Bible Message/Preaching : Submission while in Adversity
Heb 5:8-9 8though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,
Why did God put all the trees and asked not to be eaten from only one?
He want us to learn obedience through submission!
1 pet 2:13-16 13Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men; 16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.
17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
What about when we suffer for injustice?
1 pet 2:18 18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. 19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22"Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth"; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;
What are the Benefits (Fruit of the seed) of Submission?
- God's way
- Fruitfulness
- Restoration & Blessings
- Healing
- Protection
God didn’t create us to be independent. He created us to live in total dependence on Him and to have our lives in Him. Submission is the way through which His eternal purposes are accomplished: Salvation.
Mt 7:21-23 21"Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 "Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' 23 "And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' = Rebellious!
God is not as concerned about externals as He is about the condition of our heart. Submission should always be with joy, knowing we are doing this for our Lord.
1 Sam 15:22 Then Samuel said: "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king."
Jn 12:24 "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.
12:25 "He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
Remember the prodigal son: Lk 15:17 "But when he came to himself, he said, How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 "and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants." But he was treated like a son! Prodigal son was rebellious in the beginning but later the older son showed rebellion! Lk 15:28
Naaman -> finally submitted to what the prophet said on servant's persuasion 2 King 5:13
Ps 91:1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
91:2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust."
91:3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence.
91:4 He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
What are some examples from the Bible of people who did not rebel in adversity?
David: David was already anointed, but he waited for the Lord's time. He kept distance from Saul when he tried to kill, but never was rebellious. Humbled and called himself a flea/dead dog! 1 Sam 24:14
Even when the young man killed Saul as per his request, David executed him for destroying the Lord's anointed! 2 Sam 1:14-15 And only later David was anointed publicly king over Israel 2 Sam 5:2-3 And God titled him as a man after God's heart!
Joseph: He submitted to everyone even when he was abused, leading to his prime-minister status in Egypt!
He had dream – but obeyed his father to go to his brothers, they sold him to Egyptians. He become the chief of the house, but the wife of the master was abusive and he ended up in prison. But he'd favour in prison and chief butler was freed as his interpretation. He didn't complain about his status when he explained, stolen away from his land and has not done anything worthy of this punishment Gen 40:15. Even when the chief butler forgot to mention him to Pharaoh, Lord made the best opportunity. Gen 41:38-41. He forgave Potiphar, the butler for forgetting & his brothers too! Gen 50:19-20 -> God meant it for good!
Daniel: Did no rebel against the king but was non-cooperative to ungodly plan.
Jesus our prime example
Mt 11:29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. :30 "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Abide in Me Jn 15:4 without him we can't bear fruit!
Mk 12:17 And Jesus answered and said to them, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." And they marveled at Him.
Jn 19:11 Jesus answered (to Pilate), "You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. As we read, he committed Himself in God's hands.
He prayed in Gethsemene -> Not my will but Yours be done.
Eph 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Lk 2:51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Jn 2:4 Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come."
After starting his mission, He will do only when its God's will.
Meditation:
- How can I be submissive to the delegated authorities, even when they are abusive?
- Which of the examples that was discussed can be applied into my life right now?
- Ask the Lord for wisdom in handing the situations.
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