Texts: Matthew 20:20-28; Ephesians 5:21-31
"The right of power to give command, enforce obedience, take action or make final decision."
The Right... but no power
The Power... but no right
Examples:
- Government and People
- Employer and Employee
- Teachers and Students
- Husbands and Wives
- Parents and Children
- Church and Congregation
Explaining Matthew 20:20-28
1. Position us conferred by the Father
2. Gentiles 'lord' over others
3. "Not so with you... servant FOR not OVER others"
4. We are partakers of God's authority - Romans 13:1-3; Matthew 28:18-20
Partakers of Authority - Matthew 28:18
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go..."
Jesus spoke
Jesus taught
Jesus cast out demons
Jesus healed
Jesus performed miracles, promised eternal life
Exercising Authority
"The exercise of authority comes with responsibility whoever has the most authority will have to practice the most submission."
- Not by force or coercion
- Not by manipulation
- Not by deception
- But by submission to a higher authority
Submission
What is submission?
"Christians submission is the voluntary surrender of one's right or with in response to the purposes and actions of God."
It Is NOT:
- A subordinate yielding to a superior
- Blind obedience
- Doing someone's will... instead of God's will
- Not an act of weakness-
- Does not lower self just as authority does not elevate self
What It Is: Explaining Ephesians 5:21
- Mutual = one another out of reverance
- Strength rather than weakness
- Voluntary, not demanded
- Act of humility - 1 Peter 5:5
- Identify with death of Jesus
- Agape love
Ephesians 5:21-31
Two Models of Interpretation
1. The Hierarchical Model
2. The Egalitarian Model
The egalitarian takes into considerations the creation, fall and redemption of mankind. It is more consistent with Galatians 3:26-28.