II, AUTHORITY AND SUBMISSION IN THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY INTRODUCTION A The first truth 1s that all power and authority comes from God i. Ephesians 1:15-21 —— 2. The authority of God 1s a manifestation of God Himself ‘The Lord delegates His authority to men 1, ‘Christ to the apostles (Matt. 28:18-20) 2. To the leaders of the christian people (Heb. 13:17) Conclusion: God stands behind the authority that He has entrusted to His delegates The basic purpose of having authority is to among the brethren— 1. The leaders need authority in order to direct, orient and teach 2. without authority we have chaos. Authority enables us to advance together. foi. gs eee EEE nieve unity and peace In the world there exists many problems with authority 1. Rivalry 2. Abdication of authority where no one wants to assume responsi- bility 3. Bad use of authority (totalitarianism, absolutiem, etc.) AUTHORITY AND SUBMISSION IN CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY AL Authority in christian community is different = Luke 22:24-27 Matthew 20:24-28 1, Ib is not exercised in order to obtain: gain, glory and position aa with pagans 2. The authority that a christian leader exercises is in the spirit of a servant 3 In the community he who has authority must see himself as a true servant ro = one who wants to give life in abundance as Christ Himself Our attitude towards those in authority in commun’ 1. For their position in servicecwe owe them resp = because the Lord stands behind Wis delegates (1 Thea. 5212-13 whoever Tebele against establioned authority rebels against God) elf. This is a serious matter. 2, Love and appreciate then = The service they render to ue is that of caring for us. They try to help us grow in Christ. = We must show them honor and respect. 3. See spiritual authority as a natural gift to the body of christ 4. See in our pastoral leader a brother who is totally on ay side. He is not my Judge nor my enemy. Problems with those in authority 1. Fear that our pastoral leader will make use of his authority against us.2. Experiencing a sense of vorthlessness because I'm not in authority TIT, ACTIVE SUBMISSION: RESPONDING TO AUTHORITY AL How to be a\mature subordinate) ~ Fundanental-prinespier— just as the leader has a responsibility in exercising authority, in the game manner the subordinate has the Fesponsibility to be submissive in a correct way. 1, A aubmissive spirit is part of the character of christ. (John 5:30) 2. ‘The character of ChFlst is expressed in the following manner: “I will serve", "I will be submissive" 3. qt 1s a character opposite to that of satan: "I will not serve", "I will not be submissive" — in the-worte-ana in Bodern society the character of satan is seen often How to participate in our relationship with the authorities of the community: active submission 1. When something ihportant will occur or is happening in our lives: a, we-needte-share it with our pastoral leader b. we need to seek his, wisdom and judgement 2. When our pastoral leader is caring for us: a. we need to be very open with our lives b. we need to be specific about our lives c. we must not Keep hidden important matters “tne ideal is to facilitate the personal care that they give us. We need to seek the meaning of pastoral guidance a. the objective ie to understand the intention of the guidance. b. thie facdiitates for us putting the guidance to practice in the most effective and prompt way 4. We are responsible to let them know the ways in which their gui~ gance affects us a. ways in which they are helping us in certain specific areas under their care. b. waya in which we do not believe that their direction 4s bene- fiting us. + = our desire is to communicate all of this with the purpose that it may serve us better 5. Always-bring difficulties and problems to those who are responsible for that area ; Tt does not imply to stop taking responsibility for our own life. We have thie responsibility before the Lord. IV. DIFPERENCE BETWEEN OBEDIENCE AND SUBMISSION A the Boy 1 done 9:20) ‘here exists a marked difference between them asie-Princip§@: Me -cannot-be submissive to God if we are incapable of cubmitting ourselves to tho se whom he has given his authority in 7 Dbedience—— —— [has to do with our absolute and faithful execution of the fundamental commitments of Christian morality and faith b. 48 something absolute, not based on difference of opinions c. This is for very epecial cases 2. Submission a. implies a voluntary acceptance of specific advice we receive in other areas of our lives- it has its base in the voluntary commitment that we have taken together with our brothers - it is based im-recognizing the way in which the Lord works through our brothers, especially those to whom he has given authority in the body b. the final decision still renains with us ~ it is expected that normally we will follow the advice of our pastors - this does not imply something obligatory concusroN _ Authority Tee Torts Ges of an people 2, has as an end to maintain unity and promote the growth of the menbers towards the image of Christ Jesus 3. it 18 exercised in accordance with God's plan and not in the manner that the world does it a. it 4s a service to God's people not an imposition b.4t secks wat is best for the subordinate, CB. submission “—TrTeIs Our response to the care we receive through the authorities that the Lord has put over us 2. It 4a not to be passive, but is an active relationship with the person reponsibie for us. 3. It allows us to appropriate in a fuller way the plan that the Lord has for our lives. 4... Tt facilitates our response to the call to be disciples and ser- vants which the Lord has given us.