Lesson 21: Responsibilities

Keep in mind God’s glory, keep in mind giving thanks to God and doin all in the name of Christ. Please remember whatever we do in word deed is for him as we approach these things:

I. Wives submit fittingly

Submit means to surrender, to yield one’s power to another.

The Bible has much to say about submission. While there are 16 occurences of a form of this word in the Bible, it is implied far more often than just that. Every time the Bible says to humble yourself that is also a form of submission.

A. Submissive to her husband

There is no one else a wife is to be more submitted, outside of God,

B. Fittingly before God

Submission is something every Believer should do and practice.

Submission to your husband is always fitting to God.

Is it a bad testimony when a Believer refuses to submit to the authority of their local church? Of course, it is. It is equally a terrible testimony when a wife refuses to submit to the authority of her husband.

It is true, husbands make mistakes, so do churches and pastors - but there is a testimony for God that matters here.

Your marriage represents Christ’s relationship to the church, and it is important that the church be submissive to Christ and the wife be submissive to her husband.

In the Marines were required to obey our authorities, when we were ordered to do something, we were to do it without question.

Now we could get clarification. We could get confirm things, but our job was to obey and and go forward with the mission.

II. Husbands love, but not bitterly

A. Love’s limitation - for your wife

Apart from God, there is to be no greater love in a husband’s life than his wife. You are to love her.

1. Love her above any other in the world

No one else other than God, should be loved more than your wife.

So be reminded that would mean several things:

No other woman should catch your eye or your care like her.

No other woman should be treated as well as her and as caring as her.

2. Love her above any other even in the family

Love of one does not mean mistreatment of another.

Because I love God above all others does mean I love my wife less or mistreat her or neglect her - in like manner when I love my wife above all other even in my family - even above my children, does not mean we mistreat them or love them less - but I am to love and prefer my wife above all.

Women respond to a husbands love very naturally. They don’t struggle with loving their husbands generally. It is very natural for the - but men often are not loving for right reasons.

If you love your wife only for her shell - you are going to struggle

If you love your wife only because of what she can do for you - you are wrong

B. Love’s enemy - bitterness

Don’t say you love someone and then completely annoyed by them. Don’t say you love someone and then continually get upset and bitter toward them. God puts these things as other ends of the spectrum from each other.

Usually men get bitter because there wife does not think like them, does want to do all the things they like to do - is interested perhaps in the outdoors, or in sports like they are. They don’t understand why all the shopping. Why she get upsets at strange things that he doesn’t or why she is always worrying about how she looks or presents herself, he gets annoyed and often embittered.

Let me just say AMEN, she is supposed to be different you. If you wanted someone who didn’t care about their looks, that likes outdoors and sports and doesn’t like shopping perhaps you should have married your best friend

III. Children obey pleasingly

Colossians 3:20 AV

Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

There has never been an excuse of children to disobey their parents. All children have to deal with the challenge in their own spirit to subvert and rebel against authority. Your first authority young people, is your parents.

There are more verses about the what will happen concerning children who disobey or dishonor their parents than there is concerning: servants and masters; subjects and their kings or leaders; and church members and their pastors combined.

God is serious about obeying and honoring your parents, you should be to.

Ephesians 6:1–3 AV

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

IV. Parents, discipline encouragingly

The focus here is the father’s because in a general sense, father’s are the ones who are usually heavy in this area that the Bible is speaking of - which is to provoke children. But the truth is for both parents.

When a child is pushed, poked, punished, and picked at to such a degree that is overbearing or micromanaged to every detail - rather than discipline and character - rebellion and anger are the result. That isn’t the goal but is often the reality of the way we raise our children.

Be careful hat the nature and manner of your discipline is not with love, not explained, or without the proper training for the child or the parent.

Rather than encouraging our children to walk with the Lord and have a beautiful picture of what their relationship with the Father ought to be, we picture something far more sinister.

And the result is a rebellious child or a discourage child - meaning they are discouraged from doing right and even depressed in their outlook.

V. Servants serve appropriately

The appropriate way for a servant to perform is a godly fashion.

A. Godly service involves obedience

Obey in all things according to the flesh.

If the service desired is not sinful, you obey

If the service is goes causes sin, don’t do it.

Now there are things in your control and things outside your control. But many things are. You obey as long as it is right.

B. Godly service is consistent

If something is right for me to do, then it is right to keep doing it.

Bible reading, prayer, church attendance, witnessing, giving,

1. Consistency comes from serving an unchanging God

Malachi 3:6 (AV)

For I am the LORD, I change not;...

James 1:17 AV

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

2. Consistency comes from serving with a singular focus

Psalm 119:36–37 AV

Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.

C. Godly service has the honor of God its goal

VI. Do all heartily

Give your very best for God. Give him all of your heart, soul and mind.

Psalm 119:10 AV

With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

Seek God and His best in all the situations of your life.

A. Whether at work

B. Whether at church

C. Whether at school

Young people, I was an excuse maker for to long concerning school. But a good Christian does it best in his studies at school or for the Lord. Whether we like a subject or not we need to give our best and do it heartily - as to the Lord and for the Lord.

D. Whether at activities

Do all for the Lord, not to impress me or to please men.

Often the pleasure of men is a secondary reason - but is should never be our primary reason for what we do - God should always be our focus in all things.

VII. Masters, give fairly

Colossians 4:1 AV

Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

VIII. God will reward

I want to jump back to:

Colossians 3:24–25 AV

Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

Praise the Lord that he still blesses and rewards service. There is a price to pay in this life for our willful neglect - namely the loving and gentle rod and staff of God that will direct us.

You just give your best for God and serve Him with all you have. Don’t doubt, don’t give in, don’t lie down in the face of opposition, serve your God!

Let me finish with this verse:

Luke 6:38 AV

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

We use this verse when we talk about finances and that no doubt is a good and proper application. But there is a broad application in this verse - give for your God, give all for Him, give your very best and he will reward you.

Lesson 21: Responsibilities

Colossians 3:18-4:1

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