The Bible and Female Leadership by Dave Miller, Ph.D.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=11&article=3656

The Bible and Female Leadership

by	Dave Miller, Ph.D.

Amid the polarization that plagues American civilization in general, and Christendom in particular, one chasm continues to widen between those who wish to conform to Bible protocol and those who wish to modernize, update, adjust, and adapt Scripture to secular society. The cry of those who are pressing the feminist agenda is that the church in the past has restricted women in roles of leadership and worship simply because of culture and flawed hermeneutical principles. They say we are the product of a male-dominated society and have consequently misconstrued the contextual meaning of the relevant biblical passages. As attitudes soften and biblical conviction weakens, Scripture is being reinterpreted to allow for expanded roles for women in worship. At least some of this propensity for compromise is due to the skeptic’s insistence that God, the Bible, and Christians suffer from misogyny.

The central passage in the New Testament that indicates gender role in the home is Ephesians 5:22-33. The premier passage that treats gender roles in worship is 1 Timothy 2:8-15. Both passages indicate that men, i.e., adult males (andras), are to be holy, spiritual leaders in the home and in worship, while women are admonished to be modest and unassuming, and to fulfill the critical responsibilities assigned to them by God. What conceivable reason would the inspired writer (Paul) have for placing any limitations on either men or women? Was his concern prompted by the culture of that day? Was Paul merely accommodating an unenlightened, hostile environment, or asserting his own chauvinistic tendencies? The Holy Spirit gave the reason for the limitations, and that reason transcends all culture and all locales. Paul stated that men are to be kind, loving, nurturing leaders, and women are to submit to that leadership in the home and the church, because Adam was created before Eve. Here is the heart and core of God’s will concerning how men and women are to function and interrelate.

God’s original design for the human race entailed the creation of the male first as an indication of the man’s responsibility to be the spiritual leader of the home and the church. That is his functional purpose. Woman, on the other hand, was specifically designed and created for the purpose of being a subordinate (though not inferior) assistant. This feature of Creation explains why God gave spiritual teaching to Adam before Eve was created, implying that Adam had the created responsibility to teach his wife (Genesis 2:15-17). It explains why the female is twice stated to have been created to be “an help meet for him,” i.e., a helper suitable for the man (Genesis 2:18,20, emp. added). This explains why the Genesis text clearly indicates that in a unique sense, the woman was created for the man—not vice versa. It explains why God brought the woman “to the man” (Genesis 2:22)—not vice versa—again, as if she was made “for him.” Adam confirmed this understanding by stating “the woman whom You gave to be with me” (Genesis 3:12, emp. added). It explains why Paul argued on the basis of this very distinction: “Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man” (1 Corinthians 11:9, emp. added). It further clarifies the implied authority of the man over the women in his act of naming the woman (Genesis 2:23; 3:20). The Jews understood this divinely designed order, evidenced by the practice of primogeniture (“firstborn” male). God’s creation of the man first was specifically intended to communicate the authority/submission principle for ordering the human race (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:8). Indeed, the evolutionists, skeptics, atheists, feminists, and theological liberals who disdain this reality are faced with the stubborn reality that gender distinction is inherently built into the created order via a host of clear cut emotional, psychological, and physiological differences between men and women—from chromosomes, to life span and muscle strength (cf. Jacobsen, 2007). Paul pinpoints perhaps the most prominent and distinguishing feature: the ability of females to bear children (1 Timothy 2:15).

Bible teaching on difference in role in no way implies a difference in worth, value, or ability. Galatians 3:28 (“neither male nor female”), 1 Timothy 2:15 (“she shall be saved”), and 1 Peter 3:7 (“heirs together of the grace of life”) all show that males and females are equals as far as their person and salvation status is concerned. Women are often superior to men in talent, intellect, and ability. Women are not inferior to men anymore than Christ the Son is inferior to God the Father, citizens are inferior to the President, or students are inferior to teachers. The role of women in the home and in the church is not a matter of control, power, or oppression. It is a matter of submission on the part of all human beings to the will of God. It is a matter of willingness on the part of God’s creatures, male and female, to subordinate themselves to the divine arrangement regarding the sexes. The biblical differentiation is purely a matter of function, assigned tasks, and sphere of responsibility. The tragic mistreatment of women through the centuries in countries and cultures around the world by men who have abused and misused their authority in no way discredits the biblical principle.

A massive restructuring of values and reorientation of moral and spiritual standards has been taking place in American culture for over 50 years now. The dismantling of scriptural gender differentiation is one facet of this multifaceted effacement and erosion of biblical values. Virtually every sphere of American culture has been impacted. To the extent that God’s will for the proper functioning of the human race deteriorates, to that extent we will continue to see the unraveling of America’s foundational values and increasing social confusion and disorientation.

Many talented, godly women possess abilities and talents that would enable them to surpass many of the male worship leaders functioning in the church today. However, the Bible stands as an unalterable, eternal declaration of God’s will on the matter. By those words we will be judged (John 12:48). May all people bow humbly and submissively before the God of Heaven in conformity to His perfect will for people.

REFERENCE

Jacobsen, Joyce (2007), The Economics of Gender (Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing), third edition.

Those Who Left Their Place by Trevor Bowen

http://insearchoftruth.org/articles/those_who_left_their_place.html

Those Who Left Their Place

"And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day." (Jude 1:6)

This brief reference provides one of the few clues to the sin that brought judgment upon God’s mighty messengers. However, it leaves many questions unanswered, which curious mortals desire to know. A few questions that come to mind are: "Was the Devil among this group?" "What was their 'proper domain' and 'abode'?" "How did they 'leave' it?" "Why was it a sin?" Although men might speculate, God did not reveal these answers, so we trust His judgment and focus our attention on what He did say (Deuteronomy 29:29; I Timothy 1:3-7; II Timothy 2:14-18). As we focus on what God did reveal, we must ask ourselves, "Are there any lessons in this account for us?"

The Meaning of the Text

Let's first examine a few key words of the text in an effort to understand the intended overall meaning. The word for "keep" means "to observe, protect, keep close watch, or guard". Diligence is required for such a watch. But, we want to know, "What was the object of their watch?" The text says they did not keep their "proper domain."

The word for "proper" is most often translated "own". "Proper" should be understood in the sense that an owner has proper rights to an object. In this case, the angels were the proper owners and caretaker of a "domain". The original word for "domain" could be translated as "home or habitation" or as "rule, power, dominion, or command". Translators are somewhat divided on the exact sense, but the general idea might be generally expressed in our modern phrase, "they did not keep their place". The word for "left" suggests abandonment; therefore, they not only failed to keep their watch, but they deserted it.

Although this may have a physical meaning, in that angels left their appointed geographical realm and moved into another, it may also have a more figurative, possibly spiritual meaning. Maybe they were keeping watch not over something or some realm, but over somebody. Or, maybe they simply broke ranks and turned on their superiors.

The Work of Angels

Although it is not desirable to specify what God left generic, it is appropriate to collect some of the other known facts about angels to combat erroneous speculation. We know from the book of Hebrews that angels are "ministering spirits, sent to minister unto the saints (Hebrews 1:13-14). In Daniel we learn that some angels watch over nations and peoples as figurative princes (Daniel 10:5-11:1; 12:1). Jesus commented that innocent children have angels that keep watch over them, and such angels stand before the Lord of heavens (Matthew 18:10). Could these sinful angels have failed to keep a similar charge of guardianship? We are not told.

In Jude 1:9, we learn that there is one angel, Michael, who is an "archangel", suggesting that he is over other angels ("great prince" - Daniel 12:1). Apparently, there is some hierarchy of either rule, power, or responsibility among the angels. Could these angels have tried to ascend beyond their domain, trying to usurp that which was not their own place? We are not told.

Although we do not know the specifics of their sin, we do know that which was revealed is of value, since God gave it to us (Deuteronomy 29:29; II Timothy 3:16-17). All we know is that the angels were given something over which they were to keep watch. They left their station, abandoning the role that they were given. But, what was the point of relating this brief incident?

Do Not Forsake Your Place

The lesson of Jude 1:6 is clearly that of a warning. Earlier in the context we are reminded of God’s chosen people, the Israelites, who were initially saved from the bondage of Egypt, only to be consumed by Him in the wilderness because of their unbelief (Jude 1:5). These complainers were not satisfied with the Lord’s provisions. During their journey to the promise land, the people frequently murmured and tested the Lord (for example, Exodus 15:22-24; 16:2-12; 17:1-7; Numbers 14:22). Once, they even wanted to select a new leader and return to the land of their bondage (Numbers 14:1-4). Eventually, they were all destroyed during the wilderness wandering, except Joshua, Caleb, and the children (Numbers 14:22-35). This fallen generation stands as an example to us of the possibility and danger of apostasy, even today (I Corinthians 10:1-12; Hebrews 3:14-4:2, 6).

Similarly, we learn that God has reserved the fallen, sinful angels unto a great day of judgment (Jude 1:6). As one continues to read Jude and the parallel account in II Peter 2, the examples of God’s wrath are multiplied. After reading such a list, the point becomes clear: If God would not spare His angels, what will He do to us (II Peter 2:4)? Take warning! If we leave our place, God will not spare us either.

We may ask, "How can this apply to us?" "How could we make the same mistake as the angels and leave our proper place?" In general, anytime we second-guess God’s commands or arrangements, we have abandoned our position as creature and assumed the place of Creator, Lawgiver, and Judge (James 4:11-12).

The context provides an immediate example to help us make application (Jude 1:7; II Peter 2:4-6). God has established a proper relationship of marriage between men and women. Homosexuality establishes a relationship contrary to the roles that God has given to men and women. Just "as" the angels abandoned their given roles, the men of Sodom and Gommorah left their roles and sought flesh, which was not proper. It was the proper right of someone else; therefore, it was "strange flesh" (Jude 1:7; II Peter 2:4-6).

Homosexuality is parallel, or similar in principle to the angels' desertion of their place. The conjunction, "as", ties verse 6 of Jude 1 to verse 7, implying that there is some similarity between the two sins. Moreover, the word for "own", or "proper" of verse 6 is the antithesis of the word for "strange" of verse 7, which means "another's", "someone else's". What is the exact similarity? In both verses, God gave a blessing with charge, but the charge was abandoned; consequently, God’s wrath fell upon the angels and the men, who similarly sinned by deserting their divinely established place.

Conclusion

Homosexuality is just one of the ways we may abandon "our place". Anytime we question God’s pattern, whether for the church, salvation, worship, or anything else, we have left our place, or our proper rule. We have assumed the place of the Lawgiver and tried to stand where only God has the right. In essence, all disobedience is a challenge to God’s authority to rule in our lives as our Creator. Is that not what all sin is? Is it not an effort to rebel over the rightful rule and establish ourselves as absolute sovereigns of our own lives (Genesis 3:1-6)? It is man's desire to become a god unto himself that drives him to rebel and leave his place.

The fact that God did not tell us more about this incident with the sinful angels is a testimony to our weakness and tendency to seek power not meant for us (Colossians 2:18-19). Therefore, we should not seek to elaborate and speculate where God was silent.

Finally, if God did not spare the angels, how will He judge us on that last day? Fortunately, there is one significant difference between us and the angels. He does not give mercy, or aid to the angels, but He has offered mercy to us (Hebrews 2:9-16). This leads us to the last question that we must ask, which is "Will you accept God’s mercy?"

Please feel free to send the author of this article any questions, concerns, or feedback that you may have.

Author: Trevor Bowen

Faith (Part 2) by Ben Fronczek

http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?p=1180

Faith (Part 2)

Faith (Part 2)

In our first lesson we began to look at how truly important it is to have faith in our life. I talked about how debilitating it would be if we had no faith what so ever.

– You would never believe anything would work out for your benefit, leaving us to live a hopeless life.

– We would never be able to trust anyone.

– We’d never be able to step out on faith and try anything new, because courage and faith go hand in hand.

– We’d never be able to believe in anything we couldn’t prove, see, or touch with our own hands.

– We wouldn’t be able accept many of those historical and scientific facts that we’ve learned over the years. – And especially sad is the fact that we could not believe in God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, angels, heaven or anything spiritual.  And so we would not only be condemned to a hell on earth, we would also be condemned to an eternal hell. Why? Because we are saved by our faith in God, in the saving work of Jesus, and what He has said to us in His word.

The ability to have Faith is such a blessing and so very important to each and every one of us. I also showed you from scripture that our faith is something that can protect us from the many temptations and negative emotions that we can be bombarded with.

The Apostle Paul instructed us in Eph. 6:16 to “Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”

When people put us down or try to discourage us it is our faith that says,        ”Wait just a minute, I am a child of  God and I know He loves me, so I don’t care what you think about me or what I can or cannot do… I can do all things through Christ who give me strength.”

During unfortunate times of tragedy, it is our faith that says, “I know God loves and cares for me and that He will work out all thing for the good of those who love Him. I believe He is in control and somehow everything will be all right.”

When people say, “I can’t believe that you really believe in all that religious mumbo jumbo.” Faith is what enables us to see God, accept that He is, and accept that within the pages of the Bible we see His eternal purpose and plan unfolding throughout history. Faith is what protects us from the devastation flaming arrows of discouragement, doubt, and unbelief.

I believe that when we are born we all begin with the same amount of faith, but for some reason some take more advantage of it and use it more than others. For some their faith remains small.

Why? Because I believe our faith is very much like a muscle. The more you use it, the more your exercise it, the stronger it becomes.

If you rarely use a muscle in your body it doesn’t mean that it is not there, it just remains small and weak. But the more we use it and press it to its limit the bigger and stronger it becomes. . And likewise faith grows as we use it. Even as it’s pressed to its breaking point, it grows stronger and stronger.

Some people talk about their faith; how much they love God and Jesus, how much they believe that the church and loving people is important, and then there are those who actually exercise that faith. (Consider James 2:18)

I read where someone said, “All of us have faith but it must be released, we can’t keep it locked up inside us. It has to be pulled out and expressed and used and that is done by Praying, Saying, and Taking action.”

PRAYING carries our faith filled request before the throne of God. And if it’s His will He will answer that prayer in His time. Your request may seem absolutely ridiculous to everyone else but He hears and cares about what’s important to you. And remember He is able to do more than we can ever ask or imagine.

Eph. 3:  “16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.    – First of all here Paul says I pray that you all will come to understand how much God really, really, loves you. Why? So that you will be filled up with God. Then he says…   20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

Paul lets us know here that God can do more than we can ever imagine .. thru His power that is in us. Prayer helps us to tap into that power and helps strengthen our faith even more

In Heb. 4:14-16 it says, “14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”

We begin to exercise our faith first of all when we chose to approach God and talk to Him about what’s on our mind, believing that He is able to do some amazing things; because He loves and understands how hard life can be.

Then there’s Speaking: The there is something special, even powerful, about our words. What is in your heart will eventually come out of our mouth. In Matt. 15:18 Jesus said, “the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart.”       That’s why it’s important to pay attention to pay attention to what you say. Why? Because it helps you discover how much faith you really have. 

A person may listen to a hundred Bible teachings on faith, but you can tell whether or not that person truly has faith or not by listening to what they say.  If a person can still speak positively, with words of faith  even in a tuff situation, that shows what kind of faith they have. But if all you hear from that person is complaining, and whining about their situation, or that saying something is impossible or can’t be done, or worked out, then that also tells you how little their faith is. That person is in danger.

Even if you are a little unsure about something verbalizing words out loud (the right words) in agreement with God’s Word will release faith and allow it to go to work in the Spiritual realm.

Words like; ‘I believe that if this is God’s will He is going to work this problem out for me because I love Him.’   Or, ‘If doing this is God’s will I believe He is going to help me through this situation, this problem, or He is going to help me with this new adventure, because I know that He loves me.’   I believe speaking words of faith over and over can push aside fear and doubts.

Those positive words of faith not only express your faith, they also re-fortify and build up your faith.

And then there are actually some Specific Actions we need to take to release our faith. When we begin to act on what we want to believe, God shows up.

When Peter literally stood up and stepped out of the boat into the water, His action showed that he had faith in God’s word when Jesus said, “Come.” It was at that point that God allowed the unimaginable to occur.

Most of the time faith requires that we step out. Peter was the only one who asked about and had the faith to walk out on the water, he was the only one who trusted God enough to take the first step.

Can you just imagine how great that story would have been if they all got out of the boat and walked to Jesus.

If what we want to do something, like Peter sometimes we just have to trust God and  have the faith to take that first step. He will never fail to help us finish if we keep our eyes on Him as we walk in faith step by step, day after day.

I believe that God wants our faith to keep growing and growing. But that’s not going to happen if you just shrink back in the corner and whine and complain, and do nothing to exercise that faith muscle because you know that it may be uncomfortable at times.

Just remember, the smaller one’s faith, the smaller the shield you have to protect yourself from those evil attacks when they come your way. The more you believe in God, and in your position in His love, and the more you keep praying and the more you keep stepping out on faith, the stronger you will become. You will have more confidence. You will complain less. You will do more and you will get things done without worrying all the time.

But I’m going to be honest with you’re here, just like there is a price to pay to build up your muscles in your body, there is a price to pay when it comes to building our faith.

I’m sure you’ve heard that saying, ‘No pain, no gain.’  In order to have a strong faith many times we have to step out of our comfort zone and step into the unknown ; like doing or trying something we have never done before. Maybe God puts something in your heart to go someplace to do something you have never done before, knowing that  you will be a blessing to another and it will help you grow as a more faith filled person enabling you to do even greater things despite the anxiety you may have at first.

We just have to trust God and step out of the boat.

Some people do amazing things you can never imagine yourself doing.       Let me tell you something that you probably already know, that doesn’t just happen overnight or right away. That person’s faith grew from faith to faith. In other words it grew with each new step of faith they took.

You are amazed and admire what these people are doing with their life never having seen all little steps it took them to get where they are

If you go to a gym and ask a trainer to help you build up your arm muscles he is not going to start you off with the heaviest weights to lift. He will probably start you off with something small, something he knows you can handle. And even using those small weights will cause your arms to become a bit sore. But the more you exercise and the stronger you become the more weight he will add.

Likewise, God is not going to give you any more than you can handle (even though many feel like He is pushing you to hard at times). As you move from task to task, or from one trial to another from one adventure to another, from one challenge to another, from faith to faith, you will grow stronger and you will eventually be the one amazing others.

This can have an effect on every part of your life; your walk with Christ, steps you will take to advance yourself in your career or business, even how far you will go to maintain and grow your relationship with others, even how you handle trials and troubles in life.

My Challenge for you this week is to trust Jesus and take those steps of faith. If you do so you will find yourself growing from faith to faith.

Present your request to God. Talk to Him knowing and believing that He can do amazing things with you and thru you.

Proclaim words of faith burying those word of fear, doubt or complaints.

 Trust God and take that first step. You just may be pleasantly surprised what you may find yourself doing.

Next week I hope to bring this lesson on faith down home on an every day level.

For more lessons click on the following link: http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?page_id=566

GOD’S WORD HAS FULL AUTHORITY by Alfred Shannon Jr.

https://biblicalproof.wordpress.com/2011/06/page/2/

GOD’S WORD HAS FULL AUTHORITY

 A country without law and order, without justice, without authority, and without God, is a country that will soon crumble. Just like a church without Christ’s name, without Christ’s doctrine, and without the bible as its final authority, will be lost. The kingdom of God is not a democracy, but a theocracy with only One Supreme Authority, God Almighty. If we truly accept the authority of God, then we of necessity must accept the full authority of his words.

2 Sam 23:3; Ps 47:2;  Ps 62:11; Ps 100:3; Jer 10:10; Mt 6:13; Mt 28:18; Eph 4:6; 1 Cor 8:6; 1 Tim 6:15; Rev 19:6; 2 Tim 3:16,17; Jn 12:48

The Book was Better by Richard Mansel

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Mansel/Richard/Dale/1964/better.html

The Book was Better

When a film is made from a novel, people who have read the novel often exclaim, "The book was better!"
One reason, I think, is that we interact with books and we see them visually. We form our own images of the characters. The film-maker can never recreate the pictures in our heads. Even worse, film-makers often presume to make significant changes to the story. Therefore, disappointment occurs when the screen version does not match the template in our head.
In religion we have a similar situation. People rarely read the Bible anymore, except in brief devotional snippets. So, when they hear something about the Bible they don't know whether it is true or not. Thus, they can be lead astray very easily. The message can be changed and because of ignorance, the listener thinks it is actually in the Bible.
When we study the Bible we interact with it and absorb it so that it becomes very real to us, like a great novel. Then, when we hear men talk about it, we can check their words by making a comparison with Scripture. We can "Test the spirits to see whether they are of God" (1 John 4:1).
This knowledge enables us to listen to men with discretion. When their teachings are not consistent with Scripture we can fall back on truth and refute their errors.
We can say, "Your teaching may be interesting, but I like the Book better." Because only in the Book do we find Jesus from whom all blessings flow (John 14:6).
Richard Mansel


Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)

Attitude by Gary Rose

Attitude, get and keep the correct attitude! We all fall short of being perfect. God only made one perfect human, Jesus. The rest of us have to deal with our imperfections. We need God’s help to be the best we can be and it is time we looked up to God rather than down at others. We answer to HIM and HIM alone at the judgment, so why not listen to what HE has had to say to us through the Bible!

Need an example to follow, well here are two; Jesus and Paul.

Matthew 1 (World English Bible)

  ¹ Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. ² When he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry afterward.  ³ The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 

  ⁴  But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”

  ⁵  Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple, ⁶ and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will put his angels in charge of you.’ and, 
‘On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you don’t dash your foot against a stone.’”

  ⁷  Jesus said to him, “Again, it is written, ‘You shall not test the Lord, your God.’” 

  ⁸  Again, the devil took him to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory.  ⁹ He said to him, “I will give you all of these things, if you will fall down and worship me.” 

  ¹⁰  Then Jesus said to him, “Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’” 

1 Timothy 1 (World English Bible)

¹² And I thank him who enabled me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he counted me faithful, appointing me to service;  ¹³ although I was before a blasphemer, a persecutor, and insolent. However, I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.  ¹⁴ The grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ The saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.  ¹⁶ However, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first, Jesus Christ might display all his patience, for an example of those who were going to believe in him for eternal life.  ¹⁷ Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 

Jesus is our example of relying on the word of God to confront evil (and many other aspects of life as well). Paul expressed a contrite and humble attitude towards his own situation and tops it off with a prayer. Think on these things!!!

Gary- are you listening?

"THE EPISTLE TO TITUS" Those Who Resist Authority (1:10-16)

  "THE EPISTLE TO TITUS"

  Those Who Resist Authority (1:10-16)

INTRODUCTION

1. In his epistle to Titus, Paul's first order of business was to...
   a. Remind Titus why he was left on the island of Crete - Tit 1:5
   b. Provide the qualifications needed for the appointment of elders
      - Tit 1:6-9

2. The need for such elders is described in the rest of the first chapter...
   a. Because of those described as insubordinate - Tit 1:10
   b. Who were negatively impacting the churches on Crete - Tit 1:11

3. What does it mean to be an insubordinate...?
   a. Insubordinate:  one who does not submit to authority, mutinous
   b. Insubordination is therefore disobedience and resistance to
      authority

4. In the setting of our text, that would mean the authority of the
   apostles of Christ...
   b. In whose teachings the early church continued steadfastly - e.g.,Ac 2:42
   c. Whose teachings were to be considered on par with the Lord's - cf.
      1Co 14:37; 1Th 2:13

[Insubordination can be a problem in churches today, so we do well to
carefully consider text of our study (Tit 1:10-16).  First, notice what
is revealed concerning...]

I. THE CHARACTER OF INSUBORDINATES

   A. IN THE CHURCHES OF CRETE...
      1. They were idle talkers and deceivers - Tit 1:10
         a. "More given to talk than practical religion" - Barnes
         b. Not honest, seeking to deceive others
         c. Such conduct had permeated the character of those living on
            Crete - Tit 1:12-13a
         d. It was also true of those among the circumcision (Judaizers
            who sought to bind the Law on Gentiles - cf. Ac 15:1)
      2. Their minds and consciences were defiled - Tit 1:15
         a. A natural consequence of deceiving others
         b. Their minds and consciences have become corrupted
         c. Notice Paul's description of such people in 1Ti 6:3-5
      3. They had become abominable and disobedient - Tit 1:16
         a. Abominable:  detestable to God
         b. Disobedient:  unwilling to be persuaded and obey
         c. Guilty of six things that are an abomination to God - cf.Pr 6:16-19
      4. They were disqualified for every good work - Tit 1:16
         a. Disqualified:  literally, reprobate, worthless
         b. Of no real value to God, who has created us to walk in good
            works - cf. Ep 2:10

   B. IN CHURCHES TODAY...
      1. Those who resist the authority of the Word are more likely to
         be given to talk than doing
      2. We should beware of those prone to be talkers and not doers
      3. They not only deceive others, but themselves as well - cf. Ja 1:22-26
      4. Following them will make our religion useless - ibid.

[Resisting the authority of God's Word is a serious offense.  It is also
has the potential of great harm...]

II. THE HARM OF INSUBORDINATES

   A. IN THE CHURCHES OF CRETE...
      1. They were subverting whole households - Tit 1:11
         a. Turning them away from the faith
         b. Not just one member, but entire families!
      2. They were teaching things they ought not, for the sake of
         dishonest gain - Tit 1:11
         a. Motivated more by popularity and monetary gain
         b. Willing therefore to teach things that were not true

   B. IN CHURCHES TODAY...
      1. Insubordinates are also motivated by such things as popularity
         and monetary gain
      2. Who will teach what others want to hear, rather than the Word of God
      3. Whose influence will not stop with just one or two, but impact
         entire families!

[Where insubordinates exist, how should they be treated...?]

III. THE TREATMENT OF INSUBORDINATES

   A. IN THE CHURCHES OF CRETE...
      1. Their mouths were to be stopped - Tit 1:11
         a. It means, properly, to check, or curb, as with a bridle; to
            restrain, or bridle in; and then, to put to silence - Barnes
         b. It is, of course, implied here that this was to be done in a
            proper way, and in accordance with the spirit of the gospel  - ibid.
      2. They were to be rebuked sharply - Tit 1:13
         a. The reproof should be such as would be understood, and would
            show them plainly the wickedness of such traits of character - Barnes
         b. He was not to be mealy-mouthed, but he was to call things by
            their right names, and not to spare their faults - ibid.
      3. With the goal of helping them to be sound in the faith - Tit 1:13
         a. Confronting error has the objective of saving the one in
            error
         b. Not just stopping the spread of error - cf. 2Ti 2:24-25
      4. This was the duty, not just of Titus, but of the elders - cf. Tit 1:9

   B. IN CHURCHES TODAY...
      1. We must take insubordination seriously
      2. We must stop the spread of false teaching by addressing it
         plainly
      3. We must have in view the salvation of those guilty of
         insubordination and error
      4. This is the duty of both evangelists and elders
      5. If the insubordinate fails to repent, then withdrawal is the
         final option
         a. As Paul commanded the church in Rome - Ro 16:17-18
         b. As he commanded the church in Thessalonica - cf. 2Th 3:6, 14-15

CONCLUSION

1. We have seen that those who resist the authority of God's Word...
   a. Hurt themselves by corrupting their minds and consciences
   b. Harm those whom they influence through their teaching

2. Insubordinates must be stopped...
   a. By rebuking them sharply, hoping they will become sound in the
      faith
   b. If they do not repent, then we must withdraw ourselves from them

Elders and evangelists are especially charged with the responsibility of
dealing with insubordinates.  But every Christian should be on guard
against the harmful influence of those who are disobedient and resistant
to the authority of God's Word...

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2016