Why Submit To Authority? (6 of 13) by Daniel Rodgers
This content is part of a series.Why Submit To Authority? (6 of 13)
THE BOOK OF I PETER
I Peter 2:13-20
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
INTRODUCTION: In our lesson this evening, we will take close look at two key words; the word "submit" in (vs. 13a) and the word "subject" in (vs.18). Keep in mind; these Jewish believers were under the strain of severe persecution—both by the Jewish non-believers and the official Roman Government. The last thing they needed was added trouble because of rebellion against authority. When established authority is right and is not a violation of Scripture, then we are to obey. However, when, for example, the law of the land is wrong, then we must obey God, rather than the law (Acts 5:29).
Again, there are times when nothing you and I do will please anyone; but God still wants us to behave properly in the presence of others—be it government authorities, employers, or simply other Christians who have been placed over us. Let me give you two main points this evening:
I. Submitting Ourselves to the Ordinances of Man
II. Subjecting Ourselves to the Leadership of Others
I. SUBMITTING OURSELVES TO THE
ORDINANCES OF MAN (VV. 13, 14).
A. The rule of submission
1. God established three institutions: the family,
human government and the church. I might add; all three are under attack today. The family is being assaulted from every direction. Government as we once knew it no longer exists, and the church, for the most-part, has lost much of its influence in the world. I could preach on each of these subjects for quite some time; but this evening, I want us to keep our focus on the importance of submitting to the ordinances of man.
2. Now why are we to submit? Because God said
So! ("...for the Lord's sake"). Human government is His idea, not ours. Romans 13:1 says, Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
a. Think about what it would be like if we did
not have some form of government, if we had no laws at all. We would experience anarchy and chaos. You and I would not be able to walk the streets in safety. It's like that in certain places today. Why? Because people are not obeying the laws. In (vs. 13b), Peter reminds us that ordinances, governors and laws are for punishing the "evil doers." Do you remember what happened in the book of Judges? In Judges 17:6, it says, In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes. It was a wicked time...there was no government, and there were no laws.
1) When Paul wrote to Titus concerning
Christian behavior in this area, he said, "Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work (Titus 3:1).
B. The results of submission (vv. 15-16)
1. When God's people obey the law, and
when they submit to proper authorities, it brings h ...
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