Sermon - Jeff Raines - The Last Shall Be First (Ephesians 5:21)

First Baptist Shreveport

September 1, 2024 - Dr. Jeff Raines

Today’s Step:

Submit to one another

In Ephesians 5, we find this admonition:

“…Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”

Many have a negative reaction to this word because of how it’s been misused in our lives. Any time we go searching in the Bible to find a verse to support our selfish impulses, or the worst elements of our culture, we are not on the right track. We need to look to the example of Jesus. Did Jesus ever demean or abuse or celebrate his power over others? He never did. We strive to be Christlike to one another. We are to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Husbands should think about how to love and serve their wives. Wives should think about how to love and serve their husbands.

Why practice mutual submission? Jesus did it and he calls us to do it as well. (See John 13:14-15)

Jesus raced to the bottom to lift others up and to serve. (see Philippians 2:7)

How can we rise by kneeling? Look to Jesus and follow his example.

Our character is formed when we practice submission.

We need each other- we are so much better together- none of us knows it all or does all things well.

The world needs something different.

We practice it together to better submit to God.

Is Jesus going to be Lord or are you?

We can bow our head and bend our knee because it brings grace, eternal life and freedom.

Our world gets better when we submit to Jesus’ will in our lives.