THE SUBMISSION OF THE SAVIOR IS THE PATTERN FOR THE SUBMISSION OF THE SAVED

(I Peter 2:13-25)

Submission has got to be one of the most dandy of all our English words.

“Say Uncle” – whoever came up with that?  What did that expression come from?  That I don’t know, but I know what it means.  I’ve been on both ends of that rope.

UJpotavssw – to be in subjection to, to subject oneself to.  This is a Greek military term that meant to rank oneself under their leader. 

Nothing difficult to understand about the word (tasso – is to rank or put in order and upo – is the prefix that means the same as our preposition “under”).

Very difficult to put in to practice.

Peter states the importance of submission clearly three times:

2:13 – “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men”

2:18 – “Slaves submit yourselves to your masters with all respect”

3:1 – “Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands”

Peter carries the implications strongly two more times:

3:7 – “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives”

3:8 – “Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.”

Later in this same book Peter brings out this theme one more time (I Peter 5:1-7).

From what you know of Petros (the rock) – who at times was very unlike a rock; how do you think this apostle to the Jews did at submitting? 

The sword swinging fisherman who when Jesus was being arrested cried out “off with their heads!”  And then proceeded to lob one of the servant’s ears off – he was not a swordsman; he was a fisherman.

Where ever Peter was things seem to be flying.  Whether it was words or objects – watch out if the rock was in the room.

This is the one whom the Lord uses to teach us the importance of submission. 

When the Lord gives us Scripture on the importance of submission in the lives of his children, He takes the two most unlikely characters and inspires them to write.

Paul – the apostle to the Gentiles (one whom I picture as about my size, a student, even professor like, not one you pick out of the crowd and say “would you take a look at that”) but oh was he feisty.  He wasn’t scared by the power of Satan.  He wasn’t afraid of the always-imminent threat of death.  He didn’t fear those who could kill the body, but rather feared the One who can destroy both body and soul in hell.  And last of all Paul was not afraid of Peter.

Peter – the apostle to the Jews (one whom I picture as 6 foot 6 maybe 7;  275 pounds, strong as an ox.  Commercial fisherman – one of these fellows who never lifted weights but looked like a body builder).  In the garden of Gethsemane he would throw 5 punches and then ask the Lord “should we fight?” 

These are the two that the Lord uses to teach us about submission.

Thus my first point is:

I.                    Scriptural submission comes from seemingly unlikely sources.

But really it is not.  Paul and Peter being the primary teachers on this ironically add to the possibility of it.  They did learn how to submit.

II.                 Scriptural submission is a message for the entire body of Christ.

·        There are important distinctions given by Scripture for our homes and for the church.  These must be dealt with faithfully.

·        There is no one who is outside of this admonition to submit.  When I hear anyone talking as if they are outside of this, I immediately know they are out of bounds.

III.               Scriptural submission is patterned after the Lord Jesus Christ.

I Peter 2:18-25

Paul didn’t preach Paul.  Even though he was very sure of his calling and gospel – Paul preached Jesus.

Peter didn’t preach Peter.  Peter preached Jesus.

Spiritual submission is not rooted in anyone of us, it is found in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Would anyone like to speak against Him?

Scriptural submission comes from seeming unlikely sources

Scriptural submission is a message for the entire body of Christ.

Scriptural submission is patterned after the Lord Jesus Christ.