SRPC/BS – 2022 Dec 3: MALE ROLE [3B] – 1 Cor 11. Leadership Model – Christ & His relationship with the Father. Pray & Prophesy.

SRPC BIBLE STUDY

Saturday 3 December 2022

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In Part 3 of the Male Role Series

… we want to look into the scriptures that touch on the male leadership role in the family

… Starting with 1 Corinthians 11

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1 Corinthians 11 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
• 4. Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head.

{… having anything or anyone between (or above) him and Christ e.g. Adam listening to Eve & Abraham listening to Sarah??}

• 7. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man.
• 8. For man is not from woman, but woman from man.
• 9. Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man.
• 10. For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.
• 11. Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord.
• 12. For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God.

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In 1 Corinthians 11 we see that 

… though there is interdependence between the male (man) and female (woman)

… there is also divine structure, hierarchy and protocol

… possibly because for things to be done & people to work efficiently & effectively

… there has to be persons given the responsibility and held accountable

Unity and diversity of spiritual gifts

… plus the critical nature of interdependence

… of the body as a family or the Church

… is further illustrated in 1 Corinthians 12

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Hence,

… the head of woman is man & the head of man is Christ

… woman is the glory of man, man is the (image &) glory of God

… man is the symbol of authority over woman

… Christ is the symbol of authority over man

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Men therefore have to first and foremost act in honor of their head, which is Christ

… in order to display the image and glory of God

… by properly exercising their leadership role

… such as in the priestly and prophetic office for the family

… and successfully fulfilling their divine family mandate

… such as fulfilling their provision and protective role

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The principle being

• Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven… Matthew 5:16
• This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, proving yourselves to be My disciples… John 15:8
• But seek first (prioritize )the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you (everything else will fall into place)… Matthew 6:33

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Basically,

… because of what I say and do as a man,

… my wife and children should be able to give a positive review with thanksgiving to the Lord

… for my successful walk in fulfilling my divine mandate as husband and father

… that takes after Jesus as our husband and our heavenly Father as father

… as an example to a world that eagerly awaits the manifestation of the sons of God

… all to the honor and glory of God

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>> Men are to honor their head, which is Christ, as they fulfill their divine mandate.

Some insight on honor is given in 2 Timothy 2 NKJV, excerpts 

• 1. You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
• 4. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
• 7. Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.
• 10. Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
• 15. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
• 19. Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

• 20. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.
• 21. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

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>> The model for males is Christ & His relationship with the Father.

An idea of how is given in John 15, which touches on 

• A.S.King the Lord – Ask, Seek & Knock on behalf of the family

• Love & Unity – Growing intimacy with God and with the family members

• Empowerment & Provision – Ask and it will be done .. so that we bear much fruit

• Obedience – submission, honor and respect

• Leading by example through sacrificial (greater) love

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The principle being

• The Lord as our shepherd (Psalm 23)

• … (E.g. Vs 3) He restores my soul; He guides (leads) me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of His name.
• The Lord who qualifies us Colossians 1:12
• Indeed the Lord who foreknows, predestines, calls, justifies & glorifies (Romans 8)
• … working all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called (and aligned) according to His purpose (vs 28)

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Therefore

John 15:7-13 BSB

• 7. If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
• 8. This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, proving yourselves to be My disciples.
• 9. As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Remain in My love
• 10. If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love.
• 11. I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.
• 12. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
• 13. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

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Christ is the principle male leadership role model

… especially as it pertains to the family

… and this is illustrated to us as Christ the Head of His Body, the Church

… and the Church as the Bride of Christ

… Ephesians 5; Colossians 

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Males therefore need to emulate Christ

… and be diligent in making ones calling and election sure, into the everlasting kingdom

… by seeking His wisdom so that one can have knowledge & understanding of God

… to walk in His divine nature and power

… so as to partake of all things that pertain to life and godliness

… after having been empowered ( given grace & peace) to fully please Him, 

… so as to be fruitful in every good work and walking worthy of our calling

… and all for His honor and glory.

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For example

… men are commanded to love their wives… Ephesians 5:25; Colossians 3:19

… and Jesus, the head of man, is Himself the embodiment of love…Ephesians 3:19; 1 John 3:16

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Men therefore have to know Christ

… in order to grow from faith to love

… by increasing their knowledge of Him

… so as not to be barren, but fruitful in good works required

… and this to be accomplished mainly through exercise & growth

… from faith (in Christ) to virtue to knowledge to self control to perseverance to godliness to brotherly kindness to love

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Basically, according to John 15

… one attaches themselves by faith to the True Vine ( Jesus Christ)

… and they exercise that faith with actions that allow one to grow (in order to contain)

… the good fruit of love that Jesus will produce in them

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Colossians 1:9-12 NKJV

• For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
• that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
• strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;
• giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.

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2 Peter 1 NKJV

• 2. Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,
• 3. as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
• 4. by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
• 5. But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,
• 6. to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,
• 7. to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.
• 8. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
• 9. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
• 10. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;
• 11. for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

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Some of the main lessons here therefore are 

… Christ & His relationship with the Father is the model for the male

… Christ is the principle male leadership role model 

… Christ is the head of man and hence his symbol of authority

… Man is the image and glory of God,

hence ought not to cover his head (have anything or anyone in between them??)

… But has to honor his head by reflecting the goodness of God

… such as by increasing in the knowledge of God so as to be fruitful in every good work

… that others, particularly those under his influence and authority

… may indeed taste and see that the Lord is good

… in them and through them, to the glory of the Lord.  

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Often overlooked is 1 Corinthians 11:4

– Man should be praying and prophesying with his head uncovered

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The responsibility for praying and prophesying

… particularly with the head uncovered

… points to humility and being open for Christ to lead

… and this requires an intimate engagement with the Lord by man

… for man to be guided to lead in the priestly and prophetic roles on behalf of the family

… taking after Jesus Christ, the Great High Priest and whose testimony is the Spirit of Prophecy (Hebrews 4:14-15; Revelation 19:10)

This should translate to or indeed empower man’s provision and protective roles as well

… through the Lord Himself, as the Way to the Truth of Life,

… with this life given in abundance and with prosperity (of body and soul) into eternity.

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Indeed

Psalm 35:27 NKJV

• Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, “Let the LORD be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.”

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Psalm 149:4 NKJV

• For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation.

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James 1:17 NKJV

• Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

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Matthew 7:11 NKJV

• If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

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Therefore according to James 4

• God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble
• Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
• Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
• Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.

Boldly approaching the Throne of Grace

… to receive mercy and find grace for help in time of need… Hebrews 4:16

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Prayer

1 Peter 5 NKJV

• 6. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
• 7. casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
• 8. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
• 9. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
• 10. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
• 11. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.