Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the
Lord.Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become
discouraged.
Colossians 3:18-21
Warm-Up Questions
• What are the main objections to submission?
• What are the main alternatives to submission?
Submission• Greek – Hupotasso–“to place under”–“to subordinate”–Military connotations
• Unlike the military, our motivation is love instead of compulsion.
The Bold New Approach• How do you suppose the wife
fared in Jewish / Greek culture?
• Colossians 3 (and Ephesians 5) may sound like a step backward from our perspective, but it was a radical step forward from theirs.
The Bold New Approach• How about slaves?
• Their main recourse? Uprisings.
• Failure meant execution and harsher treatment for those remaining.
Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that
God does not show favoritism but
accepts men from every nation who fear him
and do what is right.
Acts 10:34-35
Have we not all one Father ? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our fathers by breaking faith with
one another?
Malachi 2:10
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you
who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with
Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in
Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:26-28
Submission and Equality• Biblical submission is not about
weakness or inferiority.–We are equal in the sight of God.–We serve a God of order, Who has
ordained different roles and strong relationships.–Ever been placed in a group full of
leaders?
Freedom!• How do you reconcile these
instructions with American ideals from freedom?–Both are based on liberty FROM
tyranny.–Freedom is achieving your intended
purpose, outside of threat or force.–Paul urges respect flowing freely in
both directions, evidenced by the structure of his instructions.
Freedom!• Also note what Paul’s instructions
lack.
• What if they don’t submit or obey?
Microcosms• Your family and work life reflect
the workings of the body of Christ.
• Superficiality is proven if integrity is lacking among these three systems. (Church, family, work).
Submission @ Work• Do your job well, even when human
eyes won’t curry you favor.
• You are serving Jesus Christ in the capacity God has seen fit to place you.
• Wrongdoing is repaid, and leads to dishonoring our Lord.
Submission @ Work• Conversely, how should Christian
bosses act according to Colossians 4:1?
Final Instructions• Devote yourselves to:–Prayer–Watchfulness–Thankfulness
• Pray that Christ may be proclaimed clearly.
Final Instructions• Look for your opportunity!
• God has surrounded you with purpose.
Series Conclusion• There are plenty of sources of
distraction.• Set your heart and mind on
things above.• Renounce your old ways.• Bear fruit, forgive, and love one
another.• Show praise and thanksgiving to
God.
Series Conclusion• Submit and glorify God.• Pray and proclaim!• Get ready. God will link your
purpose with circumstances.
Series Conclusion• Are you free of worldly baggage?
• Is your heart set on things above?
• Are you submitting where you should?
• Are you sharing Christ?
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