not a passive kind of love. [00:16:05] (42 seconds) #SacrificialLove

The word submission is used for both. Either people have to submit, it's used for that. But when we're called to submit, it's a choice, not subjugation. It's a choice, not subjugation. And again, this passage and many passages like it have been twisted by some to justify control. But that is not what Paul means. [00:23:27] (21 seconds) #SubmissionIsChoice

But what they are about is God looking you and me in the eye and saying, I want you to make a choice. I want you to submit. And just in case you're missing what I mean by submit, look at my son, Jesus. Who is right? Amen. And I would say a great example of this is Jesus. [00:24:39] (61 seconds) #FollowJesusExample

In God's design, submission provides structure and harmony, not hierarchy and superiority. It's not about trusting the other person. It's about trusting God and wanting to become more like Christ. [00:45:16] (16 seconds) #ChristEmpowers

It's impossible to submit to a husband because he's imperfect, but Christ submitted. It's impossible to lay your life down unto death for your wife, but Christ did it. It's impossible to go into an unbelieving world and submit to a greedy, self-consumed human beings, but Christ did it. And because we now have the Spirit of Christ, because now we have the Holy Spirit living within us, he can empower us to do what is impossible. [00:46:52] (35 seconds)

So today I challenge you, we challenge you to make a choice to serve, even when it's inconvenient. Serve when it goes unnoticed. Serve because Christ first served you. And whether in your relationship it's unequally yoked, it'll be better. And if it's blessed where it is more equally yoked, where you're both trying to do it, it'll be even better. But most of all, you'll get a chance to stand before your God who will say, well done. Well done, good and faithful servant. [00:47:27] (33 seconds)

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