The Church (Powerpoint Only; No Audio)

` Week 8: The Church Initial Considerations ● Is it possible to balance the diversity of gender within the unity of the church body? Initial Considerations ● Is it possible to balance the diversity of gender within the unity of the church body? ○ We are putting forth the argument here that it is… ○ But there is no promise this it means magical ease... Initial Considerations ● Is it possible to balance the diversity of gender within the unity of the church body? ○ Galatians 3:23-29 - Before faith came, we were held captive under the law… 24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith… 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, The Church | General Principles ● To each person… for the common good ○ 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 - 4 There are varieties of gifts… 5 varieties of service… 6 varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given... the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge… 9 to another faith… to another gifts of healing… 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are The Church | Practical Applications ● Participating in Public Gatherings ○ Hebrews 10:23-25 - 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 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. The Church | Practical Applications ● Importance of Participating in Public Gatherings ○ Ephesians 3:10-12 - 10… that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. The Church | Practical Applications ● Reading, Praying, & Prophesying ○ 1 Corinthians 11:4-5 - 4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, 5 but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head... ○ 1 Corinthians 14:3-4 - 3… the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church The Church | Practical Applications ● Governance ○ Acts 11:22 - The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. ○ Acts 13:1-3 - 1… in the church at Antioch... Barnabas, Simeon… Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen… and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. ○ Acts 14:27 - … they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and The Church | Practical Applications ● Governance ○ 1 Peter 2:5, 9 - … you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ… you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession… The Church | Practical Applications ● Governance ○ 1 Peter 5:1-3 - So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. The Church | Practical Applications ● Governance ○ Matthew 18:15-17 - 15 If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax The Church | Practical Applications ● Teaching Children ○ 2 Timothy 3:13-14 - But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ○ 2 Timothy 1:5 - I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, The Church | Practical Applications ● Countless Other Areas... ○ 1 Corinthians 12:14-26 - 14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many… 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose… 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty.. 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer The Church | Practical Applications ● QUESTIONS? ○ 1 Corinthians 12:14-26 - 14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many… 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose… 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty.. 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer The Church | Practical Applications ● Leadership & Teaching ○ Men teaching & leading ○ Women teaching & leading Conclusion Wrap Up ● God has given us all gifts to use for the benefit of our church and our local community. ● We all then are required to put those to use regardless of gender Where We’re Headed Next ● To look more specifically at some of the clearly delineated boundaries in the roles of men and women