As humans, one of our weaknesses comes from a refusal of the human spirit to be submissive to anyone else. In other words, we are taught to be independent of control, seeking to gain control of others.
Those in positions of control are admired, and sought after by companies, corporations, and governments to run things.
Gods order is different than mans order.
All who are Christians are equal in the eyes of our Heavenly Father, and equal in the Kingdom of Christ.
Galatians 3:26-29 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye [be] Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
As far as God is concerned, there are no Jewish Christians, or Gentile Christians, or slave Christians, or free Christians, or male Christians, or female Christians.
The promise of redemption in Christ Jesus is equal to all who have been baptized into Christ, without prejudice.
Romans 2:11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
Also see Colossians 3.25; James 2.8-9; Acts 10.34; Ephesians 6.9; Galatians 2.6; Luke 20.21.
Jesus had no respect for the persons of men, the apostles in the church were not respecters of persons, and the church today is admonished to have no preference for the person of any man, as all are one in Christ.
James 2:8-9 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: 9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
While this is an established truth of the scriptures, it is also true that God has given each of us, in some cases, differing commandments, based upon the work to be done in the church.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
This study is about being committed in service to Christ, not men; and each one of us fulfilling the work we have been committed by the Scriptures; not by mens traditions.
During Christs time of ministry on earth, even our Lord was in subjection to the Father in Heaven in every thing, as Jesus came to do the Fathers will and purpose.
John 5:30-- I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
While we may find it hard to understand, Jesus was God in the flesh as the Son of God, and in the flesh he endured temptations without sinning, and suffered many things at the hands of men.
In His flesh, the scriptures say that Jesus learned obedience by these sufferings.
Hebrews 5:7-- Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
We are called by the Word of God to learn from our Lord how best to serve God, our Father.
We might serve in fear, and with tears and strong crying, but if we are faithful to our Lord, we can have the victory.
While our Lord was perfect in all His doings, we can learn humility by striving to learn obedience in our sufferings as well.
Philippians 2:5-- Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
The church of our Lord is not designed to be an organization in which we make our reputation in the eyes of the world.
Most men look up to famous preachers in our world today, almost as stars, or even in idol worship.
Notice the teaching of our Lord to His chosen disciples regarding service to others.
Matthew 20:26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Each Christian should make a commitment to never attempt to do anything which does not meet Gods approval.
We should say that our work is do the will of Him who sent us.
James 4:15 -- For that ye [ought] to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
We should seek to find our place of service in the Kingdom of Christ, as defined by the Word of the truth in the gospel.
Are you looking to gain a great reputation, or are you looking for that place of service where you can serve and minister to the needs of others?
If we can get our heart right, then our attitude toward the Word of God will be one of service and submission to the will of God.
We will serve the good pleasure of Christ, our Lord because we understand and have fallen in love with God, and have a great desire to please, and to not displease. Such an attitude is not one of blind obedience, as the slaves of old would have obeyed, but one which is educated by a study of the Word of faith.
2 Timothy 2:14-15 Of these things put [them] in remembrance, charging [them] before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, [but] to the subverting of the hearers. 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
It seems that so many struggle against authority, and specifically the authority of the Bible word of truth.
Even respected men in the ranks of the church of Christ have been perverted and work so hard at trying to find an alternate meaning of plain passages, which teach us how we should serve God in obedience.
Galatians 1:6-8 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
False doctrine, perverted by mens own lusts, is an ever present danger today, just as it was in the first century.
We see this in the Apostle Pauls farewell address to the elders of the church of Christ in Ephesus.
Acts 20:28-31 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
We that are faithful might have great trouble understanding how such a thing could happen.
What caused Christians to fall from a position of grace with God?
They were tempted to have their own authority, and gave in to the temptations.
1 John 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
These men were tempted by the desire to be of some great reputation in the church, and have followers who took their word as the truth, even when it disagreed with the gospel.
In effect, these men rejected the authority of their head, and placed themselves in power as the head of human organizations. They chose to be great in the world, not in the household of God.
If the Lord is not in complete authority, who then is the head of those who are gathered together, proclaiming to be Christians?
However, if the Lord gives a brother or sister a work to do in His church, then all those who are subject to them are subject to the Lord.
1 Corinthians 11:1-3 Be ye followers of me, even as I also [am] of Christ. 2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered [them] to you. 3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman [is] the man; and the head of Christ [is] God.
Did Paul stand on solid ground with this teaching?
Those who obey the teaching of the New Testament of Christ are submitting willingly to Christ and His leadership.
Those who obey not the gospel are in opposition to Christ, and should not be considered as friends of the church.
1 Thessalonians 4:7-8-- For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. [8] He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
The Apostle Paul taught the Corinthians and other congregations to follow him.
Paul was an Apostle of Christ.
I am not going to take the time to give scriptural proof for Pauls apostleship today, as that is an accepted fact by those of faith.
In the church, the Apostles were the representatives of Christ on earth, holding within their hearts the words of Christ, as had been given to them by the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:27-31 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29 [Are] all apostles? [are] all prophets? [are] all teachers? [are] all workers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
The congregation in Corinth was identified as the body of Christ, or church of Christ, with its particular members.
In the church, God had given the order by which the work of the church was to be accomplished.
Were the prophets upset with the church because they felt controlled by the teaching of the Apostles?
Was there a party spirit among these workers of the church, with some being jealous of those who were set by God above them?
While the flesh is tempted to be jealous, such is not a work of faith.
When Paul wrote his epistle to the Gentiles in Ephesus, we see the place of the Apostles in Gods order again in a slightly different way.
Ephesians 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
The Scriptures paint a picture of the church of Christ.
Can you see it?
Christians are citizens, and these Gentiles, and here we can see that in Christ, all the barriers of prejudice is broken down.
What were the saints citizens of?
They were citizens of the household of God.
We are citizens of the house of God.
We see that the Holy Spirit paints for us a figurative picture here of an actual house or building to better allow us to see the organization of the church which our Lord built.
Jesus was the very first piece of the house of God, being the chief rock, or cornerstone. On this cornerstone, then we have the Apostles as the next rocks put in place in the foundation. If we are faithful and commit to obey the gospel, then, as saints; the Christians are built as the framing on top of the foundation, and every piece is where it should be.
It is obvious from a complete reading of the writings of the Apostles that there were many who refused to submit to the leadership of the Apostles. In doing so, they refused to submit to the leadership of our Lord.
Titus 1:15-16 Unto the pure all things [are] pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving [is] nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny [him], being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
I want to notice with you a segment of the great prayer for unity by our Lord to the Father in John 17.
John 17:6 ¶ I manifested thy name unto the men whom thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them to me; and they have kept thy word. 7 Now they know that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are from thee: 8 for the words which thou gavest me I have given unto them; and they received them, and knew of a truth that I came forth from thee, and they believed that thou didst send me. 9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for those whom thou hast given me; for they are thine: 10 and all things that are mine are thine, and thine are mine: and I am glorified in them. John 17:20 ¶ Neither for these only do I pray, but for them also that believe on me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us: that the world may believe that thou didst send me. 22 And the glory which thou hast given me I have given unto them; that they may be one, even as we are one; 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that thou didst send me, and lovedst them, even as thou lovedst me.
Notice the order of things as revealed in this part of the prayer:
- Apostles kept or were obedient to Gods word
- Jesus Christ gave God, the Fathers words to the Apostles
- Apostles knew that every word spoken by our Lord was from the Father
- Jesus did not pray for unity between the world and saints
- Jesus prayed for all that would believe on Him because of the words spoken, or written by the apostles
- Jesus prayed that all believers might be ONE
- The Father is in Christ
- Christ is in the Father
- True believers of the word are in Christ
- Jesus prayed that we might be perfected into this oneness or unity with Christ and God by believing in the word of the apostles teaching Jesus was willing to be submissive to the will of the Father.
- The Apostles were willing to be submissive to the will of Christ and the Father.
As we read and study the work that is designed for each one of us, and revealed in the word of the gospel, we too should be willing to submit to those whom God has set in rule over us, or those who God has told us to submit to and to serve.
1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
Lets pause here for a moment.
Here is a key thought regarding our commitment to the new covenant of Jesus Christ:
- Do you consider your body to belong to God?
- Do you consider your mind to belong to God?
- Do you consider your spirit to belong to God?
We must be willing to give up ourselves totally to serve the will of our Lord Jesus, and this includes committing to study His word to discover that will.
The 12th chapter of Hebrews makes a parallel comparison between the giving of the covenant at Mt. Sinai, and the covenant given by our Lord to His church.
I want to notice a selection from the latter part of Hebrews 12 that reminds us of our commitment to obey the words of our covenant, without rejecting its authority.
God is watching you. The saints are watching you from Paradise. The angels are watching you.
The world is watching to see what decision you will make, whether right or wrong, good or evil, godly or ungodly.
Hebrews 12:22-29 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than [that of] Abel. 25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: 25 For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more [shall not] we [escape], if we turn away from him that [speaketh] from heaven: 26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. 27 And this [word], Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29 For our God [is] a consuming fire.
So then, in conclusion, I want each of us to think on these thoughts which deal with total submission to God by acceptance of the words of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the son of God.
In submission, we will see our call to serve in the house of God when the gospel message calls us to the work.
Many folks want to be independent, with no one controlling their way of life, or words, or thoughts.
Such are those who reject the teaching of our Lord, who has promised to transform our lives in preparation for a home in heaven.
Hebrews 13:14-17 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. 15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of [our] lips giving thanks to his name. 16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. 17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that [is] unprofitable for you.
The gospel message is written to guide us in our individual work in the kingdom of Christ, in preparation for our home in Heaven.
Keep in mind that when we obey the truth, regardless of who the teacher might be, we are doing so in submission to God.
I leave you with this reading for you to take with you:
John 15:18-21 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before [it hated] you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
Dear reader, I hope that you are a Christian, but if you are not, please consider the great sacrifice that God gave so that you might be in His family if you want to. Repent of your sins, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins, and receive the gift of eternal salvation for your soul.
