Providing Encouragement To Reflect on Our Own Key Outcome of Series: Providing Encouragement To Reflect on Our Own Spiritual Growth with Jesus!

How Often Am I Willing to Submit? Philippians 2: 8 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 Rarely Frequently

“To yield oneself to the authority or will of another: Surrender” Definition of Submit? “To yield oneself to the authority or will of another: Surrender”

Interesting… the definition of Submit parallels the definition of Obedience! “To obey, to be submissive to another’s will”

“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even DEATH on a CROSS!” Philippians 2: 8

Our Willingness to Obey Therefore today when I speak of Submit, I also am speaking about… Our Willingness to Obey

on this Sermon I thought When I started working on this Sermon I thought it would be easy… Wow… How Wrong I was!

Lastly for clarity when I speak of Submit today, I am speaking about our Willingness to Submit and Obey God, Jesus, His Word!

“Remember the Sabbath Day An Example about our Challenge: Ten Commandments, Exodus 20: 8-11: “Remember the Sabbath Day and Keep it Holy”

“a law prohibiting certain activities, such as shopping, on a Sunday” Blue Law: “a law prohibiting certain activities, such as shopping, on a Sunday” Most Blue Laws have been repealed but some states still ban Selling alcohol and cars on Sunday

“Remember the Sabbath Day and Keep it Holy” How Submissive or Obedient are We?

Our Laws make it legal now to shop on a Sunday… BUT… “The Challenge: Our Laws make it legal now to shop on a Sunday… BUT… Is it Scripturally Wrong for Christians?

Cultural Challenges between Our Laws and His Word: Marriage; Divorce; A Few Current Cultural Challenges between Our Laws and His Word: Marriage; Divorce; Human Sexuality; Abortion; Death Penalty

Are my Views on these topics in Submission or Obedience Key Question: Are my Views on these topics in Submission or Obedience to Him and His Word?

Jesus shared this with us: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” John 10: 27 - 28

Jesus also shared this with us: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” John 14:15

“If you love me, you will keep What did Jesus mean by “If you love me, you will keep my commandments”? John 14:15

Jesus shares that keeping His commands is a by-product of His Love. Thankfully He is not requiring us to obey before we can experience or enjoy His Love!

3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, Titus 3: 3 - 4

5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Titus 3: 5 - 7

Titus 3: 8 New International Version (NIV) “This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.” Do you hear this… “may (they) be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good”?

“Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, "All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’” Matthew 4: 8 - 10

Jesus makes it known to us In His Temptation Jesus makes it known to us that we are supposed to Serve God alone… We are to submit first and foremost to Him!

5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[a] sin. 1 John 1: 5 - 10

we experience His Love… By FAITH we believe and accept Jesus as our Lord & Savior…we are Saved… we experience His Love…

“You are the light of the world” Jesus shared in His Sermon on the Mount: “You are the light of the world” We become “Light” as He is the Light!

"For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. John 6: 38

am Submissive or Obedient Where do I go to see if I am Submissive or Obedient to His Will?

The Word of God! His Word leads Us into complete Truth!

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. “ For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4 : 12 - 13

one day all will be revealed, Therefore knowing one day all will be revealed, We all need to ask ourselves one important question…

How Submissive to Jesus are my actions, my thoughts, my beliefs? How grounded are my actions, my thoughts and my beliefs in His Word?