Saturday, October 9, 2010
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Proverbs 6-8 & 2 Corinthians 5
THANKFUL SUBMISSION – Submission to the Church
SCRIPTURE READING
1 Samuel 15:22 (NOV); “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.”
1 Samuel 15:23 (NIV); “For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.”
John 15:14 (NIV); “You are my friends if you do what I command.”
In the message series on submission, Pastor Ray pointed out three things that hinge on our submission as Christians: 1) acceptable worship, 2) ministry, and 3) friendship with God. We live in a society of lawlessness and in order to be a subject of God’s Kingdom, we must turn from lawlessness and pursue Christ. Jesus is a good King, but He is a King who demands and expects submission. The story of Saul’s disobedience in 1 Samuel 15 shows that we need submission for both worship and ministry. God does not care about our worship if we are not obedient to His Lordship. Neither will our ministry reap much fruit if we are not submitting to Christ. Finally, our very relationship and intimacy with the Lord hinges upon our willingness to submit ourselves to Jesus. God says that He will call us friends IF we do what He commands, and what He commands is submission!
PRAYER & MEDITATION
1. Carefully consider the three things that hinge upon our submission to Christ, and in that our submission to the church. How does the Holy Spirit want to use this knowledge and the verses to convict you of sin?
2. Ask God to show you areas where you are very submissive. What does He want to say to you in regards to your obedience?
3. Begin today by asking God how you need to submit yourself right now and for the rest of your day. Submission is a step-by-step choice and you can start right now.
