The Importance of the Covering: Understanding His Authority (Lesson 1)
Notes
Transcript
21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
I. The Biblical Foundation of Authority
I. The Biblical Foundation of Authority
A. All Authority Comes from God
A. All Authority Comes from God
1. God is the Source.
1. God is the Source.
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
i. All authority is established by God for order and protection.
i. All authority is established by God for order and protection.
2. God is Sovereign.
2. God is Sovereign.
32 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
i. This shows that earthly authority is under God’s control and serves His purposes.
i. This shows that earthly authority is under God’s control and serves His purposes.
ii. Sovereign:
ii. Sovereign:
a. Supreme Authority: Sovereign denotes having ultimate power or authority over a territory, group, or matter. It implies complete control and the ability to govern without being subject to any higher power.
a. Supreme Authority: Sovereign denotes having ultimate power or authority over a territory, group, or matter. It implies complete control and the ability to govern without being subject to any higher power.
b. Independent Rule: A sovereign entity, such as a nation or a ruler, is independent and self-governing, not subject to external control or influence.
b. Independent Rule: A sovereign entity, such as a nation or a ruler, is independent and self-governing, not subject to external control or influence.
c. In a Divine Context: When referring to God, sovereign emphasizes His supreme power, authority, and control over the universe. God’s sovereignty means He is the ultimate authority, orchestrating all events according to His will and purpose, as seen in Scriptures like Daniel 4:35 ("...he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?").
c. In a Divine Context: When referring to God, sovereign emphasizes His supreme power, authority, and control over the universe. God’s sovereignty means He is the ultimate authority, orchestrating all events according to His will and purpose, as seen in Scriptures like Daniel 4:35 ("...he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?").
B. Delegated Authority in Different Spheres
B. Delegated Authority in Different Spheres
1. Authority in the Family:
1. Authority in the Family:
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
i. The family structure reflects God's design for leadership and protection.
i. The family structure reflects God's design for leadership and protection.
ii. We will come back and discuss this at a deeper level later.
ii. We will come back and discuss this at a deeper level later.
20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
ii. Children are to submit to parental authority, which provides spiritual covering.
ii. Children are to submit to parental authority, which provides spiritual covering.
2. Authority in the Church:
2. Authority in the Church:
17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
i. Church leaders are responsible for the spiritual welfare of the congregation.
i. Church leaders are responsible for the spiritual welfare of the congregation.
17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
ii. Elders/Pastors are tasked with leading and teaching.
ii. Elders/Pastors are tasked with leading and teaching.
II. The Role of Pastors in the Church
II. The Role of Pastors in the Church
A. Gifts Given by Christ
A. Gifts Given by Christ
1. Equipping the Saints:
1. Equipping the Saints:
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
i. Leaders equip believers for ministry (serving others) and spiritual growth.
i. Leaders equip believers for ministry (serving others) and spiritual growth.
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
ii. These roles are divinely appointed for the church's edification.
ii. These roles are divinely appointed for the church's edification.
iii. Edification refers to the process of building up, strengthening, or improving someone, particularly in a moral, spiritual, or intellectual sense.
iii. Edification refers to the process of building up, strengthening, or improving someone, particularly in a moral, spiritual, or intellectual sense.
2. Unity and Maturity:
2. Unity and Maturity:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
i. The ultimate goal of these gifts is unity and maturity in Christ.
i. The ultimate goal of these gifts is unity and maturity in Christ.
28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
ii. This highlights the role of leaders in guiding believers to spiritual completeness.
ii. This highlights the role of leaders in guiding believers to spiritual completeness.
B. Pastors are under Shepherds following Christ.
B. Pastors are under Shepherds following Christ.
1. Caring for the Flock:
1. Caring for the Flock:
2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
i. Pastors are shepherds who care for and guide the congregation.
i. Pastors are shepherds who care for and guide the congregation.
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
ii. Jesus sets the ultimate example of a shepherd's sacrificial care, which pastors are to emulate.
ii. Jesus sets the ultimate example of a shepherd's sacrificial care, which pastors are to emulate.
2. Watching Over Souls:
2. Watching Over Souls:
17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
i. Pastors have a solemn responsibility to guard the spiritual well-being of their members.
i. Pastors have a solemn responsibility to guard the spiritual well-being of their members.
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
ii. The Holy Spirit appoints pastors to watch over and protect the church.
ii. The Holy Spirit appoints pastors to watch over and protect the church.
III. The Covering Through Spiritual Authority
III. The Covering Through Spiritual Authority
A. Authority and Covering in 1 Corinthians 11
A. Authority and Covering in 1 Corinthians 11
1. Christ, Man, and Woman:
1. Christ, Man, and Woman:
3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
i. This passage outlines the divine order of authority, providing spiritual covering at every level.
i. This passage outlines the divine order of authority, providing spiritual covering at every level.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
ii. Husbands provide a covering through love, reflecting Christ’s sacrificial love for the church.
ii. Husbands provide a covering through love, reflecting Christ’s sacrificial love for the church.
2. Symbol of Authority:
2. Symbol of Authority:
10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
i. This symbolic act of covering reflects submission to God’s established authority and spiritual protection.
i. This symbolic act of covering reflects submission to God’s established authority and spiritual protection.
40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
ii. God’s order in worship and life is a source of spiritual protection and guidance.
ii. God’s order in worship and life is a source of spiritual protection and guidance.
B. Protection Through Submission
B. Protection Through Submission
1. Resisting the Enemy:
1. Resisting the Enemy:
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
i. Submission to God’s authority provides spiritual covering and protection from the enemy.
i. Submission to God’s authority provides spiritual covering and protection from the enemy.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
ii. Staying under spiritual authority keeps believers vigilant and protected against spiritual attacks.
ii. Staying under spiritual authority keeps believers vigilant and protected against spiritual attacks.