WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DRAW LIFE FROM? There are a plethora of things that people try to use to define themselves, to derive a sense of significance or identity from. Some use education to define themselves. For others it is power or money or influence on others. Today other people try to draw a sense of life and meaning from various types of sexual orientation, identifying with others as confused as they are about what makes for life. Politics has become the major religion of our day, and people think they can actually draw life from belonging to a particular party. People are desperate to have the approval of others to validate the essence of their own being. We desperately long to belong...but that hunger is actually a hunger for God and the wholeness He alone can provide. The problem is that you cannot draw life from sin in any form, be it pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, sloth or any permutation of them. Sin carries nothing of true and lasting life in it...
ORDER IN WORSHIP DOES NOT LIMIT MISSION AND MINISTRY There are some who have either unknowingly or knowingly given heed to the idea that Christianity has major flaws in its doctrine regarding ministry shared by both men and women. Some have even begun to be seduced by the spirit of this present age claiming that women have been subjugated by what is now being labeled as "patriarchy" or spiritual abuse of women by men who hold positions of leadership in the church. 1 Timothy 2:11-12 is often used a proof-text to try and confirm this skewed point of view. Here is the text: "Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet." The context here is worship and discipleship. In the early church men did not disciple women and women were not to disciple men. Discipleship or spiritual mentoring to help another grow in their faith, their obedience to the Word of God and lea...