Calling All Men…and Women!

Calling All Men…and Women!

-The Bible teaches that God created men and women with characteristics and has thus given them distinctive roles in the family and church.

-Why is it important to maintain the biblical distinctives in the roles of men and women in the church?

1. The church and the relationships within it are a representation of God’s character to the watching world. (Mt. 5:13-16, 1 Cor. 14:23-35, Eph. 3:10)
2. If God’s will regarding men’s and women’s roles is ignored or misrepresented in any particular body of believers, that church simply cannot claim to be honoring Him, regardless of whatever other qualities it may boast.

The Role of Men in the Church

-The unfortunate trend: God is known to be seeking men to fulfill roles He has designed for them, but there is often an all too common of men who stand in the gap. (1 Sam. 13:14, Jer. 5:1, Ezek. 22:30)

A. Loving Leaders

-Leadership over the church is a role that has been designated uniquely for men. (1 Tim. 2:11-14)

-A major reason that the unbiblical idea of women in church leadership has gained so much persuasiveness is that so few men are stepping up to take the reins of the church and steer it in a godly direction. (1 Tim. 3:1)

-A possible common aversion to men assuming leadership: I want to avoid the selfish or sinful ambition of climbing the ladder and stepping on people.

*Cultural says otherwise:

1. Persecution removed all glamour. (Acts 12:1-3)
2. Leadership is . (Mark 9:35, Luke 22:26-27)

*Men, are you willing to be used of God to develop and demonstrate unpopular and thankless loving leadership for God’s glory?

B. Effective Teachers

-Although God’s plan includes women communicating Bible principles to children and other women (Prov. 1:8, Titus 2:3-5), He has ordained that men alone should feed the whole flock of God when it gathers. (1 Tim. 2:12-4, 1 Cor. 14:34-35)

-Unfortunately, men often shirk this God-given privilege and thus, need to:

1. Recognize that teaching is not reserved just for leadership.
2. Intentionally develop and practice their Bible teaching skills starting at . (Deut. 6:6-7, Eph. 5:25-27, 6:4)

*It is when the Word of Christ dwells in us richly that we will find ourselves teaching and admonishing one another. (Col. 3:16)

C. Godly (1 Tim. 3:2-3; Titus 1:6-9)

• Above Reproach – I live a consistent life of growth in godliness over an extended period of time so that no one can legitimately my salvation, sanctification, or sincerity.
• Husband of One Wife – I consistently express affection and devotion to my wife and never to any other woman.
• Temperate – I am sober, careful, and controlled in my actions.
• Prudent – I am sober, careful, and control my according to God’s Word.
• Orderly – I live an organized and structured life in which I plan to make the wisest use of my time and can be depended upon to fulfill both big and small responsibilities.
• Hospitable – My home and other possessions belong to God rather than me, and I am willing and ready to share them even with those who may never do anything for me.
• Able to – I have learned enough biblical doctrine from my own study and from faithful teachers that I can instruct others accurately and effectively.
• Not Addicted – I could never be considered as someone whose judgement is impaired by the use of alcohol or other substances.
• Not Pugnacious – I never resort to any form of physical or verbal in my relationships.
• Gentle – I respond to others’ shortcomings., and even their abuse, with loving concern rather than hurtful comments or retaliation.
• Uncontentious – The thing I want to do is enter into a debate or conflict, though I know they will arise at times.
• Free from the Love of Money – My motivations in my work and investments is never to get rich or even accrue more possessions for myself.
• Manage His Household Well – I fulfill the role of a leader in my home.
• Not a New Convert – I will take pains to grow as fast as I can in Christ so that others can view me as spiritually mature.
• A Good Reputation with Those the Church – My conduct does not change when I leave the company of Christians.
• Men of Dignity – I am serious enough that no one could accuse me of being frivolous or not recognizing the gravity of spiritual matters.
• Not Double-– I do not say one thing to one person and the opposite to someone else.
• Holding the Mystery of the Faith with a Clear Conscience – I understand biblical doctrine, but I also live it to such an extent that I have no unconfessed sin or doubts about the righteousness of any activity in my life.
• Not Self-willed – I consider myself as less important than others and see their good my own.
• Not Quick-Tempered – I do not “blow up” when I am mistreated, or things do not go my way.
• Loving What is Good – I rejoice in my own obedience and growth and the obedience and growth of others, so much so that I will gladly do I can to facilitate that growth.
• Just – I do not show partiality to one kind of person over another, and I act consistently biblical in my dealings with others.
• Devout – I constantly worship God by setting myself apart from sin and the encumbrances that could me to sin.
• Self-Controlled – I have developed the habit of fighting and overcoming my sinful desires rather than giving in to them.
• Holding Fast to the Faithful Word – I Scripture in enough depth to be able to “hold my own” in a conversation with any heretic or misled brother.

*Although these characteristics are admittedly high, we are all capable of being the kind of examples God wants us to be the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Role of Women in the Church

-Biblical Christians recognize that God’s Word clearly places some restrictions on the ministries of women in the church. We do not believe God made women inferior to men, however, but that He simply made them from men. Men and women must perform different functions in the church in order for it to honor God.

A. Submissive Learners

*To be clear: members of the body of Christ are commanded to be submissive to others. (Eph. 5:21)

-One way women fulfill this responsibility is in the area of speaking roles. (1 Cor. 11:3-10, 14:34-38, 1 Tim. 2:11-14)

1. In the local church, each woman should submit herself to male leadership and teaching.
2. Pastoral leadership and other positions of authority over men in the church is not a biblical option for a Christian woman.

*The difference between men and women is not one of quality or ability, but of . (1 Cor. 11:3) – But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

• Jesus took a subservient role to the Father, not because He was inferior to the Father, but to fulfill God’s plan.

B. Gifted

-Christian ladies are gifted and essential instruments in God’s plan for the discipleship and education of children and other women. (1 Tim. 5:9-10)

-The role of a lady in educating children is . (Exod. 20:12)

-Perspective shift: what a privilege it is to seek out little ones and lead them to Jesus!

-Part of God’s plan to grow the younger ladies in the church is to use the older ones who have a discipleship mindset to point the younger ones to God’s way of doing life.

-Many ministries are uniquely for ladies because God has uniquely ladies for the task. (i.e. biblical counseling of ladies)

C. Hospitable Builders

-1 Timothy 5:10 highlights (lodging) to strangers as an essential ministry for ladies.

-Hospitality has several incredible benefits (A. Strauch):

1. May serve as the best means we have to promote close, brotherly love.
2. Proves to be an effective for evangelism.
3. Can be foundational in building fruitful and meaningful relationships in the church.

-Key passages (Rom. 12:13, 1 Pet. 4:9, Heb. 13:2)

D. Servants

-1 Timothy 5:10 also points out [washing] the saints’ feet and [relieving] the afflicted as ministries for which ladies are equipped.

-While in Paul’s day, this was a physical washing of feet, in the church today, physical needs of others and possibly the needs of the itself can be applicable.

-Pride is a poisonous problem in the church and should be sought for and eliminated constantly through examination and repentance.

*Key to understanding and appreciating the distinctive roles of men and women in the church is understanding that it is Who assigns and equips us for these roles–all for His glory.

*Taken from Life in the Father’s House by Wayne Mack & David Swavely