Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the

Lord.Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become

discouraged.

Colossians 3:18-21

Warm-Up Questions

• What are the main objections to submission?

• What are the main alternatives to submission?

Submission• Greek – Hupotasso–“to place under”–“to subordinate”–Military connotations

• Unlike the military, our motivation is love instead of compulsion.

The Bold New Approach• How do you suppose the wife

fared in Jewish / Greek culture?

• Colossians 3 (and Ephesians 5) may sound like a step backward from our perspective, but it was a radical step forward from theirs.

The Bold New Approach• How about slaves?

• Their main recourse? Uprisings.

• Failure meant execution and harsher treatment for those remaining.

Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that

God does not show favoritism but

accepts men from every nation who fear him

and do what is right.

Acts 10:34-35

Have we not all one Father ? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our fathers by breaking faith with

one another?

Malachi 2:10

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you

who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with

Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in

Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:26-28

Submission and Equality• Biblical submission is not about

weakness or inferiority.–We are equal in the sight of God.–We serve a God of order, Who has

ordained different roles and strong relationships.–Ever been placed in a group full of

leaders?

Freedom!• How do you reconcile these

instructions with American ideals from freedom?–Both are based on liberty FROM

tyranny.–Freedom is achieving your intended

purpose, outside of threat or force.–Paul urges respect flowing freely in

both directions, evidenced by the structure of his instructions.

Freedom!• Also note what Paul’s instructions

lack.

• What if they don’t submit or obey?

Microcosms• Your family and work life reflect

the workings of the body of Christ.

• Superficiality is proven if integrity is lacking among these three systems. (Church, family, work).

Submission @ Work• Do your job well, even when human

eyes won’t curry you favor.

• You are serving Jesus Christ in the capacity God has seen fit to place you.

• Wrongdoing is repaid, and leads to dishonoring our Lord.

Submission @ Work• Conversely, how should Christian

bosses act according to Colossians 4:1?

Final Instructions• Devote yourselves to:–Prayer–Watchfulness–Thankfulness

• Pray that Christ may be proclaimed clearly.

Final Instructions• Look for your opportunity!

• God has surrounded you with purpose.

Series Conclusion• There are plenty of sources of

distraction.• Set your heart and mind on

things above.• Renounce your old ways.• Bear fruit, forgive, and love one

another.• Show praise and thanksgiving to

God.

Series Conclusion• Submit and glorify God.• Pray and proclaim!• Get ready. God will link your

purpose with circumstances.

Series Conclusion• Are you free of worldly baggage?

• Is your heart set on things above?

• Are you submitting where you should?

• Are you sharing Christ?

WWW.INTOTHYWORD.ORGToday’s Lesson Made Heavy Use of…