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“True Men” & “True Women” are physical signs of an invisible reality . Lecture 3: Biblical Masculinity and Femininity: www.prshockley.org. Outline:. I. True Masculinity II. True Femininity III. Harmony of God-Given Sexuality.
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“True Men” & “True Women” are physical signs of an invisible reality. Lecture 3: Biblical Masculinity and Femininity: www.prshockley.org
Outline: I. True Masculinity II. True Femininity III. Harmony of God-Given Sexuality
A Real Man is a True Man:Ephesians 5; 2 Timothy 2:4; Matt. 11:29 • He realizes that he is ultimately responsible to God for the way he conducts and leads. • He is created to the head, provider, protector, lover, and friend. • In sum, he is to distinctly reflect the person and activities of Jesus Christ. • His true “mannishness” is actualized to the extent that He represents Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:21). 5 The more Christ is realized in his life, the more his God-given masculinity is manifested. A real man is obedient to Jesus Christ. • Created to be heads, providers, protectors, lovers, and friends; you represent Christ! (Eph. 5:21): • Men are subject to Christ. • The man is the head of the woman just AS Christ is the head of the church. • You can’t be a real man unless your obedient to Christ. • A real man is utterly given to God in his purpose, work, and love. • God takes us as we are; • A man is made in the image of God, made to serve Him. • He is a man under authority.
A Real Man is a True Man:Ephesians 5; 2 Timothy 2:4; Matt. 11:29 • The man is the head of the woman just AS Christ is the head of the church. • A real man is utterly given to God in his purpose, work, and love. • As we obey Christ, God’s image reflects Him. • We are made to serve Him. The more serve Him His ways, the more our designed nature is realized.
A Real Man is a True Man:Ephesians 5; 2 Timothy 2:4; Matt. 11:29 • Ultimate decision a true man needs to make is that that Jesus Christ is his commanding officer: 2 Timothy 2:4. 11. He must be under the authority of Christ in order that his office may fully function. • Christ is the head of the church. Just as Jesus is the initiator, provider, and one who sacrifices Himself, men are to do the same. 13. It is a total sacrifice; it is a “bloody sacrifice.” • There will be no success in a marriage without sacrifice.
A Real Man is a True Man:Ephesians 5; 2 Timothy 2:4; Matt. 11:29 15. Try to understand your wife: 1 Peter 3:7 16. God didn’t make it optional for the man to be the head of the house. 17. Jesus is the first and ultimate archetype • What did Joseph do to reveal his “mannish” character? • Taken both Jesus and Joseph together, what type of men are we to be? 20. Just as Jesus didn’t abdicate His authority, he became the bond-slave; we are called to be the same thing.
A Real Man is a True Man:Ephesians 5; 2 Timothy 2:4; Matt. 11:29 • Just as Jesus was going to the cross, our job, as men, you wash the feet of our spouse? 22. Joyous acceptance; worshipful obedience. “A true man is a real man and a real man mirrors the character of Christ and a true woman is a real woman who mirrors the bride of Christ.” Elizabeth Elliott
Biblical Femininity: I. Central Passages: 1 Timothy 5:10; Titus 2:3-5 II. Archetypes: A. How is it that Eve is the physical archetype (Genesis 1-3) for femininity? B. How is Mary, mother of Jesus, a spiritual archetype for biblical femininity? 1. How is that Mary was fit to be a mother to Jesus Christ? What qualities of femininity did she possess? 2. Is modesty and humility central characteristics of biblical femininity? (1 Tim. 5:10; Titus 2:3-5) 3. Are these cultural qualities or timeless virtues a woman of God is to follow?
A Woman’s Fulfillment: • According to Elizabeth Elliott, a woman’s fulfillment is found in the acceptance of her design, calling, and giftedness and in her submission to her husband. • Submission to Husband: • Why? Because my submission to Christ requires it; • Because of the harmony of differences: He is the operator, and she is the co-operator. He is the initiator and she is the receiver. He reflects Christ and she represents the church. • If it is YOUR will you will not find fulfillment but you will find fulfillment when you follow God’s Will. • The essence of femininity is “surrender.” The Holy Spirit witnesses to the Son and the Son witnesses to the Father; All are equal, co-substantial, yet the Son submits to the will of the Father and the Holy Spirit submits to the will of Christ; it is functional subordination.
11 Characteristics of True Womanliness: 1 Tim. 5:10; Titus 2:3-5 • A faithful marriage • Care of Children • Hospitality • Washing Feet of God’s People • Supporting those in Distress • Presiding over a home • Being reverent in our bearing • Not scandalmongers or gossips • Not slaves to drink • Setting High Standards • Schooling Younger Women
Schooling Younger Woman means teaching them to be… • Loving Wives • Loving Mothers • Temperate • Kind • Chaste • Busy at home
Masculinity/Femininity as it relates to Sexuality: • Biblical attractiveness occurs when we live out our God-giving identities in God’s ways. • Delight in our God-given roles. • Proper submission to authority. • When we are subject to one another out of reverence to Christ. 5. The treatment of the other spouse should be pleasing to God.
One Final Thought: Surrender: • If you (both genders) will be committed followers of God, following His ways rather than your own, then you will fulfill your God-given roles in a way that will honor Him and bring out your very best.