// Covenant Family Church

Men are called to do a hard thing: be in dependence to God by committing to prayer. Women are called to do a hard thing: manifesting good works, thinking less of self and more of Christ. What is a godly woman to to do in Christ’s Church? She is to teach other women, but not the men. Not a question of capability, but of preserving order in the church. Headship in the family, church, and civil contexts. Meaning of word “teach”. She is to manifest good works, but not authority. Priscilla and Aquilla: informal discipleship along side of husband, but not teaching, preaching, or exercising authority. She is to remain quiet, but not be uninvolved. Be quiet and respectful of proper jurisdiction. Teaching other women and children. She is to accept and obey God’s divine design. Creation ordinances. She is to delight in the uniqueness of her gender. Only women have the privilege of bearing children. Women are saved from the stigma of causing all humanity to sin, because they are the very ones who bring forth redeemed humanity. Story of Dr. Hugh McKosh.

Text: 1 Timothy 2:12-15

During this present age, the prevailing viewpoint amongst most Christians is that women are to be fully integrated into every part of Christ’s Church. This means that women should be allowed to minister as pastors, teachers, evangelists, elders, and deacons. No exclusion should be made on the basis of gender. In fact, it is rare to find a Christian today who rejects the principle of egalitarianism; which is defined as “Advocating the doctrine of equal political, economic, and legal rights for all citizens” (cf. American Heritage Dictionary). The problem is that most modern-day Christians have not seriously grappled with this strong prohibition from the Apostle Paul and its underlying principle of male headship. Various attempts have been made to explain it away—by localizing it, by reinterpreting it, by enculturating it, and by making it into a Pharisaical error. Yet, all these efforts have failed to pass muster, and Paul’s prohibition remains. Thus, let us not be reluctant or afraid to take our stand upon the clear and unambiguous Word of God.

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This is the final day to register for the Men’s Advance with Rev. Kevin Swanson (February 27-28th). Our theme is “Faith of our Fathers: Believing it, Living it, and Passing it On”. Conference brochures are available on the information table.

How should godly women adorn themselves? With modesty, self-control, good works, and quiet submission. Growing from selfish to selfless; focusing on others needs, not your own. Distinction between male and female. Adorn is a similar word to “cosmos”; bringing order, arranging things in order, in a way that is respectable. Modest is a “sense of shame”; not flashy, gaudy, or drawing undue attention to yourself. Adorning yourself with moderation, discretion, and wisdom for the situation. Historical context of the passage. Three principles for dress: heart, head, husband. Every woman submissive to her own husband. Proper jurisdictions maintained. Men and Women=equal in essence, different in function.

Text: 1 Timothy 2:9-11

Today, we continued our study on how the people of God should behave in Christ’s Church–the men, women, children, elders, and deacons. As we already learned from verse eight, the men are strongly urged to pray. This injunction was given by Paul to train men to be humble and dependent upon their sovereign God. After all, since the Lord owns “the cattle on a thousand hills” surely he will care for the needs of his people (Psalm 50:10). Moreover, the women are instructed how they should behave in Christ’s Church. They are not to focus on merely adorning themselves with fine and fashionable clothing, but–more importantly–they are to cultivate the inner person. Thus, the women are to dress in a modest manner and demonstrate their faith with an abundance of good works (cf. Proverbs 31:10-31).

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Example of order in a Battleship: knowing your job and doing it. Why did God say for men to pray? Why not evangelize, tithe, etc? Men are independent. Prayer creates dependance. Men are self reliant. Prayer forces them to admit uncertainty. Men are overconfident and can fall into sin. Prayer leads to conviction of sin. Men are called to have a sense of urgency regarding prayer. They are to pray “in every place” the church is gathered, either in worship or fellowship. Posture of prayer. The men of the church are to be the pioneers in healing relationships.

Text: 1 Timothy 2:8-10

Throughout the course of this sermon series we are going to consider how the people of God should behave in Christ’s Church–the men, women, children, elders, and deacons. Paul sets the immediate context for his specific instructions on Christian behavior by these two phrases: (1) “I desire then that in every place the men should pray” (1 Tim. 2:8), and (2) “I am writing these things to you so that . . . you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God (1 Tim. 3:15-16). Today, then, we will examine the role of men in Christ’s Church, and specifically how they ought to pray. The Prophet Malachi envisioned a time when men from every nation would be able to unite in places of worship for fervant prayer to our God. He said,

“From the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts.” (Malachi 1:11)

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The pattern of what a church is to do: teaching, fellowship, sacraments, prayer. The early Christians were determined to learn all they could from the appointed preachers. God has put something within us that desires to be in relationship, in covenant; we are hungry for fellowship. They received their food with glad and generous hearts. Prayer humbles us before the Lord. In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.

Text: Acts 2:42-47, 1 Corinthians 1:10-13

The Reformers tell us that the two marks of a true church are: first, the faithful preaching and teaching of the Word of God, and secondly, the right administration of the Sacraments (i.e. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper). In addition, the Bible teaches us that a true church should manifest a deep level of fellowship. This includes tender relations amongst one another, loving discipline for those who go astray, and a warm-hearted hospitality to those within and outside the church. Moreover, all of the members of Christ’s Church should be people of prayer. In summary, Jesus Christ told his disciples: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (cf. John 13:34-35). Let us resolve to faithfully do these things!

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