Sermon Tone Analysis

Introductory thoughts:

The principle issues of this chapter seem to have little bearing upon our culture today; but that is not the case.

The illusion that this chapter is irrelevant is often believe because of the issue of head-dress for women.

Within the church, people have parted generally in one of two directions:

Complementarianism A major Christian view on gender roles that holds that women and men are spiritually equal but have distinct and complementary roles in the home, church, and wider society

Complementarianism A major Christian view on gender roles that holds that women and men are spiritually equal but have distinct and complementary roles in the home, church, and wider society - The Lexham Bible Dictionary.

Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

The Lexham Bible Dictionary.

Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

Egalitarianism A major Christian view on gender roles that holds that women and men properly have equal and interchangeable roles in the home, church, and wider society.

- The Lexham Bible Dictionary.

Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

The Lexham Bible Dictionary.

Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

Paul is addressing some very culturally-specific issues in Corinth, but there is eternal relevance.

The way the chapter is laid out is in such a manner that Paul is seemingly going to drill down to the fundamental issue in the middle of the passage.

To do so, he drills first through the top soil.

(1) Men, women, and Christ are all ultimately accountable to the Lord (v. 2 - 3)

Here, Paul simply sets for the principle.

There are several things to keep in mind: (a) It would seem that Paul is hearing reports of disorderly public services (, ).

(b) Thus, Paul sets forth the principle of orderliness in accountability.

Setting things in order means that there are functional differences between the parts of the whole.

(a) It would seem that Paul is hearing reports of disorderly public services (, ).

What is astonishing is that Paul sets for the principle so strongly when he points out that Jesus Christ is in submission to God.

It is Paul’s way of making an unassailable argument.

Application:

* Early on, Paul is setting forth the truth that differences in function are not equal to differences in value.

* Ultimate accountability is to God for all, regardless of job or function within the body

TRANSITION: Not only is the principle of orderliness and accountability set forth but...

(2) This accountability to God does not eliminate differences between men and women in public worship (v. 4 - 5)

Here Paul becomes more clear about what is specifically happening in Corinth.

(a) The two activities that Paul is speaking of is done in the public gathering of the body in Corinth.

(b) The issue at hand is a matter of shame.

Shame is the significant of the insecurity that resulted from a broken relationship with God and with each other (Genesis 2:25).

Paul wants to get across the seriousness (c) Note the distinction made here between men and women.

Culturally, this did have some significance; but that does not change the point Paul is going to get to.

Application:

* The fact that all are accountable to the same God does not eliminate the distinctions between men and women in the public worship setting

* Shame is a healthy response that results from defiance of God’s word.

(3) Taking away differences between men & women in public worship is actually cause for shame (v.

6 - 7)

(4) Distinction of men and women in public worship is rooted in God's created order (v.

8 - 10)

This is where Paul not gets to the bedrock of the argument.

The issue is one of “authority”.

(a) Paul clearly restates how creation happened ().

In so doing, Paul is expressing that the God’s order still stands in spite of the Fall and regardless of what the culture says or teaches.

(b) It is this truth that should guide the fact that the woman being in subjection in the public worship.

Application:

Now, some of you (men included) are seeing this and thinking how implausible this is.

In your mind, you have believed that to have differences in function is equal to having differences in worth and value.

The thought is this, “Christianity is implausible because it ethically binds a people to a standard of inequality, rather than allowing individuals (primarily women in this case) choose and live according to their own standard.

“

Does equal function actually mean equal value?

First, this line of reasoning forces you to compare yourselves with each other.

(2) Secondly, this line of reasoning forces you to assume or accept a standard of fairness.

This means that you still have to accept something.

(3) Third, this never really satisfies, since we see in our world that even when the glass ceiling is broken, there are still pursuits for further dominance.

(4) Fourthly, this reasoning removes the beauty and diversity since it subjects everyone to a common standard and function and definition of success.

The scripture actually gives us a better way to sense value.

(1) Value of men and women is inherited from our Creator.

Our Creator has created us for a specific purpose and with specific order.

(2) Thus, our greatest function is to fulfill that for which our Creator has made us.

(3) Thus, the more we live according to created purpose, the more we reflect the value that we already have.

Generally-speaking (outside of the public sphere), it is not more glorious for women to act like men and for men to act like women.

TRANSITION: Now that Christ has come, how does the gospel affect my understanding of all of this?

(5) God's created order is now to be understood by the gospel ("in the Lord") (v.

11 - 12)

This phrase “in the Lord” is crucial for the Corinthians to understand.

Paul is balancing what he is saying by pointing to the gospel.

There are several things to be understood from this important statement: (a) First, God created all things in a special order (b) The Fall has left all things in tremendous disarray - where especially men and women will attempt to find meaning in rebellious activities ().

(c) God set out to form a new people for his name.

().

It would be no mistake to understand that Jesus Christ came to die and purchase the church.

So, when Paul speaks here of the created order and he is speaking to the church in Corinth (), he is saying: What was destroyed in the Fall, God by sending Christ has begun to restore, and the place where God’s authority should be reflected and God’s created order should be reflected is in the church.

It is the place where the identity that was lost in the beginning is restored in the lives of men and women who have declared Jesus Christ as Lord!

TRANSITION: But does the gospel remove identity of genders?

(6) The gospel does not eliminate distinctions between genders or roles in public worship (v. 13 - 15)

(7) Public worship should customarily exalt the Lord in the equality of the people as well as the distinctives of men and women (v.

16)

Closing Application:

For the unbeliever, you highest value is not associated with what you do; but with who you are.

First, you are valuable as a creature of God; but you are horribly fallen.

What does this fallen nature look like?

It looks like someone who pursue value in others things and other people.

So, to you find rest from this vain pursuit by believing on Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

For the believer, you have cause to rejoice!

You have cause to rejoice because you don’t have to seek position for value.

You are “in the Lord” and this brings you the greatest satisfaction no matter what the place of employment says about you.

For the believer too, you understand that you reflect the value you already have as you joyfully accept authority in your life.

For the single woman in the church, you don’t have to show your independence.

Your true value is in Christ and this frees you to live as a servant.

Are you serving?

For the married woman in the church, you don’t have to cry for dominance or position because your true value is in Christ and this frees you to live joyfully as a woman in service.

For the men, you don’t need to try to find acceptance or value by a display of feminine traits.

It is good that you are a man, and you can joyfully reflect this in the order God has created.

FOR THOSE IN SECULAR AMERICA, be warned against believing that your value is in accordance to your profitability.

FOR THOSE IN A RELIGIOUS CONTEXT, be warned against believing that your value is based on your productivity or function.