For the week of May 4, 2026
MONDAY
Day One: Subject Yourself…for the Lord’s Sake
Sermon Focus: Submit to all human authority placed over you – do the next right thing.
Truth: 1 Peter 2:13-15 says, “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.”
Sermon Point: Peter instructs us to yield or put ourselves under every human institution – “all the humanly devised structures of rules and norms that shape and constrain social behavior.” Most of the time, we choose to do that for the sake of an education or national security. But Peter says to do it “for the Lord’s sake.” It’s not about good order or discipline or even being a model citizen. If we are born again, we now represent His Name and His Glory. And just like He subjected Himself to every human institution, we are to do the same – for His sake.
Sermon Reflection: Where do you find it difficult to “be subject for the Lord’s sake” to human authorities? (For example…workplace chain of command, local government, school policies, HOA rules, church leadership, traffic laws…) What does that resistance reveal about your willing submission to God’s authority?
Application: In the area you struggle to “be subject” to authority, choose one specific behavior, even if it seems small, to express voluntary submission…for the Lord’s sake.
Kingdom Prayer Focus:
- Thank God today for the supreme example we have in Christ as One who submitted to the authorities in His life, even when it led to His death. Pray that the Holy Spirit would form that kind of heart in us, so that our lives reflect our desire to obey God above all else.
- Pray for every person at FM – that wherever we find ourselves, we would be united in our desire (and our obedience) to submit to all the various authorities in our lives. Pray that our submission would not just be grudging compliance but heartfelt worship.
TUESDAY
Day Two: Subject to Emperors and Governors Alike
Sermon Focus: Submit to all human authority placed over you – do the next right thing.
Truth: 1 Peter 2:13-15 says, “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.”
Sermon Point: When Peter says “every human institution” that’s exactly what he means – every single one. So, for us that means we are to obey everyone from the President of the United States to our Township Manager to our teachers in school. Regardless of whether we agree with them is neither here nor there. As those who have been born again – God’s beloved children – we are to submit to every human institution.
Sermon Reflection: In what ways does our conduct toward governing authorities either strengthen or weaken our witness for Christ?
Application: Choose one concrete act to honor someone in authority over you today…even better if it’s someone you don’t agree with. Thank a public servant, speak respectfully about him/her to someone else, send an encouraging note, etc. Honor isn’t necessarily agreement; it’s obedience to Christ!
Kingdom Prayer Focus:
- Thank God for His sovereign and eternal authority over every temporal authority we live under. Thank Him for His faithfulness in working out His perfect plans and purposes no matter who is placed in authority over us. Pray that He would help us to trust in Him more than we trust in (or fear) the human authorities over us.
- Pray today for FM’s leadership; pray for teachers; pray for police officers; pray for those serving in local, state, and federal governing positions. Pray that we would be a church who is united in our desire and obedience to live for God’s Glory, rather than people who are divided because we will not submit to the authorities God has placed over us.
WEDNESDAY
Day Three: God Ordained Authorities to Keep Order
Sermon Focus: Submit to all human authority placed over you – do the next right thing.
Truth: 1 Peter 2:13-15 says, “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.”
Sermon Point: We are to be subject to every human institution because God ordained their positions for a purpose: to punish evil and to praise good. In other words, human institutions and the authority given to them are in place for our good. They keep evil in check and promote goodness. Even if we don’t agree with them – even if we believe the authorities over us run counter to God, we are to be subject to them for the Lord’s sake. Period. Peter gives no conditions to this command. To be sure, this may not make sense to us initially, and it certainly isn’t always easy to do, but that’s only because we’re not thinking about it correctly.
Sermon Reflection: How does remembering that submission is “for the Lord’s sake” reshape our attitudes toward leaders we disagree with or find frustrating?
Application: Every time you are tempted toward grumbling, complaining, or slander against a governing authority in your life, pray for them instead, asking God to transform your heart as you do.
Kingdom Prayer Focus:
- Repent of all the ways and all the times you have resisted or outright rejected God’s authority by working against, grumbling about, or slandering the authorities He’s placed over us. Ask the Holy Spirit to convict us every single time we are tempted to do so…and to give us the strength to walk, think, and speak in obedience to Truth instead.
- Praise God for His wisdom – that He created and sets up authority in our lives for our good. Praise and thank Him for His grace that keeps us, no matter who may be in authority over us – that the entirety of our lives are in His hands and nothing will separate us from His love or hinder His promises to us.
THURSDAY
Day Four: This is the Will of God
Sermon Focus: Submit to all human authority placed over you – do the next right thing.
Truth: 1 Peter 2:13-15 says, “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.”
Sermon Point: God’s sovereignty and will stand above every human authority, and that means that even flawed or corrupt leaders operate within what God has permitted. God does not condone their evil, but He may permit their authority as part of His larger purposes. Because God’s sovereign authority is always over human authority, resisting or attacking governing institutions in God’s name actually places us in opposition to His will. Submitting to authority becomes a way of honoring God, trusting His purposes, and living faithfully – all for our good and His glory.
Sermon Reflection: How do your attitudes, words, and behaviors toward authorities in your life reflect the character of Christ and the desire to do God’s will as Peter directs in this passage?
Application: “For this is the will of God…” and you cannot do God’s will without His strength and power. Have you intentionally taken time today to be filled with His Spirit (Eph. 6:10-20) and to put on the armor of God (Eph. 5:18-21) today? If not, do it right now…and then just do the next right thing. For God’s Glory Alone.
Kingdom Prayer Focus:
- Repent of how quickly and easily we trust in our own strength, our own understanding, our own abilities, our own wisdom. Acknowledge that every single good gift we have is from God and must be brought into alignment with His will and purposes. Ask God to help us to lift our eyes to Him – to stop looking to others or ourselves to do what only He can do. Pray that we would become more and more like Christ every day as we humbly submit to Him in every way.
- Pray that we would all become more and more confident of just what the next right thing to do is in our lives – and that we would want to do it – again and again. Pray that no matter how many times we may fail, we never stop repenting and receiving the grace and mercy available to us each new day. Pray that we would whole-heartedly long for sanctification so that we can become more like Christ.
FRIDAY
Day Five: Doing the Next Right Thing Silences the Fools
Sermon Focus: Submit to all human authority placed over you – do the next right thing.
Truth: 1 Peter 2:13-15 says, “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.”
Sermon Point: When we do good by simply doing the next right thing, we “put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.” It’s just like Mom always said: two wrongs don’t make a right. We cannot conquer evil with evil. The only way to overcome evil is with good – it’s how we honor and glorify God. We don’t silence ignorance by screaming louder; doing good is where the power resides. As we obey God, He often uses the good we do to move on the hearts and minds of those who are working to promote evil.
Sermon Reflection: What habits or patterns in your life could better reflect the kind of goodness Peter envisions here – goodness that is visible, consistent, and disarming?
Application: Peter ties submission to doing good. Find one way to bless/encourage an authority you’re under…you can volunteer, help a co-worker, work to improve something, encourage unity rather than division, etc.
Kingdom Prayer Focus:
- Praise God today that His sovereign power is supreme in all the universe, and His will will be accomplished. Always. Pray that His Spirit will grant us the grace to maintain that perspective and enjoy unshakeable peace because we trust in His Word and promises.
- Pray that for all FMilers, the good that we do is that we obey our commission – we make disciples through prayer, encouragement, service, fellowship, teaching, being generous, etc. – day after every ordinary day – for God’s Glory Alone.