Becoming The Person God Is Looking For 1 Samuel 16

Sunday Morning Message June 24th 

When Mike Kollin, a graduate of Auburn University, was linebacker for the Miami Dolphins his former college coach, Shug Jordan, asked him if he would do some recruiting for him. Mike said, "Sure, coach. What kind of player are you looking for?" The coach said, "Well, Mike, you know there’s that fellow, you knock him down, he just stays down?" Mike said, "We don’t want him, do we, coach?" "No, that’s right. Then there’s that fellow, you knock him down and he gets up, but you knock him down again and he stays down." Mike answered, "We don’t want him either, do we, coach?" Coach said, "No, but Mike, there’s a fellow, you knock him down, he gets up. Knock him down, he gets up. Knock him down, he gets up. Knock him down, he gets up." Mike said, "That’s the guy we want, isn't it, coach?" The coach answered, "No, we don’t want him either. I want you to find that guy who’s knocking everybody down. That’s the guy we want!"

God is doing some scouting of His own today. The Bible tells us
2 Ch 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him…”

God is searching your heart out what will He find?

I. God is searching for moldable people 1 Sam 16:1-5

• God isn't looking for someone to tell him what needs to be done.
• God is not looking for hardheaded individuals that are determined to run the show.
• He is seeking for obedience over sacrifice.
• If you aren't here willing to submit to God's plan than move over.
• If the only thing that is keeping you going to church is it's right or your love for the church than your wrong. Hard headed and need to let god thumb you a few times to soften you up
• HOW LONG ARE WE GOING TO SIT HERE AND PLAY CHURCH?
• IT"S TIME FOR US ALL TO GET OF THE LAZY PEW!!!!!
• If you don't like the word of GOD If you can't handle the truth than you may as well leave. When you have your own universe than you can run it how you see fit. Until then either change or get out of the way! You aren't happy with church than either change your attitude or change you place of residence but don't stand in God's way!

II. God doesn't choose by merit. 1 Sam 16:6-11

• Just cause you have been handed a degree doesn't qualify you to lead in the church.
• You may be the most able teacher but the worst leader
• If The Bible says for the men to rise up than we are to rise up. If the Bible says that women are not to teach over men, Than that by golly is what we ought to be following! I don't care if you are a teacher in the eyes of the world that don't make you called to break God's command.
• When God says, that we need to be giving of our time and money to do the work of the kingdom. We best be doing that!!!!!
• You may be an influential person in the community, or been a member here since you were 2 but that don't qualify you to be a deacon, or to demand your way. If God says it we do it and we don't complain. We either get on board with God or not. He don't need a bunch of hard-headed Church folk telling Him how He should run the place.
• You may look the part but that doesn't mean that you have the heart!

III. God is Searching for Servant Leaders 1Sam 16:12

A. GOD BUILDS A SERVANT-LEADER IN SOLITUDE

It was on the lonely hills of Judea, with a flock of sheep for his companions; the starry sky as his cathedral; and the vast expanse of nature as his classroom that David learned some of the most valuable and basic lessons of life. He learned how to be alone with God and with himself. Away from the distractions and noise of others, David learned how to hear the voice of God. David learned how to commune with God. David learned how to worship the Lord. David learned how to be at peace with himself. There is no value that can be placed on those kinds of lessons. They are priceless!

B. GOD BUILDS A SERVANT-LEADER IN SECRECY (v.18)

Before David would ever sit on the throne and rule the nation of Israel; he would first spend countless hours alone, unacknowledged and unappreciated. Day after Day David spent his time with his father¡¦s sheep on the lonely hills of Judea. There, David learned to be faithful to his responsibilities, even though no one else was watching. He learned obedience. He learned humility. He learned to be watchful. He learned lessons in the secret places that he could have never learned in the places of prominence. He was trained in the classroom of obscurity; and when he finally received the attention and applause of others; it did not go to his head, because he had learned the lesson that he had no one to please but the Lord.

C. GOD BUILDS A SERVANT-LEADER IN SAMENESS (vs. 11,19, 17:15)

There can be little doubt that day blended into day as David went about the monotony of keeping his Father¡¦s sheep. Countless days, endless routines, the same things day in and day out. This is what marked the life of David. But, it was in the monotonous routine of life that David learned to be a man of God. It was there, alone one those mountains, doing the same things day after day that David learned the priceless lessons of faithfulness. David applied himself to the task of giving his best during the mundane times of life. Then, when God promoted him, he did not have to learn to be faithful; he already knew how. He did not have to learn responsibility; he had already learned that lesson. God used the unending monotony of the routine to shape David for greater things.

It’s time to get off the lazy pew!

God is never done using us and we are never big enough to be able to tell God the way life, church, or anything needs to be!

Let’s stop just showing up! Let’s start showing out!

The Middle Ground: Living Between The Extremes

The Middle Ground

Living Between The Extremes

Arminianism, Calvinism, and the Truth.

Introduction

The issue of God's sovereignty is one of the foundational principles of the Christian life. Furthermore your view of salvation, redemption, sanctification, and God's sovereignty and grace will shape your view of every area of life and theology. It is in light of this stark reality that I have chosen to study and pen my thoughts on these issues. I have had countless people in my church and those I have met ask me my thoughts on Calvinism and Arminianism. I will never forget one phone call I received from a dear friend and church member. I was preparing for a youth service and he called and asked if I had a minuet, he had a “quick” question. He then proceeded to ask about my thoughts on Calvinism. After a quick chuckle I gave the most brief run through of my position.

After that call and few other casual conversations it became apparent to me that this should become one of my next writings. The answer to these questions is not a short one by any stretch of the imagination. It is hard for me to gravitate toward one extreme or another. As one of my mentors and former pastor told me that it is not either one or the other rather it is a both and situation. I tend to agree with certain points in both schools of thought, and I tend to disagree with about as many.

I realize because of the nature of my more moderate view, I will draw criticism from both sides of the issue. Nonetheless, I feel it important to set the record straight on my standpoint. Some say they are students of Calvin other of Arminius. I am neither a Calvinist nor am I an Armenian, I am a Christ follower. We live in a world of extremities. When a man runs of one side of a cliff his opponents will run off the other to prove a point. Which lives those of us who don't seek to take that deathly plunge with a choice to make. Are we going to follow suit or stay the course set before us. It is my desire to go back to scripture and find the truth. There is no need to reinvent a wheel that already has been working for centuries. 

I invite you to join me on my long journey as we look at the study of soteriology, theology dealing with salvation especially as effected by Jesus Christ. Let's think critically of both Calvinism and Arminianism and find where in the middle is the middle ground, the solid ground. Because I for one don't want to dive of a cliff. I seek to live in moderation in all aspects of my life, faith, and theology. Just as Paul told the church in Philippians 4:5 “let your moderation be know of all men” (KJV). Thank you for joining me as we discover the middle ground in or faith. May God bless you as you read and study with me.  

Fathers Day Message Outline: Where have all the good men gone?

Where Have All The Good Men Gone?

1 Samuel 15:1-23

Lessons from the life and fall of Saul

Introduction

A. Give us a King! - the demand of Israel in I Sam.8

1. Saul was their choice, and he became their conquering hero
2. But Saul later became the King who threw away his crown
3. The Bleating sheep on the slopes of Mt. Carmel signalled the end of the Reign of the first King of Israel

B. It was a case of three strikes and you're out

1. I Sam.13 - He became impatient and offered an empty sacrifice for His own benefit
2. I Sam.14 - His greed and arrogance put his son in danger
3. I Sam.15 - He was disobedient in not destroying the Amalekites. He covered up his sin instead of confessing it.

I. Great Dad's Know Sin Is Serious

A. Saul treated sin very lightly

1. Not only did he make excuses and blame others, but never truly repents
2. He SEEMS to repent, but it was all talk and no action
3. Not once is Saul broken hearted about his sins and shortcomings

B. We must be careful not to make the same mistake

1. The wages of sin is death - Rom.6:23
2. Jesus Christ died a cruel death on the cross because of sin
3. When we minimize sin, we also make little of what Jesus did, and why
4. Sin is serious, in the life of both saint and sinner - die unforgiven - destiny is Hell!

II. Great Dad's Guard their Hearts Psalms 1

A. Saul did not fail immediately

1. In fact at the beginning of his reign he was a very humble man
2. But soon pride and envy took over, and he hated David.
3. His decline is seen in the visit to the Witch of Endor - I Sam.28

B. Sin Corrupts Godly Leaders (It's a slow fade)

Saul started as a fearless ruler, He was the hero they called for. He Ended as a cynically depressed maniac who turned his back on God

1. Leaders who walk with wicked men are influenced by their corruption
2. Sin slows our walk until we stand in sin and stop walking with God
3. Eventually the man caught in sin will be consumed by it. It becomes his identity.

III. Great Dad's Walk In Integrity

A. Saul was a double minded man unstable in all his ways - Jas.1:8

1. Saying rather than doing, making excuses rather than confession, offering sacrifices rather than obedience, reputation rather than
character. More concerned about his will than God’s.
2. Reputation is what men think we are - character is what you are in the dark - alone, no one watching (Except God!)

3. Great Dad's don't make excuses for their wrongdoing.

B. David was a man of integrity

1. Psa.78:70-72
2. David was a man of single hearted devotion.
3. A man after God’s own heart. Each time he sinned he sought God’s Face and Forgiveness.Psa.32:3-5 is another example.
4. We would do well to remember that "He that covereth his sin shall not prosper, but whoso confesseth & forsaketh them shall have mercy" Prov.28:13

IV. Great Dad's Are Obedient and Humble

A. Consider how much God did for Saul

1. Anointed and empowered him as the first King of Israel
2. Blessed him and gave him great responsibilities
3. But Saul would not submit to God’s will, instead he would offer a sacrifice 15:22-23 rather than obey God fully.

B. Trust and obey for there is no other way!

1. Our success in life will be dependent on our obedience to God.

2. Our prayers will be answered, God will help and guide us
3. But when we live a lie, or harbor unconfessed sin, misery will follow
4. Look at the Prodigal son - when was he happy? Lk.15

V. Great Dad's Build Up Spiritual Homes

A. Saul never built anything - except an altar to himself
B. King David was always building his spiritual life - look at his psalms.
C. God’s will is for us to Grow I Pet.2:2

1. Build up ourselves in the most holy faith - Jude v.20 thru the Word of
God, prayer, fellowship with other Christians
2. Build up others - Heb.10:24-25 "provoke unto love & good works"
3. Build up the Church through winning the lost to Christ.

D. If we do these things, we shall never fall - II Pet.1:11-12

CONCLUSION

• We must be careful to hear and heed these important lessons
• Do you wish to go from ordinary to great?
• recognize the seriousness of sin
• guard your heart
• Walk in integrity
• Be obedient and humble
• Build up spiritual homes
• What happened to Saul can easily happen to us too.
• We must deal with sin or it will deal with us!
• Come to Christ who is the total answer for sin - I John 2:1-2 "If any man we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous and he is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world"

Strife Behind The Pulpit: An Examination of Women in Ministry Final part

Conclusion

To sum up this whole highly controversial topic, I would have to say it comes down to a few fundamental elements. I ask that if you take only one thing away from this series of writings take this to heart; the pulpit is not a place for cowards, division, backbiting, political rhetoric, and an equality battle. The pulpit is a place that should be used for the proclamation of the life giving, transformation truth of Jesus Christ. It should be used as a tool to proclaim the fundamental truth of the Word of God. The pulpit is not a place for strife it is a place for God's healing for the divided church. 

Let's recap, despite the political pressure of society the church has to work to maintain biblical integrity. We cannot let political or socially acceptable movements effect our theology and the interpretation of scripture. God's word is clear and we don't need to rewrite it merely accept it. God has used women in ministry all through out history, and in His eyes we are are equals in light of eternity. There is no hierarchy in the church, rather we are all called to submit to each other and to His design. Women are called to submit to their husbands and husband to lead in the way of the Lord. We may be a step ahead but never a step below or above one another in God's kingdom of grace. 

Strife Behind The Pulpit: An Examination of Women in Ministry

Part 6: Debunking The Myths

There are several prevalent views today about women in ministry. One such view is taken from the writings of Paul we spoke of earlier in his letter to the Galatians. “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free,is there male and female,you are all one in Christ Jesus”. (Galatians 3:28) The argument that I have heard made time and time again is, in the Kingdom of Christ there is no difference between a man and woman. Catherine Booth, an early feminist and co-founder of the Salvation army wrote her commentary on this passage, ‘If this passage does not teach that in the privileges, duties, and responsibilities of Christ’s Kingdom, all differences of nation, caste, and sex are abolished, we should like to know what it does teach, and wherefore it was written.’ With this statement, Booth both captures and pre-empts much of the modern debate on this passage.

Since then scholars have argued over what Gal. 3:28 does teach and the extent of its application. On one hand egalitarians use this text to ‘prove’ that the New Testament abolishes all gender-based distinctions and treat it as a ‘control text’ for interpreting other texts. On the other, complementarians, like myself argue that Gal. 3:28 states that race, status and gender do not provide any barriers to salvation, but this doesn’t silence other Biblical passages that teach differences in responsibilities based on these distinctions, as I have spoken of previously. It has been my long held conviction that we must always take every verse in the bible and hold it in context of the entire scripture. A completely literal interpretation of this text would produce the idea that we are no more Jews, no more Gentiles, and no more gender at all.

In as much as our liberal media and Hollywood has tried to push off the homosexual agenda they still have not erased all elements of gender from our society. The egalitarian view of scripture reminds me of a science fiction series in which an alien race was discovered that had erased, or at least attempted to erase all areas of gender differences both physically and socially. As far fetch as my analogy may seem it is in keeping with the removed and science fiction type theology presented by the feminist movement. There are still men and women walking around today and we are still wired very different from one another. It is important that we be grounded in the scripture and not allow our mind to wonder off into theoretical space. When we are speaking in terms of the Christian life we are not simply dealing with empty concepts but we are dealing with the Words of our Creator and His words must be valued.

God does not go back on His word nor does he change what he says. In the beginning God created man to be male and female before the fall and he said it was very good. So in light of the fact that God created gender distinction in the beginning and set about certain roles for them, it stands to reason that if it worked in a perfect world it is still God's design for a fallen one. Remember God made man first than he made eve from the side of man.

In addition to arguing to the above argument for women in ministry, most egalitarians also quote Acts 10:34, “for God is no respecter of persons” This to is another tragic example of how we as fallen man are hasty to jump and make a doctrine based on one verse. Once again this verse is one of the most misquoted and used out of context. This verse is taken from a larger story in which peter realizes that God does not show favoritism. God views everyone as spiritual equals in regard to salvation. I would challenge anyone who is critical of my interpretation on this issue to examine for yourself the context of either passage and honestly ask yourself if this is referring to anything other than salvation.

Another not as common doctrine I have heard, is God calls women to pastoral ministry because they are often more gifted speakers or more capable of the task. I have very little to say in response to this. Because God very rarely if ever calls those who are qualified instead he equips those whom he calls. Take a look at the disciples (all of whom were men) they were fisherman, tax collectors and the like. Not your most qualified preachers. Look also at Abraham who when he was called was not even a god fearing man. Let us not also forget about Moses who was a fugitive on the run with a temper and a speech impediment who God used to free a nation. Time would fail us to explore all of the many things God did with David. Who went from being a ornery teenage shepherd boy to a giant slayer, to the greatest King of Israel. To say God used me to speak doesn’t really say all that much in light of the fact that God used a donkey to proclaim his message. 

Strife Behind The Pulpit: : An Examination of Women in Ministry Part 5: The Office

It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.
1 Timothy 3:1
It would be impossible to do a complete examination of gender and the ministry without looking at the biblical qualifications of the office in question. The question in which I sought out to answer was whether or not women could serve as pastors or in an oversight position in the church. But I want to go one step farther and ask who among us is qualified to serve in this role? Is there one person living at this time or at in time in the history of the human race worthy of the honor of proclaiming the word of our LORD?

Remember that it was Paul who gave women a voice, who converted from the legalistic way of the Pharisees. It was this sect that held to the Jewish customs that made speaking to a woman in public a shameful and even sinful practice. Let us not forget the great freedom that Christianity brings to all those who follow it. Furthermore let us not abuse those freedoms. When we take advantage of those freedoms we begin to tar out that thread the gospel writers so delicately wove through out their writings. I have heard women declare, “God called me to this ministry because He called a man and they refused!” What arrogance! I caution those who would be so quick to disregard the lessons of the previous chapter, that it is through your submission you can win them over without a word. If we ignore the Divine mandate we chip away at our freedoms and no longer speak the truth. We are ignoring the central message of love and submission to all.
God has many tasks for us all to do in the kingdom and they are all of equal value and importance. There is not a hierarchy in the Kingdom of God! Yet the question remains who is worthy to do the work of God? Who among us is considered worthy of the gospel? Find one man whom you view as righteous and I will show you a liar. The truth is there is no one not even one who deserves to be a pastor. No one is worthy of the Gospel. It is by grace alone that we are permitted into the Kingdom of righteousness. Inasmuch, there is no one who has lived nor ever will there be qualified to determine the qualifications of a Pastor, Deacon, Elder, or Christian leader. That right belongs solely to God.

This now becomes a question not of whether women can be pastors but whether or not you believe the Bible to be the infallible Word of the Living God. Paul was inspired by the Holy Spirit of God to pen the words in 1 Timothy 3 and in Titus 2. God clearly establishes several character qualities that a Pastor or overseer must posses. The terms used her as “overseer” “pastor' 'bishop” are used interchangeably. Overseer is the position, Elder refers to the maturity, and Pastor is a reference to the ministry. The man described here must be one who looks over the people of God defending fro false teachers. A man who is a mature believer we don't need rookie Christians behind the pulpit. And he must feed the people he serves faithfully as a sheep feeds his flock.

First hes says, “If a man...” some may say that you could better say it as if anyone. Yet then we run the oldest trick in the book found in Genesis when the serpent asked Eve if God really meant that. Don t stop here, continue reading. A overseer “must be blameless” this literally means to have nothing to hold on to. This is what all of us must seek to achieve. A pastor must be “the husband of one wife” now correct me if I am wrong but it would be biologically impossible for a women to to be the husband of one wife. There is no wiggle room around this word. Even in the original language the word translated husband is always used to express masculinity. This word is the Greek word aner, it is properly translated as an individual male (Strong's). In addition to this the Greek word Translated wife here is the base for other English words such as gyneocology, this word means women and in context means married woman.

One thing to note is that all the words in this text are use in the active present tense. In other terms you could read this as he must now be the husband of one wife. Meaning that at the present time is this true of the person. None of the terms here reach back in the past, the past is insignificant in the life of a believer because it is covered in God's grace. If we hold a persons past over there future in one area we would have to hold it over them in every area. The question is are you at the present moment blameless, a faithful husband, temperate, judicious, having your affairs in order, loving strangers, able to teach, not a heavy drinker, slow to anger, not greedy, a peacemaker, and be the leader of his home. There are grant it many of these qualifications that are achievable to anyone yet some are exclusive to men. The wife is never the leader of her family even when her husband isn't leading he is still the leader and the wife is to submit to him. This makes it impossible for a woman to serve as a pastor. The same applies to that of Deacons. We are all called to serve and through that service we lead others.

The question is are we willing to follow the leaders God has put in place for us? If not we are walking in disobedience and open rebellion. It is true that Phoebe was called a deaconess yet if you are a christian you have this same label servant of Christ. Do you desire to be a deacon then get off the pew and serve your brothers and sisters because this is what deacons do is serve, not fill a seat on a committee.

I have heard men and women alike ask if women are not called to be pastors can they still preach, can they still teach? I have heard many highly talented women speakers and seen God use women in ways that only He can. I believe God does call women just as He calls men but to serve in various roles. As the apostle Paul asked are all pastors, are all Evangelists, are all teachers? I believe that just as Aquila and Priscilla served side by side in ministry, He is calling couples to serve side by side in completion not competition. There are women serving such as Beth Morre who have phenomenal ministries and I believe are highly bible based. As Paul wrote to Titus that the older women should teach the younger women. Women are more effective than men at teach women on women related issues. There are some areas that are just not appropriate for a man to talk about to women. God does not Call women to be pastors of churches just like God doesn't call men to be a women's small group leader. You don't here many women complain about that now do you?

Women do you have a desire to teach? Are you skilled as a teacher then teach to women train up godly young ladies to serve and fear the Lord. There is no greater calling! Encourage your sons and husband to disciple other men and support them. If your husband isn't serving the Lord pray earnestly for him and continue to serve the Lord. I've witnessed first hand the power of a praying woman! I have seen wives pray for there husbands who would not go to church. In time those husbands would go on to become leaders in church. Don't underestimate the power of your position of submission. One submissive woman living for God can reach more people than you could imagine.

Men I urge you to take the lead and lead the church of God. This is our Divinely mandated role. We are called upon to be the pastors of our home. We must lead our family in the way of the Lord. Train them in God's word and equip them to be able to live there lives before the lord. It is our responsibility to love them like Christ. We need to spend time in prayer and let them see our heart for God in everything we say and do. We cant make them read the bible but we sure cant let them read us. The truth is they are whether we like it or not. We must also be the protectors of our homes. Recent studies published in the International Journal of Obesity show Those who had an overweight or obese dad were four times as likely to follow in their father's footsteps than children with a dad in the healthy weight range. Other studies show that if the dad is saved there is a 90% chance that the whole house will follow suit. It is only about a 40% chance if the wife is reached only. We are also to be the providers. Its not okay for us to be stay at home dads who make our wives work as the primary providers. I understand there are medical exceptions and I am not saying women are to be barefoot and pregnant. Simply men are called to be men and women to be women.

Strife Behind The Pulpit: : An Examination of Women in Ministry Part 4: The Home, Church, and Life

A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness… I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. For it was Adam who was first, Eve.

1 Timothy 2:12-13
In the days we live in, the word submission has many people taking up arms. This one word is responsible for many failed relationships, shattered homes, and hurting people. I realize that there are many differing viewpoints on a woman’s place in the home, church and life. I feel that It is vital to note the standing of women before Christianity. Before Jesus came along women had no rights, no freedoms, they were treated almost as cattle. Women were either the property of their Father or husband. They were not counted in the census and you were considered cursed if you had no male child. Remember the synagogue prayer in which the man who prays thanks God that he has not made him a Gentile, a slave or a woman.


Jesus made a fundamental shift to these practices. He started a conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well in public. The Jewish oral law was quite explicit: "He who talks with a woman [in public] brings evil upon himself." Another prominent teaching in Jesus' day taught, "One is not so much as to greet a woman." So it is understandable why his disciples were concerned to find him talking to a woman in public. Yet put yourself in the shoes of this woman, imagine what she must have thought for the Messiah to reach out to her and offer her living water for her thirsty soul?


Among Jesus' closest friends were Mary, Martha and Lazarus, who entertained him at their home. "Martha assumed the traditional female role of preparing a meal for Jesus, her guest, while her sister Mary did what only men would do, namely, learn from Jesus' teachings. Mary was the cultural deviant, but so was Jesus, because he violated the Jewish law of his day. Let us also not forget Mary Magdalene the prostitute whom he spared from the hands of the Pharisees. He even went as far as to compare them to her, can you imagine the thoughts and emotions experienced by her and the Pharisees.


Then when Paul and Peter came on the scene they brought about more fundamental changes.  Paul challenged the idea of superiority and further promoted spiritual equality. It is his writings, contrary to what some might say give the most freedom to women. Paul went from being the ruthless Pharisee Saul to the tenderhearted fearless leader of the early church. It is noteworthy that Paul acknowledged more women than any other biblical author. He also worked side by side with countless women in ministry.
A common thread that runs through the writings of Paul, Peter, John and the other Early Church authors was the idea that we are “all one in Christ Jesus”. As Paul wrote,

“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free,is there male and female,you are all one in Christ Jesus”. (Galatians 3:28)

The law created divisions and differences not just between people but between all aspects of life. Jesus did not come to divide, but to unite. In Christ all the common divisions of race, gender, and socio-economic barriers are removed. We viewed as spiritual equals in regard to redemption.


This is not to say that upon conversion our race, gender, political, and socio-economic status changed. Rather it means that these things are no longer of any value nor do they hinder our access to a spiritual relation ship with God through Jesus. These divisions arose because of the law, but God in mercy has proclaimed that all men are on the same spiritual level, in order that he might have mercy on all mankind (Romans 11:25-32).


So what does this all mean for the church and home life? If we are all “one in Christ” what does that look like? There are tree prominent views held by many in church today.

• Egalitarian (Feministic): There is no innate distinction between the roles of men and women in the home or church. Women can be pastors and men can be stay-at-home dads so that their wives can pursue their careers.
• Hierarchical (Chauvinistic): Women are not only commanded to follow male leadership, but are not given a voice with male leaders, as women are often chauvinistically kept under thumb as the polar opposite of egalitarian feminism.
•  Complementation (Moderate): Men and women are partners in every area of life and ministry together. Though equal, men and women have complementary and distinct gender roles so that men are to lovingly lead and head their homes like Jesus, and only men can be pastors in the church.

When God created women from Adam’s rib He said this, “And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him,” Gen. 2:18. The phrase “help meet” literally means “one who completes, one who helps, one who compliments.” Thus, while men and women are spiritual equals in the eyes of God, He does expect them to fulfill different roles within the family and within the church.


When God created the female, she was designed to be a completer, Gen. 2:18-25. Together with her husband, they became one flesh, or a complete person. Eve was created to furnish that which was lacking in Adam. Adam filled out what was lacking in Eve. Men and women still fill those vital roles to some degree today.It is God’s sovereign design for the man to be the pastor, provider, and protector of the family. In first Peter God laid out his model for the family wives are to submit to their husbands in all things as to the lord… and husband must love their wives as Christ.. This paints a picture of the man leading his family as Christ leads him. The husband is not a step above his family he is a step ahead. The idea of submission here has nothing to do with value, rather it has everything to do with place in line. Life is like a conga line, like follow the leader. We submit ourselves to each other and follow them as they follow Christ.


We all have equally important places in the order of the Kingdom of God. We are many members apart of the same body. It is vital for us to not quarrel about our place in line and humble ourselves and submit to those around us. If you desire a place of leadership in the church than take up the rear. For the most effective leaders always lead from the rear. Husbands lead by setting an example for their families. When women serve in the church their godly example sets a course for everyone to follow.


There are no divisions in the church only roles and assignments that God has given to certain people because it is through this model of submission and service that He has chosen to be the vehicle to reveal the blueprint of His relationship to humanity. To put men in a place of more responsibility does not take away from the value of women; rater it allows greater freedom for them. It is through the service and godly submission of the women the the men are won over without a word ever being spoken. The idea that women are to be silent in the church is meant to convey this idea of true leadership is done when no one is watching. We are all one in Christ. Are we willing to be one in service?