C ELEBRATION OF D ISCIPLINE

BY

R I C H A R D J. F O S T E R

FINDING FREEDOM IN SUBMISSION

What freedom corresponds to submission? It is the ability to lay down the terrible burden of always needing to get our own way. The obsession to demand that things go the way we want them to go is one of the greatest bondages in human society today. p.111 Where is the bondage in wanting things your way? What happens internally when things don t go your way? When we seek submission we are actually surrendering our will so that we may: 1. Truly serve and unconditionally love other people. 2. Lose ourselves so we might find ourselves in Christ.

BIBLICAL WITNESS
y y y y y Mark 8:34-35 Colossians 3:18-24 Ephesians 5:18-21 Philemon 8-20 Philippians 2:1-8

THE CALL TO SUBMISSION

1. Why would Paul instruct slaves to submit? Did they really have a choice? a. We are called to inner submission, that of attitude. Col 3:22 2. What did Jesus teach and demonstrate as an example of Leadership? a. and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Matt 23:1-12

RADICAL TEACHINGS
Calling the subordinate to submissionThe revolutionary thing about this teaching is that these people, to whom first-century culture afforded no choice at all, are addressed as free moral agents The gospel had challenged all secondclass citizenships, and they knew it. Paul urged voluntary subordination not because it was their station in life, but because it was fitting in the Lord p.118 Calling the dominate to submissionWhat we fail to see is how much submission those commands demanded of the dominant partner in his cultural setting. For a first-century husband, father, or master to obey Paul s injunction would make a dramatic difference in his behavior. The first-century wife, child, or slave would not need to change one whit to follow Paul s command. If anything, the sting of the teaching falls upon the dominant partner. p. 119

THE ONESIMUS EXAMPLE

Perhaps the most perfect illustration of revolutionary subordination is found in Paul s tiny letter to Philemon p. 119 Read Philemon vs 8-20 Do we dare understate our call to willingly submit for the cause and witness of Christ?

THE 7 ACTS OF SUBMISSION

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. To a God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit yielded daily to Lordship and leading To Scripture hear and obey Family to look after the needs of our family above ourselves Neighbors simple goodness The church local and the Church universal we cannot do everything but we can do some things The Helpless and Undefended - to lift and love the widows and orphans The World to live as a responsible citizen

REFLECTION AND CHALLENGES

1. What areas of your life are you trying to exert your own will? Do you need to surrender pride and selfishness? 2. Meditate this week on what Christ is trying to say to you through Matthew 16:25-26