At this time I would ask you to turn with me to the Heidelberg Catechism, Lord's Day 39. It can be found on page 52 in the back of the blue Psalter hymnal. And as you are turning there, we will also afterwards be turning to the Word of God, but we do not believe this to be the Word of God, but one of the natural questions after reading the Bible is, well, what does it mean? And so, what we have here in this Heidelberg Catechism, as well as our other two confessions, what we profess and believe to be a faithful summary of what all of Scripture teaches. And so it's a summary, this isn't the word of God, but it teaches what the Bible teaches about this. And so we are working our way through these and are through the 10 commandments, going through them one by one, and we are at the fifth commandment, the Lord's Day 39. And question 104 asks, what is God's will for us in the fifth commandment? In the answer, that I honor, love, and be loyal to my father and mother and all those in authority over me. That I obey and submit to them as is proper. when they correct and punish me, and also that I be patient with their failings, for through them God chooses to rule us. And there we will end our reading of the Heidelberg Catechism, and so now I ask you to turn with me into the word of God, and to the New Testament, to the book of Ephesians, and the letter to the Ephesians. It's just after Galatians, before Philippians, If you are using your Pew Bibles, it's page 1041, Ephesians chapter 6, first nine verses. Now here, this is the Word of God. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise, that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth. And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ, not with eye service as men pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with him. And so far our reading of God's holy, inspired, and infallible word, and may he add his blessing to the preaching thereof. congregation of the Lord Jesus Christ. We want to begin this morning by emphasizing or we should say re-emphasizing something that we have mentioned recently and that has to do with the antithesis, the antithetical life that a Christian is to have. Meaning the Christian life is to be different, to be distinct, It's different from the way that the world lives. And the difference, primarily, is to be seen in how we conduct ourselves in relationship to God and to our fellow man. The Christian is someone who has been redeemed, brought into a saving relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, where the grace of God has worked in such a way that this person willingly follows Christ, willingly bows the knee, as we have seen, professed, and testified this morning. But it's also one that's in a comprehensive way that one does this, follows Christ. A Christian ought to be one that knows the biblical truth about authority and the biblical truth about how to relate to that authority. You think of what a Christian is, what a Christian should be. Maybe oftentimes we think of the Apostle Paul, the example that he laid, the example that he would point to even himself, follow me insofar as he follows Christ. But when did Paul become a Christian? He certainly had that dramatic experience on the road, but it was ultimately when he was brought to submit to the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ. And so the very essence of a Christian is a recognition of the authority of Christ. And so a Christian is someone who seeks to bring every thought captive to the obedience and to the subjection to the Lordship of Christ. This is what 2 Corinthians 10 verse 5 tells us. Who seeks to be pleasing to the Lord in all things. A Christian is one who has had sinful nature, a rebellious nature, which we've inherited from Adam. We've had that nature subdued by the powerful work of the grace of God in his spirit. And so, a Christian rebel, really is an oxymoron. A Christian rebel. If you're a Christian, you're not a rebel. You're under the Lord. You're an individual that recognizes that Christ is Lord of Lords and King of Kings, and you do not rebel against that truth. Rather, in a winsome, if you will, or a willful, loving way, you acknowledge that truth, and we love that truth and desire to bring every aspect of our being into subjection or into submission to that truth out of thankfulness for His grace. And so we see that God's doctrine of submission is the very heart of the Christian life. And be those that are submissive, submissive to the Lord, submissive to his word, submissive to his institutions. And so we have that as our theme. We hope to unpack that a bit. That God's doctrine of submission, we'll notice in three points. To persons in authority or to people that are in authority. Secondly, with honorable actions. And third, because of God's will. So God's doctrine of submission, and that includes, first, to persons or to people that are in authority. And here under this first point, we have two basic categories where we can lump these people in authority into. And the primary one, the primary sphere or category, is the domestic sphere. And then the other one, additionally, broader spheres deal with society, the magistrate even. And so we hope that there are a few of us that are familiar with this idea that a term that was coined by a Dutch reformed theologian by the name of Abraham Kuyper, sphere sovereignty. is this idea. And it's really one of the basics of the Reformed faith. It's not unique to Kuyper, but it was articulated in a lot of different ways throughout the centuries. But this idea, this teaching of seer sovereignty, is that there are different realms, or there are different circles, you might say, of life. that there are individual people then put into positions of authority within these different realms or within these different spheres. And the primary one is the domestic sphere. Or we could simply say it's the home. The home. The family unit. Notice the simplicity of the commandment which we had read. Honor your father and your mother. It's very plain, isn't it? And it's plain about really what the family structure ideally is to look like. And we know sin comes in to relationships. We know that the result of living in a fallen world is that at times the sin distorts the dynamics of a family life. But even though this is true, it doesn't take away from the ideal that the Scriptures put before us. The basic structure of the family unit here. You have a father and you have a mother. And so implied, of course, is that this commandment is speaking to you children. You boys and girls. It's also speaking to those of us that are grown up. But here we have the establishment of authority structures. This is the most basic place where authority is learned. You call it the elementary school of authority. And notice how it is that we confess that we are to show these people of authority, that we shall honor them. love and fidelity to my father, to my own mother, and that would include grandparents, step-parents, adopted parents, and then it goes on to say to all in authority that are over me. And so it expands out, as it were, and so this would include, if we may summarize it, individuals who have a civil authority. So this is entering into the other sphere, the civil realm. Romans 13 verse 1 speaks about this. Kings and leaders, or in our day we would say maybe presidents or governors, and what they have is a legitimate place of authority. This would include your employer. That's what our text makes very clear. Bond servants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh. There was a day where there was the institution or the practice of slavery and that is not in effect in our day and age and so the equivalent would be our employers. They're in a legitimate position of authority over you as well. The teachers. We've just begun a school year. Boys and girls, if you are sent to school, you are to honor those. They are in a position, your teachers are in a position of authority over you. Even if it's just one class, your parents send you to. And this includes the realm of the church, the office bearers. And so there's many different realms of authority in which we live, and many of them we live underneath those who are in authority. But again, the home is the most basic structure in which this authority is learned. This is the elementary school of it. And this is the way that God had designed it from the beginning, where there was one man and then there was one woman joined together in a lifelong monogamous relationship. And in there we have, as God wills and gives, children added to that relationship. And so then there's the commandment that's given to the home. You want to learn how to live as a society in the most basic institution? The family is where you learn that. The father and mother exercise authority over children. And that serves as a bedrock of society that spills into and has is carried over into other spheres of human society. So if you distort any of these mechanics that are within this domestic sphere, it gets carried over into other parts of human society. Well then, the mechanics of those areas are also going to be distorted. If the family relationship is dysfunctional, then all of society's relationships are going to be dysfunctional as well. If you begin to compromise on this family structure and say, you know what, it's not really that important. For a home to have a father or for a home to have a mother, you know what, let them have two mothers, two fathers. Some other man-made equation to the picture. It's going to be virtually impossible to impart to them the proper biblical idea of authority and how then to live underneath that authority. If a child grows up, never learn How to honor authority in the home. We shouldn't expect that child to then go out into society and begin to honor the authority outside of the home. In the home, there's supposed to be that natural bond of affection that comes, that's there, but outside of the home, there isn't that. And so this is where it is learned. And so before we move on, we need to be reminded, we need to be encouraged, we need to be directed and admonished. In our homes, your home, even if it's newly established and there aren't children to exercise authority over, or maybe there are many, whatever your home is, we ought to model and display to demonstrate these things. Let us pray. Let us labor as the Lord would enable us to set forth a positive image of what it's like to live in relationship, both in exercising our authority and in submitting to authority. Congregation, the fifth commandment begins in the home. That's where it starts. So to the parents, how you interact with authority is testifying quite powerfully to your children of how it is that we should interact with authority. If you as a father Give the impression that it is a wonderful and a cool, neat thing to be a rebel and to defy authority and to live by your own rules and do it your own way, either directly or indirectly. Don't be surprised then when your own children do the same thing toward you. After all, that's what you taught them. The mothers. If I may be bold also, if you demonstrate to your family a spirit of rebellion against authority, don't be surprised when your children then also rebel. A simple, straightforward aspect of this is that you reap what you sow. That's verse 8, at least a part of that idea. It's a simple reaping of what you sow. So let us pray and labor to set forth a good example. And then to you young people, and here I will be so bold, especially as you come to the point of searching for a spouse, making decisions and selections, and to you young men, a little word of advice. Pay attention to a young lady about how she talks about and to her father. Because generally, supposedly in 10 years or so, that is how she will be talking to you and about you. And then for you young ladies as well, pay attention to how a young man treats his mother. his sisters, because in 10 years, it's the same thing. And so we mention this because oftentimes as we consider these issues of authority, there's a degree where we would look out into broader society and say, well, look at how terrible everything is out there. There's rebels here. There's rebels there. There's riots in the streets. There's no regard for authority. And while that all may be true, let's not begin by looking out there. We need to begin by looking in our own homes and in our own hearts. And that's where we bring into our second point, the actions of honor. And so what does this biblical humble submission look like? God's doctrine here, and there are two things here before we get into the very actions themselves. It is first, here we need to describe the attitude that is behind these actions. And then we'll consider the actions themselves. But it's very important that there is an attitude behind these actions because this is through and through in our text. We see this in verse five through seven especially. Bondservants be obedient with fear and trembling in sincerity of heart as to Christ. Not with thy service, doing the will of God from the heart, with good will doing service as to the Lord. Notice how heart is mentioned twice. And so the attitude is one in obedience and submission and the due reverence unto this commandment begins in the heart. It begins with sincerity of heart. uprightness. One commentator defines sincerity of heart as a simple goodness that gives itself without reserve, similar to what John Calvin said, my heart I offer to you, O Lord, promptly and sincerely. That attitude is to be of goodwill. It's an inclination to think well and to think kindly, one that is disposed to do charitable acts of service. Eager to please, as it were. And this is important because it's possible, it's entirely impossible to obey someone in authority without actually honoring them. You think of a story I heard, I don't know if it's actually true, but it applies, but there's a young boy whose mother had told him many times to sit down, and he didn't want to, and so there was a bit of back and forth. She told him to sit, and finally, he did. But then he said to Mom, on the inside, I'm still standing up. And that's not what the Bible wants. That's doing it for eye service, just a show. Bible wants you to be sitting down inside as well as outside. If an authority has told you to do that. And so we know that it begins in the heart and that heart also is an attitude of filial fear. Fear is here in contrast with a servile fear. A servile fear is a fear of punishment alone. Fear that comes with a certain dread that I will have physical pain if I don't obey. And that is not to be our ultimate motivation for obedience. Now, we don't want to deny the need and proper use of biblically understood corporal punishment, and this would be a time for another discussion, but if the only hope that we have for those who are in positions of authority for bringing obedience into people is that we inflict pain upon them, what are we going to do when it comes to a point where you're no longer able to inflict pain? must be something in the heart. This honor, this filial fear to that person of authority recognizes with due respect the person's position of authority over you. And it's important for us to capture this within our own heart and soul. This understanding, this recognition that comes as a result of the reading the Word of God and the illumination of the Spirit by His grace, that when we look at a person in a position of authority, whether that's a father, or a mother, or a grandparent, or an elder, or a deacon, or a police officer, or a governor, or whoever, that we recognize with due respect, not recognize with moaning and complaining and a spirit of bitterness, but with due respect the person's position of authority. that is over me. Our attitude is not subject to the question of what that person in authority deserves in and of themselves as an individual, whether they discharge all of their duties with that honor and with that wisdom and everything the way that they ought to do. No, we are to give due respect and honor to the place that they are in. Not simply because of the person that occupies the place. Their place does not change because God has placed them there. And so their character may fluctuate unless the Lord takes them out of that position. This is why it is, obey your parents in the Lord, as to Christ, as bondservants of Christ, and again, as to the Lord, our true Father in heaven, our true Master in heaven. He's the one who has established that place of authority. He's given that authority, but this is where it begins. It's attitude and the heart. To look at your own father with due respect, to see that he has been given a position of authority over me. I'm a police officer, same thing. Governor, magistrate, same thing. Elder, same thing. This is not a natural thing for us. Very difficult in our individualistic society here, but it can only come by the transformative work of God's Holy Spirit in His grace, because our sinful nature, by our nature, when left to ourselves, the fact is, is that we all hate authority. We are rebels. I hate being told what to do. Don't you? I hate having to bend my will to someone else's will. And what we mean by this is what our catechism has stated earlier on, that by nature we are prone to hate God and our neighbor. That's our sinful nature. And grace, by the work of the Spirit, transforms that nature. And so when we are transformed, the heart is transformed, and that old, rebellious, hateful heart begins to die. It gradually and continually, certainly as the Spirit works, but it brings, in essence, every thought captive to the Lord Jesus Christ, as well as the attitude that we have. This takes prayer, this takes diligence in the word and the means of grace. And this is one of the elements of conversion, of being changed. And then out of this attitude ought to flow actions, and there are two, obedience and patience. I'll mention just one, and this is obedience. I recognize there's a person of authority over me. I have a certain honor and a certain reverential fear in my heart for that person's position. There ought to be willing obedience. Maybe underline that word willing in your mind or if you have taken notes. Willing obedience. Not obeying and then walking around complaining about how I have to do this, how I have to do that, and how that decision is so unwise. No, it's a willing obedience to the good instruction and correction, those in positions of authority. This is the main verb in our text. It's very straightforward. Children, obey your parents. Bond servants, be obedient. to your master. What does this mean? Sometimes we want to make it so complicated that I say, well, what really is obedience and how do you, can you pull it out? And I'm sure that there's a worthy discussion somewhere about that, but most of the time We need to cut through all of that nonsense and all of the nuance and just get down to a basic, simple understanding of it. What does obedience mean? It means to do what you're told to do. It's that simple. When a person in a position of authority tells you to do something good and lawful, If you're driving down the highway, for example, and for whatever reason, you're speeding, and a person of authority comes to you in the form of police with the lights on, comes right behind you, what are you supposed to do? Hit the gas and go a little faster? Maybe he's trying to race you? Ignore him? No. Pull over. Pull over and you interact with him respectfully. The teacher tells you to take out your math book. What are you supposed to do? Isn't it just turn to your buddy and be like, oh, math is so dumb. I'm never going to need this stuff. I already know how to count to five. I'm good to go. No, you take out your math book. Do what you're told. It's really that simple. And then there's patience, which is also a thing that needs to be attended to then, because those in positions of authority know that they are not perfect. Our task is not to exploit those imperfections, but to bear patiently and to bay in the Lord. And the reason for that is because of God's will. Our last point here, there is a delegation of authority and there is a time and place for us to continue to consider these things in more detail at another time. But God, who at the very foundation, at the beginning and the end of all things, he is the one who is absolutely sovereign, period. He's the one true God of heaven and earth. He rules over everything and that rule is absolutely comprehensive. There is not one square inch for which the Lord does not say, this is mine. And so we need to understand that the Lord's will is that we are not our own little lords over our own little worlds. Ultimately, there is nothing over which we have absolute control and authority and dominion. We mean when we say, when we look at our property, our house, our backyards, and say, this is my castle, this is my place, this is my home, and we understand what you mean by that, and I say this too, but we need to understand that we don't really, truly own that. It is the Lord's. And the Lord has given, as Jesus said at the very end of Matthew, all authority on heaven and earth has been given to him. And Christ has been pleased to delegate the exercise of his authority to various, what's called vice regents, or various people who are in authority. And so where do mothers and fathers get their authority? From Christ. Where do the office bearers in the church get their authority? Christ. Now some people may cringe at this as well, but where does a husband get his authority? From Christ. That's the idea. We are not saying I've got to here because I'm bigger and stronger, smarter, faster, that I've won this, but it is because the Lord has placed me here wherever that position may be. And therefore, to those of you who are in positions of authority, wherever that sphere may be, you must exercise according to the will of God. You are not there by your own will, and you are not placed there to do whatever it is you want to do. There is, again, more, there's opportunity to expand on this in its own series of sermons and whatnot, but for those of you in positions of authority, it needs to be your daily and earnest prayer. that you would exercise that authority with wisdom, wisdom defined by God's will. Ultimately, those are submitting to the authority of God, and prayer is absolutely essential. How many people have taken advantage of their position and a power to exploit the weaknesses of those underneath them, and take advantage of maybe some trust that has been built. Just even in recent, in this past week, news that came out of a pastor, theologian, author, well-known among reform circles, Stephen Lawson, who's had an extramarital affair, supposedly. I believe the details are being worked out still. but he has been removed from all positions. And you wonder, how is it a man like that can do something like that as well? Well, the idea and the takeaway is that we in positions of authority, wherever that may be, if you are a mother, a father, an employer, an elder, a deacon, pastor, police officer? You need to be daily on your knees, having bowed and submitted to the ultimate authority, the King of kings, the Lord of lords. We need to see and to recognize that everything about what we do, if this submission is something, is religious in nature because we have the qualifier obey and submit in the Lord. In the Lord. That's the very intimate and right qualifier here. Our obedience is religious. It arises out of the conviction that such obedience is the will of the Lord and it is to be unto the Lord. This makes it a higher service. If it were just be rendered out of fear of natural affection. It makes it really what we had opened with. A whole life. Bowing the knee. willingly to the Lord of Lords, confessing openly, publicly, professing as we had heard this morning, dedicating the whole and totality of my being, submission to God and to His will. And a great blessing that comes by the commandments of the Lord are not hard or harsh. attend and serve to the well-being. It is the first of our lives. It is the first commandment with a promise. Now this is back in Israel's day. It was fulfilled at least in part in the land of Canaan, but we see then that in the ultimate fulfillment of it, it leads unto or at least in terms of is set forth as the way of the eternal life that our God gives us by grace through faith in Christ. God has set forth this way here for us, before us, and he is leading us, bringing us, through the way of obedience, as he enables us, unto our eternal home, where indeed it will be well. And so we submit under the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Our leaders have been given to us by God to guide us, yes, to correct us in the way of our life, to honor them, recognize their appointment by God for us, for our well-being. Amen. Let us pray. Gracious God and Father, we thank you for revealing to us your wisdom and your wise direction in these, and may it cause us to ultimately see our need and dependence, because we do not follow these things perfectly. We fall short even still, and so we are in need of the one who had honored and submitted perfectly to the will of God the Father, our Lord Jesus Christ, as he was nailed to the cross and bore the punishment for our rebellion and our rebellious deeds, and has then changed our hearts to be a willing servant of Christ. And so may we be enabled by your spirit and have these words applied to our hearts and to our lives. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.