Male And Female
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Introduction
Introduction
A weird period for those of us who love the Olympics. A delay for this last summer games which puts the winter games within a few months. The official American team pulling out.
Mixed Medley Relay. 2 men and 2 women.
When looking at records, the men will have the faster times. Why? Is it because the men are better swimmers? No. Physically, their bodies are built differently. On that elite level of athletic competition, the physiological differences make a difference.
Now, certainly, any of the women swimmers could destroy me in the pool! But, when it comes to all other things equal, men are typically stronger because of the way that bodies develop.
Men and women are different!
The differences between the genders is part of God’s plan.
To understand the purpose of these differences, it is necessary to look at the story of creation in Genesis 1.
God Creation Is Orderly.
V. 2
God progresses creation from chaos to order.
God’s involvement nurtures purpose.
God tends His creation to grow it.
Dad’s calf. Taking care of it so that it can thrive.
God’s Creation is Fulfilling.
vv. 3-25
Days 1-3
Days 4-6
Day & Night // Sun & Moon
Waters for Sky and Seas // Birds & Fish
Land & Vegetation // Land Animals
When God creates, He has a plan.
Dad’s Kindle - opening the cover first.
Backwards for gifts, but the right order for creation!
God’s Creation is Distinct.
v. 4.
God creates light - separates light and darkness and night and day.
Then waters - atmosphere and sea (vv. 6-7).
Plants & seeds v. 12
Sun & moon for days and seasons vv. 14, 18.
Fish and birds v. 21.
Animals v. 25.
None are stated to be better or more important than any other. They are just different.
God’s creations can be both different and equally good.
All of this builds the background for how God is working towards the culmination of creation.
Mankind is part of God’s orderly creation.
Mankind has dominion over creation as a steward. Authority is given by God to mankind under God. And there is the responsibility of man to move things from chaos to order.
Mankind also has a role to fulfill in God’s creation. Working the garden (2:15).
Connecting in relationship between men and women in marriage.
Connecting in relationship with our Creator, which should lead to worship.
Finally, there is a distinction between the genders.
We are reminded that in creation, the fact that they are distinct includes the reality that they hold equal value. Men and women are distinct, yet are equal in value.
18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”
“Helper” is a term that is often used to describe God’s relationship to the nation of Israel.
“One who provides aid or relief.”
Psalm 121:1 (ESV)
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?
9 He destroys you, O Israel, for you are against me, against your helper.
Men and women are designed to compliment one another.
This means that we, as Christians, are called to reject any form of sexism, that is that either gender would be looked down upon or perceived as inferior.
This also means that we, as Christians, are called to reject any form of exaltation of one gender as superior over the other.
Distinct yet equal in value.
Some things that men will be better at, and other things that men will need the help of women to accomplish.
While Scripture gives guidance in some of the differences, we must be careful not to add to them.
We need both our men and our women to step up and to lead, to have a voice in our church.
Scripture gives very few roles a gender requirement. We need to be careful that we don’t go beyond what God has already said.
This goes both ways. Some things we think of that should only be done my men. Perhaps there is a woman who would be a benefit to serve on the building and grounds committee.
The same is true going the opposite direction. The children’s ministry is not for women alone. We need more men in that area. We need our children to see examples of godly women and men.
We cannot gloss over the value of both genders
The restrooms at the Underground.
Single use, sings that show both male and female.
Yet, in one, there is a poster that has a variety of mustaches on it. In the other, a sign that says, “All I need are lattes and lipstick.”
We can attempt to say that they hold no distinction on the outside, but when you look at what’s on the inside, there clearly exists a difference.
Yet, if you’ve got to go, they are both valuable!
God has created men and women distinct yet equally valuable.
The church must reflect this in how we promote our people to serve and how we show concern and value to one another.