Authority plus Submission equals Success Eph. 5 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO

Authority plus Submission equals Success

(Ephesians 5:21-6:9 ; Luke 7:1-10)

This lesson will deal primarily with the subjection of submission. When looking at the subject of authority in the especially in the home there must be submission to the authority for the authority to accomplish the purpose that God has for the family. As we will see toward the end of this lesson the problem with both authority and submission is faith.

Ephesians 5:21-6:9 :

In this passage several things are made very clear by the word of God in dealing with the subject of authority and submission in the home.

1)  Both the husband and the wife are to be in subjection to God (verse 21)

2)  The Husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the Church (verses 25-29,33)

3)  The Wife is to submit (verse 22), be in subjection (verse 24) and reverence (verse 33) her husband.

4)  Children are to obey and honor their parents (Ephesians 6:1-2)

5)  Servants are to obey their masters (Ephesians 6:5)

Most men love this passage because it speaks of their authority. But in reality it speaks of their massive responsibility toward God for their family. The truth is that a man who cannot submit to the authorities God has put in his life will never be capable of being an authority over someone else. Simply put one who cannot follow cannot lead. This is why we have a huge lack of male leadership in our homes today. Therefore we have men who will not or cannot lead and women who will not submit. The problem is the same they just involve different roles.

The woman was told to do three things let us define those three things: [All definitions are taken from the American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster 1828]

submit – To yield, or surrender to the power or will of another.

subject – Placed or situate under.

reverence – fear mingled with respect and esteem.

Let’s look at the word submit in the word of God.

1)  The first time it is used is in Genesis 16:9.

• Here Hagar is told to return and submit to her mistress even though see has been mistreated.

2)  In Romans 10:3 we see the word used.

• Here it is a lost person who will not submit to the righteousness of God for salvation.

3)  The last one we will look at is in Hebrews 13:17.

• Here we are told to submit to the authorities that God has placed in our lives.

Why do we have such a hard time with submission? (Luke 7:1-10)

In this passage we see the centurion’s servant healed by Jesus Christ. But one of the most unique things in this passage is that Jesus is said to marvelled at this man. If Jesus marvelled at this man then we should take note of this man.

First of all not the centurion never approached Jesus himself. In his humility we see his submission. Remember the first step in leadership is being able to follow. Next we must look carefully at what the centurion told Jesus Christ through his servants.

1)  “I also” (verse 8)

• Here we see that the centurion recognized Jesus as the Son of God and that as the son of God he was under the authority of God.

2)  “set under authority”

• Here we see that even though the centurion had authority he was also under authority.

3)  “I say unto one go and he goeth”

• Here we see that the centurion understood the proper relationship between authority and submission.

Now when Jesus heard these words not only did he marvel but he said “I have not found so great a faith, no not in Israel” (verse 9)

Therefore we see that authority and submission are based on faith. The man sometimes will not exercise his authority because he is afraid of the consequences but this is a lack of faith. Sometime the man cannot exercise authority because he cannot follow which is also a lack of faith. The woman will have trouble submitting to her authorities because she does not trust them or think she knows better either way this is a lack of faith.

Whatever your case a lack of submission is a lack of faith. God has placed us under the authorities that we have in our lives and when we fail to submit we are actually saying that we do not trust God. Remember in Ephesians 5:22 ; 6:7 wives, children, and servants are told to submit as unto the Lord.

When we submit ourselves unto the authorities that God has placed over us then we are not really submitting to them but unto the Lord.