Designing Women
Steve W. Reeves
stevesermons.blogspot.com
INTRODUCTION:
A. In an episode of the TV sitcom Designing
Women (1986-1993), one of the characters, Julia Sugerbbaker, was asked to sing a solo at her church. She invited
the other characters, but one of them declined the invitation because she felt the
church was prejudiced against women. In a poignant scene, she sat down with the
preacher of the church and debated the issue with both of them using scripture
passages like weapons in their arsenal. In the episode’s closing scene, Julia sang
a stirring rendition of “How Great Thou Art,” while her friend watched from
the foyer. Then she turned and walked out closing the door behind her. It was a
not-so-subtle suggestion about discrimination against women in the church.
1. hirty years ago, I attended a retirement luncheon for Dr. Jack P. Lewis, long-time
professor of Bible at Harding School of Theology. In his remarks that day, he
stated his view that the role of women in the church would become a source of
divission within the next generration.
2. As I talked to a distinguished friend and long-time preacher this past week, he told
me that at the same time Dr. Lewis made this comment, Dr. Raymond Kelcy, long-
time professor of Bible at Oklahoma Christian University, was saying the same
thing.
3. The perceptive prediction of these scholars has proven correct.
B. It would be extremely naive of me to assume I could make a brief presentation that
would completely satisfy every question that people have about this matter. However,
I do believe I can direct us to scripture and Biblical principles that speak to this issue.
It is not my intent to generate heat but to reflect the light.
C. By means of review, in my previous lesson on this subject I sought to impress upon
you the wondrous worth of a woman.
1. This worth is not found in her status economically, professionally, or socially.
Rather, it is inherent because she is a masterpiece created by the artistry of God
(Genesis 1:27, 2:18-24).
2. Her value is certified by scripture, which in no way denigrates women, but exalts
them. Of the 172 women mentioned by name in the Bible, the vast majority are
portrayed in a favorable light; and the instructions given by the Bible regarding the
treatment of women are drastically different from the harsh cultural standards of
the ancient world.
3. The worth of women is also being challenged by today’s world. Women are being
pressed to conform to the world’s standards of success rather than to God’s
standard of inner beauty, character, and integrity. Never has it been more
important to listen, beyond the noise of culture, to what God has to say.
I. WHAT DOES GOD SAY ABOUT THE STATUS OF MEN AND WOMEN IN THE CHURCH?
A. By “status” I am referring to a person’s worth, value, and relationship with God.
1. In this regard, it must be emphatically stated that there is no difference between
male and female, just as there is no difference between racial, geographic, or
socio-economic groups.
2. This was Paul’s statement in Galatians3:26-28: “For you are all sons of God
through faith in Christ Jesus.27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have
clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither
slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ
Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants,
heirs according to promise.”
3. Likewise, in his letter to the Ephesians Paul wrote: “So then you are no longer
strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s
household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building,
being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you
also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit” (Ephesians
2:19-27).
a. Who was Paul referring to with the words, “you are fellow citizens with the
saints?”
b. Though specifically dealing with the Jew/Gentile issue, it is also true that the
same could be said of male and female (Galatians 3:26-28). We are all fellow
citizens within the kingdom of God.
B. As citizens we all possess the following privileges.
1. We are children of God.
a. According to Romans 8:15, “For you have not received a spirit of slavery
leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by
which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”
b. Ephesians 1:4-5 states: “In love He predestined us to adoption as sons
through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will.”
2. We all have the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
1. Romans 8:9 reminds us: “However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if
indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit
of Christ, he does not belong to Him.
2. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the
Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your wn? 20For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your
body.”
3. The forgiveness of sins is in no way
relaed to a person’s gender. In Christ we
all have redemption through His blood, te forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7).
4. Indeed, the long list of spiritual
blessings found in Ephesians 1:3-11 draws no all have redemption through His blood, te forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7).
distinction whatsoever between male and female. All of us who are “in Christ”
have the same spiritual status before God.
I I. WHAT DOES GOD SAY ABOUT THE ROLES OF MEN AND WOMEN IN THE HOME?
A. Genesis 2:18 describes the woman as a “helper” for man.
B. Paul advises Titus to “[teach] what is good, 4 so that they may encourage the
young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be sensible,
pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the
word of God will not be dishonored.” (Titus 2:3-5)
C. Peter speaks to women with these words: “In the same way, you
wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are
disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their
wives, 2 as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior” (1 Peter 3:1-2).
D. Peter also has this admonition for men: “You husbands in the same way, live with you wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a oman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will ot be hindered.
E. Paul
frther addressed roles of women and men in Ephesians 5:22-25: “Wives, be subect
to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the
head of the wife, s Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24 Butas the church
is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought
to be to their husbands in eveything. 25 Husbands, love
your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave imself up for her.”
III. WHAT DOES GOD HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THE ROLES OF WOMEN IN THE CHURCH?
A. When Paul was writing to the church at Corinth, he was addressing a congregation
beset by disorder and confusion. One of those areas of confusion was about the
roles of male and female. It becomes obvious, as you read the letter, that
Paul’s goal was to restore a sense of order to a chaotic situation.
1. In chapter 11:1-3, he begins this discussion by stating a divine principle. He will
then make cultural application, just as he does in much of his writing.
2. “Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to
the traditions, just as I delivered them to you. 3 But I want you to understand that
Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God
is the head of Christ.”
B. Writing to Timothy in Ephesus Paul explained how this divine order affected
different roles within the church.
1. All humanity should have an interest in our prayers. God desires for all of
humanity to be saved (I Timothy 2:1-7).
2. In verse 8, Paul addressed men: “I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.”
3. Beginning in verse 9 he addressed women. He wrote: “Likewise, I want women to dorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair nd gold or pearls or costly garments, 10 but rather by means of good works, as is proper forwomen making a claim to godliness. 11 A woman must quietly receive instruction with enire submissiveness.”
4.Then, beginning in verse 12, he wrote, “But I do not allow a woman to teach
or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. 13 For it was Adam who
was first created, and then Eve. 14 And it was not Adam who was deceived,
but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. 15 But women will be
preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and
sanctity with self-restraint.”
C. From these verses we need to remember these points.
1. Paul was writing regarding conduct within the church. (1 Timothy 3: 15)
2. He was writing as an inspired writer (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
3. His instructions were based on God-ordained authority.
4. To suggest, as some do, that these were merely cultural commands that were
only applicable in the first century and have no bearing on the church today
seems to me a very dangerous path to follow.
a. Scripture must certainly be understood in light of its historical and literary
context.
b. There is no doubt that Paul makes practical application of his teaching in light of customs and situations that were unique to his day.
c. However, these instructions are
based on divne principles of authority that go back
to the opening chapters of the Bible.
5. Paul does not teach
a. that the woman is nferior to
the man any more than Christ is inferior to God the Father. (See Philippians 2:6- and Colossians 1:15-17; 2;9)
or
b. that the woman is less
intelligent or less talented than the man. (In many cases the opposite may be true.)
6. Paul does teach that there is a divinely appointed order according to God’s plan.
CONCLUSION:
A. Occasionally I catch an episode of Designing Women on television. I sometimes get
a kick out of Julia’s sassiness and swagger. I’m concerned much more about our
“Designing God” and how He has made us in His image and for His purpose.
B. The importance of a man or a woman is not defined by standing in front of a
group of people. Jesus repeatedly said that service was not about standing before
others.
1. The real question is not, “are we standing in the spotlight for a few minutes on
Sunday morning,” but “what are we doing with the other hours of the week.”
2. May God help all of us serve Him as He desires.
- Special thanks to Dr. Charles Pittman for editorial assistance with tthis message.
