Abingdon Community ChurchSunday 10th May 2015

14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Abingdon Community ChurchSunday 10th May 2015

Gen 1:1 In the beginning, God... Ps 24:1 Earth is the Lord’s & everything in it Mt 28:18 All authority in heaven & on earth... 1 Cor 15:24-28 Everything under his feet Eph 1:22 All things under the authority of

Christ Phil 2:9-11 Name above every name, every

knee will bow, every tongue confess Revelation 5 The Lamb on the Throne

Mat 20:25-28 came to serve not to be served Phil 2:1-8 made himself nothing, became

obedient Rev 3:20 he knocks, the door is not forced!

Confident trust – he IS in control! Submission – LET him be in control!

Ps 37:5, Pr 16:3, Mt 6:33...

To mankind – Gen 1:27-30 To judges, prophets, priests and kings in OT

To all his disciples in NT – Mt 10:1, 28:18-20, Jn 20:21-23

Key part of being filled with the Spirit: “Submit to one another” – Eph 5:18-21 (single sentence) Specifically: wives to husbands (5:22) Specifically: children to parents (6:1) Specifically: slaves/servants to masters (6:5)

Specific delegated authority: In governments: Rom 13:1-6, 1 Pet 2:13 In the church: Acts 20:28, 1 Thes 5:12-13, Heb

13:17

Recognition that all authority is delegated by God

Submission – honouring those he has given authority

Humility – authorities follow Jesus’ example

‘Positional’ vs ‘Spiritual’ Gift/ability: Rom 12:8, Eph 4:11 ‘Position’ of overseer / elder – 1 Tim 3, Titus 1 Other positions?

‘Elders’ in each church – fathers of the family Leadership is wider than that, but flows from it Recognise need for equipping ministries as in

Eph 4

Not worldly in character: Mat 20:25-27 Reflects God’s heart: 1 Thes 2:4-12, 1 Pet 5:1-5 Character & example are the keys: Luke 16:10-12, Titus 1 Remember the source – stay under authority: Mat 8:9

You are always only a steward of God’s authority It can NEVER be enforced, only received

Honour – the atmosphere of the kingdom ‘Submission’ – not a popular concept Humility & teachability “Disciples open the door” – the initiative is ours ACCOUNTABILITY IS KEY

Example of Jesus & disciples, Paul Parable of the Talents / Minas

Care

Accountability

Provocation

Who do you make yourself accountable to?

Relationship with God Relationships with others (marriage, family, church,

work...) Character issues Your ‘ministry’ / ‘calling’ / ‘service’ / ‘work’ Your witness & mission

Confidence in God’s authority Dealing with an independent spirit Challenge to honour & humility Challenge to use authority God has

given