| Series | Location | Subjects | Takeaways | Sermon Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | Emmaus Orthodox Presbyterian Church |
| - | https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/51425122371417 |
š”Big Idea
Takeaways and Next Steps
šBible Passage
but she will be saved through her childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and sanctification with sobriety.
Points
- Notice that we have a tendency to throw the baby out with the bathwater.
- When we discover an error in thinking or teaching, we seek to distance ourselves from the error so greatly that we jump straight into another error
- Some in our culture devalue motherhood and view it as not a good thing. This is a grave error and is not what is taught in the bible.
- Yet unfortunately some Christians overcorrect this error and say that not only is motherhood a good thing, but they teach that motherhood is the highest or even only calling of every woman. Such a teaching is error.
- When we discover an error in thinking or teaching, we seek to distance ourselves from the error so greatly that we jump straight into another error
- Case studies of non-mother women in the Bible.
- Anna, the prophetess in Lukeās Gospel
- She was not a mother. She was childless, and God was not ashamed of her.
- The women who followed Jesus
- Mark 15:40-41 There were also women watching from afar, among whom were both Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; who, when he was in Galilee, followed him and served him; and many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem. [[Mark-15#v41|]]
- Phoebe
- Paul writes of Phoebe. There is no reference to her having children or a household and yet she was described as honorable.
- Euodia and Syntoche
- Philippians 4:2-3 I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to think the same way in the Lord. Yes, I beg you also, true partner, help these women, for they labored with me in the Good News with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. [[Phil-04#v3|]]
- Notice that Paul identifies these two women as true partners who have labored with him in the ministry of the Gospel.
- He never once mentions their marriage or motherhood. This is proof that their identity and value as women is not bound up in their status as married or mother.
- Philippians 4:2-3 I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to think the same way in the Lord. Yes, I beg you also, true partner, help these women, for they labored with me in the Good News with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. [[Phil-04#v3|]]
- Anna, the prophetess in Lukeās Gospel
- Yet, the Bible also teaches that parenting and motherhood is good for those who are called to such ministries
- Matthew 19.12 For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their motherās womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heavenās sake. He who is able to receive it, let him receive it.ā
- Jesus here is speaking specifically of males, but scripture otherwise teaches that this same principle applies to females.
- Here we see scripture teaches that there are some people that are not called to marriage or parenting, and this in no way makes that person any less valuable or contributing to the Kingdom of God.
- 1 Corinthians 7.25-40:
- 1 Timothy 5:3-5 Honor widows who are widows indeed. But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety toward their own family and to repay their parents, for this is acceptable in the sight of God. Now she who is a widow indeed and desolate, has her hope set on God, and continues in petitions and prayers night and day. [[1 Tim-05#v4|]][[1 Tim-05#v5|]]
- In this passage we see some widows who chose to remain widows (therefore unmarried) in order to better serve Godās Kingdom without distraction.
- One of the greatest errors of the Roman Catholic church is that they have overly elevated the status of celibacy (or singleness).
- Matthew 19.12 For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their motherās womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heavenās sake. He who is able to receive it, let him receive it.ā
- ā A message to single women: Your identity is not found in your marriage or parental state.
- You can be fully woman and feminine even though you are not married or a parent.
- In our text 1 Timothy 2.15 we see the woman will be saved through childbearing.
- God explicitly connects motherhood and salvation in this verse.
- ā: This does not mean that womenās salvation in eternity comes from their act of childbearing.
- This would be contrary to the Gospel which clearly teaches that we do not earn our salvation.
- It is very important that we realize that it says that she will be saved through childbearing not by childbearing.
- This would be contrary to the Gospel which clearly teaches that we do not earn our salvation.
- Rather in this verse we see that Paul is recognizing the unique problems that women have in their relationship to men. Paul is saying that the biblical remedy to these issues is childbearing.
- Also relevant passage: 1 Corinthians 14
- Context: Paul teaches the proper behavior for women in 1 Timothy 2:9-12
- āIn the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety, not just with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing, but with good works, which is appropriate for women professing godliness. Let a woman learn in quietness with full submission. But I donāt permit a woman to teach, nor to exercise authority over a man, but to be in quietness. [[1 Tim-02#v10|]][[1 Tim-02#v11|]][[1 Tim-02#v12|]] ā
- She should dress modestly
- Do good works
- Learn in quietness, in full submission, not to exercise authority over a man.
- This does not mean that a woman should never teach, but that she should never teach as an ordained minister of the church.
- ā: Why would this be? Paul explains in the next verse.
- āIn the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety, not just with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing, but with good works, which is appropriate for women professing godliness. Let a woman learn in quietness with full submission. But I donāt permit a woman to teach, nor to exercise authority over a man, but to be in quietness. [[1 Tim-02#v10|]][[1 Tim-02#v11|]][[1 Tim-02#v12|]] ā
- Then Paul gives the reason for this teaching in 1 Timothy 2:13-15 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. Adam wasnāt deceived, but the woman, being deceived, has fallen into disobedience; but she will be saved through her childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and sanctification with sobriety. [[1 Tim-02#v14|]][[1 Tim-02#v15|]]
- Paul teaches that God assigned different roles for men and women. Adam was formed first, then Eve.
- Feminists teach that the whole problem is that men rule over women and that we should abolish all systems where men rule over women (patriarchy).
- But this is not what is taught in the Bible.
- The Bible teaches that there is a different remedy to the battle of the sexes
- But this is not what is taught in the Bible.
- See Genesis 3:
- The curse on the serpent: Genesis 3:14-15 Yahweh God said to the serpent, āBecause you have done this, you are cursed above all livestock, and above every animal of the field. You shall go on your belly and you shall eat dust all the days of your life. I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel.ā [[Gen-03#v15|]]
- This curse against the serpent is also a promise for the woman.
- Her offspring will one day defeat the serpent. ā This is what it means to say that she will be saved through childbearing.
- Eve delighted in her first child, believing in the promise that her child would defeat the serpent. Yet she was disappointed when her son killed her other son.
- Yet this disappointment would not last forever. One day there would be a child of hers, a descendent who would defeat the serpent and save the world: this is Jesus Christ! She was indeed saved through childbearing.
- Her offspring will one day defeat the serpent. ā This is what it means to say that she will be saved through childbearing.
- This curse against the serpent is also a promise for the woman.
- The curse on the woman: Genesis 3.16 To the woman he said, āI will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth[^1]. You will bear children in pain. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.ā
- The rule of love between men and women has been replaced by struggle, tyranny and force because of the fall.
- The curse on the serpent: Genesis 3:14-15 Yahweh God said to the serpent, āBecause you have done this, you are cursed above all livestock, and above every animal of the field. You shall go on your belly and you shall eat dust all the days of your life. I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel.ā [[Gen-03#v15|]]
Application
- We must recognize that marriage and motherhood is a great gift and calling from the LORD.
- Married women and mothers should seek to fulfill this calling with diligence and care.
- Feminist ideas in our culture heap scorn upon motherhood.
- But this is wrong. A stay at home mom is not less because she has chosen to work at home.
- Yet we must also recognize that the calling of motherhood and marriage is not for every woman.
- Some women are called to singleness and this is not a bad thing. In fact, it is a good thing.
- Illustration: There was a steward in charge of keeping the springs in the forest. He kept rivers and streams clear of debris. His work was important yet unnoticed. He was laid off by penny pinchers. But overtime the water became dirty and toxic and the people became sick. So they rehired him, he got to work and water was clean and the people were well again.
- Our mothers and wives are the keepers of the springs in the church. Their work is vital and valuable to the Kingdom of God, even if it may not be glamorous or noticed by all.
- Christian wives and mothers are a mighty influence for God which has value for eternity.