Speaker: Zac Poonen
Title: Submission to Authorities
Date: 10/05/2025
Our Goal as Christians is this: To be an exact reflection of Jesus, the Son of God (Romans 8:29)
We do this individually by growing in purity in our personal lives (1 John 3:2-3)
We do this corporately by becoming fully functioning members of a local Church (Ephesians 4:11-16)
Summary
Zac Poonen teaches that Christians must decrease so Christ can increase, particularly through submission to all authorities—at work, home, and in government. He argues that rebellion against authority is the root sin, illustrated through Genesis 3 where Eve's first sin was failing to consult Adam's authority rather than eating the fruit, and Adam's first sin was failing to assert his God-given headship. Submission to authority, whether to employers, spouses, parents, or government, is God's command and the means by which the life of Jesus is manifested in us.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
He must increase, I must decreaseFollowing John the Baptist's example, believers must cooperate with anything that helps them decrease so Christ can increase.John 3:30
Delivered over to deathGod proves His love by constantly delivering us over to death so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in us.2 Corinthians 4:11
Submitting to authorities on earthOne key way God delivers us to death is by placing us under earthly authorities at the office, home, and government, whom we must obey as God's command.
Shedding light on Genesis 3God established Adam as the head and Eve as the helper at creation, a structure the devil aimed to attack in the garden.
Sin came through rebellion against authoritySatan fell by rebelling against God's authority, and his primary aim with Eve was to get her to rebel against the authority placed over her.
The first sins of Eve and AdamEve's first sin was failing to consult Adam, and Adam's first sin was failing to assert his God-given authority as head of the home.
Opening the door to the devilWhen parents or husbands fail to exercise their God-given authority, they invite confusion and the spirit of rebellion into the home.
Questioning authority in the churchPeople would never dare question authority in an office or challenge Moses directly without divine consequence, yet they frequently do so in the church.
The mark of a true man of GodA true man of God does not self-assert his authority when questioned, but keeps his mouth shut and lets God defend his position.
Obeying church leadersThe same Holy Spirit who commands obedience to masters in the workplace commands believers to submit to their church leaders.Hebrews 13:17
The heavy responsibility of eldersElders keep watch over souls like toilet cleaners cleaning up messes, and will give an account to God, so believers must not cause them grief.
Personal experience under authorityThe speaker shares how God tested him for years under various elders, keeping silent and respectful even when facing rejection and restrictions.
Passing the training periodGod does not make men elders if they never learned to submit to authority during their initial training period.
Embracing death to self like JesusWhen God delivers you over to death for Jesus' sake, willingly surrender without speaking a word, and the life of Jesus will be manifested in you.
Speaker: Zac Poonen
Title: Submission to Authorities
Date: 10/05/2025
Our Goal as Christians is this: To be an exact reflection of Jesus, the Son of God (Romans 8:29)
We do this individually by growing in purity in our personal lives (1 John 3:2-3)
We do this corporately by becoming fully functioning members of a local Church (Ephesians 4:11-16)
Summary
Zac Poonen teaches that Christians must decrease so Christ can increase, particularly through submission to all authorities—at work, home, and in government. He argues that rebellion against authority is the root sin, illustrated through Genesis 3 where Eve's first sin was failing to consult Adam's authority rather than eating the fruit, and Adam's first sin was failing to assert his God-given headship. Submission to authority, whether to employers, spouses, parents, or government, is God's command and the means by which the life of Jesus is manifested in us.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
He must increase, I must decreaseFollowing John the Baptist's example, believers must cooperate with anything that helps them decrease so Christ can increase.John 3:30
Delivered over to deathGod proves His love by constantly delivering us over to death so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in us.2 Corinthians 4:11
Submitting to authorities on earthOne key way God delivers us to death is by placing us under earthly authorities at the office, home, and government, whom we must obey as God's command.
Shedding light on Genesis 3God established Adam as the head and Eve as the helper at creation, a structure the devil aimed to attack in the garden.
Sin came through rebellion against authoritySatan fell by rebelling against God's authority, and his primary aim with Eve was to get her to rebel against the authority placed over her.
The first sins of Eve and AdamEve's first sin was failing to consult Adam, and Adam's first sin was failing to assert his God-given authority as head of the home.
Opening the door to the devilWhen parents or husbands fail to exercise their God-given authority, they invite confusion and the spirit of rebellion into the home.
Questioning authority in the churchPeople would never dare question authority in an office or challenge Moses directly without divine consequence, yet they frequently do so in the church.
The mark of a true man of GodA true man of God does not self-assert his authority when questioned, but keeps his mouth shut and lets God defend his position.
Obeying church leadersThe same Holy Spirit who commands obedience to masters in the workplace commands believers to submit to their church leaders.Hebrews 13:17
The heavy responsibility of eldersElders keep watch over souls like toilet cleaners cleaning up messes, and will give an account to God, so believers must not cause them grief.
Personal experience under authorityThe speaker shares how God tested him for years under various elders, keeping silent and respectful even when facing rejection and restrictions.
Passing the training periodGod does not make men elders if they never learned to submit to authority during their initial training period.
Embracing death to self like JesusWhen God delivers you over to death for Jesus' sake, willingly surrender without speaking a word, and the life of Jesus will be manifested in you.
