Only Human Part Two-Male and Female

Introduction: 

We are still in our series “Only Human” and we have been asking the question “What does it mean to be human.”

This is a crucial question. How we answer this question personally, socially, and politically will determine the course of our lives. 

And there is no place where this question is being asked more than as it relates to gender. There is great confusion today concerning gender. 

Illustration: North Carolina’s Gender War

Gender is a Design of God

We saw last week that in Genesis that God creates mankind (humans) distinctly in his image and likeness. — this includes both men and women together.

Men and women created equally in God’s image possessing the same value and significance as the other.

Then we see that mankind is further described as being created as “male and female” 

God created us male and female. God created us equal but possessing distinct biological characteristics. 

It is becoming an established fact that men and women are drastically different both biologically but also psychologically

Illustration: Physiological differences

Illustration: Mark Gungor — men and women’s brains

Here’s the thing: we are biological beings. We are sexual beings.

It shapes who we are physically, emotionally, psychologically, and even spiritually. It shapes our personalities.

A common response, in our Western culture, is to ignore such differences and treat men and women as identical, virtually interchangeable.

And I believe, has caused total confusion and chaos as to what it means to be a man or a woman.

Even though we are created distinctly different, Men and women together image God. God created mankind in his image, but he did so as male and female distinctly. Therefore only together can they fully reflect God as they are intended. 

This is called complementarity. Men and women are designed so that in their differences they complement each other and bring out the beauty in one another in ways in which they would not possess on their own.

“We are built to need relationships that complement our characters, passions, and ways of thinking. As each of us are created as complex yet incomplete reflections of God's image, our genders play a critical role in displaying that image.”

So God created us in his image to reflect his glory differently yet in a way that complements each other.

Gender Has Been Marred

Yet, as we are going to see in a deep way in a few weeks, this image has been marred. This includes our gender.

God designed men and women to posses masculinity and femininity in a way that would glorify him and bring out the beauty in the other sex.

However, we see in the Fall, this would be harmonious relationship between men and women was broken.

Selfishness, self-sufficiency, shame, power struggle all are a result.

And this has been witnessed throughout history.

Abuse, neglect, struggle,

Illustration: latest chapter, “Me Too” movement

With this fall we often see the “wires get crossed”

Then you get transgenderism, gender “dysmorphia”, same sex attraction, and more.

So the Bible’s teaching on the cause of these issues is in stark contrast with our culture’s larger narrative.

Our Culture’s Narrative

But the Bible’s teaching on this issue is in direct disagreement with this narrative.

We are created in God’s Image

We are created equally in value and significance

We are created differently as male and female

We are created to complement each other

This created design is marred as a result of sin

Gender is Being Restored 

There’s good news. In Christ even our gender can be restored and redeemed.

Col. 3:9-11

Colossians 3:9–11 ESV

Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

In Christ, we have “put off the old self” and are “putting on the new self”.

We are being restored, renewed, and redeemed!!

And so a good question to ask is what then does it mean to be male or female?

We need to be very careful that we not define gender out of cultural norms but rather out of biblical teaching.

Illustration: Macho man vs. girly girl

So what does it mean to be a man or a woman according to God’s word? 

This is a really big question that we definitely cannot totally answer this morning.

Basic idea: as men and women we reflect the character of differently. What does this look like?

Illustration: Show chart.

Conclusion

Jesus ultimately displayed for us what it means to be human in its most beautiful form.

He showed us both strength and compassion, protection and nurture, excellence and beauty, worth and loveliness.

And by dying for us on the cross, Jesus showed us both the highest ideals for both men and women: submission and sacrifice.

He did this so that our humanity could be restored.

Illustration: Senior recital