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God's
Men & Women
Intro:
A. In Past
weeks we have looked at the establishment of the home, marriage as an honorable
institution, and enemies of the family in today’s society.
B. Tonight
we’ll enter into the next part of our study as we look at the roles
we are given by God in the home.
C. Over
the last 2 or 3 weeks of our study, we will look at God’s man in the
home, God’s woman in the home; duties of godly parents, and what
children owe their parents.
D. Let’s
begin by looking at God’s man in the family.
I.
God’s Man – Charles Stanley
– IS THERE A MAN IN THE HOUSE? – “I believe that our
society’s widespread civil disobedience, disregard for parental
authority, immorality, and other lawlessness are the direct result of
modern man’s ignoring a basic spiritual principle –God’s
design for marriage and the home. And the blame for our present dilemma
rests squarely on the shoulders of our nation’s men because they have
been designated by God as the head’s of their families.”
A. God’s
man is a leader in the home.
1.
God placed man in position of headship – Eph. 5:23
a.
Regardless of what women’s lib says
b. Paul
describes this as loving leadership
i. Not tyrant or big boss
2.
Leadership brings responsibilities.
a. Responsible
to assume leadership.
b. Responsible to
make decisions.
c.
Responsible to set policies in the home.
d. Responsible
to delegate authority.
e.
Responsible to involve family members and listen and consult with them.
f. Responsible
for financial, material, social, personal, and spiritual activities of the
family.
3.
Does not man can force his will upon the wife.
a.
The woman does give up her ability to make choices.
b. God’s
man leads with a loving hand and humble example.
c.
When he fails in this role, he fails his wife, his children, and his God.
B. God’s
man loves his wife.
1.
Sounds easy, but Paul’s not talking about a physical love – Eph
5:25
a.
It is a love of the will and the mind.
2.
Christ is our role model for this love.
a. To love as “Christ is the head of the church”;
“As Christ also
loved the church”; “As (our) own bodies”; “As ourselves”
b. Paul Faulkner – “This type of love is an
action, a decision, a choice, and a commitment.”
3.
This love is to be unselfish
a.
Also unconditional, tender, kind, compassionate, and considerate.
b. It
is also to be dependable and reliable.
4.
Colossians 3:19
C. God’s
man lives considerately with his wife.
1.
I Peter 3:7 – teaches husbands should “dwell with them
according to knowledge”. Other versions translate this
phrase – “live
considerately with”, “live with…in an understanding
way”, and “be thoughtful of their needs”.
2.
Involves understanding her special needs as a woman.
a.
Then being sensitive enough to respect and accept her needs.
3.
What does your need?
a.
What makes her happy? Sad? Nervous? Relaxed?
b. Do
you understand the differences in her emotions from yours?
4.
Women tend to appreciate the “little things”
a.
Men often view these things as insignificant.
b. Learn
to understand your wives.
D. God’s
man honors his wife.
1.
I Peter 3:7
a.
While woman weaker physically, not weaker intellectually or inferior.
2.
God created woman in his own image. Gen 1:27
a.
Placed her in a special position in the family
b. Place
of honor esteem and respect.
c.
This could include chivalry and courtesy toward women.
3.
Honor includes “nourishing
and cherishing” Eph 5:29
a.
God’s man not weak, but meek
b. Meek enough to
treat wife with respect, dignity, honor and to exalt her as the queen of
the castle.
E. God’s
man provides for his wife and family.
1.
I Tim 5:8
2.
Obviously includes material provisions
3.
Also includes emotional securities, spiritual training and a Christ-like
example for his own wife and children.
II.
God’s Woman – With all the talk
today of role reversal, sex-discrimination, and sexist language, it is easy
for young women and little girls to become confused and suffer an identity
crisis.
A. God’s
woman is in subjection to her husband.
1.
Some say it’s old-fashioned, demeaning, or just the teaching of that
old bachelor Paul.
a.
It is actually God’s will – Eph 5:22-24
2.
Doesn’t mean woman is a piece of property, owned by man to treat as
he wishes.
a.
Her submission doesn’t remove freedom
b. Jay
Adams – train running on a track – as long as on track it has
greater freedom to perform as intended than when it jumps off track. So it
is with woman.
3.
Submission in home does not remove woman’s equality in Christ.
a.
Gal 3:28
B. God’s
woman helps her husband.
1.
Woman created for man - I Cor 11:9
a.
Suitable as a help meet for him – Gen 2:18
b. Proverbs
18:22
c.
Such a wife will “do
him good and not evil all the days of her life” – Proverbs
31:12
2.
Created to help man
a.
A good leader will allow his wife to help him
b. He
will use her many talents in home – raising children, making business
and personal decisions
3.
May be better in some areas than man – if not too proud to use those
abilities
a.
Ask advice, seek assistance, and learn from her knowledge.
4.
Mates become team - work together, share together, and love together
– helping each other
C. God’s
woman is a “keeper at home”.
1.
Older women to teach younger women to be “keepers at home” – Titus
2:4-5
a.
Keeper or guard of a house; homemaker; taking care of household affairs.
b. Notice
men it does not say keep her at home!
2.
God’s woman is to “guide the house” – I Tim 5:14
a.
Manage household affairs or rule household affairs
b. World’s
woman says this is dull, dreary, and drab; God’s woman realizes this
is her first and best work.
3.
This involves more than just cleaning house.
a.
It is here the godly wife creates atmosphere of love, happiness and
friendliness and warmth
D. God’s
woman reverences her husband.
1.
Eph 5:33
a.
“that she notices him regards him, honors him, prefers him, venerates
and esteems him; and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and
admires him exceedingly.” Amplified Bible – good commentary on
meaning.
2.
Will not cut down, make fun, belittle, ridicule, or humiliate her husband
a.
Either behind his back or to his face.
b. She
has too much respect for God’s appointed leader.
3.
What makes this seem so difficult and out of line is that too many men have
failed to be this respectable.
E. God’s
woman has a “meek and quiet spirit”.
1.
In society that places too much emphasis on outward appearance –
God’s woman more concerned about “inward-adorning”
2.
I Peter 3:1-6 is formula for the Christian
wife to convert her non-Christian husband by the very manner of her life
and the inner, spiritual qualities she possesses.
3.
“A meek spirit is not one characterized by self-will, envy, pride,
presumption, or obstinacy; and a quiet spirit is one that is calm,
tranquil, and at peace.” Guy Woods
4.
Such woman is discreet in actions, pure in thoughts, serene in her spirit,
affectionate to her husband, patient with her children, compassionate to
her friends, and loyal to her God.
Conclusion:
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