What Is God's Role For Woman?
Questions Of Eternal Consequence • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Greetings…
Every year that God grants us we come to this wonderful day called “Mother’s Day.”
Having last week discussed “What Is God’s Role For Men” we will now, on this day dedicated to mother’s, ask the very same question but about women.
What Is God’s Role For Women?
In the same way society has destroyed the role of men at times, it has destroyed the role of women.
Women are now expected, maybe more than other time in history, to be more like men.
This sex role confusion has caused a great deal of chaos in our country, our communities, and even the Lord’s church.
So then, what is God’s role for woman?
Let’s begin by discussing…
Women’s Role In The Home
Women’s Role In The Home
Being A Wife
Being A Wife
We cannot begin talking about the role of a wife in the home as God would have it without first discussing the ever advancing “feminazi movement.”
Now contrary to popular belief, this problem isn’t anything new.
In ancient Rome, around the 3rd century BC, a group of women barricaded the Forum in an attempt to force consul Marcus Porcius Cato to repeal laws that limited women’s use of expensive goods.
Christine de Pisan, who lived from 1364 to 1430 AD, is accredited with being the “first notable feminist thinker.”
In other words, the misguided idea of women throwing off the shakes of submission has been around a long time and is not likely to end anytime soon.
For this reason we, those in the church, have a grave responsibility to make certain we know the truth so that “when it seeps in” we can correct it biblically.
Being a godly wife means being under her husbands authority.
Husbands are the head of the wife, or have authority over them.
1 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives
5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.
One of the great problems today is that many women simply have no idea what the word submission means, from a biblical point of view.
The Greek word for submission literally means, “to throw under” or “to put under.”
Now at first glance this may seem like God is putting women down or making them less than but that is not the case, he is simply pointing out the role in who has authority, as someone “must have authority” in the home.
The idea here is not that wives or women are placed under the thumb of men or their husbands but that they are “placed under his authority.”
So, why is this the case, or why is it that this is taught in the Lord’s church.
First, because it has been commanded by God as we have already seen.
18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
Second, because God created man first then women.
11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve
Third, because Eve was deceived not Adam.
14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.
Wives that are seeking to live a biblical life will humbly submit to their husband’s leadership.
Again, as God praised the faithful wives of the past so he encourages the wives of today to be faithful by…
5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands,
So how does a wife live a godly life under her husband’s authority?
A wife lives a godly life by respecting her husband.
I heard a man say the other day that girls are often raised learning how men ought to treat them, and boys are often raised on how they ought to treat women, but rarely are girls raised in how to treat a man or boys taught what they should expect from women.
And as I thought about that, it is so true in our society today, and even in the church unfortunately.
Wives can cause a great deal of hardship in their marriage if they do not show respect to their husband and his authority.
1 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful…
33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
So what does a respectful wife look like?
She obey’s the voice of her husband, when it does not conflict with God’s word.
5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.
She does not bring shame on him, but honors him so that he can confidently put his complete trust in her.
10 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.
She isn’t a disruptive force in his life.
4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.
26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.
6 Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.
A wife lives a godly life by having pure conduct.
Again notice what Peter ends with in 1 Peter 3:2…
1 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct.
A wife’s pure conduct is seen by others in how she presents herself to the outside world.
Her outward appearance isn’t to be immodest.
9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.
Her conduct isn’t conducive to defiling her marriage bed.
4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.
Being A Mom
Being A Mom
Now, let’s dive into what all children need, boys and girls need the biblical leadership from their dads, but they need just as much the biblical influence from their mom.
There is nothing that compares to the influence mothers can and do have on their children.
Now that influence can be good or bad but God desires for a biblical and thus godly influence.
Of all the roles assigned on earth there are few that are as important as the role of a mother.
It is only through the role of a mother that live develops.
This is why the old say is so accurate that proclaims, “the hand the rock’s the cradle rules the world.”
The wise men of this world have always understood the great value and important role moms plain in their children's lives.
In fact to think poorly of womanhood and motherhood is to think poorly of all mankind in general or as Paul put it…
11 Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; 12 for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God.
How do mom’s influence their children’s lives?
They have a great deal of influence concerning their children’s future faithfulness in the Lord.
5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.
Notice Paul didn’t say that bible classes were the reason Timothy was faithful or that the sermon’s he heard from Paul was the driving force in his dedication to God, it was the faith of his grandmother and mother and their influence in his life for godliness that he was as faithful as he was at that moment.
Timothy’s father does not seem to have been an influence towards his faithfulness.
It was his mother’s influence that overcame his father’s lack of spiritual leadership and allowed him to be a “son in the faith” to the great apostle Paul.
Being a godly mother is a great privilege that not every has been blessed with or may even desire.
The fact that a mother is a mother is because God has blessed that woman with a child and entrusted her with raising her children in the Lord.
This is why children are a gift from God whether biological or adopted.
3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. 5 Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
This is why mother’s are stewards of the children of God and are intrusted with raising them in the Lord.
6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Mother’s don’t let society and the fear of secular backlash keep you from raising your children in the Lord as you should be.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Summary
Summary
Being a mom is a very daunting and difficult responsibility.
Children will push you physically and emotionally further than you thought even possible.
However, when you love your children and understand they are a gift from God to you, then you can realize there is no greater blessing than to see them grow up into a faithful man or woman.
Now, before we end this sermon, I want to spend a moment discussing an important question women often have when they obey the gospel of our Lord.
And that is what are the…
Women’s Role In The Church
Women’s Role In The Church
What The Issues Are & Are Not About
What The Issues Are & Are Not About
The topic of women’s role in the church has nothing to do with the value of women to God or man.
10 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.
It also has nothing to do with the capability of women.
1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae
The topic of women’s role in the church doesn’t have anything to do with what society expects from the church either.
26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong
The issue is about what God, through his word, has said on the topic.
17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
So, now that we have established this, let’s now examine…
The Value But Limitations Put On Women
The Value But Limitations Put On Women
Some have concluded that because God makes clear that wives and mothers are to have a primarily domestic role and they are to submit to their husband’s authority that they are to be spiritually passive, but this is not the case.
Women are to be actively living righteous lives.
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
Women are to be actively growing spiritually each day.
18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
Women are to be actively not working for the Lord.
10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God
We see several examples of this.
Phoebe was a servant of the church whom Paul greatly admired (Romans 16:1).
Priscilla was a fellow worker with Paul and teacher with her husband (Romans 3:3-5; Acts 18:25-26).
Tabitha was woman full of good works and charitable deeds (Acts 9:36).
However, because God has placed men in authority over women they are limited in this capacity.
Simply put women cannot lead wherein men are present.
This means they do not lead prayers where men are present “ever.”
8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling
This means they do not lead through preaching or teaching where men are present ever which includes leading singing.
33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, 34 the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
There is no place wherein women are aloud to usurp the authority of men in the church or anywhere else for that matter.
So then…
What Can Women Do In The Church?
What Can Women Do In The Church?
Women are expected, like men, to…
Assemble and worship at every appointed time.
25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
This means participating in all the acts of worship when assembled, just not leading them.
Women are expected to…
Edify their fellow brethren.
15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Teach other women.
3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.
Spread the gospel.
3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. 4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.
Be good examples of Christianity.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Be hospitable.
13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
19 The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord.
Be benevolent.
20 She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
Summary
Summary
There is no congregation that functions properly without faithful wives, mothers, widows, and the like.
Conclusion
Conclusion
What is God’s role for women?
They are to be faithful to God as wives, mothers, and women by leading a life of righteous submission in the Lord.
When this is done properly it allows women to thrive and live the best possible life they can live this side of heaven, but if it is not done properly there life will be chaotic, convoluted, and disrupted.
I want to thank the women here that have dedicated their lives to living this out.
You, like the rest of us, are not perfect, but you being here demonstrates an understanding of at least the importance righteousness is in your life and those you are helping to be the same.
Invitation
1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; 2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent
33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.
32 Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures
3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
