Submit Themselves
The sermon emphasizes the importance of submission, humility, and care for others, and encourages believers to give thanks to God for all things.
Clement of Rome emphasizes the importance of unity and humility among believers, urging them to use their individual gifts to serve one another. He encourages the strong to support the weak, the rich to help the poor, the wise to demonstrate wisdom through actions, and the humble to let others testify to their character. Clement reminds the congregation to be grateful for the gifts bestowed upon them by God, acknowledging their origin and purpose in His divine plan.
Text
Let our whole body, then, be preserved in, Christ Jesus; and let every one be subject to his neighbour, according to the special gift bestowed upon him. Let the strong not despise the weak, and let the weak show respect to the strong. Let the rich man provide for the wants of the poor; and let the poor man bless God, because He has given him one by whom his need may be supplied. Let the wise man display his wisdom, not by [mere] words, but through good deeds. Let the humble not bear testimony to himself, but leave witness to be borne to him by another.
Let him that is pure in the flesh not grow proud of it, and boast, knowing that it was another who bestowed on him the gift of continence. Let us consider, then, brethren, of what matter we were made, -- who and what manner of beings we came into the world, as it were out of a sepulchre, and from utter darkness. He who made us and fashioned us, having prepared His bountiful gifts for us before we were born, introduced us into His world.
Since, therefore, we receive all these things from Him, we ought for everything to give Him thanks; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Sermon Outline
- I. Submission to Neighbors
- A. Let every one be subject to his neighbor
- B. Respect for the strong and weak
- II. Care for the Poor
- A. The rich man provides for the poor
- B. The poor man blesses God for provision
- III. Display of Wisdom
- A. Through good deeds, not mere words
- IV. Humility
- A. The humble does not bear testimony to himself
- B. Leaves witness to be borne by another
Key Quotes
“Let our whole body, then, be preserved in, Christ Jesus; and let every one be subject to his neighbour, according to the special gift bestowed upon him.” — Clement of Rome
“Let him that is pure in the flesh not grow proud of it, and boast, knowing that it was another who bestowed on him the gift of continence.” — Clement of Rome
“Since, therefore, we receive all these things from Him, we ought for everything to give Him thanks; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” — Clement of Rome
Application Points
- We should strive to be subject to one another and show respect to those around us.
- We should care for the needs of others, particularly the poor, and give thanks to God for the provision.
- We should display our wisdom through good deeds, not just talking about it.