Godly mothers, set the example beginning in their families, and uphold morality, and godliness in our society. I do not think American society will return to morals and living by biblical principles, BUT each believer can live their lives for the Lord and teach their families to live in the nurture and adoration for the Lord. When Christians mothers and fathers live for the Lord, it will have some influence on those around us.

          God has given women and mothers a high calling in His plans. It begins when a woman sees her self as God does, and repents of her sins and receives Jesus Christ as her Savior. She then, as are all believers, indwelled by the Holy Spirit and given the new nature that enables her to live a godly life and accomplish God’s will for her life. Living God’s will for her life will effect her family, friends, and all that she comes in contact with. She can have no better life on earth, and will be greatly rewarded in heaven for her faithfulness to our Savior.

           The modern feminist and liberal progressive movements has brought into sharp focus the role of Christian women in the church and home. It has caused a great controversy and many denominations have ignored the New Testament teachings and their changed positions on the role of women and now have women preachers, deacons. There is a outright assault on the family, marriage, and home.

           Many justify their change in position saying the Bible discriminates against women and state Paul's writings reflect his anti-female bias. Many just state what the Bible says is out dated and not in line with modern thought and was only a cultural restriction that applied in Paul's day. The result has been that some have reinterpreted the passages that deals with women in Scripture and ignoring sound biblical interpretation have given these scriptures a meaning that God did not intend.

           All these are basically man's attempts removing God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and both moral and biblical principles from our churches and society. Our God and Creator instructs us "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." (Exodus 20:3) God says Christians are to flee from idolatry of any kind. (See 1 Cor. 10:14, Col 3:5) It is idolatry to worship a false God. Even if you use the name of God and claim to worship Him, but do so contrary to His word, it is idolatry. The Samaritans in northern Israel claimed to worship Jehovah God, but theirs was a religion of man that did not believe or accept God’s word. They were actually a cult.

           True Christians and churches should reaffirm the biblical roles of both men and women in churches today, not ignore them, or attempt make them fit current trends in thinking that are contrary to God's word.

           No passage in Scripture is more direct and comprehensive in addressing the role of women in the churches than 1 Timothy 2:9-15. We need to understand also that this important subject does not fall into the so called "gray" area of Scripture, but is very clearly stated. We also need to commit ourselves to believing God and accepting what he has said as the truth that it is and reject any philosophy of man which disagrees with the teaching of Scripture. When God's principles are ignored the results will always be destructive and will bring confusion and heartache.

THE SITUATION AT EPHESUS.

           Paul was writing Timothy who was the young pastor of this church shortly after his first imprisonment in Rome. Things in Ephesus were not as they should be although Paul had earlier spent three years teaching there. (See Acts 20:27-31) Paul had warned them that error and false teachers would come from without and within the church.

           He stated that for three years he had declared the truth and the entire Word of God. What Paul feared would happen in their church did happen. The Ephesians had fallen into doctrinal error and ungodly patterns of living. In fact, the leadership at Ephesus had become corrupt and needed to be replaced. Two of the corrupt leaders, Hymenaeus and Alexander Paul not only personally rebuked but ". . . delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme." (1 Tim. 1:20)

           Paul had left Ephesus and now was instructing Timothy to straighten out these problems by continuing to teach God’s word. This letter is instruction and encouragement to him to complete the task. 1 Timothy 3:14-15 states this fact clearly.

           They had some of the same problems we have today similar to the modern feminist movement which was laying the ground work for the humanistic and atheistic movement today who stated goal is to do away with marriage, the home that God established in the beginning.

           There is a great need to address the issue of marriage and the home in our churches, however, I would like now to focus our attention on Satan’s attack on women and their high calling in God’s plan. The only way to counter the devil’s evil work is to stand for and live God’s truth. Women who love God, contend for the faith, and follow His principles will stop Satan in his tracks. This is what we wish to do this morning, to encourage and challenge women to live wholly for the Lord and honor Him and set the proper example for others by living by God’s word.

           The movement has caused great confusion as to woman's God given position and role of being a help-meet (mate) with her husband and her role in the family. It has mislead women into believing that God has looked on woman as a lesser creature and they are not important in God’s work. The movement is based on a lie and Jesus said that Satan was the father of all liars.(John 8:44) God has always held women in a special and honored position. As Acts 10:34 plains reveals "God is not a respecter of persons." (Also see Rom. 2:11, Eph. 6:9, Col. 3:11. 1 Peter 1:17) Man and Woman both have roles in God’s plan they are to live by. They are the same in principles as to godly living, but also have differences in their relationship with in their roles a woman, wife, mother, and family.

           One problem in Ephesus was the role of women in the church. In 1 Timothy 5:3-16 Paul in addressing this situation of widows in the church gives important instruction and guidelines as whether widows were godly women or not. The context is in qualifying a widow to receive help and substance from the local church. From his statements we can learn principles that describe what is a truly godly women. In verse six Paul says that a woman "who liveth in pleasure is dead while she lives." This is not condemning having pleasure in one's life, but is addressing living in such a way that having pleasure was the driving force and motivation for what that woman did.

           Please understand I am focusing our attention on God’s roles and instructions to women and not on men, although the same principles apply. On Father’s day I will address God’s role for men.

           Paul condemned a woman who lived solely for pleasure and made it the priority in her life. Addressing the widows he said that a woman who was godly and had a good testimony was one that: 1 Timothy 5:10:

1. Was known for her good works.

2. She raised her children well.

3. She was charitable in helping those outside her family who had needs.

4. She was a humble woman as opposed to living in pride, in that she showed her humility by doing the menial task of "washed the saints feet."

5. She showed her love of God by showing love towards those that were "afflicted" means those in various types of trouble. She tried to relieve their suffering.

6. She diligently went about doing every type of good works which showed her devotion to the Lord.

           These attributes typified the lifestyle of a godly woman who was a blessing to all who knew her and was a blessing and testimony in her church.

           "Lifting up holy hands" 1 Tim. 2:8. The phrase "lifting up holy hands" is an seen as a act of public worship. It does not mean waving one's hands in the air in a worship service. The context of the statement explains this. Worship is coming before the Lord and presenting to him honor. It is like a person coming into the king's presence and bringing a gift. Standing before the king the subject would take the gift in his hand and lift it up so that the king and those present could see it. This is the picture here.

           It pictures a child of God, whose hands are pure through obedience and service to the Lord, coming in the present of Jesus Christ and being able to lift up pure hands, that separated unto the Lord, which is what being holy means. It refers to lifting up hands that have been busy serving and honoring the Lord.

           It means the gift or worship was not done through necessity or force, but something willing offered in gratitude from one's heart ....a "pure heart" in faith. In other words the widows at Ephesus were told they should be trusting the Lord in faith, living godly lives and coming before the Lord "without wrath" which means murmuring and disputes.

           What a contrast between how the Pentecostals and Charismatics interpret this verse stating it pleases God when a church sings songs and wave their hands in the air in an emotional stirred up service they refer to as a "praise" service. It certainly does not mean that at all. This false interpretation completely misses the important truth of the passage and erroneously portrays the idea that God is impressed with people waving their arms in the air and singing two or three line choruses. What honors God is as this verse states is a holy life, living in faith from a pure heart and true worship from a godly child of God.

GOD'S INSTRUCTIONS TO WOMEN - 1 Timothy 2:9

           GENERAL APPEARANCE - The phrase "In like manner" connects what is about to be said with that which preceded it and directs the focus of this discourse towards the conduct of Christian women. Paul turns our attention to what "lifting up holy hands" means in reference to women in the church. Verse 8 addresses the whole of all believers in living for the Lord, and this brought up the need to address the conduct of Christian women which apparently was a problem in the Ephesus church.

           In verse 8, the phrase "I will" carries apostolic authority meaning that this instruction was coming from God. Paul is not saying "I wish" in the sense that it was of little importance, but I will which said, "I command." Paul is commanding men and women to worship the Lord with "holy hands." This passage gives a strong condemnation to the Sunday morning Christian who lives an impure life during the week. It is clearly is addressing the every day life of a believer. . .of both men and women.

           The word "adorn" means "to arrange or put in order." He is giving standards for dress in services, meetings and public life. "Modest" means being well ordered, or well arranged and decent. It does not mean to appear plain, but rather decent. The word "apparel", refers not only a woman's clothing but also her demeanor or attitude. It refers to inward as well as outward adorning. The outside and the inside should reflect a correct attitude in the heart and her heart’s attitude that is made visible in her clothing and outside adornment. Her clothing should reflect a heart focused on a love and honoring of God. A godly woman then would not, by her conduct nor her dress, bring into question her devotion and faith in the Lord.

           God says that a woman should dress modestly with "shamefacedness and sobriety." Shamefacedness refers to humility that both men and woman should show. It means she should not be outspoken and bold. She should show respect, reverence, humility and regard for others.

           The word "sobriety" means she should conduct herself with soundness of mind and be in control of her emotions. God made women to be more emotional than men emotionally are inclined to quick to be offended or to speak out. Sobriety coupled with shamefacedness means she should reign in her passions and desires and exercise self control.

           God's instruction becomes clear. God is telling women not to wear gaudy, tight, or sexual clothing which was the styles worn by pagan women. This sensual styled clothing was worn to call attention to a woman's sexuality in order up to lure and catch the eye men. God is saying that to wear such clothing was to blaspheme the intent of public worship service and further it was ungodly for women to outwardly dress like worldly women. Godly women showed their godly hearts by their outward modest dress.

           Further this type of dress and behavior degrades the woman and degrades her husband to whom by God's plan she was to be a "helper" (help meet - Gen. 2:18,20). Dressing to bring attention to one's beauty or sexuality is adulterous behavior that appeals to the lust in others.

SUBMISSION TO EACH OTHER.

           Ephesians 5:21 states that men and woman are to submit themselves to one another in the fear of the Lord. To fear the Lord means to show Him proper respect as to His sovereignty and authority over us. In the case it means to recognize God's plan for the role of men and women. Verse 22, then states the specific application of what God means when His says to submit ourselves to one another. He first instructs the wife saying, "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord." Believers are not to divide their lives between sinfulness and righteous living.

           We are to living holy and godly lives separated from sin. In the same way, God says a woman is to submit herself to her own husband. This would prohibit any conduct in which a woman would show affectionate acts to any other man other than her husband. Because she belongs to her husband and he to her they are as the marriage vows state they are to "forsake all others."

           As Jesus stated in Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

           God says, "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:3-5).

           We come to church to worship the Lord Sunday morning, night and at Bible Study. Our appearance in public or in church can honor God or dishonor Him by dishonoring ourselves. A godly woman will live to show her faith in the Lord. Christ is to have the preeminence in her life and that preeminence should standout. Her love of the Lord will have the first place in her life and she will not do things that will destroy her testimony or send the wrong message about her relationship with the Lord. God’s role for her life is the most important thing in her life as a wife and Christian.

PROPER BIBLICAL MOTIVES:

Peter also addresses this matter in 1 Peter 3:1-7:

           The use of the word "conversation" in verse 1-2, is not referring to talking between people, but rather to the "manner of one's life" or a person's behavior. Verse 2 added the adjective "chaste." which means pure from carnality, of being modest, pure from every fault, and being immaculate.

           Note verses 1-2 are about one’s testimony. "Won others by the godly and chaste lifestyle of the woman. The verse is instructing women to be in subjection to their own husbands, that they might by their godly manner of life and behavior win them to Christ. No one who does not live what they profess has no influence or credibility with someone they are trying to win to the Lord. Actions speak louder than words. If a Christian lives like the world does and is not faithful to the Lord they, by their behavior, are telling people they are a hypocrite. The send the message that the Gospel is only something that is to be feigned. They are outwardly claiming to be something that clearly they are not. Their life style then does not present God's truth and the true live changing affect of the Gospel. The bottom line is that a woman who is by her actions and outward immodest appearance has no testimony for Christ and cannot win her lost husband or family to something she does not appear to have. I have often seen mothers who were more concerned with their child’s dance lessons, sports, recognition in their school, how they dress, than in their spiritual needs.

           Verse 2 defines the manner of one's life as being pure and chaste and adds "coupled with fear." This phrase means women are to revere God as Ephesians 5:21 states that both men and women are to be "Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God."

           Specifically, it means that we love and obey the Lord, because of reverence for Him and His instructions for us. God knows what is best for us so we live godly lives as He tells us too. We submit to each other knowing that this is what is best and correct....and because God says this is right, He is righteous.

           In 1 Peter 3:3 states this same instruction that Paul gave to Timothy for the church at Ephesus. Let the manner of one's life not be the outward adorning and showing off one's person, but as Verse 4 says "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." Clearly the Lord is referring to our new nature given to Christians when they believe.

           Wives (and all of us) are to live guided by the Holy Spirit which will produce in us a meek and quiet spirit.(Eph. 5:18) The next phrase says that this is of great valve to the Lord. It refers to the great price that the Lord Jesus paid for our redemption.

           The manner of our lives should correspond and be influenced by the great cost that Jesus paid to save us when He suffered on the cross and paid our sin debt. It mocks the Lord's sacrifice for sin when a professing believer lives a life that condones sinful behavior and attitudes. In instructing on the Lord's Supper, Paul shows the need for self examination to see if there is unconfessed or habitual sin in our lives. He said that those who sinned without considering Christ's suffering were not "discerning" His body. He said some in the church at Corinth were sick and others under God's chastening had died. (See 1 Cor. 11:27-32)

           Verse 7, addresses husbands as well, that Christian husbands should dwell with their wives in knowledge. That means with understanding. Men should recognize and support the woman in fulfilling her responsibilities. Men should fulfill their roles to the marriage partnership, by supporting the woman in her role as a "help meet."

           "Giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel." It means that both husband and wife are vessels made by God and each God gave a specific makeup and responsibility.

           Both the man and the woman should understand how God designed them and their function in life and in their relationship to each other. The man is to love his wife as Ephesians 5:25-27 plainly states.

"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." (Ephesians 5:25-27)

           His relationship to his wife should be to support her in her role as a mother, and wife. He should not be a hindrance to her. Sadly, many husband are a hindrance to their wive. It is sin if he does not put her first in his life and protect and provide for her. The love he has for his wife is to be the same as God's love for the sinner.

           If a man and woman fulfill their biblical roles the marriage uplifts them both and their relationship is one of love and respect for each other.

           The Lord also address the conduct of a Christian woman who has an unsaved husband. It can be difficult for a saved wife who has an unsaved husband. The unsaved man will often has no respect of the godly principles of his wife. The Christian wife, task may be harder, but she still must live by God’s principles. Paul said, "For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?" (1 Corinthians 7:16) No man or woman has respect for someone who professed to be a Christian and does not live a godly life. No woman will win her husband to the Lord by giving in to him and thereby sinning.

Conclusion:

           God created us and has set proper standards and boundaries of our behavior.

"But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:15-16).

           It is my hope that those women and men who hear this message will understand the high calling that God has given to women and that they would have the mind of Christ and therefore bring honor and glory to our Lord and Savior by living as He instructs. Our families and nation future can be greatly influence for good and it 's the best life possible.

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