2. Submitting in the Fear of God Session 12

3. What’s Wrong with This Picture?  More than a quarter of the references in the Bible that deal with the fear of the Lord speak of it in the context of obedience.

4. A Spiritual Checkup  This session more than any other will reveal your view of God’s sovereignty, His love, and your trust in His wisdom.

5. The Grand Reality God The Creator TM Man The Creature

6. Biblical Sovereignty Greatness / Goodness TM Biblical Subordination Humility / Hope The Grand Reality Principle

7. Self-Serving Defiance  This person pleases himself by opposing his authority.  This is the spirit of the prodigal son.  His pride demanded more freedom.

8. Self-Serving Defiance  So often we think the issue we are arguing over with our authorities is more important than the issues of our heart responses.

9. Let every soul be subject unto the [governing] powers. For there is no [authority] but of God: the [authorities] that be are ordained of God. Romans 13:1-2

10. Whosoever therefore resisteth the [authority], resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves [condemnation]. Romans 13:1-2 (cont.)

11. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only [to avoid] wrath, but also for conscience sake [toward God]. Romans 13:5-6

12. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Romans 13:5-6 (cont.)

13. Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh... in singleness of heart, fearing God. Colossians 3:22

14. Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters... that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. Titus 2:9-10

15. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear [towards God]; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the [unreasonable]. I Peter 2:18

16. The Bible Teaches  A God-fearing believer will submit to his authorities.

17. Self-Serving Deference  A self-serving deference means that we yield to our authorities because it gets us what we want.  This is the spirit of the elder brother.  His pride demanded more recognition and appreciation.

18. Self-Serving Deference  He bristles at having to obey, but obeying is better than the war that follows if he doesn’t.

19. Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Ephesians 6:5-8

20. Not with eyeservice, as men- pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; Ephesians 6:5-8 (cont.)

21. With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. Ephesians 6:5-8 (cont.)

22. Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: Colossians 3:22-25

23. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:22-25 (cont.)

24. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. Colossians 3:22-25 (cont.)

25. God’s Prescription  Both of the self-serving responses we have looked at lack humility.  Both of these responses destroy hope.

26. An Encouraging Note  Never does God call any of us to trust our authorities.  He merely commands us to obey them and trust Him.

27. The Dilemma  We cannot make any decisions without believing somebody.  The test of our spiritual life is who we are believing with our faith— God or our own heart.

28.  If the request is unreasonable, we are to change our desires.  If the request is unbiblical, we should appeal. DisagreementsDisagreements

29.  If the appeal is rejected, then we must respectfully refuse to submit and learn to rejoice in our suffering. DisagreementsDisagreements

30. Conclusion  We will never come up with humble, hope-filled responses until we see clearly that the sovereign God who is over all is great and good to all.

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