Submission To Biblical Authority

Temple Baptist Church - 9-7-2011

Ephesians 6:5-9

Introduction:

A. For the past few weeks, we have dealt with the authority or “pecking order” in the home. Every member of the home is to be subject to God’s commands concerning their place in the home. No one is without biblical authority or responsibility. In our text verses, the Lord deals with the employer-employee relationship. Without submission to God given authority, there can be no submission to God! When we “buck” the system, “buck” authority in the home, “buck” the authority at work or school, we are “bucking” the God who ordained these authorities.

B. As God deals with the employer-employee relationship, He sets forth examples of humility: the humility of the employee who works as hard for the bad employer as well the good one. It is easy to be a good worker in good circumstances for good pay under a wonderful employer. By the same token, these verses teach the employer—who has every right as an employer to run his business and command his employees—to be a kind, considerate employer. These analogies are to be patterned after our relationship with our wonderful, loving, compassionate, and kind Lord.

C. From birth to death, each of us are under many kinds of authority. It would do us well to recognize these authorities that the Lord had created and submit to them as unto the Lord. Let us look at some of these authorities.

1. There is the authority of God. Genesis 2:16-17 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (The first commandment to be followed was given by God.)

2. There is the authority of Christ. Ephesians 1:20-22 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

3. There is the authority of Scripture. 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

4. There is home authority. Ephesians 5:22-6:4 There are too many verses to print out here but you can see them in our context: the authority of the Lord over the father; the authority of the father over both the wife and the children and the authority of both husband and wife over the children.

5. There is pastoral authority. Hebrews 13:17 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.

6. There is governmental authority. Romans 13:1 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.

1 Peter 2:13-14 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

7. There is employer authority. Ephesians 6:5-9