Submit Yourselves I Peter 2:13 – 3:6

I. Christians Must Submit To Their Government

A. Submit To Every Ordinance of Man There is only one exception to this Biblical rule Acts 4:19-20 and 5:29 There is only one exception to this Biblical rule Acts 4:19-20 and 5:29 - One early accusation against Christians is anarchy Lk.23:2 and Acts 24:5-6 2 And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.” Lk.23

A. Submit To Every Ordinance of Man There is only one exception to this Biblical rule Acts 4:19-20 and 5:29 There is only one exception to this Biblical rule Acts 4:19-20 and 5:29 - Of course this claim was nonsense, Jesus taught to pay taxes Matt.22:21 21 They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Matt.22 - Saints are to obey and pay taxes with a conscience toward God Rom.13:1-6

A. Submit To Every Ordinance of Man B. Honor and Respect For Ruling Officials How can we genuinely respect dishonest and immoral officials? How can we genuinely respect dishonest and immoral officials? - We can recognize their character but we must honor their position Lk.13:32 32 And He said to them, “Go, tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.’” Lk.13

A. Submit To Every Ordinance of Man B. Honor and Respect For Ruling Officials How can we genuinely respect dishonest and immoral officials? How can we genuinely respect dishonest and immoral officials? We should submit for two reasons: 1 God intends government to punish evil doers and protect the good Rom.13:1-5 2 God wants our good lives to silence the ignorance of foolish men Rom.12:17-21

II. Christians Must Submit To Life’s Harsh Realities

A. We Must Display Christ In Difficult Times Life gives people wonderful experiences but also hands them terrible situations Life gives people wonderful experiences but also hands them terrible situations - Often we reap difficulties caused by our own bad decisions 2 Sam.16: If we take our suffering patiently we truly reflect our Lord Jesus Christ I Pet.2: This is easy to say but how does a Christian slave achieve this? Eph.6:5-9 - Don’t take your eyes off of our Lord!

A. We Must Display Christ In Difficult Times B. Never Blame God For Life’s Sufferings Remember how God created man in a paradise free from sin Jas.1:13-17 Remember how God created man in a paradise free from sin Jas.1: He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. I Jn.3 - Paul teaches all saints how to view life in abundance and in hunger Phil.4: We can do all things through Jesus Christ!

III. Christian Wives Are To Submit To Their Husbands

A. Submission Might Convert Your Husband Notice the expression “without a word” in the following passage I Pet.3:1-2 Notice the expression “without a word” in the following passage I Pet.3:1-2 1 Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives 2 When they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. I Pet.1 - Only One comes before our loyalty to any earthly relationship Matt.10:34-39

A. Submission Might Convert Your Husband B. Faithful Women Radiate A Godly Heart Faithful women show their Godliness in their dress and attitudes I Pet.3:3-6 Faithful women show their Godliness in their dress and attitudes I Pet.3:3-6 - A good woman presents herself so all can see her devotion to The Lord I Tim.2: A worldly woman leaves no doubt about as to her primary loyalties Prov.7: What do people see when they look at the way we behave and dress?

Two Things All Will Submit To! 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness 2 Pet.3 Death and Judgment Heb.9:27