The sermon titled “The Mission of Submission” from 1 Peter 2:13-3:7 highlights the powerful role of submission in the life of a believer and its ultimate goal—winning others to Christ. The opening statement, “We put so much effort into winning the election and so little on winning their hearts,” sets the tone for the message. The teaching emphasizes that true submission is not about mere obedience, but a form of mission work designed to win people over to Christ through humility, love, and godliness.

The sermon draws from 1 Peter 2:13-17, where believers are instructed to submit to governing authorities. The passage makes it clear that submission to the government is for the Lord’s sake, whether it is to a king or other authority figures. The key takeaway is that government authorities are ministers of God, established to punish evil and praise those who do good. However, the question arises: what if these authorities are corrupt or evil? The example of Nero as a ruler during Peter’s time is used to illustrate that not all leaders are good, but this does not negate the principle of submission. The message further elaborates on how we must respond to bad authorities—whether they are parents, pastors, or police officers—by doing good and remaining blameless. The goal is not rebellion but to win hearts, even in difficult circumstances, following the examples found in Matthew 5:38-47 and Romans 12:14, 17-21, where we are called to overcome evil with good. The story of Richard Wurmbrand, a Romanian minister imprisoned for his faith, serves as a striking illustration of submission in the face of extreme injustice. His willingness to endure physical suffering for the sake of preaching the gospel exemplifies the heart of this mission.

The second portion of the sermon, based on 1 Peter 2:18-20, shifts focus to submitting to employers. Believers are encouraged to show respect to their bosses, even when they do not receive respect in return. The ultimate objective is to lead others to Christ through their actions. The sermon challenges the listener to consider how different their work environment would be if their boss were a Christian, highlighting the importance of setting a godly example in the workplace. Even when suffering unfair treatment, the believer’s response should reflect Christ, who endured suffering and entrusted Himself to God. Submission in this context, as with government authorities, is not about self-preservation but about demonstrating the love of Christ.

The message then moves to marriage, focusing on submission within the context of the husband-wife relationship as described in 1 Peter 3:1-6. Wives are instructed to submit to their husbands, not merely for the sake of obedience but to win their husbands to Christ through their godly conduct. The emphasis here is on the quiet beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight. The sermon acknowledges that some husbands may be difficult to submit to, but it encourages wives to follow the example of Christ, who humbled Himself even in the face of mistreatment. The scripture from 1 Corinthians 7:16 is cited, reminding wives that their godly example may ultimately lead their husbands to salvation.

Finally, the sermon addresses the role of husbands, drawing from 1 Peter 3:7. Husbands are called to dwell with their wives with understanding and to honor them as the weaker vessel. This is not a call for dominance but for sacrificial love, which mirrors Christ’s love for the church. The key to a wife’s willingness to follow her husband’s lead is his radical transformation into a godly man. Husbands are encouraged to honor their wives, showing love through small gestures, such as buying flowers, planning dates, and writing love letters, as well as larger actions that demonstrate their devotion.

In closing, the sermon ties all forms of submission—whether to government, employers, or within marriage—back to the overarching mission of winning hearts to Christ. The ultimate goal is not to achieve worldly success or to simply avoid conflict but to live in a way that draws others to the love and truth of Jesus Christ. The sermon concludes by reminding the congregation that the goal in November is not to win the White House but to win the hearts of those in it. Similarly, the goal is not just to have a spouse or to avoid a ticket but to win the hearts of spouses and those in authority, bringing them closer to God.

This message was delivered by Pastor Allen Victor at Calvary Chapel West Jacksonville.

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