Loyal, OK

 
Pastor Leon Seaton

Submission

One day Stephen Beck was driving down a country road when he came to a very narrow bridge. In front of the bridge he saw a YIELD sign. Seeing no oncoming cars, he continued across the bridge to his destination. On the way back he was surprised to see a YIELD sign from the other direction.

He thought, "I'm sure there was one posted on the other side." When he reached the other side of the bridge he looked back. Sure enough there was a yield signs at both ends of the bridge. Drivers from both directions were requested to give right of way.

It was a great way of preventing a head-on collision.

When the Bible commands Christians to "submit to one another out of reverence for Christ" (Ephesians 5:21) it is simply a reasonable and gracious command to let the other have the right of way and avoid interpersonal head-on collisions.

The idea of “submission” in the church can lead to all sorts of interesting and stressful discussions, so we will go at this real easy! This definition of submission comes from www.dictionary.com:

1. To give over or yield to the power or authority of another

2. To subject to some kind of treatment or influence

3. To present for the approval, consideration, or decision of another or others (e.g.: to submit a plan)

4. To state or urge with deference; suggest or propose (“I submit that full proof should be required.”)

5. To yield oneself to the power or authority of another (e.g.: a conqueror)

6. To allow oneself to be subjected to some kind of treatment. (e.g.:  Chemotherapy)

7. To defer to another’s judgment, opinion, decision, etc.

A life that that pleases God will have to be in submission to Him… we are going to have to do what He asks of us. He has given each of us special talents and abilities with the expectation that we would glorify God and uplift others with these gifts from God. 

The use of time is also a gift from God – and so is our energy. God asks us to be willing to devote all of our time and talents to Him; however, He does not demand it all be given to Him.

We are instructed not to be drunks. As you know, drunkenness often leads to other sins – especially if we have a family or other responsibilities. Paul, as appointed by the Holy Spirit, tells us to earnestly pray for the Holy Spirit to fill us, thus empowering us with God’s power.  Then he tells us to “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

It sounds radical doesn’t it?

We have been talking the past couple of weeks about having a revival. Obviously the beginning of a revival is our submission to God and God’s will.

We need the same attitude that Jesus had when He said, “Not My will, but Thine be done!”  Luke 22:42 KJV

The next step to revival is to turn from our wicked ways.

How can we do this? The prophet Hosea wrote this, “Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until He comes and showers righteousness on you.”  Hosea 10:12

As a child I had trouble understanding what “fallow ground” was. Turns out that fallow ground is unplowed ground. A field that is left idle without planting or cultivation develops a hard crust. As time goes by rain, the sun, and the wind makes it progressively harder. If seed is sown on it, the seed will not penetrate. Before long, moisture will not soak in, but will roll off into gullies and streams.

When that happens the farmer has to till the soil, breaking the clods into fine earth suitable to receive seed and moisture before planting takes place.

Our spiritual life is like that.

1. A lack of Bible reading and prayer.
2. Attendance at worship begins to slip.
3. Things that once caused our spirits pain now are tolerated.
4. Instead of desiring the approval of God and fellowship with Jesus, we want money, things, and more and bigger possessions.
5. We fill our minds with worldly pictures, sounds, and concepts.
6. Our language gets coarser.
7. We associate more and more with those who are rebels against God.
8. We can hear preaching or Christian music, but it doesn’t move us.
9. Some begin conduct that they clearly know is wrong, but the conscience which for so long gave warning doesn’t seem to work anymore.

When our hearts are hardened the spiritual crust must be broken. How do we begin? The way is simple. Someone has noted that we don’t sin in generalities; therefore we should not repent in generalities.

If you want to hasten your spiritual renewal, here is a tough way to do it!

Here is the plan:

1. Take a writing pad and a pen or pencil so you can write down what you and God discuss.
2. Get on your knees (if you can) and be honest with God. Tell Him that you have come to repent of your sins and ask His forgiveness.
3. Don’t be in a hurry. To repent is to turn away from your sin, and that usually means habits must be broken. That takes time.
4. Use the prayers in the book of Psalms. David prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”
5. Also, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.”
6. Honestly say, “Search me, O God, and know my heart, and see if there is any wicked way in me.”

As you listen to the Holy Spirit He will instruct you on what to write. Relax, for once you finish the process you will destroy the paperwork. It will not be published in the newspapers or shown on TV. Be courageous; be brutal on yourself. Don’t excuse anything even vaguely wrong.

The object is to confess—forsake—find mercy and forgiveness—then enter the presence of the Lord. Therefore, do not be in a hurry!

If you have trouble getting started, start with the one we all miss… “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all your heart, all your mind, all your strength. We have all broken this one, so write it down.

If your prayer life stinks and you have trouble finding your Bible you can confess that one too.

Third, remember to forgive people. (Include yourself.) Jesus said when we stand praying if we have anything against any, forgive. If you have anything except love for people that have hurt you… forgive them! Write their names down, forgive them, and ask forgiveness for hating them.

Since the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth we need to examine our truthfulness. Have you been guilty of lying? Write it down… you may have to make some restitution, but God will help you. 

Be careful about repenting. If things are hidden telling them may hurt someone, so don’t just change the pain from you to someone else. Ask Jesus to cover them with His blood – and leave them there.

Sexual sins must also be considered. Remember that Jesus said that looking with lust is the same as doing it. Again, don’t broadcast these things. Work it out between you and God.

Don’t let Satan beat you up with the things you write down. When God forgives God forgets. Before you throw away your list take a red pen and write “FORGIVEN” across it and burn it or shred it!

As you make your list don’t leave out things like slander and gossip…

It’s also wise to ask the Holy Spirit to show you times when your words grieved Him, the times that you have disobeyed Him, the times that you have wounded others, the times that you have been insensitive to the spiritual or physical need of someone you could have helped.

Think of the resentment that you have caused in others by your conduct. Think of people that you have cheated or abused. Think of what you may have taken that is not yours. Think of the times when your life and actions have actually damaged someone else’s faith.

That’s enough for today. We will finish next week.

Sunday, September 9, 2007