103 Sermon Illustrations on Submission

He's still working on me

to make me what I ought to be;

It took Him just a week to make

the moon and stars,

the sun and the earth

and Jupiter and Mars;

How loving and patient

He must be!

He's still working on me!

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1. Be still, my soul – the Lord is on thy side!

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;

Leave to thy God to order and provide –

In ev’ry change He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul – thy best, thy heav’nly friend

Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

2. Be still, my soul – thy God doth undertake

To guide the future as He has the past;

Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake –

All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul – the waves and winds still know

His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

3. Be still, my soul – the hour is hast’ning on

When we shall be forever with the Lord,

When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,

Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul – when change and tears are past,

All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

[Tune “Finlandia”]

Prince of Peace, control my will,

Bid this struggling heart be still,

Bid my fears and doubtings cease,

Hush my spirit into peace.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Do you believe that? Careful, belief is a powerful thing, especially concerning such profound matters as God's existence. True belief or true disbelief in such a proposition will radically shape your view of the world, so proceed with caution. In other words, banish blitheness.

Our fundamental beliefs about the world are not always as transparent to us as we might think. For example, we might fancy ourselves avowed atheists, but in truth, we live and think as if the world were created and sustained by a personal God. Or we might conceive ourselves God-fearing folk who wouldn't dare question the Creator's existence, yet live and think about the world as if we were atheists.

In both cases confessed belief contradicts what is truly believed, that is, what is actually lived out in thoughts and actions. This is a difficult problem for all, for our thought life is influenced and determined by factors we often don't realize are influencing and determining us. Socrates attempted to combat this self-ignorance by advising to first, “Know thyself.”

I propose a test for knowing our self on this matter of the Creator: a test of true belief for those who confess to believe in the Creator. If you do believe, ask yourself: “What is my body? Who owns my body? Am I accountable to anyone for what I do with my body?”

If you believe in the Creator and therefore in creation, then you must admit that, for you, your body is the most intimate domain of creation. So how you think about your body reflects how you think about creation. Today, many voices tell us that our bodies are our own, the region where our will reigns supreme, where we are in control; and this control, they say, is a sacred right. Such beliefs permeate our society and shape how we treat our bodies. From plastic surgery to fast food, our bodies are the clay that our will molds, and don't try to tell us otherwise.

Such notions are in direct contradiction to belief in the Creator. So if you believe in one, heed my words. Your Creator created your body, breathed His breathe into it, fashioned it from clay; so you are not its sole monarch. Yes, God gave us a will to choose, but He did this so that we might bring our bodies under his Lordship, His creatorship.

So ask yourself, “Who shapes my clay?” The benevolent potter desires too.

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Copyright © 2002 Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM). Reprinted with permission. "A Slice of Infinity" is a radio ministry of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries.

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[Original illustration at this number was added to HolwickID #19087]

"An individual's highest fulfillment, greatest happiness, and widest usefulness are to be found in living in harmony with His (God's) will."

-- John D. Rockefeller, Jr.

"Worship is the submission of all of our nature to God," begins the quote by Archbishop William Temple, which I have often recited.

The submission of all our nature to God. Do we understand this, let alone surrender to it? What an incredible statement! The submission of all our nature to God must encompass, as Temple reminds us, the conscience, the mind, the imagination, the heart, and the will. In short, worship is bringing all of ourselves in adoration to God. As the Psalm writer put it: Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy name.

This type of worship does not come naturally to us as humans, does it? I don't know if you have ever taken the time to study Michelangelo's famous painting of God reaching out to Adam. It is such an interesting and telling picture. God's arm is outstretched. Every muscle on His face is contorted and the hand is reaching out as far as possible to make contact with man. One might assume that Adam is also struggling earnestly to touch God. Quite the contrary. Adam lackadaisically lets a limpish hand dangle with apathy in an attitude that seems to say, "If it meets, it meets." How well Adam's character reflects the contrasting inclinations of the heart. Certainly there are times - albeit few - when we realize our need for God and our absolute lostness without Him. But for the most part, we let a limp hand dangle at our side and do not even bother to lift it.

Jesus makes it clear that God is seeking worshippers. In his famous interaction with the woman at the well he said, "... the true worshippers ... worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks." In other words, God is seeking those who love Him with all that they are, with both their hearts and their minds. Author John Piper says it simply: "Strong affections for God rooted in truth are the bone and marrow of biblical worship."

May I ask you, friend, how is your worship? Are you worshipping with all that is within you, with deep affection, mindful of who God is? Let us paint ourselves into Michelangelo's picture and replace Adam's response to God with an arm outstretched toward Him, a heart full of love for Him and a mind full of His truth.

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Copyright © 2002 Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM). Reprinted with permission. "A Slice of Infinity" is a radio ministry of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries.

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Read Psalm 30:1-12

Two words are repeated seven times in Psalm 30 — “you have.” David is praising God for what He had done for him. Are you doing that today? Perhaps you’ve seen the plaque that says, “Prayer changes things,” and that’s true. I’ve also seen a plaque that says, “Praise changes things,” and that also is true. It’s amazing how our whole attitude and whole outlook can be transformed by praising God.

In verse 6 David gives a testimony: “Now in my prosperity I said, ‘I shall never be moved.”’ When we have prosperity without humility, it leads to adversity. Why? Because we start to be more concerned with things than we are with God. David said in his prosperity, “I shall never be moved.” But then he found out that he could be moved. He found out that his prosperity did not guarantee security. So instead of saying “I shall” or “I shall not,” he began saying “You have.” He submitted his will to God’s will. “You have” defeated the enemy. “For You have lifted me up, and have not let my foes rejoice over me” (v. 1). “You have” given me victory. “You have” answered prayer. “You have healed me” (v. 2). “You have brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive” (v. 3).

God did some marvelous things for David. He defeated his enemy, answered his prayer, saved his life and established him (v. 7). And then He gave him joy. “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness” (v. 11). Do you want your life to be transformed today? Move from “I shall” to “You have” and, in humility, praise God for what He has done.

Submitting to God is an exercise in humility. Until you humble yourself before Him and concern yourself with the things of God, you will not become established. For God to work in your life, your will must be aligned with His. Are you submitted to Him? If not, humble yourself before Him and allow Him to transform your life.

There are lots of people who just love to play golf, and some charitable organizations have found a way to harness golf fever to help support their work. They have these benefit golf tournaments on behalf of their cause. In one major city where a friend of mine is in charitable work, they asked the local NFL quarterback to be the chairman of the golf tournament - well, actually, the honorary chairman. His name on the invitation and the letterhead - ooooh, those were impressive! And it made the whole event feel more important. Oh, but don't be fooled. Mr. Quarterback had absolutely no say in how that day was organized. He was the honorary chairman. That's a big title, but no real authority.

Well, I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about “The Honorary Chairman Charade.”

Our word for today from the Word of God comes from the words of Jesus Himself beginning in Luke 6:46. He begins with an unsettling question. “Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?” Jesus says, “You're saying the right words. You're giving Me the right title. But I'm not really in charge. You are.” Jesus then proceeds with an example that shows the difference between the person who knows what Jesus wants and the person who does what Jesus wants.

He says, “I will show you what he is like who comes to Me and hears My words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears My words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

Now, here's a believer who is headed for a collapse. Why? Because he has allowed Jesus to become just his “honorary chairman.” See, a lot of Christians play that game - maybe you. Jesus' name is still on the letterhead. Oh, you've certainly continued to give Him the right title - “Lord.” He still has your official allegiance as the final word in your life. But could it be that, in reality, you have given Jesus little real authority over the choices that make up your day?

It's all too easy for that to happen when you've followed Christ for a while. There was a time when you surrendered it all to Jesus. But your life has grown and changed a lot since then. You've got a reputation, a lot more earth-stuff, relationships, a family, your financial position, a career, some scars, some spiritual struggles. And you may not have extended Jesus' Lordship daily as each day's new experiences emerged. And now there're a lot of pieces of your life that are not really under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Maybe you're depending on a commitment that was very deep and meaningful at the time, but not sufficient to cover a lot of the ground that has become your larger life today. So, what was once passionate with Jesus has become professional. What was once vibrant and alive has become official.

If Jesus is really just the honorary chairman of your life, it's time to return again to that altar of total surrender. It will be harder this time because you've got a lot more to surrender. But Jesus died, not to have the title, but the real authority over your life. An authority that has to be expanded through giving today's new ground to Him. Light again that fire that once burned to high in you - the fire that's kindled, not when Jesus is your honorary chairman, but when He is the hands-on Lord of every choice you make!

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Copyright © Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc., PO Box 400, Harrison, AR 72602. Used by permission. Written by Ron Hutchcraft. "Practical Answers to Real Life Issues"

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Who says women are second-class Baptists? No one I know unless it might be someone who suggests that teaching the Bible to women and children is a waste of talent and training unless men are in the audience.

The discussion of a woman's role in the church has moved to the front among evangelicals, especially in the last two decades. The issue divides congregations and destroys the faith of individuals. The problems and confusion accompanying the rise of “biblical” feminism prompted Southern Baptists to address the matter head-on. What could be a better defense in a conflict of ideas than a clear and unambiguous statement based on the text of Scripture?

Producing a concise, clear statement of the generally held beliefs of Southern Baptists is challenging, especially when Scripture is contra-culture and against popularly held notions. I served on the Baptist Faith and Message Study Committee that drafted a statement on the family. The committee examined major passages of Scripture on the family and relationships therein. The article is positive in its tone and declares what Scripture affirms rather than what it forbids; its words and phrases were carefully fashioned in line with Scripture itself.

Anyone taking issue with the statement needs to address his concerns to the words found in the statement as well as to the Scriptures cited. Facts should overshadow feelings; Scripture should overrule experience.

God introduced His purpose for marriage in creation (Genesis 2:24) and reaffirmed that purpose in the Gospels (Matthew 19:5) and the Pauline epistles (Ephesians 5:31). This covenant commitment for an exclusive, permanent, monogamous union of one man and one woman is pledged in the presence of God and transcends time and culture. Epidemic divorce -- even among church leaders -- and militant attacks on divinely fashioned sexuality complicate the matter even more as biblical standards are blurred by experience and convenience.

Scripture defines how a husband and wife are to relate to one another. As exercising dominion over the world and extending the generations (Genesis 1:28; 2:18). There is no hint of inferiority in the assignment. God is described as a Helper (Psalm 27:9). In this unique function a wife complements and augments her husband.

The husband's leadership was established and carefully defined at creation, i.e., before the Fall in the Garden of Eden and not as the result of human failure (Genesis 2:15-17), and then was modeled by Jesus, the perfect servant leader. The union of “servant leadership” with “gracious submission” is natural and edifying.

Both husband and wife mutually submit, as suggested by the participle translated “submitting” in Ephesians 5:21. This mutual submission does not negate the unique submission described in verse 22 and elsewhere (Colossians 3:18; Titus 2:3-5; 1 Peter 3:1-4). The understanding of mutual submission sets the stage for obedience of husband and wife to their respective assignments from God.

Submission to any command, by definition of the Greek word used in the earliest text of Scripture, reflects a choice in contradistinction to forced action. A husband “submits” to the command of Christ when he determines to “love” his wife as Christ loved the church, even to the point of being willing to lay down his life. A wife “submits” to her own husband (Ephesians 5:21-22; Colossians 3:18; Titus 2:3-5; 1 Peter 3:1-7). What may seem “ridiculous” in a modern cultural setting or inappropriate when juxtaposed to current ideology, if coming directly from Scripture, is elevated to divine mandate; and that position trumps all others. Even knowledge from firsthand experience should not mold and fashion your interpretation of Scripture; rather, Scripture should bring your thoughts and actions into focus, and subjection, to what is prescribed by God.

Success is not a criterion for sanctifying a task and making it right. I have three graduate degrees in theology, considerably more theological education than most pastors. I have experience on the public platform, and some even suggest that I have gifts for biblical exposition and teaching. Others have testified that I have met their needs through my messages. Some men have expressed appreciation for my ministry.

However, ministry success, public affirmation, spousal permission, pastoral blessing, widespread opportunity -- none is the biblical criterion for what I should or should not do in the Kingdom of Christ. In the Pastoral Epistles within the context of church order (1 Timothy 2:9-11) are found explicit boundaries that cannot be violated by what I perceive to be my calling.

Any calling I believe to be from God is filtered through my human frailties. What I feel may not be what God wills. That is why Scripture is ever the monitor and governor of all I desire to do for God. I do not have ultimate jurisdiction over my own actions, and I cannot dictate or control the actions of others. Yet, I have the responsibility not to put myself in a situation where I am regularly or willfully violating boundaries of Scripture.

Doctrine and practice, whether in the home or in the church, are not to be determined according to modern cultural, sociological and ecclesiastical trends. Nor are our choices to be according to emotional whims, obvious giftedness or even a calling that stands in contradiction to any clear mandate in Scripture.

Scripture alone must be the final authority in all matters of faith and conduct (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20-21). Scripture makes frequent connections between the life of the family and the life of the church (1 Timothy 3:5, 5:1-2). Leadership patterns in the family are consistently reflected in the church as well (1 Timothy 2:9-14; 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). A Christ-centered marriage has the potential to give a “word about God” to a world indifferent to spiritual truths.Those within the family circle have a unique opportunity to study the Bible and to learn theology through object lessons built into the family's structure. By lifting up Scripture, we can point women and men to Jesus Christ, and discover God's unique purpose for each of us.

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Liz Curtis Higgs was one of the best-known disc jockeys in America, and she lived quite a wild life. A really wild lifestyle without God. In fact, Howard Stern was the morning show, and Liz Curtis Higgs was the afternoon show. And one day Howard Stern said to Liz, “You know, you need to clean up your act.” If Howard Stern says you need to clean up your act, you must REALLY need to clean up your acts. Apparently she was a little on the wild side. And because Liz Curtis Higgs had been burned and heartbroken by so many men, she became a militant feminist. And I underscore, militant feminist.

But she had a Christian girlfriend who kept inviting her to church. So one day after a long, long time, she said, “Okay, I will go to church one time and ONE TIME ONLY.” So she went to church one time with her friend.

And that week, the pastor just happened to be teaching on the Bible verse that says, “Wives, submit to your husbands.” Now, that's not exactly a good verse to reach a militant feminist. And she got a little uptight, a little ticked, a little angry. But she continued to listen and she actually heard the second part of the verse, which nobody ever talks about. You see, the second part of the verse says “and husbands - you sacrifice yourself; you give yourself for your wives just as Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself for the church and died for her.”

People don't ever hear that second part, okay? Who is asked to give their life up? The husband or the wife? The husband. Well, when Liz heard that part, she leaned over to her friend and said with a little cynicism, “Shoot, I'd gladly give myself to any man if I knew he would die for me.” And her friend leaned over and said, “Liz, there is man who loved you enough to die for you. His name is Jesus Christ. That's how much He loves you.”

And it was not long after that that Liz dropped her guard, surrendered her life to God in love, and became a believer. Today she is a well-known Christian author and speaker.

A feminist wrote this about Promisekeepers: "The PK rhetoric is incredibly insulting to men. Their line is: 'All men are pigs until they find Jesus.' ... PK leaders call for men to do the right thing if AND ONLY IF their wives are willing to submit to their leadership. And they are pretty clear that men are entitled by virtue of their maleness alone to demand (by any means?) submission from their wives. PK claims that the problem is that men have been 'feminized' and women are too strong. And their solution is to weaken women in order to strengthen men."

Some discussion material there!

A popular song written in the late 1960s talks about someone looking back over his life and proudly proclaiming that he did it his way. At five different times, the unidentified person declares in a self-satisfied manner that he managed life his own way. The song’s theme is the exact opposite of how God has called believers to live. As Christ-followers, we are to submit to God’s plan and live according to it. How do we go about living God’s way?

Give Him our attention. We are to set aside our agendas and focus on our relationship with God and what pleases Him.

Receive God’s directions. We must obey any steps He has already revealed for our situation. Being confident God will answer, we should continue to ask what the subsequent steps are. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Act on divine command. This requires that we listen attentively to the Lord’s instructions. Learning to hear Him is a basic lesson in the Christian life. If we do not know how to listen to the Lord, how will we know when He has spoken? If we do not know what He has said, then how can we obey?

Accept what God provides as enough. God takes full responsibility for the life committed to Him and provides all that we need in order to obey. We are to act based on this truth (Philippians 4:13) even when our feelings say we have inadequate resources or skills.

What do your choices reveal: God’s way or your own? Commit to making the song of your life “I did it God’s way.”

In September 2004, according to a report in Tehran's daily Mardomsalari newspaper, a local court ordered a husband to stop beating his wife. However, the Iranian woman, identified only as Maryam J, said she would have accepted an order that just limited the beatings to once a week. “Beating is part of his nature,” she said, “and he cannot stop it.” The disconsolate husband said, “If I do not beat her, she will not be scared enough to obey me.”

He's got a black belt in three different martial arts. That's the highest level of achievement in a martial art. I told him I had a black belt, too. I wear it with my dark suit. He wasn't impressed. (I don't think you are either.) But I decided I definitely wanted him on my side. He told me that his training gives him the ability to fight back and defend himself from any position he might be in - except one. Face down on the ground. He said that's the one position in which he is totally powerless.

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about “God's Strange Road to Power.”

Being in a powerless position makes you so weak, so vulnerable, so unable to do anything about the situation. But it is also, in the strange ways of God, the most powerful position on earth. Just ask General Joshua from the book in the Old Testament that bears his name.

In Joshua 5, beginning with verse 13, Joshua is in what may be the most intimidating, potentially fearful situation of his life at that point. He's bravely led God's people into Canaan, only to be confronted with the massive walled city of Jericho, looming before God's people as a seemingly impossible obstacle between them and the land that God has promised. As their commanding general, Joshua has gone to scout out his Mission Impossible.

The Bible says: “Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, 'Are you for us or for our enemies?’ 'Neither,' he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.’ Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence (There it is. That's that position of total powerlessness) and (he) asked him, 'What message does my Lord have for his servant?’ The commander of the Lord's army replied, 'Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.’ And Joshua did so.”

Many Bible scholars believe that this Commander of the Lord's forces is actually the Son of God making one of several pre-Bethlehem appearances in Old Testament times. No angel would have accepted worship, and Joshua calls him “my Lord.” And Joshua falls on the ground, facedown. This is a man who was very competent, very successful, very skilled; a man who had never surrendered to anybody. But this day he surrenders, and that is going to be the secret of winning. From this moment of total surrender, of total powerlessness before the Lord comes God's unusual plan for conquering Jericho. But before there could be the conquest of Jericho, there had to be the conquest of Joshua.

And before there can be the conquest of the Jericho that looms before you right now, there must be the conquest of you. God allows things into our life that will bring us to the end of ourselves where all your experience, and your talent, your wisdom, your connections, and your persuasion are useless in getting an answer. God has brought you to this moment of total helplessness, not so you would give up, but so you would give over the controls to Him totally, unconditionally. There is no condition God can do more with than our admission of powerlessness. Now you're out of the way finally, and now you can see what Almighty God can do!

And as you stand facing the walls of a Jericho that you can't possibly conquer, it's time for your unconditional surrender to your Lord. Admit your powerlessness. Don't be afraid to be broken. Often it is the breaking of a man that is the making of a man. Let God shine His holy light on the dark corners of you that you've never let Him touch. And tear up that contract you wanted God to sign - the one with all the ways you've wanted things to be. Lay a blank piece of paper in front of Him, pre-signed by you to do whatever He writes on it. You're at the end of your power and at the beginning of His. Surrendering is the way to winning, and powerlessness is the most powerful position in the world.

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Copyright © Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc., PO Box 400, Harrison, AR 72602. Used by permission. Written by Ron Hutchcraft. "Practical Answers to Real Life Issues"

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For years the question has circulated through various denominations: should women cover their heads? If so, when? How? With what?

The best way to answer any question about the Bible is to look at the Bible itself. Usually, the Bible uses very plain language when giving a command. The difficulty comes when we try to wriggle through loopholes and find that we need to enlarge them a bit, or when someone else comes along and pulls the perceived loophole tight just as we are slipping through. So let’s look at the passage where God commands that women wear a head covering:

1 CORINTHIANS 11:2-16

V.2 NOW I PRAISE YOU, BRETHREN, THAT YE REMEMBER ME IN ALL THINGS, AND KEEP THE ORDINANCES, AS I DELIVERED THEM TO YOU.

Here we see the “warm-up” verse: praise for remembering “me” in all things, and “keeping the ordinances”. Let me bring up an important part here: who is the “me” in this verse? “It’s Paul” is the immediate response that most would give. However, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.” God inspired this entire passage, and that makes it very important!

V.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.

This verse gives us a delineation of God’s order of authority: God first, then Christ, then man, then woman. This provides the basis for all that follows, because it explains who’s the authoritative head of each one.

V.4 EVERY MAN PRAYING OR PROPHESYING, HAVING HIS HEAD COVERED, DISHONORETH HIS HEAD.

God says that a man who covers his physical head while praying or prophesying (speaking about spiritual things) dishonors his spiritual head (Christ). This, according to verse 7, is because he is the image and glory of God. It is dishonoring to Christ to symbolically cover God’s glory when praying.

V.5 BUT EVERY WOMAN THAT PRAYETH OR PROPHESIETH WITH HER HEAD UNCOVERED DISHONORETH HER HEAD: FOR THAT IS EVEN ALL ONE AS IF SHE WERE SHAVEN. 6 FOR IF THE WOMAN BE NOT COVERED, LET HER ALSO BE SHORN: BUT IF IT BE A SHAME FOR A WOMAN TO BE SHORN OR SHAVEN, LET HER BE COVERED.

We see that for a woman to leave her head uncovered while praying or prophesying is a dishonor to her spiritual head (her husband, according to verse 3). Why? She dishonors her husband to God, because that which is a glory to man needs to be covered in God’s presence so that God receives all the glory.

Verse 6 explains that if a woman takes off one covering (the cloth one), her natural covering of hair should also be taken away. However, says God, if it is shameful for a woman to have her hair shorn (this is talking about cutting the hair very close, in the same way that a sheep is shorn), then she should cover her head. So this leaves us with two options: either a woman cover her head, or have nothing but very short stubble on her head.

V.7 FOR A MAN INDEED OUGHT NOT TO COVER HIS HEAD, FORASMUCH AS HE IS THE IMAGE AND GLORY OF GOD: BUT THE WOMAN IS THE GLORY OF THE MAN. 8 FOR THE MAN IS NOT OF THE WOMAN; BUT THE WOMAN OF THE MAN. 9 NEITHER WAS THE MAN CREATED FOR THE WOMAN; BUT THE WOMAN FOR THE MAN. 10 FOR THIS CAUSE SHOULD THE WOMAN HAVE POWER ON HER HEAD, BECAUSE OF THE ANGELS. 11 NEVERTHELESS NEITHER IS THE MAN WITHOUT THE WOMAN, NEITHER THE WOMAN WITHOUT THE MAN, IN THE LORD. 12 FOR AS THE WOMAN IS OF THE MAN, EVEN SO IS THE MAN ALSO BY THE WOMAN; BUT ALL THINGS OF GOD.

These verses explain that a woman covering her head does not make her inferior to men. Men and women are equal in value. Without men, no girls would be born. Without women, no boys would be born. Both men and women are needed to keep the earth populated. However, men have authority over women, and women are not to exercise authority over men. A married woman is supposed to submit to her husband (Ephesians 5). But God uses six verses to ensure that we know all are equal in God’s kingdom.

We also see from verse 10 that the covering is a sign to the angels, both good and bad. “For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.” This verse has caused a lot of weird reasoning – that it really is talking about men (instead of angels), or that the angels would be shocked to see an uncovered woman, or some other explanation of like caliber. However, I believe it is very simple. The headcovering is a sign to both angels and demons that this woman is submitted to her husband and God, and is a Christian. Angels are not all-knowing. A headcovering shows them that this woman is to be protected. It also shows the demons that they’d better get lost. Furthermore, it offers protection for the woman’s family.

My father tells of how he was having trouble with ungodly dreams. He recalled a story of another man who had had the same problem, until his wife covered her head during the night. Then the man’s ungodly dreams went away. My mother began covering her head during the night, and Dad’s ungodly dreams went away!

V.13 JUDGE IN YOURSELVES: IS IT COMELY THAT A WOMAN PRAY UNTO GOD UNCOVERED?

Verse 13 has been used to say that the decision of whether or not to wear the covering is entirely up to the reader. However, God gave the headcovering as a command, not a suggestion. I believe this verse is merely saying, “Think about it a moment. Is it proper for a woman to pray uncovered?” It is a rhetorical question saying that it is not proper for a woman to pray uncovered.

V.14 DOTH NOT EVEN NATURE ITSELF TEACH YOU, THAT, IF A MAN HAVE LONG HAIR, IT IS A SHAME UNTO HIM? 15 BUT IF A WOMAN HAVE LONG HAIR, IT IS A GLORY TO HER: FOR HER HAIR IS GIVEN HER FOR A COVERING.

This passage also tells us that a woman is to have long hair in addition to a covering. The wording of the passage could lead one to believe that hair, or long hair, is the covering. However, I believe that God is saying: “Since being uncovered is akin to having short hair, and since it is a shame for a woman to have short hair, she should be covered. In addition, she should have long hair.” It provides another confirmation that a woman should cover her head.

V.16 BUT IF ANY MAN SEEM TO BE CONTENTIOUS, WE HAVE NO SUCH CUSTOM, NEITHER THE CHURCHES OF GOD.

This verse goes back to verse 13 to answer the question in verses 13-15. If any man seems to be contentious (literally “loves quarreling”) and says that he sees nothing wrong with a woman praying uncovered, let him know that none of the churches have any custom of praying uncovered. It could also be interpreted that “We have no custom of being contentious about what God says. We just do it.”

Frankly, this seems very simple. When praying, a man should have his head uncovered, with short hair. A woman should have long hair and a covered head. However, when the headcovering is brought up, many arguments also come up. I would like to answer them and also a few questions asked about wearing the headcovering.

“THIS PASSAGE WAS TALKING ONLY TO THE CORINTHIANS.”

This statement is usually not so bluntly put. It is usually lengthened into a long explanation of what probably was happening at Corinth, and how the custom was for all women except the Corinthian prostitutes to have their heads covered. The reasoning then goes that this passage was only for Paul to tell the Corinthians to keep the existing custom. However, this has several problems, even without discussing the historical problems:

1. The book of 1 Corinthians was written for all Christians:

1 Corinthians 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, WITH ALL THAT IN EVERY PLACE CALL UPON THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD, BOTH THEIRS AND OURS: (emphasis mine)

This passage clearly shows that God intended the book for those outside the Corinthian church. There was at least one letter from Paul to the Corinthians before this time (1Cor. 5:9). That letter is not in the Bible. However, God took care to see that 1 Corinthians ended up in the Bible, addressed to all Christians.

2. The commands in the book of 1 Corinthians are the commands of God:

1 Corinthians 14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

God Himself gave the commands in this passage. That means that we need to keep it, or stand in danger of God’s reproofs.

3. The passage mentions nothing about problems in the Corinthian church. God, through Paul, says, “Now I praise you....But I would have you know...Every man praying or prophesying...” There is no mention of problems with women having their hair disheveled or women breaking the local custom because of their newfound freedom in Christ, as some “common-taters” like to speculate.

4. The passage is given to all people without mentioning the Corinthians: “EVERY man...EVERY woman...For if THE WOMAN be not covered...” I raise the question: If the passage was meant only for the Corinthians, why were such broad, blanket statements used? If you think about, since it says “every man, every woman” without distinction of nationality or time, even if the passage was upholding Corinthian tradition (which, by the way, it was not), then the rest of us should also adopt the tradition of covering (or, for the men, not covering) the head. This should be the final nail in the coffin of the “Only for the Corinthians” argument.

When you consider the above points, it becomes clear that the head covering is for all women who are praying or prophesying – not just those that lived 2000 years ago in Corinth.

“LONG HAIR IS THE COVERING.”

This comes from two things: a misinterpretation of verses 13-15, and an erroneous footnote in the New International Version.

1. Verse fifteen does not say that long hair is given for a covering; it says that her hair (long or not) is given to her for a covering and because of that, long hair is a glory to her. Read that again. The bigger a woman’s covering, the more glorious it is for her!

2. Verses 13-15 support verses 5-6, which say that a woman whose head is uncovered is as good as shaven, and that her hair should be “shorn” (verse 6) if she will not wear a covering. And since her hair should be long and not cropped very short, she should also be covered. God’s design is for a woman to have two coverings: long hair, and a covering over her natural covering of hair. If she refuses to wear the outer covering, she should have both taken away (“If a woman be not covered, let her also be shorn”).

3. A careful reading of the passage shows that hair is not the issue. Suppose we change the passage to talk about hair instead of a covering:

4 Every man praying or prophesying, having hair on his head, dishonoreth his head. 5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth without hair on her head dishonoreth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven [had no hair]. 6 For if the woman have not hair, let her hair be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her have hair. 7 For a man indeed ought not to have hair on his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

How ridiculous! How do you shear the hair off a woman who has none? How could a woman have hair when praying or prophesying, and then get rid of it as soon as she was done? And by the way, that would mean that men should all be bald!

4. The Greek has two different words for covering. The word “covered” in verse 6 is katakalupto:

THAYER DEFINITION:

1) to cover up

2) to veil or cover one’s self

Part of speech: verb

The word for “covering” in verse 15 is peribolaion:

THAYER DEFINITION:

1) a covering thrown around, a wrapper

1a) a mantle

1b) a veil

Part of speech: noun neuter

We see from these definitions that the hair is to be a “wrapper” on the head, to cover the head and keep it from being bald. Then there is to be a covering which “covers up” the head. The Bible is talking about two separate coverings.

5. Also, note that it says that the hair is A covering, not THE covering. If God was talking about long hair in verses 4-7, why didn’t He say, “Every man who prays or prophesies with long hair dishonors his head...Every woman who prays or prophesies with short hair...”? Also, why would the length of hair be an issue only when praying or prophesying? How could a woman only have long hair when praying or prophesying?

6. The NIV’s erroneous footnote would lead one to believe that the passage can be translated to mean long hair. The note reads:

Or 4Every man who prays or prophesies with long hair dishonors his head. 5And every woman who prays or prophesies with no covering [of hair] on her head dishonors her head – she is just like one of the “shorn women.” 6If a woman has no covering, let her be for now with short hair, but since it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair shorn or shaved, she should grow it again. 7A man ought not to have long hair...

This sounds logical enough. However, let’s look at it a bit. First of all, the “with long hair” in verse 4 could possibly be translated that way. The Greek word means “hanging down”. But verse 7 cannot say “long hair”. The Greek word is katakalupto, “to cover up.” It is a different Greek word than in verse 4.

Second, notice that even the NIV translators were honest enough to admit that they added the words “of hair” in verse 5. Without that addition, it says “...prays or prophesies with no covering on her head...”. And by the way, if she has no covering of hair, she does not have short hair, she has NO HAIR! “Let her be for now with short hair” (verse 6) is not very accurate.

Third, the footnote is not a literal translation. (Nor, by the way, is the NIV.) For example:

• You cannot literally translate katakalupto to mean, “grow it (the hair) again” (verse 6). The correct reading is “let her be covered.”

• “Let her be for now with short hair” (verse 6) is not correct. The word that, in the KJV, is translated “be shorn” is “A primary verb; to shear” (Strong's Greek Dictionary). It is a command to shear a woman who does not wear a headcovering, not a “It’s that way now, so let it go” statement.

• “She is just like one of the ‘shorn women’” is not literal either. According to the Interlinear Greek-English New Testament, the most literal reading is “for one it is and the same with having been shaven.” When you depart from the literal meaning of the Bible, you can make it say anything you want if you just twist it enough.

We see from the above that long hair is not the covering. The Bible is talking about a physical cloth covering that goes OVER long hair. And the NIV footnote (actually, the whole NIV) is a twisted translation that changes the very words of the passage to make them say something else.

“MY HUSBAND IS MY COVERING.”

Some would like to say that this is talking about the wife’s submission to her husband and the spiritual “covering” that he provides when she is submitting to him. “Uncovering” her head is talking about when she is not submitting to him, they say. OK, let’s look at verses 5-6:

5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoreth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. 6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.

The first thing that strikes me is “why would submission be an issue only when the woman was praying or prophesying?” After all, according to Ephesians 5:22, wives are to submit to their husbands. No mention is made there about prayer or prophecy.

Second, why didn’t God talk directly about submission? Why would he talk about “covering” when He really meant “submission”?

Third, according to Thayer’s Greek Definitions, “uncovered” comes from the Greek word akatakalupto (177), which means “not covered, unveiled.” Would you call a husband a “veil”?

Fourth, you have to “spiritualize” the entire passage in order to use this interpretation. That is not the best way to look at the Bible. After all, how do you decide which passages to “spiritualize” and which ones to take literally? It is a good way to start on a path of heresy.

Fifth, verse 10 says, “For this cause should the woman have power ON HER HEAD, because of the angels.” This implies having something directly on the head, as a sign to the angels.

Sixth, the context seems to indicate something sitting directly on the head. If the woman is not “covered”, then she is as good as shaven. If she refuses to be covered, she should be shorn – both of which have to do with the head itself.

Verses 7-12 are affirming that covering the head does not make women inferior to men. They are not explaining why a woman should submit to her husband. I believe that there is not enough evidence in this passage to say that it is merely talking about submission.

“I HAVEN’T BEEN CONVICTED ABOUT THIS YET.”

May I ask where the Bible says you don’t have to obey God until He convicts you about something? Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15) Jesus wants us to obey His commands whether or not He gives us a special conviction about them.

The Bible also tells us that “to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” (Jam 4:17) In other words, if we know that God has commanded something and we don’t do it, it is sin! Keep that in mind as you are evaluating this doctrine. Don’t pitch 1 Corinthians 11 out the window because God hasn’t convicted you about it. God wants us to obey Him, whether he’s convicted us about it or not. To not do something we know we should do is sin, and we don’t want to live in sin. Please don’t wait for God to burden you with conviction about the headcovering!

“MY HUSBAND DOESN’T APPROVE.”

This is a tough one. However, let me mention that the Bible says, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). You must obey God, even if your husband disapproves. This is an important point. Nowhere does God allow your husband to decide which of God’s commands you may or may not keep.

Note: the headcovering is not all about submission to a woman’s husband. The headcovering is also a sign to the angels that the woman is a Christian woman who needs their protection. In this century, unlike a hundred and fifty years ago, it is also a sign to the world that the woman is a Christian. If you start wearing the headcovering, somebody will ask you about it, sooner or later.

So, first of all, explain to your husband the benefits of wearing the covering:

1. It honors him. An uncovered head is a disgrace to him.

2. It shows the angels that this is a God-fearing household, which has benefits for the husband that should be obvious.

3. It will keep your prayers from being hindered because of sin in your life.

Explain that this is not just some passing interest or fad that you’ll be throwing in the trash next week. Explain that God commanded you to wear it, and that you want to follow Him.

Find out why your husband is opposed to the covering. Is he afraid that it will make you look strange? God didn’t specify what exact form the covering is to take. He merely said the head is to be covered. Choose a covering that covers the head well, but doesn’t look weird. Perhaps you could show your husband pictures (from the sources at the end) of the sort of covering you want to wear.

Ask God for help in your situation. He will guide you in what to say to your husband.

Also, try to keep the rest of your life in line with God’s word. For example, don’t pin on a headcovering and then rebel against your husband’s authority. Submit to whatever does not go against God’s word. Otherwise, the headcovering becomes a legalistic outward sign that is not backed up by inward conformity to God’s commands. And your husband will notice if the outward does not match the inward.

“GOD GAVE ME PEACE ABOUT NOT WEARING THE HEADCOVERING.”

Beware, oh beware, when you have “peace” about disobeying God’s commands. Remember Balaam? He was asked to curse the Israelites. God told him, “Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.” (Numbers 22:12) So Balaam, to his credit, told the men who had asked him to come to Moab and curse the Israelites to go home.

But the king of Moab sent his messengers back with promises of huge rewards. Balaam told them to wait overnight while he found out what God wanted him to do. God told him, “If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.”

So the next morning, Balaam rode off with the men from Moab. Notice what happened next. Numbers 22:22 tells us, “God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him.”

God had given Balaam “peace” about going to Moab. However, it was only because Balaam was set on going to Moab. God had already told him not to go to Moab. But Balaam went back and said, “Pleeeease?” So God gave him “peace” about going. However, God sent an angel into Balaam’s path. This was an angel “with a sword drawn in his hand” (Numb. 22:31), not an angel to protect him on the way to Moab.

We know how Balaam’s donkey spoke to him, and how Balaam blessed, instead of cursed, the Israelites. However, Balaam wanted those rewards that the king of Moab was offering him. So, according to Numbers 31:16 and Numbers 25, he counseled the king of Moab to send Moabite prostitutes into the Israelite camp. The result: the Israelites turned to idols, and God sent a plague that killed 24,000 people. Furthermore, Israel later killed Balaam (Numb. 31:8).

The lesson is that God may give us “peace” if we are stubbornly resisting His commands. But watch out. He might send an “angel with a drawn sword” to meet you.

“THE HEADCOVERING IS A MINOR COMMAND.”

If you think that the headcovering is a small command, then a small command ought to be a small thing to do, right? Why make a big deal over something small? Just do it! Just because God doesn’t beat the headcovering drum in every book of the Bible doesn’t mean that the headcovering is unimportant.

Remember what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount: “Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called THE LEAST IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:19) Do you want to be called least in the kingdom of heaven?

“WHEN SHOULD I WEAR THE COVERING?”

Since God compares the headcovering to the hair, let’s do the same. When do you wear your hair? Only when you’re praying, right? Of course not. In the same way, I believe that a woman should wear the headcovering whenever possible. God said the woman should have power on her head because of the angels. That sounds like something you wear other than just when you want to pray.

Furthermore, God commanded, “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thess. 5:17) A Christian woman should always be ready to pray. Prayer is something that we should do throughout the whole day, not just at devotions time. Do you always want to be running for your covering? What about when your husband wants to talk about the things of God, and you’re busy doing something at the moment? What about when your son comes to you and says, “Mom, would you pray that I could find my...”? What about when you want to pray about something at midnight? Or when you’re busy driving? Or someone asks you about Christianity when you’re away from home?

Obviously, the covering is not restricted to church services, as some believe. It is for whenever you are praying or prophesying, whether it’s Sunday, Saturday, or Tuesday.

For the same reasons, men should have their heads uncovered whenever possible. Men, just like women, should always be ready to pray. Of course, that is not to say that you should never cover your head. If you ride a motorcycle, for example, you are required to wear a helmet. Some jobs require a hard hat. And it’s a good idea to cover your head when you’re outside and it’s cold. However, a hat should not be a part of your regular, daily outfit.

“WHICH IS IMPORTANT: THE COVERING OR THE COVERED HEAD?”

The symbol in this passage is the covered head, not the covering itself. God commands that a woman must have her head covered (vv. 5-6). Therefore, what is important is that a woman has something on her head when she prays or prophesies. It does not have to be a particular style of covering.

We need to be careful not to fall into the trap of making the covering the most important part. It is a subtle twist. The difference is in whether or not the style of covering matters. For example, some churches that practice the headcovering require that the covering have strings (the original purpose of which was to hold the coverings on). Since they now pin the coverings on, it is usually a long, useless loop of ribbon that dangles down the lady’s back. But they make it part of the symbol.

However, God is not concerned with the minute details of how the covering looks. Verses 5 and 6 merely command, “Let her be covered.” You can cover your head with a paper towel, for all God cares. Just cover that head!

IN CONCLUSION

Is the headcovering for today? The answer is “YES!” It is an important teaching that has been thrown aside during the last hundred years or so.

*

And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands. (Genesis 16:9 AV)

And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:38 AV)

Although Hagar had acted in self will, God did not give her up. She had brought herself into trouble; God did not leave her to get out of her difficulty as best she might but treated her in grace. An angel brought her a message which she must have found hard to obey; but obye it she did and through her obedience came blessing. That message was summed up in two words: "Return, Submit." They may be a message to our own souls if in any particular we have taken our own way. If we would learn to rule we must first be ruled; if we would wield authority we must cultivate a lowly mind; if we would be free we must learn to serve.

Lord, let me wait on Thee alone, my joy be only this,

To serve Thee, here on earth unknown, then share Thy heavenly bliss. – J. N. Darby

In his 1968 book LIFE MORE ABUNDANT, Charles Allen told of a great violinist who thrilled his audience with his playing. At the end of the piece, he shocked onlookers by smashing the violin over a chair. (This was before rock bands destroyed their instruments.)

Then he picked up another violin and said, “Don't be alarmed. The one I smashed was purchased for only a few dollars in a shop down the street. I shall now play on my Stradivarius.”

He played the same selection, but most of the listeners could not tell the difference.

Then the violinist said, “Friends, so much has been said about the value of my violin that I wanted to impress upon you that music is not in the instrument; it is in the one who plays upon it.”

We often think it takes special people to do great things in the world. But the virtuoso God who plays his perfect music can use any willing instrument. You. Me. Anyone who puts himself in God's hands.

Not the instrument, but the musician, makes the music.

I'm glad God can use me to produce his sweet strains and further his plan for the world.

Take this truth and shine brightly where you are today.

________

“The Musician Makes The Music”, by J. Randal Matheny, Copyright (c) 2006, All rights reserved

Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. — Psalm 37:3.

Let us bow our souls and lift up our hearts and ask, “Lord, what wouldst thou have me to do?” Then light from the opened heaven shall stream on our daily task, revealing the grains of gold, where yesterday all seemed dust; a hand shall sustain us and our daily burden, so that, smiling at yesterday’s fears, we shall say, “This is easy, this is light”; every “lion in the way,” as we come up to it, shall be seen chained, and leave open the gates of the Palace Beautiful; and to us … ministries shall be assigned … and blessings shall be conveyed. — Elizabeth Charles.

Build a little fence of trust around to-day;

Fill the space with loving work, and therein stay;

Look not through the sheltering bars upon to-morrow,

God will help thee bear what comes, of joy or sorrow. — Mary Frances Butts.

The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, o Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. — Psalm 138:8.

Why is it that we are so busy with the future? It is not our province; and is there not a criminal interference with Him to whom it belongs, in our feverish, anxious attempts to dispose of it, and in filling it up with shadows of good and evil shaped by our own wild imaginations? To do God’s will as fast as it is made known to us, to inquire hourly — I had almost said each moment — what He requires of us, and to leave ourselves, our friends, and every interest at His control, with a cheerful trust that the path which He marks out leads to our perfection and to Himself, — this is at once our duty and happiness; and why will we not walk in the plain, simple way? — William E. Channing.

As God leads me, will I go, — nor choose my way;

Let Him choose the joy or woe of every day;

They cannot hurt my soul, because in His control:

I leave to Him the whole, — His children may. — L. Gedicke.

Peter Writes to Pilgrims — 1 Peter 2:13-17 –Living as Earthly Citizens

« My translation of 1 Peter is to convey the flavour of the Greek rather than to be for English fluency and literacy. – Leader information shown in this fashion »

A. Review

1. Outline, thus far:

a. 1:1–2 — Peter’s greeting

b. 1:3-5 – Praise and thanksgiving to God for salvation

c. 1:6-9 – The Testing of Faith

d. 1:10-12 – the Prophecy of Salvation

e. 1:13–16 – A Transformed Mind

f. 1:17-21 – The ransom price paid for us

g. 1:22-25 – Three subjects on truth

h. 2:1–3 – Feeding on the Word

i. 2:4–8 – Founded upon the Rock

2. Last week, Living as Heavenly Citizens, 1 Peter 2:9–12

a. Chosen to be God’s People (9–10): 9 But you are a chosen race a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession in order that you should publish abroad the excellencies of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light; 10 who then were no people, but now are the people of God, who had not received mercy but now have received mercy

i. Who is Peter describing in these verses? « – the body of NT believers, the church »

ii. What kind of language does he use in describing it? « – the OT language that was applied to God’s people, the children of Israel »

iii. Of what OT prophet’s life and message does he use in describing this fact? « – Hosea; see also Romans 9 »

b. So Live Suitably as being a Member of God’s People (11-12): 11 I beseech you as exiles and pilgrims, hold yourselves off from carnal desires which things make war against the soul; 12 keeping your going to and fro beautiful in the midst of pagan peoples in order that when someone slanders you as evil-doers, those looking upon your beautiful deeds should glorify God in the day of visitation.

i. What ‘DO NOT’ command is here? « – do not let the old nature, the carnal desires, control your lives »

ii. What ‘DO’ command is here? « – live a life that is an ornament to your testimony to Christ »

B. Subjection to Human Authority 1 Peter 2:13–14

1. 13 Be obedient to every institution pertaining to humankind for the Lord’s sake; whether to the king as supreme, 14 or unto governors as being sent for his {ie., the king’s} sake in order for the maintenance of justice {or, judgement} on doers of evil and commendation of the doers of good.

2. What is the unexpressed but understood limitation on this verse (Acts 4:19, ‘But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge;”’ (NAS))? « – the obedience due to God »

3. Why should we so obey (Romans 13:6, ‘For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.’ (NAS))? « – rulers are God’s appointed servants »

4. How is such obedience ‘for the Lord’s sake’?

a. By it we give H_________ « onour (or praise) » to God

b. By this our lives are T____________ « estimonies » to God

5. What ‘king’ does Peter mean (John 19:15b, ‘… Pilate *said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.”’ (NAS))? « – Caesar, probably Nero! »

6. What limit is to be put on the word ‘supreme’ (Daniel 4:32b, ‘… until you recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, …’ (NAS))? « – means ‘stand or have (rule) over); they are so in human terms, only ; God is the Supreme Being »

7. The word ‘governors’ is literally, ‘leaders.’ Whom of these did we meet in Acts? « – the Herods (Antipas, Agrippa), Pilate, Felix, Festus; » Where did these derive their authority (John 19:11a, ‘Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above …”’(NAS))? « – Caesar; ultimately from God »

8. See Romans 13:3, ‘For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behaviour, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same’ (NAS). Under normal circumstances, what should be our feelings toward such authority? … why? … what constitutes normal? « – terror or confidence? Discuss the situation of 1st century Christians. ‘The heathen were keen to charge Christians with any crime after Nero set the fashion.’ (Robertson) »

C. God’s Will in This matter 1 Peter 2:15

1. 15 because this is God’s will: by your doing good to muzzle the ignorance of unthinking persons,

2. We are often exhorted ‘to seek God’s will’ and the implication sometimes seems to be that it is something hidden away and hard to find. What is the clearly revealed will of God …

a. … in this verse? « – doing good so that no one can level sustainable charges against us (this is the meaning of the word ‘blameless’ in the qualifications for elders & deacons (1 Timothy 3:10, Titus 1:7) »

b. … in Ephesians 6:6, ‘not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.’ (NAS)? « – working honestly, full-heartedly »

c. … in 1 Thessalonians 4:3, ‘For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality’ (NAS)? « – our being set apart for God which includes (but is not limited to) personal purity »

d. … in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, ‘in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.’ (NAS)? « – gratitude to God in all the circumstances of life – ingratitude constitutes a complaint and thus rebellion against God (cf. Israel in the wilderness) »

3. The charge was levelled against the early church of their being irreligious (because they did not have idols). They were also accused of being ‘cannibals;’ what would have led to this, cf. 1 Corinthians 11:24, ‘and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”’ (NAS)? « – the language used in the ‘love feast’ or Lord’s supper; so we see how Satan twists truth »

4. What differentiated the Jews of Thessalonica from those of Berea, Acts 17:2–5, 10–12? How are we to deal with those who have the Thessalonian attitude? « – the former didn’t examine the teaching against the Scripture and so rejected it, while the Bereans checked it out. Our lives should silence the objections of those who refuse to listen to the truth. »

D. Christian Liberty and Servanthood 1 Peter 2:16–17

1. 16 as free-born, yet not having this ‘free-bornness’ as a cloak of evil, but as bond-slaves of God: 17 be respectful of all persons; love the brotherhood; fearfully reverence God; honour the king.

2. What was the Jews’ claim about freedom, John 8:33, ‘They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s offspring, and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You shall become free’?”’ (NAS)? « – that they were a free people » – what was the truth…

a. … politically? « – they had been slaves in Egypt, Babylon, to the Persians, the Greeks, and even then, the Romans »

b. … in John 8:34, ‘ Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.”’ (NAS)? « – sin had enslaved those who would not accept Jesus as the Christ »

c. what freedom then does Jesus give, John 8:36, ‘if therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.’ (NAS)? « – from the guilt, power and punishment of sin »

3. How then should our Christian freedom (liberty) be used (1 Corinthians 8:9, ‘But take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.’ (NAS), Galatians 5:13, ‘For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.’ (NAS)? « – in loving care for other believers »

4. When we submit in the fashion of today’s passage, what are we acknowledging? « – that through the redemption price paid by Christ on the cross, we belong to Him as bond-slaves »

5. ‘Be respectful of all persons’ – give examples … is it always easy?

6. ‘Love the brotherhood’ – what does this prove (John 13:34-35)? « – that we are disciples of Jesus Christ (‘by this shall all men …’) »

7. ‘Fearfully reverence God’ – what are some results of this (see Leviticus 25:17, ‘So you shall not wrong one another, but you shall fear your God; for I am the Lord your God.’ (NAS); Proverbs 1:7a, ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge …’ (NAS); 23:17-18, ‘Do not let your heart envy sinners, But live in the fear of the Lord always. Surely there is a future, And your hope will not be cut off.’ (NAS))? « – right living, wisdom, right thoughts and hope – discuss these »

There is no limit to what God could do in our world if we would dare to surrender before Him with a commitment like this:

“Oh God, I hereby give myself to You. I give my family. I give my business. I give all I possess. Take all of it, Lord — and take me! I give myself in such measure that if it is necessary that I lose everything for your sake, let me lose it. I will not ask what the price is. I will ask only that I may be all that I ought to be as a follower and disciple of Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.”

If even 300 of God’s people became that serious, our world would never hear the last of it! They would influence the news. Their message would go everywhere like birds on the wing. They would set off a great revival of New Testament faith and witness.

God wants to deliver us from the easygoing, smooth and silky, fat and comfortable Christianity so fashionable today. I hope we are willing to let the truth get hold of us, even at the cost of rejection or embarrassment.

The faith of the heavenly overcomers cost them everything and gained them everything. What of our faith? Jesus Is Victor!

“Oh God, I hereby give myself to You. I give my family. I give my business. I give all I possess. Take all of it, Lord-and take me! I give myself in such measure that if it is necessary that I lose everything for your sake, let me lose it. I will not ask what the price is. I will ask only that I may be all that I ought to be as a follower and disciple of Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.”

Our one daughter has horses. I think the one is named Napoleon — when you ride him it feels like you’re sitting on the Bonepart!

Yesterday I got some wonderful responses from spouses who were bragging on their mates. That was refreshing! I fully realize that there are some who are in very difficult and troubling situations, and my heart goes out to you. It’s difficult for me to imagine what it must be like to be attached with someone who is on a totally different wavelength.

My guess would be that when there are deep differences, one or the other is probably in the selfish mode and unwilling to make any changes for the benefit of the other. If I wanted to find fault with Betty, I could probably find a reason, but I’m not looking for any, and therein lies one of the secrets, I believe. Look for the good, not the bad. Maybe I’m disillusioned in thinking she’s perfect, but if ignorance is bliss, then I’m a blister.

When we get “down” on something or someone, it’s very easy to fall into the trap of thinking everything about that situation or person is a “bummer.” If you are wearing dark blue glasses, everything looks blue. Maybe it’s time to change glasses and get a different outlook.

A mate who is an unbeliever can really be turned off by badgering. So let’s be careful to walk taller and straighter and talk less. Proverbs 10:19 (nlt) has a good common sense approach: “Don’t talk too much, for it fosters sin. Be sensible and turn off the flow!”

Shortly after the death of Blaise Pascal in 1662, a housekeeper was sorting through closets and clothing and happened to notice something sewn into Pascal’s coat. Beneath the cloth was a parchment and inside this was another faded piece of paper. In Pascal’s handwriting, on both the parchment and the paper were nearly the same words. Beside hand-drawn crosses, Pascal had carefully written:

The year of grace 1654.

Monday, 23 November, feast of St. Clement...

From about half-past ten in the evening

until about half-past midnight.

Fire.

The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob...

The God of Jesus Christ...

Your God will be my God.

More than 30 descriptive lines tell the story (unbeknownst to friends and family) of Pascal’s conversion to Christ. He is said to have been reading of the crucifixion when he was suddenly overwhelmed with the nearness of Christ. Pascal then meticulously transcribed the night of his conversion, his “night of fire,” sewing it into his jacket where it would remain beside him until his death eight years later. Though the details of the story and the parchment were unknown to those around him, the change in his life could have scarcely gone unnoticed. Whatever else it marked, November 23, 1654 marked a transformation in Pascal’s life. He ceased all activities (including his unparalleled work in the field of mathematics) except those which served to further a life of worship and service to God. He retired to the monastery at Port Royal and set to writing his PENSEES, a collection of thoughts on life and theology.

There are many who house similar awakenings to faith before the person of Christ, if not kept in coat linings, then perhaps tucked protectively somewhere else. Whether, like Pascal, there is a specific date that can be cited, or like Corrie Ten Boom whose lifetime was an outworking of encounters with God, conversion is not always easy to put into words. How does one explain what it is like to come out of a deep sleep, to rise from a night of fire, or to find oneself somehow newly born? The blind man could not articulate every detail of his encounter with Christ, but neither could he deny the startling evidence of his presence: “One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see” (John 9:25). Nicodemus, too, had trouble getting his mind around the language and the metaphor. “How can a man be born when he is old?” His question voices a reluctance common of all newborns, even as it harbors a resistance reflective of the sort of change Jesus implies with his invitation.

Whatever else Nicodemus and Pascal have in common in their nighttime encounters with Christ, one thing is certain. Whether a dramatic encounter or a subtle introduction, conversion is far more than an evening or an instance. A beloved professor of mine spoke of Christian conversion as a verb that arrives in tenses. WE HAVE BEEN JUSTIFIED, WE ARE BEING SANCTIFIED, AND WE WILL BE GLORIFIED. That is to say, on the Cross, Christ became our sacrifice, and the work is finished. God has declared his children righteous because we are united to his Son. But Christ is also our moral influence, the message of the gospel is transformational, and we are continually being sanctified through the Holy Spirit. To the one who has been united with the Son, the daily indwelling of Christ is a gift and a sign of the message that is presently being worked within us. Furthermore, what we WILL BE in Christ through the process of sanctification and the promise of justification has not yet been fully revealed, but there are signs all around of the hope and glory that is to come in Christ Jesus.

Christ is always near. He can come nearer still and forgive you completely and instantaneously. He will also walk with you over a lifetime, transforming and shaping you according to the will of Father. Whether by fire, water, or Spirit, in an instance of spiritual certainty or a lifetime of wordless mystery, Christ comes near not to beckon better children but to make new creations.

[see also HolwickID #17440]

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Copyright © 2007 Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM). Reprinted with permission. "A Slice of Infinity" is a radio ministry of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries.

A man named Steve Beck relates the following story: “Driving down a country road, I came to a very narrow bridge. In front of the bridge, a sign was posted: “YIELD.” Seeing no oncoming cars, I continued across the bridge and to my destination.

On my way back, I came to the same one-lane bridge, now from the other direction. To my surprise, I saw another YIELD sign posted. Curious, I thought, “I’m sure there was one posted on the other side.” When I reached the other side of the bridge I looked back. Sure enough, yield signs had been placed at both ends of the bridge. Drivers from both directions were requested to give right of way. It was a reasonable and gracious way of preventing a head-on collision.

Beck concludes: “When the Bible commands Christians to “be subject to one another” (Ephesians 5:21) it is simply a reasonable and gracious command to let the other have the right of way and avoid interpersonal head-on collisions.”

John Bunyan, the author of Pilgrim’s Progress, wrote his spiritual autobiography in Grace Abounding. For a long time Bunyan had a deep sense of his own sinfulness and guilt before God, but he just couldn’t seem to turn loose of some of the sins that ruled in his heart. He had tried to reform and become more religious and had succeeded in some ways. But one of the things he was most convicted about was the way he would spend the Lord’s day playing games.

He said that one particular day he was playing a game called “cat,” which involved hitting a ball into a hole. He said he had struck the ball once and was close to the hole and was about to drive it in to the hole when he heard a voice from heaven saying, “Will you leave your sin and gain heaven, or keep your sin and go to hell?”

Bunyan said he stood there contemplating the words that he had heard and the choice that lay before him. None of his companions knew what he was doing, and why he didn’t continue playing. But he saw before himself that a choice was to be made.

A battle rages for the heart of every person. Deep within the human soul there is a chamber, a throne room, designed by God for His occupancy. There is within each of us a place where only God should dwell. There are rivals to the throne that belongs to Christ. They fight for our allegiance. But Jesus Christ calls us to surrender our all to Him.

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Source: http://www.free-sermons.org/sermons/Jesus---6035

Sermon entitled “Jesus – The Answer to Our Soul’s Discontentment”

Text: Mark 10:17-31

Steve Hanchett, pastor Berry Road Baptist Church

May 6, 2001

“The Bible does not present us with a single model for womanhood and the notion that it contains a sort of one-size-fits–all formula for how to be a woman of faith is a myth” (from Rachel Held Evans’ new book, “A Year of Biblical Womanhood”).

This statement struck me when a friend and I traveled to Waco, Texas, to hear Rachel Held Evans speak during Baylor University’s chapel earlier this year. I had been following Evans’ popular blog for well over a year as she embarked on “The Project,” a one-year journey to understand true biblical womanhood. After hearing her message, I felt torn. On the one hand, Evans’ engaging communication style left me wanting to sit down with her over a cup of coffee and hear more of how she tackled her journey. On the other hand, I came away troubled by her statement that there is no “formula” for believing women.

I agree with Evans that knowing what womanhood looks like in today’s world and culture is difficult to see in practical terms, but I cannot swallow that the Bible does not give us a model of how to be a woman of faith. I’ve anticipated the release of her book, “A Year of Biblical Womanhood,” knowing that Evans and I would disagree, but also feeling that her book might serve those of us who teach and espouse a complementarian view of gender roles -- specifically biblical womanhood.

Have we really, as Evans claims, made one picture of womanhood the ideal above all others?

“In an attempt to simplify, we try to force the Bible’s cacophony of voices into a single tone, to turn a complicated and sometimes troubling holy text into a list of bullet points we can put in a manifesto or creed” (page 294). If that is the case, then we complementarians need to take this as a wake-up call! If Evans reflects the feelings of other Christian women, then we must do a better job of communicating the timeless principles and blessings found in God’s Word.

Through her easygoing writing style and storytelling ability, Evans chronicles a one-year journey to discover true biblical womanhood. Even the subtitle, “How a Liberated Woman Found Herself Sitting on Her Roof, Covering Her Head, and Calling Her Husband ‘Master,’” indicates the tenor of the book; she is funny, engaging, and pulls readers into her experiences. For “The Project,” as she calls it, Evans sought to study every biblical passage related to women, follow as many of the Bible’s teachings in her day-to-day life, and commit to her “Biblical Woman’s Ten Commandments.” Each month she tackled a character trait and a task or behavior related to the trait of the month.

Evans’ way of recounting her experiences will immediately draw in anyone who reads A Year of Biblical Womanhood. It is an easy read that is filled with funny stories of her antics, meaningful experiences with friends, and moments of discovery. But, weaved within these stories are little zingers that we need to be cautious of. Much of what Evans writes sounds good on the surface. Yet, statements like these should give us pause for concern: “The Bible’s not the place to look for traditional family values” (48). “Christians seem to think that because the Bible is inspired, all of it should be taken literally. Jews don’t do this” (87). “We forget sometimes that the Epistles are just that ... epistles” (259). Unless we read with discernment, these statements can influence our view of Scripture, gender roles and God. The wise reader will read Evans’ book with discernment.

Evans employs a classic feminist hermeneutic or method of interpreting Scripture. Through her interpretation she concludes that gender roles are the result of the Fall and much of the New Testament epistles are a blend of Christianity and culture (218-19). This method of interpretation has the tendency to skip over or discount certain portions of Scripture as being only applicable to the first hearers or the original culture. The result of such a hermeneutic concludes that for “those who count the Bible as sacred, interpretation is not a matter of whether to pick and choose, but how to pick and choose” (296).

Additionally, when Evans explores the complementarian or biblical womanhood view, she tends to depend on fringe groups rather than the mainstream of the conservative view, or she interprets based on the writings of a select few, rather than the body of literature as a whole. Visiting Quaker groups, Amish families, and quoting heavily from Debi Pearl and her volume “Created to be His Help Meet” lead to misrepresentations of what complementarians truly believe. There were times I found myself saying out loud, “that’s not really what complementarians believe or how they interpret that passage.”

One more thing to be aware of is her focus on the legal codes of the Old Testament. While she does tackle submission, modesty and Paul’s command that women are to remain silent, much of the literal behaviors she follows are based on Old Testament laws or instructions to the children of Israel. She depends heavily on the advice of a Jewish rabbi’s wife, which introduces yet another view of Scripture into the equation. Yes, this is where the now famous story of spending the night in a tent, clutching a walkie-talkie during her “manner of women” is hilariously retold. Evans’ attempt to literally enact what no longer has a place in the New Testament believer’s life adds to the confusion of what she attempts to prove. Contrary to Evans’ claim, Jesus did not consider he was defiled when the woman with the issue of blood touched Him (Matthew 5:24-34, page 170 in her book). We actually can learn about God’s protection and provision for women from these legal codes if we understand them in their cultural context.

I do think Evans discovered a taste of true biblical womanhood whether she admits it or not. She learned the joys of hospitality and how it feeds the body and the soul. She learned how honoring her husband affects him, even if she doesn’t greet him at the end of the day perfectly put together, slippers in hand, and a home-cooked meal on the table. She learned the transformation that comes from intentionally spending time with the Lord, not just talking to him, but also being quiet to listen.

After reading the book, I think that we as complementarians may be failing to communicate true biblical womanhood. If it is heard as a “list of rigid roles” (295) or antiquated lifestyle, rather than principles to be manifested in our life circumstances, we’re missing the mark.

As others have criticized, her writing seems to portray biblical womanhood as foolish, dated and impractical. But, reading deeper, the apparent mockery flows from a more peripheral interpretation, quotes taken out of context, or an overall misunderstanding of the complementarian position. I have to wonder whether Evans’ book can serve to spur complementarians on to better communicate the principles of biblical womanhood rather than offering a checklist of what to do.

I believe Rachel Held Evans, like many women, simply wants to know what biblical womanhood looks like in the 21st century. And, in one sense she’s right: There is not a one-size-fits-all model for the practical outworking of biblical womanhood that fits every situation. Scripture does not always speak to the specifics but it does give us principles that inform the specifics. Without qualification, Scripture does provide the model for a woman after God’s own heart to follow -- even if that doesn’t fit into a neat little box.

While I am glad that I read A Year of Biblical Womanhood, it would be difficult to recommend it to a young woman still working out her theology unless she has the benefit of being able to discuss what she is reading. It’s the kind of discussion that needs to be processed in a community of believing women. Nevertheless, the discussion needs to occur. There is value in dialog. And, yes, I would still welcome a conversation with Evans over a cup of coffee. We may walk away agreeing to disagree, but, hopefully, we will walk away understanding each other better.