Submit for the Lord's Sake

In one paragraph

On June 30, 2024, Carl preached from 1 Peter 2:11-20, making the case that Christians are called to humble submission to governing authorities, not for practical benefit but for the sake of the Lord and his kingdom. He worked through who submits, to whom we submit, and why, drawing on parallel passages throughout both testaments. The message kept circling back to a single question: do we actually...

Read together

1. Psalm 86:10 opening verse leading into worship: 'You are great and you do marvelous deeds, God. You alone are God.'
2. Philippians 2:12 cited to support working out salvation with fear and trembling together
3. 1 Peter 2:13 key verse on submitting to every human institution for the Lord's sake
4. Romans 13:1-2 parallel to Peter, every person subject to governing authorities established by God
5. Matthew 28 Peterson paraphrase cited: save your fear for God who holds your entire life body and soul
6. 1 Peter 3:17 it is better to suffer for doing right than for doing wrong
7. Philippians 1:29 granted to believers not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer on his behalf
8. Mark 12 render unto Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what belongs to God
9. Romans 14:23 whatever is not from faith is sin
10. Isaiah 55:9 God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours as the heavens are above the earth
11. 1 Peter 2:23 while being insulted Christ did not insult in return but entrusted himself to him who judges justly
12. Matthew 13:44 parable of the man who finds treasure in a field and sells everything with joy to purchase it
13. Galatians 5:22 listed as a classic application text never commanding self-assertion
14. Romans 12 listed as a classic application text never commanding self-assertion
15. Philippians 2 listed as a classic application text never commanding self-assertion
16. James 4 listed as a classic application text never commanding self-assertion
17. Romans 5:8 God showed his love in dying for us while we were still his enemies
18. 1 John 4:9-10 cited alongside Romans 5:8 on God's love shown while we were enemies
19. Romans 8:28 God works all things together for our good, questioned as to whether believers truly trust it
20. James 5 the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective
21. Romans 8:1 there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus
22. John 3 Jesus telling Nicodemus revival starts with a new birth in the heart

Talk about it

1. The sermon opens with the idea that we all have a natural pull toward mild rebellion, even when the rules exist for our good. Where do you notice that pull in your own life, and what does it tend to cost you?
2. The preacher said that submission to governing authorities is 'for the Lord's sake,' not for our own benefit or the benefit of those around us. How does that motivation change the way you think about obeying laws or authorities you disagree with?
3. Several biblical examples were listed of people who disobeyed human authorities because God's explicit command was in direct conflict with what they were being told to do. How do you personally discern the difference between that kind of principled disobedience and ordinary rebellion dressed up in spiritual language?
4. The sermon argued that when Christians chase political power at a pitch and volume that drowns out the gospel message, we forfeit our witness. Have you seen that play out, either in your own life or in someone else's? What did it look like?
5. The C. S. Lewis quote reminded us that we will outlive our civilization, and so will every person we encounter. How would your day-to-day conversations, especially with people you strongly disagree with, change if you kept that reality front of mind?