Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Acts 21:9
He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.
2 John 1:1
The elder, To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth—
Oh my! This could be quite interesting. It seems that all along the way here, I’ll be looking for a fight. Let’s get ready to rumble. God’s got my back… and yoursJ I could spend a lot more time on these lessons than I do. Really. Sometimes the lessons don’t require a brief over view. Sometimes they require a lot of study and meditation and prayer. This week’s lesson is such a one. Just a brief disclaimer and invitation: I’m not the Bible scholar I sometimes make myself out to be. When you disagree with me, let me know. I welcome your thoughtful criticism.
Instructions for Men and Women in the churches of God…
There are two points to be made in introducing the lesson this week.
1. The theme for this quarter’s lessons is Worship. The goal this week and every week will be to position ourselves accordingly for Worship of and to God. The thought gong forward should be that: we don’t prepare ourselves for Worship once or twice a week or whenever we’re getting ready to go to church, how ever often that is, but rather that you are prepared for Worship at all times based on your behavior as you apply God’s word to your life and allow yourself to be transformed by it. The goal for us as believers then is to in abide such a place of constant worship (positionally) that we are simply identified as ‘worshipers’. I met Eric’s pastor once. He carries himself in such a way, that you can ‘see’ Jesus in him, almost immediately. I want that for myself. I believe every believer should want the same.
2. Paul’s letters to Timothy will provide the lesson text for the next five weeks. These letters, along with his letter to Titus are regarded as his ‘pastoral’ letters. They provided instruction for two young men that Paul was personally training and mentoring for ministry. As such, these letters provide instructions for ministry for today’s leaders in the Church as well.
It is estimated that the population of the Church in China is somewhere between 69 to 91 million believers, most of them worshiping in secret. Imagine that: 91 million believers in communist China, many worshiping in ‘underground’ churches for fear of persecution. Imagine having to pray for your leaders in a communist country, where one of the goals of those in authority is to stamp you out. Paul faced a similar challenge in his day. All of the churches he led were under Roman rule and Christianity was regarded as an illicit or unaccepted derivative of Judaism. His vision was one of growth for the Church, in a sometimes hostile environment. Subsequently, his directive was for men everywhere to pray: everywhere, all the time, in and for every situation and especially for those in a authority. Paul does not mention praying for pastors here, as we often do when we reference these verses. Paul mentions Kings, representative of those who govern civically. For us, that would be Presidents, Senators, Congressmen and Congresswomen, Mayors, Council men and Council women and, yes even County Commissioners. Have I stepped on anyone’s toes yet? I fully intended to. ‘I’m just saying… ‘ . Paul states that praying for those in authority pleases God, in the same way that Faith pleases God. So, while you may not always agree with those who ‘serve’ in government, you are to pray for them always. Sincere intercessory prayer for your leaders positions you and them appropriately before God through Jesus, our Lord. Imagine all men everywhere kneeling before His throne in Glory. Selah.
Now comes the hard part: If I’m not in trouble yet, I may soon beJ When we take Paul’s instructions for women here in the passage and apply them, as a template, to today’s society, there are a number of incongruencies. There would have been in Paul’s day also. Is Paul saying that women shouldn’t preach, teach, pastor or hold places of authority within the Church? On the surface, it would seem so, but as it turns out, that thinking is inconsistent with the totality of Scripture. Throughout the New Testament there are examples of women preaching, prophesying and pastoring in the Church. If it weren’t for the faithfulness of many women in the Church today, there are many churches that would cease to exist. What then? Is Paul wrong? No. Not at all. Remember, Paul is giving personal instructions to young man that God is raising up into ministry. Paul’s emphasis to Timothy is order in the churches. That would entail establishing how church services were conducted locally. We don’t have all of the details here, but Paul was obviously addressing a situation that was unique in some way to the local church or churches in the area. While he may have been speaking to a specific situation, we can draw general conclusions from his instructions. First of all, humility. Paul’s instructions about modest apparel for women can be just as easily applied to men. Some of the brothers need to retire those red, purple or gold suits and tone it down a little bit on Sundays. After all, it’s not about us, it’s about Him. Remember: the theme is Worship. Similarly, Paul’s instructions about women teachers have to do with positioning members of a local church or churches for Worship. Obviously, in his day, as it is today in many cultures, women were not allowed to hold positions of prominence in society at large. Then, here comes the Church: where the Lord, Almighty has placed His Spirit, thereby establishing liberty and equality in the Church. Paul is telling Timothy, ‘Not so fast’. ‘Let God do it in His time’. Paul’s approach was to maintain the same social structure within the local church as existed outside of it. Whether you agree or disagree with his method, Paul was all about positioning the members of the local church for…. Worship! That should be our emphasis as well. To always be positioning ourselves and one another attitudinally for Worship. The Church, from it’s beginning, has only ever elevated women in every part of modern society. But that’s how God does, isn’t it? He exalts the humble. Enjoy the lesson! (Boy, I’m glad I just do this for funJ)
Luke 18:1
And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Hebrews 12:22-24
22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly,
23To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
24And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
Blessings,
.wb
I look forward to seeing you all when I return from the Philippines…
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