Romans 13: 1 (NIV)

Submission to the Authorities

 1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God __________________.

 Introduction 

Today, one of the most difficult concepts in God’s Word is biblical submission.  For example, Christians are to submit themselves to each other (Ephesians 5:21), to government (Romans 13:1), and unto God (James 4:7).  This is a frequent concept in the Bible. 

__________________ is required in each circumstance.  Submission is never glossed over to be seen as easy or always convenient.  Instead, it is viewed as _______ unto God.

The Greek word for submission is hupotasso, “to subordinate…put under…” A Christian under leadership is actively doing this – choosing to be subordinate in a circumstance or relationship.  ___________ is the right to command or direct, enforce obedience or administer punishment or reward.

•To authorize a thing is to empower to act, or direct by authority.

In spiritual and in Christian affairs, all authority comes from _____________.

We will examine four areas that the Bible teaches regarding obedience and submission that believers are called upon to observe:

I. Submission to ___________ ."Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." Ephesians 6:1

"Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord." Colossians 3:20

"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you." Exodus 20:12

One way by which we can understand the reason for these directives is by examining the purpose of parental ________________.

Children who do not respect their parents who try to administer discipline, not only reject their parents, they reject God. God works his purposes in the parent/child relationship. 

II. Submission to__________________ ."Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work," Titus 3:1  "Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme..." 1 Peter 2:13

In Romans chapter 13 the Bible says that civil authorities are _______________ of God. We don’t often think of them that way. The world loves to criticize and show contempt for political leaders, police officers and other civil servants. Instead, the Bible says we should pray for those who rule over us. A good rule to follow is this: The Christian’s right to complain about civil leaders is directly proportionate to the amount of prayers they offer for those leaders!

III. Submission to __________ and other ____________.

"Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you." Hebrews 13:17

"Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." 1 Peter 5:5

The worldview is often one of _________ of legitimate authority. Authority is seen as being oppressive and something that robs us of personal rights and freedoms. Christians are not of this world, we are citizens of the Kingdom of God. The word kingdom immediately suggests authority and the right to rule. True kingdom power is never abusive, never self-seeking and is always exercised benevolently and on behalf of those who are called upon to submit to that authority. Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all, exercises authority in this manner.

The expression of God’s kingdom in the earth today is the ________ . He has delegated his authority to men and women whom he calls to places of leadership. Church members should respect and obey church leaders not according to the worldview of authority but according to a kingdom-of -God view of authority.  

IV. Submission to _____________ .

"Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.“ James 4:7

Maybe you’ve heard someone say, I don’t submit to man I submit only to God! The truth is, our submission to God is __________ by the degree to which we submit to others.

Absolute submission to God produces absolute spiritual power. Many Christians pray for God to demonstrate his authority in the church through healing of the sick, the conversion of the lost, casting out of evil spirits, the operation of the gifts of the Spirit and other signs and wonders. It is good that we pray this way. However, our prayers will be ineffective if we live lives of disobedience to legitimate authority in all the areas God ordains.