First Baptist Church
June 23, 2024

      • Psalms 113.1-4ESV

      • Psalms 113.5-9ESV

  • Who Is Like The Lord (Psalm 113)
  • Only A Holy God
  • All That Thrills My Soul

      • Ezra 7.9-10ESV

  • Show Us Christ

      • Romans 6:5ESV

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    We mentioned earlier that Christians don’t so much join churches as they do submit to them.
    The word submit scares people today.
    Wives submitting to husbands.
    Husbands have abused this.
    Christians submitting to spiritual leaders.
    Church leaders have abused their power.
    Yet throughout scripture God tells us that authority is put over us for our good.

    What then does it mean to submit to a church and is it really for our good?

    Philippians 2:15 ESV
    that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

    What then does it mean to submit to a church and is it really for our good?

    Scott Connor and I go to the UP in the fall.
    We like to go Upperlight hunting.
    Staring at the millions of stars light up a completely dark night.
    Paul is encouraging the Philippian church to be those lights in a dark and twisted generation.
    He didn’t want them to simply shine when they were spread out.
    He wanted them to shine together.
    Let’s zoom out a bit and look at some more context.
    Philippians 1:27 ESV
    Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,
    What does a life worthy of the gospel look like?
    Paul painted us a picture. (actually 2)
    Philippians 1:28–2:2 ESV
    and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have. So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
    Paul warns that life will not be easy but don’t live scared.
    Come together and content for the gospel by having ONE mind.
    Still this only gives us a portion of the picture.
    Paul paints a picture of unit through submission to one another.
    Philippians 2:3–4 ESV
    Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
    True unity comes through mutual submission.
    BUT - Paul interrupts this picture of submission to give us another one.
    One that was to be a model for the first picture.
    Giving us an example to follow.
    Philippians 2:5–9 ESV
    Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,

    What then does it mean to submit to a church and is it really for our good?

    ​
    This picture is a picture of the gospel.
    Christ becoming man.
    Christ submitting himself to death on the cross.
    Christ rising again.
    The first picture shows us what it looks like to live WORTHY of the gospel.
    Paul is saying: “Do you want to see how one who professes the gospel lives among other believers? Look at Jesus.”
    Paul then turns them back to the first picture and says: keep obeying.
    Philippians 2:12–15 ESV
    Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

    What then does it mean to submit to a church and is it really for our good?

    When Christians pursue unity their church becomes a bright light in a dark twisted generation.
    And that is a life that is worthy of the gospel.
    ​

    Eight ways Christians should submit to their local church.

    Paul boldly called the church in Philippi to submit to one another for their own good just as Christ had submitted to Himself for their good.
    The same is true today in our local churches.
    Just as Christ submitted His life for our good.
    We should submit our lives to one another for each others good.
    Church is not about what I can get out of it.
    Church is about worshiping God together and ministering to each other.

    1. Publicly

    They should submit to a local body of believers officially.
    The place where they will regularly receive the Lord’s supper.
    The place where they will commit to building up other believers.
    The place where they will regularly and faithfully be a part of the body.
    1 Corinthians 12:27 ESV
    Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

    1. Publicly

    Membership is publicly telling your local body of believers that this is the place you will be doing that.

    2. Physically

    We submit to our local church by regularly being physically present.
    Hebrews 10:25 ESV
    not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
    ​
    Acts 2:42–47 ESV
    And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

    2. Physically

    What about living physically close to clumps of church members?
    It is much easier to grab coffee.
    Hang out in the back yard.
    What about working together to evangelize your neighborhood.
    Jesus submitted himself physically for our good.
    John 6:38 ESV
    For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.

    2. Physically

    He set the example of submitting physically.
    Of the need to be with people.
    ​

    3. Socially

    The church is not a social club but it should never be less than that.
    Many christians have no social interaction with the church outside of Sunday morning.
    Some don’t even have that.
    Who are your closest friends?
    We act like our friends.
    We raise our families like our friends raise theirs.
    We spend money where our friends spend money.
    We imitate each other.
    Proverbs 27:17 ESV
    Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

    3. Socially

    If we believe that we need more than just Bible study but life touching life to make disciples, we need to be able to spend time with people.
    Other christian friends are valuable.
    But friends within the local church are being shaped by the same preaching and teaching.
    It gives you the ability to live out what you are learning throughout the week.
    The church is the place we move outside out comfort zone.
    Galatians 3:28 ESV
    There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

    3. Socially

    Friendships should form between
    Young and old.
    Wealthy and not so wealthy
    Educated and non educated
    Blue collar and businesspeople

    4. Affectionately

    One component of friendship is sharing affections.
    What causes you to be excited, feel joy, or mourn?
    Friends feel those things with you even if they are not interested in the same things.
    We do the same for our fellow church members.
    1 Corinthians 12:25–26 ESV
    that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

    4. Affectionately

    We should rejoice when a brother gets a big promotion.
    The 30 year old single woman is to rejoice when a 20 year old is getting married even though the 30 year old longs to be married.
    The couple who desperately wants kids but can’t have any rejoice with another couple because of their pregnancy.
    This is putting away selfish ambition and submitting ourselves to the good of others.
    This is living out what Paul has said to “Value others more than self”

    5. Financially

    We should be looking for ways to live out the examples we see in scripture.
    Share with those who are in need.
    Romans 12:13 ESV
    Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
    Support gospel partnerships.
    1 Corinthians 16:1–2 ESV
    Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.
    Support your pastors.
    1 Corinthians 9:14 ESV
    In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.

    5. Financially

    ​

    6. Vocationally

    For some this means vocational ministries.
    For all it means recognizing that lives of our fellow church members will go on into eternity while our jobs and careers will not.
    We should see our job as simply the way God has provided for us to live on this earth and serve Him.
    I know people who have not taken a promotion
    Moved from larger companies to smaller ones.
    Taking early retirements.
    Turned down a transfer.
    All because it hindered their involvement with their local church.
    I know people who have refused to work Sundays.
    Not out of legalism, but because that is when the church gathers corporately.
    Do we consider what our absence does to the local church?
    If we say they won’t miss me then you are not a part of the church the way you should be.

    7. Ethically

    Submitting to the church ethically does not mean making the church your final authority.
    This also does not mean pastor makes a bunch of rules and you follow them.
    I don’t want you to ask me about every single ethical situation.
    Rather the church should be the place you get your ethical instruction, council, and accountability in matters addressed in God’s Word.
    Again this is not only from pastor.
    Galatians 6:1 ESV
    Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

    7. Ethically

    The church as a whole should guide us ethically.
    The older teaching the younger in Titus 2 fashion.
    Ask older brothers and sisters how they’ve handled situation.
    We should be looking out for each other ethically.

    8. Spiritually

    There are 3 specific ways we should submit spiritually.

    A. The local church community is the place God designed for Christians to use their spiritual gifts.

    1 Corinthians 12:7 ESV
    To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
    ​

    B. The local church community is the place God designed for Christians to regularly build each other up in the faith.

    Hebrews 10:24–25 ESV
    And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
    ​

    C. The local church community are the people we should regularly intercede for.

    Acts 2:42 ESV
    And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
    ​

    Submitting to ugliness.

    The truth is that we don’t have a problem submitting.
    We just want to submit to beauty.
    Like the valiant hero who submits himself to the beautiful damsel in distress.
    However, Jesus didn’t risk it all for a damsel in distress.
    Instead He gave everything for a mess.
    What the Bible describes as a harlot.
    A bride who keeps going back to the world.
    A bride being prepared but is not yet what she will be.
    Submitting to this ugliness scares people.
    And that’s what submitting to the local church can be.
    So let’s end with this reminder.
    John 13:34 ESV
    A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

    Submitting to ugliness.

    Let me say this as we finish.
    The things we talked about today are not suggestions.
    They are commands in Scripture.
    There isn’t a single command that is meant to make you and I miserable.
    He gets not glory when we submit begrudgingly.
    God’s commands are for our good.
    John 10:10 ESV
    The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

    Submitting to ugliness.

    We aren’t getting life out in the world.
    We aren’t getting life trying to do it our own way.
    We are getting destruction.
    Let’s willingly and joyfully submit to God’s plan and live by His design.
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    COMMUNION
    Paul is specifically addressing the gathering of a local church.
    They were submitting themselves to others.
    So Paul asks them…
    1 Corinthians 11:22 ESV
    What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.
    ​
    1 Corinthians 11:23–27 ESV
    For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord.
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      • Philippians 2:15ESV

      • Philippians 1:27ESV

      • Philippians 1:28–2:2ESV

      • Philippians 2:3–4ESV

      • Philippians 2:5–9ESV

      • Philippians 2:12–15ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 12:27ESV

      • Hebrews 10:25ESV

      • Acts 2:42–47ESV

      • John 6:38ESV

      • Proverbs 27:17ESV

      • Galatians 3:28ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 12:25–26ESV

      • Romans 12:13ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 16:1–2ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 9:14ESV

      • Galatians 6:1ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 12:7ESV

      • Hebrews 10:24–25ESV

      • Acts 2:42ESV

      • John 13:34ESV

      • John 10:10ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 11:23–27ESV

  • In Christ Alone
First Baptist Church
howardcitybaptist@gmail.com
2319374809
https://fbcohc-howard-city.faithlifesites.com
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