Spirit-Filled Relationships (Marriage Part 1)

The Priority of Submission (v. 21)

Submission is to “line up under”. It is a military term.

This can only be accomplished under the direction and control of the Holy Spirit.

It is to done one to another out of “fear” (reverence and honor) for Christ.

The controlling principle for the Christian is what brings honor to Christ, our Lord.

The priority of submission is to align with God’s will for our lives.

The Pattern of Submission

The pattern of the passage: wives, children, servants are addressed before husbands, parents, and masters.

There is also a submission in the form of responsibility on the part of husbands, parents, and masters.

The pattern throughout Scripture:

We are all to be submitted to God. (ESV) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

We are to be submitted to one another in humility. (ESV) Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

The pattern is seen in the person of Christ.

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Christ was submitted to the will of the Father (even though he is fully equal with the father); (ESV) So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. 29 And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.”

28 So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. 29 And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.”

Jesus even submitted to his earthly parents, (ESV) And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

The Purpose of Submission in Marriage

51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

To reflect the relationship between Christ and the church.

To provide harmony in the Christian home.

Even if the husband is an unbeliever,

The example of Sarah, recapped.