Crossing Church

Taught at Manskool on 2.15.09 by Pete Mosher

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. 
Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you.  But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. 1 Corinthians 11:1-3 (ESV)

Introduction

Do you believe that you are the head of your wife and home because you believe the Bible?

The Biblical danger, which God warns us about, is that we may know a piece of truth, agree with it, tell others about it, but not live it. That danger is called deception.

James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Ex: Do you hold the complementarian position? But are functionally egalitarian?

What is the difference (matter)? When it comes to headship, how do you know whether you are doing the Word, and not only hearing it, which means you’re deceived?

The difference is theology and doctrine. Practice follows belief.

 How does theology (the study of God) inform our view of headship? How does our doctrine (teachings or beliefs) inform our practice?

1 Corinthians 11:3 tells us that “the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.”

As Christ submits to and follows God the Father so we as husbands submit to and follow Jesus Christ. Jesus said this about his coming under the Father. John 5:19a So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing.”

1.  Christ is our head and therefore we follow his leadership.
   Luke 6:46-49 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”
2. Seeing that Christ comes under God the Father and is the head of man helps us see what it means for us to come under Christ but serve as head of our wife.

How the Bible describes the roles of Christ: No book brings more clarity than Hebrews regarding the specific roles of Jesus Christ

• Regarding Jesus Christ as Prophet (One who speaks for God) Hebrews 1:1-2 “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,  but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.”

• Regarding Jesus Christ as Priest (One who intercedes on behalf of) Hebrews 6:19-20 “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”

• Regarding Jesus Christ as King (One who leads, provides, and protects) Hebrews 7:1-2 “For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,  [2] and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace.”

Unfortunately, we may miss the mark (which is sin). Our aim is to mature.

Where do we err? Where do we miss the mark? I’ve prepared a list of likely culprits.

1. We may be ignorant (most charitable). We didn’t know we were supposed to a prophet, priest and king to our wives and so we weren’t.
2. We may be selfish. We simply put ourselves first by focusing on ourselves and we leave a vacuum for our wives to fill.
3. We may be lazy (sloth). We don’t feel like it, it isn’t a good time, could you check back with me next week? Month? Year?
4. We may be weak (act like men, be strong). There is a need for courage and a need for strength from the husband. 1 Corinthians 16:13 “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”
5. We may be passive. Many of our wives are capable. So we disengage from our responsibilities and allow them to help take the reins.
6. We may be a dictator. We think we are supposed to control things (micro-manage). Permission required, everything is done our way. The brains of our wife aren’t needed.

Women have rightly rebelled against dictatorship in marriage. It is clear to them that whatever headship means, it doesn’t mean a harsh or unloving attitude but a spirit of kindness and compassion. It doesn’t mean selfishness, but self-sacrifice. It doesn’t mean control, but a willingness to assume responsibility. Bob Lepine in Building Strong Families, p 101

When we sin, we have a propensity to slide in the same direction almost every time.

1. Where are you weak? Examine your leadership. Domineering? Passive?
2. Get a plan. You can’t do it all at once. It is easy to feel overwhelmed. Choosing not to begin is unacceptable because we are the head, we are the stronger sex.
3. Know your enemy (sometimes you are going to feel all alone). You never are, because you always have Jesus Christ.

For more information about Manskool, the monthly gathering of Crossing’s Men’s Ministry, contact men[at]crossinglouisville[dot]com.