There is so much confusion in our culture about what a man or woman is and how do we function. This week, I’m going to look at what the bible says when it comes to the role of men and women and the nature of our relationship together. DISCLAIMER: If you don’t listen to the sermon all the way through, you may come away with a different point than what I’m actually saying, because there is a twist at the end… Don’t miss it! Help us advance the Kingdom, support our online ministry (harmonychurch.cc/give). Got kids? Check out Harmony Kids online (updated weekly) https://www.harmonychurch.cc/harmony-kids-online/!
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OPENING ILLUSTRATION: Went hiking a month ago to find this arch @ Red River Gorge. didn’t know we had taken the long difficult path, it was tough travel, but when we got there it was so beautiful. -going to go through some tough country-may feel a little backwards (not progressive) – stick with me to end -surprise twist – and hopefully something a little beautiful
1 Corinthians 11:3-103 But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. 5 But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved. 6 For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head. 7 A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. 8 For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; 9 neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 10 It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels.
ILLUSTRATION: What’s all this head talk – Piper walking through with ball in her hoody for her head… What’s Paul talking about
Paul making two points in passage – one cultural one theological 1. Cultural: Men and women should lead in a way that is honoringb2. Theological: God created men and women differently and this should influence how we live b Paul is making an argument that the man is the leader of the wife and he is the source of the woman. head in OT referred to either leader or source – head of river[PAUSE]How does that sit with you? like me – gets you antsy – not favorite things to get up and preach…Because In our culture – we have worked hard to bring equality to men and women – and the reality is, we are moving quickly to a point where to be man or woman is a choice you make, not something you are born into.
progress has brought ability to disintegrate way we think of other stuff This fly’s in the face of who we are as Americans And…It’s why I’m preaching on it – because you need to know what the scripture says.
Before write Paul off as a chauvinistic pig – dig into argument…
Genesis 2:18-2218 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” 19 Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. 21 So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
was a time when man was alone with God
He was created, but he was not complete
know feeling of being incomplete? why we seek relationship-single? doesn’t mean not a valid expression of God’s image -does mean valid to feel lonely -Adam can’t get what needs from animals out of Adam, Eve created 18 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”
vs. 18 – the two words in the Hebrew for “helper suitable” are ezer (ay-zer) neged (neh-ghed) – which mean “helper facing towards” or “helper opposed”. -Adam a helper opposed – some of you get it, right? ? -Woman is beautiful expression of opposite
ILLUSTRATION:2×4’s against each other – the opposition allows them to stand…God puts Adam to sleep, rib = creates woman
Out of man, woman originates – created for the completion of man and THAT sticks in our craw…
Paul’s original argument is that out of this created order, humankind has a leadership structure and an origin story. b And, I think, especially if you are a strong woman – that still feels like a problem FULL STOP! – Can I tell you something?
I think you don’t have a problem with what the bible says – I think you have a problem with how our world defines leadership
Because What Christianity means by leadership is wholly different from what the world means by leadership
ILLUSTRATION: when we hear leader, we think of what I thought it meant…Teenager – low ropes, only girls = tell what to do OH MY GOODNESS… Was FURIOUS! why?!
My idea of Leadership was that Leadership is a top-down activity, I tell others what to do and they follow. I think most people have the same idea.
so, I was ticked when I had to give that up – especially to girls-I repented by the way…
THIS IS NOT THE LEADERSHIP OF CHRISTIANITY
Jesus Matthew 20:25-28 25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
In the economy of the Kingdom, leaders don’t exalt themselves, they serve, they don’t rise up, the bend down…
Ephesians – Paul, headship – it’s about submission to one another…no problem with biblical headship – problem with worldly leadership
Men, it is YOUR responsibility to lead your family to know Jesus -to make sure they will be in eternity with you -not to get the biggest paycheck or to be impressive b To me, this is why women should be drawn to Christianity – and why men should be challenged as they engage with Christ b But this is a Christianity that is beyond just going to church and hoping to be better-it’s dying to self-it’s finding the way of Jesus and living it
The question is, Are you “All in”? b Listen to me… Jesus isn’t interested in half-way b Half-way has done more damage in the name of Jesus than just about anything else out there…-left wives in loveless marriages-left children with fathers who are a lump when it comes to spirituality-left workplaces devoid of life and full of ego
This sermon is not about how women need to submit to men – it is a sermon about how men need to give their lives for their women dare you, ask my wife if I live this or not -not just some pie in the sky.. What would your wife say?
CLOSING ILLUSTRATION:As a man, I don’t like things that aren’t challenging.as a kid, hated cub scouts moms did everything Somehow, Christianity emasculated listening to lecture, singing some songs and going home…want a challenge – Die to yourself, accept Jesus, lead your family to know Him…It will change, EVERYTHING!
