obeying spiritual authority

Sermon by Reverend Albert Kang

And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

The five-fold ministry is accompanied by responsibilities and authorities.

God or Man?

Let everyone be subject to the

governing authorities, for there

is no authority except that

which God has established.

Consequently, whoever rebels

against the authority is rebelling

against what God has instituted,

and those who do so will bring

judgment on themselves.

God expects us to obey natural authority and definitely he also expects us to obey spiritual authority.

GOD

HOME

WORK

GOVT

CHURCH

God

Husband (1 Cor 11:3; Eph 4:23)

Wife (1 Cor 11:3; Eph 4:22-24)

Children (Eph 6:1-3)

God

Fivefold Ministers (Eph 4:11-13)

Serving Elders (1 Tim 3:1-7)

Deacons (1 Tim 3:8-13)

Appointed Leaders

God

Employer (Eph 6:5-9; Titus 2:9-10)

Employee (Eph 6:5-9; Titus 2:9-10)

God

Civic Leaders (Rom 13:1-5)

Citizens (Mat 22:16-22; Acts 23:5)

The decisions of the leaders are not in accordance with the Word of God?

We do not accept the spiritual authority of these leaders because we are older than them in the Lord?

We are smarter than the leaders and so we should take over the leadership?

We have disobedient role models in our life?

We only obey God and so we do not need to obey anybody?

Anomia – a nomos (without law) Lawlessness One who is an authority unto

himself

The people who resist authority in the church are usually those who want to be in charge or exert their influence but are not given the opportunity to do so.

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the Word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

Word of God

Way of Life

Faith in God

Obey them that have the

rule over you, and submit

yourselves: for they watch

for your souls,

OBEY them that have the rule

over you, and SUBMIT

yourselves:

for they watch

for your souls,

ACTION

ATTITUDE

Hupakouó

To listen

Attend to

To respond in obedience

Hupeikó To yield To retire To withdraw To submit

The submission and obedience

required here is in relation to

teaching of the word and the

guidance of the leader in truth and

holiness.

Obedience and submission are done in the light of God’s Word.

No slavish submission but wise submission.

Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Ephesians 5:21

"Wrap yourselves up in humility one to another."

Mutual deference must be shown, as well as mutual service.

Albert Barnes

as they that must give account,

that they may do it with joy,

and not with grief: for that is

unprofitable for you.

Pray for us: for we trust we

have a good conscience, in all

things willing to live honestly.

Paul the Apostle requested PRAYER for the spiritual leaders

In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

The whole biblical picture of obedience and submission is about HUMILITY

Submission is an attitude you adopt, a position you take and then it is a condition you live.

I can of my own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not my own will, but the will of the Father who has sent me.

John 5:30

And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

Luke 2:51

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

God will never give you advance instructions beyond your last act of obedience.

God does not promote you because of your age.

God does not promote you according to your IQ.

God does not promote you based on your abilities.

God promotes you according to your progressive acts of obedience.

Joshua was known as “Joshua, the servant of Moses” and “minister of Moses” long before he was appointed as the Leader.

Elisha served Elijah for 22 years before he received the mantle.

Jethro and Moses

Naomi and Ruth

Barnabas and John Mark

Paul and Timothy

Submission to spiritual authority is about a functional relationship of love and honor, to God first, then to man.

It is not an implicit obedience, or

absolute submission, that is here

required, but only so far as is

agreeable to the mind and will

of God revealed in his word.

Matthew Henry

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

1 Timothy 5:17

And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,

and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

Spiritual authority is not just a

title, it is a relationship with God’s

people and a function to serve

them.

You are obligated to Jesus Christ

to love, feed and protect God’s

people.

You are to lead them by providing

true leadership and fairness.

Spiritual authority has to do with

being a servant-leader to God’s

people so that you can govern

them by the grace of God.

In many instances, you become a

mentor or even a spiritual parent

to some of God’s people.

Along with that responsibility

comes instruction, counsel,

warning, correction, and even

rebuke when necessary.

Submission is a principle that should be practiced in every area of life, including the church, for it is God is concerned about order.

God will never authorise a person to be a leader if that person refuses to obey, submit and learn to follow.

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the Word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

Obey them that have the

rule over you, and submit

yourselves: for they watch

for your souls,