Submission: An Opportunity to Glorify God

Study of Romans: Message Twenty-Seven

Wednesday Nights at MFBC

Romans 13:1-10.

ETS: Paul urged believers to to submit to governing authorities in order to glorify God through those relationships.

ESS: We ought to submit to authority in order to glorify God.

OSS: [Ethical] {I want the hearers to commit to submitting to authoritative figures as a means to glorify God.}

PQ:

Why should believers submit to authority?

UW: Reasons

Intro.:

TS: Let us examine together a few reasons believers should submit to authority.

Believers should submit to those in authority because they are instituted by God. [v. 1]

The ultimate authority is God, and He is the source by which all other positions of authority comes from.

Thus, by submitting to those in authority, so long as they do not lead in a manner contrary to God’s character or principles, we honor God in submitting to Him.

Ref. Acts 4:19 “19 Peter and John answered them, “Whether it’s right in the sight of God for us to listen to you rather than to God, you decide;” and Acts 5:29 “29 Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than people.” — Submission is expected unless the leaders are leading in a manner contrary to God’s principles and character.

Believers should submit because those in authority are servants of God. [vv. 2-4]

Submission to authority provides an opportunity to glorify and honor God; Refusing to submit to authority invites judgment from God.

Believers should submit to those in authority because it is an opportunity to show love. [vv. 5-10]

Love is the fulfillment of the law, as summarized in these verses.

Love, though, is something that lends itself to action as detailed in vv. 5-7. Love for the neighbor is that such as is considerate and honorable to them.

Takeaways:

[1] Have you personally considered how God is honored in your relationship with and submission to those in authoritative roles?

[2] Have you understood the vitality of loving your neighbor as it pertains to glorifying God in submission?

Consulted Resources:

[1] Edwin A. Blum, “Romans,” in CSB Study Bible: Notes, ed. Edwin A. Blum and Trevin Wax (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017).

[2] Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament: Romans, ed. Robert Frew (London: Blackie & Son, 1884–1885).

[3] Adam Clarke, The Holy Bible with a Commentary and Critical Notes, New Edition., vol. 6 (Bellingham, WA: Faithlife Corporation, 2014).

[4]William Barclay, “The Letter to the Romans” in The New Daily Study Bible (Louisville, KY: The Westminster John Knox Press, 2017).

[5] Warren W. Wiersbe, “Romans” in Be Right: How to be Right with God, Yourself, and Others (Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook, 2008).