Temple Baptist Church - 5-15-2016
Genesis 3:9-20
Introduction:
A. We have looked at the Establishment of the home, the Attack upon the home, and the Foundation of the home. This morning, I want to look at the Divine Order of the home. Here is where most preachers get into trouble! J People do not like God’s order in the home because times have so changed in our day. Things certainly are not as they once were but we need to realize that the Bible has not changed with the times.
B. A question was fielded to me not long ago: What is wrong with a man or woman remaining unmarried? The answer is: NOTHING!
1 Corinthians 7:7-9 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. (8) I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. (9) But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn. (It is much better to remain single than to end up in a Christ less marriage.)
C. I am not going to spend much time on the divine order of the home as the Bible is very clear and God will not change either His mind or His Word.
1 Corinthians 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. (This divine order is for the Christian household and, if anyone is not perfectly clear on this verse, I will gladly read it again.)
D. The problem in today’s homes is not the divine order, it is a lack of commitment to divine order.
1. One of the major changes that has come about in my short lifetime is from commitment to a lack of commitment. Thus we find one of the most destructive forces that is dividing homes. One of the most important aspects of a successful home is that of commitment.
2. We live in days where commitment is not a common virtue. Commitment means to dedicate yourself to something or someone. Today’s slogan is “To thine own self be true.” In a way, that is a great slogan because we have to be true to our values but, in a negative way, it means self above others.
3. Marriage vows based upon the divine order of the home are exchanged and forgotten in almost the same breath.
E. What does a successful home require? It takes the commitment of both the man and woman to the Biblical vows that were exchanged at the wedding! A home where only one or neither is committed to the vows is a disaster looking for somewhere or sometime to happen. You cannot force commitment!
1. A successful home requires commitment to divine order.
a. Once again, I find great help in the First Mention. God established the order in the home after the fall and not in the beginning. Though this point may be argued by some, Genesis 3:16 (a verse much quoted when dealing with divine order) came after creation, the fall, the restoration, and the first sacrifice.
b. The need for a helpmeet exposed a need or weakness in Adam. If Adam had no need for Eve, she would not have been made for him.
1) He needed her because of loneliness. Genesis 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. (Someone once said that “A sunset shared is twice the sunset.”)
2) He needed her in order to populate the earth. Genesis 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. (Sorry but sodomites must recruit because they cannot reproduce.)
3) He needed her as a helpmeet. Genesis 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. (A counterpart. The opposite with which to make a whole. The “other half” or, as some love to say, the “better half.”)
4) Heirs together of the grace of this life. 1 Peter 3:6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. (As we are joint-heirs with Christ, so the man and wife are to equally share the blessings of this life. It is not “mine” nor is it “hers,” it is “ours.”)
c. The fall exposed a need or weakness in Eve.
1) Women are “heart creatures” by nature. 1 Timothy 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Women are very intelligent. (Over the years, I have noted that most of the Valedictorians and Salutatorians were women. They are equally smart with them man but so very different in their natures. Satan did not attack Adam; he chose the “weaker vessel.” This is the reason women are not to preach or to usurp authority over the man in the church. When women rule in the church, you find doctrine overruled by emotions and, therefore, doctrinal incorrectness.)
1 Timothy 2:9-3:1 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; (10) But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. (11) Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. (12) But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. (13) For Adam was first formed, then Eve. (14) And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. (15) Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety. (3:1) This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. (The office of a bishop or pastor along with the office of a deacon are for men only!)
2) The woman needs the provision and protection of the man. 1 Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. (It is very difficult for women in general to provide for themselves properly. Some women work jobs of equal pay and benefits but, as a rule, this is not so. I know that I will take some flak for this one but it is God’s order and he made woman to be a keeper at home. I will give you the Scripture so that those who disapprove can take it up with God and not with me.)
Titus 2:3-5 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; (4) That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, (5) To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. (I would not give you a “thin dime” for a man who will not work to support his wife and neither would God!)
2. In a successful home, the husband must be committed both to the LORD and his wife.
a. The husband must be fully committed to the LORD in love. 1 Corinthians 11:3a But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; (A man who does not love and serve the LORD will probably not love and serve you, lady! The Head of every man is to be Christ! That is why I try so hard to warn our young people that loving the wrong man can easily turn into a disaster. Then, you will normally have children involved.)
b. The husband must be fully committed to the wife in love. Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (If the husband loves the wife, he will be faithful to her, he will protect her, he will provide for her, and prize her.)
Ephesians 5:33a Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself;
3. In a successful home, the wife must be fully committed to both the LORD and her husband. 1 Corinthians 11:3b But I would have you know … the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
a. The wife must be fully committed to her LORD in love. Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. (Though God command men to obey those in authority, He is to be obeyed first. If man does right, obey him; if man does wrong, obey God. The same rule goes for the ladies. If the husband does right, obey him; if the husband does wrong, obey God!)
b. The wife must be fully committed to her husband on love. Genesis 3:16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. (Her main concern and desire is the welfare of her husband and, therefore, her home. Today’s woman is independent instead of dependent and it is wreaking havoc in the home. Once again, do not get mad at me, get mad at God! Now, what happens if the husband gets out of the will of God? Lady, your first desire is to God but you can still be a good wife to a lost or unspiritual man. Trust God and do the best that you can to be a good Christian and a godly wife.)
Ephesians 5:22-23, 33b Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. (23) For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body ... (33b) and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
Conclusion: If the husband and wife put the LORD first and each other second, you will have a good home. If either one or both fail in this matter of commitment, the home is in dire jeopardy!
No comments:
Post a Comment