Click here to prepare for the study of God's word.

Galatians 5:16-23 teaches that at any moment we are either walking by the Holy Spirit or according to the sin nature. Walking by the Spirit, enjoying fellowship with God, walking in the light are virtually synonymous. During these times, the Holy Spirit is working in us to illuminate our minds to the truth of Scripture and to challenge us to apply what we learn. But when we sin, we begin to live based on the sin nature. Our works do not count for eternity. The only way to recover is to confess (admit, acknowledge) our sin to God the Father and we are instantly forgiven, cleansed, and recover our spiritual walk (1 John 1:9). Please make sure you are walking by the Spirit before you begin your Bible study, so it will be spiritually profitable.

Messages with tag - Submission to authority

122 - The Remnant and Grace [B]
Thu, Nov 07, 2013
by Robert Dean
Passage: Romans 11:5-11
Series: Romans (2010)
Duration: 1 hr 4 mins 3 secs
"Lonely, I'm so lonely." Is this the refrain you're singing when you look around at all the people who reject God in the world today? Listen to this lesson to learn about a time when most of the Jewish people were heading down a path of self-destruction and laughing at God's messengers. At the same time there was a remnant of those who decided to prepare their hearts to follow Him. Even though they were ignorant of many of the commandments, God dealt with them graciously. Learn the difference between grace and works and listen to other examples of the Jewish remnant.
Video:watch Audio:listendownload Text:readslideshow
73 - I Will Give You Rest [B]
Sun, Apr 12, 2015
by Robert Dean
Passage: Matthew 11:28-30
Series: Matthew (2013)
Duration: 43 mins 21 secs
Do you have some favorite Bible verses? Many would choose Matthew 11:28-30 for Jesus’ promises of rest and comfort. Listen to this lesson to see there is much more to this, including a two-fold invitation. See what “taking my yoke” means and its connection to submission to God. Understand the meanings of belief and faith. Accept the warning for those who reject Christ and refuse to walk in obedience.
Video:watch Audio:listendownload Text:readslideshow
16 - Arrogance [B]
Tue, Jun 09, 2015
by Robert Dean
Passage: 1 Samuel 2:3
Series: 1st and 2nd Samuel (2015)
Duration: 1 hr 4 mins 30 secs
Do you know someone who thinks they’re better than everyone else and even thinks they know better than God what is best for them? Listen to this lesson to learn that all of us are arrogant and self centered. See what God thinks of arrogance. Learn about the sin nature we are born with which basically makes us evil, including even the sweetest looking baby. Find out about our trends and our evil desires and how we try to hide our arrogance by doing good deeds to impress others. See the contrast between arrogance and humility and how submitting to God and delegated authority is the only means to rejecting arrogance and boasting in our life.
Video:watch Audio:listendownload Text:readslideshow
99 - Humility [B]
Sun, Oct 25, 2015
by Robert Dean
Passage: Matthew 18:1-4
Series: Matthew (2013)
Duration: 37 mins 13 secs
What does Jesus mean when He says you have to become like a little child? Listen to this lesson to see that He was speaking to arrogant believers. Hear ten points on humility and see its importance in the Christian way of life. Find out that humility is one of the most misunderstood concepts in the Bible. See its basic meaning of learning to submit to authority. When difficulty arises in our lives, check to see if humility leading to grace orientation is the answer to our problems. The version of the video from Jeff and Doug's teaching visit to Natal, Brazil that has the audio and video in sync is available here.
Video:watch Audio:listendownload Text:readslideshow
65 - Honor the King [B]
Thu, Sep 29, 2016
by Robert Dean
Passage: 1 Peter 2:13-17
Series: 1 Peter (2015)
Duration: 1 hr 0 mins 25 secs
What does grace orientation have to do with our response to authority? Listen to this lesson to see that Jesus is our major example of submission to unjust authority. Hear the only exception to obeying legitimate authority. When faced with unjust but designated authority, do not look for wiggle room or an escape clause or you will be resisting the ordinances of God.
Video:watch Audio:listendownload Text:readslideshow
66 - Justified Disobedience? [B]
Thu, Oct 06, 2016
by Robert Dean
Passage: 1 Peter 2:13-17
Series: 1 Peter (2015)
Duration: 1 hr 12 mins 28 secs

Is it ever right to refuse to submit to a governing authority? Listen to this lesson to learn what the Bible has to say about authority orientation. Hear biblical and historical examples of those rightfully committing civil disobedience when either told to do something the Bible forbids or forbids what is mandated in the Bible. Find out whether the Founding Fathers were justified in not submitting to the King of England. Does God only expect us to respect the office but not the one holding the office? The answers to some of these difficult questions may surprise you.

Dr. Dean referenced an article by David Barton entitled “The American Revolution: Was it an Act of Biblical Rebellion?” during this class.

Video:watch Audio:listendownload Text:readslideshow
69 - Submission: Honoring or Demeaning [B]
Thu, Oct 27, 2016
by Robert Dean
Passage: 1 Peter 2:18
Series: 1 Peter (2015)
Duration: 1 hr 8 mins 48 secs
What does it mean to be a slave to God? Listen to this lesson to learn that we are always a slave either to the sin nature or to God. See that it is our volition that makes the difference. Hear four commands about respecting authority. Review the divine institutions and see how this shows why open borders are not God’s plan for nations. See Peter’s admonition to the lowest members of society that applies to all of us is to obey leaders even when they are unfair.
Video:watch Audio:listendownload Text:readslideshow
75 - Wives, Husbands, Strong Families [B]
Thu, Dec 15, 2016
by Robert Dean
Passage: 1 Peter 3:1-2 & Philippians 2:5-12
Series: 1 Peter (2015)
Duration: 1 hr 5 mins 58 secs
Is it important for us to assert ourselves so we will be noticed and obtain our rights? Listen to this lesson to learn that the opposite is true. Instead, we are to submit to the authority of God and delegated authorities in order to glorify Him. See that when Jesus Christ submitted to death on the cross for our sins He set an example for us to follow. Learn that being submissive does not mean inferiority. Begin a study of the comparison of marriage with dancing where each partner has clearly defined roles and must work as a team.
Video:watch Audio:listendownload Text:readslideshow
180 - A Believer After God’s Heart [B]
Tue, Jul 23, 2019
by Robert Dean
Passage: Psalm 89:19-24
Series: 1st and 2nd Samuel (2015)
Duration: 1 hr 7 mins 50 secs
When you think of being humble what comes to your mind? Someone who is mealy-mouthed? Being afraid to stand up for yourself? Being a “doormat” that everyone walks on? Listen to this lesson to learn that humility is the highest virtue in the spiritual life and without it you cannot be a person after God’s own heart. Find out a biblical definition of humility and contrast it with its opposite which is arrogance. See that God is seeking people who have humility and hear three examples from the Old Testament of men who learned humility through the tests they endured. Hear Jesus’ emphasis in the New Testament on taking up your cross and following Him.
Video:watch Audio:listendownload Text:readslideshow
246 - Spheres of Authority/Leadership [B]
Sun, Sep 08, 2024
by Robert Dean
Passage: Ephesians 5:21
Series: Ephesians (2018)
Duration: 42 mins 36 secs
Are we ever justified in disobeying a legitimate authority? Listen to this message to find out that God has established authority and it is not inherently bad. See what circumstances have to be that mean we are not to obey even as we accept the consequences. Hear about an example of this in the Book of Daniel. Find out that leaders are to help those under them to be better at what they do.
Video:watch Audio:listendownload Text:slideshow