Authority | The Good Fight of Faith: Pt Five

Authority - The Good Fight of Faith: Part Five
Ephesians 5:21-6:9

Controversy - Submission, Subjection, Obedience – Wives & Children & In context: Masters & Slaves - Today: Management & Labor

1 Corinthians 14:33 (ESV) …God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints…

Good Order – Military Analogy: I hate following orders
• Harmony – achieved only when each instrumentalist hits the right note at the right time
• Machine – functions only when all the gears work in synchronization
• System – functions when every input and output is in right proportions

Organizational Theory
• Authority – the power to act
• Responsibility – the duty to act
• Accountability – actions are measured to a standard

Submission & Subjection
• Definitions
o Submit – to present for consideration or judgment – seek wise counsel
o Subject – conditional, or dependent upon – be constrained
• More about ATTITUDE than ACTIONS
o BE submissive – Humility & Grace
o BE subject to – Honor & Respect
Proverbs 20:18 (ESV) Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war.

Command Intent:
What will the battlefield look like at the end of the battle? Enemy & friendly.

General Principles

1. Submit to each other.
   James 4:1–10; 1 Pet 5:1–11
2. Love one another, as Christ loves.
   John 15:12–17
3. Respect all people.
   1 Pet 2:13–17; Heb 13:1–18; Rom 12:18
4. Leaders serve.
   Mark 10:35–44;
5. We will give an account to God for how we treat others.
   Rom 14:12; Mat 12:36; Heb 4:11–13; James 2:8–13

Parallel Texts: 1 Pet 2:13–3:7; Col 3:12–4:1; Rom 12:9–13:7