Our Father's Heart for Family & Ministry
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Jack Deere said this in a tape called Surprised by the Power of the Spirit. He says:
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“Over the years, I have observed that the majority of what 'Christians' believe is not derived from their own patient and careful study of the scriptures.
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The majority of "Christians" believe what they believe because godly and respected teachers told them it was correct."
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Then Mr. Deere goes on to quote J. I. Packer:
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"All 'Christians' are at once beneficiaries and victims of traditions...
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What we must do, rather, is acknowledge that we are full of tradition. Good or bad, to a much greater extent then we realize and must learn to ask by the light of scripture, critical questions about what we have, thus far, taken for granted."
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Today I want to challenge us all to be Bereans. We must come together in agreement that the Word of God, the doctrine of the apostles and prophets, of which Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone, is our final authority.
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Peter – unlearned man (fisherman, walked with Jesus 3 ½ years)
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Paul – very learned man (raised and trained a Pharisee, taught by Gamaliel)
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Separately, they ended up preach the same gospel and teaching the same doctrine. It was by the Spirit of God they were brought together in one mind and one accord.
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The heart of the servants of God ministering here this weekend and our Father’s heart in regards to kingdom ministry is this… for your encouragement, comfort, edification, and to perfect anything that may be lacking in you. So with that being said let us look into Our Father’s Heart for family and ministry.
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1Pe 3:1-7 KJV
(1) Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
(2) While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
Strong’s: From G5259 and G5021; to subordinate; reflexively to obey: - be under obedience (obedient), put under, subdue unto, (be, make) subject (to, unto), be (put) in subjection (to, under), submit self unto.
Thayer’s:
1) to arrange under, to subordinate
2) to subject, put in subjection
3) to subject one’s self, obey
4) to submit to one’s control
5) to yield to one’s admonition or advice
6) to obey, be subject
Peter teaches that the wife’s role and place in the marriage is in subjection, under, obedience, willingly submitted and yielded, in reverence to her husband. This behavior, this conduct and manner of living by the wife is to be the example and testimony before her husband that she fears God.
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(3) Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
(4) But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
(5) For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
(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.
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Wives are to be modestly adorned. However, they should not merely focus on the outward appearance, but their adorning of gentleness should be rooted on the inside with a meek and quiet spirit.
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This was the adorning exhibited by our foremothers in the faith in times past (Old Covenant). They adorned / clothed themselves in subjection, with a meek and quiet spirit to their own husbands. Why? Verse 5 reveals it was because they trusted in the Lord. Peter uses Sarah and Abraham as a case in point.
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The behavior and dress on the outside is the reflection of a woman’s character on the inside. The wife’s character and behavior should exhibit yielded-ness, modesty and humility toward her husband.
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(7) Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
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How should husbands behave (cover their wives)? By dwelling with them according to knowledge and understanding of them, their ways, their thoughts, their insecurities, their struggles, their weaknesses (as unto a weaker vessel). Give them honor… recognizing she is also an heir, together, of the grace of life.
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Peter wrote this letter to the saints scattered abroad. It was applicable to all the Church of God. Husbands dwell with wives in understanding… wives abide in subjection to your husbands.
Paul wrote a letter to Timothy, instructing him on what needed to be teaching the saints where he was ministering.
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1Ti 2:8-14 KJV
(8) I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
Paul desired that the men pray everywhere with hands lifted up, without wrath or doubting. This a symbol of men adorning themselves in submission and surrender to the only wise God, Jesus.
(9) 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.
Paul instructs Timothy that women, in like manner (to the men), adorn themselves in modest clothing, with shamefacedness and sobriety (meek and quiet), but also good works that becomes a women professing godliness. Paul is instructing Timothy to teach what Peter was teaching to all the saints scattered abroad. Women/Wives are too learn in silence, subjecting themselves to their man/their husband, never dominating or exercising authority over the husband/the man.
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(13) For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
(14) And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
As a case in point, Paul used the record of Adam and Eve. Genesis chapter 1 reveals He gave mankind dominion over all the earth. Genesis chapter 2 reveals that He created Adam first… He gave him responsibility and purpose in the garden of Eden, commanding him on what he could eat and not eat, brought animals to him to see what he would name them and THEN, after not having a suitable found meet for him, He brought forth Eve from Adam. In Genesis 3, it is revealed that Eve came out from under her husband’s covering. She decided to do something contrary to what Adam had instructed her, who was given instruction directly by the Lord Himself (Genesis 2). Consequently, she was deceived, her husband sinned in rebellion and we are where we are today.
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-conclusion of Our Father's Heart for Family & Ministry-
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© copyright 2015 Jesus M. Ruiz