Series: Order [#4]
EVIDENCE OF SUBMISSION
1 Timothy 2:9-15
Introduction:
The #1 reason that pastors do not enjoy preaching through a book of the Bible is on display today. When preaching a topical sermon series, you can avoid controversial or uncomfortable subjects; but when you preach through certain books of the Bible, you should cover all of the chapters and verses. As I read other pastor’s sermon series from 1 Timothy, I noticed that most of them skipped today’s text. The reason is pretty simple- By today’s standards, this passage is sexist. This passage talks about how women should submit to their husbands; while our society tries to tell us that you don’t even have to be the gender that God created you to be. This passage talks about how women should dress modestly; while our society tells us that people should be able to use whichever public restroom or locker room they want to regardless of their gender.
With such a difference between popular opinion and Scripture, we have to make a decision of which 1 we are going to try to follow. While the focus of our text is on women in the local church; this sermon is for each person in the room. Paul is asking these Christian women to give evidence of their submission to God; but each of us as Christians should be able to give evidence of our submission to God.
1 Timothy 2:9 (NIV)
“I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes.”
Evidence of submission is found in…
1. How you dress.
Now, this has to be something that hasn’t been said in very many churches in a long time. The contrast here is between what the world considers to be beautiful and what God considers to be beautiful. Whether male or female, a Christian should be dressed appropriately. I have had people ask me about what is acceptable and not acceptable to wear for our Worship Services. My answer is always, “Make sure everything that needs to be covered up is covered up”. Also, what you wear shouldn’t be a contest. It shouldn’t be about who has the nicest stuff or the most up to date stuff. What you wear should not distract from who you claim to belong to- God.
1 Timothy 2:10 (NIV)
“But with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.”
Evidence of submission is found in…
2. Godly works.
Paul is not suggesting that good works are a substitute for clothing. Paul was contrasting the “cheapness” of expensive clothes and jewelry with the true values of godly character and Christian service. Glamour can be partially applied on the outside; but godliness must come from within. What we do for the Lord matters.
1 Timothy 2:11 (NIV)
“A woman should learn in quietness and full submission.”
Evidence of submission is found in…
3. Quiet learning.
This falls into the category of listening twice as much as you talk. While some would be offended by this verse because it says that women should learn in quietness and fully submit; I say that we should all learn in quietness and submit to God.
1 Timothy 2:12-15 (NIV)
“I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. But women will be saved through childbearing--if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.”
Evidence of submission is found in…
4. Respecting authority.
If anyone is going to be offended by this sermon and has not been offended yet; this may do it. This passage is not saying that men are better than women or that women are not capable of teaching God’s Word. This passage is talking about the order of how God designed things.
In a society that talks about gender neutrality and “girl power”; the idea that men should be men and women should be women is not popular. God created men and women to be different from one another on purpose. The Scripture tells us that wives should submit themselves to their husbands as they should submit themselves to God. The Scripture also tells us that husbands should love their wives like Jesus loves the Church.
Conclusion:
As we conclude this passage, there is a very important doctrinal truth that I cannot skip. Verse 15 says, “But women will be saved through childbearing.” My 1st thought was, “I thought that salvation was only through Jesus Christ? Does this mean that there is another way for women to be saved?” Now this comment may offend some of you; but the passage says that women will be saved through childbearing, and we need to have an understanding of what this means.
Satan deceived the woman into sinning and Adam followed his wife right into disaster. Because Adam failed to submit to God and he listened to his wife, Adam brought sin and death into the world. Adam left all of mankind in a terrible situation; but through a woman, God brought our Savior into the world. It is through Jesus Christ that we can be saved.
