all apostasy is driven by a failure of leadership. n n all apostasy is driven by a failure of...

All apostasy is driven by a failure of leadership.

As we have seen it begins with a failure of As we have seen it begins with a failure of the home. We live in a culture where the the home. We live in a culture where the role of men is under relentless attack.role of men is under relentless attack.

Sadly, the church is seeing a feminization of the role of men. What does God want? (Eph 6:4)

Ephesians 6:4 (NKJV)4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Many godly women are forced by the abandonment of their leadership to step up and lead.

It is from our homes we “grow” elders.

When God’s people fall away the first ones to be called into account in the leadership

This was true in the nation of Israel. (Isa 3:14; Ezek 8:11-13)

Isaiah 3:14 (NKJV) - The Lord will enter into judgment With the elders of His people And His princes: “For you have eaten up the vineyard; The plunder of the poor is in your houses.

Ezekiel 8:11-13 (NKJV) - And there stood before them seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel, and in their midst stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan. Each man had a censer in his hand, and a thick cloud of incense went up.

12Then He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the room of his idols? For they say, ‘The Lord does not see us, the Lord has forsaken the land.’”

13And He said to me, “Turn again, and you will see greater abominations that they are doing.”

This was true in the Lord’s church. (Heb 13:17; Acts 20:26-32)

Hebrews 13:17 (NKJV) - Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

Acts 20:26-32 (NKJV)26Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. 28Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

29For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.

32“So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

The people of God must not tolerate the wrong kind of leaders. (Jer 5:29-31)

Jeremiah 5:29-1 (NKJV)29 - Shall I not punish them for these things?’ says the Lord. ‘Shall I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?’ 30

“An astonishing and horrible thing Has been committed in the land: 31 The prophets prophesy falsely, And the priests rule by their own power; And My people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end?

Those who seek to change the church into the image of the current culture know very well that the change of the leadership is a first priority!

Headship as designed by God.

There is an established order by God. (1 Cor 11:3)

1 Corinthians 11:3 (NKJV)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.

The example of the order is shown by Jesus as head of the church. (Eph 5:25-29)

Ephesians 5:25-29 (NKJV)25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

28So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.

Jesus nourished, provides and loves the church.

He also is head given all authority by God. (Mt 28:18)

Matthew 28:18 (NKJV)18And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

There are other kinds of “headship” where we must learn to submit! (Heb 13:17; Eph 6:5, 8; 5:21)

Hebrews 13:17 (NKJV)17Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

Ephesians 6:5 (NKJV)5Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; Ephesians 6:8 (NKJV)8knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

Ephesians 5:21 (NKJV)21submitting to one another in the fear of God.

Rebellion towards authority is praised by the world but God hates it.

One who is to submit is not inferior.

One who is to submit is not inferior. How should a husband be head of his

home? He must make understanding a priority.

(1 Pt 3:7)

1 Peter 3:7 (NKJV)7Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

As a husband I put my wife’s needs before mine. If she is unhappy and hurting I look and examine the kind of head that I am.

I rarely make decisions without carefully consulting her. I almost never make decisions that we don’t both agree on.

I have a great blessing in that I married someone who loves the Lord. Things likely would be very different if I had not. (Lk 1:5-6)

Luke 1:5-6 (NKJV)5There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

A husband cannot force his wife to submit! She must choose to obey God.

Problems can be caused in local churches when men fail to be heads of their home.

Women have a great influence in the church when they follow their God given role. (1 Pt 3:3-4; Eph 5:28)

1 Peter 3:3-4 (NKJV)3Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—4rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

Ephesians 5:28 (NKJV)28So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.

There are some bad examples in the old testament of women who dominated their husbands and forced their will. (Ex. Jezebel and Ahab)

Still there are many good examples of women who did much good by living by faith. (Prov 31:10-12, 23, 26-31)

Proverbs 31:10-12 (NKJV)10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good and not evil

All the days of her life.

Proverbs 31:23 (NKJV) Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.

Proverbs 31:26-31 (NKJV)26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness. 27 She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.”

30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates.

A woman that is not constantly challenging their husband, but rather showing honor and confidence in his leadership, will strengthen him.

In the church a woman can cause great trouble by complaining, gossiping, being jealous and contentious. Some will push their husbands in the background to their designs. Some have used the term “she-elders”

When there are meetings among the men and a problem is solved then these things ought also to be solved at home! When the problem comes back up at the next meeting then there is likely trouble at home.

If you find a good church with a loving spirit, you will find a church with godly women.

Understanding the role of women

Where does God place the priorities for women? (1 Peter 3:1-7)

1 Peter 3:1-7 (NKJV)1 Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, 2when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.

3Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—4rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

5For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, 6as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.

7Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

There is something you can do to have a very powerful impact upon your husband! (v1-2) Rather than demand your rights, build a good character.

Rather than the outward, a woman that is not constantly challenging their husband, but rather showing honor and confidence in his leadership, will build strength in him. (v3-4)

God places a great value on this spirit, do you?

God places a great value on this spirit, do you? Men and women have different roles.

(1 Tim 2:8-15)

1 Timothy 2:8-15 (NKJV) 8I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; 9in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing,

10but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. 11Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. 12And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. 13For Adam was formed first, then Eve.

14And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. 15Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.

Here this is specific to men (v8)

Here this is specific to men (v8) What is proper for women? (v9-10) We

need to give emphasis to subjection and a Godly spirit.

Here “all submission” is not just to the husband!

Because she is not to be in authority does not mean that women should not become good Bible students. (Some mates let the other do all the studying!)

The silence here is not an absolute silence. (v12)

hesuchia AV - silent 3, quietness 1; 4 - 1) quietness 1a) description of the life of one who stays at home doing his own work, and does not officiously meddle with the affairs of others 2) silence

There are circumstances where women may teach men. (Acts 18:26)

Acts 18:26 (NKJV) 26So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

The reasons for subject are as old as creation. (v13-14)

Women are limited in their participation in the assembly. (1 Cor 14:33-37)

1 Corinthians 14:33-37 (NKJV) 33For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. 34Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says.

35And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church. 36Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached? 37If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.

This is not just any gathering of Christians. (1 Cor 14:23) (Not a Bible Class)

1 Corinthians 14:23 (NKJV)23Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind?

This silence involves the addressing of the assembly. (1 Cor 14:28, 30)

1 Corinthians 14:28 (NKJV)28But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.

1 Corinthians 14:30 (NKJV)30But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent.

When a woman follows this rule they are showing submission whether married or not! (v34)

This is a command of God to be followed, not some social order by man. (v37)

Some important applications.

Some important applications. There cannot be women elders and deacons.

(1 Tim 3:2, 11)

1 Timothy 3:2 (NKJV) 2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach;

1 Timothy 3:11 (NKJV) 11Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.

It is unwise to have women in business meetings.

There were occasions for the whole church to hear discussion. (Acts 15:6, 22)

Acts 15:6 (NKJV)6Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.

Acts 15:22 (NKJV) 22Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.

Why would we want to have women in the business meeting? What would they do?

In the Bible it was men who were to be the leaders. In our business meetings the men are to make the finial decision.

To have women attend the business meeting but not speak would be like inviting someone to a dinner table filled with food and not let them eat. Temptation will likely prevail.

How the world is winning over “mainstream” churches of Christ

The foundations of the local congregation are now under assault.

Many will use the terms “traditional position” and “Legalism” to intimidate others from an unprejudiced study of the role of women.

Consider the “Jubilee” meetings in Nashville and their fruit.

Here are some excerpts from an article written by Virgil L. Hale.

“Though there were several women teachers there were no women's classes as such; all classes were open to both men and women regardless of the gender of the teacher." He then pointed out that his wife, who was one of the invited teachers; refused to speak with men present, and saw to it that only women were present in her class.

As a result, he said, "Most of the women thought it "quaint" and "old fashioned" but many publicly called it "legalism,” "lack of love," ''enforcing the letter of the law instead of the spirit," etc. One young woman did everything but curse her in a bitter display of uncontrolled temper.

When other women teachers were asked how they felt about men in their classes such replies as "it's an honor to have them" or "it's about time" or even "I'm so used to it I didn't even give it any thought."

He went on to say that "When asked to explain 1 Timothy 2:11, 12 there was always a refusal to discuss scripture and the remark, "The freedom Christ gives us looses us from the letter of the N. T. and lets us walk only by its spirit." The phrase "old traditions" was often heard. He goes on with point number ”

(2) The women who taught classes had full control over the classes. Since classes taught by other women had many men present almost without exception the woman teacher called on a woman to lead a song and a woman to lead a prayer. (3) One of the male speakers did not show up for a major lecture and one of the women teachers was asked to speak in his place.

(4) Jack Evans, one of the keynote speakers before the entire assembly, asked his wife to sing a solo before the congregation. After the first verse he asked the assembly to join her in singing the rest of the song. She was then the song leader. (5) The Truth was compromised in practically every speech made.

The sentiment was often expressed that every baptized believer was saved regardless of how little he understood or believed, where he went to church or how he worshiped. Landon Saunders said environmental organizations were as necessary as the church and that "saving the whales” was “as necessary for one to go to heaven as was baptism or the Lord's Supper.” --- Contending for the faith October 1989

The sentiment was often expressed that In Texas a good friend witnessed how a man who was to speak to the assembly decided to turn it into a Bible class by saying “everything we do is worship anyhow!” The more disturbing element was that the Elders did nothing!”

The house church movement appeals to those who wish to ignore God’s order.

How weak elderships are destroying local churches

What do leaders do?

What do leaders do? A shepherd knows the sheep. (John 10:3-5)

John 10:3-5 (NKJV) 3To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

A leader is concerned for the real welfare of the sheep. What comes first? (John 10:11-12)

John 10:11-12 (NKJV) - “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them.

A leader will lead by principle and not by convenience.

There are “leaders” who allow the flock to be plundered by wolves.

As with most movements there is a difference between the leadership and the membership. Often the membership is in the dark!

The leadership has a course they wish to plot, while the membership is a mixture of special interest which can be played one against the other.

The real truth is that they stand for little. The leadership however will use the most carnal attacks against the “patternist.”

Consider the kind of men who are brought in to speak. (Ex. After I left and then begin reading. I then learned of what these men really believed.)

Even though a congregation may have elders, in some cases the preachers are the real leaders! (Ex. Weak Elder who wrings his hands and complains in the background)

Some have been taught by others to weave,” that is disguise your beliefs until the time is right. This is not honest! (Eph 4:14)

Ephesians 4:14 (NKJV)14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,

Some elderships let preachers and members continue in an undermining of faith. (Titus 1:9-11)

Titus 1:9-11 (NKJV) - 9holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. 10For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.

Some men are allowed to preach who do not believe instrumental music is wrong.

Some men have openly taught false and destabilizing doctrines and never had to

correct them. (Ex. We should have the Lord’s Supper as we would a meal and

visit and laugh and talk.)

There will be “underground” movements with thus kind of a church that will gain

followers. (2 Pt 2:1-2)

2 Peter 2:1-2 (NKJV) 1But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.

Often there is an intellectual pride that considers all controversy as unspiritual.

The issue of authority must be applied to all areas of life.

Once we let go of this concept there is no stopping!

Because of our desire to follow “all things” (Matt 28:20) we can correct our inconsistencies in time.

Matthew 28:20 (NKJV) 20teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

One brother tried to justify his move with the culture because “brethren have been inconsistent”. A good man replied: “That may be so, but you have pulled up your anchor altogether!

While we maintain the landmarks to keep ourselves in the will of God, you are adrift without an anchor. You have achieved consistency at the sacrifice of principle!”

Are you walking by faith?

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