His Word, for Her World
Modern Family of God Series (February Family Month)
February 8, 2015 CFBC Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker
Introduction:
A Just as manhood has become difficult to understand due to the attacks of feminism, machoism, male chauvinism, prolonged adolescence, knowing what biblical womanhood can be just as difficult to understand.
1 Some say true womanhood is casting off the chains of being bound to a husband.
a For others it’s climbing up the cooperate ladder, politics, or holding jobs that were once exclusively held by men.
b On the other side are those who see a stay-at-home wife (or mother) as the pinnacle of womanhood.
aa For some, womanhood is defined by not wearing fashionable clothes, hair styles, jewelry.
bb For others, having children (or how many children).
2 Woman will unsatisfactorily chase after an elusive identity/dream unless they embrace who God made them to be in accordance to His Word.
a God has intentionally made women different than men.
aa 1 Peter 3:7 (NASB) 7 You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
women are different than men both sexes need to understand this.
bb Yeah, I know you can have a baby . . . miracle of life
cc That’s cool, but who do call to open the jar of pickles? Can you bench 250? (Laugh, “That’s all I’m sayin.”)
b We’re different!!!! (Not just on an anatomical level either)
aa Women & men are wired different emotionally.
bb No amount of feminism, women’s liberation can change this simple, God established, Word supported fact . . . women are different than men. (Case closed.)
a Value:
Genesis 1:27 (NASB) 27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Psalm 139:13-16 (NASB) 13 For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb. 14 I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; 16 Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.
Ephesians 5:31-33 (NASB) 31 FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. 32 This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.
aa Every woman is made in the image of God and is valuable to Him.
bb tall, short, thin, or all about that bass . . . ladies, you are worth something to God.
b God Gave You Your Gender:
Genesis 2:18-25 (NASB) 18 Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him." 19 Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name. 20 The man gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the sky, and to every beast of the field, but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him. 21 So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place. 22 The LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. 23 The man said, "This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man." 24 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.
Mark 10:6 (NASB) 6 "But from the beginning of creation, God MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE.
aa It’s not society, self-determination that makes you a woman (Mr. Jenner), your gender is rooted in how you are created by the Almighty.
bb Irregardless of societal trends or how chic transgender folks seem to be (Inside Edition just hired the first cross dressing journalist thisweek:http://www.tvguide.com/news/zoey-tur-inside-edition-first-transgender-reporter/?rss=breakingnews)
if God made you a woman . . . you are a woman for a reason, purpose . . . own it.
c Women are not Men . . . and they were never men-t to be:
1 Corinthians 11:3 (NASB) 3 But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:8-9 (NASB) 8 For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man; 9 for indeed man was not created for the woman's sake, but woman for the man's sake.
1 Corinthians 11:11-12 (NASB) 11 However, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. 12 For as the woman originates from the man, so also the man has his birth through the woman; and all things originate from God.
1 Timothy 2:12-14 (NASB) 12 But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. 13 For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. 14 And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.
a When God made men & women He made them to compliment one another, not to be in competition/identical.
Genesis 2:18-25 (NASB) 18 Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him." 19 Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name. 20 The man gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the sky, and to every beast of the field, but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him. 21 So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place. 22 The LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. 23 The man said, "This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man." 24 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.
bb By God’s design (and before the fall) our roles as men & women are interdependent but not interchangeable.
cc https://www.yahoo.com/health/goodbye-mr-and-ms-hello-they-110063122332.html
B This morning I’m going to look at His Word for her world and you need to know somethings . . .
1 I’m not an expert on women, but I’m going to do my best to exegete a text from the Bible that gives an example of Biblical womanhood.
1 Peter 3:1-7 (NASB) 1 In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2 as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior. 3 Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; 4 but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. 5 For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands; 6 just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear. 7 You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
a I think men & women are co-labors/fellow heirs together in Christ, equal partners in life.
1 Peter 3:7 (NASB) 7 You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
b Galatians 3:28 (NASB) 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
2 If you’re thinking I’m going to preach 25 minutes on how wives are supposed to wait hand and foot on their husbands or be keep their mouth shut in church . . . that isn’t this message.
a In fact, “submissive” (v.1) is interesting in it’s own right . . .
aa In the context of this text it’s actually referring to saved wives who have lost husbands.
bb Submissiveness of the wife is to her husband alone, not to all men in general.
cc It is done voluntarily by the wife . . . husbands are not to force (physically or verbally), but it is done on the wife’s own volition. However, that does not mean it is optional.
dd If you are an abusive husband, v.7 says your prayers go unanswered . . . in my opinion, if your being abusive as a husband, prison is the answer.
b I’ve seen marriages/couples where the man gets treated like a dog/insubordinate by the woman & where the woman gets treated like a dog/insubordinate by the man . . . neither one of them are pretty and neither one of them are Scriptural.
C What does the Bible say?
1 Peter 3:1-7 (NASB) 1 In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2 as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior. 3 Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; 4 but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. 5 For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands; 6 just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear. 7 You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
1 Understand that this text is talking to Christian, Born Again women.
a The reason these verse are offensive to many women is because they do not have their spiritual eyes open or their spiritual ears on.
b Before women can grasp Biblical womanhood they must Christians/Born Again . . . Submit to the Lord Jesus.
2 Many have used this text to say women shouldn’t wear make-up, jewelry, pants, have fashionable hair-dos, get their nail done . . .
a v. 4, “And let not your adornment be merely external-braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses;”
b IL. Have you ever noticed that the most precious, beautiful things God created in this world are covered up?
aa Pearls, gold, diamonds . . .
bb Ladies, your body is much more precious than all the pearls, gold, diamonds in the world . . .
1 Timothy 2:9-10 (ESV) 9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV)19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
c There’s nothing wrong with wearing fashionable clothing, hairstyles, jewelry . . . the question is do you spend more time . . .
aa fixing your hair than you do in prayer?
bb Boutiques than you do in the Bible?
cc on your nails or on your knees?
dd Shopping or Singing?
ee getting ready or getting right?
D All women have needs that they desire to have met.
a As a women . . .
aa She needs to know she’s valued, worth something, appreciated, special . . . not just because she said “I do” or because she had your children . . . but simply because she’s a person. (A smart, beautiful, interesting person)
bb She needs to time to herself, opportunity to excel, to be her own person . . . pursue her own interests.
cc The woman without interests is an uninteresting woman.
b As a wife . . .
aa The Bible doesn’t say that every woman has to be married to be whole: unmarried women are fully valued in Christ & can serve the Kingdom of God in an incredible way .(cf.)
1 Corinthians 7:4-35 (NASB) 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 But this I say by way of concession, not of command. 7 Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am. However, each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that. 8 But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I. 9 But if they do not have self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. 10 But to the married I give instructions, not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not leave her husband 11 (but if she does leave, she must remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not divorce his wife. 12 But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her. 13 And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not send her husband away. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy. 15 Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace. 16 For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife? 17 Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk. And so I direct in all the churches. 18 Was any man called when he was already circumcised? He is not to become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? He is not to be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God. 20 Each man must remain in that condition in which he was called. 21 Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that. 22 For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord's freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is Christ's slave. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brethren, each one is to remain with God in that condition in which he was called. 25 Now concerning virgins I have no command of the Lord, but I give an opinion as one who by the mercy of the Lord is trustworthy. 26 I think then that this is good in view of the present distress, that it is good for a man to remain as he is. 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28 But if you marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you. 29 But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none; 30 and those who weep, as though they did not weep; and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those who buy, as though they did not possess; 31 and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it; for the form of this world is passing away. 32 But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; 33 but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, 34 and his interests are divided. The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband. 35 This I say for your own benefit; not to put a restraint upon you, but to promote what is appropriate and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord.
bb Before you were a mother, you were most likely a wife. . . and the needs of a wife do not stop once children are born.
cc She needs romance, knows she’ll still the prettiest thing you’ve laid eyes on . . . notice her, pay attention, flirt . . .
dd If she’s nags at you, show her these verses
Proverbs 19:13 (HCSB) 13 A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a wife’s nagging is an endless dripping.
Proverbs 21:9 (HCSB) 9 Better to live on the corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife.
Proverbs 21:19 (HCSB) 19 Better to live in a wilderness than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife.
Proverbs 25:24 (HCSB) 24 Better to live on the corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife.
Proverbs 27:15 (HCSB) 15 An endless dripping on a rainy day and a nagging wife are alike.
(Put all these verse on screen at one time with a picture of a nag (horse or woman/wife) behind them as a watermark, please.)
c As a mom . . .
a The Bible never says that every woman should be a mother (doesn’t make you less of woman, person, valuable in the eyes of the Father); I do believe that investing in the next generation is every woman’s task; uniquely gifted to nurture, teach, train children (whether their biological, adopted, or spiritual), you have it in you as a woman.
Proverbs 31:21 (NASB) 21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
Proverbs 31:28 (NASB) 28 Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:
2 Timothy 1:5 (NASB) 5 For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.
Titus 2:3-5 (NASB) 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 4 so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.
b However, if you have children/family of your own, it’s true that those whose needs you meet the most are those who are least aware of all you do . . . sometimes.
c IL. A teacher is asked one of her students, “Jim, suppose your mother made a peach pie and there were ten of you at the table—your mom and dad and eight children—how much of the pie would you get?” “A ninth, ma’am.” The teacher replied, “No, Jim. Pay attention... there are 10 of you. Ten remember your fractions? “Yes, ma’am. I know my fractions, but I know my mom, too. She’d say that she didn’t want any pie.” (Knights Illustrations) pix of peach pie
d Moms, if your doing the best you can & your kids know you love them . . . I believe God honors that and your family should appreciate you for it.
Conclusion:
A Last week I talked about how important men are in the home & family; if men are important, then women are essential.
1 Punctuate this sentence: Woman without her man is nothing
a Our first impulse to but a comma after “woman” and “man”;
Woman, without her, man is nothing.
b However, there is another, not so obvious punctuation that works too: Woman: without her, man is nothing.
aa Emphasis is everything.
bb Proverbs 31:31 (NASB) 31 Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.
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Respectfully,
Mike Fogerson
