Introduction: In this passage of scripture, we see the apostle Paul writing to the Ephesians and telling them to submit one to another in the fear of God. To Submit- is to yield, resign, or surrender to the power, will, or authority of another. At any given time, every single one of us should be in submission to someone or something. This lesson will show us seven different areas in our life in which we are to submit to someone or something, based on the Word of God.
1. To Human Government- Romans 13:1-7 God is the one who has ordained the higher powers to be his ministers to those that do good and to punish those that do evil. Furthermore, if we resist the power, we are resisting the power of God vs 2. In I Peter 2:13-14 we are submit to every ordinance “for the Lord’s sake”. In other words, the human government has been put in place by God, and we are to submit ourselves to any request or requirement for the Lord’s sake.
2. Servants to Masters- Employee to Owner submission. I Peter 2:18 “Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward”. It’s nice to work for a good boss, but what about if you get a forward one? We must be reminded that we’re essentially working for the Lord “with all fear”, ultimately God sees everything. Titus 2:9 “and to please them well”.
3. Wives to Husbands- Ephesians 5:22-24 “as unto the Lord”. If the wife doesn’t submit to the husband, she probably won’t submit to God. The husband is the head of the wife, and he is ultimately accountable for the decisions of the home (Rom 5:12 “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world”-Adam). I Corinthians 11:3 the man is the head of the woman positionally. I Corinthians 11:8-9 the wife was created for the husband. Genesis 2:18, 21-25 she is to be a help meet for him. I Peter 3:7 the wife is simply the weaker vessel but not less valuable. When the husband is in his proper place, he protects his wife and children from physical, spiritual, and emotional attacks.
4. Children to Parents- Ephesians 6:1-3 to obey your parents is doing the right thing. To honour your parents is somehow associated to a good and long life. Luke 2:51 Jesus Christ at 12 years old was subject unto his parents, even as the Son of God. The blessings that a child can receive is associated to how they treat and obey their parents.
5. Local Church members to Pastor- Hebrews 13:7, 17 We are all brothers and sister in Christ however, God calls and raises a man to be the pastor of a local church. This man is given God’s blessing and authority through the Word of God to lead, feed, and protect the local church. As he does that, members are to follow the man as he follows Christ (I Cor 11:1 “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ”. This pastor watches over your soul and that’s a big responsibility. And he will one day give an account of how they pastored the flock which God allowed them to pastor. The pastor has rule in biblical spiritual matters not physical and personal matters.
6. All Believers to the Lord Jesus Christ- James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God”. Ephesians 5:24 “Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ”. The Lord Jesus Christ is God manifested in the flesh, and we are to submit ourselves to Him, He is our God.
7. All Believers to the written Word of God- Romans 8:6-7 to be subject to the law of God is to be spiritually minded. The Word of God is our Authority for all matters of faith and practice. It has the answers to any questions. When we read the Word of God we are to do what it says to do, no matter what.
Conclusion: Our God is a God of order, and He has determined that we are to submit ourselves one to another in His fear. God expects us to submit one to another so that we are in the proper place that He wants us to be in. When we step outside of God’s authority in our lives, we get into problems and trouble. If you want a life of blessings, submit to those whom God has placed over you, they will lead you, guide you, and protect you.
Anchor Baptist Church 