Under Cover: Part 4

Gadsden Christian Fellowship

Under Cover: Part 4

Submitting to Church Authority is Good for Your Soul

November 26, 2023 • Pastor Randy Helms • Ephesians 4:11–12, Hebrews 5:4, Acts 13:2–4, Hebrews 13:17, 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13

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In order to find true freedom and experience God’s peace, provision, and protection, we must learn to live Under Cover, ultimately submitting to God’s DIRECT authority (His Word and His ways), and God’s DELEGATED authority (those whom He placed over us in leadership).

One cannot just choose to be a pastor or in leadership, he or she must be called!

Our response to Church leaders and those they appoint:

1. Obey

2. Submit

3. Honor

4. Show great respect.

5. Show wholehearted love

Under Cover: Part 3

November 19, 2023 • Pastor Randy Helms • 1 Peter 3:1, Ephesians 6:2–3, Romans 13:1–5, Colossians 3:3–23, Ephesians 5:21–29

Four Divisions of Delegated Authority: 1. Civil: Presidents, government officials, law enforcement 2. Family: Parents, grandparents, legal guardians 3. Social: Bosses, teachers, coaches 4. Church: Overseers, pastors, elders, department head Satan’s primary goal is to convince you that something is good, when it is actually bad for you. Truth: Submitting to divine authority will provide protection, provision, and peace. It's not about the person, it's about the position. If you really know God, you will recognize authority. Someone who doesn’t recognize, respect, or submit to authority, simply does not know God.

Under Cover: Part 2

November 12, 2023 • Pastor Randy Helms • Romans 13:1–2, Exodus 9:16, Genesis 15:13, Genesis 45:5–8, Daniel 3:17–18

Four Divisions of Delegated Authority: 1. Civil: Presidents, government officials, law enforcement 2. Family: Parents, grandparents, legal guardians 3. Social: Bosses, teachers, coaches 4. Church: Oversees, pastors, elders, department heads When you resist delegated authority, you resist God Himself. All authority is of God, but not all authority is godly! We must remember these things: 1. All authority is of God, but not all authority is Godly. 2. God is in control, not us. His ways, not ours. His plan, not ours. 3. Obedience is not unconditional, but having a submissive attitude is. 4. How you respond to leadership determines your future. 5. If you're in a position of subordination to a bad leader, unfair boss, or an ungodly supervisor, God wasn't surprised and wants to grow you. He may even want to use you to reach your leader. What to do when under bad leadership: 1. Pray. Pray that God will show you the error of your ways. Pray for your leader. 2. Submit and obey. 3. Repent. Repent for any negative things you have said behind your boss's back. Repent for any gossip or slander that you have caused or participated in.

Under Cover: Part 1

November 5, 2023 • Pastor Randy Helms • Psalm 91:1–7, Psalm 51:16–17, Romans 13:1, Hebrews 13:17, Job 36:11–12

Living under cover provides freedom! Three promises of being under cover (living in God's shelter): 1. Peace 2. Protection 3. Provision Consequences for NOT being under authority: Instead of... 1. Peace: Unrest, fear, anxiety 2. Protection: Vulnerable 3. Provision: Lack (in all realms of life) There is bondage in disobedience, but there is freedom in submission. How to live under cover: 1. Submit to God's direct authority: HIs Word and His Way 2. Submit to God' delegated authority.