Sermon by Reverend Albert Kang
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,