GOD CHRIST MAN WOMAN CHILD

Transcription

1 WEEK THREE AUTHORITY STRUCTURE 1 Cor 11:3 But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. GOD CHRIST MAN WOMAN CHILD God has a structure that allows a beautiful function of His Plan, Purpose and Design for man and has special application as it concerns marriage. In this structure we fulfill our responsibilities to God and our mate, and God fulfills His promises of blessing. If we are to step out of this order we are doomed to failure, chaos and destruction for our lives and our marriage. 1

2 1 Cor 11:3 But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. From is Small and Seemingly Insignificant Passage we see that.. 1. God s authority structure is simple yet profound. Its application is universal and central to His nature and its application to His interaction in the Godhead, man and for our purposes we will focus on the institution of marriage. 2. This structure doesn t put value on the position we hold.example An army has a structure, General on one end and a lowly private on the other. As men they are equal, one not better than the other, but put their uniforms on and has they willingly yield to the structure, their function is vastly different. Their responsibilities and a different as night and day, and if the army honors the structure, it functions well and maintains an order that allows it to efficiently operate. The Church is Set Up With a Similar Structure. Gal 3:26-29 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Eph 4:11-14 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; These offices and positions are distinct from each other and from the general body at large, based on the level of responsibility assigned to it from the Lord. 2

3 1 Cor 12:28a And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, As we study the scripture we see that God s authority structure consistently manifests certain characteristics. We see consistently, and without exception these principles applied. Passed Down: 1. Love 2. Authority 3. Discipline Passed Up: 1.Honor 2.Obedience Passed Down: Love: The one above always is the initiator and the one who is to define. 1. What love is. 2. What love looks like 3. What love acts like Authority: The one above always is the initiator and passes down authority. 1. The one above has the superior authority and gives it to the one below. 2. That they might join in his plan and be a co-worker 3. That they might grow by exercising increasing degrees of authority 4. That they would be under constant care and protection Discipline: The one above always is the initiator and is solely responsible for the discipline. Discipline stripped down to its simplest form has two purposes. 1. Training- Stop damaging behavior, that s where the pain of discipline comes in 2. Instruction- Teaching for our profit 3

4 Passed Up: Honor: A showing or demonstration of merited respect 1. Acknowledgment of Authority 2. Giving Respect Obedience: Submissive to the will of another 1. Compliance 2. Willingness to Yield 3. Cooperation Let me show you these manifested. 1. In the Life of Christ in relationship to His Father. 2. In the life of the believer in relationship to the Son 3. In the life of the wife in relationship to her husband 4. In the life of a child in relationship to their parents. 4

5 Christ and His Father: Love Passed Down: Matt 3:16-17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Authority Passed Down: John 12:49-50 For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. 50 And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak." John 5:27 and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. Matt 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Discipline Passed Down: Luke 22:41-45 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done." 43 Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. Heb 5:8-9 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 5

6 Honor Passed Up: John 8:49 Jesus answered, "I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. Obedience Passed Up: John 15:10-11 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. John 8:29 And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him." Phil 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 6

7 Christ and Man: Love Passed Down: 1 John 3:16a By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. Authority Passed Down: John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: Luke 9:1 Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. Discipline Passed Down: Heb 12:5-6 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives." Honor Passed Up: John 5:23 That all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. Obedience Passed Up: John 14:15 "If you love Me, keep My commandments. John 14:21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. John 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 7

8 Husband and Wife: Remember from last week. Review the responsibilities and see for yourself how they fit perfectly into this structure. The Husband is to be the Initiator In. Love: 1. Love as Christ love the Church 2. Love as himself Authority: 1. He is the head and savior of the wife Discipline: 1. His is to sanctify her cleanse her and present her without spot or wrinkle, holy and without blemish The Wife is to Respond. 1. Honor her Husband 2. Obey her Husband Parent and Child: The same order and responsibilities are again applied. 8

9 GOD S AUTHORITY STRUCTURE GOD CHRIST MAN WOMAN CHILD 9