01/16 - HE DID
SERMON SERIES: I DO, WE DID, NOW WHAT?
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27
Men and women have equal value and dignity but different roles in marriage as part of the created order. The Apostle Paul speaks of this equality of men and women in Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
“For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.” Ephesians 5:23-24. The biblical ideal for men is to provide loving, humble leadership and avoid errors of passivity and aggressiveness. “At the heart of mature masculinity is a sense of benevolent responsibility to lead, provide for and protect women in ways appropriate to a man’s differing relationships.” (Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood by Wayne Grudem and John Piper).
Prayer: Father, thank you for creating all people with equal value and dignity. Every time I look and talk to another person, help me to remember the person I am talking with is an image bearer of God. Strengthen the men and women in my family, our church, and our nation to fulfill their God given role in their marriage and in our churches.