Authority and the Church
SLIDE 1
SLIDE 2
1 Corinthians 11 – Should women cover their heads? If so, when?
1 Corinthians 14 – Should women keep silent? How so?
SLIDE 3
2 views - Egalitarian (cultural) vs Complementarian (Allegorical)
SLIDE 4
SERMON 1 - The Christian and Worldly Authority
SERMON 2 - Church Order and Propriety (Worship/Family Life)
SERMON 1 - The Christian and Worldly Authority
How to balance Freedom/Equality in Christ with day to day relationships (Propriety)
The American Experience
SLIDE 5 - 2 American “Revolutions” - Washington and MLK
Biblical - Yes and No (President and Citizen “equal” - some more equal than others)
SLIDE 6 Photos - (Aside - Glen Smiley connection)
What is the right balance?
SLIDE 7
Larger view - Egalitarian Men and Women equal in the sight of God
Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
Your personal pronoun? Jesus
“‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Acts 2:17 (quotes Joel 2:28-29)
At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. Matthew 22:30
Galatians 3:26
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
SLIDE 8
Are we all “equal”? Spiritually: Yes Bodily: No
Our “equality” transcends the disparity we find in this world.
BUT…there are always those greater and lesser than you in this world.
SLIDE 9
Key Principle:
IN CHRIST…everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.
HOW?
1 Peter 2 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
Government>Family Structures (Architypes: The KINGDOM of God, Marriage=Church)
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.
Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone love the family of believers,fear God, honor the emperor.
Why?
Romans 13:1
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities (structures), for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority?
Then do what is right and you will (generally) be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. (God’s perspective)
In the world: Proverbial - Generally humility is rewarded (Respect the “office”)
In the Lord: a Promise - treasure in heaven
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10
Moses – most humble man who ever lived
Hezekiah – Added 15 years to his life
Daniel – Heard by God
God also holds “Rulers” accountable for their behavior
To the Rich: James 5
Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. 4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves 1in the day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.
Overseers are not to ‘lord over” the flock
1 Peter 5:1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”[a]
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
TWO WAY STREET! (The Ideal - everyone SERVES, SUBMITS, LOVES, SACRIFICES)
Unequal in life, authority but equal in value and responsibility toward God
Paul, the Apostle, made himself a “slave”
Matthew 20:25
Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.
Philemon (Ephesians/Colossians/Philemon)
Story of Onesimus - The run-away slave.
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,
To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker— 2 also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home:
3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
4 I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. 6 I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. 7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.
Paul’s Plea for Onesimus
8 Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, 9 yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— 10 that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.
12 I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. 13 I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. 14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary. 15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— 16 no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.
17 So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. 19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. 20 I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
22 And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.
23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. 24 And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.
25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Colossians 4:9 He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.
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Should I submit to Hitler? Should I stay with an abusive husband?
Scripture Disclaimer: Not called to be a doormat
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18
“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. Matthew 7:6
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SLIDE 10
Ephesians 5:21
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
We are called to serve no matter our state in life.
SLIDE 11
SERMON ONE END
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