Please turn with me to 1 Timothy 2 - starting at verse 9.  Over the last few Sundays we’ve been looking at Paul’s first letter to Timothy - Timothy who is pastoring the church of Ephesus.  Ephesus which was a very broken city.  A place where the culture was definitely not Christian and was very immoral.  Where being a Christian - living out our faith - sharing the Gospel - was not easy.  In many ways like Merced.

And yet - in places like Ephesus - or here in the greater Merced metroplex - people need Jesus.  Jesus is the only One who can give us the real life with God that we need.  Jesus is the only One who can heal our brokenness.  The people around us need Christians - us - the church to step up to the plate and live out the Gospel.  To take the Gospel of Jesus into our community - the places we work - where we go school - in whatever relationships we’re in.

We’ve been looking at what Paul writes to Timothy - pastor of the Ephesian church.  As Paul deeply cares for Timothy and the believers in Ephesus - and the not-yet-believers in Ephesus - Paul is writing this letter to Timothy and the church - to focus them on what’s essential to be focused on if they’re going to be effective as the church that God will use in Ephesus.  The essentials of the Church that we need to give our lives to if we’re going to be the congregation that God intends for us to be here in Merced.

Please join me at 1 Timothy 2 - starting at verse 9.  In past Sundays we’ve looked at the essentials of what?  of love - of faith.  Last Sunday we looked at the essential of Godly men.  This morning we’re coming to The Essential of Godly Women.  Let’s say that together, “The essential of Godly women.” 

Before we come to verse 9 there is one other thing I like to make sure we’re all on the same page with.  What we’re about to look at here has become one of the major battlefields in the church - and in a number of homes.  Many people struggle with these verses.  Many people have been hurt.  So, we need to agree together to approach this section with great care to try to understand what Paul is writing and not just how feel about things.  If we’re going to get what Paul is getting at and have his teaching effect our lives positively then we’re going to have to approach this with humility and to give each other a lot of grace.  Are we together on that?

1 Timothy 2:9 - Paul begins, “Likewise, I want women...”   Put another way, “with that same thought in mind, I want women…”  That “likewise” is important if we’re going to understand what Paul is focused on for women.

Last Sunday we looked at Paul discussing the essential of Godly men.  Godly men taking spiritual leadership in prayer.   All of which begins in the heart - which is Paul’s focus.  The priority of the heart.  The priority of what?  The heart.

Godly men whose hearts are broken - surrendered - anguished - before God.  Godly men who have an eagerness for the things of God and a desire to be used by God in their families - at work - at school. 

With that same priority - the priority of the what?  The heart.  Paul goes on here - “likewise” - in the same way men are to pay attention to their hearts before God and so to conduct themselves as Godly men - Paul is now going to speak to women about their heart attitude and conduct.

Verses 9 to 12 focus on The Priority of the Heart.  Let’s say that together, “The priority of the heart.”

Going on in verse 9:  Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness.

Remember Phyllis Diller?  Believe it or not she’s still alive.  Phyllis Diller once said she that she’d spent three hours in a beauty shop - and that was just for the estimate!

In Ephesus when women stepped out for the evening it was like the red carpet at the Academy Awards.  They spared nothing - no expense to look absolutely dazzling.  They would pile up their hair in braids held together with tortoise shells - pins and combs made out of ivory and silver and gold.  The wove imported pearls into their hair.

Imagine - if that’s how extravagant and costly and how much time was spent on just their hair - imagine how extravagant and expensive the rest of the ensemble was.  The more extravagant - the more expensive - the more captivating - the better.  Ephesian women could spend small fortunes on their outward appearance.

There’s nothing wrong with feeling good about the way we look.  Women enjoy putting on make-up and a nice dress - or accessorizing.  That all can make someone feel pretty - feminine.  Which is cool.  But what was going on here was an in your face competition.  An ego-fest of style that was designed to bury the competition.  Never happens today.  Right?

In Ephesus ritual prostitution was an accepted daily part of life.  The society was driven by sex.  Again - never happens today.  Right?  Modestly and discretely focus on style.  There is a reserve in what Godly women wear.  Skin is covered.  Curves are not accentuated.  The focus is not on the body.  Are we together?  Godly women don’t dress like prostitutes.      

Do you sometimes wonder if women really understand how what they wear effects men and the opinion of men towards them?  How degrading that all is?  Women should watch men watching women.  They should listen to the comments men make to men about women.  Women should ask themselves if they really want that kind of attention from men.

It seems like a lot of them do.  A lot of women - especially if they understand how this effects men - women will sell themselves short - trying to get the attention of men - or influence men - by the clothing - or lack of clothing - they  wear.  You get what you advertise for.  But that kind of man isn’t Godly.  And certainly isn’t interested in you as a person.

Some have taken Paul’s teaching to the other extreme.  Women shouldn’t wear make-up or jewelry or fashionable clothing.  The more drab and less flattering the better.  Gunny sacks.  But that misses Paul’s point.

Paul’s point is that the outward demonstrates the inward.  Let’s say that together, “The outward demonstrates the inward.”

What a women wears - or doesn’t wear - demonstrates a heart that’s either focused on self or focused on God.  The heart of a woman that’s trusting herself or trusting God.  A women who gains her self-image from what others think about her or what God thinks of her as His unique and beautiful creation. 

Paul says its not what’s outside that impresses God.  Godly womanhood has to do with the heart of a woman being broken - even anguished - and seeking the things of God - inward God inspired beauty.  What women wear - how they conduct themselves - should draw attention to God working within their hearts.  In a sex crazed broken society to draw attention to what it means to live life with the living God - what it means to know Jesus the Savior and to live surrendered to Him.

Going on - verse 11:  A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness.  But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.

That’s kind of a tough couple of verses.  Isn’t it?

Does anyone know who this is?  Mary Daly.  Mary Daly died earlier this month (01.03.10).  Mary was one of the first American women to earn advance degrees in Roman Catholic theology.  A theology that she was continually in conflict with.  Mary described herself as a “radical lesbian feminist.”  For 33 years - contentious years - Mary Daly was on the faculty of Boston College in their theology department.

Monday, USA Today ran an op-ed piece on Mary with this quote:  “Riding the second wave of American feminism, Daly inspired a generation of religiously concerned women to confront the fact, with all its social consequences, that “as long as God is male, the male is God.” (1)

In an interview with What Is Enlightenment? magazine, Daly said, “I don't think about men. I really don't care about them. I'm concerned with women's capacities, which have been infinitely diminished under patriarchy. Not that they've disappeared, but they've been made subliminal.”

Can you hear the hurt and anger in that?

“Women quietly receiving instruction with entire submissiveness” is a teaching that has been misused - abused - confused - and refused - by a whole lot of good people. 

These are tough verses - the heart of the struggle over women’s roles in the church.  Put simply - what role can a women have in the ministry of the church if any?  Let’s be honest we haven’t done well as resolving that conflict.  Men have not always acted in a way that preserves the worth and value of women - even in the church.

Some have said that women should sit quietly and not say a word.  In some churches women - once they enter the sanctuary - women are not even allowed to say “hello” or open their mouths.  Some say its wrong for women to lead in any way when that leadership involves any authority - or semblance of authority - over a man.

No women song leaders or even musicians - because that involves authority - directing - leading men.  No women on the church board - or committees - where authority over men takes place.  Certainly no women pastors.  Missionaries maybe.  But that involves teaching ignorant savages.

God doesn’t contradict Himself.  So Paul can’t be writing something here that contradicts God.  We need to be careful that we don’t interpret this passage in a way that’s inconsistent with the teaching of Scripture.

We need to remember that God has used women in leadership and authority over men - Deborah the judge of Israel, Esther the Queen, and others.  Here in Ephesus - where Timothy is a pastor - Aquila and his wife Priscilla took Apollos - a man - and both of them - husband and wife together - Aquila and Priscilla taught Apollos about Jesus.  Later when Paul comes to Ephesus - Paul never reprimands them - never says Priscilla was wrong to instruct a man.

In 1 Corinthians 11 Paul himself gives instructions to women as to how they’re to pray and to teach Scripture in the church (1 Corinthians 11:3-16).  So, whatever understanding we come to about these verses must fit with what the rest of Scripture teaches about women in ministry.

We need to remember that Paul is focusing on the priority of the what?  The heart.  The heart of a Godly women..

Verse 11, “a woman must quietly receive instruction.”  Then in verse 12 - regarding authority - women are “to remain quiet.” - same word.  In 2 Thessalonians 3:12 - Paul writing to men and women who were being busybodies in the church - Paul exhorts them to work in “quiet fashion” - same Greek word as here in 1 Timothy 2.  One English translation puts it, “urge them to settle down.” or “to be peaceable.” 

Probably in Ephesus - when they’re in Torah class - receiving instruction - these ladies were being argumentative and aggressive and stubborn and taking over the discussion - spouting off about what they know or they think they know - controlling the church - dominating it - visibly or behind the scenes.

In verse 12 the Greek word for “authority” has the idea of mastery - of domination - giving orders that someone else should follow without question.  Paul is writing about having that kind of authority while teaching.

What Paul writes here in revolutionary in a patriarchal society.  Sometimes we miss that because we’re arguing over what Paul says shouldn’t be going on.  Paul doesn’t say, “Its a mistake to educate women.  Its wrong for women to teach.”

This isn’t an absolute prohibition against women teaching.  In the New Testament women did teach.  But, when women teach - their attitude should not be domination - rulership - over men.  Or having to prove that women are every bit as capable as a man. 

The heart of a Godly women is to be so sold to out to God that her trust is in God - her self-confidence and self-image come from God - so that she’s able to listen to others - to have a heart attitude of humility - openness - peacefulness - in how she conducts herself - clothing wise - how she receives and gives instruction.

Verses 13 to 15 focus on The Struggle of the Heart.  Let’s say that together, “The struggle of the heart.”

What Paul writes in verses 13 to 15 is the summary of a much larger event in Genesis 1 to 3.  Which is a very familiar event especially if you were with us back in October when we looked at marriage.  If we’re going to understand Paul’s point we need to also be reminded of what took place in Genesis.  So it you would - turn back to Genesis 1 - keep one finger in Genesis and the other finger in Timothy 2.

In 1 Timothy 2:13, Paul writes, For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve.

In Genesis 1:27 - reading in Genesis - the account of creation - we know that both Adam and Eve were created in God’s image.  Both are equally the image of God.  Yet, there’s a designed order to creation.  Adam comes first - then Eve.  Like the Godhead - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - all equally God - yet different in their roles - male and female are different in their roles.

Then notice in Genesis 1:28 God instructs both Adam and Eve to rule over the earth and to fill it with people.  There’s a command given that they’re to be obedient to.

Then turning ahead Genesis 2:25 says - “And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.”  There’s nothing between them - no sin - no issues in their relationship.  They could stand there in total innocence and openness before each other and not feel the need to hide anything.

Contained in Paul’s illustration about Adam being created first and then Eve are these truths from Genesis:  Both male and female - equal as the image of God - different as to their roles - have a partnership in obeying God’s commands.

Then 1 Timothy 2:14 - Paul writes, And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. 

Some people have suggested that women are more sinful than men.  Somehow the fall of mankind into sin should be blamed on Eve - even though Scripture teaches that Adam - who’s the representative of mankind - Adam is held accountable for our fall of mankind into sin (Romans 5:19). 

In Genesis 2 God instructs Adam that he can eat from any tree but the one in the center of garden (Genesis 2:16-17).  A command that Adam - in his role of leadership should have passed on to Eve.  In Genesis 3 - wouldn’t you know it, there they are right in front of that forbidden tree.  The serpent comes and has this famous conversation with Eve.

Where was Adam?  Verse 6, “she gave also to her husband with her.”  Adam - who has this role of  leadership stands there and let’s Eve take the fall.  When Paul says that Eve was deceived and sinned he’s not trying to pin the whole descent of mankind into sin on Eve’s shoulders.  Paul’s point is that that happened because Adam abdicated his role of leadership in the relationship and Eve took the leadership role that wasn’t hers.

1 Timothy 2:15 - Paul writes, But woman will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.

Karen and I have 4 children.  Some of our brethren - with 10 plus children - have congratulated us on a good start.  Some people have said that unless women are bearing children they can’t be saved.  Imagine what that means for single women or an infertile women.  Does that mean that they’re not going to heaven?  Obviously that’s not consistent with the rest of Scripture. 

Paul is directing us to the first mention of the Gospel in Scripture - Genesis 3:15.  God in cursing the serpent says that one day a child of Eve - Jesus - will crush the head of Satan. (Romans 16:20)  Eve brought sin into the world.  Mary brought our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Because of Jesus - born of a women - a woman - or a man - can be saved by grace through faith. 

There’s something else we need to understand about what Paul is saying here - the faith, love, and sanctity with self-restraint part.  Genesis 3:7 says:  “Then the eyes of both of them - Adam and Eve - were opened, they knew that they were naked; and they sewed leaves together and made themselves loin coverings.”  Sin enters the relationship - comes between both equal partners of the image of God.  They’re naked and they’re ashamed. 

Genesis 3:16 - God speaking to the woman - a curse because of her sin:  “Your desire will be for your husband and he will rule over you.”

At the entrance to heaven there are two lines.  One line has a sign that says “Husbands ruled by their wives”  The other line has a sign that says, “Husbands who ruled over their wives.”  In the first line thousands of men were lined up.  In second line - the “Husbands who ruled over their wives” line - there was one man.  Saint Peter looking at this one man asked, “What are you doing here?”  The man answered, “I don’t know.  my wife told me to stand here.”

How many of you have heard that?  We laugh because its familiar.  Its where sin has taken us in our relationships between men and women.  This constant struggle over leadership - roles in our partnership.  Men - who Paul calls upon to take spiritual leadership - yet struggle in that role.  Women who struggle with the authority of men - especially when it is demanded and not earned - or abdicated by default.

Do you see what Paul is getting at?  Bottom line:  We struggle with the roles of men and women in the church because we struggle with sin.  The women in Ephesus were doing the same thing as Eve - struggling against the authority of Godly men.  Their focus was on themselves not God and what God would have for them.

Grab this:  Paul is writing - in conduct - in times of instruction - in times of teaching - the heart attitude of Godly women - the actions of a Godly woman - must come from a heart broken and open before God - eagerly seeking God and the things of God - obedience to God - in faith - in love - in sanctity with self-restraint.

I’d like to take this one step further.

Remember these?  Back in October when we looked at marriage we looked at these cycles.  Cycle number one is the Weakening Cycle - which is a description of what we struggle with in our marriages.  Which relates to what we saw in Genesis - especially Genesis 3:16.  God explaining the consequences of sin to Eve - nailing the bottom line of our husband wife struggle.  God says to Eve, “yet your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”  Remember that?

Without love - Adam protecting Eve from the serpent - Eve insecure - reacts without respect for Adam - takes leadership away from Adam who’s let her down - desires to control her husband - and Adam - not respected by Eve - because she’s taken the role of protect and provide away from Adam - Adam reacts without love towards Eve.  Adam demanding to exercise control over Eve.  Eve desiring to control her husband.

The second cycle we looked at is the Energizing Cycle.  The number one need of a man is what?  Respect.  The number one drive of a man is what?  to provide and protect.  As a husband is giving himself to do that providing and protecting thing - he needs the unconditional respect of his wife.

The number one need of a woman is what?  Love.  She desires love - especially love that fosters a feeling of relational security.  Security coming from a husband who will be there for her in the way she needs him to be there for her - unconditionally loving her.  That love provides the protection she needs to feel - what allows her to feel secure.

Looking at the Energizing Cycle.  As the husband loves his wife it motivates her to respect him which motivates him to love her.  That energizes our marriage - energizes us to do what God has purposed and enabled us to do as a married couple.

All that doesn’t change because suddenly we’re talking about church.  It’s a very real description of the dynamic that goes on in the church in our male female relationships.

Grab this:  Godly women want to follow a man who’s following God - to give Godly men respect and honor.  But, if the Godly men are not acting Godly in their leadership - either by what they’re doing or not doing - a women will feel insecure and try to do what makes her feel secure.

The reverse is also true.  If Godly men step up to the plate and lead in a Godly manner Godly women will feel secure in following.  They’ll show respect and honor to the men that will energize the men to keep on doing the leading thing what helps the women to feel secure and to live out their role in the congregation.

Are we together?

All the differences between men and women can either make us more effective as a congregation - energize us as a congregation - serving God or they can weaken us and tear us apart.  We can either stifle each other or we can energize each other.

Women add to the congregation tenderness - empathy - softness - sympathy - nurture.  They add qualities and perspective that men cannot give.  Those are qualities - blessings - that God has given to this congregation - through women.  We need Godly women engaged in ministry the essential roles that God has created them for.

The bottom line of what makes all this work is the same in marriage as in the church - the same for a man and the same for a women.  Its all about the heart.  The priority of the heart unconditionally sold out to God. 

Paul starts with men.  First of all men need to step up to the plate.  Men - in aguish - in prayer - from hearts sold out to God - taking Godly leadership in their homes and church and community.  Last Sunday we had a whole lot of men up here in front praying.  May those prayers - coming from the heart - be been carried through into action in our lives.

Then Paul writes, “Likewise, I want women…”  Women - are you willing to trust God with your heart?  To set aside your fears - to set aside your self - and to allow God to create from within you the women of Godly beauty and worth that He desires you to be - to use you in the essential and unique roles that He’s created you for in His church?

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1. USA Today, 01.25.10. 7A