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MATTHEW 8:9

"THE SOVEREIGNTY OF CHRIST"

Intro: Seven Centurions.
        1. One in passage of text.
        2. One at cross.
        3. Cornelius.
        4. One placing bonds on, Paul & when he objects seeking advice of superior.
        5. Two protecting Paul & Felix from hostility of crowd.
        6. Julius who was Paul's custodian on voyage to Rome.
                In all something to admire.
                In some much to admire.
                In at least one everything to admire.

I. CONSIDER THIS PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE, "I ALSO AM A MAN UNDER  AUTHORITY." SUBMISSION "HAVING 
   UNDER ME SOLDIERS". RESPONSIBILITY.
        A. I am a man under authority" three prepositions. "to" "of" "for."
                1. "To" Roman soldier submitted to cause of Roman Empire.
                        a. Personified in Emperor.
                2. "Of Submission of central will."
                        a. Roman soldier surrendered will, property, relations.
                3. Submitted "for" his work as a soldier.
        B. "Having under me soldiers" Responsibility.
                1. Related to submission.
                2. First look up to throne to which he bent.
                        a. Second look downward over territory over which he reigned.
        C. "To what throne is your life submitted? Over what territory do you reign?
                Every man has a throne to which he bows. Every man rules over a  territory.
                1. If you bow to the throne of the world, flesh, devil, your reign a
                   devastation, a reign of death.

II. CHRIST EXEMPLIFIED THIS TRUTH.
        "I do nothing of myself."
        "My meet is to do the will of Him who sent me."
        "I do always the things that are pleasing to Him."
        A. To what does Christianity call a man."
                1. Submission and responsibility.
                2. Submission to what?
                        a. A kingdom personified in Christ as King.
                3. Submission of What?
                        a. Your will.
                4. Submission for what?
                        a. That you might reign.
                        b. Where to begin? "He that ruleth his Spirit is greater than he that
                           taketh a city." (Proverb..
                                Not apart from N.T. I quit preaching self-control.
                                "The fruit of the Spirit is ... . self-control."
                                You begin to control yourself as you submit to your King.

III. WHO IS YOUR SOVEREIGN? TO WHAT DO YOU SUBMIT.
        A. Are you submitting to the flesh? Yielding to its forces?
                1. You are spreading this influence wherever you go.
        B. Are you submitting to the world, methods.
                1. You are exerting this influence on friends.
        C. Are you submitting to the devil?
                1. Exerting his influence.
        D. Are you submitted to Christ?
        E. Fathers, mothers . you are reproducing throne.